US1964284A - Audible signal - Google Patents

Description

A. F. GILLET AUDIBLE SIGNAL June 26, 1934.

Filed March 24. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. l.

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AUDIBLE S IGNAL Filed March 24. 1933 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fzg. 7.

.35 55X, Il l 3nventor Gttorneg Patented June 26, 1934 UNITED STATES AUDIBLE SIGNAL Alexis F. Gillet, Omaha, Nebr.; assigner to Jubilee Manufacturing Co., Omaha, Nebr., a corporation of Nebraska Application March 24, 1933, Serial No. 662,510

Claims.

The present invention relates to signals and more particularly to audible signals adapted for use in connection with motor vehicles whereby pedestrians may be warned of the approach of 5 the vehicle, said signal or sounding device being adapted to be operated by fluid pressure, such as air.

An aim of the invention is to provide a novel construction of signal which may be connected l@ to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine whereby the suction generated by the pistons is utilized for operating the signal, said signal being adapted to emit musical notes or blend the same into a musical chord, the amplifying horns of the device being such that they are adapted to be positioned in use within a restricted space as between the intake manifold of an automobile engine and the hood thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure comprising an improvement over my Patent No. 1,869,142 issued July 26, 1932 for Warning signal.

A further object is to provide a construction wherein a plurality of vibrating reeds are grouped upon La single disc whereby a single suction box is so arranged that it will serve a plurality of reeds and sound chambers, for the overall purpose of providing greater economy in manufacture, compactness of assembly and improved blending of tones.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views: y

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and with an audible signal constructed in accordance with the present invention operatively carried thereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the audible signal, certain of the amplifying horns thereof being broken away.

Figure 3 is a side view of an interchangeable assembly of amplifying horns.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 5 is an edge View of a screen employed.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the screen.

Figure '7 is a side view of the cover o-f the sound chambers.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the inside of the member shown in Figure 7 and showing a plurality of sound chambers.

Figure 9 is an edge view of an apertured reed carrying diaphragm disc. f

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the disc shown 50 in Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings and first to Figure 1, 10 indicates the body or a motor vehicle provided with a steering column 11 supporting the steering wheel 12 at its upper end '65 and 13 designates a hood within which is housed an internal combustion engine 14 of any suitable type and provided with an intake manifold l5.

The audible signal or sounding device includes a body portion or bracket 16 which may be substantially cruciform as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and provided at its lower end with an externally threaded main section 17 adapted to be tapped into the upper or other suitable portion of the manifold 15 as shown in Figure 1 so as to establish communication between the interior of the body bracket 16 and the manifold. The body bracket is provided with screw threads 18 which are also external so as to receive thereover a nut 19 which is secured by any suitable means to the bottom 20 of a suction box later mentioned. Y

As best shown in Figure 2, the bottom member 20 is of dish form and provided with an an- 85 nular flange 21 which is substantially parallel with the main portion of the bottom member.

A reed disc 22, best shown in Figures 9 and 10, is carried upon the ange 21 of the member n 20, whereby a suction box or space 23 is pro- 90 vided between the disc 22 and the bottom member 20 wherein the later described reeds have reciprocable vibratory movements.

As best shown in Figure 10, a plurality of reed apertures 24 are formed through the disc 22, v95 said apertures preferably being of frustro-conical shape in plan, the bases thereof lying toward the perimeter of the disc 22.

As best shown in Figure 2, the reeds 25 are of greater length than the reed receiving apertures v 24 and are secured to the bottom of the disc 22 by means of rivets 26. As best shown in Figure 10, the reeds are of the same shape as the apertures 2i and adapted to snugly close the apertures. It will be understood that the reeds Y r25 and apertures 24 are of selected different sizes for purposes later mentioned. ,x

A cover 27 of inverted bowl shape is vplaced over the disc 22 and provided with a down-turned locking flange 28. It will be understood that dur- Aing the operation of assembling the parts of the device the flange 28 is, prior to said time, positioned at a substantial right angle with respect to the main body portion of the cover 27 and that, as best shown in Figure 2, the edge of the flange is bent as at 29 whereby the cover 27 and the bottom member are locked together with the reed disc 22 therebetween, which provides an economical construction and insures that the comparatively delicate reeds 25 will not become tampered with for affecting certain desirable results as later mentioned.

