Choke position indicating device

A signal device pivotally mounted on the dashboard of a motor vehicle abuts the choke rod in a manner whereby when the choke rod is moved to close the choke it pivots the signal device away from the dashboard. A circuit includes electrical contacts and electrically connects a source of electrical energy and the contacts in circuit. The contacts cooperate to maintain the circuit open and the signal device inoperative when the knob of the choke rod is next-adjacent the dashboard and to close the circuit and actuate the signal device when the knob of the choke rod is moved away from the dashboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a choke position indicating device. More 
particularly, the invention relates to a choke position indicating device 
for indicating the position of a choke rod having a free end and a knob 
thereon extending from a dashboard of a motor vehicle. The choke rod is 
axially movable from a position in which the knob thereof is next-adjacent 
the dashboard wherein the choke is open to a position in which the knob is 
spaced from the dashboard wherein the choke is closed. 
Objects of the invention are to provide a choke position indicating device 
of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture, installed with 
facility and convenience in new and existing motor vehicles, and functions 
efficiently, effectively and reliably to indicate the position of the 
choke of an automotive vehicle, and more specifically to indicate whether 
the choke is open or closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The choke position indicating device of the invention indicates the 
position of a choke rod 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2), having a free end 2 and a knob 
3 thereon, extending from a dashboard 4 of a motor vehicle (FIGS. 1 and 
2). The choke rod 1 is axially movable from a position, shown in FIG. 2, 
in which the knob 3 is substantially next-adjacent the dashboard 4 wherein 
the choke of the engine of the motor vehicle is open, to a position in 
which said knob is spaced from said dashboard, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, 
wherein said choke is closed. 
FIG. 5 shows the device of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, with the knob 
3 spaced from the dashboard 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
The choke position indicating device of the invention comprises a signal 
device 5 having a signal lamp 6. The signal device 5 is pivotally mounted 
on the dashboard 4 by any suitable means, such as, for example, a hinge 7 
(FIGS. 1 and 2), and abuts the choke rod 1 in a manner whereby when said 
choke rod is moved in the direction of an arrow 8 (FIG. 1) or an arrow 9 
(FIG. 2), to close the choke, it pivots said signal device away from the 
dashboard, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
A circuit 10, 11, 12, shown in FIG. 6, includes electrical contacts 13 and 
14 (FIG. 6) contained in the signal device 5 and electrically connects a 
source of electrical energy such as, for example, the battery 15 of the 
motor vehicle, and said contacts in circuit. The contacts 13 and 14 
constitute a suitable arrangement and cooperate to maintain the circuit 
10, 11, 12, 13, 14 open, so that the lamp 6 is extinguished when the knob 
3 of the choke rod 1 is next-adjacent the dashboard 4, as shown in FIG. 2. 
The contacts 13 and 14 cooperate to close the circuit 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 
thereby illuminating the lamp 6, when the knob 3 of the choke rod 1 is 
moved away from the dashboard 4, as shown in FIG. 1. 
The signal device 5 is a type of limit switch and includes a limit switch 
activator button 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The limit switch 5 includes the 
contacts 13 and 14, as hereinbefore mentioned. 
The thermal switch signal circuit of FIG. 4 is an optional modification of 
the choke position indicating device of the invention. It comprises a 
commercially available heat-sensitive device 17 designed to activate a set 
of electrical contacts 18 to a closed, or contacting, position at a 
preselected temperature. The preselected temperature may be adjustable 
over a wide range. 
The circuit of FIG. 4 functions to delay the illumination of the signal 
lamp 6 until the engine of the vehicle has warmed up sufficiently. The 
heat-sensitive device or thermal switch 17 is affixed to a suitable 
location in the engine compartment. The circuit of FIG. 4 thus eliminates 
the necessity for driving with an annoying light on until the choke could 
be opened, and also serves as a reminder to open the choke when the lamp 
is illuminated. 
While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and 
in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious 
modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing 
from the spirit and scope of the invention.