US1744379A - Light signal - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 21, 1 30. A. w. FISHER- 1,744,319

LIGHT SIGNAL v Filed June 18 1925 Q Q 7J2 INVENTORQ 5 Q-WM,

M ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR W. FISHER, F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNOR TO UNION SWITCH &; SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA LIGHT SIGNAL Application filed June 18, 1925.

My invention relates to light signals, and particularly to signals of the type comprising a units.

I will describe one form of light signal embodying my invention, and one method of constructing the same also embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

I11 the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a View showing, in front elevation, one form of light signal embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views showing, in elevation and in vertical section, respectively, one of the mounting rings of the signal shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 1 showing the relation to the Various parts during assembly of the signal. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, but showing a signal unit in place after the sig nal is assembled.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the signal comprises a supporting plate A of cast aluminum or other suitable material which is here illustrated as circular in shape. Attached to this supporting plate, in spaced relation about its edge are a plurality of light projecting signal units, here illustrated as eight in number and each designated in general by the reference character B. Each signal unit 13 (see Fig. 5) comprises a flange 2 attached r to the plate A by screws 1 and carrying the usual doublet lens C comprising a front lens 3 and a rear lens 4. The flange 2 also carries a cover 6 of any suitable material. A

source of light, here shown as an electric lamp is supported by flange 2, and located inside the cover 6 and at the focus of the doublet lens C. It follows that when lamp 5 is lighted a beam of substantially parallel rays of light is projected along the optical axis of the signal unit. The lamps 5 of the various plurality of light project-ing signal (Figs. 2 and 3) having a hub Serial No. 38,114.

signal units B may be controlled in any desired manner.

The supporting plate A is mounted in any suitable manner so that the optical axes of the signal units 13 are directed toward the point or points from which the signal indication is to be observed. It will be plain however, that since the beam projected from each signal unit is made up of substantially parallel rays, it is desirable that the optical axes of all the signal units be parallel so that all the signal beams are projected in the same direction. This is necessary to insure that the brightness of all the signal units will be the same when observed from a distance.

To accomplish this adjustment I construct the signal as follows:

The supporting plate A is provided with a hole 7, (see Fig. 1) for each signal unit, into each of which holes I float a mounting ring 8 8 and a face 8 which is finished, by grinding or otherwise, to a true plane.

In assembling, I place a short screw 9 in each of two screw holes 9* in plate A. The mounting rings 8 are all laid on a horizontal surface plate D which has a top face 10 finished to a true plane. A ring 11 of soft material such as felt is placed around the outside of each mounting ring 8. The supporting plate A is then placed over the mounting rings, the heads of the screws 9 being inserted in holes 13 in the ring to insure proper location of the rings. With the parts in this position it will be seen that all of the mounting rings 8 have their finished surfaces 8 in engagement with the top of the plate D, and hence all of these finished surfaces are in the same true plane. A mass of material 12, such as molten lead, which will take a permanent 'set is poured into the space between each mounting ring and the supporting plate A, the felt ring 11 preventing the escape of this material. When the lead freezes or sets the rings 8 are all rigidly attached to the supporting plate A, and of course all have their finished faces in the same true plane. The studs 9 and the felt rings 11 are then removed.

The inside surface 2 of the flange 2 of each signal unit B is finished to a true plane, and the parts of each unit are so arranged that the optical axis of the signal is perpendicular to this surface. lVhen the signal units are bolted in place by bolts 1 this finished surface of each flange engages the finished face of the associated mounting ring 8,'Wlll'(3l1 insures that the optical axes of allthe signalswill be parallel.

One advantage of my invention is that separate adjustment of each signal unit in assembling the complete signal is unnecessary. One signal unit may be removed; and another bolted on in its place without disturbing the adjustment. of the signal in any way.

Another advantage of my invention 1 is that the large supporting plate "*Aneed' not be accurately finished, thereby eliminating considerable expense and complication in manufacture.

Although I haveherein shown and described only one form of 'light-signal embodying my invention and only one method of constructing such signals also embodying my invention, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope ofthe a-ppended claims without departing from' the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention,'-what I claim is:

1. A light signal comprising-an unfinished supporting plate, a plurality 'ofmounting rings each having a finished face, means for attaehingsaid rings to said plate with said faces all in the same plane, and a plurality of signal units one attached to the finished face of each said mounting ring.

2. A light signal comprising an'unfinished supporting plate having a plurality ofholes, a plurality of mounting rings each comprising a hub and a finished surface, the hub of one of said mounting rings being inserted in each hole in said supporting-plate, means interposed between each mounting ring and said supporting plate for rigidly fastening said rings in such positions thatall said finished surfaces lie in one plane, and a plurality of signal units one attached to'the finished surface of each said mounting ring.

3. A light signal comprising an unfinished supporting plate, two mounting rings each having a finished face, means forattaching said rings to said supporting plate with said faces both in the same plane, two signal units each having a finished surface atapredetermined angle with the optical axis of'the signal, and means for clamping said two signal units against said two mounting rings, respectively, so that the finished snrfaceof ea'ch ARTHUR IV. FISHER.

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