Portable traffic signals

• US 5,805,081 A
• Filed: 12/23/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karel John Fikacek
• Original Assignee: Karel John Fikacek
• Inventors: Fikacek, Karel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/771,900
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 340/907, 340/908, 340/916, 340/902, 340/906, 364/436
• US Class Current: 340/908
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0955 transportable

Abstract

A portable signal for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction. In the first aspect of the invention, the signal is suspended from an overhead cable which supports an existing traffic signal. The signal is formed by attaching one or more detachable light panels to the sides of a control module. Each light panel is comprised of a rectangular housing and a vertical array of red, amber and green lights mounted in the housing. The control module is a generally rectangular unit comprised of a housing and controls, timing circuits and a power supply mounted in the housing. The timing circuits are conventional and control the "on" and "off" periods of the red, amber and green lights. A remotely controlled power hoist is attached to the top of the control module for raising and lowering the traffic signal. In a second aspect of the invention, the traffic signal is supported on a vertical post which rests on a road surface. In a third aspect of the invention the traffic signal is supported on an open bed of a pick-up truck.

Claims

1. A portable traffic signal for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction comprising:

a control module, said control module having a housing, a power supply mounted in said housing, a means on a top portion of said module for attaching said module to an overhead cable, and a power operated means attached to said module for raising and lowering said traffic signal from a ground level non-operative position to an elevated operative position on said overhead cable; and

at least one detachable light panel attached to said control module, said light panel having a housing and a vertical array of lights mounted in said housing.

2. The traffic signal as recited in claim 1 wherein said means mounted on said control module for raising and lowering said traffic signal is a power operated hoist, said power operated hoist having a hook for attaching said traffic signal to said overhead cable, said hook having a tapered rubber liner for preventing said hook from moving on said overhead cable;

and a rotatable means for orienting said module on said overhead cable.

3. The traffic signal as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transmitting signal means in said control module for synchronizing an "on" and "off" operation of said array of lights of said traffic signal with lights of other traffic signals.

4. The traffic signal as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means on said control module for optionally supporting said traffic signal on a road surface.

5. The traffic signal as recited in claim 4 wherein said means on said control module for optionally supporting said traffic signal on a road surface comprises a tubular sleeve attached to a lower portion of said control module;

a slender cylindrical vertical post having an upper end portion engaging said tubular sleeve; and

a base plate engaging a lower end portion of said vertical post.

6. The traffic signal as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means attached to said control module for optionally supporting and extending said traffic signal outwardly from a cargo bed of a truck.

7. The traffic signal as recited in claim 6 wherein said means on said control module for optionally supporting said traffic signal on a cargo bed of a truck comprises a tubular sleeve attached to a lower portion of said control module;

a short, slender, cylindrical vertical post having an upper end portion engaging said tubular sleeve; and

a base plate engaging a lower end portion of said vertical post, said post and base plate being adapted to rest at least one vehicle wheel on an upper surface of said base for retaining said traffic signal on said bed of said truck.

8. The traffic signal as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter mounted in said module for synchronizing an "on and off" operation of each light in said array of lights with the operation of lights of other traffic signals.

9. A portable traffic signal for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction comprising:

a control module, said control module having a housing, a power supply mounted in said housing, at least one light panel removably attached to said control module, said light panel having a housing and a vertical array of lights mounted in said housing;

a means mounted on a top portion of said control module for attaching and suspending said traffic signal from an overhead cable;

a power operated means for raising and lowering said module from a around level non-operative position to an elevated operative position on said overhead cable;

a means attached to a lower portion of said control module for optionally supporting said traffic signal on a road surface; and

a means for transmitting signals to synchronize the operation of said array of lights with the operation of lights of other traffic signals.

10. A method for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction comprising:

assembling at least one detachable light panel having a vertical array of lights to a control module, said module having a means for synchronizing an "on" and "off" operation of each of said lights with an "on" and "off" operation of lights of other traffic signals, synchronizing said "on" and "off" operation of said lights with the "on" and "off" operation of said lights of said other traffic signals, raising said traffic signal with a power operated hoist attached to said module from a around level non-operative position to an elevated operative position on an overhead cable and attaching said traffic signal to said overhead cable.

11. A portable traffic signal for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction comprising:

a control module, said control module having a housing, a power supply mounted in said housing, a means on a top portion of said module for attaching said module to an overhead cable, a power operated hoist, attached to said module for raising and lowering said traffic signal from said overhead cable, said power operated hoist having a hook for attaching said traffic signal to said overhead cable, said hook having a tapered rubber liner for preventing said hook from moving on said overhead cable;

a rotatable means for orienting said module on said overhead cable; and

at least one detachable light panel attached to said control module, said light panel having a housing and a vertical array of lights mounted in said housing.

12. The traffic signal as recited in claim 11 further comprising a slender rod for engaging, raising, and lowering said hook to disconnect said module from said overhead cable.