US2642563A - Traffic light - Google Patents

Description

June 16, 1953 DAPOZ 2,642,563

TRAFFIC LIGHT Filed March 7, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

22 BY Q4; /6m,

June 16, 195: M. DAPOZ 2,642,563

TRAFFIC LIGHT Filed Mar ch 7, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 4

Max 00,002

INVENTOR.

June 16, 1953 M, DAPOZ 2,642,563

TRAFFIC LIGHT Filed Mafch 7, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 268 Fig. 7 m 266;

Max Dapoz JNVENTOR.

Patented June 16, 1953 UN I'TED (STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC LIGHT Max Dapoz, New Philadelphia, Ohio, assignor of one-fifth to'Henry Thiebaud, and one-fifth to Joseph- F. Sani,-both of New Philadelphia, Ohio Application March 7, 1951, Serial No. 214,299

3' Claims. 1

"This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in traffic control lights, and more particularly pertains to a traffic control light of the type havingan indicatormoveably mounted thereon to indicate the time-remaining during which a certain light will-be actuated.

'An important object of this invention is to provide-a tralfic control'light'having a pair of relativelytransverse' light units, each of which units have an indicator moveably mounted thereon to indicate the-time remaining during which Go light, in each unit, will be actuated, which 7 indicator is moved only when the "Go light with which'it 'isassociated is energized, to thereby preclude drivers who are'waiting out a Stop signal, from knowing prior to the time the Stop signal changes to Go, just when the signal will change, which device'nevertheless informs the motorists, who can see" the Go'signal of the other traffic light unit, of the time remaining during which the *Go signal will be illuminated.

Another important object of this invention is to'provide a traffic control light, in accordance with the foregoing object, in which the indicators may be 'driven by acommon motor in a complete path about the Go light, with which-they are associated, at relatively different rates f speeds, so that the duration of actuationof'the Go lights of the relatively transverse light units, may be relatively different.

Yet another object cf this invention is to provide a traffic control light, in accordance with the'foregoing objects in which themotor-vrh-ich drives theindicators, times the'actuation of the lights "in bothof the units, and also times the actuation of the mechanism for selectively drivingly connecting each of the indicators'to the motor, whereby variations in thespeed of the motor will not adverselyelfect the relative timing of the lights and indicators.

An important feature of'this invention-resides in the provision of a pair of relatively transverse light units, each having an indicator mounted for movement around one of the lights thereof to indicate the time remaining during which that light will be actuated, with a common motor for driving both ofithe indicatoraand means for simultaneously, alternately drivingly engaging one of the indicators with the motor while disengaging the other of the indicators from the motor, to thereby permit the indicators to be driven at relatively different rates through a given path of movement, by a single motor.

Yet another feature of this invention resides in the provision of the traffic control light, in

accordance with the foregoing feature, with a mechanism controlled by the motor-for actuating the means for engaging anddisengaging; the indicatorsfrom the' motor, whereby variations in the speed of the motor will not affect the relative timing of the movement of the indicator and-the time at which the indicator will be operatively disconnected from the motor.

Still another feature-of this invention resides in theprovision of a trafiiccontrol'light, in accordance with the foregoing features, in "which the motor also controls the energization ofpthe other lights in each unit, whereby variations in the speed of the motor will not affect the timing of the energization of the; lights and the movement of the indicators.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of "a trafiic'control light, including a housing with relatively perpendicularlights thereon, and indicators each mounted in the house ing for-rotation about ahorizontallyjdisposed indicator support shaft; together withga motor'having a vertically disposed drive shaft, and clutch means carried by the support shaftsgforselectively drivingly engaging the support shafts and the drive shafts, with a clutch actuator engag-,

ing each of theclutch-means to move one, into its engaging position while moving the other into its inoperative position.

