US2942234A - Electric signal assembly - Google Patents

Description

June 21, 1960 R. P. LoNGARzo 2,942,234

ELECTRIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 25, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l l m 4 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Sgm'lm ""mmmll Immm' ...Imm

June 21, 1960 R. P. LoNGARzo 2,942,234

ELECTRIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 25, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 21, 1960 R. P. LoNGARzo ELECTRIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 00t- 25, 1957 June 21, 1960 R. P. LoNGARzo ELECTRIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheel'l 4 Filed Oct. 25, 1957 mON m mm- N mn l mw nmldulm ELECTRIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY Roland P. Longarzo, R0. Box 32, Valley Stream, N.Y.

Filed Oct. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 692,331

Claims. (Cl. 340-47) This invention relates broadly to electric signal assemblies and in its more specific aspects it relates to such signals which are specifically designed for use as an accessory with miniature railway systems where simplicity of assembly and"connection of electric conductors into a circuit is highly desirable; and the nature and objects of the invention willl be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present believe to be preferred embodiments 'or mechanical expressions of my invention from among various other forms, arrangements,` combinations and constructions, of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

The construction of the signal and the circuit used therein has been designed for use in an automatic control and signalling system` such as that disclosed in my pending patent application Serial No; 588,411, and while it is particularlyy adapted for use with such a system it may, of course, be used with other types of control systems for miniature railways.

The signal of' this invention comprises a plurality of structural components and a plurality of electric components, each of which isv formed with a view to low production costsy and ease of assembly as well as-I providing a sturdy and-long lasting signal structure.

In designing this signal assembly it has been one of myi major objects to so design and construct the structural components thereof thatY they may be expeditiously assembled into a strong and realistic appearing signal structure and to so arrange the structural components that the electrical parts of the system may be easily associated therewithA in proper contact making andlvotherpositions. A signal. of the character to be described involves a substantial number of electrical conductors and contact points andthe proper placement and arrangement of suchv electrical components is not normally an easy task, however the assembly concept'which I have evolved greatly simplifies this` assembly task and substantially reduces the difiiculties heretoforeA encountered in suchr an assembly operation.

I. have found that substantial economies in production and assembly are obtained by making they signal in several parts which are formed to be easily and quickly removably bound together without requiriryig the use of any adhesives or other extraneous clamping means. In producing` the signal in thismanner Iv have provided a minimum of separate components and each component includes the greatest possible number of signal elements. Thus, where possible I have formed several elements into an integrated component` and have thereby reduced the number of separate components which are. required.y It

will be recognized that this reduction of the number of,

components reduces the number of connections which must be made in the assembly operation and thus. simpliiies and speeds up. the task of. assembling the various parts into the finished signal apparatus. Y

For many production assembly and economy reasons Ciel 4 most of the parts of the signal are formed of molded .has been formed.

plastic of any suitable type.

It will be appreciated that an electric signal assembly of the type which is to be used withminiature railway systems must be built in proportion to the size ofvv the other parts of the system. In other words size is a critical factor. In keeping my assembly down to the neces'- sary proportions all components have, of necessity?. been made small and in order to include all the essential components I have evolved an organization of several conrplementary structural parts each of which mounts and carries certain electrical components. In this manner I have been able to reduce the number of electrical components which are mounted on any one structural part to thereby keep down the size of each structural part.

One of the molded components of the assembly is the lamp housing mounted at the upper' end of the signal standard. The housing is formed with a pair of electric signal lamp bulb receiving sockets which are in communication solely through a relatively small aperture. IA have devised a unique method for inserting and positioning the necessary common or ground conductor into proper position within each bulb socket after the housing In providing realistic appearing miniature signals of the type with which l am concerned it is desirable that all electrical conductors be substantially concealed Within the various components and with this in mind it will be appreciated that'the vpositioning of the ground for the conductorsy posed a substantial problem which I have solved by the aforementioned method and construction. l 4- The signal assembly `of`this invention when operatively connected into a miniature railway system is' electrically connected to the traclrof the railroad and it is one of my objects to provide a good electrical contact between the track and the signal organization and to provide easily-operable means for electrically connecting andv disconnecting' an electrical conductor to the track and to vthe desired electrical conductors incorporated in and :apparent from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combination of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred tol and specied'hereinafter.

