GB2072826A - Visual signalling device for side lights, stop lights, direction indicators and similar, for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A visual signalling device for a motor vehicle comprises a box-shaped body 1 adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle with a cover made of a transparent material adapted to fit on the body. Two lamp holders 8, 9 are located in the body and attached respectively one on one face and one on the other face of a supporting and dividing plate 7. This plate is removably and transversely inserted into a housing formed in the body to divide the latter into two equal parts each for a different signalling function. The plate is additionally capable of fitment in the housing in two positions by rotation of the plate through 180 DEG in order to provide different uses of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Visual signalling device for side lights, stop lights, direction indicators and similar, for motor vehicles This invention concerns a visual signalling device for side lights, stop lights, direction indicators and similar, for motor vehicles, comprising a box-shaped main body in opaque material provided with means for securing onto a motor vehicle, a cover element made of transparent material fitting to said main body by means of screws or similar and onto two lamp holders connected within said main body.

Known signalling devices of this type are designed for precise functions and do not permit the utilization of a single structure for many different uses. In fact, the aforementioned lampholders, in the known types, are permanently fixed onto the bottom of the main body and therefore it is not possible to substitute the lampholders themselves in order to transform, for example, a front signalling device or vice versa.

Moreover, in order to fit them onto a motor vehicle, the known types of signalling devices call for the use of special connecting elements which take into account the inclination of the fastening surfaces on the motor vehicle itself. Thus a number of connecting elements are needed to adapt them to the various types of motor vehicles.

The main aim of this invention is that of eliminating the abovementioned problems relating to known devices, by providing a visual signalling device for motor vehicles which can be adapted for a number of different uses, always using the same basic structure, and which can be fitted directly onto the motor vehicle without the need for intermediate connecting elements. A further important aim of the invention is that of providing a visual signalling device for motor vehicles, with a modular structure in order to form a wide range of units with different functions, all utilizing the same main components, with the possibility of immediate transformation which can also be carried out by inexperienced persons.

These and still further aims which may ensue from the following description are achieved by the visual signalling device for motor vehicles of this invention, comprising a box-shaped main body made of opaque material, provided with means for fitting onto a motor vehicle; a cover element made of transparent material fitting onto said main body by means of screws or similar and onto two lamp holders connected within said main body, such device being characterized by the fact that said two lamp holders are fitted, in opposing directions, respectively onto one side and the other of a supporting and dividing plate removably inserted crosswise into a respective housing in said main body and dividing the latter into two substantially equal portions in relation to two different signalling functions, said plate being insertable in two different positions rotated by 1 800 one with respect to the other, in order to permit different uses of the same signalling device.

According to a further feature of this invention, the bottom wall of said main body presents an angular cross-section determining two external flat surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the wall itself and converging together, such surfaces being suitably sloped as to adhere, either one or the other, to the portion of the vehicle designed to support the device itself.

Further features and advantages of this invention will ensue from the detailed description of a visual signalling device for motor vehicles, illustrated by way of example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a front view of the device; figure 2 shows a lengthwise cross-section along the line Il-Il of fig. 1; figure 3 shows a transversal cross-section along the lines Ill-Ill of figures 1 and 2; figure 4 shows a view in the direction of IV of figure 3; figure 5 shows a perspective view of the assembling detail of the lamp holders.

With reference to these figures, the visual signalling device of this invention comprises a box-shaped main body 1 made of opaque plastic with a substantially rectangular-shaped front extending horizontally, and a cover element 2 made of transparent plastic, fitted onto the main body 1 by means of screws 3.

The cover element 2 is divided into two differently coloured identical and symmetrical portions 2a and 2b. Various colour conbinations are provided according to the different uses. Thus a set of three elements 2 can be provided with the following characteristics: - portion 2a made of orange-coloured transparent material for front direction indicator and portion 2b made of colourless transparent material for side lights; - portion 2a made of orange-coloured transparent material for rear direction indicator and portion 2b made of red transparent material for combined tail and stop lights.

- portions 2a and 2b as in the previous case with the addition of a central reflector 2c, as shown by the dotted lines in fig. 1. The rim of the body 1 presents a groove into which is inserted an elastic seal 4, whereas the bottom wall of said body presents an angular cross-section so as to form two flat strips 1 a and 1 b extending horizontally along the entire length of the device and converging together. In the illustrated example, the angle formed by the two strips 1 a and 1 b is slightly wider than a right angle and the strip 1 a is slightly larger in width than the strip 1 b (fig. 3). Two differently inclined external surfaces are thus formed, in order to adhere, either one or the other, to the portion of the motor vehicle designed to support the device.

