US2035841A - Electric flare signal - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1936. w E, SIGNOR 2,035,841

ELECTRIC FLARE SIGNAL Filed Deo. 27, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l ffy 1.4M 46B ELLE; d

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March 31, 1936. wq E, slGNOR 2,035,841

ELECTRI C FLARE S IGNAL Filed Dec. 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 g Q u i mmm: im

WILLIAM E. SIGNOR lnvznlor March 31, 1936. w E $,GNOR 2,035,841

` ELECTRIC FLARE SIGNAL Filed Dec. 27, 1953 4 sheets-sheet 's mln n WLLlAM E-SIIGHOR lnvcnor March 31, 1936. w. E. SIGNOR 2,035,841

ELECTRIC FLARE SIGNAL Filed Dec. 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

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11 WILUAM .sleon munter www Patented Mar. 3l, 1936 UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE mesne assignments, to Seco Manufacturing Company, Gettysburg, Pa., a corporation ot Pennsylvania Application December 27, 1933, Serial No. 704,152

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of display signals, and more particularly pertains to a flash light signal of the wigwag type that is applicable to animated, vehicle stop lights, railway crossing purposes and portable warning signals of the flare type, or the like heavy duty service.

A primary object is to provide for a simple and reliable motor driven device of this character and one capable of strikingly attracting attention to itself. My wigwag signal may be equipped with a chambered casing to house thereinan actuated oscillatory arm means which carries one or more lightable bulbs that are electrically energized and set into sustained motion whenever it is desired to make the signal operative.

Said light source is adapted to swing behind and successively register with a series of spaced flash transparencies mounted through a casing wall or cover and which display makes for a highly attractive signal that can readily be distinguished at a considerable distance, even during day time hours.

My improvements are further directed to a compact casing of the dustproof type into which all operative mechanism together with the whole of the aforesaid lighted wigwag arm may as a unit, be either bodily inserted or withdrawn in breech loading fashion for inspection, repair or replacement purposes. This retractible principle may be variously modified to meet different signal requirements, its structural aspects being pri marily centered in the use of common carrier or motor prop means arranged to shift all the encased parts in unison.

' As a further refinement, such a device has beenv especially developed-as a warning signal of the motor driven flare type in which the casing as a unit, may be extended to include a split battery ycompartment that houses a source of motor actuating current therein. Under normal service conditions, a unit of this kind may be demountably attached to a bus, truck or other motor driven vehicle to serve as a regular stop signal therefor, but in an emergency involving a perilous detour, bridge washout, landslide, collision wreck ahead, or any like road contingency, my selfcontained signal when needed en route, may be operatively placed and left behind in the middle f the highway to serve as a protective danger signal or stop flare that effectively flags all further oncoming traflic against imminent disaster.

My bodily portable iiare may also be independently carried as a spare unit. It will be evident that a safe emergency signal such as is herein contemplated is required to perform reliably even should it be operatively installed upon a roadway for an extended period. To this end, I preferably resort to the use of duel or twin lamp bulbs. Assuming these to be simultaneously energized by a common battery of adequate life, one such duplicate lamp will remain effective after a burnout or like defect onpart of the other lamp. In addition, my flare is kept sturdy in construction and of ample size to provide for an effective danger signal that is inherently stable and not likely to be run over by oncoming traffic. Such a substantial electric flare offers a dedecided advantage over insignificant iiash lightsor the conventional open fiame type. The latter is likely to prove highly dangerous to passing explosive carrying trucks or gasolene tank cars. especially as regards any trucks ortank cars that during night time, may have become stalled on a through highway.

Further embodied herein is a timed sound emitting device that is cooperatively associated with my flashed wigwag lenses, also other novel structure organized to carry out the end in View, all of which features will hereinafter be more explicitly set forth.

Reference is had to the accompanying four sheets of drawingsv which are illustrative of several alternative arrangements of my invention, and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an elevational side view o! my device as designed for emergency iiare purposes and of which the forward casing wall is-partially broken away to illustrate the use ofA dual lamp bulbs therein.

