US1655590A - Automatic traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed March 20, 1924 5 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HENRY 0. BORGE-RDINC; OO5EPH F- BORGERDING AT Y Jan'. 10, 1928.

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed March 20, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M mwm was w 1% w? T 1F A 3 I. WW w m H; w 0

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDlNG ,ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFI G S IGNAL Filed March 20, 1.924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHVENTORS HENRY zxsokeawme JOSEPH F- BORGERDING A YS.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi-led March 20, 1924 H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL INVENTOR5 HENRY J- BOR6EED\NG U0 5 F- BORG ERD\NG Jan. 10, 1928.

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,590

H. J. BORGERDING ET AL AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Filed March 20, 1924 v 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 NS V INVENTORS HENRY a. sozeeaome 'O'OSEPH FZBORGEKHNG- ATTYS.

Patented Jan. 10, 1928. 1

UNITED STATES PATENT F FICE.

HENRY J. BORGERDIN G AND JOSEPH F. BORGEBDING, 0F OAKLAND, GALIZFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed March 20, 1924. Serial No. 700,469.

This invention relates to automatic t'raflic Figs. 5 and 6 are views in elevation of opsignals for use in directing traffic at the inposite sides of the motor control disk. 50 tersections of highways or streets. I Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of the face It is the principal object of the present of the control disk of the audible signal 5 invention to generally improve devices of which operates synchronously with the anthe character mentioned whereby to protomaton. vide a traflic signal which may be "substi- Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the cas- 55 tuted for traflic ofilcers usually stationed at ing inclosing the automatic control mechastreet or highway intersections to direct the nism and disclosing the latter in full.

trailic. This signal is capable of automatic Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of operation and may be controlled from a rethe electrical contactor used in connection mote point. wlth the automatic'control circuit. 00

In carrying out this object we provide an Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view electrically operated automaton capable of in elevation of the sliding member of the turning a quarter of a revolution at desired contactor shown in the precedin figure.

intervals to direct the traffic at street in- Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram 0? the device tersections. We provide two controls for with a local control circuit shownin heavy as the automaton, one of which may be exerlines. I cised to operate the automaton at intervals Fig. 12 discloses the wiring diagram with of any desired length. The other control the automatic control ci cuit in heavy lines.

is automatic and causes the automaton t0 Referring more particularly to the acoperate at regular or irregular time intercompanying drawings, 10 indicates a base vals of predetermined lengths. of suitable construction and which may be We also provide a fire alarm circuit for placed at the intersection of streets or in 25 displaying and sounding an alarm to stop any other advantageous position. It is inall traffic when necessary. The circuit of tended that the base be weatherproof as it this alarm is so associated with the electrical contains mechanism for operating an automapparatus for operating the automaton that aton 11 mounted on the base. This automwhen the alarm circuit is closed the operaton is preferably formed of sheet metal 0 'ating circuits of the automaton are autoand simulating a trafficoflicer. It is prematically rendered ineffective. ferred that the automaton be about the size One form which the invention may asof ahuman figure. I so same is exemplified in the following descrip- The automaton is supported for rotation tio nd illustrated by way of example in about its vertical axis by a pair of bearing 35 t ac mpanying drawi gs, in which: members 12 fixed within the automaton and Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a traffic keyed or otherwise secured to a vertical signal embodying the pref erred form of our sleeve h ft 14 Th l tt i j ll d i invention. a bearing 15 carried by the platform 16 of Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the base 10. I

40 the same with parts of the automaton broken Th Sleeve h ft 14 i d t d t b i away nd in S i n to more l r y i l s termittently rotated to revolve the automer ain fea r S f the iHVentiOnaton by means of an electric motor 17 Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section through mounted in the base 10. The shaft 18 0f the base taken at right angles to the secthis motor is fitted with a worm 19 which tiOn ShOWn in the preceding fig is in mesh with a worm gear 20. The latter Fig.4 is an enlarged detailed view in secis fixed on a shaft 21 which carries a bevel tion disclosing the construction of the elecpinion 22. This pinion is in mesh with a or; trical Wipers. bevel gear 23 fixed on the lower end of the sleeve shaft 14. It is obvious from this that nected with a crank arm 31 which is fixed on a shaft 32. The arm 33 of the automaton is also fixed on this shaft. Therefore, when the push rod is raised and lowered, the

shaft 32 will be rotated approximately one-' half of a revolution and returned, causing the arm to be raised and. lowered to imitate the action of a traflic officer. As will be seen in Fig. 2 the head of the automaton is turnable on the trunk portion and has an extension fitted with a bevel gear 34. This gear is in mesh with a bevel pinion 35 fixedon the shaft 32. This 'will cause the head to slightly turn each time the arm of the automaton is raised and lowered. a

The gear ratios between the various shafts described are such that the eccentric 29 will be revolved one complete revolution each time the automaton and its operatingshaft 14 is revolved one-fourth of a revolution. This will cause the arm 33 to operate synchronously with theturning of the automaton.

To aid in supporting the automaton we place a band 36 about the center of the figure. This band is held stationary by rods 37 extending from vertical posts 38 at the corners of the platform. The automaton is free to turn in the band 36.

For controlling the operation of the motor 17 we provide two independent controls; one of which we prefer to term a local control and the other an automatic control. Both of these controls can be manipulated from a point remote from the device.

The circuit of the motor 17 includes a disk 39 which is fixed on a shaft 401 This shaft is driven by a bevel gear 41 fixed on the sleeve shaft 14, which gear is inmesh with a gear 42 on the shaft 40. The ratio between the said shafts is two to one, so that the disk 39 willrevolve one-half of a revolution each time the automaton I is driven a quarter of a revolution.

The disk is insulated from the shaft and is formed witha rimof conducting material against which a wiper 43 bears. The opposite faces of the disk are fitted with diametrically opposed segments 44 and 45 also of conducting material. The remaining portions of the faces of the disk are of non conducting material. The segments 44 and 45 are electrically connected to the rim of the disk whereby 'a circuit may be completed from a wiper 46 in contact with the segment 44 to the rim, or from a wiper 47 in contact with the segment 45 to the rim. The arrangement of the segments causes the motor circuit to be interrupted eeah half revolution of the disk, which is at each quarter revolution of the automaton.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we disclose views of the opposite faces of the disk 39.

The construction of the wipers is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. Reference being had to this figure it is seen that the wiper member 46' is reciprocable in a sleeve 46*, within which an expansion spring 46 is placed. This spring constantly tends to force the wiper member 46 outwardly. The sleeve 46 is secured in an insulating collar and is connected to an electrical conductor.

For the sake of clearness in Fig. '11 we have shown the wiring diagram with the local control circuit in heavy lines and the remainder v of the wiring in light lines. It will be seenthat the control circuit includes a main feed wire 50 which is connected by a conductor 51 to the armature 52 of amagnet 53. When the magnet is not energized the arn'iature 52 thereof is in contact with a terminal 54 of a conductor 55. This conductor leads to the arm of a switch 56. When-this switch is in contact with a terminal 57 of a conductor 58 it will be electrically connected to the arm of a double throw switch 59 which may be-placed in contact with either of a pair of terminals 60 and 61 which are connected with conductors 62 and 63, respectively. The conductor 63 is connected with the wiper 46 which is in contact with the segment 44 on the disk 39. 'Lhe conductor 62 is connected with the wiper 47 which is in contact with the segment 45 on the disk. When the, switch arm of the switch 59 is in contact with the terminal 60 a circuit will be completed through the conductor 62fthe brush 4?, the segment 45 on the disk 39, and from the rim of the disk 39 to one side of the motor 17 through the wiper 43 and conductor 43. The other side of this motor is connected by a conductor 64 to the other main feed wire 65. The motor will then commence operatil'ig and continue to do so until the disk 39 has traversed one-half of a. revolution. The wiper 47 will then he disengaged from the segment 45 and will hear on the non-conducting surface of the disk. The-motor circuit will then be broken.

