Patent GB-1233920-A (GB)
IPC: B60Q1/42
Filed: 1968-09-18
Abstract: 1,233,920. Direction indicator switches for road vehicles. ESSEX INTERNATIONAL Inc. 18 Sept., 1968 [18 Sept., 1967], No. 44359/68. Heading G4Q. [Also in Division H1] Vehicle direction signalling apparatus has a support 3, an actuator 6 a reciprocable pawl 43 located in a notch 45 when the actuator is in a neutral position and from which the pawl 43 is withdrawn in response to movement of the actuator 6 from the neutral position towards either one of two operating positions, means 54, 55 in the path of movement of the pawl out of the notch operable to interrupt movement of the actuator to the operating position so that the actuator 6 may occupy an intermediate position 54, 55 and contacts 22-27 and 32-37 (Fig. 8) are engageable in response to movement of the actuator 6 to either the intermediate position 54, 55 or to either one of the operating positions 52, 53 to operate a direction signalling device 11-14. As shown (Figs. 1 and 4) pivoting movement of actuator 6 about pivot pin 8 by lever 9 moves the carrier 29 rectilinearly within a cavity 5 by a pin and slot arrangement 41, 40. The actuator 6 and carrier 29 are mounted on a plastics support 3 e.g. of nylon. The carrier 29 mounts resilient spring contact fingers 32, 33, 34 and 35, 36, 37 (Fig. 8) and co-operates with printed circuit fixed contacts 22-27. The circuit includes left front and rear direction signal lamps 11, 12 and right front and rear direction signal lamps 13, 14. The rear lamps 12 and 14 also operate as stop lamps controlled by brake pedal switch 16. With the direction indicator switch in the neutral position as in Fig. 8 both stop lamps 12, 14 may be continuously lit by closing the brake switch. When the direction indicator is moved angularly to move the carrier 29 and contacts 30, 31 to give the right and left turn signals (Figs. 9 and 10, not shown) the flasher 17 causes the selected turn lamps to be lit. If the brake switch 16 is operated as well the left or right rear lamps will be steadily illuminated while the right or left rear lamps are flashed. Switch construction.-Automatic release of the direction indicator switch from a right or left turn position is effected by a cam 2 on the steering wheel shaft 1 (Fig. 1). The turn switch is latched in the neutral position by pawl 43 biased into a notch 45 by a spring 50. When the lever 9 and actuator 6 are moved clockwise to indicate a right turn signal the pawl 43 engages surface 53 and a finger 65 slides by a pin and slot 66, 67 so that it is nearer the shaft 1. On completing the right turn counter clockwise movement of the steering shaft causes cam 2 to engage the finger 65 and return the actuator 6 and lever 9 to the neutral position. A similar return action occurs due to finger 65a for a left turn. The intermediate positions between the neutral and turn settings are for indicating lane change. Abutments 54 and 55 are provided for these intermediate positions and the latch 42 holds the pawl 43 in engagement with these abutments. Alternatively these intermediate positions may be obtained by including an additional spring (57, Figs. 6 and 7, not shown), within the spring 50 so that the additional spring (57) arrests the actuator 6 in the lane change position. Hazard warning signals or cornering lamps may be provided by additional contacts on the fixed contact carrier 19.