Fig. 2 is a sectional `view as taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 schematically depicts a wiring diagram associated with the Fig. l embodiment, and Fig. 4 details a special plug switch therefor.

Fig. 3A represents a modification of the Fig. 3 diagram.

Fig. 5 is a top view of a motor driven signal unit, while Figs. 6 to 9 respectively, show certain enlarged armature details pertaining thereto.

Fig. 10 depicts a View similar to Fig. 2 but represents .a modified flare signal design, while Fig. ll is a fragmental view as seen along the parting face of the Fig. l0 casing with the motor unit removed.

Referring in detail to Figs. l and 2, the cul-desac type of split casing here shown, comprises a pair of duplicate or counterpart sections that are preferably die cast of metal and respectively include an integral upright sidewall component 42 of fantail shape. '/IA'hese laterally spaced sidewall components may be transversely bridged by a one piece or a split perimetric wall 4|, of which latter the adjoining edge faces are shown placed in abutting registry to constitute an inclosing crosswall having a parting plane or the like faced surface 44 interposed between the complementary sidewalls.

The arcuate region of each such sidewall is provided with a series or course of inset transparencies 43A, 43B, etc., of the beehive lens type that are preferably arranged around a common center of curvature. The medial parting plane as formed between the separable faces of said sections may be oppositely grooved for the reception of complementary cork, rubber or other soft packing lengths such as l5 which may be disposed as indicated by dotted outline in Fig. 2. Another course of transparencies such as 46A, 46B, etc., are shown in staggered upright relation to the respective sidewall transparencies and disposed about substantially the same center of curvature. All of said similar transparencies or flash lenses dBA, 46B, etc., may be cast of glass as a one piece flanged lensplate. For the reception thereof, said parting plane is correspondingly indented and suitably grooved to receive the packing which cushions the oblong flange of the lensplate to make a watertight joint with respect to the component casing sections. 'Iie screws such as 41 extending through the respective sidewalls, serve to demountably fasten the casing sections.

In order to emphasize the flash effect and also to maintain such effect in the event one of the lamp filaments should burn out, twin electric bulbs such as 48 are here mounted upon a common guide or wigwag arm 49. Said upright lenses 46A, 46B, etc., are preferably disposed in alignment with the major bulb axis and the sidewall lenses arranged in alignment with the minor bulb axis, such that each light is made to send forth a flash effect in three different directions in quadrature relation. The pitch spacing between the twin bulbsis preferably made equal to that of the lens course so as to simultaneously iiash two adjacent transparencies and thereby heighten the display thereof. A safe emergency road flare is required to perform reliably over an extended period in order to meet police regulations recently promulgated in certain of our States. In compliance therewith, a further outstanding advantage afforded by my duplicate wig- Wag bulbs resides in insuring a maintained flagging flash effect should one such lamp bulb fail to function subsequent to leaving the flare signal operatively installed upon a highway.

As regards the lowermost skirt region of my Y duplicate casing sections, these may each be equipt with an interiorly overhanging flat wall or partition component 50 upon which rests the motor unit 5l including its carrier plate 52 as secured to one such wall by the screw fastenings 64. This motor unit embodies the motor improvements disclosed in ,my prior Patent No, 2,002,332 as issued May 2l, 1935. Said carrier plate overlies a central gap between the inturned walls 5D and mounts a depending lamp bulb 53 therethrough that lights the lowermost casing compartment as shown in Fig. 2.

The bottom face of my oblong shaped casing skirt may be made fiat and equipt with a foot flange 54 (see Fig. l). Opposite skirt side faces may respectively be provided with a window opening having a transparent panel 55 removably mounted therebehind, each such panel being preferably slidably entered betweenY suitable skirt grooves 56 which facilitate a selective interchange of differently inscribed panels. Said bottom skirt face is further defined by the casing cross-bar 51 which has overhangingly attached thereto a tubular hinge member 58.

