US1628756A - Signaling device - Google Patents

Description

Filed Jan. 12, 1923 Patented May 1.927.

UNITED STATES CHASE TAYLOR, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SIGNALINQ DEVICE.

Application nled January 12, 1923. Serial No. 612,165.

, This invention relates to Signaling devices or semaphores and is particularlyadapted for use incontrolling vehicular and railway traffic but is not limited thereto exclusivel In order that my invention may be clear y understood I have Vin'the accompanying drawings disclosed certain embodiments thereof chosen .for illustrative purposes, whereinphore according to one form of my invention and a support therefor;

" Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 is a verticall section illustrating a distant control mechanism adapted for use With the semaphore illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a second form of signal or semaphore illustrating my invention ;,l f Y Fig. v5 is a sectional View partially diagrammatical on a line corresponding to the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; and l Fig. 6 is an elevation of a semaphore illustrating still another form of my inven tion. L

`As set forth in my copending application Serial Number 535,190, filed Feb. 9, 1922, now patent 1,553,730, dated Sept. 15, 1925, of which the present application is a continuation in part, it is a proven fact that at least four per cent of all people are colorblind. In the case of automobile or vother vehicular traffic this fact is of serious consequence since operating licenses are granted to practically any person who can operate an automobile, without examination for color-blindness. It is also f great importance in connection with steam or electric railway traffic. Although applicants for positions as locomotive engineers and the like customarily have their vision tested, it is quite possible vand n ot at all unusual for them subsequently to become color-bl1nd, as from the abuse of coffee, alcoholic beverages or other causes. j

. An important objectv of my invention V1s to provide a semaphore orfsimilar signaling device provided with a light, the appearance y of which independent of the color thereof will convey the desired/signal or informationA to a person 'observing the same whether or not he or she be color-blind.

Referring 'first to Figs. 1 to 3, the base of the semaphore or signal is indicated at 1 and thef'upright or ypost is indicated as a Fig. 1 is an elevation of a signal or semawhole at 2. The upper portion 3 of said post is preferably tu ular and supports-at its upper extremity a receptacle or casing 4 which may be rectangular as shown, or.

of any other suitable form. Said casing constitutes a protective container for a suitable light source, such as the electric lamps indicated at 5, light from which is rendered visible upon one or more of the .side faces of said easing. u

` Opposite faces of said casing, one of which is indicated at 6 in Fig. 1, are each provided with elongated rectangular win- ` dows 7 and 8. One Window 7 is preferably arranged with its longer dimension extending vertically while the other window 8 ex-V tends horizontally or transversely of the cas-J ing. T he vertically disposed windowv 7 is provided with a transparency or lens 9 which may be of a distinctive color, preferably green, eustomarily em loyed to indicate a clear Way or ga he horizontally disposed .window 8y is likewise provided with a'transparency or lens 10 colorable in a distinctive manner, preferably red, customarily indicating danger or stop.

In. this rmanner 1 provide a vertical win-I dow or light transmitting area which is relatively-narrow .as compared with itsheightand which exposes a vertically disposed light configuration, and also a horizontal window, relatively broad as compared with its height, which exposes a horizontally disposed light confguratidn. Said transparencies or lenses as showri cross each other at approximately their mid points, and desir-- ably are oppositely/recessed at their central ortions in the Vmanner clearly shown in i ig. 1 whereby the effect is of a substantiallyy continuous horizontallight formand of a substantially continuous vertical light form. Obviously, however, the windows may be differently arranged, as forexample, -one above the other,'or sideby side. All light rays 'other than those` transmitted by the lenses are retained or shielded .within 'ithe casing 4. f E

Desirabl-y I provide means whereby one or the other of the light `exposing windows 7 and 8 may beobscured. For this purpose 1 have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 shutters loo 11 having central hubs fixed upon opposite ends of a. rotatablel shaft 12 journalled in suitablebearings formed in brackets 13, 13\ v lines in Fig. 1, are of a form and size corresponding to the openings or windows, but