"These, together-With variousancillary objects and features are-attained by this device,1the .preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein;

'Figure l is a side-elevational view of thetraffic control lights;

Figure Zis a horizontal sectional view, taken .on the plane 22 of "Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentaryvertical sectional view, taken on the plane 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fra mentary vertical sectional view, taken on the ,plane -l 4 of. FigureB;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional view, taken on the plane,.55,of, Figure 2,,showing the indicator lamphousing;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational. view of the clutch actuator plate, and thenmeansufor rotatably supporting the. same on .thestandards;

.Figure 7 isa diagrammatic. view of the ,wiring circuits for the lights, and theclutch actuator;

Figure 8 is perspective elevational viewof the clutch actuator plate; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane Q.9. of FigureS.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein there is illustrated a trafiic signal light, indicated generally by the numeral I which includes a housing I2, indicator light assemblys I4, a clutch mechanism I6 for operatviely connecting the indicator lights to a motor drive shaft, and a timer assembly I8.

The housing I2 includes a bottom wall which may be mounted upon a supporting post 22, as by the mounting flange 24, and upstanding side walls 26, 28, and 32 are secured to the bottom wall as by the angle irons 34 and fasteners 36,

best shown in Figure 4. A cap member 38 is' secured to the upper ends of the side walls, as by fasteners 40.

Each of the side Walls 26 and 28 are provided with vertically spaced apertures or openings, an upper lamp housing 42 which is disposed in one of the openings and secured thereto as by the flange 46, and a spirally-formed transparent tube 44 is disposed in the housing 42 and filled with a suitable inert gas which will emit a red glow, when suitably energized by electricity. An intermediate lamp housing 48 is disposed in another of said openings and secured thereto by the flange 52 and a helical transparent tube is disposed in the housing 48, which tube is filled with an inert gas which will emit a yellow or amber glow when energized by a source of electrical potential. The lower opening 54, in the side walls 26 and 30 is provided for the reception of the transparent tube, shaped as is best shown in Figure l to provide inner and outer concentric coils 56 and 58, which coils are filled with an inert gas which will emit a green glow, when energized. The relatively parallel side walls 28 and 32, which side walls are disposed transversely of the side walls 26 and 36 are also provided with a plurality of vertically spaced openings an upper lamp housing 60 being mounted in one of the openings, as by the flange 62 with a suitable red lamp 64 disposed in the housing, and an intermediate housing 66, as mounted in the side walls 28 and 32 below the upper housing, by the flange 88, and an amber lamp I0 is disposed in the intermediate housing. The lower opening 69 in the side walls 28 and 32 has a green lamp I2 formed in the same manner as the corresponding lamp on the side walls 26 and 30. It may be noted, at this time, that the lamps and lamp housing on the side walls 26 and 30 are spaced vertically above the corresponding lamps and lamp housing on the side walls 28 and 32, for reasons which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds. Additionally, it will be appreciated that it is not imperative that there be provided four similar lamp units, one on each of the side walls, it merely being necessary, for the purposes of this invention, to provide a pair of lamp units, each disposed on relatively transverse side walls such as 28 and 30.

A rectangular inner casing I4 including side panels I6 is disposed within the housing I2, with one of the side panels paralleling each of the side walls of the housing which casing is secured to the bottom 20 of the housing, as by corner posts I8, and the top panel 80 which is secured to the corner posts, by fasteners 82, and which overlies the upper ends of the side panels of the casing. Bushings 84 are carried by each of the side panels I6, in registry with each of the openings 54 and 69 in the side walls of the housing, and an indicator support shaft 86 is rotatably journaled in each of the bushings.

An indicator light assembly I4 is mounted on the end of each of the shafts 86 and includes a 4 dish-shaped housing 88 which is secured to the shaft as by the nut 90, and which housing has an inwardly directed flange 92 adjacent to the open end thereof by means of which the opaque front panel 94 is secured to the housing. An indicator lamp 06 is mounted in the socket 98 carried by the indicator light housing 88, in registry with an opening I00 in the front panel 84, which opening is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the housing 88. It is contemplated that the housing 88 be either formed of an electrically insulative material, so that the slip rings I02 and I04 which are secured, by fasteners I06 and I08 respectively to the back of the housing, will be electrically insulated from each other, and from the remainder of the traflic signal light. Alternatively, 'if the housing 88 is not formed of insulative material, the slip rings may be insulated therefrom, in any conventional manner. As is best shown in Figure 2, the slip rings I02 and I04 are each electrically connected to the lamp socket 08, by conductors I I0, and suitable brushes I I2 and I I 4, are secured to one of the side panels I6 of the casing I4, each of the brushes respectively contacting the slip rings I02 and H14.