' During the operation of the motor, however, the automaton will be revolved onefourth of a revolution and the accompanying operations will take place as described. The motor 17 will then remain idle until the arm of the switch 59 is placed in contact with the terminal 61. lVhen this occurs a circuit will be completed through the conductor 63,

1 the wiper 46 and the segment 44 on the oppo- '47 dise'ngages from thesegment 45. From the segment 44 the-current will be conducted to the rim of the disk 39 and thence to'the motor from the wiper 43 and conductor 43.

' interval between operations of the automaton The circuit of the latter will then be completed through the-conductor 64 which leads to the feed wire 65.

It is obvious from the foregomg that the may be optional and may be controlled from a remote point bythe switch 59.

Simultaneously with the operation of the automaton we have arranged for the sounding of a bell 66 or-other'audible signal. The circuit of this bell is in series with the motor. The circuit of the bell includes a disk 67 having a conducting rim 68 with which a wiper 69 contacts. One face of the disk isformcd with a conducting surface 70 with which a wiper 71 contacts. The surface 70 is electrically connected with the rim.

The disk 67 operates inunison with the disk 39 and during one-half of a revolution the circuit of the bell will be uninterrupted. During the other half revolution of the disk 67 the circuit of the bell will be interrupted so that it will sound twice. To accomplish this we have placed a section of insulating material in the path of the wiper 71. The feature of the different alarms is advantageous as it gives a different sounding when the trafiic'is opened, say, for instance, north and south, than when it is opened east and west.

It is believed that the circuit of the bell can be easily traced from the diagram in Fig. 11.

The automatic control for the automaton may be located at apoint remote from the latter and in this instance is shown encased in a casing 73 shown in-Fig. 8.

The control mechanism disclosed in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive is illustrated, described and claimed in a co-pending application filed as a division of this application on or about the 13th day of May, 1925, entitled Traffic signal timing device, bearing Ser. No. 29,927.

The various electrical connections between the casing 73 and the base '10 of the automaton may be made through wires laid -m theusual manner. The'automatic control comprises a motor 74. the shaft of which is fitted with a worm which is in mesh with a worm gear 75 on a shaft 76. This shaft is alsofitted with aworm 77 which is in mesh with a worm gear 7 8 on a timer wheel shaft 79. Fixed on this latter shaft is a timer wheel .80, the rim of which is fitted with a plurality of rows of gear segments 81. These rowsof se ments are spaced apart axially of the wheel and are difierently spaced apart circumferentially thereof. a

'84 having a face of similar material. A

wiper member 88 is carried by the gear 83 and is adapted to contact with four contact points 89 carried by the sliding member 84.

These four contact points 89 areshown in diagram in Fig. 12, where the wiper 88 is indicated as a swinging arm. The wiper 88 obtains its current from the center rod 85, while the contact points 89 obtain current from the rods 85.

Reference being had to Fig. 12 where the wiring diagram is shown With the circuit of the automatic contrdl in heavy lines, it will be/seen that the switch 56 controls a circuit of the timer motor 74. When it is desired to discontinue the local control and place the automatic control in operation the switch 56 is placed to contact with the terminals 90 and 91. The circuit of the motor 7 4 will then be closed and the latter will drive the timer wheel 80. When one of the segments 81 becomes enmeshed with the gear 83 the latter will be revolved a quarter of a revolution to placev the wiper 88 thereon in contact with one of the points 89. This will close a cirthence to the wiper 88 to the contact point 89 with which it is in contact along the con ductor 92 to the terminal 60, thence through the conductor 62 to the control disk 39 of the automaton motor. The circuit of this latter motor will then be closed in the same manner as that described in connection with thelocal control. When the disk 39 has revolved a half revolution, which is equivalent to a quarter revolution of the automaton, the circuit of the automaton motor will be broken as described in connection with the local control until the gear 83 is revolved another quarter revolution to bring the wiper 88 thereon in contact with the succeeding point 89 on the sliding member 84. A circuit will then be completed from the contact point 89 along a conductor 93 to the terminal 61 of the conductor 63. Thisfas described in connection with the local control, leads to the other segment of the disk 39 and completes a circuit through the automaton motor to revolve the automaton a second quarter of a revolution.

