US3066899A - Reflector device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4, 1962 Filed Dec. 18, 1959 R. R. ROSSI 3,066,899 REFLECTOR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

ROBERT R. ROSSI BY aw, w ORNEY ATT Dec. 4, 1962 oss 3,066,899

REFLECTOR DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wn flll 'inalll f i JIM: MM

v; llllllmu ATTORNEYS United States Fatent @ifrce 3,066,899 Patented Dec. 4, 1962 3,066,899 REFLECTOR DEVICE Robert R. Rossi, Audubon, N.J., assignor to Arrow Safety Device Company, Mount Holly, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 860,565 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-33) This invention relates to reflectors and more particularly to reflector flare devices for use at roadways and similar places to alert approaching vehicles.

In the construction of reflector flare devices it is desirable that the device may be quickly set up on a roadway or similar place in a manner such that it cannot be easily overturned and will retain a position to reflect a signal to approaching vehicles. It is also desirable that the device may be safely shipped or stored in a vehicle so that it takes up a minimum amount of space.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reflector flare device having the above-described features.

Another object of this invention is to construct a reflector flare device of the indicated type with a minimum number of parts which will render it economical to manufacture and facilitate repair.

The above and other objects and featuers of the invention will become apparent from the consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 with a portion thereof cut away and with the parts in a different position; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a reflector carrying member which consists of a pair of plates 12 and 14 secured together as by rivets 16. Member it) has a pair of circular reflector assemblies 18 suitably secured to each of the plates 12 and 14. Reflector assemblies 18 may be red in color to indicate danger and may be of any suitable type.

Means are provided for mounting member 10 on an elongated base 20 comprising a base portion 22 and a pair of opposing sidewall members 24 and 26 extending perpendicular to base portion 22. To this end, a mounting shaft 28 is secured between plates 12 and 14 adjacent one end thereof and extends through a pair of opposing slots 3% and 32 in sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively. A pair of retaining nuts 34 are fastened to the outer ends of shaft 23 which extends to the outer sides of sidewalls 24 and 26 to thereby secure shaft 28 on sidewalls 24 and 26. The outer diameter of shaft 28 is slightly less than the width of slots 3% and 32 whereby shaft 28 is slidable and rotatable therein to permit rotating and sliding movement of member 10.

As is best shown in FIGURE 2, slots 30 and 32 extend longitudinally from a point adjacent one end of base 20 to the medial portion thereof. Slots 30 and 32 have a longitudinally extending portion which inclines as it extends from the outer end to the inner end thereof and a transverse portion 36 which extends perpendicular to base portion 22 at the medial portion of base 20.

Means are provided for securing member 10 in a position normal to base 20. Such means comprises a tab 38 projecting from the mounted end of member 10 and a slot 445 in base portion 22 adapted to receive tab 38. The transverse portions 36 of slots 30 and 32 provide a means by which tab 38 may be inserted downwardly into slot 40 when positioning member 10 into the vertical or extended position as will be hereinafter described.

A pair of supporting studs 42 and 44 are secured to base portion 22 at the ends thereof for firmly positioning base 20 on a roadway as is shown in the drawings. Studs 42 and 44 are preferably made of a resilient material which provides a frictional engagement with the roadway. The inner ends of studs 44 are cone-shaped to present a resilient support for member 10 when it is in the horizon tal or collapsed position shown in FIGURE 3. As shown in this figure, the apex of the cone portion of studs 44 is engageable with member 10 adjacent the free end of plate 14.

When the reflector flare device is shipped or stored in a vehicle, it may be positioned in a collapsed position as shown in FIGURE 3. In this position member 10 extends substantially parallel to base 20 and is supported at its mounted end by means of shaft 28 resting within slots 3% and 32 on sidewalls 24 and 26 and at its free end by engagement of plate 14 with studs 44. By this arrangement, the device takes up a minimum amount of space. Also, the reflector assemblies 18 are protected by sidewalls 24 and 26 which partially enclose the same and by the resilient mounting provided by studs 44.

When its is desired to use the device to indicate a dangerous condition at a roadway or similar place where a reflector would be helpful, the device is moved to the extended position shown in FIGURES l and 2. To place the device in this position, member 10 is moved to the medial portion of base 26 by sliding shaft 28 along the track defined by slots 30 and 32 to the innermost ends thereof and is rotated to a vertical position. Member 10 is then moved transversely of base 20 by sliding shaft 28 into transverse portion 36 while at the same time guiding tab 38 into slot 40. Member 10 is moved transversely until shaft 28 rests on the end of transverse portion 36. The cooperation of tab 38 with slot 40 restricts any rotatable movement of member 10 within slots 34 and 32 and the cooperation of shaft 28 with transverse slot portions 36 restricts any rotation of member 10 within slot 40. It is thus apparent that this looking arrangement firmly secures member 10 in its vertical or extended position. The reflector device may then be placed in a position to provide a reflecting signal without the possibility that the reflector carrying member 10 will be easily moved out of its reflecting position by reason of the locking arrangement and the balanced arrangement of the device.

Although only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be variously embodied and changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A reflector device comprising a reflector carrying member, a support for said member having opposed side walls joined by a base, each of said side walls having a slot therein, means movable within said slots in said side walls for mounting said reflector carrying member on said support, a projection formed on said reflector carrying member, and a third slot defined in said base, said reflector carrying member being movable to a position in which said projection extends within said third slot to lock said reflector carrying member positively against rotative movement in a position extending substantially normal to said base, said reflector carrying member being further movable to a position substantially parallel to said base, said mounting means moving within said slots in said side walls upon movement of said reflector carrying member between said positions thereof, said slots in a said side walls having a longitudinal portion and a portion extending substantially normal to said base and projecting from said longitudinal portion inwardly toward said base at a position insubstantial alignment with said third slot, said mounting means extending Within said normally extending slot portion when said reflector carrying member is in said normal position.

2. Adevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projection comprises a tab on said reflector carrying member and said third slot extends transversely of said base.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising means including said pair of slots and said mounting means for 41 supporting said reflector carrying member in said parallel position to prevent contact thereof with said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,341 Anderson June 29, 1915 2,525,728 Sauer Oct. 10, 1950 2,679,370 Bolser May 25, 1954 2,735,637 Tolbert Feb. 21, 1956 2,757,891 Gunderson Aug. 7, 1956 2,980,375 Gunderson Apr. 18, 1961 2,995,325 Gunderson Aug. 8, 1961

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