TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL APPARATUS

• US 3,870,991 A
• Filed: 02/11/1974
• Issued: 03/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Royce Hayes
• Original Assignee: Royce Hayes
• Inventors: Hayes, Royce
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/441,638
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 340/41R 178/78
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

Traffic signal apparatus utilizing cathode ray tubes to provide traffic control signals. The incandescent lamps and color filters associated with the conventional traffic control signal are replaced by a cathode ray tube and associated circuitry connected to emit desired traffic control signal colors, such as red, yellow, and green. A conventional threecolor cathode ray tube can be used, and a divider circuit provides the signals necessary to produce yellow illumination with a conventional cathode ray tube. Other signalling effects, such as directional control arrows, are also provided.

Claims

1. Traffic control signal apparatus, comprising:

CRT means positioned in signal display relation to a traffic path and selectively operative to emit a plurality of colors in response to input signals; and

sequence control means operatively connected to supply said CRT means with input signals to provide certain traffic control colors in predetermined repetitive sequence.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said CRT emits a first desired color in response to a first input signal, emits a second desired color in response to a second input signal, and emits a third desired color in response to concurrent first and second input signals and a third input signal;

said sequence control means selectively provides a predetermined repetitive sequence of first, second, and third color control signals corresponding to said first, second, and third desired colors;

first circuit means connected to supply said first color control signal to said CRT means as said first input signal;

second circuit means connected to supply said second color control signal to said CRT means as said second input signal; and

third circuit means responsive to said third color control signal and operative to supply first, second, and third input signals to said CRT means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein:

said third circuit means includes first and second signal adjusting means each connected to receive said third color control signal and each operative to provide an adjustable signal;

first means connecting said first adjustable signal to said CRT means as said first input signal; and

second means connecting said second adjustable signal to said CRT means as said second input signal.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising:

unidirectional circuit means connected in each of said first and second means to isolate said first and second signal adjusting means from the color control signals applied to said first and second circuit means by said sequence control means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising:

third signal adjusting means connected to receive said third color control signal and operative to provide a third adjustable signal, and third means connecting said third adjustable signal to said CRT means as said third input signal.

6. Traffic control signal apparatus comprising:

CRT means positioned in signal display relation with respect to traffic being controlled, said CRT means being operable to selectively emit a plurality of distinctive color signals in response to corresponding signal conditions;

control circuit means selectively operative to supply said CRT means with signal conditions operative to provide the corresponding colors; and

sequence control means operatively connected with said control circuit to apply said signal conditions to said CRT means in a certain predetermined repetitive sequence.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein:

said CRT means includes a color phosphor and a phosphor energizing means corresponding to each of said plural color signals; and

said control circuit is operative in response to said sequence control means to provide a signal condition only to the phosphor energizing means associated with the desired color signal.