Reflector device

Oct. 8, 1935.

Μ. P. LEEDS

REFLECTOR DEVICE

Filed May 2, 1935

2,016,333

Sheets-Sheet 1

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Oct. 8, 1935.

Μ. P. LEEDS

REFLECTOR DEVICE

Filed May 2, 1935

2,016,333

Sheets-Sheet 2

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<img file="US2016333A_D0003.tif" />

ATTORNEY

Patented Oct. 8, 1935

2,016,333

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,016,333

REFLECTOR DEVICE

Myron P. Leeds, Newark, N. J., assignor to Emeloid Company, Arlington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey

Application May 2,

Claims.

This invention relates to novelties and more particularly to a reflector device particularly adapted for use as an auxiliary tail· light or rear signal for motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a re. fleeter device for motor vehicles which is constructed so that it may be manufactured with a minimum number of operations and with a minimum amount of waste material, thereby 13 permitting the production of the articles at low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reflector device which is attractive in appearance, will readily lend itself to advertising dislu play, and one which, while light in weight is strong and durable.

A still further object of the present invention ^ls to provide a bumperette for motor vehicles which has a reflector device of the approved type to forming this invention, embodied therein.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists of various features of construction and combination of parts, which will £5 be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a reflector device embodying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved reflector device,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2—2 of Figure 1,

3.5 Figure 3 is a detail view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the carrying body of the device.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the reflector device.

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the manner of forming a reflector and a confining ring which are utilized in the construction of the reflector device.

Figure 6 is a view of a motor vehicle bumper 45 showing the improved bumperettes applied thereto.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7—7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a front view of a fragment of a 50 bumperette having the reflector and colored plate removed.

Figure 9 is a view of a binder ring employed to bind the reflector and colored plates in the bumperettes.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

1935, Serial No. 19,442 (Cl. 40—135) the improved reflector device comprises the carrying body I which is stamped from a single piece of sheet material and comprises the disc main body 2 and the attaching extension 3. The main body 2 is dished as clearly shown in 3 to π provide _ a central indentation which received therein the reflector 4. Placed against the outer side or surface of the reflector 4 is a transparent disc 5 which preferably is made of red sheet celluloid, although any suitable material of any suitable color may be employed without departmg from the spirit of the present invention.

In Figure 1 of the drawings the transparent disc 5 is shown as having an opaque band 6 extending there across, which opaque band has a^ transparent legend indicated at 7 therein so that the letters, figures, or the like of the legend 7 stand out distinctly and their appearance is enhanced by the reflector 4 which is behind them. It is to be understood that while in Figure 1 of the drawings the name of a city is ²⁰shown as the legend, any suitable wording or indicia or illustration may be placed on the transparent disc 5 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is desirable to have „ the letters of the legend or the characters of ²³an advertisement transparent and defined by suitable opaque outlining or background so as to cause the descriptive or illustrative matter to be brought out more distinctly by the reflector but the invention is not to be limited to this par- ³⁰ticular construction as it may be desirable to make the legend or advertising matter opaque.

The reflector 4 and the transparent disk 5 are held in place, with the reflector in the dished portion of the body 2 and the transparent disc ³⁵in engagement with the annular rim 8 surrounding the dished portion by a confining ring 9.' in the manufacture of the signals or reflector devices the confining ring 9 and the reflector 4 are cut from a single piece of sheet metal which ⁴⁰preferably has one side finished to provide a bright reflecting surface. The reflector is made from the disc which is cut from the center of the ring 9 during the forming of the ring as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings and if it is so ⁴⁵desired, at the time of cutting the reflector disc 4 and the ring 9 from the sheet metal the reflector disc may be pressed to provide the substantially pyramidical depressions i0 formed in its surface which provide the plurality of angu- ⁵⁰larly disposed reflecting surfaces as indicated at H, 12, 13, and 14.

The ring 9 is cut away as indicated at 15 to clear the attaching extension 3. The attaching _6Q extension 3 extends radially from the dished disc body 2 and has an elongated opening 16 formed therein by means of which the reflector device may be attached to a motor vehicle or any other suitable object. The attaching extension 3 has the portion 17 thereof pressed forwardly in the opposite direction to the dishing 3' of the body 2 for the purpose of reinforcing and strengthening the attaching extension. All of the corners formed by the pressing outwardly of the portion 17 are rounded as indicated at 18 so as to prevent sharp corners and provide reinforcement or strengthening of the extension 3. The upper edge of the pressed out portion 17 is curved as indicated at 19 so as to snugly At against the adjacent portion of the confining ring 9. This curved edge 19 has a tendency also to strengthen the extension 3 through the dissipation of stresses through the extension in other than straight lines and bias to any graining of the material of which the extension is made.

The extension 17 is flush with the outer surface of the confining ring 9.

In Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, a modified form of the invention is shown whereon the reflector device is embodied in bumperettes for motor vehides*

The bumperette 30 replaces the carrying body ( of the preferred form of the invention and it has a dished portion 31 formed therein in which the reflector plate 32 is positioned. A transparent colored plate 33 which may be of celluloid or any other suitable material, is placed over the reflector plate 32 and both the reflector plate 32 and the colored plate 33 are held in place in ³⁵ the dished portion 31 of the bumperette 30 by the binder ring 34. The binder ring 34 corresponds to the binder ring 9 of the preferred construction and the reflector 32 is made from the center of a disc which is cut away to form the ring 34.

As. clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the bumperette 30 is provided with a plurality of arcuate slots 35 through which the tongues or portions 36 of the binder ring 34 extend. The tongues or portions 36 are crimped over the back 45 of the bumperette and the edge portion 37 of the ring 34 is crimped over the edge of the colored plate 33 as clearly shown in Figure 7 for holding the various parts connected.

While in the drawings no lettering or illus50 trative matter is shown on the colored transparent plate in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, it is to be understood that any suitable lettering, illustra

2,016,333 tion or indicia may be placed on this plate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that they may be 6 widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.