A feature of my flare device resides in providing for a self-contained casing structure including a source of energizing current capable of actuating the motor unit and of supplying the associated electric lamps. To this end, a subbase housing or casing compartment 59 is provided in which to install a supplementary flare battery 60. Said battery may be either of the dry cell or storage type and is intended to afford ample capacity to keep my emergency signal in continuous operation for a reasonable period of time. The bottom plate of said subbase may be extended outwardly to afford an overhanging flange 6I of which the respective corner regions are apertured to constitute lug supporting means, each adapted to have a spikelike stanchion 62 removably entered therein. After beihg dismantled, these stakes may be normally stored within the subbase alongside the battery. When used for emergency flagging purposes, the installed stakes may be set into the middle of a highway to elevate my warning signal thereon in an adequately stabilized relation against being upset by wind forces.

Whenever it is desired to regularly utilize this same device for bus or truck stop signal purposes, my subbase may be equipped with a suitable car` attaching fixture such as the bracket G3. In such practice, my flare device may be carried by a motor vehicle as regular stop light equipment andmade instantly available should any emergency flagging service be needed en route, and when so employed, there is positively no danger from fire hazard. When, as a flare, my improved portable signal is placed ahead of a motor car accident, it prevents fast oncoming cars from colliding with a recent highway wreck that has not as yet, been cleared away. Because of the described quadrature lens disposition, a commanding flash effect will not only be sent forth forwardly and rearwardly along the highway, but a vertically directed flash display is produced in combination therewith, which is particularly effective in foggy weather. However, the installation of all three lens courses in one and the same casing is not an essential feature; if not needed,

some of such coursesV may be blinded or omitted. Additional notice to my iiare signal may also be attracted by the use of an associated electric bell or motor driven horn such for instance as is shown in the Fig. l0 embodiment.

As a further structural detail, opposite top edges of my subbase may be provided with complementary pintle sockets 65 having a pintle 66 removably entered therethrough as in Figs. 1 and 2. By withdrawing one such pintle, the uppermost casing compartment may be tilted about the other pintle to afford access to the flare battery 60 and at the same time readily allows of substituting a different panel 55. Upon removing one section of the split casing, the motor unit 5l may then be bodily dismounted from the other section by loosening the fastener 64. n

ments that are particularly applicable to my flafre signal when carried as regular bus or truck stop In the accompanying wiring responding lead wires such as 18 are shown carried to the double pole switch plug 13 of the circuit shifting type which may be mounted through an appropriate port in the perimetric casing wall 4l. Said plug is preferably provided with an inwardly protruding distance rod 14. Suitable support means may be provided with upstanding knife receiving clips 16 which normally cooperate with the twin plug prongs 11, the latter being shown oppositely disposed alongside of the protruding rod. Said double clips may be wired in circuit with the parallelly connected electromagnetic motive unit and its oscillatory lamp bulb designated L as diagrammatically indiv cated, although a grounded single pole plug switch circuit may likewise be resorted to.

A switch bracket pivotally mounts the knife lever 19 of which its free end is provided with one or more insulated knife contacts such as 80, respectively arranged to be received by the double pole clips 15 whenever the plug prongs 11 are withdrawn therefrom. The tension spring 8| automatically actuates the lever 19 inwardly to follow up the receding distance rod 14. In the aforesaid diagram, the terminals of the supplementary flare battery 60 are separately wired and respectively carried to the complementary knife contacts 80, such that when the motor car storage battery 10 is plug disconnected, this alternative battery 60 thereupon serves as a source of motive current for my portable flare.

In instances where it is preferred to operate with a storage battery as a substitute for the dry cell 6U, the wiring can, by means of similar switch devices as in' Fig. 3A, be modified to have the car generatorG simultane-ously keep both storage batteries charged at all times. Such alternative would-"still allow my signal device to be unobstrudtedly removed as an independently operable flare unit that is ready for immediate emergency upstanding wall member 82 as cast integral with the carrier plate 52. Said wall is provided with a plurality of bosses and mounted flatwise thereagainst, is the laminated, bored eld piece 83 magnetized by the windings S4. The rotating armature 85 is centered in the field bore by a relatively frail shaft 86. A U shaped yoke member 81 supports one end of said armature shaft and the respective yoke legs are-shown attached to the rear face or" the upright 'wall 82. The yoke may be disposed to straddle said field piece; the overhanging intermediate yoke portion is provided with an armature bearing 88, also with a ,pairof insulated. brushxholders such as 89 of which the tubular bushings lie parallel to the armature axis and respectively contain longitudinally yieldable brushes therein.

