GB266016A - Improvements in road signalling devices - Google Patents

Abstract

266,016. Ross, T. B. Oct. 13, 1925, Road signals.-A resilient tube containing fluid is interposed in the path of a vehicle near crossroads, turnings, &c. and is deformed so that the fluid actuates signal-operating means when the vehicle passes over the tube. A second tube may be located alongside the first to prevent a signal being given by a vehicle moving away from the cross-road &c. or to extinguish a signal previously given. As shown in Fig. 2, the inner chamber 12 of a tube 11 is connected to a cylinder 15, so that deformation of the tube actuates a piston 16 to close contacts 19, 20 in the circuits of an electromagnet 22. The core 23 of the magnet carries contacts 24, 25 that engage conducting strips 26, 27, the second of which may be broken to cause a flashing signal to be given by a lamp 5 in a cubical casing suspended diagonally above the road. The contacts 24, 26 close the circuit of a lamp 6 illuminating an arrow 3 visible from the intersecting road. A dashpot 31 causes the core 23 to return slowly to inoperative position. In the form of apparatus shown on the left of Fig. 6, operation of the tube 11 closes the circuit of a coil 35 by which the circuit of a battery 38 is completed so that the coil 35 remains energized and the signal lamps 5, 6 remain lit even when the tube 11 is released. A second tube 111 nearer the cross-road is then actuated to close a short-circuit of the battery 38 through a resistance 39, so that the coil 35 releases its plunger to open the signal circuit. A white line composed of studs 40 may be used in conjunction with this arrangement. As shown on the right of this Figure, a second tube 211 is placed on the remote side of the tube 11, so that when a vehicle is moving away from the crossroad, actuation of the tube 211 short-circuits a battery 42 by which the electromagnet 22 is energized. and the magnet 22 being made slow-acting, it is de-energized before it has time to close the circuit of the lamps 5, 6. A vehicle approaching the crossing closes the short circuit, but this is re-opened before the tube 11 is depressed, so that the signal is given as described with reference to Fig. 2. A tube may be placed in the road closed by level-crossing gates, contacts on the gates ensuring that no signal is given unless the gates are closed. Instead of one casing placed over the centre of the roads, separate lamps may be provided for each road, or reflectors having a cover only removed by the passage of a vehicle may be used, and an audible signal may be used in addition to the visible signals. The resilient tubes may have flanges 14 to keep out dirt &c., and they may be anchored by metal strips embedded in the rubber. Screens or lenses on the top of the signal casing enable colour signals for the guidance of aircraft to be given continuously, or intermittently by the passage of traffic along the roads, suitable combinations of colours indicating particular routes. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 263,542.