US2787975A - Turn signal for vehicle drivers - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1957 J. DUNN TURN SIGNAL FOR VEHLCLE DRIVERS Fiied Oct. 26, 1955 John Dunn INVENTOR.

I My) TURN SIGNAL FOR VEHICLE DRIVERS John Dunn, Phoenix, Ariz., assignor of fifty percent to Frank Newmiller, Phoenix, Ariz.

The present invention relates to direction signals, generally speaking, and has more particular reference to one through the medium of which the driver of an automobile or other vehicle may satisfactorily and reliably impart information to other drivers, especially those in the rear of his own vehicle, that he intends to make either a left or right turn.

More particularly, the invention relates to a simple, economical and practical article of manufacture of a purely mechanical nature which may be fastened on the left forearm of the user and which embodies a readable light reflecting word Turn, for example, whereby to enable the user thereof to positively communicate his turn intentions to drivers to his rear.

While it is true that similar prior art adaptations involve the use of reflector crystals which are strapped to the hand, or to gloves with reflectors and similar devices, the fact remains that the very essence of the thing needed appears to have been omitted; namely, an illuminable word which in and of itself reveals in no uncertain manner the intention of the user to make a turn. It follows, therefore, that the essence of the invention here has to do with embossments carried by the viewable side or surface of an arm attached member, the embossments being letters which spell out the word turn and the effective surfaces thereof having reflective media, preferably colored red, thereon to cooperate in delivering the signalling message desired.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view of the arm attached signal embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the same; and

Figures 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 2, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention is preferably a simple and economical article which is made up from a suitable grade of moldable commercial plastics. This comprises an arm attached strip member or base 6 which is rectangular in form and is attachable to the wrist portion of the forearm of the wearer. This is provided intermediate its ends and on one side with a substantially C-shaped arm or wrist embracing clip 8. The parts 6 and 8 are preferably integral, and 8 is so made that it may be removably attached to the arm in the fnited States Patent manner illustrated in Figure 1. The left hand end portion of the base is pointed to define what may be described as a direction indicating arrow or arrowhead. This also has an embossed portion 10 of V-shaped form with its effective surface provided with reflecting media 12. The signalling word is preferably the word turn, and this is denoted as an entity by the numeral 14. It is repeated that while reflectors on hand and arm attached devices may be old, none wherein the member 6 is fashioned into an arrow 10 with reflecting surface at one end and with the same side provided with embossments in the form of alphabetical letters forming the word turn has been provided. The letters are spread apart so that they will be significantly viewable, that is, sufficiently permanent to perform the service for which the invention is to be utilized. These embossed letters are preferably of red plastic while the base member and attaching clip are of a dark colored plastic. More importantly, each letter 16 has a flat surface 18 which is provided with reflective media which is preferably brilliant red in color. Briefly reviewed, then, the invention has to do with the clip-equipped indicating arrow and base member with embossments defining a word, the surfaces of which are reflective in character to definitely transmit a turn signal from the user, that is, the driver of the car, to oncoming drivers of cars in the rear thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

As a new article of manufacture, a turn signifying and indicating signal adapted to be worn on the arm of the driver of an automobile comprising a rectangular member formed from moldable material and providing a base, the latter being of a length and width that it is adapted to be superimposed against the intended portions of the forearm of the wearer and provided intermediate its ends on one side with an elastic attaching and retaining clip, the outer end of said member being V-shaped and provided with an integral embossment defining as indicating arrow, certain portions of said arrow having reflective media embodied therein, and a plurality of embossments molded from and also located on the viewable side of said member, said latter embossments being in the form of alphabetical letters grouped to form the warning word turn, said letters having reflecting media embedded therein to render the signal easily viewable during night driving and when headlights from following cars are caused to fall thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 117,297 Sobke May 1, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 335,704 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1930

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