US2672393A

US2672393A - Treadle controlled toll checking system

Info

Publication number: US2672393A
Application number: US121253A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cooper Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-10-14
Filing date: 1949-10-14
Publication date: 1954-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-03-16

Description

March 16, 1954 B. COOPER TREADLE CONTROLLED TOLL CHECKING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14, 1949 NORMALLY FORWARD q\ l+ I gq 160 so 2 w H 24 3A INVENTOR.

BENJAMIN COOP ER 8A6 ATTORNEY III 30 7- Quasi. m0 ZOFOWEQ 4 SOZ March 16, 1954 B. COOPER TREADLE CONTROLLED TOLL CHECKING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 14, 1949 2 Sheets-$heet 2 IUKIIUJUIU INVENTOR.

BENJAMIN COOPER BY mm ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 16, 1954 PATENT;

TREADLEECONTROLLED TOLL .LHECKING:

SYSTEM 21 Claims. 1

This: invention :relates .toimprovements in toll checking systems, particularly, those. which .com 1 priseaa treadle operated counteraunit. heyidenti fiereunits and a printing register. 1

Tneadle operated; vtoll checking systems are,

known in which the ,vehicle; count for-axles passe ing;- in a normal direction in. a laneof transit is registered on. onewelectricalycounter; sometimes referred to ;asv-a @forward counter, and thev count ot axlesz passing: in iIQVBITSQ; y causedofor instance, by; a drivenfbacking .upi, inadvertently in, the

course ;of the; toll-.collection transaction, is regisr tered on another electrical counter which' may;

heereferred, toaas .a rearward {or reverse counter.

Such a .systemr'is describedrin applicants U. S.

Patent .No. 2,313,62TZ., issued March .9, 1943....

Becausothe directionmf travel-.ofthe hull; of.

vehicular traffic changes-i.during-theugday, this being. occasioned, for instancehbyithe.heavy flow of ftrafficr-into-a city in theemorning when people, are. going to work and the correspondingly heavy flow out. of the. city. at night- -while. -people are traveling home, it is --often necessary-to: reverse.

the normal zdirectionsof trafficflowin one or more lanes in 3a; highway -vto .accommodate such, ab

normal flow. Formerly, wheneverathisawas done,

it was necessary tocarefully readand record the forward-and rearward axle, counts, in; order that the new,forward counts would not be.- n1ixed Moreover, in

with the old rearward? counter such a counting system; both directional counters hadv to be capahle .of adding to ,the. samenumber of digits, since either might have-been adding counts. for, traffic, moving in a .forward. direction.

It ist-accordingly. aniohi ect of thisv invention to provide. in a toll chechinasystein of the. character. I

proper or forward 'directionof flow and the other axle counter will always count rearward or backing up axle passage irrespective of which key identifier is being used.

Another objectof-this invention is -to -provide in a toll checking "systemof the character-dc scribed, a means for automaticallyindicating in: the registenprint record'that the-iane-isin ro-- verse traffic operation.

A further-- objector thisrinventionis: to providea in K toll -checking system-iofthe 1 character de scribed;- a means for automatically 2 selecting;

p op rtraffic: i n ls-in a lanaoperative-in:eithcn directiom selection ,.depending; upo 1 Whether an 4 identifienkey isturned in :normal dire!::,tion,-"f key; identifier lock or in-a reversev directionf key identifierlock.

-A furtherohject of this invention is to provide; inzaltoll. checking system of the character dew; scribed; a means for automatically; selecting proper trafiic signalsin a lane operative. in either; direction and at the same-time to. automatically; interchange the directionaliaxle counters when, traific isreversed in. a plane sov that oneaaXlfi counter will always count axles passingdmtha proper or forward direction of flow-and-the ot er axlewill always. count rearward or backing up axle passage, selection'depending-.uppnwhet a switch is. moved to za,normalo directioni posi -1 tion or a reverse direction position Afurther'ohject-of this invention isgto prov idew an improved toll ,checlring system which is comparativcly simple-yet practical and :eflicientto a high degree in use.

