US1711479A - Light-projecting device - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1929. c. A. B. HALVORSON, JR 1,711,479

LIGHT PROJECTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 1, 1925 Hus Ahtorneg.

Patented Apr. 31), 19 29. 7 p

UNITED STATESTPATEFNT, OFFICE.

eRoMwELL A. B. HALVORSON, an, or LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, essreuon T0 GEN- ERAL muc'rmcoomimx, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

LIGHT-PROJEC TTNG DEVICE.

Application filed September 1, 1925. Serial No. 53,905.

do not admit ofadjustment and for that rea-,'

son it is not feasible to use standard devices at street intersections where the'streets do not cross each other at right angles, or Where the streets do not run directly into ,one another.

It is an object of my invention to 'provide a light projecting device adapted for use as a ,traflic signal in which the light projecting element'maybe adjusted so thatthe beam may be sifted from one position to another. standard equipment becomes more flexible and is adapted to be morereadily used under varyin' conditions.

The features of my invention will be readily understood from the following specification and drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a traiiic signal 1n elevation .comprlsing three sectlons,

each section having a number of light project-' ing elements and comprising the features of my invention. tions in perspective. In this figure one ofthe light projectors is shown inposition. Fig.- 3 shows one of the projectors section. Fig. 4: is a rear view of the projector in Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing,

it will be seen that the unit shown in Fig. 1 is mounted upon apedestal 2. The unit is provided with a canopy 3and with three intermediate sections 4, 5, and 6. One of these sections is shown in Fig. 2 enlarged and in perspective. In Fig. 2 one of the light projectors is shown in position and tilted. By referring-to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the projector; comprises a reflector element 7. This reflector is provided with a rear opening through which the socket 8 for supportingthe light bulb projects. The reflector is also provided with a front opening through which the rays which go to make up the beam pass forward. The rear portion of the reflector immediately aroun'dthe rear opening and extending some distance is in the form of a surface of revolution and may be 'parab-.'

oloidal, for example. Beyond the paraboloidal region and extending as far as the region 9, appearsthe section 10 'whichis also in the form of a surface of revolution, spherical, for example. The portion of the reflector 11 to the right of the ridge 9 isalso With a device of this character a Fig. '2 shows one of the sec in the form of a surface of revolution, and also may be spherical. Beyond the spherical region 11 the reflect-or is provided with a fiarin portion 12 which-is also in the form'of a sur ace of revolution, and may be paraboloidal. i

The holder forthe reflector comprises a collar 13 which adapt-ed to be secured to one ofthe sections, such'as the section in Fig. 2, byanysuitable means, such as the screws 14. The holder is provided with a r'earwardly projecting flange 15, from which the spider arms 16 pro ect rearwardly, the.

opening through which the socket Sprojects and to which the socket is clamped by means.

of a. clamping band 22. The collar section23 cisions to enable the band 22 to draw the collar 23 tightly about the socket. 'It will be seen that the eap 21 is provided with a hood 24 which is integral with the cap 21, and which of the cap is provided with a number of inserves as a resilient member, and against slide when the unit is being adjusted.

seen that-the holderfor the reflector. is in the nature of what may be termed an eye which the ends of the spider arms-16 rest and With the construction described it will be ball socket, within which the reflector and its collar 18'hood'24 andcap 21 slide. Thesupport is in the nature of a universal joint so that the reflector may be tilted as indicated w in Fig. 2, or in any other position about the axis of the support within certain limits. Therefore, the beam may be lowered, or shifted tothe right or to the left, or to any intermediate position within a limited range determined by the size of the opening of the collar 13. It will be understood that the I shifted to one side so that the axis of the projecting element may fall in the same plane with a line downthe center of the street.

It will be seen, therefore, that the reflector is mounted. upon one of the elements of a ball and socketljoint and so. supported that the axis of the reflector may be caused to describe a cone. v Furthermore, the reflector is so mounted that it may be rotated about its own axis. It will be further seen that the reflector is in the nature of a surface of myolution having a major diameter in the proximity of the ridge 9, and that the socket supports the reflector along regions on either side of the or diameter. 4

While Lhave described my invention in connection with a device of specific construction as illustrated, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to this specific construction, inasmuch as, in view of the specification and disclosure, variations and modifications may be readily constructed which do not depart from the spirit of the invention nor from the scope of the claims.

VVhatli claim as new and desire to secure by V Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a light projector, a reflector, a ball and socket joint structure, said reflector being mounted within the ball element of said structure whereby the reflector may be adjusted by adjusting said ball element, said reflector having the general contour of a focalizing-surface, and having a maximum diameter along a plane transverse the axis of the reflector, said reflector having also a front bearlng surface about the opening of the reflector on one side of said plane and a rear bearing surface about the axis of the reflector on the opposite'side ofthe plane, said bearing surfaces constituting the ball element of the said structure, resilient elements projecting rearwardly from the socket element, arranged about the axis of the reflector and'converging toward said axis and a resilient member ene s nearest'the axis of the reflector forholding the reflector in place in the socket element.

2. In combination, a focalizing reflector substantially globular in form having a rear opening and a front opening, the axis of the the ends of said resilient elements.

1,71 ave substantially globular in form having a rear opening and a front opening, the axis of the reflector extending through both of said openings, a bearing element in the form of a collar covering the front region of the reflector about the front op-ening, a separate and additional bearing element covering the rear region of the reflector about the said rear opening, a socket for supporting the reflector and 1ts bearings, and resilient means for clamping the reflector in said socket between said bearing elements.

4:. In a light projector, in combination, a support, a frame, said frame being anchored to said support, a ball reflector, said reflector having a focalizing region and having an axis of projection passing through said region, a light source mounted within said focalizing region, a: bearing for the ball on said frame formed about an opening in said support and about an axis through said'opening, a portion of said ball extending through said opening said'axis of projection also extending through said opening and strips of resilient material each having one end an-.

chored to said frame, said strips being disposed about said bearing and about said reflector, each spring having a free end and a ring in the form of a coiled spr ng in latching engagement with the free ends of said springs, operating to draw said springs toward said reflector and ope'ratmg to maintain the latter pressed in its bearing, said reflector being free to move in its bearing whereby a cone may be described with 1ts axis about said first mentioned axis. 7 a

' In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of August, 1925.

CEQMWELL A. B. HALVORSON, J R.

Images