As regards my improved commutator structure, this has herein been expressly designed to take up end play and to prevent chatter on part of the fast running armature shaft. The present commutator is of the flat disc type and preferably comprises an annular fibre disc or other suitable insulator medium 90 that encompasses and is disposed normal to the axis of the armature shaft. A series of sectorlike commutator segments 9| are secured flatwise against one disc face.

The opposite end of the armature shaft is preferably constructed in accordance with Fig. 9. I have found that the conventional motor pinion drive sets up disturbing gear noises which become magnified because of casing resonance. The present instrumentalities are designed to silence and otherwise eliminate the accompanying distraction on part of motor car occupants.

It will be observed that the aforesaid opposite end of the shaft 86 may extend through the upright wall 82 as shown in Fig. 9; also that such free shaft end is preferably counterbored to receive the shank of an undercut friction drive disc or toothless armature pinion 91 of hardened steel, the overall diameter thereof being kept suficiently small to withdraw freely through the shaft bearing. Extending between said wall 82 and a demountable bearing plate 98, is an idler shaft 99. Supported thereon is an intermediate pinion as provided with an axial extension upon which is fixedly mounted a pair of driven discs |0|, preferably made of phosphor bronze and having a spacer ring |02 therebetween. These thin apertured discs being laterally resilient to a limited extent, are disposed to frictionally grip and rotatably cooperate with the interposed drive disc.$1. The pinion |00 engages a train of reduction gears including a suitable rectifying link |03, which oscillates the arm pinion |04 and thereby actuates the rocker arm 23. The commutator disposition is such that the yieldable brushes automatically adjust themselves without cooking to the end play alignment that may be given to the rotating shaft 86 by the drive disc 91. These detailed armature improvements allow a high speed motor of comparatively small size and weight to be compactly installed within the minimum of casing space. While the accompanying electrical wiring connections have not been defined in detail, these are intended to be of the automatically breakable type that will permit the housed working parts to be freely withdrawn from the casing.

Lastly, reference is made to Figs. 10 and 11 which show a flare signal of modified design in which a motor driven horn of the automotive type is compactly incorporated in my casing wall and made to emit audible signals that supplement the described flash lighting effects and in which the horn timing may be placed under switch control of the movable wigwag arm.

For this particular purpose, it is preferred to resort to an enlarged split casing comprising a pair of counterpart housing sections respectively designated ||0 and that together inclose a chamber having a cross-seciionally stepped culde-sac shape. In thc present instancethe upright transparencies 46A, 46B etc. of Fig. 2 have been dispensed with. The flat parting plane ||2 of the respective similar casing sections may be packed by a gasket and are here provided with a plurality of dowelling elements such as H3,

and secured together by the through bolts H4.

My longitudinally split casing of cul-de-sac shape includes separable complementarysidewalls that may each be cross-sectionally corrugated and given a continuous stepwise profile of which the laterally offset steps are spaced at different distances from the parting plane ||2 to comprise a series of substantially parallel wall components in the manner represented in Fig. 10. The oppositely disposed lens courses are preferably incorporated into the respective closest wall components'so that a single bulb may be utilized to effectively flash the same. The next adjacent sidewall steps or components are kept spread further apart to afford adequate room for mounting my electromagnetic motive unit therebetween. The bulb carrying wigwag arm end is shown extended to reach centrally between said lens mounting wall components.

