US1510912A - Signal apparatus - Google Patents

Description

E. c. AL EN S IGNAL APPARATUS Filed May 19. 1923 LL a FIG. 2

dgaz C 5/1672 O @104 M rwoaw UNITED STATES i g 1,510,912 PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR-G. ALLEN, 01!? ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROGER L.

KNUTSSON, OF ROCKFOED,-IIIIJNOIS.

SIGNAL APPARATUS. 1

Application filed m 19,

To all whom it may cmlcem:

Be it known that LEooaa O. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new andusefulSignal Apparatus, of which the follpwin is a specification.

This Inven ion relates to signal apparatus for automobiles and motor trucks. The signal lamp or other electrical device of such an apparatus has heretofore been controlled by means of a knife switch or other form of .on the chassis and arran through a link or the like connecte to the mechanical switch supported at some point ged to be 0 erated brake pedal. 'Sto lights have heretofore proved very unre iable, as the switch and its operating connection were liable to be rendered inoperative by mud, by a stone bounding up from the highway or by other accidental causes.

The object of the present invention is to provide, in apparatus of this character, a form of switch which shall not be susceptible to injury by dirt, which shall be effectively protected against mechanical injury, and the operation of which shall be directly dependent upon actuation of the brake pedal, thus dispensing with intermediate operating connections.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in the nature of' a diagram illustrating a stop light apparatus embodying the features of my invention. Fi 2 is a sectional view taken in the plane ofIine 22 of Fig. 1. Fi 3 illustrates the operation of the switch. ig. 4 is a fragmental view illustrating an a ternative arran ement,

In the drawings, 1 denotes a rake pedal of the ordinary or any suitable construction, arran d to-be swung forwardly (i. e. in the direction in which the car normally travels to decelerate the car, by pressure applie to the upper end l" of thepedal; 2 indicates a signal lam'picasin of any preferred form located at any esired point upon the car, and 3 represents a battery of any ordinary or preferred character. The

switch 4 for closing a circuit through a lamp in the casing 2 is shown in Fig. 3, and consists of a closed glass tube 5 within one end of which are the two contacts '6. The tube 5 contains a suitable quantity of mercury 7. In order to protect the switch 4 against injury, it is enclosed within a casing 8, which 1923. Serial No. 640,008.

up or end 1 thereof by means of a clamp 9 Fig. 2) comprising a set screw 10 and a lock nut 11, said screw bein adapted to secure the clamp rigidly to the" rake pedal. The switch is secured to the clamp by means of a screw 12 or the like extending throu h the casing 8 for the switch. When the bra e edal is in the normal position, as shown in fig. 1, the globule of mercury is in the rear end of the'tube and oppositeto that containing the contacts 6, as shown in the upper portion of Fig. 3. When the dal is depressed, the mercury flows to the orward end of the casing thus closing a circuit through the signs. lamp, as shown in the lower portion of Fig. 3. The flow of the mercury to the forward end of the casing is caused partly by the depression of the brake pedal, as indicated in Fig. 3, and partly y the momentum. of the mercury as the car slows down, the momentum of the mercur serving to prevent rebounding of the glo ule.

In certain makes of motor cars there is rigidly attached to the brake dal 1 i1. rear- 35 wardly extending arm 13 which is virtually a part of the brake pedal and to which the brake operating link 14 is pivoted by means of a screw or stud passing through one of a plurality of holes 15 in said arm. Instead of mounting the switch directly upon the brake pedal 1, it may be conveniently attached to the arm 13 of said brake pedal by means of a bolt 16 or the like extendin through the casing 8 and'through 1110 o iihe openings 15 in the arm 13, as shown in The construction herein shown is free from the objections and disadvantages inherent in previous constructions, inasmuch as the switch is thoroughly rotected from the elements and from mec anical injury. Being attached directly to the brake pedal or the arm 13 rigid with said pedaLitsoperation' is positive and reliable.

It will be understood that, while I have shown only two contacts in the tube 5, the number and arran nt ofthe contacts 'will depend .upon the specific character of the signal device. 110

I claim as my invention:

1. In a motor car, the combination of .a brake pedal pivoted to swing forward to decelerate the car, a signal device, a source of electrical energy, and a mercury switch for making and breaking a circuit through said signal device and said source of energy, said switch comprisin a casing rigidly secured to said pedal low the up r end thereof, contact points within the orward end of said casing, and a globule of mercury within the casing to bridge said contact points when said globule moves to the forward end of the casing through the combined action of momentum and the forward swing of the brake pedal.

2. n a motor car, the combination of a brake pedal pivoted to swing forward to decelerate the car, a signal device, a source of electrical encr and a mercur switch for making and signal device and said source of ener said switch comprising a casing moun upon reaking a circuit thru said said withm'the forward end of said casing, and a globule of mercury within the casing to br dge said contact points when said globule moves to the forward end of the casingthru 1 to swing therewith, contact noints the combined action of momentum and the switch com rising a casin secured to said brake mom r, contact points within said casing, and a globule of mercury within the casing to bri go said contact points when said globule moves in the casing thru the combined action bf momentum and the forward swing of the brake member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

EDGAR C. ALLEN.

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