Other. objects ofithe invention will, in part be. obvious and vin part hereinafter.pointed put.

The. invention accordingly consists of features ofconstruction, combinations of clements and arrangements of parts which will be.eXemplified--. in the construction hereinafter described, ,and .of which-the scope of, application will be; indicated; in the appended claims.

In .1 the {accompanying drawings, in I which 1' one -E of the; various, possible illustrative embodiments of thisinvention is shown.

Fig.- 1 is a diagrammatic representation of,a, counting circuit embodying theiinventionr Fig. 2 is a perspective drawing showingthe operation of the reverse lane operation indica tion slug; and v Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of; a. printed, record showing a sample of the normal direction-,- consecutive count followed by an identified re verse direction consecutive count.

Fig. 1 comprises a treadle 9 connectedto a ci-r-- cui-tC' includinga forward counter B and a glfi verse counter R. Aswill he.hereinaftendcscribed; each timean-azde passes over the treadle 31100111115" Willj-he added to one or theotherof the: counte depending upon whether the axle is passing in; a forward direction. in thelane or backing up over the treadla Part1) 'of the drawin is,a-ren esenta oniof a r.

lee-described hereinaf-ten;

- The. operation-of athe counting.:rcir ut; and hai key identifier units, over which the present invention is an improvement, is detailed in applicants U. S. Patent No. 2,313,627, issued March 9, 1943, and U. S. Patent No. 2,325,744, issued August 3. 1943, respectively. Therefore, only so much of their operation will be described herein as is necessary adequately to disclose the operation of the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the Fig. 1, 9 designates a treadle imbedded in a roadway, transversely thereof and adapted to be traversed by vehicles passing over the roadway. Mounted in the treadle 9 are a plurality of pairs of elongated parallel contacts, I, IA; 2, 2A; 3, 3A and 4, 4A. Said pairs of contacts constitute switches normally open but which may be successively closed and opened as the wheels of a vehicle roll over the treadle. The contacts I, 2, 3 and 4 are connected to the plus side of an electric power supply. Preferably, the switches are spaced apart not more than three inches so that as the front and rear wheels of a vehicle roll over the treadle, the switches will be closed successively and adjacent switches will be concurrently closed.

The switches are connected by a circuit C of Fig. 1 so arranged, as will appear hereinafter, that the operation of the treadle in the proper or forward direction in which trafiic in the reversible lane is being passed, will actuate a counter F, termed the forward counter, while wheels of a vehicle "backing up over the treadle will operate a second counter R, termed the rearward counter.

The forward counter F comprises a relay 1t having a coil 1I, one side of which is connected to the minus power supply. Said relay, when energized, is adapted to open a switch arm 19 which is normally in engagement with a fixed contact 13a. Said relay controls armature 19a adapted to advance ratchet wheel 1% carried on a shaft which also carries the usual printing wheels. A representation of the face of the printing wheels showing an arbitrary forward count is shown below said ratchet wheel b.

The rearward counter R comprises a relay 80 having a coil 8 I, one end of which is connected to the minus power supply. Said relay, when energized, is adapted to open a switch arm 84 which is normally in engagement with a fixed contact 84a. Said relay controls armature 80a, adapted to advance ratchet wheel 80b carried on a shaft which also carries the usual printing wheels. A representation of the face of the printing wheels showing an arbitrary reverse count is shown below said ratchet 80b.

Reverse lane operation solenoid I51 has a coil I58, one end of which is connected to the minus power supply. Associated with said solenoid are switch arms I59 and I68, normally in engagement with fixed contacts I53a and IBM and adapted to move out of engagement with said contacts and into engagement with fixed contacts I 53b and IBM), respectively, when said relay is energized. Said solenoid is also adapted to move printing slug I13 into a printing position so that the letter R will be printed along with the forward and rearward axle totals only when said solenoid is energized.

