US2113273A - Flashing signal - Google Patents

Description

April 5, 1938. v. A. LEA'C'H 2,113,213

FLASHING SIGNAL Filed Nov. 10', 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [/VVf/VTOR: Va/ A. Aeac/z,

flrronzven April 5, 1938.

v. A. LEACH 2,113,273

- FLASHING SIGNAL Filed Nov. 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Va/ 14. Leacfi, 6r

l l l E Arromver.

Patented Apr. 5, 19 38 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEY Applicationjgzfier N0. 97,434

being successively connected in circuit as they burn out.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flasher system in which an intermittently oper- 15 ated switch controls the periodic energization of one light source, and in which a mechanism is 1 provided for bringing another light source into circuit, this mechanism operating in a time interval which is less than the interval between energizations. By this structure the system will 20 shift connections between flashes so that there is no prolonged dark period between flashes as the electrical connections are changed. This completely eliminates any dark period during whichthe signal is incapable of performing its 25 warning function.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel impulse means for operating a flasher signal or other device requiring an intermittent supply of current.

30 Further objects of the invention lie in the provision of novel circuit elements interconnecting the impulse means and the sequence switch which brings the lamps successively into circuit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of lamps which are successively movable through the focal point of a reflector system, and to control this movement in a step-by-step fashion, the lamps being shifted to bring a new lamp into the focus of the re- 40 flector at such time as the previous lamp burn out.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel flasher system which includesa plurality of lamps which are successively con- 5 nected in circuit with an intermittently operated switch, and which system automatically ceases to flash when the last lamp comes into circuit, this last lamp giving a steady light indicating the condition which exists in the system.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a limit switch for stopping the impulse means when the last lamp is brought into the circuit.

Other objects of the invention lie in the provision of a novel switch means associated with the impulse means, this switch preferably including one or more movable and stationary contacts arranged in a novel manner to eif ect a wiping action between the contacts. v 5 Another object of the invention is to provide a flasher system, the operating parts of which are mounted in a novel manner so as to be readily accessible for purpose of inspection or repair.

In the drawings I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention for the purpose of deflniteness, though it should be distinctly understood that the concepts of the invention may takevvarious forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. y

Referring to these drawings, Fig. 1 is a face view of the flasher system with the door swung open to expose the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the reflector and light source taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the oscillating member in an extreme rearward position.

Fig. 8 illustrates the lamp structure in an intermediate position.

Fig. '1 illustrates this lamp structure in its extreme advanced position.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the escapement shown. in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the preferred em- 5 bodiment.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, I have shown the invention as utilized in conjunction with a container 1 divided by a partition 8 to form a reflector compartment 9 and a control compart- 40 ment l0. A suitable reflector means II is mount- 1 ed in the reflector compartment 9. As shown this reflector means includes a cylindrical reflector I! to the rear of which a parabolical mirror i3 is secured. The focal point of this mirror is indicated by the numeral l4.

A cover I5 is preferably hinged to the container 1 by a hinge it so that when this cover is in closed position it extends across the control compartment III, as best shown in Fig. 2. A spring clip I1 functions to hold this cover It in closed position.

In the preferred embodiment, I prefer to extend the cover it forward to carry a lens or bull's-eye ll retained in an annular. channel II of the cover I! by a suitable ring or other clamping means 2| so that when the cover is swung into an open position, as shown in Fig. 1, the lens is carried therewith. It is preferableto form a tight joint between the cover l and the container 1 when the cover is in closed position. .This may be done by a suitable gasket means, not shown, or the cover 15 may include a forward extending flange which telescopes with the container I when the cover is in closed position. Portions of the reflector I2 and the partition 8 are cut away to form' nism can be replaced by simply removing the pinof the hinge l8. In other instances repairs can be readily made without detaching the cover l5.