It is believed to be understood that although the timer wheel revolves continuree horizontal rods sup-j &

ously when the timer motor 74 is in operation instance, it it is desired to have the trallic open north and south longer than east and west the sliding member may be moved to place the gear 83 in position where it will be operated by the first row of segments. The spaces between the segments in this row are not equal and therefore the time interval between operations of the automaton will be unequal.

It is desirable that the second row of segments be positioned to operate the automaton each quarter revolution at intervals of the same length. Likewise the third row of segments, although the latter may be positioned closer together circumferentially of the timer wheel so that the time intervals between operations will be shorter compared with those when the automaton is operated by the second row of segments. a

For convenience we have fitted the sliding member 84 with a pointer 9i which may cooperate with a scale on the top of the housing e'ncasing the timermechanism. Therefore, the sliding member 84 may be accurately positioned at the desired point to mesh the gear 83 with "either of the three rows of segments on the timer Wheel to obtain the correct timing of the operation of the automaton.

On the four corner posts which extend vertically from the corners of the base 10 we place four lights 95, so that the automaton may be visible at night. These lights are controlled by a switch 96 placed in a conductor 97 which leads from the feed wire to one side of the four lights. The other side of these four lights is connected to the feed wire 65. The circuit of the lights will be con'iplet-ed upon closing the switch 96.

For automatically discontinuing the oper-j ation of the automaton and to notify the trallic incase the automaton should be in the path of fire engines or other vehicles necessitating the stopping of all traffic, we arrange a circuit for energizing the magnet 53 to automatically render the circuits of the timer motor 7 4 and the circuits controlled by the switch 59 ineffective.

For the purpose of explanation the circuit of the 'magnet 53 and the accompanying devices will be termed the fire, alarm circuit. This'circuit comprises the feed wire 50, conductor 51, which leads to the armature 52 of the magnet and from the armature 52 of the magnet to one side of a switch 96. The other side of this switch is led to one terminal of a magnet 53. When this switch is closed. a current will be led to the magnet from the feed wire 50 through the switch 96 to the magnet and thence to a conductor 97 to the feed wire 65, thus completing'the circuit and energizing the magnet. Immediately the magnet is energized the armature 52 thereof will be brought into contact with the terminal 98 of a conductor 99 and will complete a circuit through a bell or other electrical alarm 100 and four lights 101 to the conductor 97and thence to the lead-in wire 65 through the conductor 97. The four lights 101 mentioned are located at the top of the corner posts on the base of the automaton and are preferably colored lights. it is "obvious that the switch 96 may be located atany point remote from the automaton and that all the automatons in the path of the vehicles necessitating the stopping of the trafiic may be controlled from switches located at a central point.

It is seen from the diagram that instantly the magnet 53 is energized the circuit of the timer motor and of the local control switch 59 will be broken. As soon as the switch 96 is opened a spring 102 will immediately place the armature 52 of the magnet 53 in contact with the terminal 54 of the conductor 55 and reestablish the various circuits so that the automaton may continue operations.

In cold climates, in order to keep the platform of the base 10 clear of snow we arrange a housing 110 thereon. This housing encases a heating coil 112 which is shown in the diagrams in Figs. 11 and 12. The circuit through this heating coil is controlled by a switch 114. One sideof the switch is connected to the lead-in wire 50, the other side is connected to the heating coil through which the current may pass through a conductor 115 to the other feed wire 65. The switch controlling the lights 96 and the switch controlling the heating coil as well as the switch 60, which comprises the local control, may be located at any remote point, but are preferably associated with a housing which encloses the automatic control.

