US1841535A - Horn construction - Google Patents

Description

:Jan- 1932- H.,HUEBER ET AL 1,841,535

HORN CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 glwuemtom,

Jan. 19, 1932. HUEBER ETAL 1,841,535

HORN CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 gnoentom,

Henry Ember, v Erwin CJCorion,

atkoxmq Patented Jan. 19, 1932 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY HUEIBER, F BUFFALO, EBWTN C. HORTON, OF HAMBURG, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO TBIGO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK HORN CONSTRUCTION Application filed November 17, 1930. Serial m. 496,809.

This invention relates to horns for giving warning notes or signals and particularly to such horns as are adapted for use on automobiles, boats 01' other vehicles.

The invention has particular reference to .a signal horn in which a column of air is set into sound producing oscillation by a vibrating valve, and relates specifically to the design and structural relationships of various parts comprising the sound generating and sound amplifying devicw. V

The horn includes a casing formed of a plurality of die castings, which may be rap; idly roduced at low cost, and which form a housing for the sound generatingmechanism and also a conduit or trumpet passage for directing and amplifying the sound waves that are produced the sound box or housing by the sound generating mechanism.

The trumpet passage, defined by a air of the casing forming die castin s, iso spiral form, eifecting compactness 0 the structure. The convolutions of the passage are spaced blyr single comparatively thin walls and t ough which sound waves may be conducted for modifying and altering the original sound waves generated in the sound box be-. fore they are emitted from the mouth of the trumpet.

so These and other objects andadvantages will become apparent from the following description of typical devices embodying the principles of the invention, reference being a made to the accompanying drawings,

wherein I Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a horn constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

normal to that of Fig. 2 and throughthe sound generatin portion of the device; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a die-cast insert portion of the sound amplifying means;

Fig. 5 is a substantially vertical sectionalview taken through a modified-horn; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5. c As shown in Fig. 1, the device consists of Fig. 3 is a vetrical cross-section in'a plane.

a casing 10 which houses the sound producing mechanism and comprises the trumpet or sound-augmenting and projecting means.

The casing consists of a pair of complemental die- castings 11 and 12 each having a continuous spiral trough 13 of substantially semi-circular cross-section, the diameters or widths of the spiral troughs increasing from the centers outwardly, and each convolution thereof being spaced from the adjacent convolution by a metal wall 14, also of spiral shape and of substantially uniform width. The members 11 and 12 are each extended and enlarged as indicated at 15 adjacent the outer trough ends and are adapted to be secured in such complemental relationship that the spiral troughs 13 merge to form a spiral passageway 15 of substantially circular crosssection, the diameter thereof increasing from the center of the castings outwardly. The

passages terminate in a substantially bellshaped end and consisting of complemental extensions 16 formed on each die-casting.

The inner face 17 of the casting 11 is prefstantially'flatouter face 18 and the increasing depth-of the .convolute troughs 13. The

-erably dished in orderto provide for a sub- 15 central portion of the casting 12 is cupped v spiral passage 15, merging in a curveof com.-

paratively large radius into the passage 23 which is substantially normal to the plane of the outer face 18 of the casting 11.

A portion 'of the block 21 about the passage 23 is extended tov provide an annular seat 25 V for a valve 26. The latter has ahub 27 with a peripheral flange 28 thereabout, the flange disposed radially thereof to the casing or housing portion 19. A spider 31 having an annular seat 32 for bear against medial portions of the springs 29 1s adjustably rebeing connected by coiled tension springs 29 V tained thereagainst by a set screw 33 and locking nut 34, the set screw having a conical tip seating in the central portion of the spider. A cap 35 is removably fitted over the set screw and nut, preferably being threaded to the housing as shown in'Fig. 2.

An exhaust or suction line 36 extending to the intake manifold of the vehicle engine or other source of less-than-atmospheric pressure is attached at 37 to the casing portion 19, communicating with the interior thereof through a port or passage 38. A suitable valve (not shown) is preferably provided in the suction line to control the flow of fluid therethrough for efiecting operation of the horn. Air being drawn through the tube 36 will produce a condition'of less-than-atmospheric pressure in the interior of the casing 19, causing air under atmospheric pressure in the trumpet passage 15, 23 to force the valve 26 away from its seat 25 against the resistance of the springs 29. hen a condition of atmospheric pressure again maintains within the chamber 19, due to passage of a. stream of air through the trumpet passage around the valve 26, the tension springs will return the valve to its seat. The sound waves created by such oscillatory movements of the valve or sound generating member toward and away from its seat, which recur at highly frequent intervals, or by the pulses or vibrations set up in the air stream, or by both combined, are modified, amplified and directed by the trumpet passage.

The pitch or period of oscillation of the sound generating valve may be varied by adjusting the set screw 33, causing the spider 31, 32 which presses against the springs 29 to induce a difierent degree of tension therein.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the intermediate block 21 is omitted. The horn casing comprises die cast sections 40 and 41 each having a spiral trough 42 of semi-circular cross-section which increases in radius from the center or inner convolution outward. These sections, held together by screws 43 complement each other to form a continuous convolute passage 44 terminating at the horn interior in a reduced neck 45 which is adapted to be alternately opened and closed by a sound generating valve 46. The valve is contained in a chamber 47 defined by the casing section 42, including an internally threaded tubular extension 48 thereon, and a cup-shaped closure 49, threaded into the tubular extension 48. The latter carries radial springs 51 for supporting the valve, an adjustable set screw 52, and a fitting 53 for attaching the exhaust line 54. A spider 55 is adjustably pressed against the springs 51 by the set screw 52.

