US2047896A - Vehicle signal - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1936. c. SPROUSE VEHICLE SIGNAL Filed Aug. 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R C. [arouse July 14, 1936. spRoUsE 2,047,896

VEHI CLE S IGNAL Filed Aug. 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 front of the signal box;

' Patented July 14, 1936 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to the class of signalling and pertains particularly to signal mechanism for use upon wheeled vehicles, particularly automobiles.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide av novel motor vehicle signal in which a composite symbol is employed with means for exposing different portions of the same whereby the giving of information regarding the intentions of the driver of the vehicle upon which the signal is mounted, is accomplished.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a motor vehicle signal of the above described character, a novel means for exposing the desired portions of the composite symbol to effect the giving of a desired signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel motor vehicle signal in which each of the several signals is set by hand but has means associated therewith whereby the shutting off of the signal is accomplished automatically by the normal manipulation of certain parts of the motor vehicle control mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel means in association with a signal of the character set forth, wherein the setting of one signal efiects the shifting of a control element by which the subsequent manipulation of another signal setting element is prevented until the first signal is shut oil.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the several parts of the signalling mechanism embodying the present invention, showing the same more or less diagrammatically;

Figure 2 is a. view in elevation of the face or Figure 3 is a vertical central section through the signal box;

Figure 4 is a view in rear elevation of the signal box with the rear side removed and showing the electrical circuit associated therewith;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially upon theline 55 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I indicates generally the signal housing comprising part of the present signalling mechanism, the front side or face of which is indicated by the numeral 2, which face is directed rearwardly of the motor vehicle upon which the signal housing is mounted. This housing is designed to be placed in any suitable position upon a motor vehicle where the face 2 may be readily seen by drivers of following cars. The opposite or rear face of the housing is closed by the wall 3 and the front and rear walls, together with the surrounding side wall 4, are secured to a frame 5, the upper end of which is pointed, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, and which has a cross bar 6 in its upper part upon which certain elements of the signal housing are mounted.

The front wall 2 has a composite symbol aperture 1 therein which is substantially in the form of a fleur-de-lis, thus providing-a lower vertically extending opening which merges at its upper end into the laterally curving points 8 and the longitudinally continuing point 9. Directly above the point 9, the wall 2 of the housing has a window opening ill in which is a lens or transparent panel Ii which is colored red.

Within the housing frame 5, a glass panel I! is disposed vertically, lying in a plane between the front wall 2 and the bar 8 and extending downwardly from the bar to the bottom of the frame. This bar 6 carries adjacent each end a pivot pin i3 and upon each pivot pin I3 is oscillatably mounted an actuator plate one of which is designated MR and the other ML, and each of which has a downwardly extending tail portion l5 which is normally directed inwardly toward the vertical center of the housing and which has its inner side concavely curved to form a camming surface l6. At the upper end of each plate is an upwardly and inwardly curving horn I! which, like the tail ii of the plate, lies between the longitudinal center of the housing and the pivot on which the actuator plate is mounted. These horns H are in upwardly converging relation as shown while the tails ii are in downwardly directed convergent relation.

Lying outwardly of the pivot l3 of each actuator plate with respect to the longitudinal center of the housing is a finger I8 forming a part of the plate to which an end of an actuating Bowden wire I8 is attached. 1 l

Each of the actuator plates HR and ML has a portion projecting over the top edge of the plate l2, as'indicated at I! in Figure 3, and to this projecting portion is secured a shield or cover wing ing a shaft 30 terminating in a head 3|.

20 which is of opaque material and which normally covers a portion of the composite symbol opening I, as is clearly illustrated in Figure'l. Each of these wings 20 has an arcuate edge 2| which is remote from the other wing and which, when the wing is swung to a predetermined position, conforms with an edge of the symbol opening to cause a desired signal symbol to be formed by the exposure of a portion of this opening. As illustrated in Figure 2, the wings 20, together with their actuating plates MR. and ML, are swung to a position where the lower portion of the composite symbol opening is uncovered together with one laterally directed arrow portion 8 so as to form a complete direction indicating arrow. The wings 20 coact to cover up the remaining part of the symbol opening so that only the desired arrow form stands out.

