US2230871A - Turn indicator for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 4, 1941.

A. F. PFINGSTEN TURN INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Jan. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNE 1941- A. F. PFINGSTEN 2,230,871

TURN INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Jan. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NV EN TOR ZZZM ATTORNE Patented Feb. 4,. 1941 2,2Ii 0,87l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE roan summits: Auroiromms v August F.1'ilngsten, Bock Iowa. 3 Application January 12,1938,'Serlal No. 184,572

, 1 Claim.

My invention relatesto a turn indicator. An object of my invention is to provide a turn indicator which is mounted in such a position on the vehicle that it can.- not' fail to be seen from all points. I

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which presents a neat and symmetrical appearance in line. with the presentday design of automobiles.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which is readily seen in strong sunlight or at night. I

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of this type which works smoothly i5 and instantaneously in the operation of suitable switches and the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a turn indicator which is combined with a suitable radio antenna.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character, whichin inoperative or forward position will .not sway due to wind pressure and will remain in fixed position when in such inoperative position.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for efflciently swinging the indicating por-' tions of the apparatus to either side.

, A further object of my invention is to provide a stop signal which functions cooperatively with theindicatorsignalp a c A further object of my invention is to provide a weather resisting indicator which is simple in construction.

vWith theseand other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claim. and illustrated in the 110- companying drawings, in which:

V Figure 1 is a side elevation of the indicator mounted upon the top of a vehicle, 1

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 31s a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view'taken substantially along the linesHofFi gure3,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the the switch,

' (see Figure 2)..

Figure .10'isa modification showing the antenna attachment, and g V Figure 11 is a tic view showing the device explaining its comparative advantages at street intersections. n 5

I have used the character III to indicate generally an automobile top which naturally is at the uppermost part of the vehicle. The princi: pal object of my invention is to position my device on the top of the vehicle on the center there- 10 of and slightly towards the rear. This provides the best location for indicating to drivers, in any position of, the same on other highways or streets, stops or turns.

My invention employs the use of a concave 15 chamber II which is substantially semi-spherical in form and which is attached by means of the rim ii to the top of the vehicle 10. The chamber l I receives at IS a shaft I which extends into the portion l5. Attached to the portion i5 and 2e above the top of the chamber it is a further cover member l6 which includes the arcuate side 7 walls I! which follow substantially the contour of the chamber II and extend downwardly a slight distance thereon. Attached to the memher I6 is the indicating member II which is hollow throughout as shown in Figure 5v and which terminates in the arrow portion IS. The member l8 includes the transparent mica or Celluloid 20 which can be colored red or any other suitable color. The member I 8 is substantially circular throughout its section but at the arrow portion l9 terminates in a flattened formation as at 2| The member 13 extends rearwardly and terminates in a smooth and symmetrical line at 22 with the top member l6 and the arrow formation terminates at 23. Extending forwardly from the chamber II is 'the box like or rectangularmember 24 which extends to the rear and attached' within the member 24 is the red glass window 25. Attached rearwardl'y of the window 25 is the concave reflector 26 to which is attached the socket 11 into which is received the bulb 23. The member 24 includes the forwardly extending sides 23 which extend a substantial distance from the glass' member 25 to provide means for shading the same from the sunlight.

A suitable wire lead 33 is coiled at 3| and passes upwardly through the hollow portion 32 intheshaft II. The wire3llis attachedtothe sockets 33 which are attached to suitable brackets 34 which in turn are attached at the top of the member I3- Electric light bulbs 35 are attached within the sockets :3. Attached to the shaft l4 at 36 is the gear member 3'! which includes the gear teeth 38 which are situated on approximately one-half of the circumference thereof. I

'A furthertransverse member 39 includes a series of teeth 39a adapted to mesh with the teeth 38 and the member 39 is rectangular in shape and terminates in the left hand circular iron plunger 40 and the right hand plunger 4|.

' The plungers 40 and 4| are received within holwithin the tube 52. At'the end of the plunger 53 is located the male slightly tapered extremity 55 which is received within a cavity 56 which is cut out of the member 39. A slight amount of clearance is left between the member 55 and 56. The lower end of the shaft I4 is suitably journalled on the base 48.

