US1428136A - Automobile signal - Google Patents

Description

C. E. BLINN AND G. W. CHIHST|E. AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

rm. :1, 1920. nznswro APR. ls. I922.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

APPLICATION FILED Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

UNITED STATl lti PATENT QFFECE.

CLARENCE E. BLINN AND GEORGE W. CHRISTIE. 0F VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

Application filed February 17, 1920. Serial No. 359.409. Renewed April 18, 1922. Serial No. 555225.

T 0 all whom may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARENCE E. BLINN and Gnonon W. CHRISTIE citizens of the United States, residin at ancouver, in the county of Clarke and tates of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates more particularly to means for giving information respecting the direction in which the driver of the vehicle intends to turn.

The object of the invention is to produce a simple and efficient, readily legible device adapted to obviate signaling by the drivers hand, as is now customary.

The invention consists in the particular construction described in the ensuing specification, defined in the appended claim and illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of said indicator and attached mechanism viewed from the rear, indicating an intention to turn to the left;

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the signal in neutral position;

Figure 3 is an elevation corresponding to Figure 1 showing the indicator turned in the opposite direction from that shown in Figure 1, indicating an intention of the driver to turn to the right.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

ln the said drawings we have shown one embodiment of our invention, wherein 1 may indicate a standard or other support to which our improved signaling device is adapted to be attached, as by means of a clamp Projecting' laterally from the clamp 2 is a hollow arm 3 having at its outer end an upward curved bracket 4 rigid therewith. The outer end of the said bracket 4 has a vertical bearing 5.

The indicating element in the embodiment shown consists of a target comprising a circular casing 6 having set in opposite faces thereof cover plates 7 and 7* which may be of glass, if desired, bulged outward. Preferably said cover plates are of glass and constitute what are commonly termed the lenses. The casing 6 and lenses 7 and 7 constitute a hollow signaling device which, when the plates 7 and 7 are of glass, or of opaque material having translucent portions, or openings therein to serve as indicia, may be used at night as a lantern or illuminated sign by placing within the casing a source of light such as an electric bulb.

Depending from the lower portion of the band 6 is a tubular member 8 journaled in the bearing 5 of the bracket i. On the lower end of said member 8 is a means by which the indicating device may be turned through a half or a quarter of a revolution so as to completely reverse the indicating device, ex posing either the side or face 7 or the face 7 as required, or bring it to neutral position. The means for rotating the indicating member in the embodiment shown is a mitre gear 9 secured to tubular member 8 adapted to mesh with a Initre gear 10 which is secured to the end of a shaft 11 extending through the hollow arm 3 and having its other end terminating in a means by which it may be operated by an occupant of the vehicle, to rotate said signaling device, said means being conveniently shown herein as a crank 12, although, as well understood, any suitable mechanism may be used extending through the hollow arm 3 to operate the indicator 6. Ne prefer to make the cover plates 7 and T" of glass colored red each glass plate or lens having thereon an arrow or similar indicia 17, 17 of a contrasting color which may be white or transparent. The indiit-ia 17 on lens 7, as shown, indicates an intention of the driver to turn to the left while the indicia 17 on the opposite lens 7 indicates an intention of the driver to turn to the right.

This device may be mounted on a vehicle in any desired position and may be extended either to the right hand side or the left hand side of the vehicle or elevated to a. position higher than the. drivers head where it will be visible from the rear of the vehicle. Any sort ol: connection may be used to rotate the said signaling device.

In the present embodiment we have shown an electric light bulb 20 within the casing of the indicator. Suitable wires lead from said bulb to the lighting system of the car. The circuit to the lamp may be controlled by a switch on the car, or, if desired, an automatic switch (not shown) may be actuated so as to he closed when either lens 7 or 7 is turned to the rear. and may be opened when the indicator is in neutral position, as in Figure 2.

The operating gears, such as 9 and 10, and the wiring attachment 21., may be incased by a housing 22.

Having described our invention in such manner as to enable those skilled in the art to which it uppertains to make and use the same, what We claimend desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

In a vehicle signal, a hollow armad'apted to be projevted horizontally from a. vehicle, a bracket extending upward and outward from the em] of said arm, said bracket having :1 hearing in its outerextremity with a vertical axis, a target having indicia, upon opposite :faees thereof to indicate right and left turns respectively, a hollow stem depending from said target and journaled in said bearing, means for rotating said target comprising a gear on said hollow stem, and a rod extending through the hollow arm carrying a member intermeshing with said gear, a housing: inclosing said gear and said means for rotating the target, said housing fitting against said bracket, said housing hzwing a hole perpendivulnrly beneaththe axis of the hollow sfeln and conductor Wires extending thereth rough.

Dated this 26th day of August, 1919.

CLARENCE E. BLIN N. GEORGE W. CHRISTIE.

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