Part D of Fig. 1 represents a toll collection booth at a reversible lane showing switches associated with a normal direction key identifier unit and a reverse direction key identifier unit and connections to a trafilc signal system.

Switch I 66 is normally in an open-circuited position and is adapted to be moved into engagement with switch contact I861: when an identifier key is inserted and turned in the reverse direction key identifier unit. Trafilc light controlling switch arm I61 is normally in engagement with contact arm I61!) and adapted to be moved out of engagement therewith and into engagement with switch contact I610. when said reverse key identifier is operated.

Switch arm I68 is normally in engagement with switch contact I68?) and is adapted to move out of engagement therewith and into engagement with switch contact I68a when the identifier key is inserted and turned in the normal direction key identifier unit.

Fig. 2 shows the mechanical operation of the reverse lane operation solenoid with respect to the printing slug I13. It can be seen that when solenoid IE1 is not energized printing slug I13 is in a position removed from the printing position indicated by the line A-A falling along the face of the printing wheels. When solenoid I51 is energized (the condition representative of reverse lane operation) its armature I14 pivotally connected to lever I15 moves inwardly in a direction as indicated by the arrow. Said lever, having its fulcrum at fixed pin I16, moves printing slug I13 at the remote end of lever I15 into its printing position along the line A-A. Spring I11, fixed at one end and connected at the other end to the lever at a point between the slug end and the fulcrum serves to move said lever and its slug out of printing position when solenoid I51 is deenergized.

The circuit C comprises four relays designated by numerals Ill, 20, 30 and 40. Relay III has two windings II and I2 connected together and to a minus power supply. Associated with relay III are movable switch arms I3, I4, I 5 and I6. Switch arm I3 is normally in engagement with a fixed contact I3a. and is adapted to be moved by the relay I 0 into engagement with a fixed contact I312. The switch arm I4 is normally open and is adapted to be moved by the relay I0 into engagement with a fixed contact I4a. Switch arms I 5 and I6 are normally open, but are adapted to be moved by the relay I 0 into engagement with fixed contacts I 5a and I6a, respectively.

Relay is provided with a coil 2| connected at one end to a minus power supply. Associated with said relay are switch

arms

22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21.

Switch arms

22, 24, are normally open and are adapted to be moved by the relay 20 into engagement with fixed contacts 22a, 24a and 25a, respectively. Switch arm 23 normally engages a fixed contact 23a and is adapted to be opened by the relay 20. Switch arm 26 is normally in engagement with a fixed contact 26a, but is adapted to be opened by the relay 20. Switch arm 21 is normally in engagement with a fixed contact 21b but is adapted to be opened by the relay 20.

Relay 30 is provided with a coil 3| connected at one end to the minus power supply. Said relay.

controls switch

arms

32, 33, 34, 35, and 31. Switch arms 32, 34 and 35 are normally open but are adapted to be moved by said relay into engagement with fixed contacts 32a, 34a and 35a, respectively. Switch arm 33 is normally in engagement with a fixed contact 33a and is adapted to be opened by said relay 30. Switch arm 36 is normally in engagement with afixed contact 36a and is adapted to be opened by the relay 30. Switch arm 31 is normally in engagement with afixed contact 311) but is adapted to be moved out cult is through switch 25, a, wire 1, switch I5, I5a, wire I09 and coil I2, to the minus side of an electrical power supply.

Following through the motion of the wheels over the treadle 9, switch I, IA will open and switch 3, 3A will be closed while switch 2, 2A is still closed. In closing switch 3, 3A, relay will be energized by the circuit from the plus side of a source of electric power through switch 3, 3A, wires I01 and 49, and the coil 3| of relay 30 to the minus side of a source of electric power. Energization of relay 30 closes switches 32, 32a; 34, 34a and 35, a and opens switches 33, 33a; 36, 36a and 31, 312).