f 14 fixed thereto, the

desirably slightly larger so as tooverlie the same. Said shutters are adapted to be turned into the vertical position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the vertical windows 7 are obscured andthe light is exposed through the horizontal windows 8 or into a horizontal position obscuring the windows 8 and permitting the light to be visible at the. vertical windows 7 y Any suitable means may be employed for rotating saidsh'utters and herein 1 have provided said shaft 12 with a depending finger lower end of which finger projects between the prongs of a yoke or- U-shaped member 15 secured to the f upper end of a rod 16 rotatably mounted within the tubular post 3. A lever or h andle 17 issecured to the lower portion of said rod 16 and projects laterally of the post 2 through a suitable slot in a sleeve 18. By moving the handle 17 horizontally the shutf ters are rotated to expose either the horizontal or vertical light configurations, the arrangement in Fig. 2 being particularly adapted for use in controlling vehicular tra fic at street crossings.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown two r-opposite faces of the casing carrying the signal transparencies, there being a shutter 11 4'for each face. Obviously the other two faces of the four sided casing may be and desiri ably are provided with similar light exposing configurations, The opposite shutters 11 as shown are operated simultaneously, but may, if desired be independently or consecutively actuated.v

There light shapes are provided upon four faces of the casing, as is desirable in connection with street traffic. lit will be understood that contrasting or opposite configurations or light shapes will normally be displayed upon adjacent faces; that is, if the north face shows a horizontally disposed light form, which isinstinctively interpreted asbarring the way and indicating stop, the east or west faces. or both, will display a vertically disposed light form. indicating go If desired, characters such a.' Stop and Goi'or the like may be provided upon the` appropriate transparencies or lenses. All four shutters, when employed. may; be operated simultaneously or in ividually or in pairs, as desired. By means of controlled shutters for four faces `the necessity of turning the entire sign or signal, as heretofore customary, is avoided. e

In Fig. 3 I have shown a distant control mechanism for the shutters whereby my signal is adapted for use in connection with railway traffic, or for other purposes in which distant controlthereof is desired. In said figure I have indicated a solenoid at 19 having an armature 20 to the upper end of Leasn Current may be supplied to said solenoid fromany suitable source, as through the conductors 24. When the circuit is completed in any desired manner the armature 19 is drawn downwardly thereby moving downwardly the rack 22akud rotating the shutters 11 into horizontal position, saidshutters bcing returned to the vertical position shown in Fig. 3 by any suitable means such as a spring (not shown) or if desired a ,double acting solenoid or a separate solenoid may be employed. Obviously said control may be em loyed in connection with a signal or semap lore having light forms displayable on but a single face as is usual in railway semaphores.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, illustrating a second embodiment of my invention, I have shown a standard 2 supporting a casing 4 preferably rectangular and adapted to display colored lightbeams of predetermined form or geometrical position at one, two or four faces thereof. Either one or two faces may be employed when usng the signal in connection with railway traffic, while four faces are preferably for use with vehicular traffic, particularly at street intersections.

One face of said casing 4" is indicated at 25 in Fig. 4 and is provided upon opposite sides of its vertical median line with oppositely positioned light filtering, distorting or refracting means whereby light beams of different directional appearance and difiering incross-sectional contour or configuration are displayable. Accordingly l have represented at 2G a multiple cylinder or other suitable lens which is adapted to transmit a light beam or beams of apparently infinite verticality; that is, the rays of light coming therefrom appear to extend vertically only and toa vertical distance above and below the light source lilnited only by the power of the latter. S aced from said lens 2G is a second light ltering lensl27 for lpassing a light beam or beams of apparently infinitey horizontality. The light rays from said lens 27 appear to extend in a horizontal direction only, or at right anglesto the rays from the lens 26. Said lenses 26 and 27 may if dc slred be colored in any suitable and preferably different colors as groen and red respectively. This same type of light filtering lens may also be and'preferably is employed in connection with that form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 and such lenses are shown in said figure although in that embodunent of my invention such light filtering lense's are not essential to the formation of ill:

`lamps for each lens obviouslyl contrastngly shaped light beams since therey in the openings in the casin` or container are themselves contrastingly s aped.

Desirably a light source is provided for each lens jsuch as thel electric lamps 28 and 29 "positioned in compartments within the casing 4 separated y the partition indicated at 30. Means is furnished for alterare connected with the contact members 3l and-32 respectively.

In operation, when the finger 33 is moved int-o contact with one or'the other contact member 31 or 32, as by means of the handle 37 extending from the rod 34 one pr the other of the lamps is illuminated ,thereby to display either a vertical or a horizontal light beam.l .If desired the lamps 28 and 29may themselves be colored green and red or other color respectively, the lenses then being uncolored. While I prefer to employ separate I mayk provide a single li ht source to et er -with means similar to tat shown vin igs. y1-3 for obscuring either'lens at will.

