APPARATUS FOR RETRACTING A RETRACTABLE PROTRUSION

Abstract: Apparatus for retracting a protrusion such as an automobile mascot (1) comprises an assembly (15), on which the protrusion is mounted, pivotally connected (via) upper and lower levers (5) and (13) to a structure like an automobile radiator shell (25). A motor (10) and gearbox (9) are drivably connected to lever (5) and are operative to drive the protrusion (1) through an aperture in the stucture (25) between retracted and erected positions. Microswitches (7, 14 and 15F) control the operation of the motor (10). If the protrusion is subject to a force above a predetermined level, the motor is switched on by microswitch (15F) to retract the protrusion. The motor is switched off by microswitch (14) at the downward limit of its travel and by microswitch (7) at the upper limit of its travel. The motor may be operated by manually operable switch means under the control of a microprocessor which remembers the position of the protrusion.

Description: APPARATUS FOR RETRACTING A RETRACTABLE PROTRUSION The present invention relates to apparatus for retracting a retractable protrusion. It is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to retraction of automobile mascots. One such automobile mascot is described in British Patent Specification No. 1,503,229. Although the arrangement operates satisfactorily, the mascot can be difficult to re-erect after it has been retracted. According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for retracting a retractable protrusion comprising a support for the retractable protrusion, an electric motor, means for pivotally connecting the support to the electric motor whereby to enable the motor to drive the support between a first position in which the protrusion is upright and a second position in which the protrusion is retracted, means actuatable when the protrusion is subjected to a force in its upright position above a predetermined level for completing the supply circuit to the motor and means for breaking that circuit when the protrusion reaches the fully retracted position or the upright position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for connecting the support to the motor comprises levers. Advantageously upper and lower levers are provided. The actuatable means for completing the supply circuit and the means for breaking the supply circuit comprise microswitches. The microswitch for completing the supply circuit is disposed for actuation by a rod connected to the protrusion and spring loaded by a helical spring. When the protrusion is tilted, the rod is moved against the force of the spring and actuates the microswitch. Two microswitches are provided for actuation by upper and lower levers respectively to break the circuit to the motor at the limits of travel of the protrusion. Manually operable switch means are also provided for completing the circuit to the motor. The motor is disposed to drive the .levers through a gearbox. . A microprocessor is provided for controlling operation of the motor in dependence upon the position of the mascot. A member, preferably a security plate, is provided for closing off an aperture through which the protrusion is retracted after retraction. The plate is driven to and from its operative position by a cable and pulley arrangement. Guides are provided for the cable and also for the plate. The pulleys are spring loaded to apply tension to the cable. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of a mascot retraction apparatus with the mascot in the upright position, and Figure 2 shows a view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 and illustrates the movement of that part between upright and retracted positions of the mascot. Referring to Figure 1, an automobile mascot 1 is mounted on a finisher 2 which in turn is mounted in a plinth 3. The plinth is disposed to close off an aperture in the radiator shell 25 of the automobile. The mascot and finisher are mounted on a spring container assembly 15. The assembly 15 comprises a housing 15A, a rod 15B pivotally connected to mascot base and a helical spring 15C constrained to act between the mascot base and a flange (nut) 15D on the rod. A further flange 15E on the rod is positioned adjacent a micro-switch 15F. The assembly 15 is pivotally connected via specially shaped upper and lower levers 5 and 13 to a bracket 8 connected to the bearing plate 18. A motor 10 and associated gearbox 9 are disposed adjacent the bracket 8 and are drivably connected to the pivot of the upper lever 5. A microswitch 7 is mounted adjacent the upper lever 5 when the lever 5 is in its uppermost position. A further microswitch 14 is mounted on a bracket 12, which depends from bracket 8, in a position adjacent the lowermost position of the lower lever 13. The actuation of the microswitches control the operation of the motor 10 and their operation will be described later. A plinth spring 4 and plinth spring retainer 6 are provided to maintain the plinth in position when the mascot 1 is upright. The retainer's 6 are connected to the upper lever 5. (one on either side of lever to retain spring) . A security plate arrangement is provided to close off the aperture through which the mascot is retracted after retraction. This arrangement comprises a security plate 23 which has a peripheral shape which is substantially the same as that of the plinth 3 which surrounds the mascot 1. This security plate is mounted on a runner plate 21 for movement on runners 22 in guide rails 24. A cable 28 is connected to the security plate 23 and disposed to run between pulleys 20 respectively rotationally mounted on pedestals 19 supported on the bearing plate 18. Guide 27 is provided to guide the cable 28 along its path. A further cable 16 is connected between the assembly 15 and a smaller diameter pulley 29 than pulley 26 mounted coaxially with the pulley 26 adjacent guide 17. The operation of the above described arrangement is as follows. If the mascot 1 is subject to an impact, either accidentally or through an unauthorised attempt to remove it, the resultant movement of the mascot and rod 15B