US1730527A - Stoplight and rear illumination for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

1929; e. F. ROBBl NS 1,73

STOPLIGH'I AND REAR ILLUMINATION FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Jan. 10, 1925 Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES FFICE GUY'F. ROBBINS, OF PORTLAND, OREGON STOPLIGHT AND REAR ILLUMINATION FOR AUTOMOBILES Application filed January 10, 1925. Serial No. 1,570;

My invention relates to stop lights and rear illumination for automobiles, in which a pivotally mounted lens is interposed between the light and a stationarily mounted lens.

The objects of my invention are to furnish a comparatively simple and inexpensive mechanism which will emit rays of different colors as occasion requires, and which can be operated either manually or automatically. Other objects and advantages are to be found in the construction and arrangement of parts as will be described in the specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I attain these objects with the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is an elevation of my combined stop light and rear illuminator.

Fig. 2 is a section through Fig. 1 along the line 2-2.

Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 1 along the line 33.

5 Fig. 4 is a section through Fig. 1 along the line 44.

Fig. 5 is the wiring diagram.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughoutthe several views.

In a cylindrical casing 1, with enclosing end walls 2, is securely mounted the lens 3 of clear .glass. This lens should preferably have the same curvature as the casing, although a plane lens may be used. Rigidly attached to the wall of the casing, opposite this lens, is a reflector 4 of suitable shape to throw the light through the lens 3. In the apex of the reflector 4 are two light bulbs 5 and 6 side by side in either horizontal or vertical direction. Interposed between the lens 3 and the edge of the reflector 4 is another lens 7 preferably of red glass and containing the stop sign 8. The frame 9 in which this lens 7 is set has at each end the arm 10 reaching back to the axis of the easing 1 and rotatably mounted in the ends walls 2 of said casing by means of the pivots 11. Integrally attached to one of said arms 10 is an electromagnetic core :12 adapted to enter a suitably shaped and positioned sole- 7 noid 13 when the latter is energized. The other arm 10 is provided with a pulley 14 which performs the function of a crank. A cable 15 extends from the pulley to the outside of the casing 1 so that the lens 7 can be swung out of the way from a distance without the help of the solenoid. A suitable spring 16 around one of the pivots 11, and hooked at 17 and 18 to the end wall 2 and arm 10 respectively insures thereturn of the red lens 7 to its normal position in front of the reflector 4 as soon as the tension of the cable 15 is relieved or the solenoid 13 ceases to exert magnetic influences on the core 12.

The wiring can best be explained by means of Fig. 5. In order to display the red stop sign 8, the switch 19 is inserted in the circuit between the bulb 5 and the battery 20; this switch is connected with the foot brake of the automobile to close automatically when the foot brake is applied. In the circuit of the bulb 6 are inserted in series the solenoid 13 and the switch 21; this switch should be mounted on the instrument board and operated manually. Upon closing of this switch 21 the core 12 is drawn into the solenoid 13, the red lens 7 is swung out of the wayinto the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, and a ray'of white light illuminates the roadway.

If the driver should happen to use his foot brake, yet desires to illuminate the background momentarily, he may pull at the cable 15, which also will efiect a displacement of the red lens 7. If an extra bright illumination is desired, both switches 19 and 21 maybe closed, so that both bulbs 5 and 6 are lighted while the red lens 7 is out of the way. Having thus described my invention, it will be seen that my objects have been accomplished and, although I have shown the pre ferred form of construction, I reserve to myself the right to make minor changes, providing I do not violate the spirit and prin ciple of my invention. Especially should it be understood that this device is not restricted to automobiles but may be used with boats, trains or even stationarily, in fact, wherever a sending out of rays of different colors is necessary or desirable, and such a use is therefore considered to fall within the scope and purview of my invention.

I claim:

A device of the character described, comprising a cylindrical casing, an arcuate lens stationarily mounted in the wall of the. casing, an arcuate solenoid stationarily affixed within the casing, an arcuate lens oscillating within the casing, and a lens support for the oscillating lens, said lens support being integrally combined with a solenoid core and pivotally mounted at the .axis of the casing, said combined lens support and solenoid core being drawn toward one end of the solenoid when said solenoid is energized, the edge of the lens support resting on the other end of the solenoid when said solenoid is de-energized.

Signed by me at Portland, Oregon, this 5th day of January, 1925.

G. F. ROBBINS.

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