US2263084A - Street signal adapter - Google Patents

Description

' Nov. 18, 1941. M. V. GREEN STREETSIGNAIADAPTER;

Filed April 17, 1939 1 8 Sheets-Sheet l INYENTOR.

' ATTORNE Nov. 18 1941. V v, REE 2,263,084

- STREET SIGNALADAPTER Filed fil 117; 1959 a Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV- -' v GREEN STREET SVIGNAL ADAPTER Filed April 17, 1939 8 Shets-Sheet 3 z 2 W701i. BY a I ATTORNEY.

Nov. 18, 1941. -v GREEN 'STREET SIGNAL ADAPTER Filed April 17, 1959 SSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQR.

W ATTORNEY.

Nov. 18, 1941. .'v. GREEN 'STREETVSIGNAL ADAPTER Filed April 17, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

\ M. v. GREEN STREET SIGNAL ADAPTER Nov. 18, 1'941 Filed April 17, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 (A /}/L ,1 a

A TTOR KEY.

Nov. .13, 1941;

M. v. GREEN STREETSIGNAL ADAPTER Filed April 17, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY. V

Nov.v 18, 1941. v M. v.- GREEN STREET SIGNAL ADAPTER 8 Sheds-Sheet a Filed April 1 7, 1939 NEE w VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 18, 1941 v STREET SIGNAL ADAPTER Mason V. Green, Lansing, Mich., assignor to Frank D. Hayes; Lansing, Mich., as trustee, F. D. Hayes Electric Company for Application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,195

4 Claims.

The object .of my device is to provide an electric device that may be used in combination with the ordinary alternating traffic signal device, for converting the old standard signal units into vehicle actuated signals.

A further object is to provide an electric signal adapter that will function the conventional type, or types of alternating traffic signal units, so as to allow continuous trafiic along a main street, subject to interruption only on the approach of a vehicle on the intersecting street.

Another object is to provide an adjustable traffic adapter that will automatically repeat, or continue an existing actuated street signal during a predetermined periodof the timer signal,

cycle.

These. several objects are attained in the preferred form by the construction and arrangement of the various parts and sections as more specifically hereinafter set forth- Similar parts on all drawings are marked similar numerals or letters.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the adapter device, with the front casing removed, showing the general arrangement of the different operating unit sections.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the assembled adapter, showing the relative position of the various operating units and circuit terminal contact elements. 1

Fig. 3 is a left side elevation of theqadapter, showing the power units and the adjustable cir cuit contacts,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of the Fig. 2, showing the general arrangement of the operating parts within the outer tier of instrument.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of the Fig.2, showing the power unit back gearings.

Fig. 6 is a top View of the assembled adapter shown in Fig. 1, showing the double relay units and the circuit terminals provided thereon.

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line T--| of the Fig. 1, showing the relative position of=the various operating parts within the call registering unit.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of a typical alternatin street signal timer unit, illustrating one form of f geared means commonly used for operating the different signal circuits, alternately for both intersecting streets.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the timer unit shown in the Fig. 8, illustrating the different signal circuitcontact terminals, and means for actuating same in a predetermined sequence.

Fig. 10 is an illustrative diagram showing the various phases and operating sequence of the combined signal system.

Fig.. 11' is a wiring diagram of the adapter device, and its connected operating units and signal lights. i

It is to be understood that I do not claim a complete trafiic signal device, but only the adapter unit, to be used with some form of suitable detector, and an alternating electric signal timing unit, for converting same into a vehicle actuated signal for at least one of the intersecting streets.

I have illustrated my device as applied to a continuous signal, if uninterrupted, on a main street, and the vehicle actuated signal on the intersecting street, and as indicated in the Fig. 11 of the drawings. a

Each trafiic actuation, or electrical impulse to the adapter, from the connected detector G installed beneath the actuated street surface, will through the timing unit to the different street signal lights, as shown in the Fig. 11.