Referring to thev accompanying drawings: Y v

Fig. l :is a View in side elevation of the signalassembl of thisl invention in assembled operative condition.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the base of the assembly with theV reversing relay mounted in operative position thereon.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the base illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of `the base cover or relay housing illustrating the electrical connections carried in the interior thereof. v

Fig. 5 is an exploded view illustrating rthe base and the elements carried thereby.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the base insert and its electrical connections priorv to being mountedl in and connected with the base.

Fig. 7 is` a perspective view vof. the signal assembly in operative position electrically connected with a track,

to-thereby maintain the bed 13 thereabove.

Vthe ground conductor in the lamp sockets.

Fig. ll -is a view in front-elevation of the signal lamp housing showing the second step in the method of inserting the ground conductor in the lamp sockets. Y

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but with the upper or red signal light bulb operatively positioned in the up- .per socket.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. ,l2 and showing the third step in the method of inserting the ground oonductor in the lamp sockets. Y

Fig. 14 illustrates a oircuitdiagram with which a pair of signal assemblies are connected.

In the accompanying drawings, and particularly Fig. l thereof, I have illustrated a signal assembly in assembled operative condition which comprises a base designated generally by the numeral 1 which may be of generally rectangular configuration, an elongated relay housing designated generally by the numeral 3 which is removably attached .to the base in a manner to be hereinafter described. When the relay housing 3 is in attached position it forms a cover for certain operating elements which are mounted on the base. The signal assembly also includes a tubular standard, designated generally by the numeral 5, which may be formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the relay housing 3. j At its upper end the standard removably mounts a signal lamp housing, designated in its entirety by the numeral 7. A ladder designated generally by numeral 9 is supported on and extends from relay housing 3 up to lamp housing 7 and a platform designated generally by numeral 11 extends between the ladder and the standard. The structural components described above are preferably molded or otherwise formed from any suitable typegof. plastic.

The base 1 comprises a supporting bed 13 from the edges of which side anges 15 and end anges 17 depend, the tianges adapted to be rested on a Vsupporting surface The bed 13 of the base 1 is molded or otherwise formed to provide therein a central longitudinally elongated opening 19 and a pair of longitudinally extending slots 21 are provided, one being formed adjacent to but spaced from each end of opening 19 to provide cross pieces 23 between each end of the opening and the adjacent slot. VThe slots are preferably of reduced width relative to .the width of the Vopening and are spaced from the transverse ends of the bed. Adjacent each corner a circular aperture 25 is formed in the bed and along one longitudinal side of the bed I provide a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 26 and on the opposite side thereof I provide an aperture 27. Inwardly spaced from the aforesaid series of apertures a pair of apertures 29 are formed in the bed.

One of the longitudinal side flanges 15 is formed with a pair of relatively shallow notches 31 adjacent each end thereof while a further and relatively deep and wide notch 33 is also formed in said side wall. The purposes of the Avarious openings, rapertures and notches which have just been described will become apparent as this description proceeds.

I provide what yI shall term an inse designated in its ventirety by the numeral 35, this insert preferably being .formed of a plastic material of generally rectangular configuration of slightly less length than that of base 1 and of a width substantially less than the width of the base 1. As -will become apparent the insert is adapted for fastening'to the under side of base 1 between the 4 flanges and the width is such that it extends from the notched flange 15 of the base transversely to a point beyond opening 19 but not beyond the series of apertures 26.

VThe insert 35 is formed with a central opening 37 and two end openings 39 each of which is separated from said central opening by a bridge' 41` which is preferably of reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the insert. Circular apertures 43 are formed in the insert adjacent two corners thereof and each such opening is flanked by a pair of positioning pins 45. Further positioning pins 47 may also be provided. Projecting from and xed to the opposite surface of :the insert from that from which the aforesaid pins project is a push pin or button 49 the purpose of which will later become apparent. I also provide troughs 51 which extend from each of the openings 39 and 37 to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the insert.

