US1548381A - Traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

'Aug 4, 1925.l l 1,548,381 i c. H. PATTERSON TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed oct. 24, 1923 2 shee'ts-snuf. i

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C. H. PATTERSON TRAFFIG s'IGNAL Filed Oct. 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 4, 1925o UNITED s'rarss CHARLES H. PATTERSQN, 03T LEADER, MINNESOTA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed Uctoocr 24, 1923.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that CHARLES H. PATTERSON,

a citizen of the United States of America7 residing at Leader, in the county of Cass 6 and State of Minnesota, has invented new and useful Improvements in Traiiic Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient traffic signal which may be readily operated by the driver of a motor vehicle with the minimum distraction of attention and diversion yof effort from the manipulation of the steering wheel Aof the vehicle whereby following and approaching vehicles and pedestrians may be advised of the intention of the driver in the matter of changing direction of progress or of stopping or reducing the speed of movement to minimize risk of collision and confusion in congested thoroughfare; and moreover to provide a device which may be applied with the minimum of preparation to any of the conventional forms of vehicles under conditions assuring the proper functioning thereof; and with these objects in vie-w the. Vinvention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side view, and

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a signal embodying the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views respectively on the planes indicated by the lines 3 3 and 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an inner end view of the device.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the means whereby the casing is secured to the bracket arm.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 7 -7 of Fig ure 2.

The device consists essentially of a tubu- 45 lar bracket arm 10 with which may be associated clamps 11 for engagement with an interposed wall or element 12 of the vehicle,

a casing 13 carried by said bracket arm and provided with front and rear windows 14 50 consisting of light penetrable panels of glass or its equivalent.y a signal head l5 having a tubular spindle 16 mounted in and eXtend ing through the bracket arm 10, an operating handle 17 secured to the inner end of 55 said spindle. The lighting unit 18 consist- Serial No. 670,552.

ing of an electric bulb orits equivalent is arranged within the head with the conductor wires 19 thereof extending through the tubular spindle and serve either by the magneto or battery or by the lighting system of the vehicle.

The bracket arm is provided with a disk head 2O having the perihperal groove `21 for the reception of a bead 22 at the inner end of the casing 14, said inner end preferably being split as indicated at 23 to permit it to expand and contract, and a locking ring 2st is fitted in the bead for contraction by the shackle 25 to lock the casing to the disk head while permitting removal thereof with facility when access to the interior of the signal is desired.

The signal head consists of a plurality of panels preferably having duplicates arranged in diametrically opposite positions 7 and with the several interchangeable panels respectively designated and covered or distinguished in such a way as to attract attention for respective or selective display through the panels of the casing so that by turning the spindle it may be possible to display forwardly and rearwardly a signal indicating the intention of the operator to turn to the right or left according to the direction in which the arrow points, or the word Stop or its equivalent to indicate the intention of the driver to check or reduce or terminate the forward motion of the vehicle, In the construction illustrated this signal head ofA which the pedals are light penetrable to permit the light of the lamp or signal unit to shine therethrough and display the coloring thereof as well as such words or emblems as may appear thereon, is of cylindrical form and is threaded at its inner end as indicated at 26 into the hub of a disk 27 at the adjacent end of the tubular spindle so that the detachment thereof may be effected when required for repair or replacement.

The handle or operating element 17 is an integral radial projection of the disk 27 and the hub of the latter is provided with a spring-actuated pawl 29 engaging the teeth 30 on the extremity of the tubular bracket arm 10 but these teeth are channeled so as to permit the pawl to snap from one to the other as the handle is being actuated, so that there may be maintained any desired adjustment against displacement by the vibration of the car or vehicle While permitting of adjustment Without objectionable effort on the part of the operator.

It will further be understood that Whereas the operating means herein represented as the handle 17 may be directly manipulated bythe operator if the signalling device is located in such a position as to be readily reached, other suitable or conventional "".1 means for communicating motion thereto may be employed Where it is desirable to locate the signal at a point more or less remote from the drvers seat.

Having described the invention, What' is claimed as new and `useful is l l. A tratic signal having a casing provided with light penetrable panels, a tubularl bracket arm for supporting the casing and having means for attachmentto a. vehicle, a revoluble signal head mounted Within the casing and having a spindle mounted in said bracket arm, the signal head being provided with Vpanels `tor selective arrangement in registration with the panels of `the casing, and means for turning the signal head, the

bracket arm being provided at its outer end with a disk head, and the casing having a split inner end fitted upon said disk head and having an interlocking engagement therewith.

2. A trailic signal'having a casing pro# vided with light penetrable panels, a tubw lar bracket arm for supporting the easing and having mea-ns for attachment to a vehi cle, a revoluble signal head mounted Within the casing and having a spindle enclosed by said bracket arm, the signal being provided VWith panels for selective arrangement in registration with the panels of the casing,"a disk having a radial actuating handle and a hub fitted upon the extremity of said spindle, and a spring-actuated pawl carried by the hub of said disk, that end `oli the bracket arm remote from the casing being provided With teeth with which said pawl engages to maintain the angular position of the splndle after operation by said handle.

In testimony whereof he aixes his signature.

CHARLES `H. PATTERSON.

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