The call registering unit A, comprises a sensi tive galvanometer relay instrument I, an induction motor 2, and various connecting operating elements for functioning different contact terminals connected within the electric circuits passingtherethrough. The sensitive relay l is pedestrian use. The detector G, herein illustrated is formed of a permanent magnet bar 9, surrounded by a continuous induction coil winding II], A movable circuit contact arm is mounted on the rotor 5, rotatable therewith, and is provided with an iron point tip a. A fixed terminal l2 formed with a permanent magnet end tip, is mounted within the relay casing, positioned to engage, and retain thereon, the movable contact arm whenever the same is rotated thereto by electrical reaction from the connected detector G. The relay terminals II and |2 are connected within an electric circuit leading to the induction motor 2, by the circuit wires l3, I4 and Ma. The small induction motor 2 may be of any suitable standard type, provided with back gears l5, I5 and H, or similar back gears, and is fixedly mounted on the central frame panel l8, directly opposite the sensitive relay The motor gear I1 is mounted on a stud shaft 9 which is projected outside the motor casing wall, and through 'the supporting frame panel l8. Fixedly mounted on the outer end of the stud shaft I9 is a reset toggle arm 20. The arm is formed with a V-shaped head cam b on the extended end thereof, and positioned symmetrical thereto. A reset arm 2| is pivotally mounted on the back of the frame panel 3, and extended therethrough with its free end projected between the terminal members II and I2 of relay for separating same whenever said reset arm is rotated. Hingedly attached to said reset arm 2|, is an operating arm 22, mounted with its outer end positioned above the toggle arm cam head b, and contacted therewith through the end arm roller 23, designed to roll on the cam face I) under reaction of the connected spring 0, as the arm .20 is rotated clockwise by the connected motor .2. When the roller 23 reaches the cam apex it will then slide down the opposite cam face and rotate the reset arm 2| sufficiently to open the terminals II and I2, and thus disconnect the motor circuit. Fixedly attached to the side of the toggle arm 20, is a rigid side cam 24, formed and positioned to .engage a terminal post 25 mounted on the side of a spring terminal contact 26, and in a manner for depressing same and separating the terminal 25 from its corresponding fixed terminal 2! whenever the side cam 24 is rotated. The toggle arm 20 and cam 24 are returned to their normal position by a connected spring 32, when the motor circuit is broken, Both the terminals 26 and 27 are mounted on an insulating block 28 which is fixedly attached to a gear sector 29, rotatably pivoted over the shaft l9, and is actuated by .an adjusting screw 30 and connecting pinion gear 3|, providing adjusting means for timing the terminals 26 and 21 in relation to the opening cam 24. Fixed terminals 33 and 34 are mounted on the central frame panel l8 by means of an insulating block 35 fixedly attached thereto. Corresponding movable terminals 33a and 34a are attached to an insulating block 36 which is pivotally mounted therebeneath by the pivot shaft 31 projected from the side of panel l8, and the terminals 34 and 34a are held normally open by the connected spring 38, when otherwise unrestrained. An operating plug 39 is fixedly attached to the side of the pivoted insulating block 36, positioned thereon to engage the toggle arm 20 when same is rotated by the motor 2, for tilting the block 36 and closing the contact terminals '33 and 33a, automatically locking the block and terminals in that position by the attached latch arm 40 and lock arm 4| mounted thereabcve. A call cancelling relay E is fixedly mounted on the central frame panel l8, positioned above the lock arm 4|, and is designed to contact and disengage said arm 4| from the latch arm to, by the extended hammer arm i attached to the relay armature plate 11. Whenever the latch arm 40 is disengaged, the contact terminals 33 and 33a will open and the contact terminals 34 and 340. will automatically close under reaction of the connected spring A pair of circuit contact terminals 42 and 43 are mounted on the movable armature plate d of the relay E, insulated therefrom by the insulating block 44, and positioned normally open. A contact plug 44a of insulating material is fixedly attached to the panel l8, positioned thereon to engage and close the terminals 42 and 43 Whenever the relay E is energized and the armature plate at closed thereon. Suitable multiple electric circuit connecting terminal units 45 and 45a are fixedly attached to one edge of the frame panel l8 for more conveniently connecting the adapter unit with other electric element units with which it is to be operated.

