US1712690A - Spotlight - Google Patents

Description

M y 1929- A. CAMINETTIQJR SPOTLIGHT- Fi'led Oct. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l I Elnueutoz:

May 14, 1929. A. CAMINETTLJR SPOTLIGHT Fild Oct. 6. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zlvwentoz:

y 14, 9- A. CAMINETTI, JR 1,712,690

SPOTLIGHT Filed Oct. 6. 1925 e Sheets-Sheet 4 avwamtozf y 14, 1929; CAMINETTI, 4R 1,712,690

I SPOTLIGHT Filed 001;. 6. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 14, 1929. A. CAMINETTI, JR ,6

' SPOTLIGHT Filed Oct. 6. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet B swuento'ar Patented May 1d,

UNITED; STATES rarest orrics.

SPOTLIGHT.

Application filed. October e, 192'5QSeriai m. 60,857.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicle lights and more particularly to what may be termed a spotlight, the principal object of the invention residing in the provision of a device of this character which may be supported upon the forward part of the vehicle and the rays of light projected both horizontally and vertically, the spotlightbeing held in its adjusted positions to throw the light rays uniformly along the road.

Another ob 'ect of the invention resides in the provision of a spotlight of the character described which i is adjustable by means of a lever or handle positioned upon the instrument board of the vehicle within easy reach o-fthe operator..

A further object ofthe invention resides in the provision of a spotlight which is ad justable both horizontally and vertically, means being provided to lock the spotlight against vertical adjustment to conform with the laws of those communities which prohibit the vertical adjustment of a vehicle light. j j j Still another object consists in the provision of a novel form of clutch which is normally set to either adjust the spotlight horizontally or vertically when the operat ing mechanism is manipulated but which is adapted tobe moved into another direction to allow the other adjustment of the spotlight. 1 a

As a further object of the invention 1 provide a novel form of support or bracket whereby the spotlight may be secured to a suitable part of the vehicle such-as the filling thimble or opening of an automobile radiator or the radiator shell.

ll ith the above and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consistsin the novel details of construction, and arrangement of parts, described in the following specificzn tion and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, as they now appear to me, it will be understood that such changes may be made as will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan with parts broken away and parts shown inhorizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts shown in longitudinal vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2 with parts shown in top plan.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of my improved form of light and supporting bracket secured to the radiator of an automobile.

Fig.v 5 is a front elevation of the light secured to the automobile radiator.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the light with parts shown in transverse vertical section.

on the line ciatethe diiiiculty in driving during the 8 night, particularly on country roads and through hilly country where the automobile lights are permanently adjusted and I have provided my improved form of adjustable light so that an operator may set the light to the side of the road and may vertically adjust the same so as to hit the road at the desired distance in front of the vehicle. "When so adjusted the lampiwill be fixed to throw the light or rays at a uniform position relative to the vehicle and the light rays can be made to follow the road when going up or down hill or when, rounding a curve. It will be appreciated that the lamp may be so adjusted to the right hand side of -the road so that the operator of the vehicle can easily see the side edge of the road and be guided so that he will not run oft of the road. Very often the ordinary headlights of an approaching vehicle will blind an operator driving in the opposite direction and he will run oil the side of the road thereby causing an accident and with my improved form of adjustable lamp this will be overcome. At the same time the laws of some States require that when ap proaching another vehicle that headlights he dimmed and then it is impossible to clearly. viewthe road. With my improved form of lamp the road is always clear and the light adjusted so as not to shine into the face of an approaching driver. Some State laws also prevent the vertical adjustment .of a vehicle light and to provide for this I have provided means whereby the lamp may be, locked or held against vertical adjustment although, allowing the same to be readily adjusted horizontally.

In the drawings 1 indicates the shell surrounding the cooling radiator of an automo- 1 tween the headlights 4 andis supported by means of'a bracket which is secured to the thimble surrounding the filling opening. Secured around the thimble 2 by means of the'screws 5'or other suitable fasteners is a 3 two part clamping ring shown generally at 6 and rotatably carried by the ring are the eyes 7 to which are secured a plate 8, bolts extending from the rear end of said plate and passing through the eyes 7 for receiving the securing nuts 9. Spacing sleeves or 'washers 10 are received on the bolts of the plate and space the end of the plate from the eyes 7 as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Formed on the plate and depending therefrom, adjacent the outer end, are the transversely spaced lugs 11 to which issecured a brace 12, the upper endof the brace being'forked as shown at 13 and the lower end forked as shown at 14.

