Lane discriminating traffic counting device
First Claim
1. A traffic counting cord comprising:
- a plurality of sections,a pair of conductive members in each section,a plurality of insulated conductors in each section,selected ones of the insulated conductors in the sections being at least partially exposed and making electrical contact with both members of the pair of conductive members in a section under compression by traffic to be counted.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A traffic counting cord has a plurality of sections designed to be identical in physical characteristics, set-up procedures, durability and performance as a road tube. Each section has a portion with conductive upper and lower members and a portion with non-conductive upper and lower members. The upper and lower members are separated by resilient, non-conductive material. Embedded within the members are a plurality of wires insulated with nylon or other material and at least one non-insulated wire which is in contact with the conductive member. A count occurs when traffic impacting the cord causes the upper and lower members of a section to make contact. Individual counts for each lane can be obtained by cross-wiring the sections, so that the uninsulated conductors of each section are routed to a counter through insulated conductors or wires of the other sections. Any even or odd number of lanes, typically four, six, or eight lanes can be accomodated, although there is no theoretical limit. An alternative embodiment replaces the wires with resilient conductive material channeled through the cord to improve reliability.
44 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A traffic counting cord comprising:
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a plurality of sections, a pair of conductive members in each section, a plurality of insulated conductors in each section, selected ones of the insulated conductors in the sections being at least partially exposed and making electrical contact with both members of the pair of conductive members in a section under compression by traffic to be counted. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 2. The traffic counting cord recited in claim wherein an upper one of the conductive members of the pair is disposed vertically above a lower one of the pair of conductive members.
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18. A traffic counting cord section comprising:
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first and second resilient conductive members forming a pair, vertically disposed one over the other, a resilient insulating member disposed between portions of the conductive members, the insulating member separating the conducting members when the cord section is uncompressed and allowing electrical contact between the conductive members when the cord is compressed; at least one conductor embedded within the first conductive member, at least a part of said at least one conductor making electrical contact with both conductive members of the pair under compression of the cord, the second conductive member being connected to a reference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification