US1768412A - Traffic-signal reflector - Google Patents

Description

R. W. LUCE June 24, 1930.

.Filed April 7, 1927 Patented June 24, 1930 UNIED STATES Fries RICHARD W. LUCE, OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOE TO AMERICAN GASACGU- MULQATOR COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY rRArrIe-smrmi. nnrrncron Application filed April 7, 1927- Serial No. 181,645.

My invention relates to traffic signal rep flectors, particularly reflectors which are adapted for use uponhighways, of acharacter such that signaling to the driver, chauffeur, or other person in an automobile or other vehicle having head-lights is effected by the reflected light of such head-lights.

An important consideration in connection with such reflectors in addition to the efficiency demanded is that they shall be of simple construction so that they may be manufactured and installed at a minimum of cost.

The general object, therefore, of my invention is to provide a reflector of novel construction having the characteristics suggested which includes means whereby the said reflector is effective over a relatively wide range 'of angularity; that to say, drivers,'chauffeurs, or other persons occupying automobiles or other vehicles having head-lights may be apprised of the presence of a signal reflector of the character embodying my invention, even though they may be approaching the same from different directions, provided they are located within the limits of a certain critical angle.

It also is. an object of the invention .to

provide a reflector comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces arranged about and converging toward a central point, opposing surfaces being arranged in right angular relation with respect-to each other.

[A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a construction consisting preferably of sheet metal shaped to provide a plurality of surfaces in opposed relationto each other, arranged about and. converging toward a central point, the said opposing surfaces bein arranged in right angular rela-- -t1on to eac other and the said surfaces being light reflecting. I

To these and other ends the invention comprehends the construction as described in detail in the specification which follows and as defined in the claims and also as illustrated in the drawing in which I have shown one form of a convenient embodiment of the said invention.

In the thawing:

Fig. 1 a view in front elevation of one form of .reflector structure embodying the indicated in the drawing, and each section or side is located directly opposite a section or, side upon the opposite side of the central point. This relationship offthe sect-ions or sides is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawmg.

As above stated, the present construction embodies eighteen sides or sections, but the number of sides may be increased or diminished. For instance, the number of sides a may be reduced to'four or may be increased until the structure is substantially of cone shape. However, I have found that a construction such as is shown including eighteen sidesorsections, the inner surfaces of which are light reflecting, gives most satisfactory results and is effective over a. relatively wide range. In other words, I believe that the employment of a construction having the number of reflecting sides as shown offers a maximum of efliciency in practical use.

i As already stated, the surfaces of the sides 1 of the reflector are light reflecting and in Fig. 2 of the drawing I have indicated by the arrows 2 an incident ray of light which impinges upon the surface of one of the sides 1, is reflected therefrom as indicated by the direct-ion arrows'3, and impinges upon the reflecting surface of the opposing side 1 from which it is reflected in the direction of the arrows 4 parallel with quite apparent from an inspection of Fig.

.2 that the position of an automobile or other,

vehicle with respect to a reflector embodying the invention may vary within relatively wide angular limits and still the beams or rays of light from the head-lights thereon will impinge upon the reflecting surfaces of.

the sides or sections and be reflected back in parallel relation. Instead of the incident beam or ray being represented by the arrows 2 the condition may be reversed; that is to say, the incident beam or ray may occupy the line of the arrows 4, in which event the reflected ray will take a direction along the line of and in opposite direction to the arrows 2.

1n the construction as shown the reflector consists-of sheet metal shaped as indicated, and for thepurpose of strengthening the same I have provided the outer forward edge thereof with a lateral annular flange 5, as shown.-

In the drawing 1 have illustrated the form of construction which at the present time is. preferred by me, butit is to be understood that the same result, within the limits of 'my invention, may be obtained by the employment of other means than that shown for the production of reflecting surfaces related to each other in the manner hereinbefore indicated, and also that the number of reflecting sides or surfaces may be increased or diminished within wide limits, as has been indicated already.-

Any suitable means may be employed for supporting the reflector in operative relaof which are light reflecting and each of the said surfaces having its counterpart in directly opposed right angular relation thereto.

4:. A traffic signal reflector, comprising a structure having eighteen reflecting surfaces which combine to form a figure of pyramidal shape, each of the said surfaces having :1. directly opposing counterpart arranged in right angular relation thereto, substantially as described.

5. A trafiic signal reflector, comprising an even-sided pyramidal structure consisting of sheet metal, the inner surfaces of the sides of which are light-reflecting, and each of the said surfaces having its counterpart in directly opposed right-angular relation thereto, said pyramidal structure being provided with a flange at the outer edge thereof, whereby said structure may be strengthened.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 4th day of April, A. D. 1927.

RICHARD W. LUCE.

tion to a highway at some danger point v thereon the presence of which should be made known to chauffeurs or drivers of automobiles or other vehicles.

Preferably in practice a light diflusing plate of suitable material, such as glass, should be placed over the open end of the reflector, but I have notshown the presence of such a plate because the use of such plates with reflectors of different constructions is known in the art.

As has been indicated already, each refleeting surface has its opposing counterpart, the two opposing surfaces being arranged in right angular relation to each other, and in order to provide a construction in which the reflecting surfaces shall occupy such relation to each otheran even number of reflecting surfaces is employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A traflic signal reflector, consisting of a structure having an even number of reflecting surfaces forming a figure of pyramidal shape, opposingrreflecting surfaces being arranged at right angles to each other. 2. A traffic signal reflector, comprising an even sided pyramidal structure consisting of suitable material, the inner surfaces of the sides of the said structure being light reflecting and the surfaces of opposing sides being arranged in right angular relation with respect to' each other.

3. A traflic signal reflector, comprising an even "sided pyramidal structure consisting of sheet metal, the irmer surfaces of the sides

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