Self-contained illuminated bus signal

• US 8,458,938 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2007
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aaron J. Tucker, Nashid-Tucker, Khadijah
• Original Assignee: Aaron J. Tucker, Nashid-Tucker, Khadijah
• Inventors: Nashid-Tucker, Khadijah, Tucker, Aaron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): JUNGE, KRISTINA N S
• Application Number:
  US11/676,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20070209260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,304 Days
• Field of Search: 406/070.1
• US Class Current: 40/607.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0037 supported by a post
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/007 Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A bus stop sign and notification device is powered by an electric circuit that includes a solar panel and battery mounted in a battery box on a bus shelter or vertical support pole. The vertical support secures first and second signs and first and second illuminators for information dissemination and visual attraction. Long lasting light-emitting diodes in various colors are mounted on an adjustable or swivel hood that is used to aim the lights. The lights can include a flashing strobe light for attracting the attention of a bus driver at a distance. A reflector shield on the pole can protect wires and reflect different color light when the sign is illuminated and attract attention to the sign at night. The illuminators are activated by a button switch by bus passengers for reading the signs and notifying a driver to stop for passengers.

Claims

1. A bus stop sign and signal device comprising:

a vertical support;

a first sign on said vertical support;

a battery housing on said vertical support for housing a battery;

a battery in said battery housing;

a first illumination means in a housing supported by said vertical support above said first sign;

said first illumination means having a first light in said housing for illuminating said first sign and a second light in said same housing for notifying an approaching bus driver to stop at the bus stop;

a switch for activating said first illumination means;

said vertical support is a post;

said first illuminating means is in a housing positioned at an upper end of said post and said housing is in the form of a hood;

said hood is adjustable to align the direction said first illumination means is pointed in for both illumination of said first sign and notification to said bus driver to stop;

a second sign on said vertical support;

a second illumination means supported on said vertical support;

said second illumination means having a first light positioned to illuminate said second sign;

said switch for activating said first illumination means also activates said second illumination means to simultaneously illuminate said first sign and said second sign and to notify said bus driver to stop.

2. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 1 wherein:

said vertical support is a post;

said post is in a “

u”

shape;

said “

u”

shape post has a recessed area that is enclosed by a panel that extends along a portion of said “

u”

shape post;

wiring extends from said battery to said second illumination means;

said wiring extends through said “

u”

shape post recessed area between said “

u”

shape post and said panel where said wires are protected.

3. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 1 including:

a reflective tape on said first sign for attracting attention to said first sign at night and during inclement weather;

said reflected tape being illuminated by light from said first illumination means first light and by oncoming traffic.

4. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 3 wherein:

said vertical support is a post;

said post is in a “

u”

shape;

said “

u”

shape post has a recessed area that is enclosed by a reflecting panel that extends along a portion of said “

u”

shape post.

5. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 4 wherein:

wiring extends from said battery to said second illumination means;

said wiring extends through said “

u”

shape post recessed area between said “

u”

shape post and said reflecting panel where said wires are protected.

6. A bus stop sign and signal device comprising:

a vertical support;

a first sign on said vertical support;

a battery housing on said vertical support for housing a battery;

a battery in said battery housing;

a first illumination means in a housing supported by said vertical support above said first sign;

said first illumination means having a first light in said housing for illuminating said first sign and a second light in said same housing for notifying an approaching bus driver to stop at the bus stop;

a switch for activating said first illumination means;

said vertical support is a post;

said first illuminating means is in a housing positioned at an upper end of said post and said housing is in the form of a hood;

said hood is adjustable to align the direction said first illumination means is pointed in for both illumination of said first sign and notification to said bus driver to stop;

said hood is elevated above said vertical support on a pipe that is vertically adjustable in said vertical support and is rotatable in said vertical support for adjusting the direction light coming from said first illumination means is pointed in;

said pipe includes a universal joint for independent adjustment.

7. A bus stop sign and signal device comprising:

an elongated vertical support;

a first sign having bus schedule and other information on said elongated vertical support;

a second sign having instructions for bus passengers on said elongated vertical support;

a first illumination means and a second illumination means on said elongated vertical support for illuminating said first sign and said second sign respectively;

a hood supported by said elongated vertical support;

said first illumination means includes a first light in said hood for illuminating said first sign and a second light for notifying a bus driver to stop at said bus stop;

said second illumination means including a first “

white”

light in a shield for illuminating said second sign;

a manually operated switch for activating said first illumination means first light and second light and said second illumination means first light;

an electric circuit for said first illumination means and for said second illumination means;

said electric circuit limits activation of said first illumination means and said second illumination means to a time certain to conserve electricity.

8. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 7 wherein:

said first illumination means first light is a white light and said second light is a strobe light and includes a third light that is an LED light that is a color other than “

white”

for attracting attention.

9. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 7 wherein:

said hood is elevated above said elongated vertical support on a pipe that is vertically adjustable in said vertical support and is rotatable in said vertical support for adjusting the direction light coming from said first illumination means is pointed in;

said pipe includes a universal joint for independent adjustment.

10. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 7 including:

a battery housing on said elongated vertical support for a battery;

a battery in said battery housing;

a solar panel for converting light into electricity for charging said battery;

said battery housing has an inner side and an outer side;

said battery housing inner side is attached to said vertical support;

said solar panel is attached to said battery housing outer side so as pivot in a vertical plane and rotate in a horizontal plane for aligning said solar panel with the sun as the seasons and surrounding conditions change.

11. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 7 wherein:

said vertical support is a post;

said post is in a “

u”

shape;

said “

u”

shape post has a recessed area that is enclosed by a reflecting panel that extends along a portion of said “

u”

shape post;

wiring extends from said battery to said second illumination means;

said wiring extends through said “

u”

shape post recessed area between said “

u”

shape post and said reflecting panel where said wires are protected.

12. A bus stop sign and signal device comprising:

a vertical support;

a first sign on said vertical support;

a reflective tape on said first sign for attracting attention to said first sign at night and during inclement weather;

said vertical support is a post;

said post is in a “

u”

shape;

said “

u”

shape post has a recessed area that is enclosed by a reflecting panel that extends along a portion of said “

u”

shape post;

a battery housing on said vertical support for housing a battery;

a battery in said battery housing;

wiring extends from said battery;

said wiring extends through said “

u”

shape post recessed area between said “

u”

shape post and said reflecting panel where said wires are protected;

a first illumination means supported by said vertical support above said first sign and above said reflective tape and above said reflecting panel;

said first illumination means having a first light for illuminating said first sign and said reflective tape and said reflective panel;

said first illumination means having a second light for notifying an approaching bus driver to stop at the bus stop;

a switch for activating said first illumination means said first light and said second light;

said first illumination means positioned above said first sign and said reflector tape and said reflecting panel illuminates said first sign and said reflective tape on said first sign and said reflective panel covering said open side of said “

u”

shaped post when said switch is activated.

13. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 12 wherein:

said first illuminating means is in a housing;

said housing is positioned at an upper end of said post and said housing is in the form of a hood;

said hood is adjustable to align the direction said first illumination means is pointed in for both illumination of said first sign and notification to said bus driver to stop.

14. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 13 wherein:

said hood adjustment includes a pipe support vertically slidable and rotatable within said vertical support post.

15. A bus stop sign and signal device as in claim 12 wherein:

said first illumination means is housed in a hood on said vertical support above said first sign;

said hood first illumination means first light is white for illuminating said first sign and said first illumination means second light is a strobe light for bus driver notification and a third light in said hood is a non-white LED light for attracting attention.