US2066001A

US2066001A - Actuating mechanism for warning signals

Info

Publication number: US2066001A
Application number: US4907A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alexis F Gillet
Original assignee: EA Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: EA Laboratories Inc
Priority date: 1935-02-04
Filing date: 1935-02-04
Publication date: 1936-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 1953-12-29

Description

Dec. 29, 1936. A. F. GILLET 2,066,001

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR WARNING SIGNALS Filed Feb. 4, 1935 l 2 sheets-sheet 1 Snventor Dec. 29, 1936.

A. F.A GILLET 2,066,001

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR WARNING SIIGNALS Filed 'eb. 4, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittorneg Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR WARNING SIGNALS Alexis F. Gillet, Omaha, Nebr., assignor to E. A.

Laboratories, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 4,1935, serial No. 4,907 claims. (o1. 116-138) This invention relates to actuating means for warning signals for use for example with and attachment to a vehicle of internal combustion engine type, more particularly an engine having an intake manifold and provided with a valve operable from the drivers seat for regulating the amount of fuel admitted to the engine for governing the speed and power thereof.

An important object of the invention is to provide a warning signal for the herein stated purposes having actuating means therefor, the parts of which are so constructed and arranged that an open, unobstructed passageway and communication is provided and maintained at all times, during operation, as well as when the mechanism is at rest from the exterior atmosphere through the signal with the connections positioned between it and a source of suction for the actuating thereof, whereby the application of minute `degree of suction to said passageway incident to the .opening of the .speed valve of the engine will cause said means to become instantaneously actuated without the necessity of closing the speed valve partially or wholly, as heretofore practiced.

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

Inthe'drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like'or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a warning signalembodyingthe present invention and showing the'relative position of the parts when the mech7 anism is at rest. n

Figure 2 'is a transverse section thereof taken on line 2 -2 of'Figure 1. 'Fig re 3 is a plan view of the diaphragm.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the plunger.

' Figure 5 is a vertical section of a fragment of the signal and showing the relative position of the plunger and diaphragm during a cycle of operation.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the air passagewaydevice.

Figure 'l is a vertical section of a fragment of the signal and showing an alternative form of lthe passageway-device illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 and showinga' further form of said passageway-device.

' Figure l10 is a top plan taken substantially on lline-lll--ID 'of Fig. 9. Y

= "Figure 1l is a view similar to Figure 10 and showing a still further unit form of the passageway-device shown in Figure 6, the view being taken substantially on line l I-II of Figure 12. Figure 12 is a sectional View similar to FigureV 9 and showing the unit illustrated in Figure 1'1. v .5A Figure 13 is a View taken substantially on line l3-l3 of Figure 14 and showing another form'of the passageway-device. i'

Figure 14 is a vertical section of a fragment of a signal embodying the form of the passageway- 10 device shown in Figure-13.

It is well known in the art that, as heretofore practiced, at times when the throttle valve of an engine is opened appreciably for a high speed thereof, or at times when the engine labors such as during the climbing of a hill, that an inadequate or inefficient degree of suction is obtained for application to windshield wiper mechanisms and warning signals ofthe general class ofthe present invention. The minimum degree of suc- 2O tion thus provided often is insufficient to cause the spring pressed valves of the prior art signals to move away from contact with their seats-or diaphragms, whereby said prior signalsl fail to sound at all or in instances where a signal is pro- 25 duced the same is too belated for an ecient warning of traic and particularly is this true in instances when said prior signals are attached to the comparatively high speed motors of present day type. Also in instances when a vehicle and ,30 the engine thereof are running .at a normal or comparatively slow speed and a point of tramo danger is reached, the operator in order to avoid a collision often suddenly opens the throttlefor speeding past said danger simultaneously lclesir- 35 ing to warn the traflic by actuating his signal which fails to respond incident to the sudden opening of the fuel admission valve or throttle.

The present invention provides an arrangement of parts which utilizes the comparatively small 40 degree of suction obtained-'and applicable to a suction operated warning signal at the time the throttle of the engine is opened for facilitating an initial vibration of its diaphragm-for the production of sound and also provides a mechanism 45 which is highly responsive to changes in the ad- -justment of engine-throttles without impalring a normal operation of the engine by unduly diluting its fuel mixture. f

Referring now to the drawings for a more par- 5 0 ticular description, 2D indicates generally a warning signal which includes a casing `comprised of a lower half portion 2| and an upper half portion 22. The lower part. 2| of. the Vcasing is substantially cup-shaped in cross section, having an out- `5,5

`constantwith respect to lthe diaphragm.

turned flange 23 and in inturned flange 24. A nut 25 facilitates a connection of the warning signal with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, it being understood that a suitable ,cut-oil" cock, (not shown), is provided for use at times when it is desired not to employ the device lfor the production of warningsounds.

