US3063556A - Signal flare package - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 13, 1962 R. R. GUNDERsoN 3,063,556

SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Filed May ll, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 13, 1962 R. R. GuNDl-:RsoN 3,063,556

SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Filed May 11, 1959 Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,063,556 SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Ralph R. Gunderson, 5520 S. Shore Drive, Chicago, lll. Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,382 8 Claims. (Cl. 2ll6 65) This invention relates to a signal flare package, and more particularly to a holder for carrying a plurality of folded vehicle signal dares of the type generally `disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 2,757,891, issued August 7, l9 56. The flares are carried in highway vehicles for use in time of emergency to warn traic of a dangerous condition or a temporary highway obstruction.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved signalare package which conveniently holds signal `flares when not in use so `as to protect them from damage.

Another object is to provide a holder in which a plurality of signal flares are held together, the base frames of the signal ares cooperating to form the major portion of the structure protecting th-e flares.

A further object is to provide aholder bracket having a latching means which cooperates with a base frame of one of the ilares to secure a number vof the flares and the holder bracket together as a signal unit.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a broken side elevational view, partly in section, of the signal flares secured together on the holder bracket;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken as indicated on line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational View of the structure shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated on line 4 4 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the holder bracket;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken as indicated on line 6 6 of -FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a signal are, shown swung to its upright operative position; and f FIGURE 8 is a `broken fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the flare package showing a modified holder bracket and vlatching means for retaining the ilares in stacked position.

In the embodiment illustrated, as best shown in FIG- URE 7, each of the signal ares is shown having a tray- `like base frame, generally designated lll, and two sets of reflecting lenses 11 which are mounted on a linkage system, generally designated L, secured t-o the base frame t0 permit the lenses to be swun-g from the retracted position within the frame to the upright operative position shown in FIGURE 7. The base frame has a bottom member 12, side walls 13 and end walls 14 which form a protective open top box for the lenses when not in use.

As illustrated in FIGURES l `and 3, the flares may be placed in juxtaposition with the adjacent side walls 13 in a common plane and adjacent end walls 14 in another common plane, in edge-to-edge relation to -form a housing or package unit closed on six sides. When so positioned, the lenses of the flares are enclosed and protected on all sides by the base frames 10. The outer flares are positioned with the 'bottom member of the base frame facing outwardly, thus exposing on all four corners a rubber butt-on 15 upon which the flare may be set when in use.

In order to retain the flares in stacked position, a holder bracket, generally designated 16, is provided which is adapted to cooperatively engage the ares when not in use. The holder bracket 16 is preferably U-shaped in conliguration and includes an elongated base portion 16a ICC and a pair of outwardly extending arms 16b formed in-L tegrally with the opposite ends of the base portion 16a. The base portion 16a may be provided with a pair of spaced holes 17 which may be used to secure the holder bracket to the body of a vehicle in a conventional manner.

Cooperating latching or fastening means are provided at opposite ends of the holder bracket 16 to mutually cooperate with the arms 16b and the stacked base frames 10 so as to retain the are package in assembled relation. As best shown in `FIG. 6, the latching means is preferably formed from a piece of spring steel and has an elongated shank 22 which terminates near its outer 'free end in a crimped lip portion 23. The opposite end of the shank 22 extends through lan aperture 17 in the arm 1Gb and is anchored to the base 16a by a headed rivet 20. Su'lcient play or lost motion is provided between the anchored end of the shank 22 and the rivet 20 so that the shank normally pivots outwardly a limited distance 'away from the arm 16h, except when in the latched position, as shown in FIG. l. In the preferred form of the invention, apertures 18 are provided in each of the arms 16b to accommodate the nose of the lip 23 during latching as will be later explained.

lThe structure -of the present invention is such that the base frames of the signal flares can be stacked or threaded on the bracket arms 161:, and the arms will retain the juxtaposed frames in precise alignment for protection when not in use. To this end, a slot 24 is provided in the 'bottom member 12 of base frames 1b, adjacent each of their end walls 14. Each slot 24 is slightly larger in dimensions than each of the arms 1Gb so that frame 1l) can be impaled on arms 1Gb through slots 24. Slots 24 are in alignment when base frames 10 are in the stacked position. Laterally spaced detents are preferably struck inwardly near the upper edge of each end wall 14, substantially in alignment with opposite edges of each of the slots 24, and act as guides 25 to closely receive the sides or edges of bracket arm 1Gb to prevent binding or twisting 0f the frame members as they are impaled or received on the bracket arms.

