US1686329A - Traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 2, 1928.

r R. C. KEOGAN TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Sept. 27, 1926 umcgm HIIGIHW 6 m U Q 7 m MW 00 0/. a/ M y r 1/} MW Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES RICHARD C. KEOGAN, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed September 27, 1926. Serial No, 138,093

The invention relates to trati'lc signals and has for its object to. provide a device of this character particulzu'ly adapted for use in block systems, and provided with sight openings across which a beam of light passes and assumes different positions in the sight openings, thereby allowing an operator of a vehi cle to easily estimate when approaching the crossing about how long the light has been on, and how long before the change, thereby obviating the present practice of operators oi. veh cles speeding to pass the light, without any idea of the period of illumination.

A turther object is to supply light for the sight openings from a single around which lamp a drum ri'itates and is n'ovidedwith lenses through which the light rays project, thereby obviating expensive.

mechanism at present used where a number of lamps are used.

A further object is to provide the drum with a downwardly extending tubular memher through which the light conduit er:- tends and which tubular member terminates in a base anti-frictionally supported in the bottom of the casing.

A further object is to provide the upper end of the tubular member with a spider connected to the under side of the rotatable drum, and through which spider light rays from the single lamp project dmvnwardly for illuminating the cl'iamber of the casing and the lower portions of the sight openings on which indicia may be placed.

A further object is to provide outwardly extending vanes at opposite sides of the sight openings for partially cutting oil the view from positions at a right angle to the vertical planes of the sight openings.

lVith' the aboveand other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it being understood that-changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit o't'the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the signal light.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the signal device, the upper portion shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the signallingdevice taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

lamp

present device a single lamp I Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the main stationary casing of the signalling device, which casing at the opposite four sides thereof is provided with oblong shaped sight openings 2, in which are disposed transparent closures, 3, and the lower portions of said transparent members 3 may be provided with indicia 4. of any desired subject matter. Extending outwardly from the ends of the transparent members 3 are vanes 5, which are vertically disposed and cut oil side light rays to a certain extent, and extending around the casing above the upper wide ends of the vanes 5 is a w r shed 6, as well as means for cutting on upwardly directed rays.

In block signal systems as at present con structed, a number of lamps are-used and a complicated switch mechanism. In the is provided, which lamp is supported on the upper end of the conduit 3, which extends upwardly through the bottom of the casing 1, as clearly shown in Figure 2. Rotatably mounted within the casino 1 a drum 8 in the chamher 9 01'? which the lamp 7 is disposed, and which drum preferably registers with the upper portions of the transparent mei'nbers 3, whereby liglit rays projected "from the lamp 7 will pass through the oppositely disposed rcd and green lenses 10 and 11, and

thence through the transparent members 3, as the drum is rotated. It will be noted that the lenses 11 are relatively small in relation to the transparent members 3, consequently as the drum 8 rotates, areas of light rays will pass horizontally across the transparent members 3. For instance, referring to Fig ure 1, the lens 10, when it reaches the dotted line position a is just coming on, and when it reaches the dotted line position 7), the operator of an. approaching vehicle will know not only is the danger signal on, but that it has reached one half of its period and where it is a ten second light it will be five seconds before it reaches the position a, which is the change position, therefore during the visibility of the red and green signals, an approaching operator can easily estimate the length of time a block or go signal has been on, and the amount of time which will elapse before the change, thereby obviating the dangerous practice of motorists trying to rays from the lan'ip 7 will passdownwardly into the lower portion oi? the chamber of "he casino' 1 below the drum 8 where the ll'ltliCliL t will be illuminated, and which illumination will be constant. The lower end of the tubular member 13 is provided with a base 16, which is mounted on anti frictional bee."- ings'lf, thereby insuring a smooth steady rotation and elimination of friction. Tubular member 18 is provided witn gear teeth 18 extending entirelv around the same. and

wvith which gear teeth. a slow worm 19 engages, and which worn'i may vary according to the periods of illumination through the lenses l0 and 11. lVorm 19 is carried by ashaft 20, which shaft is (liven by a motor 21, therefore it will be seen that complicated mechanisms are eliminated.

From the above it will he seen that a traillic signal is provided which is simple in con struction, complicated operating and switch mechanism eliminated, a

single lamp used for illuminating purposes, and one wherein the operator of an approaching vehicle can easily ascertain from the position of the light on the transpa ent members 3 how long the light has been on and the period of time before thesame will be obscured.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is 1. A traffic signal comprising a casing having sight openings in the sides thereof, a lamp within the casing, a rotatable drum within the casing, said light being disposed ithin said drum, said drum having light passages of relatively small area in relation to the sight openings in the casing and p0- sitioned whereby during the rotation of the drum light rays projected through the light passages of the drum will pass through the sight openings and will move horizontally across said sight openings.

2. A tra'fiic signal comprising a stationary casing having sight openings in opposite sides thereof, a rotatable drum within the casing andhaving light ray openings in opposite sides thereof, a lamp in said drum, a

bottom carried by sa d drum, a rotatable supportingbracket for said drum, means whereby light from the lamp will pass downwardly through the drum into the chamber of the casing below the drum, whercl3 y indicia within the sight openings below the drum will be illuminated, and driving means "for said supporting bracket.

A trailie signal comprising a casing, a lftfi'lPWVltlllH said casingsaid casing having sight openings in its opposite sides, a 1'0- tatahle drum within the casing, light ray lenses carried by opposite sides of the drum,

vertically disposed supporting member for the lamp, a supporting sleeve carried by the drum and rotatably mounted around the lamp supporting member. a supporting bearing for the lower nd of the sleeve, an annular member havinglight passages carried by the upper end of the sleeve and connected to the drum in registration with an opening in the drum and through which passages light rays pass downwardly from the lamp into the casing below the drum.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RICHARD KEOGAN.

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