USRE15449E - Nonglare headlight - Google Patents

Description

C. E. POST AND P.'G. WAGNER.

NONGLARE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I6. Ien.

Hcissued Sept. 5, 1922.

C. E, POST AND P. G, WAGNER.

NONGLARE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I6, 19|?.

Reissued Sept. 5, 1922. l 5,449.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Reissued Sept. 5, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GHARLES E. EOS'l` AND PAUL G. WAGNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO FRANK E. N'EIJLIS, JR.,

F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NONGLARE HEADLIGHT.

original No. 1,189,621, dated Jui'y 4, 191s, serial reissue filed November 16,

To all whom it mag/concern.' l

Be it known that we, CHARLES Bosc* and PAUL G. WAGNER, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, inthe county of Cook, yState of Illinois, l.have

invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nonglare Headlights; and we do hereby declare that the. following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, fand to the `characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to a non-glare head.- light. l l The ordinary headlight of motor driven vehicles is objectionable becauseof its blinding glare to approaching pedestrians and vehicles, and the danger resulting therefrom.

narices requiring that the lights. of motor driven vehicles shall be so directed that the center rays thereof shall strike the ground within a distance of 75 `feet from the front thereof, or the light shall be so dimmed as to eliminate all glare therefrom. The im'- mediate result of such municipal ordinances was the invention of so-called dimmers adapted to be applied to the headlight and whose purpose it was to eliminate the objectionable Glare. The many defects of practically all dimmers now in use is two-fold: First, they'are inoperative except when apondly they are inefficient because they reduce the light thrown out by the headlight.

There are some headlights Iinuse at the present time which Iemit the objectionable glare even after the application of every kind of dimmer. It'is for this reason that the above municipal ordinances are, as a rule, not strictly enforced. The true source of the diliculty seems not to have been realized by the inventors devising dimmers of vario-us kinds. If they were feasible to construct a headlight having a parabolic reiector mathematically true, on a commercial scale, the question would be easily solved.

Many municipalities have ordiplied to certain makes of headlights;v sec- No. 87,047, filed March 27, 1916. Application for 1917. Serial No. 202,437. f

' However, it is impossible to so construct the 5 0N parabolic reflector at a rice at which theheadlights must necessari y be sold. rThe reflecting surfaces of the headlights are not ltruly parabolic, and consequently rays of light reflected from either the lower or the upper half thereof will be thrown in all directions, causing the objectionable glare.

It is an object. of this invention to construct the reflector of the headlight in such a manner that all the rays of light thrown upon the road will come from the upper half thereof and be projected in a forward and slightly downward direction, striking` the ground at'approxiinately 7 5 feet in front of the vehicle'. Thefj reflector isv so con- `65 structed that practically all the rays falling upon the lower halfA thereof are reflected upon the same path in which they came froml the source of light thence to the upper half of the reflector and .thence downwardly andoutwardly. We have found by careful tests that th e eiiicient illumination of our non-glare'headlight at 7 5 feetfromV the lamp is 88-6/10 per cent, while lthe nearest result of headlights equipped with `the best 75 dirnmers known to us shows a maximum efficiency of only 55-4/10 per cent.

It is an object of our invention to construct a headlight in which the locus of light is adapted to be located slightly in advance of the focus of the parabolic portion of the reflector surfaceand on the axis of the latter; and in which substantially one-half of the whole reflector consists of a smooth polished metal surface while the remainder thereof consists of a seriesr of successive semi-frustums of concentric hollow spheres, the concave faces of which have-radii meeting substantially at the point inthe axis of l Y the parabolic portion of the reflector at which the locus of light is adapted to be located. n y

i With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, our invention consists in the 'con- 95* form a part of this specification, we have illustrated a convenient and practical einbodiment of our invention, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of our non-glare headlight.

Fi re 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a central horizontal section taken online 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are central vertical sections through the headlight showing the method of constructing the same.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, 10 indicates a parabola with 11 the focus thereof. A parabolic reflector, if the parabolic curve is mathematically correct would re fleet the rays of li ht comin from the focus along lines paralle to the aX1s a'. Since it is impoible to produce a true parabolic reflector on a commercial scale, the vordinary parabolic reflector has a good deal of objectionable glare due to reflected rays coming from the uneven surface thereof. 4 or this reason, we advance the locus of the light to a pointV indicated at 12 in Fig. 5. Th1s point is located on the axis and slightly in advance of the true focus 11. The rays of light coming from the oint 12 will be reflected as indicated in F1g. 5 and converge as shown.` The rays reflected from the upper half of they parabola strike the ground in front-of the vehicle, but the rays reflected from the lowerl half, unless changed in their direction would be projected in an upward and forward directlon, causing the objectionable lare. We therefore, construct the lower hal of the relector with means whereby the light falling v`reflection coincides with the thereon will be so reflected that the path of path ofincidence, andthe reflected light will strike the upper half of the reflector, whence it will be reflected downwardly'and forwardly in 'the same Vdirection as the direct ra s of light` coming fromthe locus of light.- t hasbeen proposed hitherto tolprovide a :small convex ireilector adjacent to ca2 nd below theflocus of flight?, theA p'urpose' 'to reflect the lightf-.

c fm .,gn%fy c reflectedl tothe Vupper vhalf did not such a reflector being lling upon it to the h al f .y However,yin view o the fact -thjatthe Vsource of light is necessarily of appreciable size,and furthermore that the con- 'caverefiectonbecause of'itssmall -siz'e would vany errors of its construction, the

coincidewith the' light coming directly from theflocusof,lightfand conse uentlya percanta ofthe reflected' rays o light werere-v lecte" the" 4upper half. o fjthe i reflector* in'a forward and' npwarddirection," i

#ed and: ee :light '-fall'ingfffiupntfhei los@ fthe. renegar. starmedia the astral;

objectionable, eye l glare, 'ctionpthef objectionable g i d iight:

causing mangent-1w@ iffiiigilfelwhieh. atea above is slightly in advance of the focus of the parabola, we construct from this point as a center,a series of concentric spheres as indicated infFig..6, and we select and employ a number of semi-frustums of concentric hollow spheres lwhich' are disposed so that, vthe planes of the side edges of each thereof extend per endicularly to the 'axis of the parabolic re ector surface, said frustums bein preferably relatively so disposed that one s1de ed e of each lies in the para.-

. bolic plane of t e smooth reflector surface, thus presenting to the point in the axis of the latter at which the locus of light is adapted to be disposed, a continuous reflector surface. From this construction, it will be understood that the rays of light coming from the locus will be reflected on their paths of incidence to said locus and passing beyond to the upper half-of the parabolicreflector will be projected in the same way as the rays coming direct from` the said' reflector are fastened together by means ofV coacting flanges 15, 15. The .source of light i 16 which may be the ordinary electric ineen-- descent lamp, is adjustably mounted in a lamp carrier plate 17, said plate being circular and detachably mounted in. an aperture 18 provided in the apex of the reflector. Thecarrier -rod 19 of the lamp 16 is slidably mounted in a neck 20 of the lamp ',carrler` plate. A set .screw 21 on said neck clamps the Irod-19 in adjusted position. The outer face of, the carrier `plate 17 is preferably frosted. i The deflector plates 22 are portions of the concentriyc sphereswhose center is the' locus of vthe light 16. The radii of these plates 'convergeto meet substantially at -a point lin thefaxis of the parabolic portion of the reflector fat which ythe locus of light is adapted tolbelocated, the planes of the side edges offs'aid'platesi extending perpendicularlyto'-fsaidjaxisx' They are arranged in 1stepped relation and the contiguous side i edges of adjacent plates are joined by arcuate Walls 23'.. These 'walls are substantially' jin radial planes, which pass through the locus of the` light, the object being to prevent'` Y an lig'ht coin in directl (from the lam eansofa die. Using a die n practice, the lower ha f,

is: stamped outof one' .piece ltates that the` eonnecting Awall 23 whichi conl ,neets the fist'airofdeflector platesnearest V the. apex'vofft e.relector,'is`not 'n aplane radial to` the locus 'of the light. marginal v130'- from the extreme upper half of the headlight. lSu'c'h rays of light will not be objectionable, as they will not strike anapproach-- ing vehicle or pedestrian. .j

yFrom the foregoing description, the operation of our non-glare headlight will be easily understood. Thejelectric lamp vlfis placed in the. locus which forms the center,.-of tl1e sphereson which the reflector `pilates'f22 `are taken. When in its adjusted position same is clamped in place bygmea set screw v21. The light-"fa1ling reflector plates will be reflected., o

f 'willbe readily understood' thef;y foregoing 'specification that one! 'objects of the invention is topro .30

' surface whichcauses the objectiona .is utilized .to reflect the rays n`o "i area/.of the reflector surface andits ,'d'istance from and accuracy ofcontouriand-- 4Q; location with respect to the locus of the-light? I' reflector ysurface which projects l5 5 efliciency and waste of light rays:

light in which `that portion of.`

ject'ed therefrom upon` that port source'will result and at the s ame t is anchas to insurethe maximum-of accuracy *of direction of the reflected. rays 'through their pathsyof incidence upon the parabolic reflector..:surfaceto .the end thatsuch `rej` 3 :flectedf'raysmay be'projected from the .parabolicgreiiector ysurface as nearly as Apossibi parallelwith those passing directly fromth .'locus"of' f light said parabolic uponjthe road so that no appreciable.; jj

.1""point, and

adjusted position. 4'. In anon-gl tion of a pa" thereofvbein' equalsize and contour andare readily fitted I and secured together to provide a complete housing having no freakl characteristics.

While we have shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be underfstood that wev do not desire -to confine our- Fselves to the specific details of construction, paths of incidence to theupper halflof the? v refiector, whence Athey :will-.be refiectedin-f conjunction with the rays of flightfconlingf .directly fromthe light inxa-ff-f' arrangement and combination of partsy as shown, as varlous changes may bemade by 'those skilled rinthe art without departing frornthev spirit of our invention as claimed. downward direction, producingth so allexl `vclaim: l .'1. In a non-glare headlight,` the combinationgjoffa parabolic reflector having its upper*` *"'half' smooth and its lower half containing y:apluralitjy of concave reflector plates, saidl lates.flueixig portions oaf concentric spheres center is a Kpoint on the axis ofthe y' pabolaslightly 1n-advance of the focus I l'the'reof, and a light located at said point` Inarnon-glare headlight, the combination ofa parabolic reflector having its upper 100 W1fhalfj-smooth,*and its lower-half comprising 1 a'jpluralityof concave reflector plates ex-y '-l t'ending transversely to the axis of the parabplagfsaid plates `being portions of concentric Isplieres whose center 1s a point on the axis `1015 ofthe. parabola slightly in advance of the' ocus v thereof andf alight located at said` .Peintt gefy @parallelle resetten-the upper half 1101] thereof- 'being4 smooth, the rlower half com- 'rising ai fplurality of concave reflectorl plates extending transverselyfto lthe, axis of?` fthe-parabola, said platesbeing 'segments of .colicentrie spheres rwhosefcenter is a point 11'5 onltheaxs of the parabola slightly v in ad?" v'ancefofftheffocusjthereof, ja removable lampecarryingmembenvin the apex of the freflector, allampfadjustably carriedby said f v'member-T and` ladapted.''to ibe Vlocated at fsaid 12,02`

ns for`ulockingvsaid lamp in". f".

refieltor, the upperr half -v0f* concave.` reeemrf plates` extendin VIraitsversevely to the axisvvof parabola," said plates being segments of con; centric spheres,"whose centelpis a; point` onv the axis of the parabola slightly in advance. 130

, Infa` headlight, the combinaare 'lijaldligngae @mig of the focus thereof, each pair of adjacent reflector plates being joined bya wall lying substantially in a plane passing through said center, a removable lamp-carrying plate at the apex of said reflector, said removable plate having its outer face frosted, a lamp adjustably carried by said removable plate and adapted to be located at said point and means for locking said lamp in adjusted position.

5. A headlight comprising a flared hous.

ing p-resenting a circular mouth disposed in a planeA perpendicular to the aXis of the housing, the inner surface of the latter constituting two opposed reflector surfaces, a source of light within the housing. disposed relatively to one of said reflector surfaces to cause rays of light impinging thereon 'to be .projected in a general direction converging toward the axis of the housing,- the other of said reflector surfaces disposed to reflect rays of light impinging thereupon upon the opposed reflectorsurface in a general direction to cause they same to be projected from the mouth of the housing in the same general direction as the first-named direct rays from saidl source of light.

6. In a non-glare headlight, alamp liousing having a circular. light-projecting opening' at one end, said housingcomprising a,

parabolic reflector constituting substantially one-half of its inner surface and a spherical reflector surface constituting the vother half thereof, the last-named surface comprising a plurality of concentric bands of spherical contour and Varying diameters, `means for positioning a source of light in said housing having its locus disposed subeffect projection of rays by.' reflection 4in a given general direction, and positioned vwith respect to the opposed reflector surface to effect reflection of rays from the latter upon the parabolic reflector surface in a general direction to cause the same to be re-reflected and projected from the latter in the same faces of said stepped reflector presenting av substantially continuous surface substantially concentric with the point at which Jsaid source of light isadapted to be located whereby `to cause .the rays of light passing from said source to said' stepped reflector surface to b e reflected upon the parabolic reflector substantially coincidentally with 'the direct rays from said source uponA the latter thereby causing all rays so directed and reflected upon said parabolic reector to be projected substantially in the same direction from the mouth of the housing.

9. In combination with a headlight comprising a `reflector structure of general parabolic form, a source of light axially located within said structure and a reflector element secured within the structure se formed and arranged that the incident rays from the source of light which would normally strike the lower portion of the reflector structure will be reflected onto the upper portion thereof to be in turn reflected forwardly and downwardly.

10. A headlight of the character described C'Omprisin a reflector structure of general parabolic iform, and a source of light axially located within said structure, said'structure being so formed that the incidentk rays from the Vsource of flight striking its lower portion will be reflected onto its upper portion to bein turn reflected forwardly and downwardly. i

ll. A headlight of the character described comprising a source of light, a reflector structure located about said light,and a series of corrugations in the lower portion of said structure of Isuch shape that the ,rays vof light emanating from the source of light -strike the .forwardl projecting legs of said corrugations whic are at such angle asto redirect the rays to the upper portion of the reflector structure.

' CHARLES E. POST. PAUL Gr. WAGNER.

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