Prior to being attached in proper position to the base 1, the insert 35 has aixed thereto certain electrical conductor strips in the following manner: I provide a conductor strip having a longitudinal portion 53 fromv one end of which extends at right angles thereto in a plane parallel to the transverse plane of the portion 53 a track contact leg or connector. 55 and from the opposite end of portion 53 I provide an armature contact 57 which extends from portion 53 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the .transverse plane thereof. A further arma ture contact 59 extends from portion 53 in' substantial parallel relation with respect to armature contact 57 and in spaced relation thereto adjacent the other end of portion 53. The conductor strip is positioned and afxed to the insert by placing portion 53 lat against the insert and .extending longitudinally thereof so that track contact will extend between the pair of positioning pins 45 on lone side; of the insert and armature contact 59 will extend through one opening 39 while' the other armature contact will extend through the other opening 39. The said conductor strip portion 53 may beheld in place by insert pins 61 which extend through holes 63 formed in portion 53 and after the pins are inserted in the holes they may be headed if, desired.V A contact screw 65 may extend through hole 67 in track contact 55 and through the one hole 43 in the insert and be Aformed with a terminal head 69 on its opposite'end'on the opposite side of the insert.

I provide a further conductor strip which is positioned on and aiiixed to the insert before the insert is combined with the base of 4the signal assembly. This 'conductor strip comprises a' main portion 71 from one end of which extends in a parallel plane to the transverse plane of portion 71 a track contact 73 and from'the'otheren'd an armature contact 75 extends in a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of portion 71. This further conductor strip is aixed to the insert in such manner that portion 71 extends along the opposite edge of opening 37 from the otherconductor strip, .the insert pins 47 extending through holes 77 in portion 71, and if desiredrthe pins may be headed. The trackcontact 73 extends between the other pair of positioning pins 45 and may be fixed rto the insert by a nut'and screw 79 which extends through a hole 43 in Atheinsert. The armature contact 75 extends through the insert opening`39 in position partially opposite armature contact 59 as will be apparent from consideration of Fig. 6 of the drawings. Fig. Y6 illustrates the electrical conducting elements and the positioning thereof on the insert prior to its attachment tothe basel. Y l

I provide a series of connector elements which are connected to the basel 1 and function 'to interconnect the various-electrical components of the signal assembly `together and to the sources of power, as disclosed, for instance, in my pending patent application Serial No.

588,411, and` to, connect several signal assemblies with a ally by the reference letters` A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. The connector element A is provided with an apertured head 81 and an armature contact arm 83 extending from Ithe head in angular relation thereto. The connector element B is provided with an apertured head 85 and a lamp contact 87. The heads 81 and 85 are connected to the base 1 at the left hand aperture 26 of Fig. 5 by means'of a nut and bolt forming a soldering or the like upstanding vterminal A1, the heads 81v and 85 Ibeing in electrical convtact.

The lamp circuit contact arm 87 is bent to extend through and beyond aperture 29 so that it is upstanding above the upper surface of the bed of the base. (See Fig. 2.) Connector element C includes' an apertured head S9 and a Irelay winding contact arm 91. The head of the connector element C is mounted yon the base by means of a nut and `bolt `forming a soldering or the like upstanding terminal C1 which extends through the next adjacent aperture 26 and the relay winding contact arm 91 extends through and beyond the central opening 19 in the 'base to extend beyond the bed of the base asclearly illustrated in Fig. 2. Connector element D includes an apertnred head 93 with a pair of spaced contact arms 95 and .97 extending therefrom in angular relation with respect thereto. The contact arm 95 is a common relay contactfarm While the arm 97 is a ground or common and is provided with an insulated covering 99 on the inner side thereof.` `It will be apparent from consideration of the drawings that arm 97 is of greater4 length than arm `95.v The head of connector element D is mounted on 'the base by means of a nut and bolt forming a soldering Vor 'the like'upstandingterminal D1 which extends through the next adjacent aperture 26. The common relay contact arm 95 extends through and beyond central opening .19 in the base to extend beyond the bed of the base and the common contact member 97 also extends through and beyond said opening and is downwardly bent por curved as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. rTheconnectorl is formed with an apertured head 101 and an angularly related relay winding contact arm 103 extending therefrorrn The member F is aconductor strip Vof. L shape providing a circuit control contact arm 105 having an aperture 107 in the end thereof and a connecting arm 109 having an aperture 111 therein adjacent the end thereof. The head .101 of the connector element E andthe connecting arm 109 lof member F are Vixed to 'the base-unitarily by means -of a nut and bolt forming a soldering or the like upst-anding terminal E1 which extends through the next adjacent aperture 26 while the relay winding contact arm '1,03 extends throughv and upwardly beyond vthe vbed of the base. The'circuit control arm extends across aperture 27, notch 33 and the aperture 107 is aligned with aperture 27 in the base `so that, as will vbecome apparent, when insert 35 is fixed to the Vbasetlne, arm 105 will be in electrical contact with train Vcontact element to be described, and will be maintained in position by pin 49 passing through apertures V107and 27 as will become apparent. The connector element G is provided with an apertured head .1.12 :and an angularly related armature. circuit arm 113 extending therefrom while the connector element H is formed with an apertured head 115 and an Vangularly related lamp contact arm 1157 extending therefrom. The connectorvelements ings. The `:relay is mounted on the bed 13 of-base :1 in