It is believed that the operation of the device, including the fire alarm circuit, is entirely clear from the foregoing description, and while we have shown the preferred form of our invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention \as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

1. In a traflic signalling device, an autom ran aton in the size and shape of a human fig-- ure consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotary movement on a rotary axis, a head, means for mounting the head for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of themovement of the trunk and, an arm mounted on the trunk for a swinging movement on a horizontal axis, gearing forsimultaneously turning the head on the trunk and for swinging the arm to produce a cautionary signal and for rotating the said automaton to change the 'posi-- tion of the same, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

2. In a traffic signalling device, an autom aton in the size and shape of a human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting the head on the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of the movement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft journaled in the trunk and carrying the swin ing arm, gearing for connecting the horizontal shaft with the said head, and for imparting rotary movement to the shaft for simultaneously turning the head on the trunk and swinging the arm, and for imparting rotary movement to the trunk to change the position of the automaton, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor. a I

3. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting the head on the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of the movement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft ournaled 1n the trunk and car- 'rying the swinging arm, gearing for connecting the horizontal shaft with the said head,a crank arm connectedwith the shaft, a push rod extending through the trunk and connected with the crank, an eccentric element arranged to actuate the push rod to swing the arm and turn the head on the trunk sinmltaneously, gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk for chang ing the, position of the automaton, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

4. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure and consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means. for mounting the head on the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of the movement of the trunk, a'swinging arm, a hori zontal shaft journaled in the trunk and carrying the swinging arm, gearing for connect ingthe horizontal shaft with the said head, a crank arm connected with the shaft, a push rod extending through the trunk and connected with thecrankfan eccentric element arranged to actuate the push rod to swing the arm and turn the head on the trunk simultaneously, a motor, gearing for connecting the motor with the trunk for changing the position of the automaton, other gearing for connecting the last mentioned gearing with the eccentric element'for rotating the latter, and means for energizing the motor. 5. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure and vaxis independent of the movement of the trunk, gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk and changing the osition of the automaton and for turning t e head on the trunk and for reversing the direction of movement of the head, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

6. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure and comprising a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotation about a vertical axis and a head, means for mounting the head on the trunk for movement about a vertical axis independent of the movement of the trunk, a horizontal shaft journaled in the trunk, gearing connecting the horizontal shaft with the head, a crank arm connected with the horizontal shaft, gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk for changing the position of the automaton and for operatingthe crank arm to turn the head on the trunk, amotor connected with the gearing for actuatingthe same, and means for energizing the motor.

7. In a signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure and comprising a trunk and a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft journalled in the trunk and carrying the swinging arm and provided with a crank arm arranged interiorly of the trunk, gearing for imparting rotary inovement to the trunk to change the position of the automaton and including a rotary eccen trio element'and a push rod engaged and actuated by the eccentric element and connected with the crank arm of the said shaft for swinging the arm of the automaton, a motor connected with the gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.-

8. In a traffic signalling device, an automaton in the size and shape of a human figure, consisting of a trunk, means for mounting the trunk for rotation about a vertical axis, a head, means for mounting the head on the trunk for rotary movement on a vertical axis independent of the movement of the trunk, a swinging arm, a horizontal shaft journaled in the trunk and carrying the swinging arm, gearing for connecting the horizontal shaft with the head, gearing for imparting rotary movement to the trunk to change the position of the automaton and for imparting rotary movement to the shaft to simultaneously turn the head on the trunk 10 and turn the arm, the said gearing causing a reversal of the direction of the horizontal shaft, a motor connected with said gearing for actuating the same, and means for energizing the motor.

HENRY J. BORGERDING. JOSEPH F. BORGERDING.

Images