The cover 27 is formed of an integral piece of metal by means of die operations whereby, as shown in Figure 8, a plurality of sound chambers 33 are provided. Centrally of the cover 27 and the disc 22 an adjustable screw 30 is provided for purposes later mentioned. As shown in Figure 8, the cover 27 includes three radially disposed ribs 31, an aperture 32 being positioned centrally of the cover at the junction of the ribs, said aperture being adapted to receive the screw which is threaded into the diaphragm disc 22 as shown in Figure 2.

The bottom surfaces of the ribs 31, if not formed perfectly smooth during the die pressing operation, are subsequently ground smooth whereby the bottom surfaces of said ribs are in alignment with respect to each other and in alignment with the top surface of the diaphragm reed disc 22 and adapted to lie snugly against it at times when the parts are assembled as shown in Figure 2. The ribs 3l are formed by striking up a plurality of portions of the cover 27 for providing a plurality of sound chambers 33 which are adapted to be closed from communication with respect to each other by tightening the screw 30 or to have intercommunication above the disc 22 by means of loosening the screw 30 to permit the central portion of the diaphragm disc 22 to move away from the ribs 31. Each sound chamber 33 is provided with an aperture 34 adjacent the junction of the radially disposed ribs 31, permitting communication between the later mentioned amplifying horns and the sound chambers 33.

A screen 35 of ne mesh, shown in Figures 5 and 6, is placed over the apertures 34 of the sound chambers for preventing debris from entering therein and interfering with the movements of the reeds or changing the pitch or harmony of the sound as later mentioned.

A plate 36 is adapted to be removably secured, for purposes later mentioned, over the screen 35 by means of removable threaded screws 37 and centrally of the sound chamber cover plate 27.

As best shown in Figure 4 the plate 36 is provided with a plurality of apertures 38 so arranged that they are in register with the apertures 34 of the cover 27. The apertures 38 are formed through the plate 36 by means of a die operation, during which flanges 39 are struck outwardly from the plate, the junction of the flanges and the plate being slightly arcuate.

The apertures 38 are adapted to receive the smaller ends of the amplifying horns 40 which, as best shown in Figure 2, are peened and bent outwardly at their smaller ends as at 41 to conform to the arcuate shape provided at the junction of the flanges 39 and the plate 36 whereby the horns are immovably secured to the plate. As best shown in Figure 3, the horns 40 are of assorted lengths and diameters at their bells 42 or large ends for purposes later mentioned.

It is well known that music is rhythmic sound,

air pulses occurring at regular intervals and at different rates per second creating different tones having different rates of vibrations or different pitch. When several tones of different pitch sound together, their vibrations or waves overlap, and form compound waves, so that at one instant a fraction of one set of Waves predominates; in the next instant a fraction of another set. As these different fractions follow one another at a very rapid rate we receive the sensation of a chord, or of a single mass of sound either of harmony or disharmony.

It will be understood that, as heretofore mentioned, the reeds are of different size and therefore adapted to vibrate at different rates per second whereby a musical tone or chord may be produced and so arranged that the mass of sound will be harmonious. It will be also understood that, as above described, a plurality of individual sound chambers are provided adapted to emit sounds of varying pitch and operated from a common source as later' mentioned.

The horizontally disposed arms of the cruciform body portion or bracket 16 are provided with a bore 43 which is in communication with a bore 44, adjacent the threaded main section 17 of the bracket. A similar bore 45 is provided in alignment with the bore 44 whereby a communication is permitted between the manifold 15 of the engine and the suction box 23 beneath the reeds at times when a slidable valve rod 46 permits the same.

