DIRECTION INDICATOR AUTOMATIC RETURN DEVICE

• US 3,852,543 A
• Filed: 12/20/1972
• Issued: 12/03/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Masaru Suzuki
• Original Assignee: Masaru Suzuki
• Inventors: Suzuki, Masaru
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/316,821
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.27,61.38
• US Class Current: 200/61.27
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/425 using a latching element for resetting a switching element

Abstract

A direction indicator automatic return device in a motor-vehicle direction indicator, wherein a movable bracket is made of synthetic resin, forms a curved spherical portion which passes round opposite sides of a steering column, and has a pair of cantileverlike ratchet arms, each of which is supported at one end, is separated by a narrow gap and a wider gap from the curved spherical portion, and has in approximately its centre portion an engagement projection which faces one side of the steering column and is brought into a position where it can be engaged by a restoring cam upon left or right turn indication operation.

Claims

1. A direction indicator automatic return device for use in a motor vehicle comprising:

a restoring cam, secured to a steering column in the motor vehicle, having a pair of cam lobes arranged on opposite sides of the steering column;

a main body arranged concentrically around the steering column; and

a movable bracket supported by said main body in concentric relation with the steering column for rotation about said steering column, said movable bracket including a curved peripheral outer portion, a pair of curved, cantilever-like ratchet arms spaced from an inner surface of said outer portion, and flexible holding means for holding said movable bracket into one of a left-turn, right-turn and neutral position, each of said pair having one end secured to said movable bracket to form a first gap between said ratchet arms and said inner surface over substantially the length of said ratchet arms and having a free end separated from said inner surface by a second smaller gap, each said ratchet arms having a triangular engagement portion disposed approximately in a central portion of each said ratchet arms and Said triangular engagement portion having a vertex facing said steering column, wherein, upon rotation of said movable bracket to one of a position indicating a left turn and a right turn, one of said triangular engagement portions comes into the circle of rotation of said cam lobes so that one of said cam lobes engages an oblique side face of said one triangular engagement portion during turning of said steering column such that said free end closes said second smaller gap and contacts said inner surface, thereby forming a centrally flexible beam that enables flexion of said ratchet arm to allow said cam lobe to pass over said triangular engagement portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable bracket is formed of a synthetic resin.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said pair of ratchet arms are disposed on opposite sides of said steering column.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein engagement of one of said cam lobes with said triangular engagement portion of one of said ratchet arms flexes said ratchet arm to a position in which the free end contacts said inner surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein lever means are provided for rotating said movable bracket in the plane of said movable bracket to place said movable bracket into said one of a left-turn, right-turn and neutral position, and said lever means further being pivotally mounted with respect to said movable bracket to move in a direction perpendicular to said plane for activating a head lamp switch mounted on said main body, said head lamp switch being coupled to said lever means through a push rod.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said ratchet arms are flexible.