US2235280A

US2235280A - Signaling device

Info

Publication number: US2235280A
Application number: US194662A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace N Carver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-03-08
Filing date: 1938-03-08
Publication date: 1941-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1958-03-18

Description

March 18, 1941. f H. N. CARVER 2,235,280

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed March 8, 1938 idg. 1.-

Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to signaling devices and more particularly to a portable signal adapted to be conveniently placed on highways and similar thoroughfares for warning motorists and the like 5 `of obstructions on a highway.

It is ordinarily difficult for operators of vehicles such as loaded trucks to pull off the road when itf` also to the truck operators and the property un` der their control.

It is the principal object of thefpresent invention to provide a signal of the character commonly known as a road flare which is capable of reflecting and/or refracting light rays generated by the lights of approaching vehicles, back to approximately their source to warn the occupants of those vehicles of the presence of obstructions on roads.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide a collapsible light reflecting and/or refracting signal of sturdy and durable construction capable of withstanding shocks and jars without damage to the signal; to so design the signal that it is difficult to tip over accidentally; to provide a housing for the reflector-or refracting element of the signal which also acts as a supporting standard therefor; to provide a comipact an'd easily operable signal of a high degree of efliciency; to provide a protective mounting for the reflector or light refracting element of the sig- 35 nal; to provide for automatcially exposing the reflector or light refracting element of the signal upon opening the reflector housing; to so arrange the parts of the reflector housing as to interlock the same when closed; and to provide improved parts and arrangements of parts making up a signaling device according to the present invention.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a signaling device embodying the features of the present invention showing the device in collapsed condition to facilitate the storage and transportation thereof.

Fig. 2 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the signal housing, particularly illustrating the interlockingl lugs and recesses thereof.

55 Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the signaling device, part of the housing being broken away to illustrate the relative `position of the reflector therein.

' Fig. liis a detail perspective view of the signaling device in opened operative condition.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary vertical crosssection through'v the light reflecting and/or re- -fracting element ofthe signaling device on the line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 isa View similar to Fig. 5, illustrating a modified form of reflector and/or refractor element.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

The invention generally includes atwo part cover or housing member I, Fig. l, forming an enclosing base or standard for a light reflecting and/or re fracting signal element 2,v` Fig. 4, the housing member I and signal element 2 being interconnected in such a manner that the housing is adapted to enclose the signal for suitable storage, the housing when opened automatically raising the signal to operative position and forming a rigid standard for adequately supporting the signal to reflect and/ or refract light rays. in opposite directions back to approximately their respective sources of incidence. k

In the present instance the housing members of a signaling device embodying this invention are shown to preferably include substantially duplicate plates 3 and 4 cast or otherwise suitably formed of substantially circular shape, each having a substantiallycontinuous peripheral laterally turned flange 5 having spaced recesses 6 and 1 of different size extending into the body of each of the plates and each flange having a lug 8 and notch 9 adjacent the lug in substantially-oppositely disposed relation to the recesses 6 and 1 of the respective plates.

The plates 3 and 4 are preferably thickened over a limited area as at I0 adjacent their recessed portions to form a bearing surface for ad- I jacent endsof the platesy when opened and a boss II is preferably formed integrally on each of the plates between the recesses, the boss extending outwardly relative to the peripheries of the plates. The bosses I I are each provided with an outer face I2 preferably flush with the outer face of its Aplate and has a laterally extending rounded end I3 opposite the face I2 forminga substantially semi-circular lug at the inner end of each of the bosses.

The signal element 2 preferably comprises oppositely disposed plates I4 and I5I each preferably formed of colored rolled glass or similar y substantially transparent material having suitable outer faces Vand preferably prismatic .inner faces I6 for reflecting and/or refracting light rays impinging against the outer faces back approximate their source of incidence. Lustrous backings I1 may if desired be provided on the prismatic backs of the signal plates Il and I5 which not only serve the purpose of enhancing the reiiccting properties of the signal plates, but also prevent the collection of dust in the pockets formed at the junctures of the sides of the prisms athus rendering the signal effective over long periods of time.

The edges of the signal plates are mounted within mating frame members I8 and I9 Awhich are preferably of substantially circular or ring shape of a size adapting them for fitting within the flanges 5 of the housing plates. The frames preferably have concaved inner surfaces and 2l provided with spaced alignable bosses 22 which, in practice, initiate at the edges 23 of the frame concavities in such a manner that they are adapted for engagement by a corresponding boss on the other frame. The bosses terminate short of the edges 23 of the frame concavities to form seats for the peripheral edges of the signal plates I4 and I5. The outer side edges of the plates are arranged for engagement by" the edges 23and these edges of the frames secure the plates in position. The signal plate frames may be secured together in a suitable manner as by the extension of fastening devices 24 through aligned apertures 25 in the bosses.

