USRE23719E - Automatic signal system fob - Google Patents

Description

Det. 6E, 1953 a. 5. @@mms Re. 235m@ .AUTBSATIG SEGNAEQ SYSTEM FDR BO'MRCRS I Griggul Filed @April Sil, lif

FDI. AIMER Fl i? MEF? i #NVE/V TOR Reuma ocr. s, 1953 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE AUToMA'rrc ls rcavl'llz. srsfrEM Fon e Mo'roaosnsf Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I appears inthe original patent but forms no part olfthis 8 Claims..

reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

Among the objects of the invention is thegprovision on the rear portipn of 'a motor car of visual indicating means for informing the driver of a following vehicle, certain functional conditions existing in the preceding car.

Another object is to automatically indicate by visual signals any change in the manipulation of the manual controls of the motor, accelerator, brake and reverse gear of a motor car., l

A further object is to interpose a vacuum operated switch in the battery circuit operated from l the intake manifold of theinternal combustion motor of the vehiele, so that the battery circuit will be opened when the motor is not operating and misleading signals cannot be made. p

The behavior of automobile drivers, at' the present time of highspeed, and congested traic is unpredictable. The prescribed arm signals are not always given correctly` it at all, nor in time to avoid mishaps. The present invention informs the driver of a following car the running condition of the car ahead by automatic signals actuated by the vehicle controls.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds. In the speciflcation'an'd the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited t this form; because it may be embodied in v modifications within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view from the rear of the multiple signal box attached to the rear portion pf an automobile body in accordance with this y invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the foot and hand controls for the motive mechanism of a motor car having a wiring dia.- gram associated therewith relating to the presentinvention. g

Fig. 3 is a series of diagrammatic views with explanatory legends showing the clor combinations of the various signals under running conditions.

In detail the structure illustrated in the drawings,V Fig. 2, comprises the conventional `floor board I, the foot board 2, andthe dash 3. The accelerator foot pedal 4 is plvoted at 5 to the foot board 2 and has the push rod 5 pivoted thereto and to the throttle control linkage 1 in the usual manner.

The brake pedal 5 is pivoted at 9 to the gearcase oi the motor A and to the brake actuating mechanism III, which may be of any conventional lll 2 form. The hydraulic type shown has the switch actuating accessory II for operating the conventional stop light.

The gearcase I2 has the gear shift lever I3 or any other means for shifting gears. The sliding gear shaft I4 usually projects beyond the gearcase. The source of electric current includes the generator I5 and the battery I6, distributing throughfthe lead wire Il of the distributing circuit grounded at I8. Thus far the mechanism described is conventional in automotive practice 'with variations to meet special conditions.

This invention includes the enclosing case i9, Fig. l, adapted to be mounted on the car body X in any suitable manner where it will be easily visible from the rear of the car. This case I9 has the partitions 2D, 2| that divide it into three compartments 22, 23, 24, see Fig. 2. The front of the case has the cover in which the glass panes 2B, 21, 28 are mounted and which cover their respective compartments with the colors red. yellow and green, or any other contrasting colors respectively.

Each compartment has a light bulb 29, 30, 3|, respectively. These various lights are in subcircuits preferably deriving' their electric current directly from the battery I6 charged by the generator I5 driven by the motor A. The yellow caution light 21 will function continuously while the motor A is running, except when the accelerator 4 is depressed, or the reverse gear is functioning. Current for the caution light 21 flows i'rom the battery I6 over the wire 32, the main switch 33, the wire 34, the normally closed switch 35, the wire 35. through the lamp to the ground wire, and the ground back to the battery i5. The main switch 33 is closed by the collapse of the bellows 38 linked thereto and collapsed by the suction within the motor intake manifold A' to which it is connected by the tube 39. When the motor stops, atmospheric pressure in the manifold permits the bellows 3l to extend andopen the switch 33 as shown.

The green "g0 signal 28 is illuminated and the yellow "caution signal 21 is disconnected when the accelerator 4 is depressed, causing the link 4D to open the switch and close the switch 4I. Current then iiows from the battery over the wire 32, the main switch 33 closed by the motor intake collapsing the bellows 38, then over the wire 34. the switch 4I, the wire 42, the lamp 3l, and back to the battery over the ground Wire 31. When the accelerator 4 is released it opens the switch 4I and closes the switch 35 restoring the yellow caution signal circuit previously described.

When the foot brake 8 is depressed it advances the rod 43 which closes the switch 44. Current then flows from the battery IB over the wire 45, the switch 44, the wire 46, the lamp 29, and back to 'the battery over the ground wire 31. The lamp 29 illuminates the red "stop light 2li, even when the vehicle is coasting down hill with a dead motor and the brakes on, the battery still supplying current to the signal system without the functioning of the generator i5.

When the gearshift lever i3 is thrown into reverse the protruding shaft I4 closes the switch 41 causing current to flow from the battery I0 over the wire y3l?, switch 33, wires 34, 48, the switch 41, wire 49, through the lamp 29 and the ground Wire 31 back to the battery I6, provided the motor is running which closes the vacuum switch 33, as described.

It ispreierable to combine the usual brake red "stop signal circuit with the present brake switch 44 so that the stop signal will operate even when the car' is standing still with a dead motor. This will give warning behind that the car ahead is occupied and may be operated.

