June 21, 1955
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`R. H.. wENDT
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`AUTOMOBILE SPEED LIMIT INDICATOR
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`Filed Sept. ll, 1951
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`2,711,153
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`2 Sheets-Sheet 1
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`www A
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`PETITIONER FORD MOTOR COMPANY EX. 1013-1
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`June 2l, 1,955
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`T
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`R. H. wENDT
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`2,711,153
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`AUTOMOBILE SPEED LIMIT INDICATOR
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`Filed sept. 11, 1951 »
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`2 Sheets-Sheet 2
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`_ INVENTOR.
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`PETITIONER FORD MOTOR COMPANY EX. 1013-2
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`Unite States Patent O ì”
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`CC
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`2,711,153
`Patented .inne 21, 1955
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`2,711,153.
`AUTOMOBILE SPEED LllVIIT INDICATOR
`Robert H. Wendt, Evanston, lll.
`Application September 11, 1951, Serial No. 246,135
`16 Claims. (Cl. 116-114)
`
`2
`Fig. 4 is a front plan view of a speedometer assembly,
`including a simpler form of maximum speed indicator,
`which can be made out of thin sheet plastic;
`Fig. 5 is a side elevational View in partial section;
`Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the maximum speed
`pointer alone;
`Fig. 7 is a top plan View of a modified form of sheet
`plastic pointer;
`V
`Fig. 8 is a front elevational view
`of a dashboard as
`sembly, showing an illuminated form
`of maximum speed
`indicator;
`Fig. 9 is a side elevational view in partial section;
`Fig. l0 is a front elevational View of another modi
`fication in which the maximum speed pointer also serves
`to magnify the speedometer indicia numerals and speed
`ometer pointer position;
``
`v
`Fig. 1l is a front elevational view of the pointer of
`Fig.A l2;
`-
`Fig. 12 is a side elevational view lin partial section of
`the modification of Fig. l1;
`Fig. 13 is a side elevational View of another modifi
`cation;
`Fig. 14 is a sectional View, taken on the plane of the
`line 14-14, of Fig. 13, looking in the direction of the
`
`arrows.
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`'
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``
`
`The present invention relates to automobile speed limit .f
`indicators, and is particularly concerned with the provi
`sion of improved devices adapted to be used upon the(cid:173)
`speedometer of any automobile by being readily attached
`and adjusted at all times to indicate the proper speed
`limit by means of a pointer.
`One of the objects of the invention is the provision of
`an improved adjustable speed limit indicator which is
`quickly attachable to the glass cover of a speedometer
`and adjustable in a rotative sense so that the driver or
`his assistant can constantly move this speed indicating 1
`pointer to the proper maximum speed limit.
`Another object of the invention is the provision of a
`means for recording the driver’s observation of speed limit
`signs, which recording means is adapted to be a constant
`reminder and used in correlation with the moving pointer '
`of the speedometer to indicate a point beyond which
`the speedometer needle should not be moved.
`Another object of the invention is the provision of an
`improved device of the class described which is useful for
`self-discipline in maintaining a speed below speed limits, ~«
`and which may be illuminated day or night by means of
`connections already existing on the dash-board of most
`cars, and which may be constructed in any of a plu
`rality of modifications.
`Another object is the provision of an improved speed
`limit pointer adjustably attached to a speedometer in such
`manner that parallax is avoided and the Vtrue speed is
`more apt to be read and used as a guide in keeping below
`the speed limit.
`-
`Another object of the invention is the provision of _,
`an improved speed limit indicator which is adjustable on
`a speedometer face, and which is provided with means
`for indicating and magnifying the number of the speed
`limit which it indicates at any time.
`Another object is the provision of an improved speed
`limit indicator which is adapted to be illuminated and
`which also serves to illuminate the speedometer indicia
`and pointer.
`.
`Another object is the provision of an improved speed
`limit indicator which also serves to magnify the speed
`ometer indicia at that section of the indicia where the
`particular speed limit is located, serving the double pur
`pose of reminding the user of the speed limit which he
`must not surpass and magnifying the numbers and pointer
`which he must observe.
