US1326803A - Auto-theft indicator - Google Patents

Description

E. T TAPLEY.

AUTO THEFT INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 19:9.

Patented Dec. 30,1919.

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E. T.. TAPLEY.

AUTO THEFT INDICATOR; \AEELICATION FILED MAY 12. 1919.

1,326,803. Patented Dec. 30,1919.

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3] .E T Tapleg $13711 aYI orrwya M g EUGENE T. TAPLEY, F SYLACA' UGA, ALABAMA.

AUTO-THEFT INDIoA'ron.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE T. TAPLnY,

I a citizen ofthe United States, residing at' Sylacauga, in the county of Talladega and State of Alabama, have invented certam new anduseful Improvements in Auto-Theft Indicators, of which the following is a. specification. I

This invention relates to automobile theft indicators, and pertains particularly to alarms which utilize both audible'and visible signals.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this class in which the unauthorized use of the automobile is indicated .by both a detonating, audible signal and a visible electrical signal.

In carrying out my invention I provide a detonating signal which is discharged upon the actuation of a movable part of the automobile, such as thesteering gear, and the discharge of which closes the circuit of the electrical signal.

In the accompanying drawings ai Figure 1 is a vertical section of part of an automobile showing my device associated with the steering post.

Fig. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale and in section on line 2'-2 of Fig. 1, showing the parts of the. device in an operable position. Fig. 3is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 41 is a detail view ofthe tripping mechanism in an inoperable position, showin the latch inoperable position by dotte lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detached perspective view of the detonating chamber and contacts for the electrical signal, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ham mer.

On some movable part of'the vehicle, such as the steering post 1, a collar 2 is adjustably fastened by the set screw 3. The collar has a notch 4 in its periphery and will turn with the steering post. A housing 5 surrounds the mechanism and has a cover 6, which may be a part of the floor of the vehicle'if desired. A supporting bar 7 extends from the sides of the housing 5 and carries a bracket 8 upon which the trip lever 9 is pivotally mounted. The trip lever has a hook 10 at one end and a latch 11 pivoted to the other end. The latch has cars 12 to which a link 13 is pivoted. The link is pivoted at its other end to the collar 14 screw 15. r

The latch fits in the notch '41 of the collar 2, and it will be seen that rotation of Specification of Letters Patent. Patentd Dec. 30, 1919.

Application filed. m 12, 1919. Serial No. 296,417.

this post will cause the trip lever to be I moved about its pivot. It will also be apparent that the latch is readily lifted out of the. notch 4 and swung about its pivot nto an inoperable position and held there by means of the set screw 15 in the collar 14..

A supporting bar 16 carries the barrel or chamber ,17 which is made to receive a blank cartridge (not shown) of any desired caliber, and has a pivoted cover 18 and a lock 19 for closing its rear end. The muzzle of the barrel is fitted with a movable plug 20, carrying the outwardly ex- I tending contact arms 21 connected by. suitable wires to a source of current, such as a battery 22. Stationary, inwardly projecting contact arms 23 are mounted on a flange 2 1 of the supporting bar 16 and are connected by suitable wires to a visible signal, such as an electric light bulb 25, which may be located wherever desired and illuminate a warning of any suitable type (not shown).

A hammer 26 is fastened to a spring 27 secured to the bar 16 in any preferred man ner, as by a slotted pin 28 and pins 29. The hammer has a hook 30 and a striker pin 31. g

In order to insure that the plug will engage the contact arms, I provide a guide 32 which projects from; the flange 24. and passes into a hole 33 in the plug 20. The alarm is set by inserting a cartridge in the chamber 17 and fitting'the plug 20 in the muzzle thereof. The hammer 26 is drawn back against the action of the spring 27 and on the trip lever 9. Th latch 11 is lowered into the notch 1 and the cover 6 is locked by any suitable means. If an attempt is made to remove the car, it will be obvious that the steering post must be rotated which will oscillate the trip lever and disengage the hook 10 from the hook 30, thus releasing the hammer which will discharge the car A suitable vent is provided for the ex-.

hausting of the burnt ases. :It will be apparent that the thief Wlll be alarmed by the explosion and probably desert the car, and if not the electrical .signal will Warn spectators that the car has been stolen.

I claim as my invention v 1. A mechanically operated theft signal for automobiles, comprising anexplosion chamber, a striker for discharging the explosive, a lever engaging said striker, a

latch, means for moving said latch, and

means for holding said latch out of engagement with said first-mentioned means 2. A mechanically operatedtheft signal for automobiles, comprising an explosion chamber, a striker for discharging the explosive, a pivoted lever en aging said striker and holding it in position to disa charge said explosive, a latch to operate a the lever and disengage the striker, means for actuating said latch, and means for adjusting the latch to connect it with said first mentioned means or to hold it out of engagement therewith.

3. A theft signal for automobiles, comprising an explosion chamber, a striker for discharging the explosive, a pivoted lever en aging said striker and holding it in position to discharge the explosive, means comprising a collar having, a notch in its outer periphery, a latch engaging in the notch on the collar operated by said means to operate the lever and disengage the striker, and secondary means for adjusting the latch to connect it with the notch in said collar or to hold it out of engagement therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto

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