Secured to the frame of the signal housing aretwo relatively long leaf springs, each of which is indicated by the numeral 22. Each of these springs is attached against movement at one end to the housing frame while the other end is slid- .top of the housing frame is a plate 24 which has vertical movement and which has the flange 25 at its lower edge which overlies and is normally free of contact with the horns I! of the actuator plates, as illustrated in Figure 1. This flange 25 has one end of a Bowden wire 26 connected therewith and when this wire is moved in the proper direction to draw the plate 24 downwardly, the flange 25 will simultaneously contact the horns of the two actuator plates so as to cause the latter to be oscillated in a direction to move the tail portions I5 apart against the resilient action of the springs 22. This will likewise move the wings '20 from the overlapped relation in which they are shown in Figure 1 so as to uncover only the central part of the composite symbol opening 1 and thus expose a straight arrow directed vertically of the signal housing. When the wings are moved to this relation or when they are moved in the proper manner to form an arrow directed to the right or to the left, the translucent plate l2 will be exposed through the uncovered portion of the symbol opening. Also when the wings 20 are oscillated in the proper manner to uncover a portion of the symbol opening to form a right or left turn indicating arrow, a portion of one wing will moveinto position across the window I I'*so as toprevent light developed by suitable illuminating means, as hereinafter described, from passing from the interior of the housing through this window. When the wings are swung apart through the actuation of the plate 24 in the manner described, they will not cover the window ll so that the light referred to will illuminate the window as well asthe signalling symbol formed.

At any suitable point adjacent the operator of the vehicle upon which the signal is mounted, three actuating buttons 21, 28 and 29 are mounted for reciprocatory movement, each button hav- Each of two of the buttons is connected by a Bowden wire l8 with the finger l8 of one of the actuator plates MR and ML. These buttons are marked R" and L" for th right and left turn signals.

emerges into an obliquely directed portion and this in turn flows into a straight portion which is perpendicular to the said end portion, asillustrated in Figure 1. The pin 32 adjacent each slot joinder of the transverse portion of the slot with the oblique portion, so that when any one of the shafts 30 is shifted in one direction the pin thereof will cam against the edge of the oblique -normally positions in the same at the point of r portion of the adjacent slot to shift the plate 34 transversely of the shaft and the pin will then pass into the long straight portion of the slot.

The pins of the other shafts will, however, become located in the opposite end of the transverse portion of the slot with which each is associated so that the shafts thereof cannot be moved. By this means, when one signal actuating button is pulled by the operator of the signal, the other buttons will be locked against movement.

Each of the right and left turn signal button shafts has its head portion 3| connected by a rigid wire or rod 34 with one end of a lever bar 35, and the central portion of this lever bar is connected by a Bowden wire 36 with an oscillatably mounted cam plate 31 which has the two oppositely directed camming surfaces 38 and an arm 39 to which the Bowden wire 36 is connected. This cam plate 31 is mounted in a suitable position adjacent the steering shaft 40 of the motor vehicle where a pin 4| carried by the steering shaft or by mechanism directly connected therewith for operation thereby, will move across the point connecting the cam surfaces 38 during the oscillation of the steering shaft 40. This pin 4| extends at one end through the shaft, as shown in Figure 1, the end of the pin being flush with the top of the shaft and extending downwardly therefrom on the underside thereof. By this mechanism when either the right or left turn signal is set or established manually, it will be dis-established automatically as will be readily apparent from the following. Ifv the right turn signal is to be established, the operator pulls back upon the button 21 so as to draw the Bowden wire I8 which is attached thereto and thus eifect the oscillation of the actuator plate HR. in Figure 1. This will swing the associated wing member 20 across .the other wing member and uncover the adiacent arrow point 8 and the lower end of the opening 1 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 and at the same time cover the window ll. Also at the same time, the wire or rod 34 which is connected with the button 21 will be pulled back causing the bar 35 to fulcrum at its opposite end upon the other wire 34 and pull upon the Bowden wire 36 to oscillate the cam plate 31 and bring one of the surfaces thereof into position across the steering shaft or column. As the steering operation takes place to make the turn, the pin will contact the cam surface 38 nearest thereto and 7 swing the plate back to the normal position in which it is shown in Figure 1 and thus pull the button shaft 21 back to its original position and at the same time force the Bowden wire I8 which is attached thereto back so as to return the actuator plate and the wing with which it is connected to their normal'positions.