Pivoted to the cover l5 as by a pin 28 carried thereby is a sector plate 28 to which is secured a lamp support 30 extending upward through the opening 22, a spring 3| resiliently forcing the sector plate 23and the lamp support 38 toward its extreme position indicated in Fig. 7. This lamp support 30' is preferably in the form of a pair of arms 32 extending upward on opposite sides of the pin 28 and suitably secured to the sector plate 29 as by a screw 33 or other suitable means. A cross-arm 34 extends across the upper ends of the arms 32 and is bent to form a segment of a circle formed about the axis of the pin 28. Suitably secured to and electrically connected with the cross-arm 34 are' a plurality of sockets indicated, for instance, by the numeral 38, Fig. 2, each socket opening toward the reflector l2 when the cover 15 is closed. These sockets are so spaced with respect 'to each other and with respect to the pivotal axis formed by the pin 28 that-the horizontal axis of these sockets will successively intersect the focal point ll as the sectorplate 28 and lamp supports 38 are moved step-by-step in a manner to be hereinafter described. Each socket 38 carries -a light source in the form of a light bulb, these bulbs being respectively designated by the numerals 38 to 42, inclusive. Each of these bulbs includes a filament, these filaments being so positioned as to be successively positioned at or near the focal point I when the-lamp support 30 is moved step-by-step. Only one of the lamps is flashed at a time, this lamp being the one which is positioned closest to the focal point 18 at any instant of time.

A sequence. switch is provided for successively energizing these lamps, this switch being indicated in general by the numeral 48 and including in detail a mastercontact 48 which successively engages lamp contacts to SI, inclusive. These lamp contacts are respectively connected to the live central terminals of each of'the sockets 38, being thereby respectively connected to the lamps 38 to 42, as best shown in Fig. 9. These wires are preferably positioned along and secured to the arms 32 so as to impede the reflected light to a minimum degree.

The master contact 48 is preferably mounted in a base 53 formed of'insulating material. This base also carries spring contacts 34 and 88 which are normally in contact with each other, the lat er spring contact carrying an extension which is engageable by the sector plate 28 to separate these spring contacts when this sector plate is in its extreme position shown in Fig. 7. The spring contacts 58 and 55 thus define a limit switch, in-

to the master contact 88. In accomplishing this movement in a step-by-step manner I provide an advancing means indicated in general by the numeral '88 and including an escapement 8| operated by an operating means 82 in the form of a relay providing a winding 83. This winding surrounds a central post of a magnet frame 85, there being an armature 88 pivoted at'one end of the frame. A tension spring 81 tends to move the armature 88 upward,.but when the winding 83 is energized, this armature is drawn downward so as to bridge across. the relay frame, this downward position being shown in Fig. 6.

The escapement 8i is of novel construction, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 8. Referring to these figures, a base plate 88 is secured to the armature 88 and provides an upward extending wall 89. The forward end of the plate 88 slopes upward and is then bent downward, as best shown in Fig. 1, to provide a main stop 18 which is engageable with one of a plurality of pins II when the armature is in its raisedposition, as shown in Fig. 1. These stops are suitably secured to the sector plate 29 and correspond in number to the lamps utilized. They are spaced from each other an angular distance equal to the angular spacing of the lamps so that when any of the pins Ii are in engagement with the main stop 18, one of the lamps will be positioned at the focal point l4..

The upward extending wall 89 is positioned in front of the. pins II, but the forward end of this wall is bent inward towards the pins to define an auxiliary stop 13, best shown in Fig. 8, this stop being above the path of travel of the pins II the armature is in raised position;

In the operation of this escapement it will be clear that one of the pins II will be in-engagement with the main stop 18 when the armature is in raised position. When itis desired to bring a new bulb into the circuit, the winding 83 is energized, thus moving the armature 88 and escapement 81 into the position shown in Fig. 6. This moves the main stop 13 below the pin which it previously engages so that this pin and the asate position under the action of the spring 3| to bring the pin into engagement with the auxiliary stop 13, as best shown in Fig. 6. This permits the sector plate28 and. the lamp support 38 to 'move through an angular distance which is a fraction of the angular distance between lamps.

when

sociated sector plate 28 move into an intermediferred to the next lamp associated with this contact v83. When the winding 83 is de-en'ergized the-spring 81 moves the escapement 8| into its upper position, thus permitting the next pin H to come into engagement with the main stop II,

the previous pin now moving beneath the auxilgnome tervai between successive energiaations of the lamps.

Each time the winding 83 is momentarily energized the mechanism will move to bring a new lamp into the focal point. when the last lamp comes into the focal point, the mechanism will assume a position as shown in Fig. 'I, the limit switch 55 beingopened at this time, and the last pin 1| being in engagement with the main stop 18. As will be hereinafter described, the engagement between this last pin and the. main stop I8 closes an auxiliary circuit, permitting current to flow continuously through the last bulb 88.