It will thus be appreciated that as the housing 88 rotates about the shaft 86 that the lamp 96 may be illuminated through the intermediary of the brush and slip ring assembly, described above. As each of the indicator light assemblies I4 are the same, a description of one of the assemblies is deemed sufficient.

A motor (not shown) is disposed within the lower portion of the casing I4 and has a drive shaft H6 which extends through the bushing H8 in the partition I20, a first and a second set of bevelled drive gears I20 and I22 being nonrotatably secured to the shaft H6, in longitudinally spaced relation to each other. A first set of bevelled gears I24 are disposed in meshing engagement with the drive gear I20, which driven gears are rotatably supported for movement about a horizontal axis, on the journals I26 carried by the partition I20. A clutch member I23 is secured in the stub shaft (not shown) which supports the bevelled gears I24, and is movable with the latter, and a relatively movable mating clutch member I30 is disposed in sliding, but relatively non-rotatable engagement with the indicator assembly support shafts 86. Thus, when the clutch member I30 is moved axially of the shaft 86, into and out of engagement with the clutch member I28, the indicator support shaft 86, and the housing 88 carried thereby is drivingly connected to the drive shaft II6.

A plurality of vertically disposed standards I32 are secured to the partition I20, in any desired manner, and extend upwardly therefrom, a horizontally disposed rod I34 being secured between adjacent standards as is best shown in Figures 2 and 4. A clutch actuating yoke I36 has one end thereof vertically pivotally attached, as at I38 to the rod I34, and retained in position by collars I40. The yoke I36 has a pair of inwardly directed fingers I 42 which engage in the recess I44 in the mating clutch member I30, whereby "the clutch actuating yoke is operatively connected to the movable clutch member I30. The other of the drive gears I22 is in meshing engagement with a driven bevelled gear I46 carried by a stub shaft (not shown), which stub shaft is rotatably supported on the journal I48 (see Figure 3). Mating clutch members I50 and I52 are respectively carried by the stub shaft nponnwhichzthe; drirenrsear .:I 2416 :is; secured; and

rod. lfifiywhichdatter rod is: disposed transversely of :ithe'rods 43 hand spaced vertically therefrom, asltis- bestcshownjinFigures 3 and 4. It. is::contemplated' that the yoke I 54 beroperatively connected; to" :theirmoyable clutch ;;memb.er r52 by :l 58 extendintotrthe peripheral? recess 1| .60, awherebyr'vertical inivotal'; movement :pf the yoke will cause movement, of.,the-clutch'member 1525mm and outnnf dritingssengagementmrith the mating clutch member I58.

111 is #towbenoted; at :thisitimemthatithe driven ears 14-6- which idrivecthe iindicator; tight. assembliesmarried-rby-therside wall-s 1261and lzfiijflf thehonsing are; spaced vertically above theccrresponding-:dri-yer-gearsi$624 which serve to riye therindicator flightrfizSSQH'lblifiS carried bythaside walls-28; and. 232 :rjof the housing. Thus-,rieitherfthe gears. 712.2 and 4416;01' :thagearsf Hikand- I24 i han edvwithigears of: a: :ldifferent ss-ize to :vary; the number: of revolutions .-:of.. the drive shaft ilfillrrnecessa ry tor-causera complete: revolutionjof the-,indicator-supportshaft6 which is operatively: connected-.1110 ,theadri-vemgears 12-4 and;