The numeral 42 indicates a reciprocable bar which is attached in any suitable manner, as by the link43, with the brake pedal of the vehicle. The forward end of this bar 42 carries a transverse pin 44 and has a longitudinal slot 45 therein. Supported in any suitable manner to extend through the slot 45, and held against movement, is a guide pin 46 which supports the bar 42 in its reciprocatory motion and mounted for oscillation on this pin is a plate 41 towhich is attached one end of a rigid wire, 48, the other end of which is attached to the shaft 30 of the stop button 28. Disposed between the forward end of the bar 42 and the plate 41 is a latch plate 49 which has a slot 58 therein through which the pin 46 passes and through which the stem of a button passes, which stem is engaged inand carried by the plate 41. The latch plate 49 is thus permitted longitudinal :movement relative tothe plate 41 but is caused to oscillate with this plate when the wire .48 is pulled.

The latch plate 49 alsocarries a pin 52 adjacent its upper end whichextendslaterally across the downturned end ofan arm 53 which is pivotally mounted at 54. The pin 52 is above the upper end of the slot 58. Also pivotally mounted upon thepin 54 is a-weighted plate 55 which has a rear extension carrying a weight 56 and beneath which extension a lateral fiange- 51 at the rear end of the arm 53 engages. At the end extending forwardly of the pivot 54, the counterbalanced plate 55 has a forwardly and downwardly curving finger 58 which is in the path of the rear edge ofthe latch plate 49 when the latter is oscillatedwith the plate 41;

With-this construction, when the stop button 28 is pulled to swing the wings 20 apart so-as to uncover the central part of the symbol opening and to uncover the window II, the wire 48 will be pulled to swing the plates 41 and 49 to upright position. The rear edge of the plate 49 will press against the rounded finger 58 so as to raise the weight 56 and allow the forward end of the bar 53 to drop. Consequently, as the plate 49 moves to vertical position, it will also drop ontothe pin 44, and as the brake pedal is depressed in stopping the machine, the bar 42 will move forwardly so as to shift the pin 44 to a position beyond the forward edge of the latch plate 49, thus allowing the latch plate to drop further, to bring its lower edge below the pin 44. When the brake pedal is released and .the spring controlling the same pulls it back into inoperative position, the bar 42 will also be retracted, causing the pin 44 to hit the lower front edge of the latch plate 49 and cause it to be oscillated to the position in which it is shown in Figure 5 and at the same time cause the plate 41 to oscillate to the same position. This will pull the wire'48 and thus restore the stop signal to its non-signalling position through the return of the stop button shaft 30 to its initial position. In Figure 4 there is illustrated an electrical diagram by which the illumination of the interior of the housing and the lighting of tell-tale lights is effected upon the manipulation of the buttons 21, 28 and 29.

The numeral 59 indicates a battery or other suitable source of electrical current. From one side of this current source acurrent return lead wire 66 connects with one side of the series of pairs of switch points which are indicated by the numerals 6|, 62, 63, 64, and 65.

The numerals 21', 28 and 29' indicate, respectively, tell-tale lights for the buttons 21, 28 and 29, and these are connected on one side with the current carrying wire 66 and at their opposite sides, respectively, with the opposite sides 5 of the pairs of switch points 6|, 62 and 63.

The current carrying wire 66 has in circuit therein the lamp 61 which is disposed in the center of the housing between the actuator plates MR and ML and this wire is connected with the opposite sides of the pairs of switches 64 and 65.

When the right turn signal button 21 is operated to actuate the plate I4R, the metallic bridging element 68 which is carried by this plate connects the terminals of the switch 6| so as to close the circuit in which the tell-tale lamp 21' is located. At the same time, the free end of the tail portion l5 of the plate I4R rides onto the arcuate edge of the tail of the opposite plate ML and causes this plate to bring the metallic bar 69 into bridging relation between the terminals of the switch 65, thus closing the circuit which lights the housing illuminating lamp 61.

When the left turn signal button 29 is actuated, the actuator plate I 4L will be oscillated so that the free end of the tail portion l5 thereef -will ride against the curved inner edge of the tail portion of the opposite plate- HR, at the same time bringing the metallic bar 69 into bridging relation between the terminals of the switch 64 to effect the illumination of the lamp 61 and bringing the second metallic bar 18 which is carried upon this plate ML into bridging relation between the terminals of the switch 63 which lights the tell-tale lamp 29'.

