US1701800A

US1701800A - Collision recorder

Info

Publication number: US1701800A
Application number: US148720A
Authority: US
Inventors: Taylor Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-11-16
Filing date: 1926-11-16
Publication date: 1929-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1946-02-12

Description

Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,800

T. TAYLOR COLLI SION RECORDER Filed NOV. 16, 1926 .INVEN T01? AT TOR/V5115 Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,800

T. TAYLOR COLLI S ION RECORDER Filed Nov. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .w.' P

I a g o o: I

INVENI'OR 720mm" Ikylor A TORNZYS' i Glihll 1M invention has to do with the collection and recordation of evidence in collision cases, and more. specifically refers to the securing of such evidence in accidents in which automotive vehicles are involved. I

more specifically this invention resides in the provision of means whereby accidental impact will automatically cause a record of the impact to be made photographically.

The essence of the invention lies in the provision of the contact members and electrical connections whereby impact causes the closing of an electrical circuit, which in turn actuates devices for taking a picture of the results of the accident. The invention also contemplates the provision of means whereby the scene of the accident shall be properly illuminated at the moment of the photographic exposure in the event the accident occurs at a time When there is such an absence of actinic light as to not insure a proper exposure without such illumination.

The specific means by which the invention is carried out, will be set out at length in the following specification, in which special reference will be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the rear portion of an automobile equipped with my invention;

Fig. 1 shows one feature of the invention namely a detail of the illuminating means;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bumper arrangement employed in my invention with which is a diagram ofthe wiring circuit used; and

Fig. 3 is a detail partly in section, of the impact switch used in carrying out my invention, thesection being taken on line 33 of Fig. 2. i

Referring to the drawings more specifically, 5 is the body of an automobile equipped with the customary bumper 6 mounted in the usual manner on the chassis fname 7. 0n said bumper is flexibly mounted an auxiliary bumper 8 by means of the guide pins 9 and springs 10 and 11. This auxiliary bumper, preferably at each end and midway its length, is provided with depressions or pockets 12, in which repose the ends of switch operating levers 13, of the well known rocking type of electric switches 14 which will be actuated by either direct pressure on member 13, or by a rocking movement of member 13. Each of said switches 1% com- ..tion filed November is, 1%

Lio. 348,720.

prises an insulating base 15, to which is attached an annular flanged contact member 16, electrically and mechanically secured. to bumper 6 by means of machine screws as shown or otherwise. The complementary contact member of the switch consists of a metal disc 17, flexibly supported on the insulating base 15 by means of a spring 18, one end of which extends through the insulating base 15 opposite a suitable opening in the bumper 6 to allow for an electric connection with the switch. The switch lever 13 is directly connected with said disc 17 centrally thereof.

Switches 16lcontrol the electric actuating circuit of my invention in the following manner. @ne terminal of the starting battery 19 is connected with the chassis frame 7, and so through bumper 6 with contact member 16 of the several switches 14. The other terminal of the starter battery 18 is connected through switches 20 and 21 with a circuit which passes through a solenoid 22 or an igniter 23 or both and thence to contact member 17 by way of stud 24 of each of said switches 14. Solenoid 22 is employed to actuate the shutter 25 of the camera 26, the shutter being of that type which when its actuating lever is moved in one direction is heldopen for predetermined interval and then closed automatically.

The camera 26 is supported on a carrying plate 27 mounted for instance in the top of the automobile. The camera is secured on the carrying plate 27 by a strap 28 or other suitable means. The camera carrying plate 27 has associated therewith a device 29 for carrying a flash-light cartridge, the same being retained by a spring clip 30 and as stated before being in the electrical circuit for one side of the storage battery.

It will be noted from inspection of Figure 1 that the cartridge shelf acts as a shield for the lens barrel of the camera.

It will further be noted that switches 20 and 21 of the solenoid circuit are so situated that either or both may be closed or opened at the same time. The object of this provision must be apparent to the person familiar with such circuits, namely to provide for the actuation of the camera in the daytime independently of the flash-light igniter, this being accomplished by closing switch 20 and opening switch 21 and for the actuation of the camera solenoid and flash-light igniter simultaneously in the nighttime which is accompanied by closing both switches 20 and 21. If it is desired to put both the solenoid and igniter out of action, both switches 20 and 21 are thrown open.

It is believed that the operation of my invention is fully apparent from the foregoing specification, however, to facilitate this understanding it may be stated briefly that the operation of my device is as follows? 1. In daylight driving, switch 20 is closed, thereupon any impact with auxiliary bumper 8 will cause a closing of either or all of switches 14 thereby actuating solenoid 22 to open shutter 25 thereby making an exposure. If the automobile is equipped with front, rear, and side devices, it willbe immaterial whether the impact is from front, rear, or either side. In any event an instantaneous record will be made of the fleeting scene which will be a means of evidence of the collision that will receive due consideration in any court.

2. If the automobile is being driven in nighttime, both switches 20 and 21 are closed, whereupon the closing of any one of switches 14.- will cause a flash that will properly illuminate the scene of the accident at the time the camera exposure is made by making a slight adjustment of synchronism as between the operation of the solenoid and the operation of the flash that will provide for the illumination at the proper instant.

It will be apparent that the operation of recording means by the breaking of a closed circuit and thus making a photographic exposure comes within the purview of my in vention.

It also will be apparent that this invention includes the use of a camera actuated by mechanical means set in motion by impact.

Having thus described by invention in one of its tangible forms, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a vehicle, a camera on said vehicle arranged to take a, picture for record of a collision involving said vehicle, means on thevehicle subject to the impact occasioned by the collision, and means connecting the first mentioned means and camera to operate the camera through said impact for the taking of said picture.

2. In combination, a vehicle, a camera on said vehicle arranged to take a picture for record of a collision involving said vehicle, electrical means to operate the camera for the taking of said picture, said electrical means including a switch directly operable through impact occasioned by the collision.

3. In combination, a vehicleincluding an electric battery in its equipment, a camera on said vehicle arranged to take a picture for record of a collision involving said vehicle, means in circuit with said battery to operate the camera for the taking of said picture, said means including a normally open switch directly operable through impact occasioned by the collision.

4. In combination, a vehicle, a camera on said vehicle arranged to take a picture for record of a collision involving said vehicle, means to operate the camera for the taking of said picture through impact occasioned by the collision, a shelf on the vehicle for a flashlight cartridge, means operable through said impact to ignite the cartridge, and said shelf functioning as a shield for the lens barrel of the camera. I

5. In combination, an automobile, a camera thereon arranged to take a picture for record of a collision involving said automobile, electrical means to operate the camera for the taking of said picture, bumper means on the automobile, a movable means on the bumper means, the lasttwo mentioned means constituting a normally open switch forming part of said electrical means, and said movable means being directly operable to close the switch through impact occasioned by the collision.

THOMAS TAYLOR.