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`apparent from the following description and the accom
`panying drawings, in which similar characters of refer
`ence indicate similar parts throughout the several views.
`Referring to the drawings, of which there are two
`sheets,
`Fig. l is a front elevational view of a speedometer
`equipped with a maximum speed indicator according to
`the invention;
``
`Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view;
`Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, taken through the
`supporting member and the actuating knob with its shaft;
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`40
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`55
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`Referring to Figs. l to 3, this form of maximum speed
`indicator is shown in connection with a speedometer 10,
`having a dial 11 provided with speed indicia 12 and
`the `usual speedometer pointer 13.
`'
`The glass cover 14 of the speedometer happens to be
`curved; but the present device is equally applicable to
`a straight and plane glass> cover 14. The maximum speed
`indicator is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 15; and
`it comprises a movable pointer 16, which is preferably
`provided with a handle or knob 17, and is rotatably sup
`ported by a rubber suction cup unit 18.
`The rubber suction cup unit 18 has a concave cup
`formation 19, the concavity 20 of which is pressed against
`the- glass 14, driving the air out; and the suction'cup
`tends to expand to the position of Fig. 3, causing it to
`adhere to the glass 14.
`The present suction cup differs from the devices of the
`prior art in that it has a layer 21 of contact or pressure
`type adhesive so that it is no longer necessary to moisten
`the pressure cup; and the pressure cup will have no leak
`age of air and will adhere permanently to the glass 14
`' until it is pried loose at the edge, admitting the air.
`The combination contact adhesive, resilient flexible rub- Y
`ber edge 22 and cup formation makes the suction cup
`capable of adhering to ahnost any surface,’as distin
`guished from the rubber suction cups of the prior art.
`The suction cup 18 has an enlarged cylindrical hub
`23 with a cylindrical bore 24; and the pointer 16 has
`its knob 17 formed with an enlarged bore 25 surrounding
`the hub 23. The-knob 17 also has an inwardly'pro
`jecting cylindrical pin 26 located axially in the bore 25
`and engaging in the cylindrical bore 24 of the suction
`cup hub 23.
`(cid:173)
`~
`The pin or shaft 26 distends the bore 24; and the hub
`23 grips the shaft 26 resiliently and frictionally and holds
`60
`n the knob 17 in any position to which it may be adjusted.
`The knob 17 has a knurled exterior surface 27 for grip
`with the fingers; and the operation of the present em
`bodiment is as follows:
`The pointer 16 is preferably as narrow as possible and
`65
`_ is preferably wide and flat, as
`shown in Fig. 2. ' It is made
`narrow so that it will not conceal the speedometer pointer
`13, but is preferably so narrow that the speedometer
`pointer in some cases is visible on both sides of the
`maximum speed pointer 16.~
`By having the pointer 16 wide and iiat, parallax is
`’ avoided. By parallax I mean the error which is in
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`troduced in the reading of instruments by looking at the
`pointer at some angle other than that which is normal
`or at rightangles to the dial.
`Since the pointer 16 is wide and fiat, and since speed
`ometers are now preferably arranged directly in front of
`the eyes of the driver, the driver may take care to look
`at the pointer 16 edgewise, which avoids the error of
`parallax. When the driver looks at the pointer 16 other
`than edgewise, he sees one or the other of the flat sides
`28, 29, which indicates to him that he is not viewing the
`pointer at the right angle.
`The suction cup 18 is preferably as small as possible
`so that. it will occupy as little space as possible in front
`of the speedometer. The suction cup is located and se
`cured on the glass 14 over the speedometer shaft, with
`the shaft 26 in alignment with the speedometer shaft.
`When the operator observes that the speed limit is
`twenty miles, by observing the trañic signs, he turns the
`pointer 16 to the speedometer indication 20, shown in
`dotted lines at 30 in Fig. l; and thereafter the driver
`has only to make sure that the pointer 13 does not pass
`the position 30.