Between the flanges 23 and 24 a detent shelf 26 is provided for purposes later explained.v The upper half portion 22 of the casing includes a flange 2l which is peened over the iiange 23 of the `lower half portion during the manufacture of the device .and subsequent to the placement of certain later described parts therein, said operation being accomplished by die pressing and squeezing the parts together.

A bell or trumpet 28 may be employed for amplifying sounds produced by the warning signal. The outer end of the bell is in communication at all times with the exterior1 atmosphereand the inner.A end thereof is in communication with the interiorof the casing or housing through an opening 29 formed through the upper half portion 22 ofthe housing. The bell 28 may be removably secured to the'casingvby means of a boss 30 and keepers or screws 3l.

. The nut 25 is provided with a threaded outlet port 32 for securing thereto a connection or communicating conduit 32. The securing means between the outlet port or nut 25 and the pipe 32' may consist of any suitable parts such as the threaded sleeve, a pack nut carried thereby for locking the ilared end of the pipe 32 to said sleeve as shown in FigureV 1.

Prior to the peening of the half portions of the housing together a transversely disposed diaphragm 33, and a plunger34 carried by a resilient spider 35 are placed within the housing and arranged as shown in Figurel. Also at such time one of the passageway-devices 36 shown in Figs. 6, '7, 8, 13 and 14 are placed Within the housing and will remain in the position initially selected incident to die crushing or squeezing the two: portions of the casing together as heretofore mentioned. Prior to said squeezing operation I shims 31, preferably formed of cardboard, fiber or the like, are rst positioned ures l, 5, '7, 9, 12 and 14.

d The diaphragm 33 is provided with a suitable number of apertures (preferably four) as shown in Figure 3. The diaphragm 33 sub-divides the casing and provides a chamber 39 at the suction side thereof and a chamber 39 atthe air inlet sidethereof and it will be understood that comas shown in Figmunication between the chambers and with the exterior atmosphere ...is permitted atV all times through the aperture 38 of with the outlet port 32.`

A reciprocable means forcooperatio-n with the diaphragm is mounted in the casing, said means being generally indicated at d, and preferably includingfthe plunger 34 which may be riveted, spot welded. or otherwise suitably secured tothe spider 36, the latter having a suitable number of arms. The arms are similar and equi-distantly spaced with respect `to, each other-and radially disposed from a common center. As best shown in Figurer 1, the outer ends of the arms rest upon the detent-shelf 26 for a resilient bearing 4| and maintaining the lalignment of the plunge Means are provided Vfor maintaining the passageway through thediaphragm open at all times by means of the passage-way-device 36 or `36---A or'36--B, any of which may be interposed between the diaphragm and` the diaphragm and the plunger for preventing a contact between them at all times whereby the plunger is prevented from closing the aperture 38 of the diaphragm.

Referring to Figure 6, theV passageway-device 36 is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 42 which is of lesser diameter thanthe diameter of the plunger 34 and of greater diameter than the areas embraced by the apertures 38, as shown by the dotted and full lines in Figure 2. 'Ihe annular wall of the aperture 42 of the member 36 is provided with a plurality of 4notches 43 for the passage of air therethrough at times when the plunger is in contact with the member 36 for providing a free passage of air at all times from the chamber39', through the apertures 38 of the diaphragm, and the notches 43 of the member 36 at times when it touches the plunger, and past the perimeter of the plunger and into the chamber 39, and thence through the outlet port 32 and the connection 32' to the source of vacuum. Alternative forms ofthe passageway-device 36 may be employed. Theform 36-A, shown in Figure 8, consists of a thin metal sheet, the perimeter ofwhich is provided with a plurality of large notches 43-A which perform the same function as the heretofore described notches 43 of the member 36. l

The form of passageway-device, shown in Figure V13, may be briefly described as a thin Istrip of ymetal 36-B extending across the diaphragm for maintaining the aperture or apertures thereof open at -all times and preventing contact between the plunger and diaphragm 33. The means for maintaining the apertures of 'the diaphragm open at all times may consist of further structures, shown in Figures`9 to 12, inelusive. Referring to Figures-9 and 10, the form therein illustrated consists of providing the plunger with an annular iiange 45 disposed at a right I.

notches 43 of the passageway-device 36 and ,l

'when this'structure is employed the member 36 'may-be' dispensed with. It is believed to be obvious that the annular flange 45, if provided with holes transversely disposed through it, would perform the same function as the notches 46.