A suitable .control means is provided for mamentarily energizing the winding 88 when one of the lamps burns out. Included in this control means is a control relay 'I'I including an armature 18 preferably pivoted to a relay frame 18. The relay 'Il includes two windings so that energize.- tion of either winding will attract the armature I8. If desired, this relaymay be of -'a floating type, these windings being simultaneously energized at successive instants of time so as to maintain the armature in neutral position. En-' ergization of either winding alone, will, however, upset the balance and cause the armature I8 to close a circuit supplying current to the winding 63. In the preferred embodiment, however, I preferto bias the armature 18 by a spring 88, and to so position the windings that energization of either winding will attract the armature 18. So also, the forward end of this armature carries a movable contact which is normally held in engagement with a stationary contact 82 by the spring 88, these contacts providing a con-. trol switch 88. In this formthe two windings are indicated respectively in Fig. 9 by the numerals 84 and 85. One of these windings is connected in series with the lamp circuit and the other is connected to a holding circuit so that when these windings are alternately energized the armature 18 will always be retained in its lower position, thus separating the contacts thereof. out, the system will become magnetically unbalanced and the spring will move the armature to close the contact, thus actuating the operating means 62. The magnetic flux generated by either of the windings 84 or 85 may be large enough to attract the armature I8.' However, this is not always necessary, for the function of the auxiliary winding 85 connected to the holding circuit is merely to hold the armature down. once it has been moved downward by the magnetic flux set up by the winding 84. A smaller amount of flux is needed to hold the armature down than is required to move this armature into a downward position. Thus, the flux set up by the winding 85 need not be sumciently great to actually move the armature I8.

An impulse means in the form of an intermittently operated main switch means 88 is used for periodically connecting a potential supplysource to the remainder of the circuit, thereby flashing the lamp which is positioned at the focal point. This main switch means is of novel construction regardless of the particular mode in which it is connected to the remaining elements of the circuit, and also finds utility in other combinations.

As best shown in Fig. 1, this switch means includes upper and lower plates 81 and 88 spaced apart by spacing members 88 to form a-frame structure suitably secured to the shelf 24 of the. cover -I5." This frame structure carries If, however, the lamps should burn and lower jeweled bearings 88 in which a shaft 8| is pivoted. This shaft carries an oscillating member 88 which includes a bar-shaped armature 84 and a disc 85. A hair-spring 81 is secured to the pivot shaft 8|, the outer end being held in a support 88 secured to the lower plate 88. This hair-spring tends to turn the oscillating member in a direction indicated by the arrow I88 of Fig. 4, this tendency toward counterclockwise rotation being overcome by a resilientcontact means IM to be hereinafter described.

-In Figs. 3 and 4 the oscillating member is shown in its neutral position which it assumes when the system is de-energized.

The oscillating member 88 is caused to oscillate by electric impulsesmomentarily delivered to an actuating means I85 which is preferably in.

the form of a pair of electroinagnets I85. As best shown in Fig. 3, the cores of these electromagnets I88 are spaced from each other on a line which is anguiarly disposed. with respect to the axis of the armature 84., Momentary energization of the pair of windings I85, or either of them, will thus tendto set up a momentary torque tending to rotate the armature 84 in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the numeral |88 of Fig. 3. The system is so designed that only a momentary impulse is delivered to the actuating means I85, this impulse being timed to swing the oscillating member 83 through successively larger angular paths until an equilibrium condition is reached, at which time the energy supplied to the actuating means I85 is just sufficient to overcome the frictional forces. The system thus requires only a minute amount of energy. In addition, the switch means 85 is self-starting, a very important feature of the present design. It will, of course, be understood that the period of oscillation of the member 93 can be controlled by changing-the weight of this member. Thus, if slower oscillation is desired, it is only necessary to add weight members to the oscillating member 83.

The intermittent energization of the actuating means |85,-and the intermittent supply of cur-' rent to the lamp circuits, are controlled by the contact means I8I. In the preferred embodiment, this contact means, best shown in Figs.

4 and 5, includes a set of main contacts 8 and a set of auxiliary contacts III, though the latter may sometimes be dispensed with, as will be hereinafter described. The set of main contacts includes a stationary contact 2 and a movable contact 8, .the former being suitably secured to the lower plate 88 of the frame as by a bracket 4. The movable contact 8 is of much smaller size than the stationary contact 2 in the preferred embodiment. This movable contact is carried on an arm II5 preferably of resilient construction and extends to the left of the pivot shaft 8| as viewed in Fig. 4. The rear end of this arm H5 is attached to the oscillating member 88 by means of a bracket 5 extending downwardly from the disc 85.

