Modular traffic signal apparatus

• US 3,999,160 A
• Filed: 12/05/1975
• Issued: 12/21/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard M. Mcdonnell
• Original Assignee: Richard M. Mcdonnell
• Inventors: McDonnell, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US05/638,273
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 340/119, 340/41 R, 340/41 A, 340/42, 340/87, 340/84, 340/321, 339/119 L, 339/120, 339/121, 339/125 R, 339/127 C, 339/132 R, 339/132 B, 339/166 R, 339/119 R, 339/47, 339/91 F, 200/307, 200/308, 200/309, 40/52 R, 35/19 A, 46/24, 46/25, 46/26, 46/226, 46/228, 317/117, 325/355, 325/356, 116/63 R, 116/63 P, 312/11
• US Class Current: 362/227
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

Traffic signal apparatus in which individual signal units are of modular construction and include complementary structure for direct mechanical and electrical interconnection with like signal units, or with a mounting member for supporting an array of interconnected signal units. Each individual signal unit is prewired, and all necessary wiring interconnections for an interconnected array of individual signal units are accomplished by electrical connectors which mate as the individual signal units are mechanically interconnected with each other. Each signal unit includes a lamp socket assembly which is readily connectable to the prewiring, so that any desired signal circuit can be selected for each signal unit. The lamp socket assemblies are adjustable to permit proper orientation of lamp filaments. The disclosed interconnectable individual signal units are intended for plug-in assembly to form desired traffic signal arrays which require no wiring, apart from electrical interconnection with a conventional source of traffic control signals.

Claims

1. Traffic signal apparatus comprising:

a signal module having a pair of mutually spaced apart wall members;

each of said wall members having mechanical interconnective means which is selectively attachable in mechanical interlocking relation with complementary interconnective means of another signal module;

electrical circuit connective means associated with each said interconnective means and operative to establish a plurality of predetermined electrical circuit interconnections with complementary circuit connective means of said other signal module upon attachment therewith;

electrical bus means extending between said circuit connective means associated with each of said mechanical interconnective means; and

lamp means disposed in said signal module and operative to establish an electrical circuit between said lamp means and a selected circuit of said electrical bus means, so that a plurality of said signal modules can be interconnected to provide an electrically interconnected prewired traffic signal array.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said lamp means includes a lens positioned between said pair of wall members; and

each of said mechanical interconnective means comprises elongate connector structure on said wall members extending on a plane perpendicular to said lens to provide a sliding quick connection with complementary structure of such other signal module.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein:

said elongate connector structure on one of said walls includes an elongate slot having an open end; and

said elongate connector structure on the other of said walls includes an elongate flange which is slidably enterable into the open end of a complementary elongate slot in said other signal module for mechanical interconnection therewith.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein:

said electrical circuit interconnective means is located relative to said elongate connector structure to be positioned in said complementary circuit interconnection only when said sliding interconnection is completed.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said lamp means includes a socket to receive a lamp;

a first electrical contact in circuit with said socket and terminating at a central location on said lamp means;

a second electrical contact in circuit with said socket and terminating at a location radially spaced apart from said first electrical contact;

a third electrical contact in circuit with a common conductor of said electrical bus and located to receive said first electrical contact; and

a plurality of fourth electrical contacts disposed in radial spaced apart relation about said third electrical conductor, each of said fourth electrical contacts being in circuit with a respective other conductor of said bus and being selectably operative to engage said second electrical contact.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said lamp means includes a socket to receive a lamp which requires a predetermined orientation, said socket having a lamp receiving portion into which such lamp may be inserted and a base portion on which said lamp receiving portion is supported;

said base portion including means for establishing electrical circuit with said selected circuit of said electrical bus means;

means establishing electrical circuit between said lamp receiving socket and said base portion; and

means interconnecting said base portion and said lamp receiving socket to allow said socket to be selectably rotated and retained in any of a number of angular positions with respect to said base portion, so that the angular orientation of a lamp in said socket can be changed.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting plate for mechanical and electrical interconnection with a said signal module;

said mounting plate having an under portion on which is disposed connective means which is capable of complementary engagement with said mechanical interconnective means on an upper said end wall of said signal module;

electrical circuit connective means mounted on said under side of said mounting plate in predetermined relation with said connective means thereon to establish predetermined electrical circuit connection with said electrical circuit connective means on said upper end wall of said signal module, so that electrical circuits are established between said bus of said signal module and said mounting plate when interconnected with said signal module;

terminal means carried by said mounting plate and electrically connected to said electrical circuit connective means of said mounting plate, so that signal operating wires can be connected to said terminal means to supply lamp operating power to said signal module; and

attachment means for attachment in depending relation to a signal support such as an overhead cable and selectively connectable to said mounting plate to support said mounting plate and interconnected signal module.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein:

said connection between said mounting plate and said attachment means includes a first connecting member depending downwardly from said attachment means and a second connecting member extending upwardly from said upper side of said mounting plate;

one of said connecting members comprising a nondeformable nipple having an exterior surface provided with protrusions; and

the other of said connecting members comprising a deformable receptacle into which said nipple is freely received and which is deformable into retaining engagement with said surface protrusions of said nipple, so that any desired angular orientation of said mounting plate relative to said attachment is maintained.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said nipple and said deformable receptacle each have a mating internal passage to receive electrical wires leading to said terminal means.