CA1323065C - Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches - Google Patents

Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches

Info

Publication number
CA1323065C
CA1323065C CA 586733 CA586733A CA1323065C CA 1323065 C CA1323065 C CA 1323065C CA 586733 CA586733 CA 586733 CA 586733 A CA586733 A CA 586733A CA 1323065 C CA1323065 C CA 1323065C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
switch
housing
housing according
chamber
button
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA 586733
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jim Bell
Paul Lalonde
Fred Priebe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CITY OF OTTAWA
Original Assignee
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF OTTAWA-CARLETON
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF OTTAWA-CARLETON filed Critical REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF OTTAWA-CARLETON
Priority to CA 586733 priority Critical patent/CA1323065C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1323065C publication Critical patent/CA1323065C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02Details
    • H01H13/04Cases; Covers
    • H01H13/06Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/02Bases, casings, or covers

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An improved housing for a light activation switch for a pedestrian crossing. The housing is of integral sturdy plastic construction and provides an internal weather-proofed chamber having walls upon which the components may be mounted or internally secured. The construction of the housing provides for easy mounting on poles, and is difficult to vandalize.

Description

1323~6~

~AC~C~oUND OF T~E INYENTION

The present invention relates to a housing for a switch, and more particularly relates to a housing for a switch for pedestrian crossing lights which are mounted at a pedestrian crosswalk along a roadway.
Particularly in large urban centers, at locations along roadways other than intersections, there may be specially marked pedestrian crosswalks. At these crosswalks, there may be lights, actuable by a pedestrian intendlng to cross the roadway at such location, and visible by drivers of vehicles in the vicinity of the pedestrian crosswalk, requiring such drivers to stop their vehicles while the lights are actuated and thereby permit safe passage of the pedestrian across the roadway by way of such crosswalk. Conventionally, such lights are positioned over the roadway above the crosswalk, and the switches for operating such lights are mounted on poles, which may be conventional light standards, on either side of the roadway in the vicinity of the commencement of the crosswalk.
In this way the switches are convenient to a pedestrian wishing to traverse the roadway on such crosswalk. Usually such switches are associated with a timing means so that the crosswalk lights are activated only for a period of time sufficient to enable a pedestrian to cross the crosswalk.
Switches are also used at pedestrian crosswalks at signalized intersections to change the sequence of the signal , 1323~65 displays when a pedestrian wishes to cross, as well as sometimes to activate audible indications for sight impaired pedestrians.
There are several different types of conventional switches used to activate such pedestrian crosswalk lights.
Many of such switches have housings made of metal, with many metal component parts which often times seize and make them difficult to disassemble for servicing. As well, metal housings have been known to transmit shocks to users when the circuitry or switches within have broken down. Because the switches are intended to operate in an outdoor environment, they are subject to rigorous use and, occasionally, to vandalism. The switches themselves are usually actuated by depressing a button switch, and it is highly desirable that such button switch be easy to operate even for persons wearing gloves or having limited finger mobility.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a housing for a pedestrian crossing light switch which i will be easy to install and operate, as well as to remove for purposes of servicing. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a housing for a switch which will minimize the opportunity for vandalism. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a housing which will permit the switch to operate even under rigorous climatic conditions, with relative safety for a pedestrian user.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a housing for a switch, such as a pedestrian crossing light switch, which is normally pole-mounted in an exterior environment and intended for public use. The housing has a body made of sturdy plastic of integral construction. The body comprises side walls with an end wall at one end thereof, forming a chamber open at the other end thereof. The end wall mountably receives the switch internally within the chamber as well as an indicator lamp, which is illuminated when the pedestrian crossing light is actuated, where such indicator lamp is included. Flange means outwardly extend from the open end, and the flange means are curved to mateably receive a portion of a pole on which the housing is mounted.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the side walls are of cylindrical shape. The flange means comprise flanges, portions of which extend upwardly and downwardly from the open end of the cylindrical sides in a direction normal to their axis. A pair of spaced, strap receiving ridges are provided on the upper and lower flange portions, and extend transversely from side-to-side across the flange portions. Each pair of the strap receiving ridges receive therebetween a metal band to be wrapped about that flange portion and a pole for securing the housing at a desired position on a pole. Gasket means are secured about the .: :, - ; ~ . ~:.

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periphery of the flanges on their pole-receiving surfaces to seal the chamber, when the housing is mounted on a pole, against external weather conditions.
The housing in accordance with the present invention is extremely easy to install, requiring only the application of bands to circumscribe the flanges and the pole to which the housing is to be mounted. Because it is made of plastic, the chance a pedestrian user may receive an electrical shock when activating the switch is virtually eliminated. The integral construction and unique shape of the housing make it possible to attach the component parts such as the switch internally, and secure the parts internally against vandalism. A
pedestrian light switch mounted within a housing in accordance with the present invention is reliable and easy to operate in all types of weather.

