This invention relates to signal apparatus and more particularly to a combined light projecting device selectively capable of illumination and of motor driven light signal projection.
Figure 1 is a broken side view in elevation.
Figure 2 is a plan sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line
2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a wiring diagram showing the interconnection of the electrical
components.
The electrical connections of the lights, the motor, and the various switches are shown in Figure 3. The ground symbols in Figure 3 denote connection to the metallic frame of the vehicle, as is customary in electrical wiring in automobiles and other mobile vehicles.
When the vehicle is passing along a straight highway, the signal apparatus is preferably
directed straight ahead so that the motor 23 oscillates the light equipped reflector
14 laterally across the highway. In this operation, the motor rotates the shaft
25 andthe eccentric arm 26 moves link 27 backwardly and forwardly,
causing the member 14 to pivot upon pins 16.
When, however, the highway swings to the right or left, or where an intersection is
approached with traffic moving from the right or left, it is desirable to swing casing 10
laterally so that the oscillating device 14 sweeps the road to the right or left well before
the car itself reaches the curve or the intersection. The operator accomplishes this by rotating
handle 42 and therby bevelled gears 40 and 39. This produces a
rotation of tube 31, gears 32 and 33, and the hollow shaft 21
which is fixed to the base 20.
Alternatively, when the need for a signal light is not present, the operator may completely
rotate the casing 10 so as to bring the search light 11 into play upon the road
ahead or upon areas to the right or left of the road. When approaching an intersection, the driver
of the emergency vehicle may prefer to turn the oscillating signal device 14 in the
directionof the cross-road to the right or left wher most of the traffic is approaching, while
simultaneoulsy bringing the search light to play upon the opposite side of the highway. thus, the
operator is able to project the warning light in the necessary direction while providing ample
illumination forthe side of the road opposite and along which it may be desired to turn.
For the greater part of the time, it will be the normal practice to employ only one of the
lights and at times none of the lights. In the case of an emergency, the oscillating lamp structure
14 is set into operation and its ambit of sweep controlled while the spotlight may aalso
utilized under certain circumstances, as already described. Should the light structure be
mounted upon the roof of a squad car, the search or spotlight 11 may be effectively
employed while oscillating lamp 14 is also set into operation to warn traffic following
against sudden stoppage or turning of the car.