position "thereabove by :means of --a 1 pair of discs 127 each of which fis provided with acentral :'aperture'129 through bridge 41 of the insert as at 135.

which the. armature may reciprocate to project :one or the other end thereof, land into which the endsof "the spool carrying the windings is affixed in any suitable manner. A supporting leg 131 extends Iradially from each disc and a leg extends through each opening 21 of the base and the end anges 133 of the spools may rest on the bed of the base.

When the described series of connector elements aixed to the base as described the insert 35 with its aforementioned electrical components may now be aixed to the base 1 of the signal assembly. The insert is brought into position against the underside of the bed 13 of base 1 so that the button 49 which is liixed to the insert will extend Athrough and beyond aperture 27 in the bed. The'arrnature contact 5,7 will extend through an opening 21 inthe berlin opposition to armature contact 113, armature cont'act 59 will extend through the other opening 21 in op'- position to armature contacts 75 and S3 `while track-contact S5 will extend through the notch 31 in wall 1'5 of the base. The track contact 73 will extend through notch 31 of wall 1S and armature contact 75 will extend through an opening 21 in opposition to contact 59 but adjacent to butrspaced fromcontact 83. Nut and screw organizations 65 and 79 alhx the insert to the base 1 as explained.

The relay 119 may now be anchored to the base .by Ibending the outer portion of each leg 131 across each The relay winding contact arm 91 is electrically'connected to winding 121 by wire 137, while common relay contact arm 95 is con- `nected to both windings by wires 139 and relay winding contact arm 103 is electrically connected to winding 123 by wire 141. The common or ground connector 97 which is bent to extend over the winding is electrically discrete therefrom due to insulation 99 and it will now be clear that upon energization et' coil 123 the armature 125 will be projected from thaty end to and between armature contact arms 57 and 113 to close the circuit between these arms, while if winding 121 is energized the armature will t pending patent application.

The relay housing which may be a plastic moldedvunit comprises a top 143, end walls and side walls 147 and is of a length substantiallyequal to the distance from the outer end of one opening 21 in the base to the outer end of the other opening 21 in the base. A hook 149 depends from each end wall 145 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

On the inner surface of the top of the housing I aix in any suitable manner an electrical conducting ground or common plate member 151 which is adjacent .to an opening 153'provided in the top of the housing. Adjacent each end of the housing in the interior thereof I ax in any suitable lmanner a curved connector plate, one being designated by the numeral 15S and the other by the -numeral157.

The tubular signal standard 5 is Vmounted on the top 143 vof :the housing so that the interior of the standard is in communication with the interior ofthe housing .through opening 1'53 in the housing top. Thus, electric leads and the ground may extend from the interior of the housing up through the standard and to the electric lamps ,positioned in the lamp housing 7.

I provide miniature electric lamp bulbs 159 and 161, red and green, respectively, which are removably frictionaily mounted in sockets 163 and 165, respectively,

which are provided in the molded plastic :lamp housing 7.

