AU2010295241A1

AU2010295241A1 - A traffic light aspect

Info

Publication number: AU2010295241A1
Application number: AU2010295241A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Sick Cheong Tsang
Original assignee: ELECTRONIC RES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ELECTRONIC RESEARCH Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-16
Filing date: 2010-09-16
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-16
Also published as: AU2010295241B2; WO2011032219A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a traffic light aspect (10) which includes a base (12) and a lens (14). The lens (14) is adapted to be removably mounted onto the base (12) in a first or second position (Pl, P2). When the lens (14) is in either one of the positions (Pl or P2), one of the lens (14) and base (12) has a first engaging means (18, 20, 22 or 24) capable of engaging a choice of two or more second engaging means (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44) on the other of the base or lens.

Description

WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 A Traffic Light Aspect Technical Field This invention relates to a traffic light aspect suitable for mounting or retrofitting onto a traffic light lantern. 5 Background of the Invention A set of traffic lights conventionally comprises one or more proprietary lanterns each containing a traffic light aspect. Each proprietary lantern typically has a specifically configured door for retaining the aspect, which must be orientated in a specific way so as to comply with the national standard of various countries. The specific orientation is. 10 required to ensure correct and accurate dispersion of light in order to indicate changes in signal conditions to road users. Due to the differences in the door aspect configuration, it is not viable to install or replace an aspect manufactured by one proprietor by another aspect manufactured by a different proprietor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic light aspect which may 15 overcome the above inconvenience or which will at least provide a useful alternative. Disclosure of the Invention It should be noted that the traffic light aspect of the present invention may be adapted to be installed or retrofitted into at least two, namely first and second, traffic light lanterns, each of which has a door. The door of each of the first and second traffic light lanterns 20 may have a gasket with first locking means for engagement with the traffic light aspect. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic light aspect including: a base; and a lens adapted to be removably mounted onto the base in a first or second position; 25 wherein when the lens is in either one of the positions, one of the lens and base has a first engaging means capable of engaging a choice of two or more second engaging means on the other of the base or lens. Preferably, the first engaging means is adapted to engage one of the second engaging 1 WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 means when the lens is mounted onto the base in the first position. More preferably, the first- engaging means is adapted to engage the other of the second engaging means when the lens is mounted onto the base in the second position. In this embodiment, the base includes a backing plate having an annular rim. The base 5 is adapted to support a LED panel. The first engaging means are preferred to be in the form of nipples stemming from or being connected to the annular rim. It is preferred that the lens includes a circumferential flange adapted to engage the rim of the base when the base and lens are united. The second engaging means are preferred to be in the form of dimples adapted in use to mate with the nipples protruding from the 10 base. Preferably, the base includes three additional first engaging means stemming from or being connected to the annular rim. More preferably the circumferential flange of the lens includes three additional pairs of second engaging means. Each engaging means is preferred to be adapted to engage one of each pair of second engaging means when the 15 lens is mounted on the base in the first position and to engage the other one of each pair of second engaging means when the lens is mounted on the base in the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the lens includes a second locking means adapted to engage the first locking means of the first traffic light lantern when the lens is mounted on the base in the first position. It is preferred that second locking means is adapted to engage 20 the first locking means of the second traffic light lantern when the lens is mounted on the base in the second position. The second locking means may be adapted to engage the gasket and subsequently engage the first locking means when the traffic light aspect is installed or retrofitted into the traffic light lantern. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment, in which: 2 WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 .Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an assembled traffic light aspect in accordance with one-embodiment of the present invention, including a lens mounted to a base; Figure 2 is a plan view of the interior of a base being a backing plate of the traffic light aspect of Figure 1; and 5 Figure 3 is a plan view of the interior of a lens of the traffic light aspect of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Figure 1, an assembled traffic light aspect 10 is designed to be installed or retrofitted into two (hereafter referred to as first and second) traffic light lanterns. Each of the traffic light lanterns has a door having a gasket with a locking means which is in 10 the form of a recess (not shown). The recess is configured such that it engages a corresponding part of the traffic light aspect thereby holding the traffic light aspect in place within the lantern. The traffic light aspect 10 has a base in the form of a backing plate 12 and a lens 14. Turning to Figure 2, the backing plate 12 is circular in shape having an annular rim 16. 15 The backing plate 12 is connected to a LED panel (not shown) which is secured to the centre of a cavity 13 defined by the rim 16, using pins 21, 23, 25 and 27. The rim 16 has four engaging means in the form of nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24. The nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24 are evenly distributed and stem from a flat surface 26 of the rim 16. Referring to Figure 3, the lens 14 includes a circumferential flange 28 which 20 corresponds to and engages the rim 16 of the backing plate 12 when the backing plate 12 and lens 14 are united. The circumferential flange 28 has four pairs of engaging means in the form of dimples 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44. The dimples 30, 34, 38 and 42 are located such that they mate with nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24 respectively when the lens 14 is mounted onto the backing plate 12 in a first position indicated by P1. 25 When the lens 14 is engaged with the backing plate 12 in a second position indicated by P2, the nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24 mate with dimples 32, 36, 40 and 44 respectively. As shown in Figure 3, the lens 14 includes a locking means in the form of a tab 46 3 WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 -which extends radially from a lateral edge 48 of the circumferential flange 28. The tab 46 engages the gasket referred to above (not shown) and is subsequently received in the recess provided in the door of either one of the two traffic light lanterns. In use, the lens 14 is brought into engagement with the backing plate 12 as the dimples 5 30, 34, 38 and 42 mate with nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24. The traffic light aspect 10 is then installed into the lantern with the lens being located in position P1. This allows the tab 46 to be received within the recess provided in the door of the first traffic light lantern. To transfer the traffic light aspect 10 from the first to the second traffic light lantern involves removing the traffic light aspect 10 from the first lantern, disengaging the lens 10 14 from the backing plate 12, rotating the lens 14 to a desired position in a direction indicated by A, and re-engaging the lens 14 with the backing plate 12. With the lens located in position P2, the dimples 32, 36, 40 and 44 in turn mate with the nipples 18, 20, 22 and 24. This effectively places the tab 46 in a different position allowing it to be received within a recess provided in a different position in the door of the second traffic 15 light lantern. Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the traffic light aspect may offer at least the following advantages: 1. it is easy to install and use; 20 2. it does not require tools to adjust its orientation 3. it allows swift and easy installation into more than one type of traffic light lantern with a unique door configuration; and 4. it can be adjusted and retrofitted into an existing traffic light lantern. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible 25 to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the engaging means may be provided in such an alternate shape and form as to allow rotational movement of the lens without requiring the lens to be disengaged from the backing plate. For instance, this may be effected by a ridge and groove arrangement. 4 WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the -present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. Industrial Applicability 5 The traffic light aspect of the present invention is industrially applicable in that it allows swift and easy installation or retrofitting into more than one type of traffic light lantern with a unique door configuration without requiring tools to adjust its orientation. 5

Claims

1. A traffic light aspect including: a base; and a lens adapted to be removably mounted onto the base in a first or second position; 5 wherein when the lens is in either one of the positions, one of the lens and base has a first engaging means capable of engaging a choice of two or more second engaging means on the other of the base or lens.

2. The traffic light aspect of claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to support a LED panel. 10

3. The traffic light aspect of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the first engaging means is adapted to engage one of the second engaging means when the lens is mounted onto the base in the first position.

4. The traffic light aspect of claim 3, wherein the first engaging means is adapted to engage the other of the second engaging means when the lens is mounted onto the 15 base in the second position.

5. The traffic light aspect of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base includes a backing plate having an annular rim.

6. The traffic light aspect of claim 5, wherein the lens includes a circumferential flange adapted to engage the rim of the base when the base and lens are united. 20

7. The traffic light aspect of either claim 5 or 6, wherein the first engaging means are in the form of nipples protruding from or being connected to the annular rim.

8. The traffic light aspect of claim 7, wherein the second engaging means are in the form of dimples adapted in use to mate with the nipples protruding from the base.

9. The traffic light aspect of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the base includes three 25 additional first engaging means stemming from or being connected to the annular rim.

10. The traffic light aspect of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the circumferential 6 WO 2011/032219 PCT/AU2010/001209 flange of the lens includes three additional pairs of second engaging means.

11. The traffic light aspect of claim 10, wherein each engaging means is adapted to engage one of each pair of second engaging means when the lens is mounted on the base in the first position and to engage the other one of each pair of second 5 engaging means when the lens is mounted on the base in the second position.

12. The traffic light aspect of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens includes a second locking means adapted to engage the first locking means of the first traffic light lantern when the lens is mounted on the base in the first position.

13. The traffic light aspect of claim 12, wherein the second locking means is adapted 10 to engage the first locking means of the second traffic light lantern when the lens is mounted on the base in the second position.

14. The traffic light aspect of either claim 12 or 13, wherein the second locking means is adapted to engage a gasket and subsequently engage the first locking means when the traffic light aspect is installed or retrofitted into the traffic light lantern.

15 15. A traffic light aspect substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 7