The arms of the forked end 14 have the.

plates 15 pivotally connected thereto at 16 and these plates 15 engage the front face of the radiator'shell and are secured thereto by means of the bolts 17 which pass throu h the radiator shell and receive the nuts 8 which engage the inner face of the radiator shell front. Preferably the brace 12 is formed in two sections as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 2 connected together by means of the threaded coupling shown generally at 19.

Suspended from the outer end'of the plate .8 is my improved form of spotlight. An

upwardly extending flange 20 is formed integrally with the end of the plate Sand is exteriorly threaded to receive the cap 21. An opening 22 is formed in the plate 8, within the confines of the flange 20 and through this opening extends a sleeve 23 which has the elongated oppositely disposed later described,

openings 24 for a purpose which will be The upper end of the sleeve 23 is exteriorly threaded to receive the nut 25 andthe lock nut 26, the nut 25 being of greater diameter than the nut 26 and being mounted on the ball bearing ring 27 as more particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The sleeve 23 is thus rotatably supported in the arm 8. The lower end of the sleeve 23 is provided with the outwardl extending flange 28 and carried by this ange and secured thereto is the for ed yoke 9 between the depending arms of which is pivotally mounted, for swinging movement, the light housing or casing 30. A ring or housing 31 is interposed between the bottom surface of the plate 8 and the top of the yoke 28 as more particularly shown in Fig. 2 and formed on the u per surface of the top portion of the yoke is the circular flange 32 within which is received the ballbearing ring 33 supporting the rin or housing 31 which in turn supports the horizontally disosed ear wheel 34 which has the pulley 35 lbrme integrally on its under surface. Extending upwardly from the upper face of the gear 34 is the pin 36 for the purpose which will be later described. The upper surface of the gear has the depressed portion shown more particularly in Fig. 2 and the pin 36 is received in this depressed portion. As is quite clearly shown the gear and its pulley are rotatably mounted around the sleeve 23.

Slidably mounted around the sleeve 23 is the sleeve 37 on the upper end of which is formed the outwardly extending flange 38.

the edge of which is beveled as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. A pin 39 extends transversely through the sleeve 37 and the elongated openings 24 so that the said sleeve 37 is vertically adjustable upon the sleeve 23 and may rotate therewith. Formed in the lower end of the sleeve 37 are the circumferentially spaced recesses 40 which when the sleeve is in its lowermost position are adapted to receive the pin 36 carried by the gear 34. When lowered the sleeve 37 is connected to the gear 34 by the pin 36 being received in one of the recesses 40 and is retatable therewith. The sleeve 37 is normally held in its lowered position by means of the coiled spring 41 as more particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings. Carried by the pin 39 is the bolt 42 having the transversely extending rib 43 formed on its lower end, this rib 43 being adapted to engage the teeth 44 of the segment 45 formed on or secured to the top of the light housing or casing 30. The rib will engage the teeth of the segment when the sleeve 37 is in its lowermost position. Recesses 46 are formed in the outer face of the sleeve 37 for a purpose which will be later described.

Supported in the bearing 47 formed on the ring or housing 31 is the shaft 48 having the reduced pointed extension 49 formed on the inner end thereof. A beveled gear 50 is carried by the shaft 48, adjacent the inner end thereof, and meshes with the car 34. The segmental wedge shaped mem er 51 is carried by the reduced extension 49, as more particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, in

position to engage the beveled flange 380i. the sleeve 37 when the shaft 48 is manipulated in a manner to be later described to raise the sleeve 37 and disengage the pin 36 from itsrecess 40 thereby allowing the rotation of the gear 34 independently of the sleeve37. i

Connected to the opposite end of the rod 48, by the universal joint 52 is the rod 53 which passes through the radiator shell 1 as shown more particularly inFigs 1, beneath the engine hood and through the instrument board 54 being rotatably and slidably mounted in the instrument board through the bearing 55 as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings; Universal. joints 52 will be positioned in the rod 53 as desired for allowing the proper positioning ofthe rod through the instrument board. The bearing 55 has the eXteriorly threaded extension 56 to receive the nut 57 and the rod is threaded intermediate its ends as shown at 53 to receive the nut 59. .An enlargement 60-is formed on the rod 53, on the opposite side ofthe instrument board 54 to which the nut 59 is positioned the nut 59 and enlargement 6O limiting the slidable movement of the rod in opposite directions. A handle 61 is formed on the inner endof the rod 53 and is positioned relative to the instrument board in such a manner that it is within easy reach of the operator of the vehicle. f a