.Thellamp receiving sockets are separated by a wall 167 :having an "opening 169 therein which `is--in alignment with Van openingl 171 in the bottom wall of the lamp housing into which the upper end 173 of standard 5 is inserted. The =bulb 159 is provided with a lead 175 while bulb 161 is provided with a lead 177, these leads being threaded into standard through an opening 179 therein and extending downwardly into the housing 3 where lead 175 is soldered as at 181 to connector plate 157 while lead 177 is soldered as at 183 to connector plate 155. A ground 185 is soldered as at 187 to ground plate 151 and extends therefrom through opening 153 in the top of the housing through the standard 5 and the upper end 173 thereof and into socket 165 through opening 169 and into socket 163 ythrough opening 169. The ingenious manner of properly positioning the groundv lead 185 will be explained hereinafter.

The ladder 9 is supported on the top 143 of the relay housing 3 and extends upwardly therefrom to the signal lamp housing 7. At its upper end the ladder may be of fork-like construction providing a pair of prongs 189 which removably receive between them the lower part of signal lamp housing 7. The platform 11 is mounted in lany suitable manner to the ladder and to the standard, between which elements it extends.V

With the electrical components disposed and xed as described the housing 3 with its supported structure is mounted on the base in position extending over and covering the relay by inserting the hooks 149 into base openings 21. When the housing is so positioned the ground or common plate member 151 makes electrical contact with the common member 97 of the base to thereby ground the bulbs through ground 185. Further electrical contacts are made between curved connector plates 155 and 157 and lamp circuit contact arms 87 and 117, respectively. Thus, the circuits through the assembly are assured when the housing is incorporated with the base.

It will now be evident that I have evolved a signal assembly formed of several structural parts, each of which carries electrical conductingand connecting elements so organized that upon fastening the structural parts together automatically associates the electrical conducting and connecting elements so that electrical circuits are provided following the teachings of my pending application, Serial No. 588,411.

I have devised a simple, sure and eicient method of positioning the ground conductor strip 185 in proper position in sockets 163 and 165 of lamp housing 7. As pointed out above the lamp housing includes the two lamp sockets 163 and 165 which are closed to the exterior except through the opening 171 in the bottom of the housing. The ground strip 135 is formed of a exible electrical conductive material and in properly positioning it in the sockets it is inserted upwardly through the standard 5 upon the end of which the lamp housing is mounted. The strip is inserted through standard 5, opening 171, through the lower socket 165 and upwardly through opening 169 between the sockets until the upper end of the strip is in engagement with the top wall of upper socket 4163. This first step of positioning strip 185 is illustrated in Fig. l0 of the drawings, Upward pressure is applied to the strip whereupon the upper portion thereof will bend under the upward pressure and will assume the curvature of half the wall of the upper socket 163 as disclosed at 191 in Fig. l1, whereupon the lamp bulb 159 may be pressed into the socket 163 and into contact with the curved portion 191 of the ground strip as illustrated in Fig. l2. Further upward pressure is now applied to strip 185 to cause that portion thereof which extends through the lower socket 165 to bend and curve against the wall of the socket as at 193 in Fig. 13 of the drawings whereupon the lamp bulb 161 may be forced into the Socket in electrical contact with curved portion 193 of ground strip 185.

The signal assembly which has been described is connected into a miniature railway system by placing it adjacent a rail 195 of the track of the system and placing Ithe laterally projecting contacts 55 and 73 in electrical elongated body of electric conductive material having a curved outer end or hook 201 and a forked inner end 203. The outer under portion and hook is covered with any suitable insulation 205 so that the element will not be electrically connected with the track when it is associated therewith as shown in the drawings. The forked inner end 203 is adapted to be inserted throughl notch 33 of wall 15 of base 1 and to extend between the bed 13 of the base and circuit control arm which is mounted on the insert 35. In order to insert the forked end of the element into position the button 49 is depressed which causes sucient downward exing of the portion 36 of the insert and the arm 105 away from the bed 13 to permit insertion ofthe forked end between the insert and the bed. Release of pressure on button 49 permits the insert to return to normal position with the forked end of the element in clamped position in good electrical contact with arm 105. To remove the element it is only necessary, of course, to repeat the operation.

