US1621621A - Flasher - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1927.

G. L'. BOSSARD Filed June 17. 1925 AIVENTR.

A TTQRNEYS l, 9 March 22, 1927. G. L. BOSSARD 621621 FLASHER Filed June 17, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 d) LOAD C ff INVENTOR.

' A TTORNEYS y l a March 22, i927. G. L. BOSSARD 621 621 FLASHER Filed June 17, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 %z:Q/, 475 7W 73 INVENTOR.

/d' ,g1/1% mi? fr gag? By a( i l 'l/run ATTORNEYS iatented @2i/7..

era

appncanen nea aan@ raient. sensi ne. ences.

rl"his invention relates to devices of the vtype employed Jfor Vthe intermittent flashing or lighting ot electric lights, and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved electric flasher which will dash any of a plurality of groups of lights at desired intervals; which will be maintained in operation electrically; with whichthe desired time interval between ilashings may be varied and accurately controlled; with which the changes in circuit conditions will be 'effected rapidly so as to avoid arcing at the points where the circuits are made and broken; and which willbe simple in iconstruction, durable, efficient, compact and relatively inexpensive. v p

A further object is to provide an improved flasher in which the operating mechanism will be enclosed in a casing to prevent tam- 3 pering by unauthorized persons and .having provision'for the regulation of the time 1 nterval and the making of the necessary circuityconnections to the mechanism without interfering with the tampering preventing feature. Y

Various other -objects and advantages will appear from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, and the.

novel Affeatures will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

ln the accom anying drawing Fig. 1 is a.y y ront elevation of a iasher constructed in accordance with the invention and with theprotecting door opened;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken from front to rear;

Fig. 3 is sectional front elevation of a portion of the mechanism of the same;

Fig. 4- isa sectional plan through aportion of the mechanism to illustrate other details;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation ofLIV 7 is an elevation ot the csaillatiner support for one ot the circuit maire and break elements;

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram ot the electrical connections of the Hasher.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged rear. elevation of partsot the mechanism, the upper positions of the parts, shown in dotted lines, corresponding to the positions of the parts of the cured by screws or bolts 5 to lugs 6 rojecting from the interior of the casing, t e bolts 5 passing through lon sleeves 4a providedV upon the frame 4 an at their rear ends screwing into the rear late of the frame as shown in Fig. 6a. he sleeves da pass through spacing sleeves 4b interposed between the protecting wall 3 and the rear plate of the frame 4, as most clearly shown in Figs. Gand 6".- The screws or bolts 5 permit removal of the frame 4 with the mechanism carried thereby when cap nuts 5 at the outer ends of the bolts are removed to allow the sleeves 4a to slide outwardly. rlhe protecting wall 3 is carried by the sleeves da at their outer ends, packing being placed between its mar in and an internal flange 7 at the open ace of the casing. Nuts 8 threaded upon the outer ends ot the inner sleeves da confine the protecting wall 3 thereon and against the spacing sleeves db upon the inner sleeves da.

An electromagnet 9, having windings 10 and spaced polar ends or extensions 11, is mounted in the trame i at the rear thereof, and an armature 12 is xed upon a shaft 13 that is rotatably mounted in the space between the polar' ends 11, v.so that when the electromagnet is ener ized, the armature 12 willbe rotated into t e positions shown in Fig. 1. The shaft 13 at one end carries a laterally extending arm 1li which is connected to a weight 15 which at its free end tends to depress the arm, the arm 14 being adjustably secured to the armature shaft 13 by any suitable means, such as by a set screw 16 carried by the arm 14 and engaging with the endof the shaft `which passes through the arm 14. When the armature 12 is rotated into the position shown in Fig. 1, the arm 14. will also be rotated to lift the weight 15 into approximately the position there shown, and also shown in such upper position by dotted lines in Fig. 9. The intermediary connections between the arm 14 and the weight 15, which are shown most clearly in Figs. 9 and 10 will be hereinafter described.

A crank arm 17 is secured to the other or forward end of the armature shaft 13, and at its free end the'crank arm 17 is provided With a crank -pin 18, projecting forwardly therefrom and parallel to the shaft 13. A bearing pin 19 extends between and through two transversely disposed parallel frame strips 20 and 21, at a pointslightly above the armature shaft 13 and parallel thereto, and upon this bearing pin 19, two elements 22 and 23 are mounted for oscillatory movement relatively to one another about the axis of the pin 19.

The element 23 is in the nature of an arm extending downwardly past the forward end of the` armature'shaft 413 and having at its lower end a lslot 24 elongated lengthwise thereof through which the pin 18 on the crank arm 17 passes, so that the arm 23 and crank arm 17 will always oscillate con-v comitantly. lnasmuch as they oscillate about diii'erent axes,`however, the elongated slot 24 is necessary in order to permit ofthe limited movement of the pin 18 toward and from the axis, of the pin 19 during the oscillation of the two arms together. The upper end of the arm 23, whichis above the bearing pin 19, is pointed or tapered, as at 25,1for a purpose which will appear present v T e element 22- is tubular at its upper end, and slotted at its lower eind.V so as to provide two arms 26 and 27, the forward arm 27 being longer than the arm 26, and

`the two arms straddling the upper end of the arm or element 23. The tapered end 25 ofthe arm 23 passes through the element 22 in close proximity to the upper end of the slot forming and 27. The two arms 26 and 27 are pivotally mounted on the pin 19 for, movement about the axis of the pin during the iashing operations as will appearrpresently.