The auxiliary set of contacts III is preferably formed by a stationary contact I28 and a 'movable contact III, the former being considerably larger than the latter and being secured to the lower plate 88 of the frame as by a bracket I22. The movable contact III is carried on.an arm I28 which is preferably of resilient construction and which extends on the opposite side of the pivot shaft 8| fromthe arm H5. The endof this resilient arm-I28 is carried by the oscillating memas indicated by the arrow I of Fig. 4, will cause the brackets H6 and I25 to be shifted toward or into the position shown in Fig. 5. Due to the factthat the arm I I is secured'to the oscillating member at a point which is disaligned from a line connecting the stationary and movable contacts H2 and H3 when these contacts are slightly separated, the distance .between the bracket H6 and the stationary contact H2 will decrease during this counter-clockwise movement of the oscillating member. In view of the fact that the arm H5 is of constant length, this recoil move-- ment of the oscillating member will cause the movable contact -I I3 'to move outward along thestationary contact H2 toward or into its position shown in Fig. 5, thus effecting a very desirable wiping action which keeps these contacts clean at all times. It will also be noted that during this recoil movement of the oscillating member the spring arm H5 is flexed toward or into its position shown in Fig. 5. This flexing serves to momentarily store some of the recoil energy of the oscillating member, returning this energy thereto at a later instant of time when the oscillating member startstoturn in a forward direction. In addition, this flexing action is very desirable in that the forward end of the arm H5 which carries the contact I I3 is always parallel to the contact face of the stationary contact H2. This insures surface-to-surface contact between the movable and stationary contacts H2 and H3 as distinguished from a line contact which would take place if this forward end of the arm II 5 were not maintained substantially parallel to the contact surface of the contact H2. A stop I26 extends upward from the lower plate 88 in the path of travel of the bracket H5,- and engages this bracket to prevent any excessive recoil movement such as might move the movable contact H3 off the stationary contact H2. Similarly, the movable contact I2I of the auxiliary set of contacts III will move outward across the stationary contact I20 with substantially the same wiping action. v

I have further found that a very minute pitting inevitably occurs upon either the moving or the stationary contacts of the sets H0 and I I I, corresponding points or domes being formed on the other contact. I have further found that by reversing the connections of the potential source, this pitting and building up can be made to shift from one contact to the other. In the preferred embodiment I prefer to so connect the source that any pitting which takes place will occur on the moving contacts H3 and I2I,

while the points or domes are formed on the stationary contacts H2 and I20. Thus, as these movable contacts slide outward on either of the respective stationary contacts, there will be no tendency to gouge the outer portions of these stationary contacts due to points formed on the movable contact. Further, pitting and point formation take place only during the breaking of the circuit so that points or domes are formed on the stationary contacts only at those portions which are first engaged by the movable contacts. As these movable contacts slide outward, they leave this zone and slide onto an entirely flat surface, thus removing all possibility of any maauaa'rs' I fterial voltage drop due to current passing through points formed on the contact surfaces.

The pitting takes place on the contact connected to the positive terminal of the source, while the points are formed on the contact connected to the negative terminal. Thus I prefer to connect the source as shown in Fig. 9.

As best shown in Fig. 4, when the oscillating member 93 is in a neutral position I prefer to .have the main set of .contacts H0 closed. At

this time the auxiliary set of, contacts III may be either open or closed, the system being so designed that the auxiliary set of contacts III closes just before, just after, or simultaneously will be slightly open when the oscillating member is in neutral position, as shown in ,Fig. 4.

Any forward movement of the oscillating member 93 will cause the bracket H6 to engage the arm I23 and the bracket I25 to engage the arm I I5, thus respectively moving the contacts I2I and H3 from thevicinity of the stationary contacts I20 and H2. During this forward movement in a direction indicated by the arrow I of Fig. 4, the arms H5 and I23 will maintain their relative positions shown in Fig. 4. If desired, this forward movement may be limitedby engagement between the stop I26 and the bracket I25.