While I have shown lens* means for castingJight beams either vertically or horizontallv ositioned, obviously I may provide an additional lens or lenses u on the same face of the casing for transmitting a beam of still different directional appearance, as for example diagonal or at an' angle of 45 to either side of said vertical beam. Such a beam which may be colored yellow or other color, is employed to give warning that a change of 'signalsis about to be made, or in connection with railway traflic, to indicate that a block beyond the next adjacent block is occu ied.

'In ig. 6 is illustrated another embodiment ofmyinventi0n wherein the casing 4 carries upon each side face a single light filtering lens, similar to those shown in Figs. 4 -and 5, the casing itself being mounted for turning movement upon its standard 2". Either two or four faces of the casing may be provided with lenses depending upon the circumstances under -which the signal or may be colored, as red. At least one face at right angles to that appearing in Fig. 6 carries a lens arranged at a different angle from `lens 39 and preferably disposed so as to shed.

a vertical light beam or beams desirably colore-d, as green. Where four faces are employed it will be understood that the opposite faces 'as for example, north. and south,

carry similar lenses. If desired the lenses upon adjacent faces may themselvesbe of different shapes, as in my aforesaid copending application.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that I have provided a signal or semaphore having a lamp" or lamps arranged to display a difference in shape as well as in color in castingv a beam of light. In ac* cordance with my invention the light beam is vignetted or given a predetermined contour or geometrical configuration or form, or by preferably colorable means said beam is resolved or lengthened ,so as to present a ray or rays of predetermined direction or geometrical position of apparently infinite length.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsl shown for illustrative purposes, the scope thereof being set forth in the following claims.

v1. -trafiic signalv comprising a casing havlng a plurality of faces, a light source in said casing, a pair of lenses for producing from said source a series -of .substantially parallel bands of light ve'xtendiiig transversely to the direction in which the `'said light is projected, means mounting said lenses in the faces of said casing, the length of the bands of one series extending at such an angle to Vthose of another as to differentiateA the signals produced thereby, and meansselectively permitting one only of said series of bands to be viewed at one time from a given point of observation.

2. A traffic signal comprising a'casing. a light source therein, said casing having` one or more faces for the display of light signals, a pair of lenses for each such face and means for. mounting lthem on said Hcasing to transmit light from said source through the respective face or faces, said lenses each mitting the projection of light through one lens only of each pair at any given time.

3. A traffic signal compr-Ising a casing,

ics

t, said "produced thereby, and means selectively per a light ysource therein,` said? casing having l one-or more faces forl the display of light signals, a pair of lenses for each such face and means f'or mountingy them onsaid cas-V ing to transmit light from said VSource through the res ective face or facesfsaid lenses each ro ucing a series of substantially paral el bands of light extending transversely to the direction ofprojctionwof said light, said bands from one lens of each pair extending at such angle to those of the other lens of the same pair as to differentiate the signals produced thereby, and means selectively permitting the light from one lens only to be viewed at any one time by anobserver facing a given pair of lenses.

4. A signaling device particularly vfor use in controlling tralic comprising a light source, a protective container for said light source, a lens, means supporting said lens on said container in position to receive light from said source, said lens being constructed lto transmit the same as a light signal comprising a series of substantially )parallel bands extending in a predetermined direction transverse to the direction in which the light is projected, and means operative at will to control the transmission of light vet from said source to said lens, said signal having by reason of its directional extent apredetermined informational value irrespective of Words, color or the like.

5. A semaphore or like signaling device comprising` a container, a source of light therein, said container having one or more faces provided with a plurality of refracting lenses for producing from said source a series of parallel bands of light extending transversely to the direction in'which the said light is projected, at least one of which lenses is ositioned on said container to project ligiit beam signals visible as a series of substantially vertically extending light bands, and another of which lenses is con structed and positioned to project light beam signals visibfe as a series of substantially horizontally extending light bands.

6. A semaphore or like signaling device comprising afcasing. a light source therein, said casing having one or more faces for the display of light signals, a p'urality of lenses, at least one for each such face, and means for mounting them on said casing to transfmit light from said source through their respective face or faces, said lenses producing each a series of substantially parallel bands of light extending transversely to the direction of projection of the light, said bands from one lens extending at such angle to those of another lens as to differentiate the signals produced thereby, and distant`.y controllable means permitting one only of said series of bands to be viewed at one time from a given point of observation.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

- CHASE TAYLOR.

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