The timing unit B comprises a small reversible induction motor 45 fixedly mounted on the back frame panel 41, the motor being operative with a series of adjustable circuit contact terminals mounted adjacent thereto. The motor 46 may be any suitable type of reversible induction motor provided with back gears e, f, and g, or similar back gears, and is provided with a central stud shaft 48 projected through the inner motor casing wall and supporting frame panel 49. A pinion gear 55 is mounted on the stud shaft 48, positioned inside the panel 49, and engages a toothed timing rack 5| slidably mounted crosswise the panel, operative in both directions. Along one side of the panel 49 is mounted the insulating terminal block 52 fixedly attached to the panel face, and carries mounted thereon three terminal points 53, 54, and 55. Directly beneath the fixed terminal block 52 and opposite one end of the timing rack 5|, is a movable insulating block 56 pivotally attached to the panel face by the pivot pin h, and carries the three corresponding spring contact terminals 53a, 54a, and 55a, arranged and positioned to contact their respective terminal points 53, 54, and 55 when closed thereon under reaction of the attached spring 51, when otherwise unrestrained. The said series of contact terminals are opened by direct contact with the end of the timing rack 5| when moved in that direction by the connected operating motor 45. Positioned along the opposite side of the frame panel 49, and adjacent the opposite end of the timing rack 5|, is a pair of adjustable contact terminals 58, and 58a mounted on an insulating block 59, and with the contact points normally open. The insulating block 59 is fixedly attached to the end of a toothed rack 60 which is slidably mounted across the inside face of the front frame panel 6|. The toothed rack 6|) meshes with and is adjusted by the connecting pinion gear 62 mounted on the operating stud shaft 63. The shaft 63 is rotatably mounted through the central section of the front frame panel 6|, and is provided with a suitable handle 64 attached to the outer end thereof, for adjusting the position of the timing contact terminals 58 and 58a relative to the end of the closing rack 5|, designed to close these terminals at predetermined intervals. Other types of motors and terminal operating elements, may also be adapted, if desired.

Directly above the timing unit B, is mounted the interlocking relay C and the'transfer relay D, arranged one over the other and fixedly attached to the back frame panel 41. Both the relays C and D are shown as of the double, dual terminal type, and comprise an energizing coil k, magnetic core m, and movable armature plate n. The control relay D is provided with double, separated circuit contact terminals, 65 and 66 on one side thereof, and like double, separated circuit contact terminals 61 and 68 along the opposite side of the relay.. A pair of double spring terminal contacts 69 and III are mounted on the relay armature plate n, positioned with their respective contact points between the pairs of double, separated, terminals 65-66, and 6I-68. The contacts 69 and III are operative with the relay armature plate n, and their contact with the respective terminals depends upon the energizing or deenergizing of the relay coil k.

The interlocking relay C, is of a like structure, and is provided also with two pairs of separated contact terminals H and I2, also I3 and I4, and the corresponding double spring terminal contacts I5 and I6 positioned therebetween as in the former case.

To more clearly define the various separated electric circuits through the adapter, and the connected detector and signal timing units, and the sequence of operation, a simplified conventional timer unit is here illustrated, shown in the Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The timer unit as here shown, comprises a support frame TI, and is provided with an electric power unit formed of dual coils I8 and 18a mounted therein in horizontal alignment, positioned with their respective magnetic poles slightly separated. An armature disc 86 is rotatably mounted in the frame 11 by the shaft 8|, positioned with the disc'edge between the power coil pole ends, and will rotate whenever the electric circuit is closed through the motor coils. Any other suitable electric motor unit could be substituted therefor, if desired. The rotation of the disc 80 and supporting shaft 8|, also rotates the back gears 82, 83, and 84, with connecting gears, together with a connected operating cam 85. The operatingcam 85 is formed of adjustable circular segments of different radii, connected together so as to form stepped circumferences r, s, t and u therearound providing different elevations for the contacting operating arm 66 engaged therewith as said cam is slowly rotated by the connected motor I6. The different stepped cam surfaces 1', s, t and u control the operating arm positions for actuating the main street green (actuated street red), main street amber, main street red (actuated street green), and the actuated street. amber signals, respectively. The outer end of the operating arm 86 is provided with a terminal contact cross pin 10. A series of corresponding movable circuit contact terminals 8I, 88, 69, and 96 are mounted on the insulatingblock I9 fixedly attached to the frame 11, said terminals contacting separated insulated terminal plates 9I and 92 also mounted on the insulating block I9. Each terminal is formed with a recessed section at therein, at a predetermined position for engaging the operating arm crosspin w, when the arm 86 has reached its corresponding elevation,