In closing switch 3, 3A, and by action of the energized relay 30, a circuit is completed to hold relay 20 energized even if switch 2, 2A is opened. The completed circuit is through switch 3, 3A, wire I01, switch 34, 34a, wire 50, switch 52, 52a, wire 12, switch 24, 24a, wire 28a and coil 2| of the relay 23.

Still following the passage of the wheels over the treadle 9 in the direction indicated on the drawing, switch 4, 4A will close and switch 2, 2A will open while switch 3, 3A is still closed.

Closing switch 4, 4A will provide a circuit energizing relay 50, the circuit being through coil 5| of relay 50, wire 11, switch 32, 32a, wire 1%, switch 22, 22a, wires I20 and I5, switch I3, I31), wire 19 and switch 4, 4A. Energizing relay 5% will close switches 53, 53a; 54, 54a; 55, 55a and 58, 53a, and will open switches 52, 52a; 56, a and 51, 51a. By closing switch 55, a, another energizing circuit for relay 50 is completed, the purpose of which will be hereinafter apparent. This second circuit may be traced from minus power supply through coil 5| of said relay,

wires

11 and 85, switch 84, 84a, wire 88, switch '59, 19a, wires 86 and I2I, switch 55, 55a, wires I3 and switch I3, |3b (the relay It being energized) wire 19, through closed switch 4, 4A, to plus power supply. In closing switch 53, 58a another circuit will be completed holding the relay II) ener gized through coil II of said relay, the circuit being through switch 58, 58a, wire 83, switch I4, I4a; wire 0 and coil II.

Opening switch 52, 52a will break the previously described circuit holding relay 20 energized through switch 3, 3A. Switch 2, 2A has also been opened by the wheel rolling off the lane, breaking the circuit through said switch and coil 2| of relay 20. Relay 20 is then deenergized. De-energization of relay 20 will allow switches 23, 23a; 25, 20a and 21, Z'Ib to close and will allow switches 22, 22a; 24, 24a; and 25, 25a to open.

De-energization of relay 20 serves to complete a holding circuit for relay 50 in its energized condition, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. The second circuit for relay 5%] holds said relay energized while switch 22, 22a opens upon de-energizing relay 20. This holding circuit is from the negative side of a source of electrical energy, through coil 5| of relay 50, wires I1 and 85, switch 84, 84a, wire 88, switch 19, 19a, wire 86, switch 54, 54a, switch 21, 21b and through wire 38 to the positive side of a source of electrical energy.

The further progression of the wheels over the treadle 9 will open switch 3, 3A de-energizing relay 30. Switches 33, 33a; 36, 36a and 31, 311) will then close, and switches 32, 32a; 34, 34a and 35, 35a will then open. Opening of switch 3, 3A will energize the directional forward counter F, the completed circuit being through coil 1| of counter relay 10, wire I64, switch I60, I60a, wire IOI, switch l6, Ilia, wires I02 and I03, switch 53, 53a, wires |3| and I04, switch 36, 36a, wire I 00, and switch 26, 20a. Counter relay 10 will then register one count on the counter F. The actuation of counter F will open switch 19, 19a and hence break the holding circuit for relay 50 through said switch. It will not be noted that relay 50 was held in energized condition until counter F was actuated irrespective of the condition of the last two treadle switches 3, 3A; 4, 4A to insure a count even if the wheels pass over the treadle at a great rate of speed. Deenergized relay 50 will allow switch 58, 58a to open, opening the circuit of coil II of relay I0, thereby de-energizing relay I0. All the switches of the treadle are then opened and all relays are de-energized.

