Limited view dynamic message sign for traffic information

• US 9,552,752 B1
• Filed: 12/15/2015
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SES America, Inc. (Sunrise SESA Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SES America, Inc. (Sunrise SESA Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Perut, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary
• Application Number:
  US14/970,287
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/00 Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution for obstructing or restricting traffic E01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09 Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions railroad crossing signals B61L; reflectors E01F, G08B; indicating arrangements for variable information by selection or combination of individual elements G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 11/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the complete information is permanently attached to a movable support which brings it to the display position showcases or showcabinets with arrangements for continuously or intermittently moving the merchandise A47F3/08; using static means to present variable information G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1873 characterised by the type of sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1878 Traffic orientation, street markers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/008 Sun shades, shades, hoods or louvres on electronic displays to minimise the effect of direct sun light on the display
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A dynamic message sign includes a front housing defining a viewing window and an interior. A LED assembly is in the interior for displaying a message within a cone of vision. A louver assembly limits the cone of vision. The dynamic message sign may also include a back frame for supporting the front housing and a bracket for setting the front assembly at an angle with respect to the back frame. The LED assembly can include a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns. The louver assembly can include a plurality of louver racks, each louver rack extending adjacent to a column of LED pixels.

Claims

1. A dynamic message sign comprising:

a front housing defining a viewing window and an interior;

a LED assembly in the interior for displaying a message within a cone of vision;

a louver assembly for limiting the cone of vision;

a back frame for supporting the front housing; and

a motor connected between the back frame and front housing for selectively setting the front assembly at an angle with respect to the back frame.

2. A dynamic message sign as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the LED assembly includes a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns; and

the louver assembly includes a plurality of louver racks, each louver rack having a plurality of louvers extending adjacent to a column of LED pixels.

3. A method for displaying a message on a DMS comprising the steps of:

mounting a LED display assembly in a front housing of the DMS, the LED display having a cone of vision;

limiting the cone of vision by mounting a plurality of louver racks on the front housing; and

aligning the DMS with at least one lane of a road so that the at least one lane is excluded for a length of road from viewing a message on the LED display assembly that would otherwise be seen if not for the louver racks.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

mounting the front housing at an angle with respect to a flow of traffic.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

mounting the front housing on a back frame; and

using a bracket between the front housing and the back frame to set the angle.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein:

the LED assembly includes a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns; and

each louver rack extends adjacent to a column of LED pixels.