Patent GB-305062-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to direction and movement indicators for road vehicles
IPC: B60Q1/34
Filed: 1927-10-26
Abstract: 305,062. Jerram, W. A. Oct. 26, 1927. Road-traffic signals on vehicles.- A direction indicator for use on vehicles comprises an electrically illuminated pointer detachably mounted on a vertical axis for movement in a horizontal plane, Bowden wire or other control means for moving the pointer and switch contacts operated by the control means to illuminate the pointer when moved to predetermined angular positions. The movable pointer is arranged in the front of the vehicle and preferably operates in conjunction with stationary pointers mounted at the rear of the vehicle and adapted to be illuminated in accordance with the movement of the front pointer. A third indicator is provided at the rear and is adapted to be illuminated by an operation of the brake. A thermal switch or other means may be included in the lamp circuit to cause the lamps to flicker. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pointer is formed as an arrow 1 with body portions 7, 8 of sheet metal and side portions 11 of translucent material and contains lamps 13, 131 mounted on insulating material, one contact of each lamp being connected to the metal portions and the others to a conducting strip 16. The arrow 1 is removably mounted, as by means of a bayonet joint 6, on a hollow spindle supported in a ball bearing 21 in a casing 2 and carries a ring 22 insulated therefrom by an ebonite bush 23. Within the hollow spindle 5 is arranged an insulating bush 24 containing a contact plunger 26 co-operating with the conducting strip 16 and a spring 25 the lower end of which bears on a screwed pin 27 mounted in a transverse insulating bush 28 and contacting with the ring 22. The lower side of the ring 22 is slotted to engage a lug 30 on a coupling member 29 the reduced part 32 of which is embraced by a forked member 33, Figs. 1 and 4, a dowel pin 34 on the part 32 entering a hole in the member 33. The ends of two Bowden wire cables 37 pass around grooves in the member 33 and are secured thereto by lugs 38 and the rounded end of the member 33 bears on a member 39 integral with a tubular stem 40 held in position on the casing 2 by a boss 41 and screwed cap 43. A segment of insulating material 45 in the casing carries a double spring contact 145 co-operating with the ring 22 and a contact 144 carried by an insulating plug 44 in the stem 40. The opposite ends of the cables 37 are secured to lugs 46 on a pulley 47 keyed to a spindle 48 in a metal bush 49 on the dashboard. A control switch is provided comprising an insulating collar 51 with a contact segment 52 keyed to the spindle 48 adapted to make and break contact between adjacent pairs of brushes 53 mounted on an insulating collar 54. The rear indicator 4 is in the form of a box sign with internal partitions 61 and a stencil or transparency front showing arrows 56, 57 and the word " Brake " or " Stop " adapted to be illuminated by lamps connected by leads 58, 59, 60 to three of the brushes 53. In the wiring diagram Fig. 7, five brushes 53 are shown, the three centre ones being common and connected to the contact 144. The outer two brushes are connected to the leads 58, 59 and the lead 60 may be connected in parallel with each of the leads 58, 59 or to one of the other contacts 53 through an independent switch operated by the brake. The arrow 1 when not required may be replaced by a lamp and holder to serve as a parking lamp and a near red lamp may be connected in circuit with the parking lamp.