`When the speed limit is raised to 25 miles or to 30, 35,
`or whatever it may be, the driver should again adjustr
`25
`the pointer 16 by rotating the knob 17 on the hub 23;
`and he should at all times make sure that the speedom
`eter pointer does not pass the setting of the maximum
`speed pointer. The hub 23, gripping the shaft 26, will
`hold the maximum speed pointer at any adjusted posi»
`tion. Thus, if the driver uses the present device, he
`will be disciplined to observe the speed signs and to
`make a record of his observation, and thereafter to follow
`his observation by not exceeding the speed limit as indi
`cated on his speedometer.
`Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, these show a simpler modi
`fication, in which the pointer itself serves as a handle;
`and the pointer is adapted to be struck out of sheets of
`plastic material and provided with a suitable shaft.
`In this case a pointer 33 may be exactly similar in con
`struction to the one previously described and is shown in
`(cid:173)connection with a straight or plane faced speedometer
`glass 31. The pointer is provided with a shaft 32, com
`prising a short rod of plastic, such as Lucite, which is
`integrally welded to the pointer 33 at the point 34.
`The pointer 33 may comprise a wide, thin piece of sheet
`plastic, such as Lucite, having a straight edge at 34, a
`straight end 35, and a straight beveled side 36. Thus
`the pointer 33 is wedge shaped, except that it is cut out
`at 37 to make room for the hub 23 of the suction cup;
`and it has an attaching flange portion 38, which extends
`over the end of the hub and is welded to the shaft
`32.
`In this case the pointer is preferably made of the same
`radial length as the radius of the glass 31, which in most
`cases is much larger than the speedometer dial 39. The
`indicia 40 on the speedometer outlet are located inwardly
`of the edge 41 of the glass; and unfortunately the indicia
`40 of the speedometer runs in units of ten and does not
`usually include the intermediate numbers ending in five.
`This causes the observer to interpolate, which is to
`determine the dial reading between the numbers ending
`in zero; and it frequently happens that the speed limit
`is 25 or 35, or some other number, such as 45, at which
`there is a scale division, but no number on the speed
`ometer dial.
`I prefer to provide the glass 31 with an annular paper
`or fabric strip 42, the inner border 43 of which is out
`side of the speedometer readings, and the outer border
`44 of which may be as large as possible, up to the size
`of the glass. This paper or fabric strip 42 has contact
`adhesive on its back side; and it is opaque and provided
`with the scale indicia and scale divisions in intervals
`of tive.
`Because this strip scale 42 is on a larger diameter, its
`scale divisions, corresponding to one mile, are farther
`
`4
`apart and more easily seen; and there is room to include
`the numbers 5, 10, l5, 20, and so on, which are the actual
`numbers of speed limits; and there is no necessity for in
`terpolation by the driver. ln other Words, 25 miles per
`hour is a frequently used speed limit; but the number
`does not appear on many speedometer dials. The same
`is true of 35 miles per hour or 45 miles per hour.
`When the present auxiliary dial strip 42 is secured
`to the glass 31 and the suction hub 18 is axially secured `~
`to the glass, the maximum speed pointer 33 may extend
`all the Way out to the indicia on the strip 42, thereby >
`enabling the driver to set his maximum speed limit
`pointer more accurately.
`’
`'
`It is a fact that some inexperienced drivers are un
`able to find the proper scale division without numbers .
`as they appear on the strip 42.
`i
`The present assembly, in addition to the speedometer,
`includes only four parts, which are made of stock ma
`terials; and it may be manufactured at a very low cost
`and sold at such a low figure that the device is well
`in the present embodi-»_
`within the means of any driver.
`ment the pointer 33 serves also as a handle to be grasped
`by the user to turn the pointer to any desired position. _
`Referring to Fig. 7, this is a modification in which
`the shaft 32a is in the form of an integral flange on
`the pointer 33 rolled into a cylindrical bead so that the
`pointer in this type is made entirely of sheet material,
`which may be metal or plastic.