If the device is to be fitted onto the motor vehicle by means of the strip 1 a, the latter is provided with the clamping screws 5 and with the fairlead 6 to permit the passage of the electric wires (figures 3, 4, 5).

If, on the contrary, the device is to be fitted onto the motor vehicle by means of the other strip 1 b, the clamping screws and the fairlead will be fixed to the latter strip, as shown in dotted lines, by 5a and 6a, in fig. 3.

An opaque plastic plate is provided to support the lamp holders, which is placed crosswise on the central part of the device, such plate also having the function of a separator for dividing the internal cavity of the device into two identical symmetrical portions, designed for different signalling purposes.

More precisely, the two lamp holders 8 and 9, which may be of different kinds, are fixed in opposing directions, one on one face and the other on the other face of the plate 7, so that they result arranged on the same orthogonal axis as the plate itself; the latter is inserted removably into the body 1, the two internal opposing horizontal surfaces of said body being provided with transversal guides 10 within which opposing portions of the edge of the plate inserted transversally are made to slide.

It is foreseen that the plate 7 may be inserted into the abovementioned guides 10 in two different positions rotated by 1800, one with respect to the other, in such a way that the positions of the two lamp holders 8 and 9 may be immediately exchanged by means of simply inverting the plate itself.

After arranging the plate 7 in the guides 10, the transparent element 2 is then applied, which fits onto the external edge of the plate itself so as to hold it securely in the device.

In order to prevent incorrect insertion, the external edge of the plate 7 is provided, off-centre, with a notch 11 (figures 3 and 5) which engages with a corresponding tooth 12 (figure 3) situated internally on the element 2. Therefore it is impossible to put the element 2 on upside down, unless the plate 7 is also upside down. Two reflectors 13 and 14 secured, by means of screws, to correspond internal protrusions integral with the body 1, are provided in the vicinity of the two lamps. The functioning and the use of the device of this invention will appear evident from the above description.

In virtue of the sloped surfaces 1 a and 1 b on the bottom of the body 1, the device may be applied directly onto the surfaces, with various degrees of angulation, of motor vehicles of any type whatsoever.

In order to change from a right light to a left light or vice versa, it is sufficient to apply the transparent element 2 rotated by 1 800 and at the same time to invert by 1800 the position of the plate 7.

Morevoer, by changing the transparent part and fitting the plate 7 each time with the appropriate lamp holders, it is possible, still using the same basic elements, to create front lights or rear lights, indifferently.

As it can be seen, with the device of this invention it is possible to easily and rapidly vary the characteristics called for in relation to the desired application, and always using the same basic components, which makes it much more convenient to use and inexpensive to manufacture, store and transport, with respect to known systems.

Claims (11)

1. A visual signalling device for a motor vehicie, comprising a box-shaped main body adapted for securement to a motor vehicle; a cover element made of transparent material detachably fitted on the main body; and two lamp holders located in the main body and attached respectively one on one face and one on the other face of a supporting and dividing plate which is removably inserted in a housing in said main body and which divides the latter into two substantially equal portions relating to two different signalling functions, said plate being adapted to be fitted in two positions in the housing by rotation through 1 800 in order to vary the use of the signalling device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , in which one wall of said main body presents an angular crosssection defining two external flat surfaces which extend along the length of the said wall and converge together, said surfaces being suitably sloped so that either one or the other can be attached directly to a portion of a vehicle designed to support the device.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said main body and said cover element present a substantially rectangular profile, said cover element being divided into two equal and symmetrical portions in different colours and being attachable to said body in two different positions by rotation 1800.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which said two sloping surfaces together form an angle of approximately 900, one of said surfaces having a greater width than that of the other.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5 in which clamping screws and a fairlead are provided fixable either to one or to the other of said sloping surface.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the housing for the plate is defined by guides protruding internally from said main body, peripheral portions of the plate being capable of sliding within said guides.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the lamp holders are attached to said plate in opposing directions on the same orthogonal axis as the plate itself.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims Sto 7 in which an external edge of said plate is adapted to be contiguous with the internal surface of said cover element.

9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which an external edge of said plate comprises a off-centre notch which, during assembly, engages with a corresponding tooth formed in the internal surface of said cover element, to prevent incorrect positioning during the assembling.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the cover element is interchangeable with another similar cover element of different colours and/or transparent areas, or with a reflector in order to comprise front or rear signalling light.

11. A visual signalling device for a motor vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.