US1426162A - eisele - Google Patents

Description

C. WI EISELE.

LAMP DIMMER.

APPLICATIQN FILED ocT. la. |920.

l ,426, l 62. Patented Aug. 15, 1922;

3 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.-

T/gal C. W. EISELE.

, LAMP DIMMER. APPLICATION FILED ocT. I8. 1920.

Patented Aug. 15, l1922;A

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESS.-

A TT ORNE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAR/LES ,V. EISELE, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

LAMP DIMMnn.

otier purposes, and comprises a further development and,amplilication oit the invention di closed in my Patent No. 1835727, dated )ril 6, 1920. "The invention contemplates a head light r other lamp having dimming means come i" tubular shield or sleeve, surroundlanep bulb or other illuminating' elet the illinninator and tubular shield bei' relatively' movable in a longitudinal ,rectioin whereby the rays of light from such lampsv are Vintincepted or permitted to be retlected by tbe usual redector.

The object ot the present inv ntion is to improve the emr-rolv means for the reciprocatory element and to provide automatic locking` means therefor, "or locking` the movable element in its lretiucrecl position.

A. furtherobject oithe invention 'is to provide electrical impulse operated control ineens whereby the reciprocatory element whether the same. be the tubular shield or the lamp the in is rcciproeated and locked in its retracted position by one electrical impulse` and Y cally released by a succeed' e; ele :al impulse.

40 4^. #their eject ot the iiivention is to associate .an-'l arranfje the operating` parts nih mehr they' will be eoinpaetlv arranged .and may be easily and cheaily inanuiactured, having but tow oper parts and unlikely to `ejet out oli repair.

lilith tl f ary and other inei- .flental obie.; in view as will more fully ear .in the specification, the invention of construction, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application letl October 18, 1920. Serial No. 417,776.

or interceptor as the reciprocatory member which is in its forward or operative position. Fig. 2 is detail view of a modilication showing the lamp andits support as the reciprocatory element. Figs. 3 and 4 are det-ail perspective views of the interengag'ing locking members. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the locking members in engaged relation. Fig'. 6 is a sectional View ot a. modification. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views ot' the rdetent employed in the construction shown in Fig. 6. v l

' Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

' Referring to the preferred form of em# bodiment shown in the drawings, l is the lamp housing having the usual transparent glass lace 2. The transparent face 2 is carried in the frame. 3, which forms a removable closure for the housing 1. .Vithn the housing l is located a retiector 4l of the customary parabolicy form, havin.;n positioned at its focal point an incandescent electric bulb or other illuminating` element 5. In the construction shownin Fig. l the illuminating element 5 is stationarily mounted upon a supporting stem 6, projecting` through an opening in the apex of the parabolic retlector 4. ln Fig. 2 this construction is somewhat modified, bv mountingthe lamp bulb or illuminating element 5 upon a reciprocatory support or stem 6, which likewise projects through a central opening` at the apex oi the reflector 4i. lli'u'ler its normal condition of use the rays of light emanating from the bulb or illuminatin element 5er 5 are reflected trom the inner face of the parabolic reflector el.. The reflector l is, so proportioned that the liolit ravs will. be condensed inthe field ot illumination and will lbe projected in substantially parallcl rays, as is usual in lamps ot this cheractor.

lVithout the use oit the reflect-or 4 the illuininatingelement 5 or 5 affords but a limited degree of illumination. Therefore, by intercepting the rays of light emanating from the lamp and permitting only a limited proportion oi the light rays to reach the reflector 4', the brilliancy or intensity of' illumination may be regulated. To dim the lamp by intereepting the rays of light, therebv reducing materially the intensity of the reflected light. there is provided a tubular interceptor shield or sleeve 8 which surrounds the illuminating element 5 when the intensity of the light is to be reduced. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 this effect is achieved by reciprocating the sleeve or interceptor 8 forwardly in relat-ion with the stationary light element 5, whereby the forward end of the interceptor sleeve will encle-se the lamp and intercept all or the greater portion of the light rays, which would otherwise reach the reflector 4. It is desirable that a small portion of these light rays be allowed to reach the marginal rim of the reflector to afford a low degree of diffused illumination when the light is dimmed. However, if desired the interceptor may be allowed to project to such extent as to cut off entirely all the light rays from the reflector 4. No light rays being permitted to reach the reflector the only illumination afforded will be that of direct light in a` forwardly direction. In the operative position of the member, the interceptor or shield will not interfere with the illumination of the reflector 4, and the full light value or intensity of the reflected light may be obtained. By adjusting thestop means hereafter mentioned, a greater or less yarea of the reflector may be utilized, thereby varying the degree or intensity of the illumination accordingly. In the construction shown in Fig. 2 this result'is achieved by reciprocating the lampn whereby it may be retracted withink the stationary interceptor or projected therebeyond to the focal point of the parabolic reflector 4. To effect the reciprocation of the interceptor or shield 8 of the construction shown in Fig. 1, or the lamp support 6 of Fig.. 2, asolenoid 10`is employed. y