I In order to actuate each of. the; clutch members simultaneously; ,thereis provided-5a clutch-actuatorrplate 152,,best shown -.in.-Eigure 8. ".Efheplate I52 bis 1- substantially -.circular, .and is. rotatably supported .by itsQflIiDhilfYaOH; the grooved rollers lfillnwhichiare journaled omstub-lshaftsnlfifi, intermediatethe ends ;of .the standards J 32 ,.,as,is hestshown in. Figurefi. ..T-he.central portionaof the/actuator plate. l62.is;.,cut away,- s.as-.a-t, l.65,, to provide clearance ion the .drive shaft Hi6 ...and the, associated clutch mechanisms, which. .actuator ..plate has. aidiametrically, extending laterally Qiiset portion. 111]]. .,A .firstcset of.,.slots.l'12 are formed. in, the .iportion. of the. actuator, 51118359 [62, slots receive the. shank portion of the yokes 154, anda secondseto'f slots llfirare Zformed in the laterally on set, portion Il lll antl receive theshan'k portionhofathe yoke.]l316.,...asl.is.;best shownQihFiguresQZ.and. 4. Itiis. to beinotedlthat the. slots. J 1.2;and. 1 16 are. notrdispcsed concentricwi'th theraxisvhoi rotation onfltheractuator plate; 'lli2,'.but arel.finstea'd so .con'stru-ctedcand arranged thatcounterclockwfise .movement of the actuator. plate. as. viewed .irrFigure 2,..will.cause theyokes l 54 to becams actuated cute-of. their clutchengaging position and thev yokes. 13.6 ream. actuated into their clutch engaging ,.position..

'Ilhus, movement of .theoac'tua'ted plate' 52min one direction causesalfirst.pairHo'f, opposediindicatorflight assemblies "5 4 .tofbe; drivinglylconnect- In, order to. selectively. pivotor swingthe ac-,

tuator plate. [62 .therelqis proyided an...upward.ly extending bracket I 18 .whichi is secured. to. the partition TIZOMand whichrhas. a. bellcrank- 18D. yertically pivotallyrattachedto, the wupper,endthereof, .asvby apivotpin i 82. A link. 1841s :pivotally:

attachedby. .a fastener .l 85 to one .leg-ot .the -bellcrank. I810, andotherwise; pivoted to. arr-ear 48,8, by a-pin Mil -whichrearzissecuredrto theeactuator plate 452,, ,adjacent.lthe periphery thereof (see Fig-ure.- 3) ?A-, solenoidi -.l 9.213s: supported, by H bracket; 1 94: ion-the. top panel-r80. of the basing 1.4;; :thaaplunger 1.96;: of; ithersolenoid being connectedcby a=link 519 8 110 the. leg of the-bellcrank NH-other tlrianv thattocwhichzthealink 84.is at tached. 1. It contemplated that the plunger of thesclenoid. J92 will-beretracted-when the latter is energized, whereby the link l98will pivot lattenshaftis rotatably journaledeata-nsupper the bellcranki 1m! )in; aidirection to cause clockwiserimovementuof. the, actuator plate; as viewed inEEigure. 2. A tension spring 208, is secured to thelrsamevle of th'er bellcrank I asv the link ;I;98:.:is:.attached, which. spring is other-wise secured; to .aa1ug.-20Z carriedby the partition 420, whereby the spring .willyield-ingly bias the bellcrank -in-,a direction to 1 cause counterclockwise movement-of theactuator plate I62, as the-latter:.is yiewed3in Figure 2. A combined guide and stoprm'ember-"zfl #iS, formed integrally with the upper-end-ofthe bracket l 18, and embraces oppositesidesiof the bell-crank I80 toguidethe same in vertical pivotal movement, the web porticnof thebifurcated guide 294 servinglas a stop to .limit downward pivotal movement of the bellcrank.