The preferred method of electrically connecting the elements hereinbefore described is disclosed in Fig. 9 in which the numeral I indicates the potential source in the form of a series of dry cells or suitable storage battery. A conductor I36 connects the positive terminal of the source I35 to the winding 84, the other terminal of this winding being connected by a conductor I31 to the master contact 46 of the sequence switch 45. The current then flows through thecorresponding conductor to the corresponding lamp and returns to the cross-arm 34 which is grounded as indicated by the numeral I39. This lamp circuit is completed from ground through the contact means IOI, returning to the negative terminal of the battery through a conductor I connected to the stationary contact H4. Two

paths of current-flow through this contact.

means IOI are provided. Onepath includes the hair-spring 91 which is grounded as indicated by the numeral I so' that the current may flow from ground through this hair-spring to the pivot shaft 9i and thence to the disc 95, reaching the contact arm II 5 through the bracket H6, and thus being carried through the main set of contacts H2 to the conductor I40. On the other hand, if theauxiliary set of contacts III is closed, this current may flow from ground through a conductor I42 connected to the staof electromagnets I06 only during the time that the main set of contacts In is clo: m. 'The current in this instance flows from the positive side of the battery I35 through the conductor I38, and through a conductor means I45 including the limit switch 55, thence through the electromagnets I08 in series and to ground, the current returning through the contact means IOI by either of the paths previously mentioned.

I have found that the hair-spring 91 must necessarily be small so that if the current required by the lamps and the actuating means I were continuously passed through this hairthrough the. hair-spring 31 only for a very short instant of time until the auxiliary set of contacts III closes, after which the current is bypassed through these auxiliary contacts and is not required to pass through the hair-spring 81. In this connection it will be clear that the oscillating member 93 is not at ground potential due to the fact that it rotates in jeweled bearings.

In other instances, however, it is possible to dispense with the auxiliary set of contacts III by forming the hair-spring 81 of sufiicient size to carry this current or by utilizing smaller lamps. .In other instances it is possible to have the auxiliary set of contacts III closed before the main set of contacts I I2 closes. In this way it is possible to entirely eliminate any currentflow through the hair-spring 81, though the system will not then be self-starting.

It will. be clear that the winding 84 of the control means is thus intermittently energized, the current flowing through the lamp circuit also flowing through the winding 84 which is connected in series therewith. The magnetic flux set up by this winding is sufiicient to draw the armature I8 downward, thus opening the contact switches 83. During the time that the lamp circuit and the winding 84 are not energized, it is necessary to pass a current through the winding 85 sufilcient to maintain the contact switch 83 open. In the preferred embodiment the windings 84 and 85 are successively energized to accomplish this result. In effecting energization of the winding 85 current may flow through the conductor I38, the conductor means I45, and the limit switch 58, thence through the actuating means I05. The current may then return to the negative terminal ofthe source through a conductor I50 connected to the armature I8 and to one terminal of the winding 85, the other terminal of this winding being connected by a conductor I5I to the source and also being connected by a conductor I52 to the last pin 1| for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The amount of current flowing through the conductor I50, .the winding 85, and the conductor I5I is very minute so that the winding 85 ordinarily includes a large number of turns so that the requisite flux can be set up. It will be noted, however, that the contact means MI is connected in short-circuiting relation with the cir- .cuit including the conductor I50, the winding this set of contacts closes, substantially no ourrent flows through the winding 85 due to the fact that the resistance or the path through the main'set of contacts II2-is much lower than the resistance of the path including the winding 85. In this way the windings 84 and 85 are successively energized. The magnetic action set up by either of these windings does not, however, be- 1 come zero immediately upon the de-energization thereof. Instead, there is a slight overlapping in the magnetic action as set up respectively by the windings and 85 so that the contact switch 88' is maintained open so long as these windings are successively energized.

However, any action which tends to prevent this successive energization of the windings'84 and 85 will cause an unbalanced condition allowing the contact switch 83 to close. Thus, if

the particular lamp electrically connected in the I lamp circuit by the selector switch 45 burns out,

' the current through the winding 84 will drop and the spring 80 will close the contact switch 83. A circuit will then be completed through the conductor I38, the con-ductor means I45, the limit switch 58, the current reaching the winding 83 of the advancing means through a conductor I55. This current returns through a conductor I88 connected to the contact switch 83 and flows to the negative terminal of the battery through the conductor I50 and through the contact means- IOI, as previously described. The closing 'of the main set of contacts II! during the time that the control switch 83 is closed will thus draw the armature 88 and its,associated escapement 8I into the position shown in Fig. .6. This will instantaneously shift the'sector plate 29 into its positionshown in Fig. 6, thus connecting a new lamp in circuit with the source. The current flowing through this new lamp will also flow through the winding 84 and thus again open the control switch 83, the current through this new lamp being broken when the main set of contacts II2 separates. It will thus be clear that in the'system herein shown there will be no dark period during the time that the mechanism is shifting from one lamp to another. Instead, the flashes will continue at the usual time-interval as determined by the period of oscillation of the oscillating member 83.

