Portable automated flagman
First Claim
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1. A portable traffic control device comprising:
- a sign with a first and a second side, said first side having indicia forming a first word, said first word being stop, said second side having indicia forming a second word, said second word being slow;
means for illuminating said sign;
a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said shaft being attachable to said sign;
a housing affixed to the bottom end of said shaft;
a drive mechanism housed at least in part within said housing, said shaft being engageable with said drive mechanism, wherein said drive mechanism acts to rotate said sign about one hundred and eighty degrees;
a control system housed within said housing, said control system controlling actuation of said drive mechanism; and
a collapsible tripod having legs vertically extending from and attachable to said housing to support said housing at a predetermined height above a supporting ground surface when said portable traffic control device is deployed to control traffic.
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Abstract
A remotely controlled, portable, automated flagman includes a shaft rotatably supported by a housing containing the drive mechanism and control electronics to selectively turn the shaft such that a "stop" or a "slow" sign is displayed at the option of a user. The user controls the display of the "stop" and "slow" signs by a remote control unit. A tripod or other type of support structure is attached to the housing so as to support the traffic control sign at the proper height above the ground. The automated flagman of the present invention can take the place of a human flagman with a handheld sign in zones where temporary traffic control is needed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A portable traffic control device comprising:
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a sign with a first and a second side, said first side having indicia forming a first word, said first word being stop, said second side having indicia forming a second word, said second word being slow; means for illuminating said sign; a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said shaft being attachable to said sign; a housing affixed to the bottom end of said shaft; a drive mechanism housed at least in part within said housing, said shaft being engageable with said drive mechanism, wherein said drive mechanism acts to rotate said sign about one hundred and eighty degrees; a control system housed within said housing, said control system controlling actuation of said drive mechanism; and a collapsible tripod having legs vertically extending from and attachable to said housing to support said housing at a predetermined height above a supporting ground surface when said portable traffic control device is deployed to control traffic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable traffic control device comprising:
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a sign with a first and a second side, said first side having indicia forming a first word, said first word being stop, said second side having indicia forming a second word, said second word being slow; means for illuminating said sign; a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said shaft being attachable to said sign; a housing affixed to the bottom end of said shaft, said housing rotatably supporting said shaft; an electric motor housed within said housing; a battery electrically communicating with said electric motor and providing electrical energy to said motor; power transmission means for transmitting rotational motion from said electrical motor to said shaft, said shaft being engaged to said power transmission means; a control system housed within said housing, said control system controlling operation of said electrical motor; and a collapsible tripod having legs vertically extended from and releasibly attached to said housing to support said housing at a predetermined height above a supporting ground surface when said portable traffic control device is deployed to control traffic.
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11. A portable traffic control system comprising:
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a portable traffic control device including; a sign with a first and a second side, said first side having indicia forming a first word, said first word being stop, said second side having indicia forming a second word, said second word being slow; a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said shaft being attachable to said sign; a housing affixed to the bottom end of said shaft; a drive mechanism housed at least in part within said housing, said shaft being engageable with said drive mechanism, wherein said drive mechanism acts to rotate said sign about one hundred and eighty degrees; a control system housed within said housing, said control system controlling actuation of said drive mechanism; and a collapsible tripod having legs vertically extending from and attachable to said housing to support said housing at a predetermined height above a supporting ground surface when said portable traffic control device is deployed to control traffic; a video camera; and a video monitor communicating with said video camera, whereby an operator can observe said portable traffic control device from a remote location.
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Specification