In the preferred form of the invention, a latching cutout portion or aperture 26 is provided in each of the end walls 14 of frame 10 for Ycooperating latching engagement with the lip 23, as best seen in FIGURES l and 3. When the signal flares are in their assembled, stacked position, aperture 26 of one of the outermost frames will be positioned adjacent notch 1S on the bracket arm 1Gb. As can best be seen in FIGURE l, to effect latching, the spring shank 22 is swung inwardly toward the end walls of the package, and the latching lip 23 lis sprung upwardly into frictional engagement with the edge of the cut-out portion 26 to hold the stacked frames snugly together on the holder bracket. The notch 18 affords a convenient recess for the inwardly projecting end of the latching lip 23.

The holder bracket illustrated in the accompanying drawings is of a size to receive three flares although one could be formed to accommodate a greater or a lesser number. Ordinarily, three flares are carried by a vehicle in order that one may be placed adjacent the vehicle when stopped on the road, and one at a distance from the vehicle in either direction.

To place the ares in the holder so that they are in a position to protect the lenses against breakage, each are is folded to its retracted position. Spring clips 22 are disengaged from notches 18 in bracket arm 16h and, due to their swingable connections to connecting rivets 20, they will hang loosely a limited distance from the sides of the bracket arm 16b. Each tray-like frame 10 is then impaled on bracket arm 16b through slots 24 in bottom wall 12. Guides 25 on end walls 14 enable the frames to slide onto the bracket arms without binding or twisting. The frames are manually placed side by side with the base of the outer ares facing outwardly. In this manner, the ares are all inside of a housing formed by the' assembled frame members ofthe flares themselves. The outer surface of bottom wall 12 of the innermost are on the bracket will stand on connecting rivets 20, thus positioning subsequently placed ares so that apertures 26 of the outermost flare will be opposite notches 18 on the bracket arms 1Gb. Latch 23 of spring clip 22 is then sprung through aperture 26 of the outermost frame member. The outer flare being locked in this position, securely retains the inner ares mounted on the bracket arms 16h. The lenses are protected against road shock since the frames of the signal ares are held tightly together in this position.

A modication of the preferred embodiment is shown in FiG. 8. The lip portion 123 near the end of the spring shank y122 is considerably longer than in the preferred form of the invention, and the bottom edge of aperture 126 -in the end wall is slightly below the bottom edge of slot 18 in the :bracket arm. Thus when the lip portion 123 is sprung inwardly, it passes through the aperture 126 and frictionally engages the bottom edge of slot 18 to securely retain the signal iiares in their stacked position. In all other ways, the modiiied device performs in the same manner as the preferred form of the invention.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. A signal flare package, comprising: at least a pair of signal ar'es, each having a base frame provided with a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls, said frames being positioned with their side Walls and end walls in edgelto-edge relation respectively to form a housing closed on six sides, each of said bottom walls being provided -with a slot positioned adjacent each ot said end walls for alignment with a corresponding .slot in the adjacent 'base frame, and each of said end walls having 'a pair of guides laterally spaced for substantial alignment with an opposite pair of edges Yot' each of said slots; an elongated bracket provided at each of its opposite ends with an outwardly extending arm having a latching portion near its free end, each of said arms snugly fitting in said slots and between said guide members for retainingalignrnent of said base frames; and a spring latch on each of the opposite ends; of said bracket, said spring latch being swingably mounted and shaped for releasable engagement with said latching portion whereby said engagement `securely maintains said signal flares :in protected position on the bracket.