The operation of the circuit as described would be similar were all the steps in the operation of the circuit taken in the reverse order. The closing of switches in the sequence 4, 4A; 3, 3A; 2,

2A and I, IA will operate the backward counter R.

circuit connections (wires |0I and I06) to counter

relays

10 and 80. At the same time printing slug I13, associated with solenoid I51 is moved into a printing position, thereby allowing its print to be made whenever an axle count print is made. This printing serves to indicate on the printed record when the system is in the reverse lane operation. As illustrated in Figure 3, the printed record 200 has two groups of columnar numerical1 representatives MI, 202 respectively, printed thereon. The column 20| is printed from the settings or the forward counting printing wheels, while column 202 is taken from the settings of the rearward counting printing wheels. Column 20I is further divided into two groups of consecutive numbers, as at 20|a and 20Ib. Group 20|a represents the last three axle counts of vehicular traffic travelling on the lane and crossing the treadle in normal traffic direction. After count 2367 was made, the reverse direction identifier key was actuated to effect energization of solenoid I51 which moved printing slug I13 into printing position. As hereinbefore described, the directional counters were similarly reversed with the energizing of solenoid I51. Thus, the first axle traversing the treadle in the reverse direction will effect a consecutive count on the forward counter as shown in Figure 3, as 2368. A printing hammer and inking mechanism, not shown, is

arranged to press record 200 against the counter digit wheels with each counting operation and imprint thereon, the respective numerals. With slug I13 in printing position, the first count and all subsequent counts of the reverse traflic flow will effect the printing of the reverse identification character R, along with the total count. Therefore, record 200 will readily show the number of axle counts occurring in each of the directional periods. Obviously, when trafilc direction is again returned to normal direction, the actuation of the respective identifier key will de-energize solenoid.

iilfil' and release 'slug Til-1'3 to' ibe spring urged-out of printing r position. ffTherefora' the forward normal directional triaflic countis readilyidenti- -fled on r-ecord 200 by the absence f the: charac- -=ter R.

Since the herein described-invention is in-tended: for-use on roadways having :perio'dically reversible one way or s uni directional .1 vehicular transitithe rearward counters are provided to -record=arid count vehicleaxlesthat-inadvertently 1! backt-up and recross" the treadle -after having pre- "vioiisly rolled' over: said treadle. Co1umn' 2l2 shows :th'at the firstaxle: :of' the reverse :gnoup backedup recrossing' the 1 trearlle to actuate 3' the o rearward J counter. additionotoi the are --co'rdingbf aL f-alse double count-,arzrearward.count -is a1so recorded which; when subtracted fromri the 11 forward count; indicates the A true forward-locum or F the vehicle axles. In this way =the scountziof axles moving in the' proper or fforward directiorr H or: transitds always added on the f crwardccountei' F'an'd'the baokward moving- "axles are always counted: on the rearward counteifiRi regardless bf Whetherihe -=lane is'-=being op'erat'ed iiin uits nomally-iorward direction of- L traffic flowzzori' its reverse direction. Moreover-, sincerearwardaxle movement= is unusualg beingcaused 1111 most: instances by"- vehicles'- being "backed up rover: 1 the counting "treadles in the 4 course of the:to1i.:col1ec- =tion= transaction, the rearward counter :can be 1 designed to count to a muchsmaller: total -than the 'forwa'rd'oounter, thus eifecting a simplificatiom of the rearwar'd counter over theucounters in-"the ordinary system -"wherein either counter -might be "counting forward passing axles: in are versible -lane.

Referring again toPartDm Fig. l 'it; is evident that when the reversible lane is riot being: used, is 'e.; when' -it is closed to traflic, --red lights' 1159 "and P1 2; will both be energiZ'ed, signalling cars "approaching'in' either direction to stop. However, "when th'e larre is opento trafiic either direction, by i the--use 0f an 1 identifier -unit key; the corresponding trafiic lights"will be changed from red L *to- 'g-reen" ""thus signalling that the lane is open to trafiic -in that'-particular* direction.

The electrical circuit for this switchingopera- "tion' *carHoeseeni for instancepi-in the normahdirection -.keyidentifier unitg to be from the AZ C. source ACH through switch 1 68, l-Bfla -(the: :key -"being in said-identifier uniti to ome termin'ahof green trafiic signall l 'flg'f the otheruterminai. of 'csa'id traffic signal beingmonnectedL- toi therAzt-C.