The pulley 35 formed on the gear34 has the hole 62 more particularly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8 of thedrawings through which wire 63 is threaded and encircling the pulley is the wire or cable 63 having the ends 64 extendingin opposite directions as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 8 andpassing through openings 65 formed in the arms of the yoke 29 as more particularly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The wire 63 is held in the hole 62 by a set screw 62'. As

has been. n'eviousl I stated the li ht housinm .l. y 23 h 30 ispivotally mounted between the arms of the yoke 29 so that it may be swung verti cally. The light housing 30 is secured to the shafts 66 as shown more particularlyin Fig. 6 by means of the screws or bolts 67. the outer ends of these shafts being enlarged as shown at 68 and rotatably mounted in recesses formed in the outer faces of the arms.

is drawn upon rotation of the pulley 34 it will rotate the shafts 66 and thereby swing the light housing or casing vertically.

Semi-circular opeuings'lliare formed in the arms of the yoke 28 adjacent the lower ends thereof "in order to limit the vertical motion of lamp housing, a pin 71' extend ing from the arm of the yoke into the opening71. m i

, As shown moreparticularly in Fig. 2 an exteriorly threaded rod 72 extends through the cap 21 and the-upper end of thesleeve 23 and when in its lowermost position is adaptedto engage the upper end of the bolt 42 to lock the same in its lowermost position. This rod 72 is recessed inits upper end to receive the removable key. 73 by means of which it may be rotated. The purpose of this rod 72 will be more fully brought out in the following description. The lamp housing receives a parabolic reflector which carries an electric light bulb connected with a flexible wire extending back to a source of electricity, not shown, in the automobile.

Having fully described the detailed construction of my spotlight I will. now describe more fully the operation. The parts will normally be in position shown in Fig. 2, and when the operator of the vehicle desires to swing the light horizontally he grasps the handle 61 and rotates the shaft 53. This in turn rotates the shaft 48 and the beveled gear 50,=.tl1e beveled gear 50 meshing with the gear 34 rotating said gear 34. The sleeve 37 is in its lowermost position and the pin 36' beingreceived in oneof the recesses 40 the sleeve 37 will rotate with the gear 34 and as the pin 39 passes through the openings 24 will in turn rotate the sleeve 23 and the bolt 42thus swinging the yoke 23 horizontally as'the rib 43 is engaged with. the teeth 44 of the segment 45. Should it be desired to swing the light housing 30 vertically the handle 61 isgrasped and the rod 53 slid longitudinally so that the mem ber 51 will engage the beveled flange 38 and raise'the sleeve 37 thereby disengaging the pin 36 from its recess 40. The raisingof the sleeve 37 also raises the bolt 42 to disengage the rib 43 from the teeth 44. With the parts in the position just described the shafts 53 and 48 are then rotated and the gear 50 meshing with thei gear 34 will rotate the gear34 independently of the sleeve 37 and as the wire or cable 63 is connected to the pulley35 the ends of said wire or cable will draw on the enlargements 68 and rotate the shafts 66 and thereby swing the light housing 30upwardly and downwardly according to the direction of the rotation ofthe shafts. The lightmay be held in. its vertically adjusted position by drawing the shafts rearwardly so that the bolt 42 may be lowered to engage its rib 43 with the teeth 44.

In some States or communities there are laws prohibiting the adjustment of such lights vertically. When there are such laws my light may be locked against vertical adj ustmen't by screwing the rod or bolt 72 downwardly so that the lower end engages the top of the bolt 42. When thus lowered it will be appreciated that the sleeve 37 and the bolt 42 carried thereby cannot be raised to position the parts for operation to swing the light vertically. "The rod or bolt 72 is light which may be swung both horizontalthe operator.

ly and vertically through manipulation of the same handle which is in easy reach of At the same time the light may be easily connected or disconnected from the vehicle and is. ofsuch a construction as to present a neat and pleasing appearance tothe eye.

When the rods are slid inwardly for vertically swinging. the spotlight the pointed extension 49 w1ll be received in one of the recesses 46 of the sleeve 37 and thereby hold it against rotation.

Cer tain features of my invention herein disclosed and not claimed are included in claims constituting the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 145,826, filed November 2, 1926.