The valve rod is received in the bore 43 of the horizontally disposed arms of the bracket 16 and provided with a notched portion 47 which is preferably annular. An end of the valve rod 46 is provided with a Cotter pin 48 or similar detent and a washer 49. An expansible spring 50 is positioned between the washer and an adjacent portion of the bracket, whereby the washer 49 and valve rod are normally urged outwardly from the bracket. The rod is also provided with a bail or link 51 which is pivotally secured and may be attached to a pull rod 52 of any suitable construction, the latter, as best shown in Figure 1, being slidably mounted upon a bracket 53 secured to the steering column 11 and suitably positioned beneath the steering wheel 12. The rod 52 may have a pull ring 54 to facilitate engagement and pulling of the rod 52 for retracting the valve 46 against the tension of the spring 50.

In operation the valve rod 46 being retracted until its notch 47 is in alignment with the bores 44 and 45, a communication therebetween is established, the suction provided by the reciprocating movements of the pistons within the engine causing downward vibratory movements of the reeds as shown in Figure 2. The reeds are formed of resilient material, preferably steel. The said suction will cause the reeds to vibrate and generate a tone within the sound chambers which becomes ampliiied and emitted through the horns 40. It will be noted that the suction box 23 is common to the reeds and sound chambers whereby a uniform amount of suction is applied to the reeds from a common source whereby the tone is improved. Also that the reeds are carried on a disc common to the reeds whereby the tone Value is further enhanced and an economical construction provided.

Referring to Figure 10, it will be understood that the reed of smallest size will vibrate rst,

lbeing weaker is more susceptible to being moved latter being the largest will vibrate last and will also have fewer Vibrations per second and be of lower pitch than the adjacent smaller reeds.

It will be understood that by this arrangement one note will sound slightly prior to the other, although the notes will sound substantially at the .same time, whereby a blend and mass of tone is provided which is pleasing to the ear of the operator as well as the pedestrian being warned thereby.

In instances when the instrument or device will not t under the hood of a certain automobile on account of the length of the horns or should the operator desire a louder or softer toned horn, the horn amplifiers 40 together with their carrying disc 36 may be removed and shorter horns substituted having bells of diierent shape and length for consummating said purposes.

Also by removing the screws 37 the plate 36 and the horns carried thereby may be removed and readily replaced in a new location in order that the sound generated by a certain reed may be provided with a louder or softer amplification thus emphasizing a selected note to suit the desires of the operator.

If desired the set screw 30 may be loosened or loosely applied for causing suction to be applied to the central portion of the diaphragm disc 22 for imparting slight vibratory movements to the disc and varying the pitch of the notes.

It will be understood that initially the reeds are so selected that a plurality thereof will not only provide selected various tones, and that the latter will be such tones as are harmonious in sound to the average ear.

It is obvious that the form and material of the elements as well as their particular arrangement can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve and adapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carried by the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with sound outlets, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between the sound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of different areas with respect to each other, and vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of different pitch.

2. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve and adapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carried by the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with sound outlets, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between the sound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of different areas with respect to each other, vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of diierent pitch, and a screen arranged to prevent debris from entering the sou-nd chambers through their outlets.

3. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve and adapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carried by the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with sound amplifying horns, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between the sound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of different areas with respect to each other, and vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of different pitch.

4. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve and adapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carried by the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with amplifying horns of assorted sizes and carried by a removable plate, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between the sound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of diierent areas with respect to each other, and vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of different pitch, said plate being adapted to be selectively arranged with respect to the sound chambers whereby a selected tone may be amplified to a greater degree than another tone emitted by the signal.

5. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve and adapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carried by the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with sound outlets, a diaphragm disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between the sound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of different areas with respect to each other, vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of different pitch, and means for varying the flexibility of said disc for changing the sound of said tones.

ALEXIS F. GILLET.

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