US1877963A - Signal switch - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 20, 1932. w. J. PORTER SIGNAL SWITCH Filed April 24. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Miami ALL-$371 welj orferzlw lttowua Sept. 20, 1932. w, PORTER 1,877,963

SIGNAL SWITCH Filed April 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WJPor/er 3 Gnowwo.

Patented Sept. 20, 1932 'WILLIAM J. PORTER, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL swrron Application flied April 24,

This invention relates to a signal switch for use primarily with direction signals on motor vehicles whereby a driver can indicate to persons behind the vehicle, in what direction he intends to turn.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel form of switch to be assembled with the steering post, it being possible for the driver readily to throw a switch lever or the like so as to illuminate a sign or indicator.

Another object is to provide a means controlled by the rotation of the steering wheel for returning the switch to its initial or normal position while the car is being turned in the indicated direction, thereby to turn off the indicating light.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a portion of a steering post showing the steering wheel thereon and the controlling switch assembled with the post.

Figure 2 is a section through the switch on line 2-2, Figure 1, the attaching collar being shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a contact used in the audible alarm circuit.

Figure 6 is a diagram of the apparatus.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a yoke having outstanding terminals 2 and mounted on this yoke is a base 3 of insulation, the same being attached to the yoke in any suitable manner, as by means of screw 4. Base 3 is adapted to fit in the end of a removable housing 5, there being springs 6 carried by base 3 which press 1929. Serial No. 357,783.

outwardly against the walls of the housing and hold the base assembled therewith.

A bracket 7 is mounted on the base and supports a switch lever 8 one end of which projects through a slot 9 in the housing. The f other end of the lever has an arm 10 from i which is extended a contact finger 11.

A forked contact 12 can be mounted on base 3 in the path of finger 11 and supported between this finger and contact 12 is a contact plate 13 supported in an inclined positionby a resilient wire 14 upstanding from the base. Contact plate 13 is so located as to be engaged and shifted laterally byfinger '11 as it moves from the full line position in Figure 2 to the dotted line position. Switch lever 8 is adapted to be held yieldingly with finger 11 in either of the two positions indicated in Figure 2, a spring 15 being provided for this purpose. 5 .110

Two switch structures such as described are to beused. These are placed astride diametrically opposed portions of the steering post P and the extensions 2 are adapted to be drawn togetherby screws 16 or the like so asfi to cause the yokes to bind on the post. The switch mechanism in one housing5"is disposed oppositely to the switch mechanism in the other housing so that when the switches are open the levers 8 thereof will both extend fi in the same direction.

A suitably constructed indicator is adapted to be located at any point or points desired upon the back portion of the vehicle. If desired, and as shown in Figure 6, this indi- P cator can include a housing 17 divided into a central compartment 18, and end compart-- ments 19 and 20. The word Turn can be arranged on the rear surfaceof the middle compartment 18 so as to be illuminated at 5'1? will and the other compartments may be provided with the words Left and Right respectively. A lamp 21 may be located in compartment 19, a lamp 22 in compartment 18, and a lamp 23 in compartment 20.

The switch levers 8 or, rather, the fingers 11 thereof are electrically connected to one side of a circuit as shown in Figure 6. The yieldlngly supported contacts 13 are electrically connected to an audible signal circuit 24.

The contact 12 at the right of the steering post is electrically connected in series to the lamps 23 and 22 while the contact 12 at the left of the steering post is electrically connected in series to the lamps 21 and 22.

The steering wheel V has oppositely positioned tripping members 25 and 26 rotatable therewith, the member 25 being so located as to engage and shift the left-hand switch lever 8 when wheel W is turned to the left while the member 26 can engage and shift the right-hand lever 8 when the wheel WV is turned to the right. Normally levers 8 are out of the paths of the members 25 and 26 as shown in Figure 1 and by full lines in Figure 2.

\Vhen it is desired to make a right-hand turn the driver presses against the switch lever 8 at the right of the steering post so that it assumes a position in the path of tripping member 26. At the same time finger 11 slides along and deflects the contact plate 13 and subsequently engages the contact 12. This produces two successive operations, first, the momentary sounding of the audible signal, and second, the lighting of the lamps 23 and 22. Thus persons back of the vehicle will be warned by the audible signal and then advised that a right turn is to be made. As the driver turns to the right the tripping member 26 moves toward and finally comes against the switch lever in the path thereof and pushes it from the dotted line position to the full line position illustrated in Figure 2.

IVhen a left turn is to be made the same operation is followed with the exception that the left-hand lever 8 is pushed forwardly to sound the audible alarm and light the lamps 21 and 22 following which the lever is pressed back to normal position and the circuit broken by movement of the member 25 against the lever.

It is not essential that an audible signal be used. Obviously, the switch housing can be constructed in other ways and can be built on to or into the steering post. The tripping members can be carried by the wheel hub as shown or can extend downwardly from the wheel. In fact, various modifications of the structure can be made without modifying the described operation. Likewise the signal lamps can be located at various places on the vehicle and instead of being located in a single housing can be arranged in two or more housings. Furthermore, the figures of arrows pointing to the right and left respectively can be used in lieu of the words Right and Left, or any other suitable direction-indi cating signs can be used with the housing 17 What is claimed is:

The combination with the steering post and steering wheel of a vehicle, of signal controlling means located entirely outside of the post, including a housing detachably clamped to the post, a base of insulating material within the housing, a forked contact on the base, an inclined contact yieldingly supported above the forked contact, a hand operated lever fulcrumed in the housing, one end thereof being extended through and movable in a wall of the housing for actuation by the operator, a spring for holding the lever in either of two extreme positions, a member movable with the lever for successively engaging and deflecting the yieldingly supported contact and moving into engagement with the forked contact thereby to successively close two different circuits, and means actuated by the rotation of the wheel for engaging said lever and returning it and the part connected thereto to their normal positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature. WILLIAM J. PORTER.

Images