As thus far described, the construction is substantially that disclosed in my prior patent aforementioned, except that in the present instance the solenoid 10 is differently located in relation with the lamp support and shield. -i i 1n the present instance, the coil or winding 10 of the solenoid is concentrically positioned in relation with the lamp support 6 and shield or interceptor 8. As shown in Fig. 1 this solenoid is mounted upon a supporting plate or base 11, fixedly secured to the interior of the housing 1, and axially conci-nitric therewith. Projecting inwardly7 from the base plate or support 11 and secured thereto concentrically in spaced relation with the coil or winding 10 is a guide tube 12, within which is mounted the supporting stem 6 of the lamp element 5. This lamp support G is stationary within the tube 12 while surrounding the tube 12 and slidingly mounted thereon is the shield or interceptor-8,. This interceptor in its forward position projects beyond the end of the tube 12` and encloses the lamp element 5. linterposed between the interceptor 8 and the base or supporting plate 11 is an ejector spring 13 to actuate the interceptor or shield S forwardly. rlhe shield or interceptor 8 is limited A in its forward movement by stop nuts 14 carried upon a rod `15 projecting from the supporting plate 11. This rod 15 not only car "ies the stop nuts 14 which limit the throw of the interceptor or shield, but it also affords an auxiliary guide for the shield and prevents its rotation about the guide tube 12. v

i The interceptor 8 is preferably formed of sheet steel or iron, and comprises the reciprocatory core of the solenoid 10. That is to say, the solenoid core is of hollow or tubular form enclosing the lamp 5 when projected forwardly under the influence ofthe spring 13 and exposing the lamp when retracted byV the magnetic influence of the solenoid coil 10. The winding 10 of the solenoid isv of such capacity and the tension of the ejector spring 13 relatively proportioned thereto, that an electrical impulse through the coil or winding 10 will cause the electromagnetic coil to attract its core 8, forming the interceptor, against the tension of the spring 13, drawing it rearwardly quickly and forcibly. The electro-magnetic forces of the 'coil naturally tend to balance the retracted tubular core 8 comprising, the interceptor at a medial position within thecoil or winding. However, this is resisted by Athe ejector spring 13 which constantly tends to vdisplace the interceptor or core forwardly. Ther force or violence with which the tubular core or interceptor 8 is retracted by the electrical influence affords it such momentum that it will slightly overthrow or travel beyond its normal retracted position. c

'llo automatically lock Athe reciprocatory clement in its retracted position, there is attached to the rear of the interceptor 8 a rearnf'ardly priiiecting finger 16, having therein a, hole or eye 1T, and comprising a catch or keeper for the engagement of adetent 18.` rllhe detest finger 18 is pivoted on a trunnion pin 19, mounted in a suitable braclret or supporting ears 19 on the base plate il, and projects forwardly therefrom. The detent finger 18 is provideal with an npturned extremity 20 :for enfpae'einent in the eye or opening 1T of the catcn linger 16. This detect finger 1S is carried by an oscillatory .U-

sha lied arn'iature votre 21 extendiinY aboutv` the guide tube l2, and carrying at its ex.- tremity, pads or small bodies of iron to be attracted by the ifnagnetic influence of the core 8. The pivotal connection of the interconnected armature yoke, and detent finger is such that when the detent 18 and finger 16 are interengaged, the pull is in a straight line, andthe armature yole and detent finger are normally held elevated in retracted or engaging position. y To insure the maintenance of his position, particularly when an automobile is descending a hill, a light spring 23 is of the character described possessing the piuticular features` of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is suscept'ble of modification in its form, proportions,l detail construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, but that vthe means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in. any of its forms or modifications Within the legitimateand valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A lamp construction wherein, an illuminating element and a shield are relatively movable in relation with each other including, a spring tending to relatively move one of said vmembers in one direction, and electromagnet adapted to relatively move said spring actuated` vmember in the opposite dir cton, characterized by a pivoted detent member, having an operating arm extending into the path of travel of the movable member, and operatively engaged thereby to positively actuate the detent to insure locking engagement thereof, said operating arm being subject to magnetic influence upc-n a subsequent impulse through said electro magnet to effect a reverse oscillation of the detent and release of the loclicd dement.