..-'-Itis alsocontemplated that the motor which drives-theind-icator light assemblies 1 4 also serve tocontrol the cyclic. actuation of the lights, and the shiftingof. the; clutch actuator plate I262, by the. solenoid I92,- and for this; purpose'there is provided a :U-shaped stand 206 which is secured to the partition 129;.and has the web portion 208 thereoidisposed in vertical spaced relation .to the partition, inioverlying relation to. :theclutchassemblies. 41A ;U;-.shaped-;,plate .2 H) has ;-the legs thereof secured to the Web- 2-fi8 0f the .U ,-shaped bracket 2%, and i an .L-shaped. bracket 2 I 2. has oneleg thereof secured to the plate 210, withlthe other :leg .of the..-l.-+'-shaped bracket-extending paral-lel .to the plate 21H), in vertical spaced relation thereto. A oontactarm v pivotipin 244 is secured, as by fasteners-2J5 land 2l8 to. thebracket 212 andplate. 2 Ill-respectively, and contact .arms2-2 13, 222,224,1and 228;.are eachsecured to blocks 228, as :by, .fasteners 229, whereby the 4 contact arms arm-horizontally .pivotally mounted on the pin -2 I 4.

..-A-n.-L'-shaped contact. post support member, 231], ofaelectr-ically insulative material, is secured by. fastener 2:32 .-.to one: of the side panels 18 of the hand; extends through 7 an opening 234.;in .that side panel. :.A first setot contactterminals; 236:1anddtflsare secured to themember 230, and disposed in the path of movement of theccontact car-c1226; .acontact terminal ;=-24fl alsobeing secured to-the .member 23!] and-disposeddnthe path of -movement of the. contact arm-.2'22; ,apair of contacts I242=and 244, also carried by-the-insulative member 2-30 are disposed in-thepath of movement of the arm 224, while a -contact terminal 246, .on the member 230, is disposed in the pathof movementof the arm 226.

The upper end of the drive shaft l-lfisis journaled .in the-webgportion- 2512 of. the ,u-shaped bracketi 2 9.6, and has a spur gear, .243 non-rotatably attached thereto; and the meshing engagement with-agear- 250 on the :cam shaft 252. This end in the bracket-2121mm -at:its lower end in the; plate; 248, and -.-Web-,2fl8 of the bracket 2.06.

cams..zs4,..25e,.2.53am:26c are nonr-rotatably attached to the camshaft, and suitably spaced thereonbyspacers 2.62. Springs 264 are attached to one end of. eachof the contact .armsandto the bracket 212, to yieldingly urge the contact arms-22d, 222,224 and. 226 respectively into, en-

gagement withthe contact terminals 238 ,2410,

244 and 246. The block 228 on each of the arms rides against its respective cam whereby the contact arms are each cyclically pivoted about the pin 2M, in opposition to the spring 264, into contact with the opposed contact terminals, as will be best appreciated from a consideration of Figure '7.

The arm 220 is connected by conductor 266 to a source of power, the contact terminal 236 being connected by conductors 268 to the red lamps 44, while the contact terminal 238 is connected by conductors 210 to the red lamp 64. The contact arm 222 is also connected by a conductor 212 to a source of power, while the contact terminal 240 engaged thereby is connected by conductors 214 to the caution or amber lamps 50 and 10, the cam 256 being suitably designed to close the contact between the arm and the terminal 240, twice each revolution of the shaft 252. The arm 224 is also connected by a conductor 216 to a source of power while the contact terminal 242 is connected by conductors 218 to the green lamps 12, the contact terminal 244 being connected byconductors 280 to the green lamps 58. The solenoid actuating control arm 226 is also connected to the source of power, as by conductor 282, and the contact terminal 246 engaged thereby is connected by the conductor 284 to the solenoid I92, so as to energize the latter upon closing of contact between the arm 226 and terminal 246.

In operation, assuming that the motor drives the driven shaft H6, through suitable reduction gearing, one revolution per minute, and the gear I24 is driven by the shaft H6, and completes a revolution in thirty seconds, the gear I46, also driven by the shaft H6, completing one revolution in twenty seconds. The gears 248 and 256 are then so constructed that the cam shaft 252 will complete one revolution in fifty seconds, or the composite time necessary for both the gears I24 and M6 to complete one revolution.

Cam 260 is so dimensioned that the lobe thereof will retain the arm 226 out of engagement with the terminal 2 36 for three-fifths of the revolution of the cam shaft. While the arm 226 is out of engagement with the terminal 246, the cam 258 moves the arm 224 into contact with the terminal 242, to energize the green lamps I2, and the indicating lights 96 carried thereby, whereby those indicating lamps which are being rotated by the drive shaft I IE will be simultaneously energized.