' signal 'energizing source ACG.

It c'vill "thus-be seen 1 that thereis provided.- a

'flsystemx-in Whichi-theseveral lobjectss of this :in- "-VBIItiOILlIQJ'S: achieved andvwhich ;,is :well adapted utoimeet the conditions ofsvpracticai-use.

s-various possibleaemhodiments"might :bemade of r the Lahosxe: invention-sand: as tvariousrchanges i0 to -sense" movement-=0 .vehi'clesinin said'riane tin aid oppositeI- direction and t :causeisaidosecond indicator means tovsensex movement :of svehieles ---in:said first direction in-s'aid lane.

22in combination; a tr-eadle in ar -lane ofi -unidirectional vehicular transit-t a ior-ward counter, ax IGEWWaIG CQUIItGI'N means: operable to: actnuate the iorward countert-tocount axles of vehicles imoving;in-''the:1ane oventhe tread-lain one direc- -tion, and tomactuate' the rearward counterto (oeonnt .sa les oil"vehicles-whacking up -over tthe treadie in' ithe lane andmoving in theopposite direction, and reversing means includingrelay switeh' ineans an -=manuallyoperaihlewwitch -means-for controhing saidreiay switch means te -cause said forward --cou'ntei-- to count vehicles -moving= over the troadle in the--1ane in saidopposite-directicn upon reversing the -direction of tre;1iic-' -iiow= in the--.=.1ane-- and -to" count vehieles bacinng up in the-lane in 1 said 1 first-directionon sai d rearward eounter.

In'cem-bination, a 'treadle ina iane of'm idirectional' vehicular transit; a forward counter, a rearward counter; means --operah1e to actuate "theWQrWard counter to-=countax1es of vehicles moving in the'lane overthe tre'aolle-in onetiirec- I ti-on -to--- actuate -the;Tearward;' cot1nter'-:to "'count aiilesnf vehiclesxbacking up overthe trea- *dle in-thelane and-moving in the oppositefdirectien,- and-reversingmeansoperableito-cause 's'aid forward; counter to;- count vehicles 'moving'," over the treadle inthe' lane in said. opposite direction 1 upon "reversing "the direction of 'trafficjjflowjjin the lane and to count vehicle backingi upgingthe lane -in said *first-idirection; on said rearward. counteryseiict first. means" including a;ir uit'; Ior "*ea'chcounter, movable switchjn .eaohicirouit v -so arranged" that in one; pos'itiongjofi said; itch fj the first "switch connects thei, first '.0i1:ct1it 'itolthe forwardicounteri and? the other cireuit to 'thevrear- -ward. 'countelwr'said switchesheingamovaiblo 170. t a second position andumeans.onenativesini the se ond positioniiof. said ,swi ohesto oonnectth i-first "circuit to the rearward. counter.flariditlleflsecond circuit he" f rward counter and'ps'aid rever "ins ns "including .r'el yhmeansgtoimov ith "switch, from the? first .tof the .second position,. an a a circuit to control :said relaymeans, a .sivitohflin said; circuit, and.a"l y:;oontro11ine saidnlast switch.

i 4;. In combinatio artreadi eflim a. .lanetof ruini- .1;d.irectiona1lvehicillart transiti a. forward .oounter, .i a rearward .counter means operable .to actuate the. forward counter, 1110. count, axl s f. h 1B moving in the lane overlthe treadleinpne Ldirection, and. ,to actuate the rearward c ounter ;to .count, axles. of :vehio1es11baokingn .QYerL lthe itreadle .in'lth lane and. movinginithexopposite direction, printingv means to makea printed-ineseo, .ord Jorthe. counts on. said" ard count rs and said rearward. counter, a. p ntineislug; having printing indioiaithereon normally tumor. printi g position ,withresnectntosaid ,prir'ltingi-means, reversing means .actuable. to.icauselsaiduforward i l counter totcoulltsvehicles movingioveri theitreadle inrthehlaneuin rsaid opposi-te,direction,upon retversingtthe..-.direction of tramc jaw ;.in gthe lane,

;s.and .to count-vehicles baoking u rin,theJane. in

M saidfirstdirection. on saidrearwardtcouriteltnan mimeans responsive ,to thesaotuationt, of.. sa d;.,,.r

- .versing means to causesaid prin in lugto .move

into printing; position with respect to saidiprintins means.