The element 22, as explained, is tubular having au longitudinally extending inner vpassage 28 from the beginning of the forked portion to its upper end. In this tubular passage, a helical compression spring 29 1s disposed and confined by a movable plug 30 and lock nut 30,- whjch plug is threaded into the upper end of the element so as to the two arms 26' compress the sprin 29 to an extent. A spherical ball 31 is dis osed in the lower end of the bore, being h'lld from complete projection therefrom by a slight convergence in the bore at 'the lower end, the ball, however, projecting through the open lower end of the `bore andY within the path of the tapered end 25 of the arm 23.

When the arm-23 is oscillated, the tapered end 2,5 thereof will pass through the element 22 and cam the ball 31 upwardly, therebycompressing the spring 29 1n the bore of the element, and as" soon as the point of the tapered end'25 has passed the center of the ball 31,- the spring 29 will act through the ball to press against the inclined rear face or surface ofthe tapered end and exert a camming action thereon in the direction in which it is moving at the particular time. This action occurs whether the direction of movement of the tapered end 25 to the forked end of the element 22 is in one direction or the other. The ball 31 is free to rotate universally in the lower end of the bore 28 and,therefore, actssomewhat as a ball-bearing in riding -up and down the ,tapered surface of the arm 23. Y

' A U-shaped strap 32 is disposed over theforward end of tliepin 19 and secured by screws 33 to the lon arm'27/of the element 22, so as to oscillate therewith about the axis of the pin y19,'and this strap 32 carries a tube support 34,` preferably largely or entirely of insulating material. -The support `34: includes a pair of blocks 35 somewhat T-shaped, as shown in Fig.` 7,v

Vseparated by interposed insulated barriers,

and each having upon the upper face of the head of the T a plurality of spring clips 36 for mounting two contact tubes 37 and 38 which extend in the plane of the block, that is from 'side to side of the casving. The two tubes 37 and 38 are approximately parallel to one another, spaced apart from front to rear of lthe casing, and located immediately behind the protecting wall 3 at the open face of the casing. 'lhe protecting wall 3 'may have a transparent window 39 at a proximately the positionv of the tubes so that their position maybe observed without removing the protecting wall. f

The tubes form part of a suitable liquid make and break mechanism, or circuit controller, somewhat of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of Gisbert L. Bossard,et al, Serial No. 385,609, tiled June 1st, 1920. Any suitable construction of the tube may be employ'ed but for purposes of simplicity the tube may be made of lass,

,and is provided with a plurality ot demit with a quantity of liquid 41, such as mer- Oury, which is ca able of conducting an electric' current. n each pocket 40, an electrode or contactterminal 42 is disposed foucon'tact with the liquid-'when the liquid enters the pocket. In order to stifle any tendency to arcing, the air is exhausted from the tube and several inert gases are sealed into the tube.

Thus, when lthe tube tilts into one inclined position, such as shown in Fig. 1, the liquid will run into the lower end, fill the pockets at that end and bridge thenl, with the result that the two electrodes at that end are electricallyconnected through the liquid body. When the tube tilts in the opposite direction upon the oscillation of the blocks 35 with the element 22, `the liquid body of each tube will run into the opposite end, filll the pockets at that end, and electrically connect the contacts or electrodes in these pockets l to that end. In doing so it will, break the connection between the pockets at the other end, and therefore interrupt the electrical circuit between theelectrodes in those pockets. The tilting of: the tubes is due to the unique quickv make-and-break mechanism, hereinafter more particularly described, sufficiently rapid to not only prevent arcing, but b preventing the reduction in crosssectiona area of the mercury column,eliminates undue heating of the glass tube and the resultant breakage thereof.

Each block is-plovided with a contact vstrip 43, which extends from end to end of the head of the block, and at the ends, where it is exposed, carries screw binding posts 44, and intermediate of its ends has an exposed lateral extension 45 carrying a binding screw 46. Each block is also provided, upon the sides of the leg of the T, with binding screws 47 for a purpose which will appea-r presently. It is to be understood, of -course, that the binding screws 44, 46 and 47 shown in the drawings are merely illustrative and that in lieu thereof any suitable means may be employed to provide connections for the several wires of the circuits. A circuit wire 48 is connected to each binding screw 46 so as to establish electrical connection to the binding screws 44, and fromV the latter, wires 49 areconnected, one to each end of the tube carried thereon, so that no matter which way the tube is inclined, the liquid body will be electrically connected to the current su plyl wire 48. Any number of connected locks and tubes may be utilized in order to control the desired number of circuits as will be explained later. Wires 50 connect the'electrodes of the remaining pockets in the ends of the tubes to the binding screwsv 47, and from these binding screws' circuit wires lead to the circuit connections as will be explained shortly.V

In 'order to controlthe rotation Aof' the armature shaft 13,y both under the pull of shortly.