In Fig. 14 of the drawings I have schematically illustrated one arrangement whereby two of my signal assemblies may be used with a panel board and while using the automatic control of train and signal as disclosed in my aforesaid pending application Serial No. 588,411.

In this diagram l have shown a track 205 of closed o'val shape, the track having two sections 207 and 209 insulated from the remainder of the track by means of breaks 211 therein.

I provide a source of D.C. power 213 connected to the track by leads 215 and a. source of A.C. power 217 connected to the rail with the breaks therein by a lead 219. I provide two signal assemblies, 221A and 221B, the assembly 221A controlling the insulated track section 209 while assembly 221B controls insulated track section 207. Each signal assembly is electrically connected to the rail by track contact arms 55 and 73 and a train control element 199 projects laterally from each assembly on to and insulated from the rail. The circuit includes a panel board indicated generally by numeral 223 and this board includes a simulation 225 of the track and a pair of simulation signals 227A and 227B.

One side of the A.C. power supply 217 is connected by a conductor 229 with a common connector 231 between simulated signals 227A and 227B, and each signal light 227A is connected by conductors 233 and 235 into signal assembly 221A at the corresponding signal light circuit terminal A1 and F1 and similarly each signal light 227B is connected by conductors 237 and 239 into signal assembly 221B at the corresponding signal light circuit terminal A1 and F1 so that the closing and opening of the signal light circuits will be reflected at the signal lights on the panel board.

The armature contact C1 of assembly 221A is connected by conductor 241 with armature contact E1 of assembly 221B, contacts D1 of each assembly are grounded by conductors 243 and 245, and contact El of assembly 221A is connected by conductor 247 with contact C1 of assembly 221B.

The circuit arrangement is such that with a train travelling in the direction of the arrow and upon travelling over train contact element 199 of signal assembly 221A to close the circuit in accordance with the disclosure of my pending application Serial No. 588,411, the red signal light in assembly 221A will be lighted and also signal light in signal 227A while green signal light in assembly 221B will be energized and the green signal light in simulated signal 227B. When the train reaches train lthe aforementioned lightinguwillake place.

-I' will now be recognized that I have devised signal assembly which is designed for use with miniature frailway lslywsterns which isfobf 4the necessary sinall p'ipo'r'ti'is, is compact and sturdy 'and Easy jf 'assemble and dis assemble. ,r

I claim:

1. A miniature electric signal assembly, including a base, a housing removably mounted on said base, a standard iixed to and projecting upwardly from said housing and a signal lamp housing removably mounted on the upper end of said standard and removably carrying therein electric signal light bulbs, electrically operated switching mechanism mounted on said base within said housing, an electric circuit within said assembly connecting said electric signal light bulbs to said switching mechanism, said electric circuit including electric connector means, including a ground conductor, mounted on said base and further electric connector means, including a ground con -nector plate mounted in said housing, said ground conductor plate being electrically connected to said electric signal light bulbs, said further electric connector means and said ground connector plate being engagea-ble with said electric connec-tor means and said ground conductor, respectively when the housing is fixed to the base.

2. A miniature electric assembly in accordance with claim l, wherein said electric connector means project upwardly from said base and are exible and said further electric connector means are rigid and dimensionally greater than said electric connector means.

3. A miniature electric signal assembly, including a base, an insert attached to one side thereof, a housing removably mounted on said base, a standard fixed to and projecting upwardly yfrom said housing and a signal lamp housing removably mounted on the upper end of said standard, and electric signal light bulbs removably carried in said signal lamp housing, a reversible relay mounted on the other side of said base within said hous ing, iiexible contacts projecting upwardly above said base and adapted to be engaged and closed by the armature of said relay, certain of said contacts being mounted on said insert and extending through said base and the other of said contacts being mounted on said base, and a lamp circuit within said assembly, said circuit including a pair of flexible contacts mounted on said base, and rigid connector elements fixed in said housing and engageable with said pair of exible contacts to complete the signal lamp circuit when said housing is mounted on said base.

