The present invention is directed to electronic signals including compact hanging signage presenting highly visible visual warnings, messages or information to drivers during the regular course of driving, and in emergency or other situations.
Electrically powered traffic signals or “stop lights” have been around since the early twentieth century. These signals have remained essentially the same in general concept with a few refinements added such as turn arrows and “walk” or “don't walk” messages. Over the years, ground travel in and around cities has become increasingly constrained with growing vehicular traffic including passenger cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, busses, trains and the like all moving in densely-populated areas.
While non-passenger vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks and ambulances typically have visual and audible warnings of their approach into intersections, they frequently don't have the right-of-way and their warnings, often unseen and/or unheard, lead to serious collisions. In view of the increased density and speed of vehicular traffic, and the current state of signage technology, it is desirable for municipalities to provide significantly improved signaling and signage at intersections for better vehicular flow, safety, and to provide warnings and information among other reasons.
A variety of devices proposed, including earlier patents and applications by the present inventor, presented ambiguous and potentially confusing information to drivers. Often complex and of expensive construction, these devices have not been widely installed. Since known systems have been inefficient and ineffective when providing information to drivers for collision avoidance or other purposes, the present invention as described herein takes major steps forward towards accomplishing these objectives. One important goal of the present invention is to provide a more effective traffic signal preemption system. Currently in the market, devices exist that can preempt the normal operation of a traffic signal, such as a strobe light system. While this is useful to emergency vehicles, drivers are often unaware of where the emergency vehicles are as they approach an intersection. By providing programmed LED graphical movement as herein shown and described, the present invention aims to solve problems in the prior art.
In order to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, a modular, LED-based traffic sign is proposed. When assembled, the sign frequently comprises a series of individual modular panels. An individual panel is preferably made of a clear front case, an LED panel, a water proof gasket, and a rear case. The gasket prevents moisture from intrusion into the panel. Additionally, a panel may be powered by an optional auxiliary power source located in a separate box attached to a traffic pole. A loudspeaker may be incorporated into the box.
Preferably, individual panels rectangular and approximately 18 inches by 24 inches in size. Since the panels can be arranged along either the 18 or 24 inch side, signs of different sizes can be produced. In particular, two or more panels may be connected along their 24 inch sides for code compliant traffic regulatory signs. For street signage, two or more panels may be connected along their 18 inch sides.
To anchor panels in position and provide a slight downward tilt to the device when installed, a series of brackets are affixed to the top and bottom of the installed panel. The brackets have an elongated piece and a shortened piece affixed together, and connected to the panel with screws. To avoid interfering with the LED display, the brackets may be clear. The combination of the elongated and shortened bracket pieces causes the panel to hang off-center and suspend at an angle from its support. This downward tilt, preferably around five degrees, affords better driver visibility.
Typically, brackets are used for both upper and lower portions of the panel. Attached to the upper portion, the panel hangs from the bracket and tilts toward drivers. Attached to the lower portion, the bracket increases the panel tilt and serves as a guard or bumper to protect the panel face. The brackets attach to either the 18 inch or 24 inch side of a panel to make larger or smaller signs according to governmental sign specifications.
A series of panels may be assembled in a row, creating a larger sign. To preserve the alignment of the panels, the brackets may be incorporated into a rail system. To properly balance and level the panels, the rail system includes adjustable assemblies that attach to light posts or other signal supports. The edges of individual panels are beveled to diffuse light and minimize the appearance of seams between the panels when multiple panels are connected. Preferably, the bevel angles are approximately 45 degrees from the panel face.
One alternative embodiment of the device is designed to function as a single panel mini-alert signal. The mini-alert signal is preferably contained in a generally oval shaped housing with a visor or shroud. A front panel having a multiplicity of high-output light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the equivalent, provide highly-visible animation. Alternatively the device may be in the form of a rectangle with rounded-off corners (not shown) to more easily, optionally display street names as described below. A pair of loudspeakers project downward and act as sirens if necessary. The loudspeakers are preferably located on the bottom of the housing to keep water and dust out of the signal. The signal is generally sealed to provide weather resistance. The LED screen and speakers may be in direct or wireless communication with stop lights, emergency vehicles and municipal vehicles among others to receive instructions and display warnings or information.
The mini-alert unit's back panel preferably includes photovoltaic (or equivalent) solar panels to provide a primary (or alternate) power source, which may also include an auxiliary re-chargeable battery (not shown) inside. On the back panel an adjustable bracket with a pair of connectors is used for associating the unit with conventional traffic signal poles of varying diameters. The adjustable bracket preferably includes a crossbar separating the connectors, which conveniently serves as a handle for carrying the unit.
Preferably, the top of the unit has a photo sensor to measure the ambient light level and adjust the brightness of the LED screen as appropriate. A strobe light draws attention to the unit when emergency messages are displayed. The unit is of a modular design such that portions may be easily removed and replaced without extensive disassembly. For example, one size of visor may be easily removed and another size visor connected to the unit.
Both the panel embodiment and the mini-alert signal unit may be used to alert traffic to emergency vehicles approaching an intersection. For traffic moving in front of or behind an emergency vehicle, the device can signal drivers to move to the right or pull over in a manner such that an emergency vehicle may pass. Preferably, the LED panels can show a chevron-shaped arrow or series of arrows directing drivers to pull over. Optionally, a red “STOP” display may also be shown. In other embodiments, animated depictions of emergency vehicles may alert drivers. It is anticipated by way of analogy that the aforementioned functions can apply to busses, bus lanes, trains and train tracks as well. In each of these instances, the signage can alert vehicles to the presence of collision hazards.
The device may be used to alert drivers to other information as well. In one embodiment, it may signal fire hazards or other localized emergencies and directions away from the area. For example, a directional indicator, e.g. N (for North) may direct drivers to proceed in that direction. If there is an AMBER alert (i.e. The U.S. Dept. of Justice—America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response), then the device may display a vehicle license number in designated areas. At nighttime, when unlit street signs are difficult to see, cross street names may be displayed at major intersections. The street name display can be in the contrasting colors of street signs according to a particular municipality. Preferably, since the mini-alert system unit comprises on board solar power, it may function as the primary traffic signal in the event of a power interruption to the conventional stop light.
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To hold an individual panel 10 together and provide a slight tilt to the panel 10 when installed, a series of brackets 20 are affixed to the panel 10. The brackets comprise an elongated piece 22 and a shortened piece 24, and are preferably affixed together and to the panel 10 with screws 26. In another preferred embodiment, the brackets 20 are clear. The combination of the elongated 22 and shortened 24 pieces of the bracket cause the panel 10 to hang off-center at an angle when suspended from a support. The downward tilt provides better visibility. Preferably, the angle is around five degrees.
Preferably, the brackets 20 can be used at the top and bottom of a suspended panel 10. When attached at the top, the off-center nature of the bracket 20 causes the panel 10 to tilt forward for increased driver visibility. When attached to the bottom, the off-center nature of the bracket 20 causes the panel 10 to tilt further, and additionally serves as a guard or bumper, protecting the face of the panel 10.
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The structure of the device having been shown, operation of the device will now be described. The signal unit may be used either to stop cross traffic or cause traffic to pull to the side when emergency vehicles approach intersections. Referring to
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The device may also be employed to alert drivers to other information. Referring to
For increased signage visibility, the device may display street signs in the proper font and color for a particular municipality. Referring to
While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concepts.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application No. 61/146,192.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61146192 | Jan 2009 | US |