tion of the different circuit closing periods are determined by the adjustment of the segment sections 1', s, t, and u. As the operating cam continues to rotate, the contacting operating arm 86, after completing the actuated street amber period, is then returned to its initial position, by any suitable mechanical means, preferably either cam, or spring means, or both combined, but which has not been herein illustrated.

When the adapter unit is properly wired for their various electric circuits, the circuits of the adapter, as well as those of both the connected detector and signal timing units, function in unison, or in some predetermined sequence as is apparent from the wiring diagram shown in the Fig. 11 of the drawings, and the following disclosure. Whenever any automobile passes over the detector unit G installed beneath the actuated street surface, an induced electric current will be generated within the detector element coil I6 and is transmitted directly to the sensitive relay I through the connecting circuit wires 1 and 8, causing the rotor 5 and connected contact arm II to turn slightly for engaging said arm II with the fixed terminal I2. The relay may also be energized by an electric switch circuit. The contact terminals I I and I2 are connected in the main electric circuit leading to the induction motor 2, by the circuit wires l3 and I4, thus energizing said motor, and cause rotation of its connected toggle arm 20 and attached side cam 24 in clockwise direction, momentarily opening the contact terminals 26 and 21, also opening the terminals 34 and 34a and closing the terminals 33 and 33a which are locked in that position by the connected latch arm 40 and lock arm 4| engaging therewith, and at the same time the reset arm 2| is rotated in direction for separating the relay contact terminals I I and I2, disconnecting the circuit leading to motor 2. The arm 20 and attached cam 24 are then returned to their original position by the connected spring 32, again allowing the terminals 26 and 21 to close. The contact terminals 33 and 33a, as wellas terminals 26 and 21, being closed, will likewise close the electric circuit leading to the signal timer unit power motor I6, through the connecting circuit wires I9, 19a, 19?), starting the timer motor and connected timing disc 85. This constitutes the full initial impulse through the adapter unit. Any subsequent impulse may also be registered during the call registering period indicated in the diagram shown in Fig. 10.

Assuming that the intersecting street, or actuated street traffic signal K is operating with a red, or stop signal thereon, and the main street signal M is operating with a continuous green, or go signal thereon, the initial starting of the timer unit motor I6, and connected operating disc which will rotate through the remaining portion of the main street green disc section 1', through the main street amber section 8, and as the main street red (actuated street green) section t starts contact with the operating arm 86 closing the corresponding timer circuit contact terminals 89 and 9|, the time extension intere locking relay C will be energized from the actuated street green circuit through the connecting circuit wires 93 and 93a. The closing of the relay C will open the terminals I3 and I6 and connected circuit wires 94 and 94a, which will allow a short time extension from the call registering unit A to the actuated street green period of the timing unit, each time an impulse call is registered, by the momentary opening of the sensitive relay terminals 26 and 2I,thus stopping the timer motor 18 for a short time each such impulse is registered. The duration of this time extension is regulated by adjusting the position of the contact terminals 26 and 21 relative to the adjacent-operating side cam 24, by means of the adjusting screw '30 connected therewith. The relay C may be omitted wheretime extension is not material to the signals.

