U.S. patent number 3,569,933 [Application Number 04/854,342] was granted by the patent office on 1971-03-09 for signalling system with indicating means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AMP Incorporated. Invention is credited to Bruce Cameron Longenecker, Charles Edward Reynolds.
United States Patent |
3,569,933 |
Longenecker , et
al. |
March 9, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SIGNALLING SYSTEM WITH INDICATING MEANS
Abstract
A signalling system for use on vehicles indicates the condition
of the lighting system thereof by the use of fiber optic means
extending between the lighting means of the lighting system and
indicating means positioned within the vehicle for observation by
an operator thereof.
Inventors: |
Longenecker; Bruce Cameron
(Harrisburg, PA), Reynolds; Charles Edward (Harrisburg,
PA) |
Assignee: |
AMP Incorporated (Harrisburg,
PA)
|
Family
ID: |
25318425 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/854,342 |
Filed: |
July 29, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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569726 |
Aug 2, 1966 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/458;
340/815.42; 362/212; 385/84; 362/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/4298 (20130101); B60Q 11/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60Q
11/00 (20060101); G02B 6/42 (20060101); B60q
001/00 (); G07b 005/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/67,79,80,85,380
;16/108,109 ;24/(Inquired) ;248/56 ;287/(Inquired),20,23
;240/8.4,8.41,1 (EI)/ ;350/96 ;250/227 ;315/77,129--133 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Habecker; Thomas B.
Assistant Examiner: Leimer; Kenneth N.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 569,726,
filed Aug. 2, 1966, and now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. A signalling system comprising a sealed light source means,
electrical terminal means on the sealed light source means, an area
adjacent the electrical terminal means through which light from the
sealed light source means passes, connector housing means having
electrical connector means therein mateable with the electrical
terminal means, the connector housing means having a passageway
alignable with the area, lens means in the passageway, refection
means for a second light source means, a termination and lens means
mountable in an aperture of the refection means including a lens
member disposed adjacent said second light source means, indicating
means having lens elements therein, fiber optic means extending
between the connector housing means and the termination and lens
means and the indicating means, terminal members secured to ends of
the fiber optic means, and means on the connector housing means,
termination and lens means and the indicating means and members to
secure the terminal members in the connector housing means,
termination and lens means and indicating means at the proper focal
length with respect to the lens means, lens member and lens
elements.
2. A signalling system for the sighting system of an automobile
comprising headlight means, front parking and directional light
means, rear parking and directional light means, said headlight
means including electrical terminal means and an area adjacent
thereto through which light passes from said headlight means,
housing means having electrical connector means therein
electrically engageable with said electrical terminal means, lens
means in said housing means in alignment with said area,
termination mounting means on said front parking and directional
light means and said rear parking and directional light means, lens
member means on said termination mounting means, indicating means
on said automobile and including leans element means, fiber optic
means between said lens means and termination mounting means and
said indicating means, termination means on said fiber optic means,
and means on said termination means and said housing means,
termination mounting means and indicating means to secure ends of
said fiber optic means therein and properly position these ends
focally relative to said lens means, lens member means and lens
element means.
3. A lighting system for vehicles comprising head and tail lights,
each including a casing and light source means in said casing, said
casings of said head lights having electrical terminals thereon
connected to said light source means thereof and an area adjacent
said electrical terminals through which light from the light source
means passes, housing means having connector means for engagement
with said terminal means and a passageway in alignment with said
areas, indicating means on the vehicle spaced form said head and
tail lights, flexible light transmitting members extending between
said head and tail lights and said indicating means, mounting means
in said tail lights adjacent said light source means thereof,
termination means on ends of said flexible light transmitting
members, and means provided by said termination means removably
mateable with said housing means, said mounting means and said
indicating means so that ends of said light transmitting members
receive light from said light source means and transmit the light
to said indicating means.
Description
This invention relates to a signalling system and more particularly
to a signalling system in which fiber optic members are used.
In the field of signalling systems wherein signalling is effected
by means of energization of light bulbs or the like, a source of
supply, conductors, sockets and other equipment such as switches,
relays or the like have to be used in order to operate the
signalling system. Such a signalling system provides many areas
that can cause failure of the signalling system and, therefore,
imporper operation thereof. Faulty switches or relays, burned-out
bulbs and loose connections are among the most prevalent things
that cause improper operation of this type of signalling
system.
An object of the invention is to provide a signalling system to
overcome the disadvantages of the electric signalling systems.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a fiber optic
signalling system to indicate the condition of light means.
A further object of the invention is to provide termination means
for fiber optic members which effectively terminates the fiber
optic members and concentrates light for effective utilization.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of
termination means for fiber optic members which spaces the
light-concentrating means at the proper distance between a light
source and an end of a fiber optic member.
Still another object of the invention is to provide termination
means for fiber optic members that is readily mountable on and
dismountable from a mounting member.
Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction iwth the
drawings in which there are shown and described illustrative
embodiments of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that
these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of
the invention but are given for purposes of illustration in order
that others skilled in the art may fully understa nd the invention
and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in
practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as
may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.
