Semaphore Indicator problems

Although I cannot assist you with your question, you can blame my dearly departed Grandfather for you problems, since it was he who actually invented the "semaphore" which became, and was patented as the Lucas Trafficator.

If anyone is interested in the (brief) story of how it was lost by him to Lucas, I would be happy to post it.

Stuart H. (living in Canada) Grandson of E.W. Parrish P.Eng. (automotive electrics) former proprietor of "The Autowire and Maintenance Co."

Stuart H. ( snipped-for-privacy@health4u.ca) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I, for one, would love to hear it.

Me too. Mick

Hi All,

Me too please, I've still got semaphore trafficators on my Armstrong Siddeley, I for one would love to know the 'real' history, BTW, With regards the original posting, Too much hassle trying to get them overhauled or repaired, Much easier to buy 'new' ones through eBay. it worked for me :-)

Regards Ray

"life may not be the party you expected but you may as well get up and dance anyway"

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Stuart H." saying something like:

Yes, please. I love a bit of skulduggery.

Stuart H. ( snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Sounds like he was one of the good guys...

Snip

Fascinating stuff. At least the lawyer didn't go on to submit the patent application in his own name like Mr Ackermann of steering fame.

Ron Robinson

Oi!! I am Mr. Bump-Steer, and I claim my five pounds.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Stuart H." saying something like:

Happens a lot once an idea is in the public domain. Doesn't mean the company who stole the idea aren't a shower of bastards, though even what they did was entirely legal.

If they had any decency at all they would have given him something, but that never happens.

His lawyer was a tool, as well.

A tip for anybody with a novel idea for a gadget - tell nobody until you have your patent in your hot little hand. I made that mistake once and got thoroughly screwed over.

Along the same lines, I once met Mr Tupra, who saw the potential of nylon as a material for making hygienic boxes. He told me his idea got stolen when he couldn't afford to pursue it, and now Tupperware is a household name.

Jim

Don't get too exited about the missing millions. According to the Bosch Book of the Motor Car: (in summary)

In 1893 JB Freeman fitted a roller to the back of the car that could be worked by a cord to show "left" or "right". Other people followed this with mechanical arms that swung out. By 1905 the signals were pneumatically controlled and self-cancelling to the design of F Berger. In 1908 AG Barrachini had added internal illumination by electric light with "provision" to raise the arms electrically. In 1918 the Naillik Motor Signal company was selling translucent arms internally lit raised by electric motors. And finally in 1923 G Deneef and M Boisson added the linear solenoid version.

Grand dads patent would have almost certainly been challenged by the big boys. Lucas isn't mentioned but then it is the Bosch book.

Malcolm