July 23, 1940. F. H. CORLBURG 2.209,052 HEADIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l

INVENTOR. 7, 7% C-64--, July 23, 1940. F. H. CORBURG , 2,209,052 HEADLIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 13, 1939 2. Sheets-Sheet 2

122 2 BY A. : W ATTORNEY. Patented July 23, 1940 2,209,052

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,209,052 HEADLIGHT FOR AUTOMOBES Frank H. Corburg, ola, Kans. Application March 13, 1939, Seria No. 261,430 1 Claim. (C. 240-11.4) This invention relates to headlights for auto perpendicularly extended legs carrying the elec nobiles using internal combustion engines, and trodes and terminal caps 8, the legs being con the main object of the invention is to provide a nected to the loop 6 through the elbows 9. headlight or headlamp in lieu of the conventional This assembly is dimensioned and adapted to 5 forms, and wherein is employed in combination Seat freely within the parabolic reflector C, in a 5 a neon tube light and conventional electric light, frontally spaced relation to and concentrically the neon light serving to modify and soften the with the light bulb E. To mount and support otherwise harsher and more blinding rays of the the neon tube in the stated position, an insulation electric bulb. block 0, preferably of somewhat elastic rubber, 10 Another object of the invention is to provide is mounted at the lower side of the headlamp 10 in combination with the conventional electric between the casing and reflector, where it may headlamp of an automobile, a neon tube mounted be cemented in place. in front of the electric bulb of the regular lamp, This insulation block O is formed at its for the said tube being preferably circular in form Ward end with a pair of spaced sockets if which and mounted concentrically with the axis of the open out forwardly in the form of perpendicularly 5 electric bulb in spaced relation thereto, the inner disposed half sockets a, adapted to engage the wall of the circular glass tube being preferably legs T, terminal caps 8 and elbows 9 of the neon coated or otherwise rendered impervious to light tube 5. A facing plate 3 having the comple rays as emanating from the electric bulb, where mental half sockets b for engaging the outer 20 by cross-rays and light interference is avoided sides of the tube elbows, is also provided, and 20 and a soft glowing light is projected forwardly is adapted to be secured over the forward end of the automobile which is non-irritating to ap of the block by screws f4c passed through aligned proaching drivers. bores 4 formed through the plate and into the With the stated objects in view, and other ad bores 40 of the block. 2 vantages as may appear, the specification in Outer terminal sockets or clips f6 are seated 25 cludes the accompanying drawings, wherein: at the inner ends of the sockets fi, adapted to Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section frictionally engage the caps 8 which are soldered through a headlamp with my improvement to the electrodes of the neon tube in conventional mounted therein. manner. Wires or leads 7 are connected to 0 Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the these clips. These elements are assembled by 30 insulation block used for mounting the circular passing the legs and caps 8 into the sockets neon tube within the lamp casing. and the caps into clips 6, the wires or leads Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical Section being passed rearwardly out through the block through one side of the tube insulation block. f0. The plate f3 is then secured in place upon Figure 4 is a perspective view of the neon tube the forward end of the block and over the elbows 35 alone, removed from the lamp Casing. 9 by means of screws passed through the holes Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of one of the 4 of the plate 3 into the aligned holes 4a of outer terminal clips used for mounting the neon block 0. tube. In order to mount the neon, tube inside the 40 Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of one reflector C, the latter is slotted longitudinally 40 of the inner terminal sockets for the ends of the out along the lower wall, as shown at 9, in spaced neon tube, showing a broken off tube end mount relation corresponding to the spacing of the legs ed therein. 7 and elbows 9, so that the rising portions of Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the these elbows may be passed along through these 45 lay-out of the elements involved together with slots in the process of mounting the neon tube 45 the wiring connections. in place within the casing and reflector, as above My improvement is used in combination with described. If desired the slots 9 may be cov a conventional headlamp A which includes the ered by plates of metal (not shown) with re outer casing B, inner reflector C, lens D, bulb flective inner faces, after the installation is com 50 E, socket F, and wiring G, the bulb being ener pleted. 50 gized from battery H. Supported on the chassis To energize the neon tube a conventional form (not shown). - of vibrator-step-up coil represented generally at The improvement includes a circular glass neon H may be incorporated in the regular wiring sys tube represented generally at 5, the same having tem 2 as fed from the battery K, the same being ss the glass lighting loop 6 and the spaced and connected in parallel with the regular leads 22 is 2 2,209,052 supplying the bulb E and including leads 23 The resilient or elastic mounting for the neon energizing the primary coil 25 which operates the tube afforded by the rubber block O and plate vibrator blade 26. The leads 7 from the neon 3, prevent breakage of the tube under the Wi tube 5 are then connected to the ends of the bration of the car in motion. secondary coil 27 and the installation is com While I have here described certain structural plete. The vibrator step-up unit. Hmay of course features of the invention, same may be varied be mounted at any convenient place on the chassis as necessary within the scope of the appended or car frame (not shown). A conventional claim. switch 29 may be incorporated in the circuit and I claim: O mounted on the car dash (not shown) for con In a headlamp for an automobile, the lamp O trolling the neon light. embodying a cupped casing, a cupped reflector The gaseous filler of the neon tube may be mounted concentrically therein, a lens in the Open formulated as necessary to provide the desired end of the casing, and an electric light bulb in color of light, said formulas being well known in the closed end of the reflector, the said reflector 5 the art. Thus a blue, yellow or any other color having two slots extending longitudinally out 5 of light beam may be provided for. along its lower wall in parallel spaced relation, If desired the inner annular face or Side of an insulation block Seated at the lower side of the glass loop 6 which lies in direct line with the assembly between the casing and the reflector the bulb E, may be painted black as represented and at the inner ends of the slots thereof, the 20 at 30, so as to provide a narrow opaque band block having tWO SOcketS Opening horizontally 20 to neutralize any interference or CrOSS rays ema forward in alignment with the slots of the re nating from the bulb E, thus preventing any flector and ending in perpendicularly disposed harsh or glaring light effects. half SocketS formed across the forward end of While a circular neon tube is here shown, other the block, an insulation facing plate removably 25 forms might be employed that would not obstruct mounted at the forward end of the said insulation the direct, for Ward rays from the bulb E. Also block, Said plate being formed at its inner side any other make and break device for the induc with half Sockets complemental With the half tion coil might be used. Of course two or more Sockets of the block, and a parted circular glass neon loops might be unitarily mounted in the neon tube encircling the light bulb. Within the 30 lamp. casing, elbows extended down fron the parted 30 In operation the light from the regular light ends of the neon tube, and legs extended pel bulb passes directly through the neon loop or pendicularly rearward from the elbows, the Said circle, while the Soft light from the latter, en legs being dimensioned to seat in the horizontal circling as it does the inner periphery of the sockets of the said insulation block, the elbows 35 reflector, serves to neutralize any glaring effect being embraced within the half Sockets of the 35 of reflected rays from the light bulb. The re insulation block and the facing plate. sulting effect of the combination is a very soft FRANK. H. CORLBURG. and pleasant forwardly projected beam of light.