the armature and of the weight 15, the shaft is provided with-a rigidly connected arm 51 (see lFig. 3) which is connected at its free end to a sleeve 52 that is slidably mounted upon a rod 53. lThe rod 53 is provided with a collar 54 intermediate of its ends, and with a nut 5,5 at its lower. end, leaving a. space between them in which the sleeve 52 is disposed so'as to slide lengthwise of the rod to the extent limited by the collar 54 and the nut 55. Between the sleeve 52 and the collar 54 a helical compression spring 56 is disposed upon the rod, so that when the sleeve 52 is shifted toward the opposite end of the rod 53, it will compress the spring 5 6Mfor a purpose which will be explained The other end of the rod 53 terminates in a ball 57 pivotally mounted in a piston 58 that is mounted for .reciprocation in a casing 59. The rod 53 extends into one end of the casing 59 for connection to the piston, and the other or closed end of the casing is provided with a vent 60, the elfective openingpf which is controlled by a needle 61. The needle is threaded into the `casing so that by its rotation a tip 62 thereof will project to various extents into the vent and restrict the opening thereof. The piston and casing, together with the needle yalve, form a dash pot for controlling the rotary movement of-the armature shaft. The dash pot easing and piston are made of a special composition that is, for all practical purposes, not affected by temperature changes. The dash pot also is self-lubricating. c

A U-shaped bracket 63 is secured to the protecting plate or wall 3 immediately behind this wall, and this bracket 63 rotatably mounts ascrew threaded rod 64, one end of which rod projects through the protecting wall 3 and carries anoperating button thereon, thereby permitting manual rotation of the screw rod 64 without removal v, of the protecting wall. A nut 66 is threaded upon the screw rod 64 for travel between the ends of the bracket 63, the' nut bein@r held against rotation by its engagement with the cross wall'of the bracket that is, the section of the bracket connecting .the end arms. Thus, when the button 65 is rotated, the nut 66 will be caused to travel either toward the front or rear in a direction depending upon the direction of rotation of the button 65.

A link 67 is pivoted at 68 to the nut 66,

and is also pivotally connected by a pin 69 to a crank arm 70, which is fitted over the outer end of the lneedle 61.. being held in different angular positions thereon by suitable means, such as by a set screw 71. Thus, by rotating the button 65, the nut 66 may be reciprocated in a direction between thev front and rear', and in doing so will oscillate the crank arm 't0- and thereby rotate the needle 61 in .a direction to either, open or close thejvent in the casng.= By va .riation in the'eecti've opening ofthe vent 'preferably the open end of the shell is placed upon a section 72 of the frame 4, being confined in a'slight recess in the -face of the section 72 by a flange-or ring 73, which is secured to the section -72 in any suitable man-` ner, not shown. By mounting the dash pot in this manner it becomes self-cleaning, preventing dust, etc., from lodging in it.

The electrical circuit connections in Figs. 1 to 6 have beeulargly omitted in3order not to conceal they details of construction, but

noemer e electrodes in the left end of the tube 37 are, through the above described connections, in the circuit of the load d as well as in the circuit of the electromagnet 10, and it being further noted that the electromagnet 10 and the load d are connected to the line wires 77 and 78 in parallel relation with each other.

A conductor 86 is connected through a binding post 47 and a wire 50 to an electrode in the opposite end of the tube 37, and is also connected to one side of the load a, s0 t these connections are shown in diagram in the load b, 'so that when this tube is tilted Fig. 8. Referring then to Fig.A 8, the various circuits will be explained. The current is supplied through line wires 74 and after passing through line fuses 7 5 and a mainv controlling switch 76, these line wires are designated as wires 77 and 78 and are preferably connected to' second fuses 79. From4 the fuse7 9 to which `the wire 77 is connected p @twobranch conductors 80 lead to the circuit leads 48 from the central parts of the two blocks 35 that mount the tubes. By reason of these connections,`current will always be supplied to an electrode in each end of each tube.

A. screw 47 which is electrically connected by a wire 50 to/the electrode in one end of one of the tubes, such as 37, and leads to the electromagnet windings 10. The other end. of the electromagnet winding is connected by a wire 82 to the other linewire 78 and fuse 79, thus provi-ding for completing one circuit' between the two line wires and through the tube in a manner presently to be described.

The two tubes illustrated are adapted to control four-loads, designated a, o, c. and ci in the diagram, each load consisting of one or -more electric lights,which` it is desired to light intermittently and alternately. The

loads a and I) have a common return wireV 83, .and thefloads cfand d have a common return wire 84. These two return wires 83 and 84 are connected to the line wire 78. Another conductor 85 is connected at one end to the lto conductor 81 extending between the tube 37 and the electromagnet, and at its other end is connected to the other side of one of the loads, such as al, so that whenever the electromagnet is energized, the lights of the load conductor 81 is connected to a binding to one side, the lights of the load b will be illuminated through kthe completion by the liquid of the circuit to coiiductor 87.

Still another conductor 88 is connected at .l

one end through a binding screw 47 and a wire 50 to an electrode in the other end of the tube 38, and at its other end is connected to one side of the load c in order to complete the circuit tothe lights of the load c whenever the tube 38 is tilted to one particular side.

Assuming that the tubes are tilted to the left as shown in Fig. 8, the liquids 41 in the tubes will run to the left hand ends of both tubes and complete electrical circuits between all electrodes in the lower ends ot each tube. One circuit will be completed through wires 77, 80, 48, tube 37, wire 81, electromagnet windings 10 and wire 82 back to the other side of the line, and also a branch line through the wire 85 to the load a3. Thus, through the tube 37 a circuit is completed to the electromagnet windings 10 and the load d, and the lights of the latter will be illuminated.

