Traffic light sequence indication system

• US 6,380,867 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Darren O. Maull
• Original Assignee: Darren O. Maull
• Inventors: Maull, Darren O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/802,565
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 340/929, 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 340/309.3, 340/907, 340/909, 340/916, 340/925, 340/930, 340/691.1, 340/691.3, 340/691.6, 340/693.9
• US Class Current: 340/929
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096 provided with indicators in which a mark progresses showing the time elapsed, e.g. of green phase

Abstract

A traffic light sequence indicating system for indicating time remaining before signal light changes. The traffic light sequence indicating system includes a housing. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. Control circuitry is mounted in the housing and is operationally coupled to the traffic light controller and adapted to time traffic light sequences. A first display displays information from the control circuitry. A surface of the first display is generally flush with a surface of the front wall. The first display is operationally coupled to the control circuitry. The control circuitry displays indicia indicating minutes and seconds on the first display. A fastening means removably fastens the top wall to the arm of the traffic light system.

Claims

1. A traffic light sequence timing system, for mounting on the arm of a traffic light system, the traffic light system being operationally coupled to a traffic light controller, said system comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall;

control circuitry being mounted in said housing, said control circuitry being operationally coupled to said traffic light controller and adapted to time traffic light sequences;

a first display for displaying information from said control circuitry, said first display having a surface, said first display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating minutes and seconds on said first display;

a fastening means for removably fastening said top wall to the arm of the traffic light system, said fastening means comprising a bracket having a base portion and a top portion, said base portion being coupled to said top wall of said housing, said top portion having bores therein for receiving securing means for removably securing said top portion to said base portion, each of said top and base portions having a channel therein, said channels defining a bore in said bracket when said top portion is coupled to said base portion, said arm of said traffic light system extending through said bore;

a pair of coupling members for coupling said housing to said traffic light system, each of said coupling members having a base portion and two legs, each of said legs having a flange thereon, each of said coupling members being generally U-shaped, wherein said coupling member is positionable over the arm of the traffic light system and said flanges are securable to said top wall by said securing means, each of said base portions having a bore therein; and

a biasing means mounted in said bore for biasing said base portion against the arm.

2. The traffic light sequence timing system as in claim 1, wherein said first display is positioned generally in a central portion of said top wall, further comprising a second display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said second display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said second display being positioned generally between said first display and said bottom wall, said second display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating red or green on said second display.

3. The traffic light sequence timing system as in claim 2, further comprising a third display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said third display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said third display being positioned generally between said first display and said top wall, said third display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating a countdown on said third display.

4. A traffic light sequence timing system, for mounting on the arm of a traffic light system, the traffic light system being operationally coupled to a traffic light controller, said system comprising:

a housing having a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall;

control circuitry being mounted in said housing, said control circuitry being operationally coupled to said traffic light controller, said control circuitry being operationally coupled to a timer, said control circuitry being adapted to track time between a red light changing to a green light and a green light changing to a red light of the traffic light system, said control circuitry being a microprocessor;

a first display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said first display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said first display being positioned generally in a central portion of said front wall, said first display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, said first display comprises an illuminated liquid crystal display;

a second display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said second display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said second display being positioned generally between said first display and said bottom wall, said second display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, said second display comprises an illuminated liquid crystal display;

a third display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said third display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said third display being positioned generally between said first display and said top wall, said third display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry, said third display comprises an illuminated liquid crystal display;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating minutes and seconds on said first display;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating red or green on said second display;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating a countdown on said third display;

a fastening means for removably fastening said top wall to the arm of the traffic light system, said fastening means comprising a bracket having a base portion and a top portion, said base portion being removably coupled to said top wall of said housing, said top portion having bores therein for receiving securing means for removably securing said top portion to said base portion, each of said top and base portions having a channel therein, said channels defining a bore in said bracket when said top portion is coupled to said base portion, said arm of said traffic light system extending through said bore, each of said securing means being a screw; and

a pair of coupling members for coupling said housing to said traffic light system, each of said coupling members having a base portion and two legs, each of said legs having a flange thereon, each of said coupling members being generally U-shaped, wherein said coupling member is placed over the arm of the traffic light system and said flanges are secured to said top wall by said securing means, each of said base portions having a bore therein having a biasing means therein for biasing said base against the arm, said biasing means being a screw.

5. A traffic light sequence timing system, for mounting on the arm of a traffic light system, the traffic light system being operationally coupled to a traffic light controller, said system comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall;

control circuitry being mounted in said housing, said control circuitry being operationally coupled to said traffic light controller, said control circuitry being operationally coupled to a timer, said control circuitry being adapted to track time between a red light changing to a green light and a green light changing to a red light of the traffic light system;

a first display for displaying information from said control circuitry, said first display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry;

a second display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said second display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said second display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry;

a third display for displaying information from said control circuitry, a surface of said third display being generally flush with a surface of said front wall, said third display being operationally coupled to said control circuitry;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating minutes and seconds on said first display;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating red or green on said second display;

wherein said control circuitry displays indicia indicating a countdown on said third display;

a fastening means for removably fastening said top wall to the arm of the traffic light system, said fastening means comprising a bracket having a base portion and a top portion, said base portion being removably coupled to said top wall of said housing, said top portion being removably attachable to said base portion, each of said top and base portions having a channel therein, said channels defining a bore in said bracket when said top portion is coupled to said base portion, said arm of said traffic light system extending through said bore; and

a pair of coupling members for coupling said housing to said traffic light system, each of said coupling members having a base portion and two legs, each of said legs having a flange thereon, each of said coupling members being generally U-shaped, wherein said coupling member is placed over the arm of the traffic light system and said flanges are secured to said top wall by said securing means, each of said base portions having a bore therein having a biasing means therein for biasing said base against the arm.

6. The traffic light sequence timing system as in claim 5, wherein said first display is positioned generally in a central portion of said front wall, said second display being positioned generally between said first display and said bottom wall, said third display being positioned generally between said first display and said top wall.

7. The traffic light sequence timing system as in claim 6, wherein each of said first, second and third displays comprises an illuminated liquid crystal display.