Only the foot accelerator control 4 has been illustrated, but the hand throttle control, if any, is usually connected with the linkage beyond the crank 1, so that the results described in the operation of the accelerator 4, also follow manipulation of the hand throttle control, not shown.

For simplicity and clarity the electric switches in the various circuits have been symbolically indcated in the wiring diagram. There are numerous types of switches in the automotive art available for adapting this invention to the various types of motor cars in accordance with the underwriters requirements for enclosed switches.

To accentuate the functioning of the reverse and caution signals 26, 21, the flashers 50 and 5i are interposed in these respective circuits.

Having fully described this invention and its mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion motor, a motor accelerator, and a vehicle brake and a gear shift lever and an electric circuit with a sounce of electric power and a main switch therein; a collapsible bellows having a single chamber connected with the suction ln the intake manifold of said engine and mechanically linked to said main switch for closing said switch when said motor starts and collapses said bellows and opening said switch when said motor stops; a go signal on said vehicle in a sub-circuit in said signal circuit and having a switch therein opened and closed by said accelerator; a caution signal on said vehicle in a subcircuit in said signal circuit and having a switch therein opened and closed by said accelerator and so arranged that said caution" signal switch is opened when said go sig'nal switch is closed; and a stop signal on said vehicle and included in a brake sub-circuit and a gear shift sub-circuit in said signal circuit with vindependent "stop switches in said brake and gear shift sub-circuits, one of said "stop switches being opened and closed by said brake lever and the other opened and closed by said gear shift lever, independently or lin unison.

2. In a tragic signaling control system for motor vehicles operable only when the internal combustion engine is running, comprising a circuit for said signaling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit, u diaphragm connected to the engine intake manifold for actuating said switch which closes said switch in response to the starting and running of said engine and which opens the switch when the engine is stopped, a yellow caution signal energized by the closing of said switch, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the accelerator for deenergizing said yellow caution signal and energizing a green signal indicating forward motion of the vehicle, and a green forward motion signal energized by the closing of 'said second switch, said yellow caution signal being re-energized and the green signal dez-energized upon removal of pressure on the accelerator.

3. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having a geur shift, an accelerator and a foot brake operable only when the internal combustion engine thereo) is running, comprising a circuit for said signaling system, four signuls for visually indicating reverse, stop, caution and accelerating in said circuit, a normally open vacuum switch for closing said circuit, a diaphrugmy connected with the engine intake manifold for automatically closing said switch in response to the starting and running of said internal combustion engine immediately energizing the caution signal, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to deenergize the caution signal and energize the accelerating signal, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the foot ybrake energizing the stop signal, a fourth switch in said circuit operable by placing the gear shift in reverse, and a flasher in said circuit operable when said fourth switch. is closed.

4. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator und u foot brake, comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signaling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable only when said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by the pressure drop in the intake manifold, u diaphragm connected with the engine intake manifold for actuating said switch, a visual caution signal Venergized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a flasher energized when said caution signal is energized, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to cle-energize the visual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, and a visual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said second switch.

5. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake, comprising in combination, an electrical circuit ,for said signaling system, a. normally open switch for closing said circuit operable only when said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by the pressure drop in the intake manifold, u diaphragm connected with the engine intake manifold for actuating said switch, a visual caution signal energized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to de-energize the visual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, a visual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said second switch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the foot brake, and a visual stop signal operable in response to the closing of said third switch.

6. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake, comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signaling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable only when said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by the pressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated member for actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the intake manifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member, means connecting said 'member and said switch to close the switch when a pressure drop occurs in the manifold, a visual caution signal energized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to die-energize the visual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, a visual accelerating signal energized by the clos ing of said second switch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the foot brake, a visual stop signal ofperable in response to the closing of said third switch, and a fourth switch in said circuit operable and closed only in reverse gear to energize the visual stop signal either alone or in conjunction with the visual caution signal when the vehicle is in rearward motion.

7. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake, comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signaling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable only when said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by the pressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated member for actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the intake manifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member, means connesting said member and said switch to close the switch when a pressure drop occurs in the maniltold, a visual caution signal energized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to :le-energize the visual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, avisual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said second switch, a third switch on an independent circuit having no relation to the running of the engine, operable by pressure on the foot' brake but adapted for simultaneous opera tion with said first mentioned circuit and its signals, and a visual stop signal operable in response to the closing of said third switch.

8. An automatic signalling system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake, comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signalling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable only when said internal combustion` engine is running and being closed by the pressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated member for actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the engine intake manifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member, means connecting said member and said switch to close the switch when a pressure drop occurs in the manifold, a visual caution signal energized immediately uipon the closing of said switch, a flasher in said circuit energized when said caution signal is energized. a second switch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the Iaccelerator to decnergize the visual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, a visual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said second switch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the foot brake, a visual stop signal operable in response to the closing of said third switch, and a fourth switch in said circuit operable and closed only in reverse gear to energize the visual stop signal either alone or in conjunction with the visual caution signal when the vehicle is in rearward motion, and a second flasher in said circuit energized when said reverse signal is energized.

ROBERT S. COOMBS.

References Cited in the lc of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,096,069 Seiden Oct. 19, '1937 2,128,769 Finnel. Aug. 30, 1938 2,250,133 Pearce et al. July 22, 1941 2,275,695 Stafford Mar. 16, 1942 2,463,088 Coombs Mar. 1, 1949

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