"'5'." In combination, aitreadle ina-lane'of uni- 7 5 "directional" vehicular transit, a forward counter,

amazes a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axle of vehicles moving in the lane over the treadle in one direction, and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up over the treadle in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed recrd of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug, having printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, reversing means actuable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the treadle in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane, and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter and means actuable at the same time to cause said printing slug to move into printing position with respect to said printing means, said first means including a, circuit for each counter, a movable switch in each circuit so arranged that in one position of said switch the first switch connects the first circuit to the forward counter and the other circuit to the rearward counter, said switches being movable to a second position, and means operative in the second position of said switches to connect the first circuit to the rearward counter and the second circuit to the forward counter, and said reversing means including relay means operable to move the switch from the first to the second position, and a circuit to control said relay means, a switch in said circuit, and a key controlling said last switch.

6. In combination, a treadle in a lane of unidirectional vehicular transit, a traffic signal system to allow passage of traffic in one direction in said lane, and to stop traffic in the other direction in said lane, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane over the treadle in one direction and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up over the treadle in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed record of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug with printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, reversing means actuatable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the treadle in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of trafflc flow in the lane and to counter vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter and means controlled by the reversing means to cause said printing slug with printing indicia thereon to be brought into printing position with respect to said printing means, and means controlled by said reversing means to reverse said trafiic signal system so that passage is allowed only in said opposite direction in said lane and stopped in the first direction.

'7. In combination, a, treadle in a lane of unidirectional vehicular transit, a traffic signal system to allow passage of traffic in one direction in said lane, and to stop traffic in the other direction in said lane, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane over the treadle in one direction and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up over the treadle in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means operable to make a printed record of each count on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug with printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, reversing means actuatable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the treadle in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter, means controlled by the reversing means to cause said printing slug with printing indicia thereon to be brought into printing position with respect to said printing means, means controlled by said reversing means to reverse said traflic signal system so that passage is allowed only in said opposite direction insaid lane and stopped in the first direction, said first means including a circuit for each counter, a movable switch in each circuit so arranged that in one position of said switch the first switch connects the first circuit to the forward counter and the other circuit to the rearward counter, said switches being movable to a second position, and means operative in the second position of said switches to connect the first circuit to the rearward counter and the second circuit to the forward counter, said reversing means including relay means to move the switch from the first to the second position, a circuit to control said relay means, a switch in said circuit and a key controlling said last switch. I

8. In a reversible lane of uni-directional vehicular traflic, the combination comprising: a trafllc signal system for vehicles moving in the normal direction of traffic flow in said lane; a traflic signal system for vehicles moving in the reverse direction of trafiic flow in said lane; said systems each comprising stop and go lights; an energizing circuit for said reverse direction traflic signal system; a switch in said circuit, connected so that when said switch is in a first position said reverse direction stop light is energized and said reverse direction g0" light is de-energized, and when in a second position said "go light is energized and said stop light is tie-energized; another switch operative with said first switch; an energizing circuit through said other switch including a relay; a pair of single-pole doublethrow switches controlled by said relay; counter energizing circuits through said pair of switches including a forward counter and a rearward counter; counter energizing pulse means in said counter circuits operative to energize selectively one of said counters when a vehicle passes in one direction in said lane and to energize the other of said counters when a vehicle backs-up in another direction in said lane, the selection depending upon whether or not said relay is energized; an energizing circuit for said normal direction traffic signal system; a switch in said circuit connected so that when said last switch is in a first position said normal direction stop" light is energized and said normal direction go light is de-energized, and when said last switch is in another position said latter go light is energized and said latter stop light is de-energized; so that when said trafiic signal energizing switches are set for traffic to go in the normal direction, said forward counter will be actuated to count traffic passage in the normal direction and said rearward counter will be actuated to count vehicles backing up; and when said trafiic energizing switches are set for tramc to go in the reverse direction, said forward counter will be actuated to ing in the lane over the treadle in one direction, and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up over the treadle in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, said counters each being provided with embossed counter wheels, a printing slug and printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position relative to said counter wheels, reversing means operable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the treadle in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane, and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter, and means controlled by said reversing means operable to move said printing slug into printing position relative to said embossed counting wheels.