2. il lamp construction wherein an illuminating element and a shield therefor are relativi-ilyy movable in relation with each other, including a spring tending to relatively move one of said members in one direction, and means to retract the movable member against the tension of said spring with sullicient momentum to effect a degree of overthrow, beyond its normal retracted position, characterized by a mechanically operated detent, actuated by the overthrow movement of the retracted member to lock said member against the tension of the spring and inea-ns to'disengagesaid detent.

3. A construction wherein an illuminating element and a shield therefor are relatively movable in relation With cach other,

including a spring tending to relatively move one of said members in one direction, and means to retract the movable member against the tension of said spring characterized by a latch for engaging the retracted memberand holding same against the tension of the spring and electrically controlled means to the influence of Which said latch is subject only Vwhen said movable member is in its retracted position for disengaging said latch.

el. In a lamp, an illuminating element, a support therefor, and a shield for the illuminating member, said support and shield being relatively movable, a solenoid of which the movable member forms the core, a spring against the tension of. which the solenoid core is attracted to relatively adjust said shield and illuminating element and means for intermittently energizing said solenoid.

5. In a lamp, an illuminating element, a lsupport therefor, and a shield for the illuminating member, said support and shield being relatively movable, a solenoid of Which the movable member forms the core, a spring against the tension of Which the solenoid core is attracted to relatively adjust said shield and illuminating element, an automatically operated latch for locking the movable member in its retracted position, and means for releasing the latch by the influence of said solenoid.

6. In a lamp, an illuminator support, a tubular shield, and an electromagnetic coil concentrically arranged in relation with the illuminator support and tubular shield, one of the last mentioned members being movable under the influence of the electromagnetic coil, a spring against the tension of which said member is movable, an illuminant carried by the support, and means to energize said coil.

7. In a lamp, a solenoid having a tubular core, an illumin ant enclosed Within the tubular core in one position of adjustment thereof, and an electric circuit controlling the solenoid to effect the movement of the tubular core .in relation With said illuminant.

8. In a lamp, an illuminator and a tubular shield therefor one of which is relatively movable in relation With the other, the shield enclosing the illuminator in one position of adjustment, and an electromagnetic coil concentrically arranged in relation with said shield and illuminator controlling the relative adjustment of said members.

9. In a lamp, an illuminator and a shield therefor one of which is movable in relation with the other, an electromagnet controlling the relative movement of said member, a pivoted detent extending into the path of the relatively movable member and oscillated into operative engagement with the movable member by its engagement thereby at the limit of the travel of said movable member under the inflnence of the electromagnet, an extension of said detent projecting into the field of influence of the electromagnet and attracted thereby to release the movable member.

10. In a lamp, an illuminator and a shield therefor one of which is movable in relation With the other, electrically operated means for controlling the relative adjustnasales ment of said members, and a detent for the movable member adapted upon one electric impulse to lock said member in adjusted position and upon a succeeding impulse to release said movable member.

. 11. In a lamp, an illuminator and a shield therefor relatively movable in relation with each other, means for actuating the movable member, said movable .member being projected beyond a normal retracted position by the momentum of its retractive movement, a detent for the movable member moved into operative'engagement therewith by the overthrow movement thereof, and

lmeans for releasing said detent.

12.- A lamp construction wherein an illuminatingk element and a shield therefor are relatively movable in relation one with the other, characterized by ya latch for the movable member, means for retracting the movable member with sufficient momentum to effect a degree of overthrow beyond its normal locked position, said latch being actuated by such overthrow movement to positively move the same into engaging position, and means to effect the releasev of the latch.

13. A lamp construction wherein, an illuminating element and a shield therefor are relatively movable in relation one with the other by electromagnetic means,y characterized by a latch for the movable member out of the field of magnetic influence when the movable member is in one position of adjustment, but brought into the magnetic field by the relative movement of such movable member whereby the succeeding electrical impulse through said electromagnetic means will influence said latch to effect an operative movement thereof.

14. A lamp construction wherein an illuminating element and a shield therefor are relatively movable in relation one with the other under the inuence of a solenoid of which the movable member comprises the core, characterized by a magnetically influenced latch, attracted by the magnetism of such solenoid core element when the latter is in one position of adjustment but uninfiuenced upon the shifting movement of such core element.

l5. In a lamp, a solenoid, a hollow core therefor, a fixed lamp enclosed in the hollow core when said core is at one limit of its stroke and exposed when the core is at the opposite limit of its stroke, and detent means for the core releasable under magnetic infiuence of the core.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of September, A. D. 1920.

CHARLES vVV. EISELE.

Witnesses: f

CARL G. EISELE, ELGIN G. CLARK.

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