Simultaneously theliquid`41 of the, tube 38 will complete a circuit between the wires 77 and 80 to thewire 88, which leads to thev load c, and therefore the lights ot the load o will also be illuminated .at this time. The power for the ltwo loads c and d will, therefore, be divided between the two tubes and sucient current will be also passed through one of the tubes, for instance, 37, to energize thewindings 10 of the electromagnet. The electromagnet being energized, will exert a rotary torque upon its amature, tending to move it into the position shown in Fig. 1, thatfis, so as to extend directly between-the polare'nds l1. AS the armature moves into thisposition,

it will elevate the weight 15, and its travel will. be resisted by the 'air in the dash pot iao heerser to un extent depending upon the Aedectwe oening of the vent of such dash pot., T eelectromegnet windings 10 will, therefore, remain lenergized for e short interval, and es the armature epproeches the nosi- .tion shown in Fig. l, the crenlr arm l ci the armature shett will heve rockedA the erm 23 until the pointed end has moved slightly pest the center of the bell 31,7whereupon the pressure of the. spring 29.1ipon the bell will ceuse the bell to ride downwerdly upon the reer inclined fece oi the tapered end 25, end this comming action between the two elements 22 end 23 will ceuse a movement of the element 22 to its other limit of movement, und in this limitedl 'lhis tilting movement is reletively repfuiV and, therefore, the liquid il will roll into the opposite end ot the tube with sucient rapidity to breeir Athe circuits previously established without materiel ercing between the electrodes previously connected. The limits oi throwot the element 22 will be determined by lodjustsble ebutments 89, shown in the drawings es' in. the form ci screws but which moy be ot any suitable form, with which the lower end of the erm 27 engages es it oscillutes from side to. side. TheseV screws ere threaded through e ortion oi the treme und may be adjusted to increase or decree-se the extent ci throw. ci the element 22 und thereby the ongles-of inclination ot the tubes at the limits of their movements.

When the tubes have moved into their other inclined positions opposite trom'those shown in Fig. 3, und into lthe positions shown in Fig. l, the liquids il `will have run into the other or right bend' ends ci the tubes and have completed the circuits to the loud wiresSti und 87 thereby egein to illuminate the lights of the leeds c and d, at the same time opening the v circuits through the wires 8l end 38. I'llhe opening ot the circuit through the wire 31 opens the circuit through the loud wire 85, and the circuit through the loed wire 88 also having been opened, the lights ot both of the loads c end d will be extinguished. U on the opening of the circuit tov wire 81,-t e electromagnet windings 10 will be deener- -gized and the armature released. The

weight 15 will then exert e. rotary torque upon the armature shaft 13 in a direction to vrotate it in the opposite direction, that is, in a direction to carry the armature away from the position shown in Fig. 1, in u clock- Wise direction, and this rotation of the armuture shaft caused by the wei ht 15 will 'be resisted by the pressure of t e atmosphere on the piston 58 becatuse of the` partial vacuum now formed in the dash pot, the

degree et resistance being dependent upon ythe effective opening ci the vent 30.

During the descent of the weight 15, the orenlr erm l? ou the armature sheit 13 will slowly roch the lower end 'ot the erm 23 in the opposite directiomthet is clockwise in Figs. lA and 3'. The tapered end 25 will slowly cem the bell 3l upwardly, end es soon es the bell 31 rides over the tip end ot the arm 23, it will vride down the other inclined fece thereof, and in doing so will com the element 22 inthe opposite direction, thet is, to the lett, in Figs. 1 und 3l so es to tilt the tubes bcclr into the originel positions shown in Fig, 8,

'lhis tilting movement is relatively ropid once it is started by the bell riding over the pointed .end 25 ci the erm 23, end4 tips the tubes with sudicient rapidity to prevent orcing where the circuits ere lbuchen The liquids in pressing the new lower ends again, will re-esteblisb the rst described connections to the electromagnet windings lfund t e loods c and d', et the seme time extinguishing the circuits or lights of the loe'ds c end b. The energizetion ot the electromegnet windings 10 will cause enother operation oi the armature 12 into the position shown iu llig. 1, which movement will, of course, be again resisted by the cir in the dash pot end the weight 15, and when the movement hue continued suciently fer,

'the bell 3l will ride over the point of the erm 23 und effect e tilting of the tubes buch into the position shown in Fig. 1.

lhis operation will continue with en clternete tipping ci the tubes et speciiic inf tervals, and during these tilting movements or the tubes, the lights oi the loads c and b, c end d' will be desired elternetely, that is, the lights ci loads c end b will be illuminoted eiternetely' with those of loods c end d.

ll rotetilu the buttons 65, the. eective opening ot the vent 60 moy be varied, so es to very lthe efective sir resistance of the dash pct end thereby the interval elepsing between the tilting movements of the tubes.

lncsmuch es u number of circuit connections must be eiiected between the leeds and the interior ot the cesing?, it is desired to prevent eccess by uneuthorized persons to the interior cesinggthe connections from the tubes end electromegnet windings .are-made to binding posts 90 carried 'by a. support 910i the treme, end from these binding posts additional connections may be vmede to further .binding1 ,oste 92, secured to e- Support 93 upon the ottom well of the casing, so that when the :treme with the operating mechanism is to be removed, it 'is merely necesse to disconnect the wires between the bin 'eg posts 90 and 92.

