US1363497A - Traffic-signal device - Google Patents

Description

F. B. CROSBY. TRAFFIC SIGNAL DEVICE, APPLICAHON/FILED NOV. 17, 1919.

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TRAFFIC-SIGNAL DEVICE.

Application filed November 17, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. CRosBY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Seattle, county of King, and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traffic Signal Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to traffic signals for vehicles, or devices intended for mounting upon vehicles, which may be employed for indicating the intention of the driver in turning in either direction, or as to stopping, and is in the nature of an improvement over my co-pending application for traflic signal devices, Serial No. 265,85d.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which may be applied as an attachment to automobiles, or other like vehicles, and which may be conveniently operated manually to give the desired signals by the actuation of one lever only.

My invention comprises the novel construction and combination of parts which will be more fully described in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the signal in its assembled position with parts of the housing broken away and indicating by dotted lines the several positions of the operating signal arm.

Fig. 4 is an end view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 1 indicates the housing in which the device is mounted. This housing is made of thin sheet metal and is provided at one of its side edges with a narrow slot 2 that extends longitudinally thereof through which the signal arm 3 may ass.

p In display position this target is intended to be selectively projected into the three positions, as shown by dotted lines 4:, 5 and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

Serial No. 338,592.

6, indicating to the approaching traflic for ward or rear, Whether it is the intention of the driver to turn to the right, left, or come to a stop, each of these positions having a definite meaning under the traffic laws.

When the signal is not in use the lever is actuated to throw the signal into the closed position, as indicated by the signal arm 7 in Fig. 3, being confined entirely within the housing 1.

The signal arm 3 is disposed within the housing 1 and is fixedly attached upon a shaft 8 that extends transversely therethrough and projecting at one end and slightly beyond the outer face and upon the outer end of this shaft is attached a lever 9 for the purpose of actuating this signal arm into the relative positions, as shown in Fig. 3.

To sustain the signal arms into each of its relative positions, the rear end thereof is provided with three angular flat surfaces 10 against which a leaf spring 11, which is fixedly attached upon the rear inner face of the casing, is in selective contact and thus yieldingly sustains the signal arm into its desired indicating position when actuated by the lever 9. The tension of the spring is such as topermit the angular edge of each of these flat surfaces 10 to compress the spring when the lever is actuated so that the signal arm can be brought into each of the positions as desired, and yieldingly maintained against displacement.

When the signal arm is entirely inclosed within the housing the spring 11 maintains pressure against the flat surface of the arm 13 and thus precludes any tendency of rattling on the part of the signal.

It is thus obvious that a signal embodying such simplicity of construction and positiveness of operation that can be manually actuated by a single control to assure the three indicated positions as shown will eliminate much of the confusion and accidents incidental tosignals having but one indicator position.

What I claim as new and desire to pro tect by Letters Patent is:

A traffic signal for cars comprising a housing adapted to be attached to said cars,

a signal arm pivotally secured Within said housing, a crank arm fixedly secured to said signal arm for actuating the said signal arm to selective indicating positions, the rear end of said signal arm having a plurality of angular faces corresponding in angularity With respect to the pivot point to the said selective positions of said signal arm When actuated, and a spring to engage said faces under yielding tension to sustain said 10 signal arm from oscillation.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 8th day of November, 1919.

' FRANK B. CROSBY.

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