The depending sidewall portion of each such casing section is flared downwardly in one piece stepped formation to constitute a relatively wide battery compartment adapted to house therein a conventional 6 volt storage battery ||5 or the like, the described sidewall being such that both casing sections may be metal cast from a single set of dieser moulds. The respective upper casing portions that embrace the motor unit H6 therein, may each be provided with a flat, circular wall region One such wall region is shown bored out or otherwise apertured for the reception of a special motor driven horn ||8 which may be centered and demountably attached across the wall bore by screws such as ||9. The innermost face of said horn may be given a conical shape of which the overhanging tip region may be equipped with one or more insulated contact clips such as |20, which switch elements command the flow of current to the horn motor.

'Ihe motor unit I| 6 that actuates the wigwag arm |25, is shown mounted upon a carrier plate |2| which may be arranged to slide freely between the inturned casing guide slots suchl as |22. One transverse plate edge may be provided with' an insulated upturned contact plate 23 that slidably contacts the lead clip |24 as carried by the wigwag arm |25 and conducts energizing current to the lamp bulb |26. Such lead clip may be forked to provide for an extension or complementary switch element |2'| which is brought into cooperative contact with its mated switch element or clip |20 whenever the arm |25 assumes one of its extreme swing positions. While operative, the motor unit ||6 continuously oscillates the rocker arm but the motor driven horn sounds intermittently and only when said rocker approaches an extreme swing position, the horn being then automatically energized in unison with such arm movements. The required wiring changes will be obvious from the Fig. 6 diagram, it being the intent to supply the horn with its current requirements from the battery whenever my device is made to function as an independent flare signal. The mode of operation of such flare will be evident from the foregoing description directed to the Fig. 2 embodiment, it being evident that an inscribed panel such as 55 can readily be incorporated into the other flat wall region of Fig. l0 if desired; also that the latter alternative casing type may be equipped with a course of upright lenses such `as 45B, etc. in a manner identical with the Fig.

2 showing. such lenses having in Fig. 10 been purposely omitted to indicate their non-essential character as applied to a certain style of flare signal.

It is believed that the preceding disclosure makes apparent to those skilled in this art, the resulting advantages afforded by my improved signal devices. It is to be understood that various changes in the illustrative embodiments thereof may be resorted to, all without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention hereinbefore described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chambered split signal casing comprising a pair of laterally spaced 'sidewall components having a split perimetric wall extending thereacross and which respective split wall sections are separable along a parting surface, a course of ashable transparencies mounted-in arcuate formation through one such sidewall, carrier -plate means upheld within the casing confines,

a motor driven unit supported by the carrier plate and which unit includes arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, a rocker arm mounted to oscillate about said pivot means and which arm is' actuated by the motor unit, a lamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm interiorly behind the course of said transparencies and which bulb is guided by the actuated arm into successive registration with said transparencies, and detachable tie means interconnecting the respective casing sections. l

2. A signal casing comprising a pair of later allyspaced sidewall components and a perimetric wall component extending thereacross, a course of fiashable transparencies for one such sidewall of which' the respective transparenciesr are arranged in arcuate formation, a course of mated transparencies for the perimetric wall and which transparencies are similarly disposed in a contiguous relationship with the aforesaid sidewall course, arm pivot means supported in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means, means for actuating the rocker arm, and a'flamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided by the arm lengthwise between said sidewalls into successive registration with the sidewall transparencies to send forth a flash display therethrough, said lamp also s/erving to simultaneously send forth a flash display through the mated course of transparencies located in the perimetric wall.

3. An elongated sectional signal casing that is longitudinally split and comprises a pair of laterally spaced upright sidewall components having an apertured partition member arranged crosswise of said component walls to separate the casing into an upper end compartment and a lower end compartment including a window opening, a course of transparencies located in a sidewall region of the upper end compartment and which transparencies are disposed in arcuate formation, an electromagnetic motive unit mounted upon the partition member over the aperture thereof Vand which unit includes a dependingA means and which arm is actuated by said motive unit, a lamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with the respective sidewall transparencies to send forth a flash display therethrough, an inscribed transparent panel mounted to span said window opening, and another lamp bulb entered into the aforesaid depending socket and which other bulb serves to interiorly illuminate the inscribed panel.