Likewise, as the signal timer continues to rotate the operating disc 85 to the actuated street amber section '11, thus contacting the timer terminals 89 and '90 in their respective corresponding circuits and street signal lights, the .call cancel-ling relay E is energized through the connecting circuit wires 95 and 95a, closing the relay armature plate d and .automatically tripping the lock :bar 41, thus canceling any registered call. The relay E will remain energized during the passing of the actuated street amber disc section at, and ,holds the connected contact terminals 42 and 43 closed to keep the timer motor in operation during this amber period if the amber should incidentally overlap the green section period. When the signal timer has reached the end of the amber section it of the operating disc 85, if

no new calls have been registered, will return to the main street green section 1' as illustrated in Fig. -8 of the drawings, (by any suitable means employed for that purpose), again closing the corresponding timer contact terminals 81 and 9!, thus energizing the adapter timer motor coil cc of the 'motor 46, through the connecting circuit wires 96, 96a, 96b, 96c, 96d and 96e operating through the closed terminals 65 and 69 of relay D. The energizing'of the motor coil ad will cause rotation of the reversible motor 46 and connected pinion gear '50, in a direction for releasing and closing .the circuit terminals 53,54,and 55, and for contacting and closing the circuit contact terminals .58 and 58a, by operation of the connected actuated rack slide The closing of the terminals 58, and 58a will energize the transfer relay D through the connecting circuit wires 96, 91, and 91a, and then hold the relay so energized through the closed contact terminals 69 and 66 and connecting circuit wires, as the relay armature closes thereon. As the relay D'is closed, "the electric circuit is transferred from the motor coil aaof the reversible motor 46, to the opposite motor coil bb, by the opening of the relay contact terminals 69 and 65 and the closing of the opposite terminals 68 and 10, thus shunting the electric current through the connecting circuit wires 98 and 98a and closed terminals 54 and 54a, to the motor coil bb, thus reversing the motor rotation. The reversed motor rotation likewise reverses the movement of the slide 5|, which will continuein the opposite direction until the slide end reengages the terminal block 56 and again re-opens the contact terminals 53, 54, and 55, and likewise opening the circuit leading to the motor coil bb, stopping the motor '46. The opening of the adapter timer terminals 55 and 55a, likewise breaks the circuit to the signal timer motor 18 and stops rotation of the connected operating disc 85 while still on the main street green section 1', preferably just prior to change to the adjacent amber section .9. The stopping of the disc 85 in this position, will retain the signal timer terminals 81 and 9| closed and thus continue the main street green signal indefinitely, until the signal timer motor 18 is again restarted by a subsequent impulse call from the registering unit A, and repeating the operation. If a single phase motor is used in place of the reversible motor 4.6, with suitable terminal operating elements, as indicated in Fig. '11, then the transfer relay D may also be omitted.

Any suitable type of timer unit that will function for the difierent street signal light circuits, may be used in place of the timer herein illustrated. Likewise various different types of detector units may be substituted for the unit G herein shown.

It is apparent that my device is subject to various modifications in both design and unit arrangement, without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I claim not only the structure herein illustrated, but any modification thereof that'is substantially a substitution of the parts and sections herein shown.

Having fully described my street signal adapter, What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric street signal adapter designed for converting alternating street signal units into special traflic actuated signal units, and used in combination with an electric detector and a motor operated alternating street signal timer, comprising a trafiic electric impulse registering unit, circuit means for electrically connecting the registering unit with the detector in a manner for receiving electric impulses therefrom, circuit means for electrically connecting said registering unit with said alternating street signal timing unit motor in a manner for starting the timing unit when trafiic impulses are registered, an electric circuit timing unit, circuit means for electrically connecting said circuit timing unit with the signal timing unit motor in a manner for stopping the signal timing unit at pre-determined periods, a time extension unit, circuit means for electrically connecting said time extension unit within an electric circuit leading through the call registering unit and to the signal timing unit motor, in a manner for momentarily stopping said motor for various trafiic impulses registered, a traffic impulse call cancelling relay, circuit means for electrically connecting said relay in an electric circuit leading through and controlled by the signal timing unit, and mechanical means connected to and actuated by said call cancelling relay for releasing the registering unit mechanism at predetermined periods.

2. An electric signal adapter for converting a street alternating signal device into a special traffic actuated signal device, and used in combination with an electric impulse detector unit and a motor operated alternating street signal timing unit, comprising a trafiic electric impulse registering unit including a sensitive relay in strument for actuating same, circuit means for electrically connecting said relay with the detector in a manner for receiving electric impulses therefrom, circuit means for electrically connecting said impulse registering unit within an electric circuit leading to the street signal timing unit motor, in a manner for starting the same when various detector electric impulses are received by the registering unit, an electric time extension relay, circuit means for electrically connecting said time extension relay within an electric circuit leading through the call registering unit and to the street signal timer motor, in a manner for momentarily stopping said signal timer motor and connected timing mechanism for various traffic signal impulses registered, a motor driven circuit timing unit, circuit means for electrically connecting said circuit timing unit within the signal timing unit circuit for regulating and stopping said signal timing motor and mechanism at predetermined periods, a call cancelling relay, circuit means for electrically connecting,

said relay inan electric circuit leading through and controlled by the signal timing unit, and

mechanical means mounted on and actuated by said call cancelling relay for releasing the registering unit mechanism at pre-determined periods.

3. An electric signal adapter to be used with an electric impulse traific detectorand a motor operated alternating street, signal timing unit,

comprising a call registering unit formed of, a.

sensitive galvanometer relay, a small induction motor, series of circuit contact terminals mounted on the relay frame, mechanical operating units mounted between said relayand induction motor, connected to and actuated by said motor, circuit means for electrically connecting the galprising a suitable supporting frame, an electric impulse registering unit, formed of a sensitive,

galvanometer relay instrument and an induction motor fixedly mounted on said frame, positioned opposite each other, various series of circuit contact terminals mounted on said frame along op- Y posite sides of said motor, mechanical operating means mounted adjacent said motor, connected,

thereto and actuated thereby, for opening and closing different series of circuit terminals 1 mounted Within said registering unitwin pre-de vanometer relay operatively with the detector unit, circuit means for electrically connecting the galvanometer relay operating contact terminals with the induction motor energizing coil in a signal timing motor at pre-determined intervals of the registering unit actuations, a circuit timing unit comprising an induction motor with various series of circuit contact terminals mounted thereon, mechanical operating means mounted on said motor and actuated thereby for automatically opening and closing said attached term'inals in pre-dete'rmined order, circuit means for electrically connecting the various series of contact terminals within separated electric circuits leading to the signal timing unit, for controlling and stopping same at ore-determined periods of its rotation, a call cancelling relay, circuit means for electrically connecting said call cancelling relay in an, electric circuit leading through the signal timing unit, and mechanical operating means connect'edto and actuated by said call cancelling relay for tripping the registering unit mechanism during pre-determined periods of the instrument operations.

4. An electric signal adapter to be used with an electric impulse traflie detector and a motor operated electric street signal timing unit, comtermined sequence, circuit means for electrically connecting the relay energizing coil with the detector unit, circuit means for electrically connecting said relay contacting terminals in an electric circuit leading through the induction mo tor energizing coil, circuit means for electrically connecting one series of circuit contact terminals in an electric circuit leading through the street signal timing unit motor energizing coil, in a manner for starting said signal timing'motor and connected signal timing mechanism when a traffic impulse from the detector is transmitted to the registering unit, atime extension relay, circuitmeans for electrically connecting said ex tension relay energizing coil in an electric circuit leading through the circuit contact terminals of the street signal timing unit, in a manner for momentarily stopping said signal timer motor for various traflic impulses received by the registering unit, a call cancelling relay, circuit means. for

electrically connecting said cancelling relay energizing coil in an electric circuit leading through and controlled by the signal timing unit, me-

chanical operating means connected to and actuated by the call cancelling relay fortripping the registering unit mechanism during pre-deter mined periods of its operation, an electric circuit timing unit formed of a reversible induction motor with various series of circuit contact terminals mounted thereon, mechanical terminal operating means mounted thereon, connected to and actuated by said motor for automatically closing and re-opening the, various connected series of circuit contact terminals in pro-determined order, circuit means for electrically connecting said motor operating coils and the various series of circuit contact terminals in separated electric circuitsleading to the timing unit, in

a manner for automatically controlling said m0- tor circuits and actuating the difierent series of contact terminals for stopping the connected street signal timing motor and connected mechanism at a pre-determined period of its operation.

MASON V. GREEN.

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