When the stop signal button 28 is actuated to pull down the plate 24 and cause the simultaneous oscillation of the two plates MR and ML by which their lower or tail ends are swung apart, the metallic bridging element 1| carried by the plate 24 electrically connects the terminals of the switch 62 to light up the tell-tale lamp 28. With this operation, the switch 65 is closed by the bar 69 so as to illuminate the housing lamp 61.

It will be noted upon reference to Figure 1 that both of the wing members 20 lie with a portion covering the central part of the opening 1. Thus it will be observed the movement of only one wing member would not effect the formation of the proper indicating arrow for a right turn, left turn or stop signal, therefore, when a right turn or left turn signal is to be given the actuator plate which is primarily moved not only effects the uncovering of the proper arrow point and the lower part of the opening 1, but also effects the necessary movement of the other actuator plate and wing to completely expose the lower part of the signal opening to the passage of illuminating light rays from the lamp 61.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that by means of the signal mechanism herein described, a clear and distinctive right or left turn or stop signal may be given and that novel means is employed for restoring the movable parts to normal position after the necessity for the giv- 65 ing of a signal is past.

What is claimed is:-

1. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a casing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having distinctive outline por- 7O tions, one of which portions is common to the other portions and is designed to coact with a selected oneof the said other portions to form a signal, movable means within the casing normally covering said opening and adapted for move- 75 ment relative to the opening to effect the uncovering of one of said selected portions with said one portion whereby a right turn, left turn or stop symbol may be formed, and means for effecting shifting of said movable opening covering means.

2. A motor vehicle signal, comprisinga casinghaving a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having distinctive outline portions, one of which portions is common to the other portions and is designed to coact with a selected one of the said other portions to form a signal, movable means within the casing normally covering said opening and adapted for movement relative to the opening to effect the uncovering of one of said selected portions with said one portion whereby a right turn, left turn or stop symbol may be formed, means for effecting shifting of said movable opening covering means, an auxiliary signalling means comprising a window opening in said wall, and means whereby the auxiliary signalling means is made operative only upon the formation of the said stop symbol.

3. A vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having distinctive outline portions, one of which portions is common to the other portions and is designed to coact with a selected one of the said other portions to form a signal, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and normally coacting to cover said opening, and means for effecting the selective oscillation of said Wing members for the uncovering of the said one portion and a selected one of the said other portions of said symbol opening to effect the formation of a desired indicating symbol.

4. A vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having distinctive outline portions,

- one of which portions is common to the other portions and is designed to coact with a selected one of the said other portions to form a signal, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and normally coacting to cover said opening, means for effecting the selective oscillation of said wing members for the uncovering of the said one portion and a selected one of the said other portionsof said symbol opening to effect the formation of a desired direction indicating symbol, and each of said wing members having an edge formation designed to coact with a portion of the symbol opening in the formation of the desired signalling symbol 5. A vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having distinctive outline portions, one of which portions is common to the other portions, and is designed to coact with a selected one of the said other portions to form a signal, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and normally coacting to cover said opening, means for effecting the selective oscillation of said wing members for the uncovering of the said one portion'and a selected one of the said otherportions of said symbol opening to effect the formation of a desired direction indicating symbol, an auxiliary signal comprising a window in the said casing wall, means for effecting the illumination of the interior of the casing upon the formation of either of two signal symbols, and means for effecting the illumination of said window upon the formation of a third signal symbol while maintaining the said two symbols unilluminated.

6. A vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening, having a lower portion merging into two opposite laterally directed portions, a pair of oscillatably mounted wing members within the casing coacting to cover said opening, means for selectively oscillating said wing members for the selective uncovering of the laterally directed portions of said opening and the lower portion whereby either of a pair of oppositely directed curved arrows may be formed, and each of said wing members having a portion of one edge formed to coincide with an edge configuration of a portion of said opening to complete the formation of one of the said oppositely directed arrows.

7. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having a straight lower portion merging at one end into opposite laterally directed openings and a continuing terminal opening, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and each normally covering the central portion of said composite opening and one of the lateral extensions thereof, means for effecting the selective oscillation of said wings, each wing when oscillated by said means moving across the opposite lateral extension of the opening to uncover the lateral extension adjacent thereto and a portion of the straight portion of the opening whereby to form a curved direction indicating opening, and means for effecting the simultaneous oscillation in opposite directions of said wing members to uncover only the straight portion of said symbol opening and the said terminal continuation thereof for the formation of a straight direction indicating symbol.

8. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having a straight lower' portion merging at one end into opposite laterally directed openings and a continuing terminal opening, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and each normally covering the central portion of said composite opening and one of the lateral extensions thereof, means for effecting the selective oscillation of said wings, each wing when oscillated by said means moving across the opposite lateral extension of the opening to uncover the lateral extension adjacent thereto and a portion of the straight portion of the opening whereby to form a curved direction indicating opening, means for effecting the simultaneous oscillation in opposite directions of said wing members to uncover only the straight portion of said symbol opening and the said terminal continuation thereof for the formation of a straight direction indicating symbol, a signalling window formed in said housing wall, and means for making said signal window operative as a signalling medium only upon the formation of the said straight signalling symbol.

9. A vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided 'with a composite signal symbol opening having a straight main portion mergingat one end in oppositely directed lateral extensions and a continuing straight extension, said wall further having a signal window adjacent the end of the said continuing straight extension, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and normally coacting to cover the composite symbol opening, means for selectively oscillating the wing members to uncover the main portion of said opening and a selected lateral extension whereby to form a continuous curved signalling symbol, a pair of elements coupled with said wings for movement therewith, a sliding plate adapted when moved in one direction to engage said elements, and means for effecting the movement of said plate into engagement with said elementswhereby saidwing members may be simultaneously oscillated for separation to uncover the central portion of said symbol opening and the terminal continuation thereof, each of said wing members when selectively actuated moving across and covering said window.

10..A vehiclesignal, comprising" a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening having a straight main portion merging at one end in oppositely directed lateral extensions and a continuing straight extension, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and normalling coacting to cover the composite symbol opening, means for selectively oscillating the wing members to uncover the main portion of said opening and a selected lateral extension whereby to form a continuous curved signalling symbol, a pair of elements coupled with said wings for movement therewith, a sliding plate adapted when moved in one direction to engage said elements, and means for effecting the movement of said plate into engagement with said elements whereby said wing members may be simultaneously oscillated for separation to uncover the central portion of said symbol opening and the terminal continuation thereof.

11. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with signalling opens defining a lower portion and three diverging upper portions, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing, means for selectively manually oscillating said wing members for the selective covering or uncovering of said divering portions with said lower portion whereby a right turn, left turn or stop signal may be established, means operated by and upon the actuation of the vehicle steering mechanism for disestablishing a selected turn indicating signal after the same has been established, and means actuated by the brake mechanism of the Vehicle for disestablishing the stop signal after the same has been established.

12. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening defined by three diverging upper portions and a lower portion common thereto, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and cficting" to cover said opening, a pair of actuator plates oscillatably mounted in the housing and each coupled with a wing member, each of said plates having a lateral extension at one side of the pivot point thereof and an upwardly and inwardly curving horn at the opposite side of the pivot point, the said horns of the actuator plates being in convergent relation, a Bowden wire connection with the lateral extension of each actuator plate whereby the selective oscillation of the plates and wings may be effected, each of said wings when oscillated in one direction uncovering one of said diverging portions and the lower portion to give a turn signal, a reciprocable member in thehousing adapted when moved in one direction to simultaneously contact said horns and effect the separatory swinging of the wing members to uncover one of said diverging portions and the lower portion for the formation of a stop signal, an actuating Bowden wire connected with said reciprocable member, and means for effecting the selective actuation of the Bowden wires at a point remote from the signal.

13. A motor vehicle signal, comprising a housing having a wall provided with a composite signal symbol opening defined by three diverging upper portions and a lower portion common thereto, a pair of wing members oscillatably mounted in the housing and coacting to cover said opening, a pair of actuator plates oscillatably mounted in the housing and each coupled with a wing member, each of said plates having a lateral extension at one side of the pivot point thereof and an upwardly and inwardly curving horn at the opposite side of the pivot point, the said horns of the actuator plates being in convergent relation, a Bowden wire connection with the lateral extension of each actuator plate whereby the selective oscillation of the plates and wings may be effected, each of said wings when oscillated in one direction uncovering one of said diverging portions and the lower portion to give a turn signal, a reciprocable memher in the housing adapted when moved in one direction to simultaneously contact said horns and eifect the separatory swinging of the wing members to uncover one of said diverging portions and the lower portion for the formation of a stop signal, a Bowden wire connected with said reciprocable member, means for effecting the selective actuation of the Bowden wires at a point remote from the signal, and means whereby the actuation of one Bowden wire actuating means will secure against movement the means for actuating the other Bowden wires.