Obviously, when the green light 12 is actuated, the cam 255 moves the arm 220 into contact with the terminal 236, to energize the red lamps 44 on the relatively transverse set of lamps, it being understood that the cam 256 will actuate the caution lights 56 and 16, a predetermined time interval, such as three seconds, prior to the deactuation of the respective green lamps, and indicating lamps 96.

As a single motor is utilized tocontrol rotation of the indicating lamps, and to also control the connecting and disconnecting of the indicating lamps from the motor, while additionally controlling the energization of all of the lamps, it is to be noted that variations in speed of the motor will not affect the relative timing in the trafiic light. Additionally, since one of the indicating lamps is operatively disconnected from the drive shaft H6, when the relatively transverse indicating lamp is guidingly connected thereto, it will be appreciated that the gearing utilized to drive the respective indicating lamps may be so constructed that the relatively trans- E5 versely disposed indicating lamps at different rates of speeds.

As it is thought that the operation and construction of the device may be readily understood from the foregoing, further description is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to that shown and described, but all suitable modifications may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. A trafiic signal director comprising a housing having first and second relatively transverse trafiic control units carried thereby, a motor disposed in said housing and having a vertically disposed drive shaft, each of said units including a Go light, a pair of horizontally disposed indicator support shafts carried by said housing, each of said support shafts having an indicator carried thereby and movable around one of said Go lights to indicate the time remaining during which the Go light will be illuminated, clutch means for drivingly connecting each of said support shafts to said drive shaft, a clutch actuator plate disposed in said housing, a plurality of standards in said housing, means carried by said standards and engaging the periphery of said actuator plate to rotatably support the latter for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said drive shaft, clutch shifting members movably mounted between said standards and each operatively connected to a different one of said clutch means, said plate having slots therein receiving each of said shifting members, saidslots being so constructed and arranged to cause movement of one of said shifting members into its clutch engaging position and movement of the other of said members into clutch disengaging position in response to movement of said plate about its axis of rotation.

2. A traffic signal director comprising a housing having first and second relatively transverse traffic control units carried thereby, a motor disposed in said housing and having a vertically disposed drive shaft, each of said units including a Go light, a pair of horizontally disposed indicator support shafts carried by said housing, each of said support shafts having an indicator carried thereby and movable around one of said Go lights to indicate the time remaining during which the Go light will be illuminated, clutch means for drivingly connecting each of said support shafts to said drive shaft, a clutch actuator plate disposed in said housing, a plurality of standards in said housing, means may be driven carried by said standards and engaging the periphery of said actuator plate to rotatably support the latter for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said drive shaft, clutch shifting members movably mounted between said standards and each operatively connected to a different one of said clutch means, said plate having slots therein receiving each of said shifting members, said slots being so constructed and ingly urging said plate in the opposite direction, and means for selectively actuating said solenoid.

3. A traffic signal director comprising a housing having first and second relatively transverse trafiic control units carried thereby, a motor disposed in said housing and having a vertically disposed drive shaft, each of said units including a Go light, a pair of horizontally disposed indicator support shafts carried by said housing, each of said support shafts having an indicator carried thereby and movable around one of said Go lights to indicate the time remaining during which the Go light will be illuminated, clutch means for drivingly connecting each of said support shafts to said drive shaft, a clutch actuator plate disposed in said housing, a plurality of standards in said housing means carried by said standards and engaging the periphery of said actuator plate to rotatably support the latter for movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said drive shaft, clutch shifting members movably mounted between said standards and each operatively connected to a different one of said clutch means, said plate having slots therein receiving each of said shift- 10 ing members, said slots being so constructed and arranged to cause movement of one of said shifting members into its clutch engaging position and movement of the other of said members into clutch disengaging position in response to movement of said plate about its axis of rotation, a solenoid operatively connected to said plate for swinging said plate in one direction, means yieldingly urging said plate in the opposite direction, and means actuated by said motor for cyclically energizing said solenoid.

MAX DAPOZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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