US3005381A - Signal device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 1961 F. RElNHOLDT 3,

SIGNAL DEVICE (MAGNETIC HANDLE) Filed Oct. 18. 1957 50 83 5o FREDRIQH REINHOLDT ATTORNEYS 3,005,381 SIGNAL DEVICE (MAGNETIC HANDLE) Friedrich Reinholdh -College Point,N.

'(7 Oakdrive Ave., Clifl'side, N .J.) Filed Oct. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 691,090 1 Claim. (Cl. 88'-80) The flashing of rear lights on a car for example is not suflicient and is wasteful because of undue strain on the car battery. Furthermore, oncoming motorists either do not see such warning lights or completely disregard such signals.

With the above in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand or like-operated luminous warning device whereby a danger, or caution signal is given to prevent accidents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, self-luminous magnetic signalling device which can be used at any time usually after dusk to ward oif .any possible accidents onthe highways or in any other area where there is danger of collisions, or passing through areas that are marked as off limits for the protection or safety of people and/ or a community.

Still another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a self-luminous, instantaneously usuable, portable, magnetic, reflecting warning device which has a luminous handle of suitable size and shape and can be magnetically attached to the car or a metal support, and an extension therefrom which has one or both sides adapted to reflect light to act as a warning signal to oncoming, usually night motorists or drivers.

One further object of the present invention is to provide a portable, magnetic handle with reflecting means extending therefrom for use as a warning device.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the metal member adapted to support the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perpendicular position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing two reflector lenses combined together.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmental sectional view of still another embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals, refer to like parts throughout, it will be noted that I provide a warning device 10 containing a handle 11 made of any suitable material such as of metal, wood, plastic and the like. One side 12 of said handle 11 is preferably colored red and is self-luminous by the use of red phosphorescent paint or the like so that when light shines on it, such side of the handle becomes luminescent and can be readily seen or noticed by anyone approaching States Patent 0 said device. The other side 13 of the handle is preferably of a luminescent green or amber color. In the lower or bottom portion of said handle 11, there is housed a magnet 11a which is retained in said handle by holding means 11b. Said magnet is sufliciently powerful to hold said device in extended position when the device is attached to a metal body such as of a car or automobile.

There is provided a circular or disk like extending recessed or pocket portion 14 having on its'side 16 extending from the central plane of'the handle a peripheral outwardly extending flange or rim 15 containing at regular intervals'a plurality of slits 16 soas to form sections or a split ring for snugly accommodating therein against the extension a red or warning reflector lens 17 of any suitable size, material shape and thickness. d v

It is to be noted that the lens 17 to be used may be of the same color as the side 11 of the handle. Said lens may be readily inserted by pressing the same against the upper, inner curved portion 18 of the flange 15, which will yield or spread outwardly on pressure of the lens thereag'ainst' andwhen the lens is set said sections of the flange will revert to their normal position. Furthermore, said lens has a peripheral inclined shoulder 19 for contacting said inner, curved portion 18 and forming a fight The other side 13 of the device is also provided with a recessed portion having an annular outwardly extending flange 20 forming a series of splits, which flange accommodates a reflector lens 21 whose color will match the color of the side 13 of the handle 12. Said lens is of the same construction as lens 17, and is set in the same manner as in lens 17.

In FIG. 3 I show how the device is mounted or magnetically attached to a suitable metal base which may be a metal plate resting on the ground or which may be eliminated and the device attached to the side of the body of the car. a

In FIG. 4 it will be noted that the two lenses 17 and 21 are joined together against the backing 14a of the device 100.

In FIG. 5 it will be noted that there is provided a signal or warning device 22 wherein the lens holder or flange 23 has upright walls and forms a housing or collar in which fits a reflector lens 24 of desired color and size. Such lens 24, it will be noted, has a partially curved peripheral edge 25 for accommodating a split, tension ring 26 adapted to hold the lens 24 in position in the holder.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a fragmental sectional view of a reflector lens 27 having a downwardly extending peripheral portion 28 adapted to fit in a seat 29 of the disk portion 30 of the device. The disk portion has a conical shaped threaded portion 30 for connection with a correspondingly threaded annular frame member 31 having an internal radially extending abutment 32 for contacting peripheral portion 28 and holding the lens in position.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the upper portion or extending flange 15 or 20, may have an internally disposed annular formation whereby the reflector means can be readily inserted into the holder without the same slipping out of said holder.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that I provide a manually operable, portable device for use as a warning signal and light reflector which can be used instantaneously in emergencies or by merely magnetically attaching the device to the side of the car or lying the device on a plate in the road as a warning to motorists on any other occasion. For example, in cases of slow downs, or engine failure or flat tires in the use of automobiles, it may be necessary to pull over to one side of the road. There are often times when it is impossible because of obstructions to pull over or off of the driving pavement. Also, ditches and soft shoulders or steep banks or high curves afford no opportunity for the car to be pulled over to one side of the road. Under such condimeantime, a device of the type described herein can be readily "taken fromthe car and used by one Jot. the occupants to warn oncoming traifiethereby. avoiding any accidents. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, I'also provide a-device which is made into. two equal halves which can -be readily welded together forming a unitarywhole.

.Such device maybe carried, inserted into the ground,

if the driver is alone'and has to makerepairs', or leave 'the car to obtain help for repair of the car-Qrtoobtain gasoline. The device furthermore, may be attached to 'any object so as to make thesame noticeable to oncomting trafiicas a warning that there is. dangerahead.

Furthermore, the device may..have more than one reflector for all clear, caution or danger ahead signalling.

' While preferred embodiments ofYthe invention have been disclosed and illustrated it is to be understoodthat m odifications as to form, arrangement of parts. and use of materials may be made without departing from thescope and extent of the invention as claimed.

adapted to be attached to a receptive surface for holding the handle in any desired position thereon, azdisk like extension terminating from the other endofthehandle,

saidvextension having at.1east one circular pocket 'on at -1east-one side thereof, reflecting means'for'said poclret,

said pocket having peripherally arranged, split, inwardly curved means fior holding the reflecting means in position in the pocket, said split means being disposed in a plane adjacent the longitudinal plane of the extension, said split means furthermore being resilient and adapted to yield upon: pressing said reflecting'means againstthe' -inner periphery of the curved" means, topermifthe'insertion of the reflecting means inside rthef'peripherally arranged means against the pocket and permitthe split means to resume their position after the reflecting means has been inserted into, the pocket and pressure has; been: removed R from the reflecting means, and fastening means extending .through the handle and magneticsmeans forsecuringthe magnetic means.and.the.handle.

References Cited in'lthef'file foflthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 528,163 Hitcheock- ..'"Oct-. 30, 1894 0 1 ,641,880 Cohen- Sept} 6, 1927 $005,814 'Walsh June 25, 1935 1 2,153,634 Magarian .-"Apr. 11,1939 2,361,287 Gustin 'Oct:24; 1944 2,413,748 CoIfin Jan.' 7;1947 2,542,894 Blanchard Feb.-"20,'"l951 2,613,104 I Parsons ;"Octl 7;1952 2,627,206 Clark Feb; 3,.1'953 2,690,094 Becker Septi28, I954 2,850,943 'Grinefi Sept} 9; '1958 2,861,501 Strelakos Nov'. 25, 1958 2,898,878 Reinholdt Aug. .11, 1959 FOREIGN ENTS 723,343 :Great-'Britain Feb. 9; 19 55 751,234

Great-Britain -1} 11113627, 1956

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