Portable traffic signal

• US 20070290887A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Loran Pleasanton
• Original Assignee: Loran Pleasanton
• Inventors: Pleasanton, Loran
• Application Number:
  US11/764,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20070290887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/908
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0955 transportable

Abstract

A portable traffic signal for controlling traffic through an intersection includes a base for surrounding and capturing a pylon. The pylon has a lower portion that is mechanically coupled to the base and an upper portion that is mechanically coupled to a signal head. A primary power source is positioned within the pylon, and provides power to operate the signal head. The portable traffic signal is large, lightweight and can be assembled at an intersection by a single person.

Claims

1. A portable traffic signal for controlling traffic through an intersection, comprising:

a base for surrounding and capturing a pylon;

said pylon, having a lower portion mechanically coupled to said base and an upper portion mechanically coupled to a signal head; and

a primary power source, positioned within said lower portion pylon, for providing power to said signal head.

2. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1, wherein said primary power source comprises at least one battery that provides power to said signal head and stabilizes said signal head.

3. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 wherein said base, said pylon, and said signal head are manually assembled at the intersection.

4. The portable traffic signal according to claim 3, wherein said base, said pylon, and said signal head are manually assembled at the intersection without additional mechanical fasteners.

5. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1, wherein said base has provision for holding one or more sandbags for stabilizing the traffic control signal.

6. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 wherein

said base comprises a base plate and a base shell, and wherein said base plate locates and centers said pylon in said base.

7. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 wherein said pylon comprises a battery deck and a pylon shell, and wherein said battery deck supports said power source in said pylon.

8. The portable traffic signal according to claim 7 wherein said battery deck and said pylon shell utilize LED lighting arranged internally to illuminate said pylon and said base.

9. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 wherein said signal head comprises a signal head shell and three or more signal housings.

10. The portable traffic signal according to claim 9 wherein each of said three or more signal housings holds three or more signal lamps.

11. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 wherein said base, said pylon, and said signal head are fabricated from a plastic material selected from a group of plastic materials consisting of a composite glass and polyester resin, graphite and polyester resin, UV protected polycarbonate, polystyrene, and high density polypropylene.

12. The portable traffic signal according to claim 11 wherein said base, said pylon and said signal head are fabricated from said plastic materials using a fabrication process selected from a group of fabrication processes consisting of molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, pressure forming, twin sheet forming, and blow molding.

13. The portable traffic signal according to claim 11 wherein said base, said pylon and said signal head are manufactured from translucent material.

14. The portable traffic signal according to claim 11 wherein said base, said pylon and said signal head are fabricated from materials impregnated with a phosphorescent material, and wherein said base, said pylon and said signal head are coated either internally or externally with said phosphorescent material.

15. The portable traffic signal according to claim 1 further comprising:

a signal controller and a conflict monitor;

a first receiver to communicate with said signal controller;

a second receiver to collect and communicate telemetry data; and

a transmitter to network between portable traffic signals and a command center.

16. The portable traffic signal according to claim 15 further comprising;

a secondary power source for said conflict monitor;

a battery monitor for detecting a condition of said primary and secondary power sources; and

an impact sensor for detecting an impact to the portable traffic signal, said impact sensor further for detecting a knock over of the portable traffic signal,

said transmitter transmitting a status of said primary and secondary power sources and a condition of the portable traffic signal to said command center,

said battery monitor further switching power from said primary power source to said secondary power source when said primary power source is depleted.

17. The portable traffic signal according to claim 15 further comprising:

a power controller to minimize power consumption; and

a phase controller to flash the signal lamps 180 degrees out of phase when in a flashing mode, said power controller further shutting down inactive portions of said signal controller and said conflict monitor.

18. The portable traffic signal according to claim 15 further comprising

a GPRS modem providing a means to call for service when said primary power source is depleted, and when the portable traffic signal has been impacted,

said GPRS modem further providing the call for service when a fault or conflict is detected, the call for service including a unique identification number identifying the portable traffic signal.

19. The portable traffic signal according to claim 18 further comprising a GPS receiver for receiving GPS location information, wherein said GPRS modem generates a report of the portable traffic signal location.

20. The portable traffic signal according to claim 15 further comprising a Blue Tooth interface for enabling remote operator access to said controller via a blue tooth link.