Should successive lamps burn out, the sector plate 29 and the lamp support 30 will be moved step-by-step until thrown into the position shown in Fig. '1, at which time the last lamp is adjacent thefocal point I4. At this time the limit switch 58 opens, thus de-energizing the actuating means I05 including the pair of windings I08 so that the oscillating member will coast to a standstill.

A new circuit is completed at the instant that the last pin 'II comes into contact with the main stop I0 of the escapement, these elements forming a supplemental switch means. At this time current may flow from the source I35 through the conductor I38, the winding 84, the conductor I3'I, the master contact 48 of the selector switch, and the lamp contact 41, this current then returning through an auxiliary circuit by flowing through the lamp 38 and through the ground I39 to the armature 88 which is grounded as indicated by the numeral I80, the current flowing through the stop I0, the pin II, the conductors In general, then, it will be clear that if the source 135 is connected to the circuit when the contact means Ill is in the position. shown, two

' circuits will be completed. One of these circuits is the lamp circuit, including the winding 84 and one of the lamps, as previously-described. Energization of this circuit, of course, opens the control switch 83. A second or actuating circuit is completed through the limit switch 56, the actuating means I05, and the contact means IN. The system is made self-starting by the momentary current passed throughthe hair-spring 91., This hair-spring thus carries suflicient current for the first small impulse exerted to advance the oscillating member 93. It will be clear, however, that as soon asthe set of contacts 2 separates, both the lamp and the actuating circuits are broken.

On the recoil movement of the oscillating member 93, the set of switch contacts 2 "will first i be closed to establish the lamp and actuating circuits previously mentioned, the current flowing I through the hair-spring 91 for a very short interval of time until the recoil movement has closed the set of switch contacts I I I, at which time the hair-spring 97 is by-passed so that substantially no current will thereafter flow therethrough during the recoil movement of the oscillating member 93. However, during this recoil movement the lamp circuit will be energized as will also the actuating circuit. The result is that the magnetic force exerted by the actuating means tends to stop this recoil movement and reverse the oscillating member 93, current flowing through the actuating circuit until theset of switch elements H2 is opened. It will also be clear that the hair-spring 91 may conduct current flowing through the lamp and actuating circuits for the short interval of time between the separation of the set. of switch elements Ill and H2. As previously mentioned, separation of the set of switch contacts I I2 will energize the holding circuit including the winding 85.

It.will thus beclear that in the preferred embodiment the windings 84 and 85 are successively energized and that the actuating circuit and the lamp circuit are energized only during the time that the. contacts H2 are closed.

-' The self-starting feature of the invention is an important one, as well as the provision of a dualwinding balanced relay. So also, the feature wherein the oscillating means is moved through successive impulses applied to the actuating means I05 is a novel one and permits operation of the system with a minimum of current-flow. In actual tests one set of dry batteries has been found to operate the structure for a period ofelght to ten months or more.

So also, the lamp shifting feature herein illustrated forms an important detail of the present invention. g

I claim as my invention:

1. In a flasher, the combination of: a container providing a control compartment and a reflector 'to intermittently energize said lamp means.

2. In-combination in a flasher system: a. plu-' rality of lamps; a lamp circuit;- means for successively connecting said lamps in said lamp cirby movement resulting in successive contact be- I tween said master contact and said lamp contacts brings said lamps successively into said lamp circuit; a drive means for said sequence switch and providing an escapement controlling the movement thereof, movement of said escapement to one extreme position advancing said sequence switch to a given position for contacting another of said lamp contacts, subsequent movement of said escapement to another extreme position v causing no movement of said sequence switch suiiicient to disengage said master contact and said other of said lamp contacts; operating means for moving said escapement from one extreme position to the other and for returning the same to said one extreme position; control means for' actuating said operating means, said control means including a relay means electrically connected to said lamp circuit to be responsive to the current flowing through said master contact and including means operated by said relay means for actuating said operating means; a iiasher' switch connected to said lamp circuit to intermittently energize the same; and means for. preventing operation of said control means during normal periods of deenergization of said lamp circuit by operation of said flasher switch. 3. In combination in a flasher system: a plurality of lamps; a. potential source; a relay providing an armature biased to move from a given position and providing main and auxiliary windings each acting when energized to hold said armature in said given position; switch means; actuating means for intermittently closing said switch means and including a winding; circuit means connected to said switch means, said potential source, said windings and one of said lamps for alternately energizing said main and auxiliary windings when said switch means opens and closes, said circuit means including a. lamp circuit connecting said main winding-and said one of said lamps in series circuit with said switch means and said potential source whereby burning out of said one of said lamp means prevents energization of said main winding in timeto hold said armature in said given position whereby said biased armature moves into another position, said circuit means also including a circuit connecting said winding of said actuating means in series with said switch means and said potential source whereby said winding is intermittently energized when said switch means closes; and means responsive to movement of said armature from said given position to said other position for energizing another of said lamps.

