Emergency traffic signal device
First Claim
1. An emergency traffic signal device for use as a traffic signal to be actuated by a preemptive emergency signal from an approaching emergency vehicle, said device comprising:
- a backing panel for said traffic signal having top, bottom and side edges and a plurality of traffic lights mounted in a row on said backing panel;
a plurality of elongated display elements mounted on said backing panel and extending along the edges thereof around said traffic lights, each of said display elements comprising at least one electro-optically responsive display unit operable when actuated to display a preselected graphic directional symbol for directing motorists approaching the traffic signal device;
and a controller for said display elements connected to the elements and responsive to said preemptive emergency signal to actuate the elements and produce said preselected directional symbols thereon.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An emergency traffic signal device comprising a plurality of elongated display units that are affixed to the traffic signal around the three traffic lights thereon and comprise arrays of LEDs capable of displaying graphic directional instructions in the form of moving chevrons or arrows that indicate the need to move laterally to the side of the road in response to preemptive signals detected by a controller. The display units are mounted on channel-shaped bodies to be retrofitted to the signal, or are installed as original equipment on new signals, preferably in a continuous band around the traffic lights. Alternatively, message display panels, also responsive to the controller, are applied to one or both of the upper and lower sides of the traffic signal, and additional arrays of LEDs are provided in the positions of two of the traffic lights to emit standard color lights during normal operation and to display graphic directional symbols in response to emergency signals.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An emergency traffic signal device for use as a traffic signal to be actuated by a preemptive emergency signal from an approaching emergency vehicle, said device comprising:
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a backing panel for said traffic signal having top, bottom and side edges and a plurality of traffic lights mounted in a row on said backing panel;
a plurality of elongated display elements mounted on said backing panel and extending along the edges thereof around said traffic lights, each of said display elements comprising at least one electro-optically responsive display unit operable when actuated to display a preselected graphic directional symbol for directing motorists approaching the traffic signal device;
and a controller for said display elements connected to the elements and responsive to said preemptive emergency signal to actuate the elements and produce said preselected directional symbols thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An emergency traffic signal device for use on a traffic signal having traffic lights mounted on a backing panel with a front side having generally horizontal and vertical side edges, to be actuated by a preemptive emergency signal from an approaching emergency vehicle, said device comprising:
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a set of elongated attachment elements mountable along the horizontal and vertical edges of the backing panel and each having a channel-shaped body for fitting over one of said edges and a front side portion for overlying the front side of the backing panel;
at least one electro-optically responsive display unit mounted on each of said attachment elements on said front side portion thereof and operable when actuated to display a preselected graphic directional symbol;
and a controller for said attachment elements connected to the elements and responsive to said preemptive emergency signal to actuate the elements and produce said preselected directional symbols thereon. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. The method of controlling a traffic signal having a plurality of traffic lights arranged in a row on a backing panel top, bottom and side edges, in response to preemptive emergency signals for overriding normal operation of the traffic signal, the traffic signal being disposed at an intersection of roadways, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of elongated attachment elements for the traffic signal having electro-optically responsive display units that are operable when actuated to display a preselected graphic directional symbol for lateral movement;
affixing the attachment elements to the backing panel around the traffic lights along said edges;
and providing a controller for detecting the preemptive emergency signal, determining the direction from which the signals are approaching the controller, and actuating said display units to display the preselected graphic directional signal;
and actuating said display units through said controller to actuate said display units when lateral movement is appropriate. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification