US1547441A - Automobile traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

F PETERLIN ET AL.

AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Original Filed Nov. 22. 1921 July 2s, 192s.

Patented July 28, 1925.

PATENT 'OFFIQE FRANK PETERLIN AND HUG'C W. OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application led November 22, 1921, Serial No. 516,958. Renewed .Tune 13, 1925.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK PETERLIN'l will enable others skilled in the art to whichk it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an electrically operated traiic signal, suitable for use on automobiles.

Owing to the great number of automobiles on our streets and highways everywhere, it is found to .be essential to the safety of all that the drivers of the vehicles shall signal in some intelligible manner their intention to turn to the right or t0 the left, or to stop, in order that the driver of the car following may be apprised of the exact action to be taken bythe car ahead, and so govern his own actions as to prevent an accident.

Many diiferentmethods of signalling, for the above purpose, have been suggested and tried, among which the most popular method in use today consists of the use of the drivers left arm as a semaphore. When closed cars are used, it is, of course, very ditlicult for the driver to signal with his arm. Y

It is the object of this invention to provide a signal that can be placed at some conspicuous place on the rear s"of an automobile-for example, over the left fenderand which can be conveniently operated by the driver by merely moving a suitable electric switch which is located within easy reach.

In order to more clearly describe our invention, we shall have reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 shows the rear of an automobile equipped with our signal;

Fig. 2 is a view showing in full lines the relative arrangement of the parts when thev indicator is in neutral position, and in dotted lines the relative arrangement when the signal indicates a left turn;

Fig. 3 is a View showing in full lines the relative arrangement of parts when the signal indicates a right turn, and in dotted lines the relative position when the signal indicates St/OPN; l

Fig. 4 is a side view of the indicator arrow with parts broken away to show the location of the lamp; and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections.

rThe same reference numbers will be used to indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

Our signal, which we will refer to as a whole by the numeral 1, comprises a rectangular or other suitably shaped box having a bottom 2, sides 3 and ends 4, and a cover which has been shown in Fig. 1 only. The operating mechanism consists of a rotatable spindle 6 which carries a pinion 7 A bracket comprising a bar 8 serves to hold the spindle 6 in place and to provide a suitable bearing therefor. A lever 9 is pivoted near its center on a pivot 10, which is parallel to spindle 6 and is maintained in its neutral or horizontal position through the action of spring 11 whose central portion is secured firmly to the lower end of bracket 8. Bar 9 carries an arcuate member 12, whose teeth 13 engage with the teeth of pinion 7 and tend to rotate the latter as the bar 9 moves about its pivot 10. Carried on the outer end of spindle 6 and rotatable therewith is an indicator 14, which is made in the general outline of an arrow, whose point normally is directed upwardly. The indicator 14 is made hollow and its back surface is formed by a piece of red glass 15. Within the indicator 14 is a lamp 16, which can be used at night to render the same visible, and which is preferably so connected that it will be lighted whenever the indicator is operated.

For the purpose of enabling the driver to rock the bar 9 on its pivot 1() and thus turn spindle 6 and its indicator 14, we have provided three electro-magnets which we have designated as L, R and S, and have provided the bar 9 with three corresponding armatures Z, r and s, respectively. When magnet L is energized, it attracts armature Z and moves bar 9 about its pivot in a clockwise direction, thus rotating spindle 6 and indicator 14 in a counter clock-wise direction, until the latter assumes the position shown dotted in Fig. 2. When the driver desires to turn to the right, he energizes electro-magnet R, which attracts armature r and rotates the indicator 14 in a clock-wise direction to the position indicated by m in Fig. 3. It will be noticed that armature r is attached to. bar 9 by a rod 17, which is slidable in a hole in the end of the bar. A. sp-ring 18 surrounds rod 17 and serves to keep the armature r properly spaced from bar 9. When the driver desires to stop, he energizes electro-magnet S, which attracts armature s and rotates the indicator to the position indicated by Y (Fig. 3). In so doing, it is evident that armature r will engage the pole of magnet R, and that bar 17 will be forced to slide through bar 9, compressing spring 18. The connections are so arranged that when the operator desires to bring the indicator to stop position, he energizes in succession magnets: R and S, and in this manner magnet R rotates the indicator 14 ninety degrees, after which magnet S giv'es it a further rotation of ninety degrees. Thus magnet S avoids operating through an excessively long air gap..

In Fig. 5 we have indicated diagrammatically the wiring connections, and have shown as a source of energy a battery B, which may be the regulan starting and ignition battery, one side of which is grounded. From the ungrounded side we run a wire 19 to a movable switch arm 20, which is arranged, to contact in Vsuccession with contacts 21, 22 and 23, which are connected respectively with magnets L, R and S. The lamp 16 is connected to the battery by a separate wire and controlled by switch 24. At L, R and S we have shown the position of the switch arm 2O when the signal is set for left, right and stop, respectively.

From the above it will be seen that we have provided a signal that is well adapted to be attached to an automobile, and which enables the driver, by simply moving a switch lever 20, to set the signal in the desired manner. Our signal is of simple and substantial construction, and can be cheaply and readily installed on any vehicle. The indicator 14, being provided with a light and a red glass, can be used instead of the ordinary tail light, serving for this purpose as well as for a signal.

IVe are aware that the results aimed at by us can be obtained by means which d iffer specifically from those described above, and

we therefore desire to avail ourselves of our right to make alterations within the scope of the appended claim.

When the lamp switch 24 is closed, for the purpose of illuminating the indicator 14, the latter may serve as a tail light when in the normal or upright position shown in Fig. 1.

Having now described our invention, what we claim is- A traffic signal for automobiles comprising a casing, a spindle rotatably mounted therein, a normally vertical signal member mounted on the spindle, a pinion onsaid spindle, a bracket secured tosaid casing, said bracket having a bearing for one end of said spindle, a lever pivot-ed intermediate its ends to said bracket, a gear segment secured to said lever, said segment being in operative engagement with the pinion, a spring secured intermediate its ends to said bracket and having its ends in engagement with said lever on opposite sides of the pivot soas to hold it yieldingly in a neutral position, an armatureon each end of said lever, an electromagnet operatively related to each armature, said electromagnets being both on the same side of the lever, whereby one will function to rotate the lever in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, a third armature connected to said lever near one end thereof and on the opposite side from the first mentioned armatures, an electromagnet operatively related to the last mentioned armature, and means for connecting the last named armature to the lever in such a manner that it can be moved closer to the lever, but cannot be moved farther away therefrom.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

FRANK PETERLIN. HUGO W. FEI-IR.

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