A portion of the periphery of each signal plat frame is preferably flattened asshown at 28, Fig. 4, the portion 2B of the frame I9 being provided with outwardly extending bosses 21 and 28 having substantially squared outer corners. The bosses 21 and 28 are provided with apertures 29 adapted to be aligned with similar apertures 30 in the .bosses vII on the housing plates to receive a suitable hinge pin 3| therein to hinge or pivot the housing plates onto and about the signal element.

As a matter of practice,'the signal plates Il and I5 are preferably spaced, as shown at 32, Fig, 5, and the outer-edges of the plates are engaged in

grooves

33 and 34 of a gasket 35 mounted in the signal plate frames for cushioning the signal plates relative to their support and thereby permitting relatively rough treatment of the assembled devices without danger oi 'breakingthe signal plates. The space 32 between the reflectors may, if desired, be filled with a suitable plastic 35 or the like for additionally supporting the signal plates. Separation of the signal plates effects an economy since if one of the signal plates is broken, the other may still be used, the gaskets and/or plastic material acting to hold the unbroken signal plate in its frame so that the signaling device may be employed to warn approaching motorists from at least one direction.

Also as a matter of practice, the housing plates are provided on theirouter surfaces, with bosses 36 spaced inwardly from the thickened portions of the plates to form bearing points for the devices when opened and to protect an identifying mark or the like, not shown, on the outer surfaces of the signaling devicesz Instructive characters 36' may also be provided on the inner faces of the housing plates for aiding an operator in the proper use of the signaling device.

The assembly and operation of a signaling device constructed as described is as follows:

A pair of the housing plates 3 and l are preferably employed together in facing relation, that is, with the peripheral edges of the flanges 5 in abutting relation and with the lugs and recesses arranged in interlocking relation. Since the plates are-similarly designed they may be oppositely disposed relative to each .other in such a manner that the bosses II are positioned adjacent each other in side by side relation, as shown in Fig. 1, when one of the plates is superimposed upon the other plate. The flanges 5 of the housing plates space the body portions thereof sufllciently for receiving therewithin the signal plate frame members I8 and I8 which. after being equipped with the signal plates Il and I5 mounted on'the gasket 35 in spaced back to back relation, are fitted and secured together.

One of the outwardly extending bosses on the frame 2, for example thevboss 28, is thenmounted in the smaller recess 5 of one of the housing plates, the other boss 21 of the frame iltting on the outside of the opposite housing plate boss beyond approximately ninety degrees effects movement oi' the signal element frame, through interengagement of the squared ends ofthe respective bosses thereof, to substantially vertical position, thus placing the signal element in effective condition to reflect and/or refract light rays from either side thereof in opposite direc. tions back to approximately the sources of the respective light rays.

In open condition, the housing plates are in substantially the same horizontal plane, i. .e. coplanar relationship and provide a standard of substantial area to rigidlyvsupport the reflector in erected condition, thus precluding accidental hinging of the signal element to closed condition.

It is apparent that the present device may be placed either in front of, at the sideof, or behind a vehicle on a road and that either of the signal plates may be faced toward either direction of approaching traillc on the highway to warn the occupants oi vehicles of the presence of an obstruction on the highway.

Closing the signaling device is a very simple matter and any intentional thrust applied to the signal element in either direction of hinging movement of the housing plates and signal element forces the signal element downwardly and carries with it one of the housing plates to position that housing plate in a vertical position, the moved housing plate ordinarily following the signal element to oppositely disposed horizontal position. The peripheral flange on the moved housing plate then abuts its mating flange on the hance the reflecting and/or reiracting qualities thereof.

In this instance, the buttons are mounted in the.v

signal plates from the rear li'aces of the plates prior to mounting the plates in spaced relation in the signal plate frames and u.

The construction'. assembly and operation in the modiiied form of invention is. aside from the button type of reiiecting and/or refracting element substantially similar to that of the preierr form of invention.

The principal advantages or a signaling device embodying the features of thepresent invention are that it is strong, rigid. durable and will withstand rough treatment. The housing plates or members may be very simply dipped open or closed to and from intel-locked engagement to placethe signal element in-eifective or enclosed condition. v

, 3 Since the hou'sing plates. when open, have bearing support on their'outer surface bosses, the tendency oi' the outer ends of the plates is to gravitate downwardly, thus holding the signal element more rigidly in verticaLoperative condi- 5 tion.

The device is very compact and may be conveniently stored in any type of vehicle. Light rays may be reilected and/or retracted from either side of the signal element. Further, lo

l should one4 oi' the signal plates be broken, the

other signal plate ls still eiIective to warn approaching motorists of the. presence of obstructions to thus protect lives and property. e

' What I claim and desire to secure by Letters 15 Patent is: f

A road signal including a pair of mating housing members. a frame adapted to carry a signal element. and means hinging said frame and housing members .relative to each other, said housing 20 members having engageable iianges forming with the housing members an enclosure for the frame, said flanges having duplicate oppositely arranged interengageable means respectively for locking the housing members relative to each other'when 25 in closed condition.-

. HORACE N. CARVER.