Automatically cancelling turn signal apparatus

#The present invention relates to an improved automatically cancelling turn signal, and more specifically to an improved automatically cancelling turn signal for a powered vehicle such as a motorcycle having a component or sub-assembly indicative of vehicle velocity.

#Self-cancelling turn signals have long been employed in automobiles, where the turn signal is cancelled by the turning of the steering wheel as the automobile emerges from the turn. While such a system can be satisfactorily employed for automobiles, turn signals are now being provided on other types of powered vehicles, particularly motorcycles, which have no steering wheel. Furthermore, when a motorcycle makes a turn, there is often relatively little turning of the handlebars involved, so that automatic cancellation of a turn signal in response to the turning of the handlebars or front wheel is impractical. As a result, although turn signals are becoming almost universal on motorcycles, such vehicles typically employ manually cancelling turn signals. In some instances, audible signals have been provided in order to alert the rider that a turn signal is operating, but such signals do not provide automatic cancellation.

#In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatically cancelling turn signal for a powered vehicle which operates in response to a predetermined positive change in the velocity of the vehicle. Ordinarily, when any vehicle rounds a corner, the transmission will be downshifted as the vehicle slows down to approach the corner, and will then upshift as the vehicle emerges from the turn and accelerates to suitable speed. The upshift of the vehicle can therefore be used to provide a signal for the cancellation of the turn signal. While such a system can be used on virtually any motor vehicle having at least two forward speeds, and could even be used on vehicles having automatic transmissions, it is particularly adapted to use on motorcycles having manual transmissions. Since motorcycles are conventionally shifted by means of a foot-operated gear shift lever, the cancelling mechanism may ordinarily be easily connected to this lever. In addition, a predetermined positive change in vehicle velocity may also be used as a condition for turn signal cancellation. When utilizing this embodiment of the invention, the cancelling mechanism may be associated with or connected to any component or sub-assembly of the motorcycle which generates a mechanical or electrical signal indicative of the velocity of the motorcycle.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turn signal flasher switch mounted on a motorcycle handlebar, the switch embodying certain features of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a plan view of the switch mechanism shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

#Referring to FIG. 1, a self-cancelling turn signal switch assembly, generally 10, embodying the features of the present invention is shown mounted on a motorcycle handlebar 12. The switch assembly 10 comprises a housing 14 which is separated into an upper section 14a and lower section 14b, which are attached together with screws 15, as shown in FIG. 2. The upper and lower sections 14a, 14b, respectively, each have arcuate cut-out sections to fit the handlebar 12, as best shown in FIG. 2.

#The turn signals are controlled by a thumb-operated lever 16 having an arcuate, knurled control surface 18 which permits easy movement of the lever 16 to the left or right by use of the thumb. Accordingly, the housing 14 has a horizontal slot 20 which permits horizontal movement of the lever 16. In the preferred embodiment shown, the housing 14 also has a vertical slot 22 intersecting the central portion of the horizontal slot 20. This vertical slot 22 permits the upward movement of the lever 16 when it is in the central position of the horizontal slot 20, in order to activate the four-way flashers as hereinafter described.

#Referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that the thumb-operated lever is connected to a slide-type switch having a sliding member 26, which is slidable in a horizontal direction to the left and right. In the preferred embodiment, the sliding member is also rotatable about its horizontal axis, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to permit activation of the four-way flashers.