against the spring force of the spring 15C of assembly 15 actuates the microswitch 15F to switch on motor 10 to rotate the levers 5 and 13 through gearbox 9. The levers 5 and 13 assembly 15 and mascot 1 follow the path illustrated in Figure 2 downward movement being terminated by the actuation of microswitch 14 by lower lever 13 which results in motor 10 being switched off. During mascot 1 retraction, the security plate 23 remains in position shown in Figure 1 until cable 16 becomes taut. Cable 16 then pulls pulley 29 against the action of adjacent spring 26 which releases cable 28 from adjacent pulley 20. The spring 26 on the other pulley 20 is at the point under tension and the release of cable from the first mentioned pulley 20 enables the cable and the plate 23 to be pulled across until the plate is disposed to close off the aperture in the radiator shell 25. The mascot is then securely contained within the radiator shell. Provision is made for operating the motor from the automobile cabin. For this purpose a switch (not shown) is provided in the cabin and a microprocessor is provided enabling the position of the mascot to be determined. The switch may be operated to either retract the mascot or erect it from the retracted position. When the cabin switch is actuated the microprocessor remembers the position of the mascot. If the mascot is upright, then the retraction process described above follows. If the mascot is already retracted the motor operates to raise the mascot. On the first small movement of the mascot, cable 16 is released enabling adjacent pulley 26 to turn and pull back plate 23 through cable 28 opening the aperture in the radiator shell for the mascot to pass through. This movement of cable 28 retensions spring 26 on the pulley 20 adjacent the motor ready for the next retraction. When the mascot is driven by the motor from the retracted to the upright position the motor is switched off when the mascot reaches the upright position by microswitch 7 which is actuated by upper lever 5. It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although a single cable 28 is shown extending between pulleys 20, two cables extending to respective pulleys 20 on opposite sides respectively of the plate 23 could be provided instead. The cable or cables could be attached to the runners rather than the plate itself or to any other suitable points. apparatus for retracting a retractable protrusion comprising a support for the retractable protrusion, an electric motor, means for pivotally connecting the support to the electric motor whereby to enable the motor to drive the support between a first position in which the protrusion is upright and a second position in which the protrusion is retracted, means actuatable when the protrusion is subjected to a force in its upright position above a predetermined level for completing the supply circuit to the motor and means for breaking that circuit when the protrusion reaches the fully retracted position or the upright position.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for retracting a retractable protrusion (1) comprising a support (3) for the retractable protrusion, characterised by an electric motor (10), means (5,13) for pivotally connecting the support (3) to the electric motor (10) whereby to enable the motor (10) to drive the support (3) between a first position in which the protrusion is upright and a second position in which the protrusion is retracted, means actuatable (15F) when the protrusion is subjected to a force in its upright position above a predetermined level for completing the supply circuit to the motor (10) and means for breaking that circuit when the protrusion reaches the fully retracted position or the upright position. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for connecting the support to the motors comprises levers (5 and 13) . 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which there are upper and lower levers (5 and 13) . 4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the actuable means for completing the supply circuit and the means for breaking the supply circuit comprises a switch (15F) . 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the switch (15F) for completing the supply circuit is disposed for actuation by a rod (15B) connected to the protrusion and resiliently loaded. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which a helical spring (15C) provides the resilient loading. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5 or 6, when appendant directly or indirectly to claim 3, in which two switches (7 and 14) are provided for actuation by the upper and lower levers respectively to break the circuit to the motor (10) at the limits of travel of the protrusion (1) . 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5,6 or 7, in which the switches (7,14 and 15F) are micro-switches. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which manually operable switch means are provided for completing the circuit to the motor (10) . 10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4,5,6, and 7 when appendant directly or indirectly to claim 2 or 3, in which the motor (10) is disposed to drive the levers through a gearbox (9) . -lO- 11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a microprocessor is provided for controlling operation of the motor (10) in dependence upon the position of the protrusion (1) . 12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a member (23) is provided for closing off an aperture through which the protrusion (1) is retracted after retraction. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the member (23) is driven to and from its operative position by a cable and pulley arrangement (28, 20) . 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which guides (17, 27) are provided for the cable and the member (23) and the pulleys (20) are spring loaded (26) to apply tension to the cable.

Inventors: BRANTE CHARLOTTE SIMONE, BRANTE, CHARLOTTE, SIMONE
Applicants: BRANTE CHARLOTTE SIMONE, ROLLS ROYCE MOTOR CARS, ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B60R13
IPC codes: B60R13