Patent GB-191108811-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Indicating Devices Applicable to Motor Road Vehicles and the like.
Inventor: HUTCHINSON ROBERT HALLER
IPC: B60Q1/34
Filed: 1911-04-08
Granted: 1911-12-07
Abstract: 8811. Hutchinson, R. H. April 8. [Cognate Applications, 9294/11 and 16,291/11.] Motor road vehicle signals; transparency, stencil, and like illuminated signals; indicator or visible signals. -A motor - vehicle ' turning ' signal is normally in operative connexion with the steering-wheel, but it can at will be operated by hand for the purpose of giving a premonitory signal, in which case the connexion with the steering-wheel is automatically re-established when the intended turning-movement is executed. The signal may consist of a pointer 23, Fig. 2, movable over a translucent illuminated plate 24 by oval gears 27, 28 operated by Bowden wires. It may be associated with a brake-operated ' slow-up ' signal comprising a curved stencil plate 10 on a translucent plate 11 covered normally by shutters 13. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the Bowden operating-wires pass round a pulley 46 in a casing 41 bracketed on a sleeve 36 surrounding the steering-pillar. The pulley 46 is normally clutched by a pin 49 to a disk 44 having a pin 45 engaging in a cam-slot in a sleeve 37, 38 carried by the arms 35 of the steering-pillar. The slot is so shaped that only the first part of the movement of the steering-wheel in either direction from its normal position is effective in turning the pulley 46, so that the signal pointer responds rapidly and then remains at a steady deflexion. By pulling-out a spring-depressed handle 51, the pin 49 can be disengaged from the disk 44, and the handle, which is on a lever pivoted at 48 to the pulley 46, can then be moved to signal an intended turn. When the turn is executed the pin 49 re-engages in the hole in the disk 44 and automatic control is reestablished. In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the Bowden wires are engrooved round a plug 53, revoluble in a bracket on the fixed sleeve 36. An arm 54 pivoted on the plug 53 carries a pair of pivoted spring-pressed lugs 60, which normally embrace a pin 62 on the arm 35 of the steering-wheel. When the wheel is turned, the arm 54 and plug 53 follow it, but, as the radius of movement of the pin 62 is greater than that of the lugs 60, the pin eventually escapes from the lugs, so that only the first part of the movement of the wheel is effective in turning the signal. In the return movement the pin 62 trips the first lug it meets and engages the other so as to carry the arm 54 back with it. By means of a handle 57, the arm 54 can be depressed against a spring 56 and turned to give a premonitory signal. Automatic control is re-established as before. In a third arrangement, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a segmental rack 72 carried by the steering-wheel engages a pinion 73 to turn a worm-wheel 78 formed on a dish-shaped member 79, to which the pulley 82 is normally locked by the engagement in a notch 92 of a projection 91 on the hand-lever 84. The handle may be drawn back and turned against springs 89, 90 till a catch 94 engages behind a projection 95, Fig. 9, on the fixed casing 75. A premonitory signal is thus given. When the steering-wheel is turned, a pin 93 on the member 79 depresses and rides past a catch 98 on a plate 96; but on the return movement of the steering-wheel, when the turn has been completed, the pin 93 engaging positively with the catch 98 pulls the plate 96, which rises under guidance of pins 97, 102 in slots 103, 101 and disengages the projections 94, 95, so that the hand-lever 84 and the signal are restored by springs 89, 90 to the normal position. Provisional Specification 8811/11 refers also to the use of pneumatic and electric signals controlled by the steering-gear or by hand, and to means for operating the brake-signal through a quick-action cam.