A bell 56, preferably a single piece of metal stamped or spun toshape is pressed into an annular recess 57 formed in the outer end of the spiral passage 44. The lower screw 43 preferably impinges the telescoped portion of the bell to positively retain it in the recess 57.

The operation of this horn is similiar to that of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the opening and closing movements of the valve, effected by suction maintaining in the line 54, inducing sound waves in the amplifying trumpet passage 44, 56. The pitch of the signal note may be varied by adjustment of the set screw 52, and the valve 46 may be adjusted relative to its seat by turning the threaded closure 49 by which the springs 51 are carried. The closure-may also be turned to vary the tension in the springs 51 and may be locked in adjusted position by a set screw 58, threaded into the tubular casing portion 48.

It will now be understood that the present invention provides a compact horn structure, the long efiective trumpet passage being coiled into a relatively small spiral and formed of two disc-like die-castings which may be economically and rapidly produced. The'sound gathering mechanism, similar to that disclosed in 'co-pending application Serial No. 486,288, filed Oct. 3, 1930, may, as shown in Fig. 6, be provided with a plurality of adjustments for efiecting changes in the tension of the valve actuating springs.

The tone' quality of the device is attribut-' able partially to the shape of the trumpet passage and partially to the manner of for mation of the passage, the passage convolutions being spaced by single and comparatively thin walls which may transmit sound waves or vibrations to modify the characteristics of the resultingsound waves.

It will be further understood that the specific devices described may, be modified in various details, and it is intended that the invention should be commensurate with the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A horn casing, comprising a pair of com plementary sections, each of said sections having a spiral trough therein increasing in depth from one to the other end of the spiral, said spiral troughs together forming a spiral trumpet passage of cross section increasing from one to the other end thereof, one of said sections having a chamber formed integrally therewith for containing sound generating mechanism, and a passage'opening between said chamber and the smaller end of said spiral passage. 7

2. A horn comprising a casing having a spiral trumpet passage and a sound chamber, a connecting passage extending between the inner convolution of said spiral passage and said sound box, said connecting passage extending in a plane substantially normal to said spiral, a sound generating element in said chamber adapted to alternately seat and unseat over said passage for inducing sound.

waves in said passages.

' 7. A horn comprising a casing section hav 3. A horn comprising a pair of complementary casing sections, the first of said casings having a spiral trough extending from the center thereof outwardly, the second of said sections having an opposed spiral trough complementing the outer convolutions of said first troughto form an outer spiral passage, said sound-section having a recessed chamber for receiving sound generating mechanism including fa movable valve, a filler section disposed betwecn said first and second sections and substantially closing said recessed chamber, said filler section having a spiral trough complementing the inner convolutions of said first section to form an inner spiral passage comn1unicating,with said outer spiral passage, said filler sectionhaving a connecting passage merging into the inner end of said inner spiral passage and opening into said chamber, and said connecting passage being adapted to be alternately covered and uncovered by said movable valve.

4. A horn comprising a pair of complementary casing sections, the first thereof having a spiral trough extending from the center outwardly, the second thereof having a complementary spiral trough extending from a medial portion of said first-mentioned spiral outwardly, a recessed chamber .formed in said second section, and a filler section substantially closing said chamber and disposed between said first and second sections, said filler section having a spiral trough terminating centrally thereof in a connecting passage opening into said chamber, the trough of said first section cooperating with the troughs of said second section and said filler section to form a continuous spiral passage from said connecting passage outwardly.

' 5. A horn comprising a pair of casing sections, each having a spiral trough extending from the center thereof outwardly, said troughs complementing each other to form a spiral passage of increasing cross section from the center outwardly, one of said sections having a chamber forming an extension and a passage opening into said chamber and merging into the inner end of said spiral passage.

6. A horn including a pair of easing sections each having a trough formed therein,] said troughs complementing each other to,

form a trumpet passage, said sections beingv secured together by threaded fasteners extending therethrough, and a bell telescoped. into one end of said passage and removably,

her being adapted to alternately cover and uncover said passage, and said closure being efiective upon turning thereof to support said member varying distances from said passage and to vary the tension of said springs.

8. A suction operated horn comprising a casing having a tubular portion threaded internally thereof, and a passage substantiallycoaxially of said tubular. portion, a closure threaded into said tubular portion, a sound generating member for alternately covering and uncovering said passage, .radial springs extending between said closure and said sound generating member for supporting the latter, and an annular member adjustable relative to said closure for hearing against and varying the tension of said radial springs, said closure being adjustable by turning relative to said casing to vary the tension in said springs and to vary the normal spring pressure holding said sound generating member in position covering said passage.

' HENRY HUEBER.

ERWIN C. HORTON.

retained therein by engagement with one of said threaded fasteners.

ing a sound chamber and passage opening outwardly therefrom, said chamber being threaded internally thereof, and a closure threaded into said chamber, a sound genera-j ating member supported in said chamber by springs attached to said closure, said mem-

Images