The casing is provided with an extension 94 on its lower end. which is not directly in communiceltion with the interior of the body nect the binding post 92 within the main of the casing 1 except by an opening 95 which isclosed by a horizontal flange of the support 93. Suitable contact strips 96 conchamber of the casing 1 with the binding posts 97 in the chamber of the auxiliary or lateral extension casing 94. The auxiliary casing 94 has conduit openings 98 through which the various circuit connections from the line wires 77 and 78 and the load wires may be connected. The proper connections and calibrations are made before the main casing is closed, and these connections extend vto the binding posts 97 in the lateral' extension or auxiliary casing 94. It lis merely necessary for the user to remove the cover 99 of the auxiliary casing 94 and make the necessary circuit connections between the binding posts and theY line and load wires without any occasion for opening the main door 2, or removing the protecting wall 3.

In order to indicate when the protecting Wall- 3 has been removed and unauthorized access had tothe interior of the mechanism, a cup nut 100 lis provided upon the outer end of one or more of the sleevesl4", and

within the cup `one'of the securing nuts 5a is located and threaded upon the screw or bolt 5. The opening of the cup may then be filled with sealing wax or metal to conceal the nut 5a. Thus, in order to remove the protecting wall 3, it would be necessary to disturbthe sealing wax or metal in the cup 100 before the'protecting wall may be removed to rovide access to the interior of the mechanism and, i'the sealing waxpr metal has a private seal impression thereon, one can readlly tell whether or not the protecting wall 3 has been removed. This is a certain indication of whether or not tam-- pering. by unauthorized persons may have occurred. It is to be noted that the same protection is adorded against unauthorized removal of the frame 4 and the mechanism carried thereby as a whole.

In order to limit the movement of the armature to the desired ,range of operative positions, es ecially while the iasher is rendered entire y' inoperative by the opening of the switch 76, adjustable abutments shown in the drawings as in the form of screws, but which may be of any suitable form, may be provided in the frame within the path of the lower end of the arm 23 at opposite sides thereof.. and these screws may be adjusted so as to vary the limits of travel as desired.

It has been found that the spring 56 is particularl ,useful in 'promoting the` etiiciency of t e mechanism because during the initial movement of the armature, the spring 56 is compressed and exerts a yielding pressure upon the dash pot. The function of the spring 56 is to compensate for voltage fluctuations and the resultant change in the pull armature 12 when subjected to the pull ofA the magnet will ,completelyv compress the spring 56. When thus completely compressed the spring 56 expendsits stored energy by propelling the piston 58 upwards. This mannen of operation results in a precision of movement that is independent of fluctuations in voltage inthe current supply.

The hereinbeforc mentioned connections between the arm 14 and the weight 15 will now be described, reference being had more particuiarlyto Figs. 1,-2, 9 and 10, taken in connection with Figs. 3 and 4. The weightV 15 is rigidly fixed upon the outer nor free end of a rod 102 the other end of which is rigidly fixed to the outer Aend of a hub member 103 which at its other end is pivoted upon a pin 104 in ali ment with the rod 102 and carried at its inner end by the back plate of the .frame 4 and at its and which may be clamped in adjusted position' on the rod b means of a set 'screw 108, whereby the e ect of the werights upon the lever-arm may be varied. he upper end of a link 109 is pivoted at 110`to the outer end of the hub memberv 103V on its lower side out of alignment with the rod 102, and at its lower end the link 109 is pivoted at 111- to the free end of the laterall extending 'arm 14, which, as hereinbe ore described is adjustably secured upon` the rear end of the armature shaftl. In Figs. 9 and 10, for purposes of illustration, the parts' of the mechanism just described are shown in full lines at an intermediate position correspondlng to a position of movement, either upward or downward, in the operation of thev device,-while in Fig. 9 the lower position of the parts shown in dot and dash lines corresponds to the deenergized condition ot the magnet 9, and the dotted line upper position of the parts corresponds to the energized condition of the magnet, this Aupper position oftheparts being shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

By an ins ection of Fig. 9 it will be noted that the lin 109 and the hub element 103 akln together form in eect a pair of toggle Tn the operation of the mechanism in the de-energized condition of the magnet 9, in

nennen force andapply a maximum torque in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 9, to the` armature shaft 13 and therefore offer their greatest resistance to rotation of the armature shaft. in the opposite direction.

When the magnet 9 is energized the torque I thereby applied to the armature 12 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9 gradually lifts the weights at the same time causing the tapered end 25 of the arm or snap blade 23 to raise the ball 31 and compress the snapA movement spring 29, as hereinbefore described, it being noted that in the initial partof the operation the spring 29 is most extended and therefore offers the least resistance to compression. As the rotation of the armature continues the center line of the link pivots 110 and 111 draws farther away from the hub pivot 104 so that the force required of the armature in raising the wei hts gradually grows less as the force required of the armature for further compressing the spring 29 grows greater, so that thereby the increase in force lrequired in compressing the spring is compensated for bythe decrease in force required in raising the weights, this compensating action continuing until the armature 12 has reached its limit of movement and thespring 29 under its maximum compression has snapped the ball 31 over the point of the tapered cam end 25, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it being noted that at this time of greatest compression of the spring 29 the link 109 extends substantially at right angles to a line passing through its upper pivot point 110 andthe pivot point 104 of the hubmember 103. I

