ES2337331B1 - TRAFFIC LIGHT. - Google Patents

Abstract

Traffic light.

This traffic light is of the type that includes modules (1) stackable and attachable on a pole or element of anchor (6) to a bearing surface, being provided said modules (1) of respective housings (3) carrying about signaling means, luminous or acoustic. The modules include: - an inner core (1) presenting at opposite ends, Toothed crowns (21) for the axial coupling of successive inner cores with any angular offset, - means of fixation (52, 52) of the opposite ends of the successive inner cores (1) in the angular position determined by the serrated crowns (21), said inner cores (2) forming a structural support column of the assembly and, - centering for the alignment of the facing ends of the cores interiors (2) in the mounting position.

Description

Traffic light.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a traffic light, of the type that comprise stackable modules carrying luminous signaling and attachable means on a pole or anchoring element to a bearing surface.

Background of the invention

Currently, most traffic lights existing in the market have a modular configuration, what which allows stacking several modules, carriers of respective media light or acoustic signaling.

These traffic lights must comply with a series of mechanical requirements such as: a modularity that allows increase or decrease the number of modules in traffic lights already installed, the rigidity of the modules as a whole, forming a column once joined together, and the possibility of turning u orientation between modules to ensure correct orientation.

Currently each of the modules is constituted by a housing provided with a body and a cover of access to the interior cavity in which the corresponding signaling means.

In these traffic lights the housings are fixed directly to each other, said housings being the ones that act as structural or support element of the assembly, as support of the signaling means housed inside and as a box or external envelope, stiffness often compromised structural of the set.

Description of the invention

The traffic light object of the invention has some technical characteristics aimed at maintaining the modularity of the traffic light, allowing the incorporation of a variable number of modules, and especially to increase the structural rigidity of the set by incorporating in said modules a core interior that acts as a connecting element of the respective modules; forming said inner cores, once coupled, a stiffening column that provides great stability to the set and which additionally acts as a support for the housings of the modules

In accordance with the invention and as finished to mention, the modules comprise an inner core for the mounting and external support of the corresponding housing with the respective signaling means, said core presenting inside at the opposite ends paths toothed crowns for your axial coupling and any angular offset with the cores Interiors of adjacent modules. Additionally, said modules they comprise fixing means of the opposite ends of successive inner cores in the determined angular position by toothed crowns, and a few centers for the alignment of the facing ends of the inner cores in the position mounting

Additionally the inner cores of the modules have holes at the opposite ends coaxial for mounting fixing means, constituted preferably by threaded sleeves and respective nuts of tightening, said fixing means being responsible for press in opposite directions the opposite ends of the inner cores guaranteeing, on the one hand, the interaction of the toothed crowns responsible for establishing the angular position relative between said inner cores and, on the other hand, the stable fixation of the mentioned inner cores in the Mounting position.

The incorporation in the traffic light modules of the aforementioned central cores, in addition to allowing modularity  of the set and that each module function as a unit independent, which can be installed individually or in set according to needs, provides additional advantages Among which it is worth mentioning the possibility of mounting of the modules in two inverse positions given the symmetry of the serrations existing at opposite ends of the central nucleus, what which solves assembly problems based on the orientation that you must adopt the housing, or the possibility of using different outer housings or replace them with other model housings, since in this case the resistant structure of the set comes determined by the support column formed by the modules interior and not for the outer housings, so that the rigidity of the set is clearly improved.

In accordance with the invention the centers mentioned above are made up of rings, preferably of plastic material, arranged at the ends facing the inner cores, ensuring alignment during assembly.

In an embodiment of the invention the cores interiors have a general tubular configuration with a window or side access opening inside which simplifies assembly tasks, especially with regard to positioning and actuation of the fixing means of the successive inner cores of the modules.

The mentioned inner cores have laterally of means for fixed or collapsible clamping of corresponding housing support elements that, as already You mentioned above, you can present various forms, although generally said housings will be constituted by a body and a closing lid, with the necessary seals or elements to ensure the tightness of the signaling means, visual or acoustic, housed inside and fixed well to the cover or to the housing body. In the mounting position, the body and housing cover embrace the inner core of the module correspondent.

Description of the figures

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to facilitate the understanding of characteristics of the invention, is attached herein descriptive a set of drawings in which, with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a partial elevation view of an embodiment example of the traffic light of the invention with two laterally oriented lower modules and an upper module front oriented.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the inner cores of two consecutive modules disassembled and vertically aligned and an exemplary embodiment of one of the housings, also disassembled.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of one of the inner cores, the fixing means and the ring centering

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of two inner cores facing each other and in inverted positions.

Figure 5 shows a top plan view of a traffic light with two modules in different angular positions, forming an angle of 90 degrees.

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of a traffic light in which a variant of Carcass realization.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure 1 the traffic light comprises a total of three modules (1) fixed each other and mounted on a support post (6).

As can be seen in figure 2, each of the modules (1) consists of an inner core (2) intended to be coupled with the inner core of consecutive modules or where appropriate with the post (6) and a consecutive module, and a housing (3) that is mounted externally with respect to the inner core (1) corresponding.

Each inner core (2) presents in the opposite ends paths toothed crowns (21) whose purpose is determine the relative angular position between successive modules (1) when mounting the successive bodies interiors (2) by overlapping in the vertical direction.

The traffic light comprises rings (4) centers that stand between successive inner bodies  (2) of the modules (1) to ensure their coaxial alignment in the Mounting position. The stabilization of the set formed by two or more modules are established with fixing means, constituted in the figures attached by threaded sleeves (51), which mounted through holes (22) defined at the ends faced by the inner cores (2) to be joined, and by the corresponding tightening nuts (52). The holes (22) are conveniently sized to allow coupling of inner core (2) with conventional support posts, existing in the market.

Said fixing means set the tightening of the opposite ends of the inner cores (2) and their coaxial fixation, being determined by the angular position relative of said inner cores (2), and consequently of the modules (1), by the interaction of the respective crowns jagged (21) faced. Additionally, it should be noted that the diameter of these fixing means allows tightening between modules be very reliable.

The symmetry of the inner cores (2) allows axial coupling in the same position as see in figure 2, or in inverse, or symmetrical positions, such as shown in figure 4, which provides greater versatility of assembly, facilitates the placement of the housings (3) with the most appropriate orientation in each case.

The mentioned inner cores (2) of the modules (1) form a column in the mounting position structural that provides rigidity to the whole and supports the housings (3) containing the respective signaling means, acoustic or luminous, which have not been represented in the figures attached for being said conventional signaling means and not affect the nature of the invention.

Since the inner cores are the responsible for providing rigidity to the assembly, the housings (3) can present different settings as shown by title illustrative in figures 5, 6, being constituted in this embodiment by a body (31) and a closing cover (32), which externally hug the inner core (2) of the module correspondent.

In the example shown in the attached figures the inner cores (2), constituted in a rigid material, specifically injected aluminum, have laterally about means for holding, fixed or folding, support elements of the corresponding housing (3). In figure 2 said means they are represented by axes (23) for mounting the hinges (7) of the cover (32) of the housing (3) and by appendices (24), internally threaded, for fixing the body (32) of the housing (3) by screws.

In the example shown in the attached figures the inner cores have a general tubular configuration with a wide lateral opening (25) that allows access to your interior for the placement and tightening of the bushings (51) and nuts (52) forming the successive fixing means inner cores.

Once nature is sufficiently described of the invention, as well as a preferred embodiment, for the appropriate purposes that the materials, form, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, as long as this does not imply an alteration of the essential features of the invention claimed in continuation.

Claims (6)

1. Traffic light, of the type comprising modules (1) stackable and attachable on a post or anchoring element (6) to a bearing surface, said modules (1) being provided with respective housings (3) carrying some signaling means, luminous or acoustic; characterized in that the modules comprise: - an inner core (1) for mounting and outer shell support (3) corresponding to the respective signaling means; presenting said core inside (1), at opposite ends, toothed crowns paths (21) for axial coupling of successive inner cores with any angular offset, - fixing means (52, 52) of the opposite ends of successive inner cores (1) in the angular position determined by toothed crowns (21), said interior cores (2) forming a structural column set support, - centers for the alignment of opposite ends of the inner cores (2) in position assembly and, - where said inner cores (2), present a general tubular configuration with a wide window or opening lateral (25) of access to its interior. 2. Traffic light according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner cores (2) of the modules (2) have end holes (22) for mounting the fixing means (51, 52). 3. Traffic light according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means are constituted by threaded sleeves (51) and respective clamping nuts (52). 4. Traffic light, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centers are constituted by rings (4) arranged at the opposite ends of the inner cores (2). 5. Traffic light, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner cores (2) have laterally (23, 24) means for fastening, fixed or collapsible, support elements of the corresponding housing (3). 6. Traffic light, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housings (3) comprise a body (31) and a cover (32) that, in the closed position, externally embrace the inner core (2) of the module (1) ) correspondent.