4. In a self-contained portable signal unit, the combination ot a chambered casing provided with a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls each crosssectionally corrugated to include three laterally onset wall components and which components are interconnected in stepped profile formation, the corresponding mated components of the respective sidewalls being spaced apart at progressively increasing distances from eachY other, a course of ashable transparencies for one of the sidewall components lying in closest proximity to its mate and which transparencies are disposed in arcuate arrangement, electromagnetic motive means mounted betweenthe respective medially disposed wall components and which unit includes arm pivot means supported in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate arrangement, a driven rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means and which arm is actuated by the motive unit, an electric bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided bythe arm into successive registration with said course of transparencies to send a flash display therethrough, and a battery housed between the furthermost spaced wall components and which battery is operatively connected by lead wire means to supply energizing current to the motive unit and to the lamp bulb.

5. In a self-contained portable signal, a casing comprising a pair of separable sections that are oppositely positioned about an interposed parting plane and which sections are respectively provided with an upright sidewall and a mated transverse wall member that respectively extend inwardly from the perimetric region of their sidewalls toward the parting plane, each such sidewall being given a cross-sectionally stepped profile to include two adjoined sidewall components respectively lying at a different distance outwardly away from the parting plane and which sidewalls are arranged about said plane in substantially symmetrical relationship, a course of ilashable lenses for one of the innermost sidewall components and which lenses are disposed in arcuate formation, electromagnetic motive means mounted between the respective outermost wall components and which means include arm pivot means supported in approximate axial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, a driven rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means and which arm is actuated by said motive means, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the swinging end region of said arm and which bulb is guided by the arm between the innermost sidewall components into registration with said lenses, securing uniting the respective casing sections, a y compartment located beneath the respec- 'frmost sidewall components, and a batou ld within said compartment and which is operatively connected by lead wire to supply energizing current to the ino- Vans and to il lamp bulb.

` o. A portable dash signal comprising :i cincin-kv bered casing of cross-sectionally cul-de-sac shape provided with a blind end region and a. mouth end region, said shape including a pair of laterally spaced sidewall components of which the respective blind end regions are bridged by a crosswall component, a pair of cooperative lens courses respectively arranged in arcuate formation about a curvature center of which one such course is disposed through one of the sidewall components and thev other course disposed through the crosswall component, an electromagnetic motive unit mounted within the casing connes and which unit includes arm pivot means disposed in approximate axial alignment with the curvature center, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means and which arm is actuated by the motive unit, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with the respective lenses of both such courses, a subbase housing located at the casing mouth region` and a battery within said housing and which battery is operatively connected by lead wire means to furnish energizing current to the motive unit and to the lamp bulb, the structure as a whole constituting a self-contained signal that sends forth a plurality of flash displays in different directions.

7. In a combined signal adapted both for motor vehicle stop purposes and for emergency flare purposes, the combination of a chamber casing of which a wall region is equipped with a course of transparencies disposed in arcuate formation, an electromagnetic motive unit supported Within the casing confines and which unit includes arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means and which arm is actuated by the motive unit, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with said transparencies, a supplementary battery housed within the casing confines, a primary battery carried by the motor vehicle, a wiring circuit normally connecting the primary battery to furnish energizing current to the motive unit and to the bulb, shiftable circuit switch means mounted upon the casing and serving to command said circuit, and a separate secopdary wiring circuit leading from the supplementary battery to said switch, said switch serving to disconnect the primary battery and thereupon automatically throw the supplementary battery into circuit with the motive unit and the bulb.

8. A flash signal of the portable type comprising a chambered casing of which a wall region is equipped with a course of transparencies disposed in arcuate formation, an electromagnetic motive unit supported within the casing confines and which unit includes arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about said pivot means and which arm is actuated by the motive unit, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the` rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with said transparencies, a battery housed within the casing connes, a wiring circuit interconnecting said battery to furnish energizing current to both the motive unit and the bulb, circuit shifting switch means which in one of its shiftable positions commands the aforesaid wiring circuit, and an also placed under the command of said switch and which current source serves as a substitute for the aforesaid battery when .said switch is shifted into another position.