`Y
`ì
`Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, this is a modification
`in which the pointer is illuminated and, if desired, may
`serve to illuminate the scale. ln this case the pointer is
`mounted upon the same knob 17;*but the knob* has an
`integral extension 17a, which integrally supports the iiat‘ f
`Lucite pointer 16a.
`The knob has a cylindrical socket 46, within which is
`secured a screw type metal socket 47 with a center con- Y
`tact 48 for receiving a small electric bulb V49, preferably
`of the six-volt size. The screw socket 47 and its center
`contact 48 are connected to two insulated conductors 49,
`which extend across the upper part of the knob 17, and
`are connected to a suitable plug 51 to be plugged in the
`cigar lighter socket S2.
`'
`_'
`The pointer 16a carries a rectangular plate 53 at its
`outer end; and all of the sides Vof the pointer and plate
`53 are preferably covered with opaque reflecting material, `
`such as aluminum foil, leaving the under sides adjacent
`the speedometer glass uncovered for emission of the
`light. Thus the present modification permits illumina
`tion of the pointer and the scale indicia of the speed
`ometer at the speed limit for which it is adjusted.
`Referring to Figs. l1 and l2, these show the pointer
`16h, which Vmay be carried by the knob of Fig. l or the Y
`knob of Fig. 8, provided with an arcuate, integral Lucite
`magnifying glass 54. This magnifying glass is prefer- »
`ably wide enough to extend over two scale indicia, such .
`as from 20 to 30 miles, and magniiies not only Vthe
`numbers, but the scale divisions and permits the pointer f
`to be set in such a position that the rider can interpolate
`and decide where the intermediate 25 mile point is. n
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`The magnifying glass 54. is bare on its lower side, but
`may have a l0 percent surface mirror coating on its
`With such a coating the major part ofthe (cid:173)
`upper side.
`illumination will be reñected against theV scale; but the
`observer can look through the magnifying glass to the
`illuminated part of the dial.
``
`Pointer 161;» is carried by suction cup 18 by an integral
`curved cylindrical bearing 55 surrounding the cylindrical
`hub of the suction cup.
`'
`Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, these show a modification
`in which hub 23 of suction cup 18 has a diametrical slot
`Pointer 15e may be flat and _triangular
`for pointer 16C.
`and cemented or vulcanized in slot 56, serving as its own
`handle. In this type both suction cup and pointer rotate
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`5 together, whereas in the other types the pointer may `
`rotate with or without the cup.
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`Pointer and cup of Fig. 13 may be one integral piece
`of rubber, but the pointer is preferably ñuorescent plastic.
`It will thus be observed that I have invented a plurality
`of forms of maximum speed indicators, all of which have
`the advantage that they are universally adaptable to
`existing speedometers or other meters wherever it may be
`desirable to record a reading or a limit.
`The present speed limit indicator, when used on a
`speedometer, will discipline the driver and cause him to
`look for and observe speed limit signs and then make a
`temporary record of the speed limit by moving the pointer
`to that point on the speedometer.
`It will be a useful aid to the driver to prevent him from
`forgetting the speed limit and to remind him that the
`speedometer pointer must not pass the speed limit pointer.
`The present devices are adapted to render a great service
`to the driving public in assisting drivers in maintaining
`proper speed limits.
`While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my
`invention, many modifications may be made without de- f
`parting from the spirit of the invention, and I do not
`wish to be limited to the precise details of construction
`set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within
`the scope of the appended claims.
`Having thus described my invention, what I claim as
`new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United
`States, is:
`l. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`speedometer having a pointer, a dial provided with speed
`indicia and a cover, with a speed limit indicator compris
`ing a supporting member carried by the cover, and a
`rotatably mounted pointer carried by said supporting
`member and frictionally held in any adjusted position,
`said pointer being rotatable to the current speed limit
`and constantly indicating a speed beyond which the
`speedometer needle should not pass, the said supporting
`member comprising a suction cup provided with a hub,
`and the said pointer being mounted on said hub, and the
`said pointer comprising a sheet member which is thin in
`a direction normal to the speedometer cover so that it
`will not obscure the speedometer needle entirely.