4. In combination in a flasher system: a plurality of lamps; a lamp circuit including a. potential source; sequence switch means for successively connecting said lamps in said lamp circuit when moved step-by-step; advancing means for moving said sequence switch means step-by-step; a control means including a control switch and a pair of windings for individually operating said control switch, one of said windings being connected in series with said lamp circuit so as to be energized by the current flowing to said sequence switch means; circuit means connecting said potential source to said advancing means through said control'switch; means for intermittently closing said lamp circuit and alternately energizing said windings and including a main switch means in said lamp circuit and electrically connected to the other of 1 said windings and including actuating means for said main switch means, said actuating means providing a winding; and circuit means connecting said winding of said actuating means in circuit with said potential source and said main switch means.

5. In combination in a flasher system: a series of lamps; a lamp circuit including one of said lamps; means for connecting another. of said lamps to said lamp circuit upon burn-out of a preceding lamp; a switch means connected in said lamp circuit; means for intermittently closing said switch means; and means for eliminating said switch means from said lamp circuit when the last of said series of lamps is connected to said lamp circuit by said first-named means; and means for continuously energizing said last one of said lamps after said switch means has been eliminated to indicate that the last lamp of said series of lamps is in said lamp circuit.

6. In combination in a flasher system: a plurality of lamps; a lamp'circuit including a potential source and one of said lamps; a switch means in said lamp circuit; a-sequence switch movable to successively connect said lamp circuit to said lamps through said switch means; electrically energizable actuating means constructed and arranged to periodically close said switch means; advancing means for moving said sequence switch stepby-step; control means including a control switch for energizing said advancing means, means for closing said control switch when said lamp circuit is broken by burnout of said lamp connected to said lamp cit-- cult, and means preventing the closing of said control switch by the normal periodic flashing of said lamp connected to said lamp circuit; and means including a limit switch operated by movement of said sequence switch to a predetermined position to de-energize said actuating means.

'I. In a flasher, the combination of: a container having walls forming a reflector compartment and a control compartment communicating through a restricted opening; a lamp support mounted in said control compartment and I having a movable portion extending through restricted opening and into said reflector com-- partment; a pluralityof lamps mounted on said movable portion within said reflector compartment; advancing means in said control compartment for moving said movable portion step-bystep to successively shift said lamps into an" operating position; a lamp circuit including an intermittent switch in said control compartment for intermittently energizing said operating lamp; control means in said control compartment for actuating said advancing means to move said movable portion one step and including means for preventing actuation of said advancing means during normal flashing of said operating lamp; and means for de-energizing said intermittent switchwhen said movable portion has moved to a predetermined position.

8. In combination in a flasher system: a plurality of lamps; a lamp circuit; sequence switch means in said lamp circuit for successively connecting said lamps in said lamp circuit; an electric'operating means controlling said sequence switch means; a control switch for said operating means and electrically connected thereto; a dual winding relay for 'controllingsaid control switch,

change in current conditions in one winding relative to the other.

9. In combination in a flasher system: a lamp circuit; means for intermittently energizing said lamp circuit including a switch means and means for periodically closing said switch means; a pinrality of lamps; sequence means for successively connecting said lamps to said lamp circuit, said means including a sequence switch: quick-acting advancing means for actuating said sequence means when the lamp connected to said lamp circuit burns out to connect a succeeding lamp to said lamp circuit before saidswitch means is again closed and without interrupting the periodic closings thereof; and means for preventing actuation of said advancing means by the periodic energization and de-energization 0 said lamp circuit by said switch means. i

, VAL A. L'IACH.

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