16. In combination, vehicle sensing means in a lane of uni-directional vehicular transit, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane past the ve hicle sensing means in one direction, and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up past the vehicle sensing means in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, a printing slug having printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position, reversing means operable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the sensing means in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane, and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter, and means operable at the same time to cause said printing slug to move into printing position.

17. In combination, vehicle sensing means in a lane of uni-directional vehicular transit, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane past the vehicle sensing means in one direction, and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up past the vehicle sensing means in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, and reversing means including relay switch means and manually operable switch means for controlling said relay switch means to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the treadle in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter.

18. In combination, vehicle sensing means in a. lane of uni-directional vehicular transit, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane past the vehicle sensing means in one direction, and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up past the vehicle sensing means in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed record of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug, having printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, reversing means operable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving over the sensing means in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traflic flow in the lane, and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said first direction on said rearward counter. and means operable therewith to cause said printing slug to move into printing position with respect to said printing means.

19. In combination, vehicle sensing means in a lane of uni-directional vehicular transit, a trafiic signal system to allow passage of trafilc in one direction in said lane, and to stop traflic in the other direction in said lane, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane past the vehicle sensing means in one direction and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up past the vehicle sensing means in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed record of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug with printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, reversing means operable to cause said forward counter to count vehicles moving past the vehicle sensing means in the lane in said opposite direction upon reversing the direction of traffic flow in the lane and to count vehicles backing up in the lane in said direction on said rearward counter and means controlled by the reversing means to move said printing slug with printing indicia thereon into printing position with respect to said printing means, and means controlled by said reversing means to reverse said trafiic signal system so that passage is allowed only in said opposite direction in said lane and stopped in the first direction.

20. In combination, vehicle sensing means in a lane of uni-directional vehicular transit, a traffic signal system to allow passage of trafiic in one direction in said lane, and to stop traffic in the other direction in said lane, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving in the lane past the vehicle sensing means in one direction and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up past the vehicle sensing means in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed record of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug with printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, means to reverse said traffic signal system so that passage is allowed only in said opposite direction in said lanes and stopped in the first direction, and means controlled by said last means to move said printing slug with printing indicia thereon into printing position with respect to said printing means.

21. In combination, a treadle in a lane of unidirectional vehicular transit, a traffic signal system to allow passage of traffic in one direction in said lane, and to stop trafiic in the other direction in said lane, a forward counter, a rearward counter, means operable to actuate the forward counter to count axles of vehicles moving over the treadle in one direction and to actuate the rearward counter to count axles of vehicles backing up over the treadle in the lane and moving in the opposite direction, printing means to make a printed record of the counts on said forward counter and said rearward counter, a printing slug with printing indicia thereon normally out of printing position with respect to said printing means, means operable to reverse said trafi'ic signal system so that passage is allowed only in said opposite direction in said lane and stopped in the first direction, and means con- BENJAMIN COOPER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Number McKeen Dec. 8, 1931 10 Hershey July 23, 1935 18 Name Date Goldsmith Aug. 31, 1937 Cooper Mar. 9, 1943 Diebold Oct. 5, 1943 Kinkead Mar. 25, 1947 Burn Sept. 20, 1949 Meuriot Jan. 10, 1950 Scherer Nov. 7, 1950