Patent GB-951122-A (GB)
Title: Direction signaling apparatus
Inventor: DRYER PETER JUNIOR
IPC: B60Q1/42
Filed: 1961-03-15
Abstract: 951,122. Mechanical switches, without quick action; switches held set and freed mechanically. BOYNE PRODUCTS Inc. March 15, 1961, No. 9562/61.. Heading H2B. [Also in Division G4] In a direction-signal operating switch (on a road vehicle) of the self-cancelling type (see Division G4), an actuating member which is supported so as to be capable of rotation to operating positions on either side of a neutral position has integral flexible arms at its extremities which can co-operate with cams carried by the steering gear and it also has arms formed integrally therewith and positioned on either side of the axis of rotation for operating switches in said operating positions. A C-shaped supporting plate 5 surrounds the steering shaft 1 and is fixed relative thereto. A shaft 11 (Fig. 3) carrying an operating lever 58 is journalled in plate 5 and is retained therein by a pin 60 which also acts as a limiting device by its co-operation with lugs 7 (see also Fig 1) attached to plate 5. An arcuate nylon moulding 13 contains the switch mechanism and this is covered by an actuating member 52. This is also a nylon moulding and has at each end integral flexible fingers (65) 65a, and integral detent pins 63, 63a and positioned nearer its axis of rotation integral switch operating fingers 57 (and 57a, see Fig. 4). Thus when lever 58 is moved to either side, pin 63 rides out of the recess 19b in a flexible end portion 9 of the switch casing 13 and is retained by a part 19a of the end portion (similarly for pin 63a), at the same time finger 65a, say, is moved into the path of cams 2 carried by steering shaft 1. During return motion of the shaft, cam 2 forces finger 65a against an abutment 68a (also part of member 52a) and the switch is restored to its neutral position. If the switch mechanism is jammed, the resilience of finger 65a is such that cam 2 can ride " under " it without impeding the steering. The switch casing 13 (Fig. 4) is located on plate 5 by pins 12 passing through holes 16 in the casing and has the flexible detent arms 19 (already mentioned) as an extension to its end walls 17, 18. A recess 23 is formed in the casing 13 and this houses two flat, conducting, resilient members 28, 28a. These are pinched between current input terminals 24, 26 and a hub 15 surrounding shaft 11 and their ends are electrically insulated by posts 38, 38a. Insulating blocks 39, 39a are pressed against contacts 44, 45 and 44a, 45a respectively, as shown, by the members 28, 28a which members are in contact (in the neutral position) with contact plates 41 and 41a carried by the blocks. The plates are electrically connected to further plates 42, 42a respectively, which are themselves wiped by contacts 44, 44a. The previously mentioned switch operating fingers 57, 57a project into holes in blocks 39, 39a and consequently these blocks will move in response to movement of lever 58. In a further embodiment, Fig. 8, insulating blocks 87, 88 (corresponding to blocks 39, 39a in Fig. 4) are spring biased against one side of the recess 23 and they have longitudinal slots 43, 43a into which switch actuating members 57, 57a project. Consequently operation of lever 58 (Fig. 1) will now cause the movement of only one of these blocks, the operation of the switch being otherwise the same. Specification 951,123 is referred to.