The foregoing and other objects are achieved by a preferred
embodiment of a signalling system comprising a sealed light source
and a light source, electrical terminal means on the sealed light
source, an area adjacent the electrical terminal means through
which light from the sealed light source passes, reflection means
for the light source, connector housing means having electrical
connector means therein matable with the electrical terminal means,
the connector housing means having a passageway alignable with the
area, lens means in the passageway, a termination and lens means
mountable in an aperture of the reflection means including a lens
member disposed adjacent the light source, indicating means having
lens elements therein, fiber optic means extending between the
connector housing means and termination and lens means and the
indicating means, terminal members secured to ends of the fiber
optic means, and means on the connector housing means, termination
and lens means and the indicating means and the terminal members to
secure the terminal members in the connector housing means,
termination and lens means and indicating means at the proper focal
length with respect to the lens means, lens member and lens
elements.
In The Drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the signalling system of
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal member secured onto the
end of fiber optic means;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector housing in which
electrical connectors and the terminal member of FIG. 2 are
secured;
FIG. 4 is an exploded and cross-sectional view taken along lines
4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the parts thereof in an
assembled condition;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an indicating means;
FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned view of a termination and lens
member;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the termination and lens
member of FIG. 8; and
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 9.
The invention will be described in conjunction with an automotive
lighting system; however, it is to be understood that the invention
can be used in conjunction with other lighting systems.
Turning now to FIG. 1, an automotive lighting system is
diagrammatically illustrated including headlights H, front parking
and directional lights FP, backup lights RB and rear park and
directional lights RD. The rear directional lights RD can be a
single light source within the light housing containing backup
lights RB or they can be as illustrated and sequentially operated
to indicate the direction in which the automobile is to turn.
Lens members 1 collect light from headlights H and front parking
and directional lights FP and transmit the collected light via
fiber optic members 2 to lens elements 3. Similarly, lens members 1
transmit light collected from rear backup lights RB and rear park
and directional lights RD via fiber optic members 2 to lens
components 4 disposed in mounting member 5. Lens elements 3 and
mounting member 5 are mounted on the automobile in posibions for
easy observance by an operator of the automobile in order to
readily ascertain the operating conditions of the various light
sources.
Fiber optic members 2 comprise a covering member of compressible or
resilient plastic surrounding fiber optic elements made fron any
suitable combination of light transmitting materials and the number
of fiber optic elements depends upon the amount of light to be
transmitted. The fiber optic members are of the type manfactured by
E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Crofon. The
fiber optic members are flexible so that in bending the fiber optic
members to accommodate a desired situation, the fiber optic
elements move relative to each other, and, if the ends of the fiber
optic members are not properly terminated, the ends of the fiber
optic elements extend outwardly from the ends of the covering
member at an irregular interval thereby resulting in an improper
aligmnent for the ends of the fiber optic elements because they are
most effective when the ends of all the fiber optic elements are
located in the same or substantially the same plane.
FIG. 2 illustrates termination member 6 secured on the end of fiber
optic member 2. Termination member 6 comprises a circular body 7
having outwardly directed ears 8 at one end and locking lances 9
struck out from body 7 proximate the other end. Openings 10 are
disposed in body 7 between ears 8 and lances 9 and these openings
include inwardly directed beveled sections.
The termination members are made in a U-shaped configuration so
that the fiber optic member can be inserted therein and the
termination member is then placed into crimping dies (not shown) to
crimp the termination members onto the fiber optic member. The
termination member is crimped onto the fiber optic member in
accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No.
557,797, filed Jun. 15, 1966, now Pat. No. 3,517,981, so as not to
restrict the transmission characteristics of the fiber optic
member. The inwardly beveled sections of openings 10 penetrate the
covering member so as to securely position the termination member
on the fiber optic member. After the termination member has been
crimped onto the fiber optic member, the portion of the fiber optic
member extending outwardly from the front end of the termination
member is cut off at the front end of the termination member so
that the fiber optic elements are located at the front end of the
termination member.
The termination members are susceptible to mass production by
automatic machinery and are conveniently formed by shaping a sheet
metal blank or strip of a suitalbe material such as, brass or the
like, in successive forming steps. The metal is sufficiently hard
and resilient and has springlike characteristics, yet it is
sufficiently malleable to permit crimping of the termination
members onto fiber optic members to effect an excellent mechanical
connection therewith.
FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate a connector housing 11 of a suitable
dielectric material which comprises openings 12 extending
therethrough to receive electrical connectors of the type disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,951 or the like for engagement with
electrical terminals 13 located on the rear portion of a sealed
beam headlight 14. A sealing nipple 15 is located on sealed beam
headlight 14 within the area delimited by electrical terminals 13.
Sealing nipple 15 is formed during the formation of headlight 14
and light passes therethrough when headlight 14 is energized.
A passageway 16 is located in housing 11 and an annular wall 17 is
located in passageway 16 proximate the outer end thereof. An
opening 18 extends through annualr wall 17 in communication with
passageway 16. An annular groove 19 is disposed in passageway 16
proximate the front end of housing 11 and an annular extension 20
extends outwardly from the front end of housing 11. Lens member 1
has an annular flange 21 matable with annular groove 19 so as to
secure lens member 1 within passageway 16.
