Method and apparatus for monitoring highway traffic
First Claim
1. A portable device for identifying hazardous traffic conditions at highway construction sites, comprising:
- an elongated pressure sensitive monitor for lying down onto a road surface;
a monitor switch coupled to the monitor, the switch actuating when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied onto the monitor;
a siren operably coupled to the monitor switch, the siren generating a high decibel alarm when energized; and
a portable controller coupled between the siren and the monitor switch for selectively energizing the siren for a given amount of time after the monitor switch is actuated, the controller further including means for both selectively varying the amount of time that the siren remains energized after the monitor switch is actuated and extending energization of the siren by the selected amount of time when the monitor switch is reactuated during siren energization.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable traffic warning device identifies hazardous traffic conditions at highway construction sites. The device includes an air hose that actuates a monitor switch whenever a vehicle travels over the air hose. A siren is operably coupled to the monitor switch and is capable of generating a high decibel audible alarm. A portable controller is coupled between the siren and the monitor switch and selectively couples power for preprogrammed amounts of time to the siren after the monitor switch is activated. A spool of retractable wire connects the monitor switch to the controller and allows the air hose to be placed at variable distances from the siren. A portable telescoping pole assembly is used for supporting the siren at variable vertical distances above the ground.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A portable device for identifying hazardous traffic conditions at highway construction sites, comprising:
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an elongated pressure sensitive monitor for lying down onto a road surface; a monitor switch coupled to the monitor, the switch actuating when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied onto the monitor; a siren operably coupled to the monitor switch, the siren generating a high decibel alarm when energized; and a portable controller coupled between the siren and the monitor switch for selectively energizing the siren for a given amount of time after the monitor switch is actuated, the controller further including means for both selectively varying the amount of time that the siren remains energized after the monitor switch is actuated and extending energization of the siren by the selected amount of time when the monitor switch is reactuated during siren energization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for identifying dangerous safety conditions from vehicular traffic at a roadway construction site, comprising:
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lying a pressure sensitive monitor on the ground at an outside perimeter location of a construction site; connecting a siren to the monitor for generating a high decibel level alarm; locating the siren inside the perimeter of the construction site while the monitor remains at the outside perimeter location, the siren location and the decibel level of the alarm allowing the alarm to be easily heard by workers inside the construction site; activating the siren for a given amount of time responsive to a vehicle running over the monitor; and extending activation of the siren by said given amount of time when the monitor switch is reactuated during siren energization. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable system for identifying hazardous traffic conditions at highway construction sites, comprising:
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an elongated pressure sensitive air hose for lying down onto a road surface; a pneumatically actuated switch coupled to the air hose, the switch actuated when a predetermined amount of force compresses the air hose; a spool of electrical cable joined at a first end to the switch; a siren operably coupled to a second end of the wire for generating a high decibel alarm audible over heavy machinery; a portable controller coupled between the siren and the switch for selectively coupling power to the siren for a given amount of time according to the actuation condition of the monitor switch; and extending activation of the siren by said given amount of time when the monitor switch is reactuated during siren energization. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification