US1615576A - Depressible traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 25, 1927.

G. L. ESTES DEPRESSIBLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 7, 1926 Ig/(lgENTOR. VZF QW ATTORIVEYS.

Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

I 1,615,576 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. ESTES, OF OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO EZRA L. ESTES,

OF SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA.

DEPRESSIBLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed June 7,

The present invention relates to trafiic signal devices, and aims to provide a novel and efiicient warning signal for intersecting trafficways and of such a character as not to offor any obstruction to the traflic vehicles.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a signal device devised for carrying out the foregoing objects,

of the invention, after which those particular features and combinations deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a frontelevation, illustrating a signal device constructed in accordance in pairs to the opposite faces of the plate with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section, representing a section taken on the line IL -II of Figure 1; 1

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device; Figure 4 is a central vertical section, representing a section taken on the line IVIV of Figure 3; J

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line VV of Figure 4: and

Figure 6 is a detailsection, taken on the line VI-VJ of Figure 1.

Referrin'g now to th this shows my improved signal device as comprising a base plate member 10 which is adapted to be mounted upon the surface of a highway, indicated at 12, and-anchored thereto by means of any suitable fastening means 14, such as screws, bolts. pins or the like. Mounted centrally and longitudinally of the plate 10 is a bearing bracket memher 15 removably secured to the base plate by like screws 16. The bracket member 1s formed with bearings 17 for journalmg a shaft 18 designed to afford an oscillating support for the signal member proper comprising the plate ,19, the lower corners of which are formed with pro]ec t1ng lugs 20 for embracing the shaft 18 achacent to the bearings 17. One of said lugs 20 embraces drawing in detail,

1926. Serial No. 114,208.

the squared portion 18 of said shaft, which portion 18 also carries a crank arm 22 having a forked end 23 and pin 24 for attaching a rod 21 carrying a series of weight elements 25. Theie weight elements are suspended within a housing 26 formed at one end of the base plate 10 and adapted to be embedded substantially entirely below the surface of the highway. To prevent too great a range ofmovement of the weights, the latter are yieldingly connected by means of spring elements 27 to the sides of the housing 26 (Figure 2). A cap member 28 is removably secured by means of screws 29 to the top margin of the housing 26.

At least one of the .faces of the signal member 19 is designed to carry the desired signalindicia such as the letters forming the Word stop or whatever other warning, such as the word slow. or the like. that is to be given to approaching traific. Preferably also the signal member is provided with suitable reflector elements such as disks of colored glass 30, adapted to be illuminated by the glare of headlights; these are secured 19 by means of disk holder plates 32 anda single bolt 34 for each pair of said disks 30 and plates 32', as shown in Figure 6.

In practice, it is proposed to mount the above described device at either the margin, that is, side edge portion of a highway, or at any appropriate point, such as the middle of the street or traflicway where it merges into a cross or intersecting highway. In either case, the weight housing portion 26 is embedded below the surface of the pavement or road bed, leaving the base plate 10 resting flat on the top surface of the pavement or roadbed where it and the movable signal member may be engaged by the wheels of the traffic, if need be, without offering any material obstruction to-the latter. Thus, when the tra-fiic is obliged to pass directly over the signal member, this being free to rock with the shaft 18, simply swings in either direction, as indicated in Figure 2, and thereafter is automatically restored to upright position by the action of the wei hts 25. Likewise, when the device is engage by street cleaning, street sweeping or other devices, their operation is not interfered with by my signal device, and no damage is done the projection above the surface of the pavement or roadbed as the signal member is deressed, so that the obstruction to traffic moving in either direction is practically a negli ible quantity. Any desired indicia may e placed-upon the other face of the signal member, such as the name of the cross highway in case the signal is mounted at a highway intersection. The demountable character of the signal and the bracket members enables these and the cap member 28 to be removed in the winter season in some localities, if desired, on account of ice, etc, obstructing its operation, the housing 26 being simply filled up temporarily with earth or gravel to present an even top surface.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a practical and inexpensive device for carrying out the desired objects of the invention, and while I have illustratedwhat is now regarded as its preferred form, I desire to reserve the right to make such changes as may fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A traflic signal device comprising a base plate adapted to be supported directly upon the surface of the road bed, and provided with a housing projecting below the plane of said base plate, an oscillating shaft mounted on said base plate and provided with a crank arm carrying a weight suspended within said housing, and a signal member carried by said shaft and normally maintained by said weight in upright position.

2. A traffic signal device comprising a base plate adapted to be supported directly upon the surface ofthe roadbed, and provided with a housing projecting below the plane of said base plate, an oscillating shaft mounted on said base plate and provided with a crank arm, a weight pivotally and freely suspended-from said crank arm, yielding means associated with said weight and restraining the latter from excessive swinging movement, and a signal member carried by said shaft and normally maintained by said weight in upright position.

In witness whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

GEORGE L. ESTES.

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