Havin fully described my invention what I c aim as new and desire tov secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A light of the character described adapted to be connected to a vehicle, including a support, ayokecarried by the support and adapted for horizontal swinging movement, a housing mounted in the yoke and adapted for vertical swinging movement, a sliding boltengageable with housing for normally holding the same against vertical swingin -m ovement, means'for releasing the sliding olt, and means-for imparting the swinging movements to the housing and yoke. u

2. A light of the character described adapted; to be connected to a vehicle, includingia support, a yoke carried bythe support and adapted for'horiz'ontal swinging movement, a housing mounted in the yoke and adapted for vertical swinging movement, a toothed rack carried by the housing, a sliding bolt engageable with the rack for normally holding the housing againstvertical swinging movement, means for releasing the sliding bolt from the rack, and means for imparting the swinging movements to the-housing and yoke. 7

3. A light of the character described adapted to be connected to a vehicle, including'a support, ayoke carried" by the support and adapted for horizontal swinging movement, a housing mounted in the yoke and adapted for vertical swin 'ng movement, means engageable with the ousing for normally holding the same against vertical swinging movement, and a rotatable and slidable member for swin ing the housing and yoke, said member wlen rotated witi the holding means en aged with the housing swinging the yo e horizontally and when slid to release the holding means and then rotated swinging the housing vertically.

- 4.-In combination with an automobile having a radiator and a filling opening therefor, a shell surrounding the radiator, a support connected to the radiator fillin opening, a light housing connected to tiie support, a brace extending from the support, plates pivotally connected to the brace, nuts positioned interiorly of the radiator shell, and bolts passing through the pivoted plates and the radiator shell and engageable with the out.

5. A spotlight of the character described adapted to be connected to a vehicle, a support, a yoke carried by the support for horizontal swinging movement, a light housing carried by tie yoke for vertical swinging movement, a gear, a sleeve normally engageable with the gear for rotation therewith, means for rotating the gear and sleeve for swinging the yoke horizontally, and means for disengaging the sleeve from the gear whereb upon rotation of the gear the spotlight wil be swung vertically.

6. A spotlight of the character described adapted to be connected to a vehicle, a support, a, yoke carried by the sup ort for horizontal swinging movement, a light housing carried by the yoke for vertical swinging movement, a gear, a slidable sleeve normally engageable with the gear for rotation therewith, means for rotating the gear and sleeve for swinging the oke horizontally, and means for sliding t e sleeve and disengaging it from the gear whereby u on rotation of the gear the light housing will be swung vertica 1y.

7. A spotlight of the character described adapted to be connected to a vehicle including a support, a yoke carried by the sup )ort for horizontal swinging movement, a light housing carried by the yoke for vertical swinging movement, a gear, a slidable sleeve normally engaged with the gear and rotatable therewith, a rotatable and slidable rod, means carried b the rod and engageable with the gear .or rotating the gear and sleeve for swinging the yoke horizontally when the rod is rotated, and means carried by the rod and engageable with the sleeve for disenga ing the sleeve from the gear when the rod is slid, to allow swinging movementof the light housing "erticallv upon rotation of the rod.

8. A light of the character described comprising an arm adapted at one end to clamp about the radiator cap of an automobile, a yoke suspended downwardly from and pivoted on a substantially vertical axis to the other end of said arm, a light casing horizontally pivoted within the yoke, and mechanism and connections adapted to be actuated by one movement from within the automobile to adjust the yoke about its axis and by another movement to adjust the light about its axis.

9. A. lamp bracket adapted to clamp at one end about the cap of an automobile radiator and having a yoke depending from the other end, a lamp pivoted on a horizontal axis within the yoke, pivotal means having a vertical axis of movement between the yoke and said last mentioned bracket end, and an angular strut member fixed between the ends of the bracket and extending downwardly and rearwardly and adapted to be fixed to the front of an automobile radiator.

10. A lamp bracket adapted to clamp at one end about the cap of an automobile radiator and having a yoke depending from its other end, a lamp pivoted on a horizontal axis Within the yoke, pivotal means having a vertical axis of movement between the yoke and the last mentioned bracket end, an

angular strut member fixed between the ends of the bracket and extending downwardly and rearvvardly and adapted to be fixed to the front of an automobile radiator, in com bination with means adapted to swing the,

ANTHONY CAMINETTI, J12.

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