14. In a signal mechanism for a motor vehicle having an oscillatable steering shaft and a reciprocable brake actuator, a signal device comprising means for establishing a right turn, left turn or stop signal, manually actuated means for effecting the establishment of said signals, an oscillatable cam element which is shifted to a predetermined position upon the establishment of a right or left turn signal, means connected with said steering mechanism for engaging said cam to disestablish the right or left turn signal by the actuation of the steering mechanism after the selected signal is established, an oscillatable latch element which is shifted to a predetermined position upon the establishment of the stop signal, and reciprocating means actuated by the vehicle brake mechanism to disestablish the stop signal upon the release of the brake.

15. In a signal, a casing, a Wall for the easing having a signal opening defining a lower portion and upwardly directed diverging portions, a pair of members pivotally mounted in the casing for relative oscillation and normally together completely covering said opening, and means for effecting the relative oscillation of said members whereby said lower portion and a selected diverging portion of said opening may be simultaneously uncovered to form together a desired signal.

16. In a signal, a casing, a wall for the casing having a signal opening defining a lower portion and upwardly directed diverging portions, a pair of members pivotally mounted in the casing for relative oscillation and normally together completely covering said opening, means for efiecting the relative oscillation of said members whereby said lower portion and a selected diverging portion of said opening may be simultaneously uncovered to form together a desired signal, said members moving apart in forming one signal, and means forming parts of the members whereby the oscillation of one member in one direction will efiect oscillation of the other member in the same direction for the formation of another signal.

17. In a signal, a casing, a wall for the casing having a signal opening defining a centrallower portion and upwardly directed diverging portions, a pair of members pivotally mounted in the casing for relative oscillation and normally together completely covering said opening, means for selectively oscillating said members to uncover a.

selected divergent portion of the opening, said members when in the said opening covering position overlapping and each completely covering the said central lower portion of the opening below the diverging portions thereof, and means carried by each member which when a selected member isoscillated will engage the means of the other member to effect its oscillation sufiiciently to uncover the said lower portion ofthe opening.

18. In a signal, a casing, a wall for the'casing having a signal opening defining a lower portion and three upwardly directed relatively divergent portions, a pair of plate members pivotally mounted in the casing and normally acting together to cover said opening, said plate members being in overlapping relation, means for, selectively oscillating said plate members, each member when oscillated swinging across the other member to uncover the lower portion of said opening, and an outside one of the said three portions, means carried by each member for effecting the partial swinging of the other member when a selected member is oscillated, a pair of contact fingers each carried by a plate member, and a reciprocable element adapted when moved in one direction to engage said fingers to effect the simultaneous swinging apart of the plate members and the uncovering of only the lower portion and the central one of the said three upper portions. i

19. In a signal for a vehicle having a brake pedal, a casing having a stop signal opening, shiftable means normally covering the opening, manual means for shifting said shiftable means to display said signal, a reciprocably mounted element, means by which said element may be coupled with said pedal for actuation thereby, a trip device which is set by and upon the operation of the said manualmeans, and means effecting the coupling of said reciprocable element with said trip device to restore the signal to non-signalling position upon restoration of said pedal to inoperative position.

20. In a signal including a casing having a signal opening and a. plurality of shiftable elements in the casing for uncovering selected portions of the opening, an operating wire connected with each of said elements in the casing, a manually actuated reciprocable element connected with each of said wires, and means for maintaining the remaining ones of said reciprocable members against movement after one thereof has been shifted, comprising a plate member mounted for limited movement transversely of the reciprocable members and having a plurality of slots therein, each having a portion paralleling a reciprocable member and a portion extending transversely thereof with a connecting oblique portion between the parallel and transverse portions, and a pin carried by each reciprocable member and engaging in the adjacent slot which cams in the said oblique portion of the slot when the reciprocable member is shifted to efiect the shifting of the plate and the movement of the pins of the other members into the transverse slots.

' CLIFTON SPROUSE.

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