The device is controlled by means of the switch 51 which includes the toggle arm 58 having the handle 59. The arm 58 pivots at 68 and extends into the contacting portion 6| which is connected at 62 to the lead 63 which is connected as shown in the circuit of Figure '7. Further contacts 64, 65,66 and 61 are situated in the switch 51. -The various members of the device are connected 'to the battery 68 and the various moving and in the direction shown by the arrow 69 in Figure 4. The plunger 53 is then in its forward position with the member 55 received within the female portion 56. The arrow is thereby locked firmly against relative movement light bulbs 35, the rear stop light bulb 28, and at the same time actuates the small solenoid 5| 1 ment. At the same instant contact is established at 61 which by examination of the diagram will show that the right hand solenoid 45 is actuated. This then throws the plunger 4| into thesolenoid 45 and correspondingly rotates the gear 31 in the direction of the arrow II! which in turn swings the shaft H in the corresponding direction and carries the arrow member l8 around to indicate a left turn. The tapered for mation of the engaging members 55 and 56 pre-- vent jamming of the device and also since the small plunger 53 is of less mass and of a smaller distance from the other parts it will move quicker up the bulbs 35, which actuates the solenoid 5| and which actuates the rear bulb 28. At the same time, through the contact'at 65 the left hand solenoid 44 is actuated and the arrow member |8 will swing in the direction of the arrow II as shown in Figure 4 indicating a right turn.

The coiled wire 3| which leads to the bulbs 35 prevents undue strain on the same due to its helical formation as the arrow member is swung from left to right. It will be seen that upon either left or right turns that the rear bulbs 28 will be lighted which will give a further signaling effect to the driver in the rear although the same is not really necessary during daylight conditions since the arrow 18 will be plainly visible at any point. However, the lighting of the bulb 28 which will be visible through a red or other glass 25 will serve to accentuate the effect of visibility especially. during cloudy days or at night and due to the hooded features of the hood 29 will assist the action during lighter conditions. The lighting of the bulb 28 simultaneously with the operation of the arrow |8 also assists in indicating a turn since the vehicle usually slows down before such turning.

However, as aforesaid for daylight driving conditions, the visibility of the arrow is quite prominent and it can be made of a silver color or any other color readily visible. The Celluloid 28' of the arrow can be made of red color or any other suitable color so that for night driving the indicator is readily visible and even though the same effects are obtained during the day time they will not be necessary although these features would materially assist the visibility in certain cases. The light 28 can also be connected into the circuit with the lead 12 which is actuated by the usual brake contact 13 so that the bulb 28 serves as a stop signal also. Y

After turning, the operator throws the handle 58 to neutral position and due to the. compression of the springs within the solenoid and the resulting mass of the plunger with the momentum imparted thereto will insure that the bar 39 will be. thrown back past the center point and since the plunger 53 is already released the male member 55 thereof will snap into engagement with the female portion 56 thereby locking the arrow in forward or neutral position.

Figure 6 illustrates a modification wherein the arrangement is supported on a bracket 14 which is attached at '15'to the side of a truck or other higher vehicle which may necessitate a side mounting although the principal use of the device is intended for the top of the automobile. The

same manner as previously described.

In referring to the switch as shown in Figures 8 and 9, it will be observed that the contacts are 7 mounted upon an insulating member 16. Figure 11 shows the useof the device at street intersections and-explains the use of the device, showing how it is readily visible from all points where vision are indicated by the arrows 11.

Figure 10 illustrates a slightly modified form of the device which includes an aerial or antenna attachment. Present day vehicles use such antennae for the use of radios and which antennae are usually positioned on the top of the vehicle. The foregoing structure is the same for the turn indicator with the exception, however,- that I attach to the arrow indicator at I8, an insulator 19 which includes the bracket 80, which bracket firmly holds the antennae wire 90. The wire can curve downwardly, at 91 and extends rearwardly to the approximate point 92 where it is connected to an insulator wire lead 93, which passes through a suitable opening in the lower point of the indicator arrow l8 and which in turn passes into the arrow and downwardly through the shaft ll in the same. manner as the wire 30.

The looping of the wire lead as shown prevents moisture from entering into the arrangement sinceit is at a lower point. It will be noted from this construction that the antenna can be mounted directly upon the signaling unit without destroying the eiilciency of the arrangement and that it also provides a desirable and suitable mounting for the aerial. Normally the arrow will be pointing forwardly in the direction of the vehicle as shown in Figure 10 and will be in a normal position and will only be positioned transversely during the turning operation.

any suitable manner.

The ap pearance is also symmetrical with the design of the indicator and connections can be made in 'E'shaft.

It will now be seen that I have provided a turn indicator which indicates a left or right turn or stop, which is mounted in such a position on the vehicle that it can be seen from all points, which has a neat'and symmetrical appearance.

.which can be seen readily in either strong sunlight or at night, which works smoothly and instantly, which can be kept locked in forward position, and which can be manufactured at a reasonable cost. It will be also seen that I have provided a turn indicator which includes a suitable radio antenna connection attached thereto. Other advantages are readily apparent from the description.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claim any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

A turn indicator for automobiles comprising a substantially semi-spherical hollow member, an enclosing covering member adapted to follow the upper contour of said substantially semi-spherical membe an arrow member integrally formed with said covering member, means for rotating said covering member to rotate the arrow to selected position, a shaft attached to said covering memberand rotatable within the upper portion of said semi-spherical member, said arrow member providing a covering at the top of said AUGtl'ST F. PFINGS'I'EN.

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