2. A `signal are package, comprising: at least two signal ares, each having a base trarne provided with a bottom wall, opposed side walls, and opposed end walls provided with cut-out portions, said frames being positioned with their side walls and end walls in edge-to-edge relation respectively to form a housing closed on six sides, each of said bottom walls being provided with a 'slot positioned adjacent each of said end Walls for alignment with a corresponding slot in the adjacent base frame, vand each of said end walls having a pair of guides laterally spaced for substantial alignment with an opposite pair of edges of each of said slots; an elongated bracket, said bracket provided with an outwardly extending arm at each of its opposite ends, Vsaid arms snugly fitting in said slots and between said guide members for retaining alignment of said base frames, the upper portion of each arm being provided with a notch in substantial align- Yment with the cut-out portion Vin the adjacent end wall of the upper base frame, each of said arms being provided with an opening adjacent said elongated bracket; a spring Vlatch swingably fastened near each end of said bracket Vand Iextending through said opening in the Abracket arm, the free end of each of said latches having Ya -lip 'portion extending through its respective cut-out portion into cooperating latching engagement with its notch in the bracket arm for releasably securing said signal are in protected position on the bracket.

3. A `signal flare package, comprising: a pair of signal ares each having a base frame formed by a bottom wall and a peripherally extending protective wall upstanding from the bottom Wall, the base frames having peripherally positioned guide portions adapted for alignment when the base `frames. are juxtaposed with their protective walls in edge-to-edge abutment to form a closed housing; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm adapted to iit within said aligned guide portions to cooperate therewith in aligning the upper and the lower base frames; and a pair of opposed springy latch members on the bracket for yieldably engaging laterally opposed portions of the wall of the upper base frame of the closed housing to hold said base frames snugly together.

4. A signal are package, comprising: a pair of signal ares each having a base trarne provided with a bottom wall and a protective wall opstanding from the bottom wall along substantially the entire periphery thereof, the opposite sides of each of said base lframes having guide portions adapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with their protective walls in edge-to-edge abutment to form a closed housing; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to tit within said aligned guide portions to align the upper and the lower base frames; and a latch member on each of the opposite ends of the bracket for engaging opposite ends of the upper base frame of the housing to retain said base frames snugly together.

5. A signal iiare package, comprising: a pair of signal iiares each having a base frame formed by a bottom wall and a peripherally extending protective wall upstanding from the bottom wall and defining a latching portion, the -base frames having peripherally positioned guide slots adapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with their protective walls in edge-toedge abutment to form a closed housing; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm adapted to pass successively through said aligned guide slots to cooperate therewith in aligning the upper and the lower base frames; and a latch member having a shank portion connected to the bracket and a distal lip portion for engaging the latching portion of the upper base frame of the closed housing, the lip portion being located on the shank portion to be sprung away from the bracket thereby to hold said base frames snugly together.

6. A signal flare package, comprising a pair of signal flares eachV having a base frame provided with a bottom wall and a protective wall upstanding .from the bottom wall along substantially the entire periphery thereof, the opposite sides of each of said base frames having guide slots adapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with their protective walls in edge-to-edge abutment to form a closed housing; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to pass successively through said aligned guide slots to align the upper and the lower base frames; and a latch member on each of the opposite ends of the bracket for engaging opposite ends of the upper base portion of the housing to retain said base frames snugly together.

7. A signal flare package, comprising: a pair of signal ares each having a base frame provided with a bottom wall and opposed side walls, the opposite sides of each of the base frames having guide portions adapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with 'their side walls in edge-to-edge abutment; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to tit within ysaid aligned guide portions to align the upper.

and lower base frames; and a latch member on each of the opposite ends of the bracket for engaging opposite ends of the upper base frame to retain said base frames snugly together.

8. A signal are package, comprising: a pair of signal flares each having a base frame provided with a bottom wall and opposed side walls, the opposite sides of each of said base frames having guide portions adapted for alignment when the -base frames are juxtaposed with their side Walls in edge-to-edge abutment; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to t within said aligned guide portions to align the upper and lower base frames, the free end portion of each of said guide arms being provided with a latching portion; and a latch member on each of the opposite ends of the bracket each movable to a position adjacent and abo-ve a portion of one of the opposite ends of the upper base frame and into engagement with a latching portion on one of the guide arms to retain the base frames snugly together.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,476,009 Suss et al. Dec. 4, 1923 2,525,728 Sauer Oct. 10, 1950 2,763,369 Gunderson Sept. 18, 1956 2,873,082 Gillespie Feb. 10, 1959 2,895,599 Moyer et al. July 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,444 Great Britain 1899

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