Patent GB-145816-A (GB)
Abstract: 145,816. Fryman, H. Feb. 14, 1919. Road-traffic signals on vehicles; semaphore and pointer signals.-Road-vehicle stopping and turning signals, of the type described in Specification 6456/15, having pointers rotated to the required signalling positions, are operated electrically. Control is effected by a switch arrangement whereby a hooter can be sounded with or without operation of the pointers. The pointer 4 in the form of a casing with an arrow-shaped opening in the cover 9 covered by glass or other transparent material contains a lamp 12 and forwardly inclined white or plated reflector 11. The pointer spindle carries a disk 20 and a pinion 33 engaged by a toothed quadrant 31 pivoted at 35b and counterbalanced by weights 32 which aid in bringing the pointer to the normal vertical position shown. Operating electro-magnets or solenoids 38, 39, 40, 41 are arranged in pairs with common cores 42 as shown. The cores are connected to opposite sides of the quadrant by links 43. Solenoids 39, 40 are energized together to rotate the pointer for a turn to the left. Solenoids 38, 41 act together to rotate the pointer in opposite direction, and are shown as longer than solenoids 39, 40 in order to effect rotation through a greater range to give " right " and " stop " signals. The pointer is locked in each signalling position by a spring-pressed plunger 21 entering one or other of four holes in the disk 20, the plunger forming the core of a solenoid T<1> so that the plunger is withdrawn when the solenoid is energized. The circuits are controlled by the switch arrangement shown in Fig. 9. A hand-wheel 49 has limited sliding movement on the squared end 53<a> of a spindle 53, and is pressed outwards by a spring 53<d> to engage a hooked projection 45 on the wheel in one or other of four slots 52 in the projecting edge of the cover 51 of a casing enclosing the switch mechanism, so that the wheel is normally locked against rotation in each of the four signalling positions. When the wheel is pressed in to disengage the member 45, a contact 44 carried by the wheel engages an annular fixed contact 67, closing the hooter circuit. A sleeve 69 mounted on the spindle 53 and urged to the right by a spring 74 has cam-slots 72 engaging a pin 71 secured to the spindle. When the spindle is rotated by means of the wheel 49, the sleeve undergoes a limited sliding movement and a contact arm 69a carried by the sleeve engages one or other of two interrupted ring contacts 57, 60 mounted on fixed insulating-disks spaced apart one on each side of the arm. The circuit of the solenoid T<1> is thus closed, and also the circuit of one or other of the pairs of solenoids 38 - - 41. The direction of movement of the sleeve 69 depends on the direction of rotation of the spindle 53. When the hand-wheel is locked in the position shown, the arm 69<a> is midway between, and clear of, contacts 57, 60. When a spindle 53 is rotated in one direction, the pin 71 rides up the cam-surface, forcing the sleeve 69 to the left. When rotated in the other direction, the pin moves down the cam-surface and the spring 74 urges the sleeve 69 to the right. To ensure that the sleeve 69 shall be held against rotation until the required sliding movement has been made stops 56<a> are provided. When the sleeve has made the required sliding movement it clears the stop and then partakes in the rotation of the spindle 53. A contact arm 70 rotating with the spindle 53 engages one of three contacts 61 shortcircuiting the solenoid T<1> in time to allow the spring-pressed plunger 21 to bear against the disk 20 ready to enter the next hole in the disk when the pointer comes to the next signalling position. In place of the quadrant 31 a rack, chain, or other operating-means may be used. According to the Provisional Specification, the sounding of the hooter to call attention to movement of the pointer is effected by a contact on the pointer spindle engaging suitably placed fixed contacts, and a separate switch is provided for independent operation of the hooter.