`2. In an instrument limit indicator, the combination of
`an instrument having a pointer, a dial provided with
`instrument indicia and a cover, with an instrument limit
`indicator comprising a supporting member carried by the
`cover, and a rotatably mounted pointer carried by said
`supporting member and frictionally held in any adjusted
`position, said pointer being rotatable to the current in
`strument limit and constantly indicating a limit beyond
`which the instrument needle should not pass the said
`pointer comprising a relatively wide member in a direction
`normal to the instrument cover and relatively thin so that
`it may be used to locate the eyes in a normal position to
`avoid parallax.
`3. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`speedometer having a pointer, a dial provided with speed
`indicia and a cover, with a speed limit indicator compris
`ing a supporting member carried by the cover, and a
`rotatably mounted pointer carried by said supporting
`member and frictionally held in any adjusted position,
`said pointer being rotatable to the current speed limit
`and constantly indicating a speed beyond which the
`speedometer needle should not pass, the said pointer being
`constructed of light conducting plastic and having an
`electric bulb located adjacent the supporting member
`and connected in the car circuit to cause the light to
`traverse the pointer.
`4. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`speedometer having a pointer, a dial provided with speed
`indicia and a cover, with a speed limit indicator com
`prising a supporting 'member carried by the cover, and
`a rotatably mounted pointer carried by said supporting
`member and frictionally held in any adjusted position,
`said pointer being rotatable to the current speed limit
`and constantly indicating a speed beyond which the
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`2,711,153
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`speedometer needle should not pass, the said pointer
`being constructed of light conducting plastic and having
`an electric bulb located adjacent the supporting member
`and connected in the car circuit to cause the light to
`traverse the pointer, and the said pointer being covered
`with light reflecting foil upon its lateral sides and its
`edge toward the driver so that light will be emitted from
`the side toward the speedometer.
`5. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`speedometer having a pointer, a dial provided with speed
`indicia and a cover, with a speed limit indicator corn
`prising a supporting member carried by the cover, and
`a rotatably mounted pointer carried by said supporting
`member and frictionally `held in any adjusted position,
`said pointer being rotatable to the current speed limit and
`constantly indicating a speed beyond which the speedom
`eter needle should not pass, the said pointer being con
`structed of light conducting plastic and having an electric
`bulb located adjacent the supporting member and con-v
`nected in the car circuit to cause the light to traverse
`the pointer, and the said pointer being covered with light
`reflecting foil upon its lateral sides and its edge toward
`the driver so that light will be emitted from the side
`toward the speedometer, and the said pointer carrying at
`its end a light transmitting body _for spreading the light
`over an area occupied by'a speedometer number.
`,
`6. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`speedometer having a pointer, a dial provided with speed
`indicia and a cover, with a speed limit indicator com
`prising a supporting member carried by the cover, and
`a rotatably mounted pointer carried by said supporting
`member and frictionally held in any adjusted position,
`said pointer being rotatable to the current speed limit
`and constantly indicating a speed beyond which the
`speedometer needle should not pass, the said pointer
`carrying at its end an arcuate plastic magnifying glass
`for magnifying the scale indicia of the speedometer at
`the point of the speed limit.
`7. In a speed limit indicator, the combination of a
`resilient suction cup member having a hub with a pointer
`carried by said hub, the said suction cup being of small
`size to cover as little as possible of an instrument dial,
`and the said pointer being thin and narrow so that it
`will also cover a minimum part of the dial, the said
`pointer being provided at its outer end with an arcuate
`magnifying glass of plastic material for magnifying the
`scale indicia at which it is set.