When 4the magnet 9 is de-energized by the snap movement of theftube-tilting element 22 the weights 15 and 107 begin to rotate the armature 12 in the opposite or counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, the weights now applying a minimum force corresponding to the most. extended condition and therefore least compression of the spring in which the least amount of force is required to compress it.- As the weights descend their effective power to further eom-v press the spring gradually increases as the opposing resistance of the spring increases. When the armature 12 has, reached its limit of movement in this counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, with the magnet 9 in de-energized condition and the armature being'rotated by the weights, the spring 29 will be under its greatest compression and the weights will be applying the greatest force against its increased resistance, by reason of the'fact that the effective power of the weights has been gradually multiplied, thereby compensating for the increasing resistance of the s ring as it is further compressed. lt is to e noted in this connection that a center line from the hub pivot 104 passing through the upper pivot 110 of the link 109 and extended therefrom now passies the closest that it does at any time to the pivot 111 of the link on the armature shaft arm 14, the toggle formed by the hub member 103 and the link 109 now being the most nearly straight, which obviously accounts for the increasing power of the weights to overcome the increasing o position of the spring as the ball 31 ri es.up the incline of the tapered cam end 25. When the armature 12 has, reached this limit of its movement and the spring 29 has snapped the ball 31 over the point of the tapered cam end 25, the magnet 9 will again be energized by the tilting of the tubes from the position thereof shown in F ig. 1,to the position shown in Fig. 8, and the first part of the complete cycle of operation begins over again.

It will -now be clear that the above described lever and link or toggle connection between the armature shaft and the weights 15 and 107 has a compensating action in both directions of movement of the parts, in the one case multiplying the power ot' the energized armature to lift the. weights and overcome the increasing resistance of the spring 29 and in the other case multiplying the power of the weights to overcome theincreasing resistance of the spring, thereby effectively contributing to the assured smooth and continuous operation of the entire mechanism.

lt will be obvious that various changes in the details and materials, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may-be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

l claim:

l. An electric flasher comprising a driver element and a driven element relatively movable and acting upon one another for a snap operation of the driven element in opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite direct-ions beyond critical intermef late positions, electrically controlled means for operating the driver element in opposite directions, a circuit controller including a pivotally mounted tube containing contacts and a conducting fluid operated by said driven element and im y controllingthe activity of: said means to ress ofthe movementso'f the driver element.

v 2. An electric Hasher device, comprising a driverelementv and a driven element rela- `tively movable -and acting upon oneanotlier rections.

for a snap operation of the driven element' in opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions` beyond critical intermediate positions, electrically controlled mea/ns for operating the driver element alternately in opposite diretions, a circuit .controller including a pivotally mounted tube containing contacts and a conducting fluid operated by -said driven element and controlling the activity vof said means to cause alternate movements of said driver element, and means for retarding the Vprogress of the movements of the driver element, said retarding meansbeing adjustable to vary the intervals between changes caused by said controller.

3. An electric flasher device, comprising a Vdriver element and a driven element relatively movable and acting upon one another for a snap operation of the driven element in opp'osite directions whenthe dr1ver ele ment moves alternatetly in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions,

means, including a`weiglit, `for operating the driver element in one direction, electromagnetic means for operating the driver element in the opposite direction andiI at the same time elevating said weight for a new operation, a circuit controller including ya pivotally mounted tube'contai'ning contacts' and a conducting fluid carried by said driven element and controlling the activity of said electromagnetic means, so as to cause alternate movements of said driver element and means for retarding the progress oi the movements of the driver element in both did. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element pivoted for independent movement in diderent parallel planes and acting upon one another for` a snapoperation 'ot the driven element in both directions when the driver element nioves alternately in opposite directions heyond critica-l intermediate positions, electrically controlled means for operating thev driver element in opposite directions, a ciri cuit controller including a pivotally mountved tube containing contacts and a conducta driver element and a driven element ivot-` ed :tor independent movement in di erent parallel-planes and acting. upon one 'another for a snap'operation ofthe driven element in opposite directions when the driver element'` moves alternately in opposite directions beyond critical interme iate positions, electrically controlled means for operating the velement having a spring actuated member riding up and down said 'cam surfaces of the driver element during relative passing movement between s'aid elements, means for limiting the movement of the driven elem'ent whereby during oscillations of the driver element in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, the said member of the driven element will be forced to "ride upr one of said cam surfaces unt-il the critical point is reached and then in riding .down the other inclined cam surface will, through'l the action of its actuating spring, force the driven element to its other limit of movement, acircuit controllerl operated .by said driven element, and means adapted lto continuously operate said driver element alternately in opposite directions beyond said critical intermediate ositions.

7. An electric flasher evice, comprising a pivoted driver element, a driven element, said elements being mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, the, driver element having oppositely inclined cam .surfaces, .x said driven element having a spring actuated'niember riding up and down said cam surfaces of the driver element dur- Ving relative movement between `said elements, means for limiting the pivotal movement of the driven element whereby during movements o the driver element in oppo *site directions beyond critical intermediate #positions the contact member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one of said cam surfaces until the critical point is reached and then lin riding down the in- 'clined surtaces will, tliroughcits actuating spring, torce said driven element to its other limit of movement, a circuit controller operated by said Ydriven. element, means a apted to continuously operate said driver element alternately in opposite directions beyond said critical intermediate positions, and means for retarding the movements of the driver element.

