US1518690A - Rear-end signaling device for motor-driven vehicles - Google Patents

Description

W. H. CASHlN REAR END SIGNALING DEVICE FOR MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES Filed April 25, 1921 9" we 11 to:

I @u'cmu Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,518,696 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. CASHIN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

REAR-END SIGNALING DEVICE FOR MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLES.

Application filed April 25, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CAsi-IiN, citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Vayne, State of Michigan, have invented a. certain new and useful Improvement in Rear-End Signaling Devices for Motor-Driven Vehicles, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved rearend signaling device for motor driven vehicles adapted to be automatically. operated through the application of the braking mechanism of the vehicle when slowing down or upon coming to a stop,that drivers of cars directly following may be warned in time to avoid a rear-end collision.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which may be readily installed without the aid of skilled mechanics and which may be simultaneously operated through the application of the foot lever con-trolling the opera tion of the brakes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction which while controlled by the movement of the brake r0d,its successful operation is not affected by the vibration of the latter or other parts of the vehicle as might be the case if it were direct- 1y connected therewith.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention further resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter de scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the same.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation and diagrammatic view of a motor driven vehicle with the signaling device installed thereon.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the electric switch controlling the signaling device and also the bracket by which the switch is supported upon the transmission gear case, or other suitable member.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Serial No. 484,283.

Figure 4-. is an elevationof the switch with its cover removed, showing also an arm carried by the brake rod, for controlling the upon the application of the foot lever. operation of the switch which is closed Figure 5 is a similar view showing the switch open,as when the foot lever is re leased. I

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the switch taken on or about line 66 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings; I

A, denotes an automobile, B, indicates a brake mechanism, and C designates a rod connecting the foot lever D with the brake mechanism. E, indicates the enclosing case of an electric switch supported by a bracket F bolted to the transmission case or other suitable support. The bracket F is provided with slots f for the passage of the bolts by which it is'secured to its support. f are slots in a depending arm of the bracket to receive the bolts which secure the cover on the enclosing case of the switch and also the case to the bracket. Housed within the case is a U-shaped guide or member Gr, insulated from the wall of the casing by a fiber lining K, or other insulation. The end walls G of the guide member G, are slotted for the passage of a bolt I, formed of sheet metal with its outer end I bent laterally to provide a broad bearing surface to receive the thrust of an arm J, secured to the brake rod C, by a bolt J. L, L, are springs engaged at one end to hooks z', z, struck up from the body of the bolt I, and at the other end with hooks 9 carried by the guide member. M, is a swinging arm pivoted to the post N, of the terminal N, adapted to bear against the post P of the terminal P. M is a pin extending through the bolt I and through a slot on in the swinging arm. R, indicates a wedge shaped spring formed of sheet metal having one end secured to the post P by a nut P its free end being forked to straddle the post P. S, denotes a signal light su ported upon the rear fender of the vehic e or other support. T is a battery diagrammatically indicated in the electric circuit U, connecting the switch with the signal light, and V shows the same grounded to the frame of the vehicle.

Having thus indicated the several parts by reference letters the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood.

It will be assumed that the arm J has been so positioned upon the brake rod that it will bear upon the bolt I, to maintain the switch in its open position while the brake mechanism is released. Upon applying pressure to the foot lever I) to set the brake, the arm will. be carried forward releasing the bolt I whereupon the springs L, L, will operate to close the switch through the swinging arm M, and thereby light the signal lamp S, which if desired may be intermittently flashed by the driver by alternately applying and releasing the foot lever. The drivers of cars following the vehicle equipped with my signaling device are thus warned that the vehicle is slowing down or is about to stop in time to avoid a rear end collision.

Having thus described my invention what I claim visz- 1. A signal for motor vehicles comprising a casing, a guide member supported within the casing but insulated therefrom and having openings therein, a spring actuated bolt normally closing the circuit slidably mounted in the openings in the guide member and projected beyond one end of the casing, a swingingarm pivoted to one of the terminals of the switch and having an operable connection with the sliding bolt, a binding post, a second terminal comprisinga substantially wedged shaped contactspring secured to the post and having a bifurcated free end adapted to straddle the post, and means on the brake rod of the vehicle for engaging the slidable bolt to open the circuit.

2. A signal for motor vehicles comprising a switch adapted to control an electric circuit including a casing, an inverted U- shaped guide member therein provided with openings and having a tongue struck therefrom, a bolt provided with a tongue-slidably carried in the openings in the gulde member and having one end projecting beyond the casing, a swinging arm pivoted to one ter minal of the switch and operably connected to the bolt, a second terminal for the switch adapted to contact with the swinging arm when in closed position, springs secured to the tongues on the guide member and sliding bolt for urging the pivoted arm to closed position and an arm carried by the brake rod of the vehicle adapted to contact with the projecting end of the bolt and open the circuit when the brake pedal is released.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIi-XM H. CASHIN. lVitnesses S. 'E. THOMAS, IDA GoRnN.

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