9. A chambered signal casing comprising a wall region` provided with a course of transparencies arranged in arcuate formation, arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with -the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuatel formation, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means, means for actuating with the actuated rocker arm and the other element is xedly disposed relative to said arm to automatically contact said one element when the rocker arm reaches a certain predetermined swing position and thereby intermittently sound saidA horn in unison with successive arm movements.

10. A chambered signal casing comprising a wall region provided with a course of transparencies disposed in arcuate formation, an electromagnetic unit located within the casing confines, arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of the aforesaid arcuate formation, an actuated rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means and which swingable arm is actuated by the motive unit, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with said course of transparencies, an electric motor-actuated sound emitting device mounted upon the casing, complementary switch elements serving to control the sounding of said device, one such element being mounted to move with the actuated rocker arm and the other 'element being xedly disposed relative to the arm and serving to automatically contact said one element when the rocker arm reaches a certain predetermined swing position, and a battery housedwithin the casing confines and which battery'is operatively connected by lead wire means to supply energizing current to the motive unit and to the sound emitting device.

11.A chambered signal casing comprising a wall region provided with a course of lenses arranged in arcuate formation, arm pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of such arcuate formation, a driven rocker arm mounted to turn about the pivot means, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon the driven rocker arm and guided by the arm into successive registration with said course of lenses, a movable switch element mounted upon the driven rocker arm to rotate about the pivot means, an electric horn device including a mated switch element disposed interiorly of the alternative wiring circuit carried through theA casing and including an extraneous current source casing confines in the pathof the movable switch element in make and break relationship, and electromagnetic motive means fori driving the rocker arm and imparting a sustained oscillatory movement thereto, said motive means also serving to automatically bringjthe movable switch element into periodic contactd with its mate and thereby intermittently sound the horn device in unison with the sustained arm movements.

12. In a wigwagv signal, a'chambered casing comprising a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls and a perimetric wall that bridges therespective sidewalls to constitute aV cul-de -sac chamber'shape having a blind end region and an open mouth end region, the respective sidewalls being oppositely corrugated crosswise between theendsthereof to provide for two laterally ofsetjc'omponents for each such sidewall that areinterconnected in stepped profile formation and of which the respective correspondingsidewall components located in proximity to said blind end region are kept spaced apart to a lesser distance than the other corresponding sidewall components, a course of fiashable lenses for each such lesser" distant sidewall component fand which courses are respectively arranged inarcuate formation about a substantially commonaxialtcenter of curvature, electromotive means mounted between the aforesaid other corresponding sidewall components, said means including pivot means disposed in approximate coaxial alignment withsaid center of curvature, a driven rocker arm mounted to lturn aboutthe pivot means and which arm is actuated by said electromotive means, an electric lamp bulb mounted upon a swinging end region of the rocker arm and guided into successive registration with the lenses of both of the aforesaid courses to send forth a flash display therethrough, and means supplying energizing current to the electromotive means and the lamp bulb.

13. A bodily portable road are signal comprising a chambered casing having 'a wall region provided with a course of iiasha'blelenses` arranged abreast in arcuate formation and approximately equally spaced relationship, arm pivot means disposed interiorly of the casing confines in approximate coaxial alignment with the center of curvature of such arcuate formation, a wigwag rocker .arm mounted to turn about the pivot means, a

'pair of lightable lamp bulbs whose respective major axes are radially disposed vand mounted upon one swinging end region of said rocker arm interiorly behind said lenses in spaced apart relationship to approximately correspond with one of the aforesaid equal lens spacings given to said course, motive means for reciprocating the rocker arm about its pivot means, said spaced lamp bulbs being simultaneously guided in unison bythe rocker arm into successive registrationwlth certain of said lenses and serving to maintain the ash thereof in the event one such lamp bulb should fail to light, and battery means also housed within the casing confines and electrically connected to supply energizing current to the motive means and to said bulbs.

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