As can be discerned, termination member 6 is disposed within
opening 18 of annular wall 17 with ears 8 engaging the rear surface
of wall 17 so as to limit the movement of termination member 6 in
one direction and locking lances 9 engage the forward surface of
wall 17 to limit the direction of movement of the termination
member in the other direction. When inserting termination member 6
within opeining 18, locking lances 9 conveniently move inwardly
during the insertion of the termination member within opening 18
and spring outwardly when they move free of opening 18 to to engage
the forward surface of wall 17 so that ears 8 and lances 9 lock the
termination member in position within connector housing 11. Locking
lances 9 also space the front end of termination member 6 from lens
member 1 so that light which is transmitted through sealing nipple
15 is concentrated on the end of the fiber optic member via the
lens member.
Connector housing 11 is applied to the sealed beam headlight with
electrical terminals 13 electrically mating with the electrical
connectors within housing 11 and sealing nipple 15 being disposed
adjacent lens member 1 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In order to keep
sealing nipple 15 and lens member 1 from getting dirty, a sealing
member 22 in the form of a tubular rubber member or the like is
disposed on annular extension 20 and in engagement with the surface
of sealed beam headlight 14 surrounding sealing nipple 15. FIGS. 6
and 7 illustrate an indicating member 23 to indicate the condition
of headlights H and front parking and directional lights FP on one
side of the automobile. Indicating member 23 can be mounted at any
desirable location for observation by an operator of the
automobile. Indicating member 23 comprises a housing 24 secured to
a mounting member 25 by means of bolts 26. A stepped passageway 27
is located in housing 24 and a terminal holder 28 is disposed in
passageway 27. Terminal holder 28 has passageways 29 disposed
therein similar in configuration to passageway 16 in connector
housing 11 in which termination members 6 terminated on the ends of
fiber optic members 2 are secured. A sealing member 30, preferably
of rubber or the like, is disposed in a recess 31 in the bottom of
housing 24 and includes a flexible boot 32 to sealingly engage
fiber optic members 2. Stepped passageway 27 communicates with an
opening 33. Lens element 3 is located in the forward end of
passageway 27 against an O-ring 34 and is held in position by means
of an annular nut 35. Lens element 3 includes a large lens section
3a and small lens sections 3b which are disposed in alignment with
respective passageways 29. Lens section 3a indicates the condition
of front parking and directional lights FP and lens sections 3b
indicate the condition of the outboard and inboard or top and
bottom headlights.
FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a termination mounting member which
is removably mounted in an aperture 37 of a light housing 38 of
lights FP, RB, and RD. The inside surface of light housing 38
generally has reflective material thereon to serve as a reflector
for light bulb 39. Mounting member 36 comprises a flange section 40
engaging one surface of light housing 38. A stepped section 41 is
located in flange section 40 in which a gasket 42 is disposed in
order to form a seal between flange section 40 and housing 38. A
stepped passageway 43 extends through flange section 40 and
receives therein termination member 6' which is similar to
termination member 6 except that the outer end has a bell mouth 44
which serves as a stop to limit movement of the termination member
in one direction in passageway 43 and to receive therein a sealing
grommet 45 which surrounds fiber optic member 2 and engages the
wall of passageway 43 to form a seal thereat.
Leg members 46 extend outwardly from flange section 40 and lens
member 1 is located at the free ends thereof. Stiffly flexible fins
47 extend outwardly from the sides of leg members 46. Fins 47 have
a triangular configuration and are provided with leading edges 48
and trailing edges 49. Leading edges 48 facilitate the insertion of
mounting member 36 within aperture 37 of light housing 38 and the
engagement of leading edges 48 with the wall of aperture 37 causes
fins 47 to flex inwardly until trailing ed ges 49 are clear of the
aperture and with the fins then returning to their original
unflexed positions so that trailing edges 49 engage the other
surface of housing 38 in order to secure the mounting member in
position on the light housing. If it is desired to remove mounting
member 36 from light housing 38, fins 47 are flexed inwardly by
applying pressure thereto until trailing edges 49 can fit within
aperture 37 whereupon mounting member 36 is withdrawn from the
light housing.
If desired, thrailing edges 49 bay be inclined to accommodate light
housings that have different thicknesses. Also, the trailing edte
of the right-hand fins when viewing each of leg members 46 may be
axially offset with respect to the left-hand trailing edges to
accommodate a wider variety of housing thicknesses.
Leg members 46 are illustrated as being angularly disposed with
respect to flange section 40 and this is to fit in the arcuate part
of the light housing, but it is to be understood that the angular
disposition of leg members 46 with respect to flange section 40
will be such so as to properly position lens member 1 and
termination members 6' with respect to light bulb 39.
As can be discerned, a unique and novel signalling system has been
disclosed to indicate the condition of a lighting system of an
automobile or the like. In addition, novel housing and
termination-mounting members have been disclosed.
It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and
other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be
emphasized that the particular embodiments of the invention, which
are shown and described herein, are intended as merely illustrative
and not as restrictive of the invention.
* * * * *