4. A miniature electric signal assembly, including a base member, a housing member removably mounted on said base 4member and a signal lamp housing supported from said housing member, electric signal light bulbs removably carried in saidV signal light housing, electric switching means mounted on said base to control the lighting of said bulbs, an electric circuit including said switching means, said signal light bulbs and a plurality of iiexible and rigid electrical contact elements, said flexible electric contacts being mounted on one member and said rigid electric contacts being mounted on the other member, the said exible and rigid electric contacts being engageable with each other to complete the circuit when said housing member is mounted on said base member.

5. A miniature electric sign-al assembly, including a base having a top and bottom surface, an insert attached to the bot-tom surface thereof, a housing removably mounted on said base and a signal lamp housing supported from said housing, electric signal light bulbs removably carried in said signal light housing, a reversible relay mounted on the top surface of said base, an electric circuit including said reversible relay, said signal light bulbs and a plurality of tiexible and rigid electric contact elements, certiii of said iiexible electric contact elements being mounted 'en the insert ana extending through the bals ft project thereabove and the remainder of said Iiieribl electric contact elements being inountd on the bas air'd said lrigid electrical contact elements being Afixed iii said hou'si'g and engageablewith certain of saidptflexible contactelements when the housing is mounted on the base -to complete said circuit.

6. A base for a miniature electric signal assembly including an insert attached to the -under surface of said base, electric conductor elements iixed to said base and connected in an electric circuit adapted to control the energizing of electric signal lamp bulbs and an electric conductive strip txed to the upper surface of said insert and normally in engagement with the under surface of said base and connected across certain of said electric conductor elements, and means for liexing a portion of said insert upon which said conductive strip is mounted away from said base for insertion of a connector element between said base and said conductive strip into electric contact with the latter. i

7. A base for a miniature electric signal assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means is a button xed to said insert and extending upwardly therefrom and slidably through said base and projecting thereabove.

8. A base for a miniature electric signal assembly, said base being provided with an elongated opening therein, a pair of spaced bridges transversely spanning the opening, an insert having an elongated opening therein and a pair of spaced 4bridges transversely spanning the opening, the insert being attached to the under surface of the base with the opening and bridges thereof in substantial alignment with the opening and bridges in said base electrical conductor and contact elements xed to said insert and base and extending through the openings, and electrical switch means mounted on said base and having bend-able legs extended through the openings and bent under said insert bridges to anchor the elec-trical switch means to the base, and said electrical conductors and contact elements and said electrical switch means being connected in an electric circuit adapted to control the selective energizing of one of a plurality of electric sign-al light bulbs.

9. A lamp housing having a pair of sockets therein, said socketsvbeing adapted to receive lamp bulbs therein, a wall having an opening therethrough separating said sockets, and the exterior wall of one of said sockets having an opening therethrough in alignment with said first mentioned opening, an electrical conductor strip extended through the opening in the exterior wall and extended substantially half way around the wall of said one of said sockets and extended through the opening in the wall separating the sockets and extended substantially half way about the wall of the other socket, said conductor strip adapted to be in electrical engagement with the lamp bulbs when they are inserted in the sockets.

10.*The method of assembling a exible single length electrical conductive strip with an electric lamp housing having lamp bulb receiving sockets therein, those steps of inserting the strip through an opening in the exterior wall of one socket, exerting inward force on that portion of the strip which is outside the housing causing the strip to move through said one socket, continuing to apply force on the strip causing said strip to move into the next adjacent socket through an opening in the wall between said sockets and into engagement with the wall of the next adjacent socket, continuing to exert Iforce on said strip and causing that portion of the strip in said next adiacent socket -to bend into engagement with and conforming to the shape of substantially half the wall of the next adjacent socket and continuing to exert pressure on said strip causing that portion thereof in said one socket to bend into engagement with and conforming to the shape of substantially halt` the wall of said one socket.

(References on following page) ReferencesCited in the le .of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Millerl Apr. 27, 1915 Neuner Nov. 1, 1932 5 Doane Oet. 16, 1934 Kinney Feb. 18, 1941 12 Dover Sept. 1,5, 1942 Pasterer Apr. 11, 1944 Iohanek Sept. 8, 1953 Hursh y 1 V Dec, 21, 1954 Bonanno ...-Oct.A 7 195,8

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 3, 1949

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