BRIEF _~SCRIPTION OF T~F DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the dra-~ings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from the front of a housing in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a service pole;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the :. ~
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, 1323~6~

housing of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of the device of FIGURE
l; and FIGURE 4 is a section view along line 4-4 of FIGURE
3.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifi.cations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS

In the drawings, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.
~ urning to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a pedestrian crossing light switch housing 2 in accordance with the present invention, mounted by means of circumscribing bands 4 on a service pole 6.
As can be seen in the drawings, the housing comprises a portion having side walls 10, of cylindrical form, with an end wall shown generally as 12, at one end thereof with the side walls 10 being open at the other end (FIGURE 4). At the base of cylindrical walls 10 are flanges 14 curved about an axis normal to the axis of the cylindrical sides 10 as illustrated so as to conform to the surface of pole 6 on which housing 2 is mounted. Upper and lower flange portions 16 and 18 are each provided respectively with pairs of spaced band-retaining ridges 20, within which metal bands 4 are seated when wrapped about housing 2 and pole 4 to hold the housing in position. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, appropriate weatherproofing gasket material 22 is provided about the periphery of the interior surface of flanges 14 so that, when housing 2 is mounted on pole 4, the interior thereof, and in particular interior chamber 24 within cylindrical ~alls 10, is sealed from external environmental weather conditions.
As can be seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, end wall 12 of housing 2 takes a form of a series of stepped surfaces starting from a lower, circular, centrally positioned base surface 26, and progressing outwardly to a spaced annular support surface 28 and an exterior annular circumscribing surface 30. The function of each of these surfaces will be described in more detail hereinafter.
The housing of the general shape as described previously herein is preferably made from an appropriate molded plastic such as ABS plastic, which is both durable and rugged (to resist the effects of weather and vandalism). It is preferably made in a readily visible colour, such as yellow.
A housing 2 of this shape permits easy assemblage of the components of the pedestrian crossing light switch, which ,~.
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., : ' , :, ' : .

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components include micro switch 32, neon lamp 34, actuator button 36, nylon reinforced rubber diaphragm 38 and actuator cover 40. Micro switch 32, having wires 41 leading to pedestrian crossing light circuitry (not illustrated) is mounted internally, within chamber 24 (FIGURE 4) to end base 26, and secured thereto by appropriate securing means such as bolt 44 extending through aperture 42 in end base 26, and nut 44 which threadably engages bolt 40 on the exterior side of end base 26 to secure micro switch 32 in position. Micro switch 32 preferably is a single-pole momentary action micro switch such as, for example, a Burgess QVCFT9 (trade mark) micro switch.
Double~pole switches can be used where, it is desired to control more functions than just switching lights. Micro switch 32 is actuated by means of actuator button 36 having post 46 seated in an appropriate socket in bolt 44 therein, actuator button 36 being positioned on the exterior side of end base 26 wîthin the well formed by circumscribing side step surfaces 48 (FI~URE 4). A coil spring 47 is preferably positioned between end base 26 and the back of actuator button 36, so as to urge actuator button 36 outwardly, back to its normal, inoperative position, after it has been depressed to actuate micro switch 32. This additional bias provided by spring 47 is important to ensure proper return of actuator button 36, for example in extremely cold weather when the resiliency of rubber 38 or the smooth mechanical operation of actuator button 36 with respect to micro switch 32 may be , .. , . . ~ .

restricted. Neon lamp 34, which is seatably and visibly secured on support surface 28, is wired into the circuitry of the pedestrian crossing lights and micro switch 32 such that it is visibly acuated before the pedestrian crossing lights are on, to give a visual indication to a pedestrian that a demand has been registered by the light switching electronics to switch the pedestrian crossing lights on. Actuator button 36 preferably has an enlarged surface as illustrated, to facilitate actuation thereof by, for example, the young, the elderly, or persons wearing gloves.
To minimize the effects of inclement weather on the workings of micro switch 32 and actuator button 36, nylon reinforced rubber diaphragm 38 is positioned over actuator button 36, and secured in position thereby by means of actuator cover 40, actuator cover 40 and diaphragm 38 being secured in position on annular support surface 28 by means of internally fastened screws 50. Because of the outward and sideways stepped construction of the surfaces of end wall 12, it can be seen (EIGURE 4) that the mounting of micro switch 32 and the securing of actuator cover 40 and diaphragm 38 in position by means of screws 50 may be readily achieved from within chamber 24. As a further feature to reduce the opportunity for vandalism (e.g. by the jamming of a knife or other object between side wall 46 and actuator button 36), the inner diameter of annular actuator cover 40 is preferably such that the space between side wall 48 and actuator button 36 is - .. : . ;. .. . .
:, , . , : ,:: ~ .

` ' - ' :
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, ` .

g covered by actuator cover 40.
The housing and push button switch for a pedestrian crosswalk, as described above, provides an easy to install and repair, as well as easy to operate system for activating pedestrian crosswalk lights. Because the working and electrical parts are completely encased within housing 2, the effects of inclement conditions, such as freezing rain on the system are minimized. As well, because of the internal mounting of the components of the system within chamber 24, and the durable construction of the housing, the system is extremely difficult to vandalize. The large, concentrically placed actuator button 36 is also very easy to locate and operate for pedestrians.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a housing for pedestrian crossing signal switches that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

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Claims (15)

1. A housing for a switch, such as a pedestrian crossing light switch, which is normally pole-mounted in an exterior environment and intended for public use, the housing having a body made of sturdy plastic of integral construction, the body comprising side walls with an end wall at one end thereof, forming a chamber open at the other end thereof, the end wall to mountably receive the switch internally within the chamber, flange means outwardly extending from the open end, the flange means curved to mateably receive a portion of a pole on which the housing is to be mounted.
2. A housing according to claim 1 wherein the side walls are of cylindrical shape.
3. A housing according to claim 2 wherein the flange means comprise flanges, portions of which extend upwardly and downwardly from the open end of the cylindrical sides in a direction normal to their axis.
4. A housing according to claim 3 wherein a pair of spaced, strap receiving ridges are provided on the upper and lower flange portions, extending transversely from side-to-side across the flange portions, each pair of strap receiving ridges to receive therebetween the strap to be wrapped about the flange portion and a pole for securing the housing at a desired position on a pole.
5. A housing according to claim 3 further comprising gasket means secured about the periphery of the flanges on their pole-receiving surfaces to seal the chamber, when the housing is mounted on a pole, against external weather conditions.
6. A housing according to claim 2 wherein the end wall is formed by stepped annular surfaces about a central, depressed circular base, the circular base to mountably receive the switch means on its interior surface.
7. A housing according to claim 6 wherein an enlarged switch button seated on the circular base is mechanically associated with a switch means mounted within the chamber on the base to activate the switch means.
8. A housing according to claim 7 wherein a weather resistant, flexible diaphragm is positioned over and adjacent the switch button and held in place by an annular retainer means, the annular retainer means being seated on an annular step surface and secured thereto by means of internally removable fastening means.
9. A housing according to claim 8 wherein the annular retainer means comprises a ring which circumscribes the button switch, the ring mounted over the diaphragm and switch button by means of screws internally securable to the chamber.
10. A housing according to claim 9 wherein the size of the inner diameter of the ring is slightly less than the size of the outer diameter of the button switch.
11. A housing according to claim 5 wherein the end wall is formed by stepped annular surfaces about a central, depressed circular base, the circular base to mountably receive the switch means, an enlarged switch button seated on the circular base mechanically associated with a switch means mounted within the chamber on the base to activate the switch means, and a weather resistant, flexible diaphragm positioned over and adjacent the switch button and held in place by an annular retainer means, the annular retainer means being seated on an annular step surface and secured thereto by means of internally removable fastening means.
12. A housing according to claim 1 in combination with a micro switch for activation of pedestrian crossing lights mounted on the end wall internally, within the chamber, and a light means mounted within the chamber and visible on the exterior of the housing, the light means electronically associated with the switch to be actuated when the pedestrian lights require to be actuated.
13. A housing according to claim 11 wherein a biasing means is positioned between the switch button and the end wall to urge the button outwardly to inactive position when the button has been depressed to actuate the switch.
14. A housing according to claim 13 wherein the biasing means is a spring.
15. A housing according to claim 11 in combination with a micro switch for activation of pedestrian crossing lights mounted on the end wall internally, within the chamber, and a light means mounted within the chamber and visible on the exterior of the housing, the light means electronically associated with the switch to be actuated when the switch is actuated.
CA 586733 1988-12-22 1988-12-22 Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches Expired - Lifetime CA1323065C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 586733 CA1323065C (en) 1988-12-22 1988-12-22 Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 586733 CA1323065C (en) 1988-12-22 1988-12-22 Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1323065C true CA1323065C (en) 1993-10-12

Family

ID=4139351

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 586733 Expired - Lifetime CA1323065C (en) 1988-12-22 1988-12-22 Housing for outdoor pedestrian crossing signal switches

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1323065C (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008016284A1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-10-08 Lic Langmatz Gmbh Device for triggering a switching operation, in particular a request device for a traffic light

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008016284A1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-10-08 Lic Langmatz Gmbh Device for triggering a switching operation, in particular a request device for a traffic light

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Effective date: 20101012