`-
`8. A quickly attachable, detachable, and rotatable
`pointer assembly for instruments having a smooth cover
`above the dial comprising a rubber suction cup having
`an outwardly projecting hub provided with a bore, a thin
`sheet plastic pointer~ of iiuorescent plastic of suñicient
`length to have its end disposed inwardly of the dial indicia
`of the instrument with which it is to be used, the said
`pointer being wide in a direction normal to the cover of
`the instrument and being carried by a transversely extend
`ing shaft portion of the same thickness supplemented by a
`pair of half cylindrical, plastic round portions secured
`to said transverse portion and forming a substantially
`cylindrical stem mounted in the bore of said suction cup,
`the said pointer being rotatable with the suction cup by
`the hand of the user applied to the suction cup, the said
`suction cup having its suction side provided with a layer
`of pressure responsive adhesive for forming an air-tight
`and strong bond with the cover of the instrument.
`9. An indicator for instrument readings comprising a
`-suction cup having a hub and a pointer of molded mate
`rial, having a cylindrical tube rotatably mounted on said
`hub, said pointer extending radially and being provided
`with a magnifying, transparent portion at its end to be
`located over the instrument reading.
`10. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which the supporting member comprises a resilient i
`suction cup having a central hub rotatably mounting said
`pointer.
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`PETITIONER FORD MOTOR COMPANY EX. 1013-5
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`2,711,153
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`1l. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which said supporting member comprises a suction
`rubber cup having a layer of Contact adhesive, assuring
`the ñxity of the cup on said cover.
`~
`12.(cid:173) >An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which said supporting member comprises a suction
`cup having a central hub provided with a transverse slot,
`said pointer being frictionally mounted in said slot.
`13. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which said pointer comprises a ñat strip of sheet
`materiai formed with an integral axially projecting tube
`at one end, said tube being rotatably mounted in a bore
`in the hub of a suction cup.
`14. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which said supporting member comprises a suction
`cup having a central hub provided with an axial bore,
`said pointer having a shaft in said bore, and a cup sur
`rounding said hub and provided with a ltnurled surface.
`15. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2,
`in which said supporting member comprises a suction
`cup having a central hub provided With an axial bore,
`said pointer having a stem rotatably mounted in said
`bore, and having its wide member extending inwardly
`toward the cover, and extending radially from said sup
`porting member.
`16. An instrument limit indicator according to claim 2
`in which said supporting member has a round hub eX
`
`8
`tending transversely to said pointer and said pointer has
`a .round bearing surrounding said hub .for rotation on
`said cover. ,
`
`References Cited in the file of this patent
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`Weston __________ __`_____ Oct. 4, 1898
`Crouch ___________ ______ Apr. 28, 1908
`HibschtmanY __________ __ Dec. 24, 1912
`McWeeny ____________ __ May 17, 1938
`Graunke ________ ________ July 4, 1939
`Rolfson __________ __‘____ Oct. 3, 1939
`Hall ________ __ ______ __ Apr. 21, 1942
`Pepper _______________ __ May 5, 1942
`Hanson _________ _-______ June 23, 1942
`Salit _______________ __ Apr. 18, 1944
`Simpson _____________ __ Dec. 23, 1,947
`Kirlin __________ _______ Oct. 11, 1949 '
`Denison ____ _________ __ Mar. 21, 1950
`Treese _______________ __ Jan. 16, (cid:173)1951
`Adolfson _____________ __ Feb. 5, 1952 " '
`
`611,722
`886,189
`1,048,159 .
`2,117,441
`2,164,318
`2,175,129
`2,280,700
`2,282,209
`2,287,554
`2,347,129
`2,433,165
`2,484,038
`2,501,033
`2,538,218
`2,584,777
`
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`FOREIGN PATENTS
`
`‘
`
`k
`
`Y
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`295,121
`645,444
`
`Great Britain _________ __ Aug. 9, 1928
`France ______________ __ lune 27, v1928
`
`PETITIONER FORD MOTOR COMPANY EX. 1013-6
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`