Leanser 8. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver 'element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, the driver element havin oppositely inclined cam surfaces, said criven element having a spring actuated member riding up and down said cam surfaces of the driver element during relative movement between said elements, means for limiting the movement of the driven element whereby during oscillations ot the driver clement in opposite directions beyond'critical intermediate positions the Contact member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one of said cam surfaces until the critical point is reached, and then in riding down the inclined surfaces `will, by the action of its spring, force said driven element to its other limit o: movement, a circuit controller operated by said driven element into xdi'erent operative conditions, means :tor operating the driver element in one direction, electro-magnetic lmeans controlled by said controller for operating said driver element in the opposite direction and storing energy in the prior actuating means.

9. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted forindependent movement in parallel planes, the driver element having oppositely inclined cam surfaces, said driven ele-- ment having a spring actuatedcontact member ridlng up and down said cam surfaces ot' the driver element during relative movement between said elements, means for limiting the movement of the driven element whereby during oscillations of the driver element in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions the contact member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one of said cam surfaces until the critical point is reached, and then in riding down the inclined surfaces will, by the action of its spring, force said driven element to its other limit of movement, a circuit controller operated by said driven element into diiferent operative conditions, means for operating the driver element in one direction, electromagnetic means controlled by said controller t'or operating said driver element'in the opposite direction and storing energy in the fprior actuating means, and means for retar ing the progress of the movements of the driver element in at least one direction.

10. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and' a driven element pivoted'for independent movement in parallel planes,- the driver-element having oppositely inclined cam surfaces, said driven element having a spring actuated member riding up and down said cam surfaces of the driver,- element during relative pivotal movement' between said elements, means for limiting the pivotal movement of the driven element whereby during oscillations of the driver element in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, the member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one ci" said cam surfaces until the critical point is reached, and then in riding down the inclined `surfaces will force itself to its other limit ofmovement, a circuit controller operated by said driven element into diferent operative conditions, means for operating the driver element in one direction, electromagnetic means controlledby said controller for operating said driver element in the opposite direction and storing energy in the prior actuating means, and means :tor retarding the progress of the movements of the driver element in both directions.

ll. An electric asher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element independently movable in parallel planes and acting upon one another for a snap operation of the driven element in both opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, an elongated tube mounted for tilting oscillation into oppositely inclined positions concomitantly with the movements of the driven element, an velectrically conducting liquid partially filling said tube, spaced electrodes in the ends of the tubes arranged to be electrically bridged by the contained liquid when the tube tilts alternately into oppositely inclined positions, and means for operating the driver element alternately in opposite directions and controlled by the contacts 'in said tube, and means for retarding the progress of the movements of the driver element.

12. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element independently pivoted for oscillation in parallel planes and acting upon one another-for a snap operation of the driven element in both opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, an elongated tube mounted or oscillation into oppositely inclined positions concomitantly with the oscillations of the driven element, an electrically conducting liquid partially filling said tube, spaced electrodes in the ends of the tubes arranged to be electrically bridged by the contained liquid when the tube tilts alternately into oppositely inclined positions, means for operating the driver alternately in opposite directions and controlled by the contacts of said tube, and

Imeans for' retarding the progress of the movements of the driver element in both directions.

13. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes and acting upon one another for lOl) a snap operation of the driven element in opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions beyondcritical intermediate positions, an elongated tube mounted to be tilted into oppositely inclined positions by the driven member during its movements in opposite directions, means for operating said driver element alternately in opposite directions beyond said critical intermediate positions, a plurality of contacts in each end of the tube, means for supplying current to one' contact in each end of the tube, an electrically conducting liquid partially filling said tubes and adapted to bridge said contacts in opposite ends of the tubes when the tube is tllted alternately into, oppositely inclined positions, and means for retarding the progress of the movements of the driver element.

14. An electric flasher device, ,comprising a driver element and a driven element pivoted for independent movement in parallel, planes'and act-inv' upon one another'for a snap operation of the driven element in opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, an elongated tube mounted to be tilted into oppositely inclined positions by the driven member during its tilting movements in opposite directions, means for operating said driver elementalternately in opposite directions beyond said critical intermediate positions, a plurality of contactsy in eachend of the tube, means for supplying current to one contact in each end of the tube, an electrically conducting liquid partially filling said tubes and adapted to bridge said contacts in opposite ends of the tubes when the tube isl tilted alternately int o oppositely inclined positions, and means for retarding'the progress of the movements of the driver element in both directions.

15. An electric asher device, comprising a support, acircuit controller mounted on said support for movement therewith into. different operative conditions, means :for operating said support alternately in opposite directions to cause changes in the circuit controller, a casing in which all of said mechanism is enclosed, means in said casing for controllingthe movements of said support and adjustable to vary the intervals between changes in said support, means accessible for operation from the exterior of the casing for va ing the eiect of the retarding means an thereby varying the intervals between operations of said support, a screw threaded rod mounted for rotation 1n said casing and extending'through a wall thereof, an operating'button upon the exteriorly projecting end of said rod, a nut mounted on the threaded,part of said rod and held against rotation while being free tQ-move lengthwise 0f the rod, whereby as the rod is rotated, the nut will be shifted endwise of the rod in one direction or another depending upon the direction of rotation of saidbutton, and means connecting the said nut to said movement controlling means, whereby the intervals between the operations of said circuit controller may be varied Without opening said casing.

16. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, one of said elements having a pointed end oppositely disposed with inclined surfaces leading to the point thereof, the other of said elements having a longitudinally extending bore opening at one end at a point adjacent the path of the pointed end of the other element, a ball in said bore movable endwise thereof and held against complete projection therefrom at the open end thereof, the projecting portion of the ball being within the path of the pointed end ofthe other element, a sprinnr in said bore and compressed against said ball to yieldingly hold the ball partially projecting from said bore and within the path of said pointed end, whereby as the said pointed end passes the bore, the ball will move into the bore and ride up an inclined surface leading to the point of the other element and then down the other surface, means for limiting the oscillation of one of the said elements, a circuit controller operated by the said element whose movement is limited, so as to be operated a't each change in said element with the limited movement, and means adapted to continuously operate the other of said elements in alternate directions tocause repeated alternate snap movements of the element operating said circuit controller.

17. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, lone of said elements having a pointed end with oppositely disposed inclined surfaces leading to the point thereof, the othero said elements having a longitudinally ext-ending bore opening at one end at a pointadjacent the path of the pointed end of the other element, a ball in said'bore movable endwise thereof and l restrained against complete projection therefrom at the opening thereof, the projecting portion of the ball being within the path of the pointed end of the other element, a spring in said bore and compressed against said ball to yieldingly hold the ball partially projected-from said bore and within the path of said pointed end, whereby 7"" elements, a circuit controller operated by the last mentioned element whose movement is limited, so as to be operated at each change in said element with the limited movement, means 4adapted to continuously operate the other` of said elements in alternate directions to cause repeated alternate snap movement of Vthe elements operating said circuit controller, and means :tor controlling the rate of travel ot the last named means, whereby the intervals between operations of the circuit controller may be varied.

18. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, the driver element having oppositely inclined cam surfaces, said driven element having a, spring actuated member riding up and down said camsurfaces of thedriver element during relative passing movement between said elements, means for limiting the movement of the driven element whereby during oscillations of the driver element in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions, the said member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one of said cam surfaces until the critical point is reached and then in riding down the other inclined` cam surface will, through the action of its actuating spring, force the driven element to its other limit o movement, a circuit controller operated by said driven element, and means for operating said driver element alternately in opposite directions beyond said critical intermediate positions, said operating means including means for gradually increasing the power available to tension said actuating spring during the movement of said driver element in each direction thereby to compensate for the .gradually increasing resistance of said spring.

19. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element mounted for independent movement in parallel planes, the driver element having oppositely inclined cam surfaces, said driven element having a spring actuated member riding up and down said cam surfaces of the driver element during relative movement between said elements, means for limiting the movement of the driven clement whereby during oscillations of the driver element in opposite directions beyond critical intermediate positions the contact member of the driven element will be forced to ride up one of said cam surfaces .until the critical point is reached, and then in riding down the inclined surfaces will, by the action of its spring, force said driven element to its other limit of movement, a circuit controller operated by said driven element into different operative conditions, means for operating the driver element in one direction, electromagnetic means controlled by said controller for prior .actuating means, and connections between said driver element and said prior actuating' means adapted to gradually increase the effective power of said electromagnetic means in storing energyl in said prior actuating means and in concomitantly tensioning said spring, and also adapted to gradually increase the eii'ective power of said prior actuating means in tensioning said spring.

20. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element relatively movable and acting upon one another Yiter a snap operation of the driven element in Y -opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions beyondcritical intermediate positions, means for effecting the snap operation including a spring arranged to be gradually tensioned during the progress of the movements of the .driver element in both directions, means, in'- cluding a weight, for .operating the driver element in one direction, electromagnetic means -for operating the driver element in the opposite direction and at the same timev elevating said weight for a new operation, a circuit controller carried by said driven element and controlling the activity'of said electromagv netic means, so as to cause alternate movements of said driver element, means for retarding the progress of the movements ot the driver element in both directions and thereby controlling the intervals of change in the load circuits, and connections between said driver element and said weight adapted to gradually increase the available power of said electromagnetic means and of said weight for tensioning said spring as the tension of the spring increases.

21. An electric flasher device, comprising a driver element and a driven element relatively movable and acting upon one another for a snap operation of the driven element in opposite directions when the driver element moves alternately in opposite directions be ond critical intermediate positions, means or effecting the snap operation including a spring arranged to be gradually tcnsioned during the progress ot the movements of the driver element in both directions, means, i'ncluding-a weight, for operating the driver element in one` direction, electromagnetic means for operating the driver element in the opposite direction and at the same time elevating said weight for a new operation, a circuit controller carried by said driven element and controlling the activity of said electromagnetic means, so as to cause alternate movements of said driver element, means for retarding the progress of the movements of the driver element in both directionsand thereby control- Cil ing the intervals of change in the load cir- 13 cuits, and connectionsbetween said driver element and said Weight adapted to gradually increase the4 available power of lsaid electromagnetic means and 'of said weight -5 for tensioning said spring as the Ytension of the spring'increases, said driver element being pivoted and said connections including a lever carried thereby, a second lever carrying said Weight, and a link pivotally connectin said levers.

n Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

GIVSBERT L. Bos-SARD.

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