*'I'he .devicaillustrated in Figures 11 and 12 ,contemplate lproviding the periphery of the plunger with a plurality-of notches 41 in alignmentwith thev aperturesf38 of the diaphragm and when thisv modication is employed no an- Y'nular flange 45 need'be' provided for the plunger. Also it is believed to be" obvious that apertures positioned through thevplunger in lieu of the 'notches 4lwould function as well as the latter -and forthe purpose later described herein rela- !tive .to all of the forms which are generally referred'to 'herein as a passageway-device. Said ,passageway-device may consist of a detent, (not shown), for preventing the plunger 40 from having toogreatamovement toward the diaphragm, said detent being secured tothe casing or the nut '25Vat' one oi its ends and the other end arranged for limitingthe movement of the plunger towards the diaphragm.

, A source-oi suction .or engineisgenerally into-the windshield wipermechanism of the automobile. The present invention contemplates the removal of said tap and the substitution therefor of a T or two-way branch, with one of which the said windshield wiper mechanism may be in communication and the other thereof for the warning signal of the instant invention. Said tap and also such two-way branch are well known in the art and believed to need no illustration. Also internal combustion engines and their speed regulating valves being well known are similarly believed to need no illustration or particular description herein.

The pipe or conduit 32 establishes a communication between said tap and the mechanism as shown in Figure 1, and between the ends of the conduit 32 a cut-off valve is provided for closing said passageway 32 completely. The cutoff valve may be of any type such as the valve for said purpose shown in my prior Patent No. 1,869,142, which also explains a means for operating said valve from the drivers seat.

The transverse area of the pipe 32 and the total area of apertures 38 of the diaphragm must be made small so that the admission of air through the warning signal of the present invention is also comparatively small in quantity, whereby the normal operation of the engine is not impaired by weakening the fuel mixture therefor with an undue dilution of air incident to the operation of the device, while at the same time enough suction is provided through the connection or conduit 32 and through the diaphragm sufficient to cause the latter to vibrate for the production of sound.

In operation a comparatively minimum amount of suction applied to the conduit 32' or suction outlet port 32 of the mechanism causes air to become squeezed between the diaphragm andthe plunger through the passageway-device of the present invention causing the diaphragm and plunger to move further away from each other, said initial movement of air instantaneously causing an initial vibration of the diaphragm which is highly responsive to the movement of the air sucked therethrough. Said initial vibration of the diaphragm permits a greater quantity of air to move therethrough, the plunger then occupying an extreme position away from the diaphragm as depicted in Figure 5, from which position it then reciprocates for varying the volume or velocity of the air passing through the diaphragm during the vibrations thereof, said vibrations being communicated to the air within the chamber 39' for production of sound and the amplification of said sound in the bell of the horn 28.

Heretofore when a spring urged valve head was A employed, in lieu of the plunger 40, said head making firm contact against its seat or diaphragm a comparatively maximum amount of suction was required to spread the diaphragm away from the valve seat for producing an initial vibration of the diaphragm and as heretofore explained under certain operating conditions of the engine the suction operated warning devices of the prior art fail to operate.

Among other advantages of the present invention it may be mentioned that heretofore operators of motor vehicles have provided the latter with two horns, one electrically actuated, which is used in times of emergency, and a pleasant toned suction operated horn. By means of the present invention the electrically actuated horns and the excruciating noise thereof may be dispensed with, also the vacuum storage tanks as heretofore used in connection with suction horns are eliminated.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modications being restricted only by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed isz- 1. A warning signal comprising a casing having an outlet port to be connected to a source of suction and a port for the intake of actuating air, a vibratory diaphragm in the casing provided with an opening for the passage of air between said ports for vibration of the diaphragm, means disposed within the casing and movable with respect to said diaphragm for varying the volume of air passing therethrough, and means in the casing for constantly assuring the maintenance of an open passageway for air therethrough.

2. A warning signal adapted for connection with a source of suction and comprising in combination, a casing, an apertured vibratory diaphragm dividing the interior of the casing into two chambers of which one is an air admission chamber and the other is a suction chamber, a resiliently mounted plunger in the casing for cooperation with the diaphragm and arranged for varying the movement of air from the air admission chamber to the suction chamber, and through said aperture and means within the casing and acting constantly to prevent the aperture of the diaphragm from becoming completely closed by said plunger.

3. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outlet openings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formed with a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line with said latter opening, means for supporting said valve and diaphragm whereby the same may move with respect to each other, and means positioned between said body and diaphragm for constantly maintaining said valve body out of engagement with said diaphragm whereby said diaphragm opening will, under no conditions, be closed by said valve body.

4. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outlet openings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formed with a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line with said latter opening, means for supporting said valve and diaphragm whereby the same may move with respect to each other, and means overlying said diaphragm body and engageable by the valve to constantly prevent the latter from completely closing said diaphiagm opening,

5. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outlet openings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formed with a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line with said latter opening, means whereby said valve and diaphragm may move with respect to each other, and said valve body being formed with openings for the passage of fluid whereby, under all conditions, fluid may ilow through said diaphragm opening.

ALEXIS F. GILLET.