US2414132A

US2414132A - Circuit breaker for direction indicators

Info

Publication number: US2414132A
Application number: US652852A
Authority: US
Inventors: Armstrong Leslie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-03-08
Filing date: 1946-03-08
Publication date: 1947-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1964-01-14

Description

Jan. I4,' 1947.

L. ARMSTRONG "CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR DIRECTION INDICATORS Filed March 8, 1946 FIGQZ.

FIG.1

FIG. 4.

no. a.

mvsn-i'on: LESLIE ARMSTRONG av e" M Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR DIRECTION INDICATORS 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a circuit breaker for direction indicators, and more particularly it has to do with a breaker of the type which is employed with motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker for direction indicators which is actuable to open position upon movement of a motor vehicle along an indicated directional course other than a straight ahead course.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker for direction indicators which is actuable to indicate the desired directional course and which upon execution of the movement of the motor vehicle along such indicated course is automatically actuable to open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker for direction indicators which is simple in construction and positive in action.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an end elevational view, with parts in section and parts broken away, as viewed from the left of the circuit breaker device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, with parts in section and parts broken away, of the circuit breaker according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, in section, of the circuit breaker of Figure 1, but showing the parts in position when the vehicle is about to execute a turn to the right.

Figure 4 is an end elevational View, in section, of the circuit breaker of Figure l, but showing the parts in position when the vehicle is about to execute a turn to the left.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l designates a plate or disk member which carries, a pair of contacts 2 and 3 arranged in spaced relation thereon. The plate member is also provided with a pair of stop members or pins 4 and 5, which are suitably spaced from each other and fixedly mounted thereon. Disposed in association with and mounted for arcuate movement relative to said plate member I is a hubshaped housing 6. Carried by the housing and arranged for optional contacting of one of the contacts 2 and 3, is a contact arm I.

Mounted within the housing and carried thereby is a weight supporting means in the form of a V-shaped trough 8 on which is disposed a shiftable weight member or ball 9. Projecting from the peripheral surface of the housing is a lever arm III- for optionally moving same to a position such as to engage one of the pair of stop pins 4 and 5.

The plate member I carries a bracket ll and a thumb screw 2, which bracket and screw are for the purpose of attachin the circuit breaker of the invention to the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

In operation, to indicate intention for a right turn, the operator moves handle Hi from the central upright position toward the right until it contacts stop pin 4. This movement will put trough 8 on an incline, as shown in Figure 3, and the ball 9 will rest against the housing. With the contacting of the lever Iii with the stop pin 6, this causes the lever arm 7 to contact the contact 2 thereby closing the circuit for indicating a right turn. The turning movement of the vehicle will start the ball 9 rolling on trough 8, and when it reaches the V-shaped bottom of the trough, the housing will have been returned to its neutral position as shown in Figure 1. With the movement of the housing toward its neutral position the lever arm is likewise restored to neutral position. Of course, a movement of the housing under the action of the ball to an extent such that the contact arm I is carried out of engagement with the contact 2 results in the breaking of the circuit and the consequent discontinuing of the display of the right turn signal.

To indicate intention for a left turn the operator shifts the lever Ill towards the left until it contacts the stop pin 5. This action likewise causes the side of the trough 8 to be on an incline and brings the ball 9 to a position such that it will be supported by the trough and side of the housing, as shown clearly in Figure 4. With the movement of the lever to this position the contact arm 7 is likewise moved into contact with contact 3. The contaction of the arm I with the contact 3 closes the circuit thereby resulting in the flashing of the left signal. Movement of the vehicle and execution of the turn will cause the ball rolling up the incline toward the center thereof and finally into the bottom of the trough, In this position the ball is beyond the center of gravity, thereby moving the housing to an extent sufiicient to break the contact between the contact arm 1 and contact 3. With the breaking of the contact the flashing of the left signal is discontinued. By the travel of the ball back up the incline the housing is moved until the lever is again in the neutral position of Figure l.

plate member having a pair of stop members 5 suitably spaced from each other thereon, a housing in association with and mounted for movement relative to said plate member, a contact arm in said housing arranged for optionally contacting one of said contacts, a weight supporting 10 means in said housing and carried thereby, a shiftable weight member on said weight supporting means, and means on said housing for optionally moving same to a position such as to engage one of said pair of stop members.

2. A circuit breaker for direction indicators comprising a fixed plate member carrying a pair of contacts arranged in spaced relation, said plate member having a pair of stop members suitably spaced from each other; thereon, a housing in 20 association with and mounted for movement relative to said plate member, a contact arm in said housing arranged for optionally contacting one of said contacts, a weight supporting means in said housing and carried thereby, a shiftable weight member on said Weight supporting means, and means on said housing for optionally moving same to a position such as to engage one of said pair of stop members, said weight supporting means consisting of a trough and said shiftable weight member consisting of a ball.

3. A circuit breaker for direction indicators comprising a fixed disk carrying a pair of contacts arranged in spaced relation, said disk having a pair of stop members suitably spaced from eachother thereon, a hub-shaped housing in association with and mounted for arcuate movement relative to said disk, a contact arm in said housing optionally contacting one of said contacts, a weight-supporting means in said housing and carried thereby, a shiftable Weight member on said weight-supporting means, and means on said housing for optionally moving sameto a position such as to engage one of said pair of stop members, said weight-supporting means consisting of a trough, and said shiftable member consisting of a ball.

LESLIE ARMSTRONG.