US3903500A - Centralized traffic control and identifier - Google Patents

Abstract

Traffic signal lights are located within a mask having a distinctive targeting pattern configuration whereby the assembly permits the traffic signals to be easily distinguished from distracting background items and further provides information for traffic control.

Description

United States Patent H 1 1111 3,903,500 Denes Sept. 2, 1975 [54] CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL AND 1,377,221 5/1921 Popper 40/130 N 1.709951 4/1929 Richardson.... 40/130 N 2,553,906 5/1951 Ferguson 340/84 [76] In r: Frank Denes, 3 52nd St, 3,571,791 3/1971 Parduhn 340/84 R Kansas City, M0. 641 12 D200.888 4/1965 Kin 340/84 R X 22 Filed: Feb. 21, 1974 Primary Exuminer-Richard C. Queisser 1 PP 4441354 Assistant E.raminer-Danie1 M. Yasich Attorney, Agent, or F [rm-Fishbum, Gold & Litman [52] [1.8. CI. 340/84; 40/132 R [51] Int. Cl? (3086 01/095 57 ABSTRACT 4 [58] 3 7: i 22 1 185 2 3 5224 1 Trafiic slgnal llghts are located within a mask havmg a R R distinctive targeting pattern configuration whereby the assembly permits the traffic signals to be easily distin- 56] References Cited guished from distracting background items and further provides information for traffic control. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.258.730 3/1918 Wood 40/125 D 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDSEP 21975 3,903,500

SHEET 1 [IF 2 lllllli NO LEFT TURN PATENTED EP 2M5 3. 903 500 sum 2 05 2 NO LEFT URN (7-9) sPEED LIMIT 25 MPH (6-9) (IO-l2) CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL AND IDENTIFIER This invention relates to traffic signals, and more particularly to a mask arrangement which functions to help avoid error and confusion in identifying traffic signals from background items and also to provide information for traffic control.

Traffic signal lights at road intersections are often difficult to see or confusing due to interferingbackground lights, buildings, signs, etc. In some instances this confusion has resulted in serious accidents, but at best it tends to impede the flow of traffic. Here tofore, masks have been used in surrounding relation to traffic lights in an attempt to block out confusing background interference, however such masks have not been particularly successful. One reason seems to be that the background items surrounding the mask continue to draw the attention of the driver and, under difficult conditions, to the extent that he loses the traffic signal.

In accordance with this invention, a circular mask is placed in surrounding configuration to the traffic signal, said mask having a distinctive concentric ring bulls eye pattern whereby the observers eye is naturally brought toward the center where the signal lights are easily observed. This configuration also lends itself to variations in the pattern to convey additional traffic flow information, such as restrictions on turns and speed limits.

The principle object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mask for surrounding traffic signal lights which effectively reduces the tendency to lose the traffic signal in a confusing background; to provide such an arrangement wherein the observers eye is directed toward the center of the mask where the signal lights are located; to provide such an improved signal which is easily modified to convey additional traffic flow information; and to provide such an arrangement which is relatively inexpensive to produce, easily assembled with new or existing traffic light installations and highly effective for its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way ofillustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. I is a front elevational view showing a traffic signal and mask arrangement embodying this invention, the various portions of the mask being lined for color.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a modified arrangement wherein the mask is perforated to reduce wind resistance.

FIGS. 4-9 are front elevational views, on a reduced scale, showing various further modifications of the pat tern on the mask to convey traffic flow information.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a traffic signal light and mask arrangement embodying this invention. The arrangement broadly includes a conventional traffic signal light box 2 surrounded in transverse plane by a mask 3 described more fully hereinafter.

The box 2, in this example, is supported on a suitable post or pole 4 and has three signal lights respectively designated by the numeral 5, 6 and 7 which are lined for the colors red, yellow and green. Tubular shrouds 8 extend forwardly from mounting rings 9 and serve to direct the light particularly towards the traffic to be controlled thereby. v

The mask 3 is characterized by outer and adjacent concentric rings 10 and I] of contrasting colors forming a target pattern directing the eye toward a central, more neutral colored central circular portion 12 which directly surrounds the front 13 of the signal light box 2. In the example of FIG. 1, the outer ring 10 is lined for the color red and the adjacent ring 11 is lined for the color green, however, it is to be understood that other bright, contrasting colors may be used for the purpose, which is to direct the eye. toward the target center. The mask 3 may be mounted on the box 2 in any suitable manner, however, in this example conventional brackets 14 are utilized for the purpose.

A first modification of this invention is shown in FIG. 3 for use in areas where high winds are encountered. In accordance with this modification, the mask 15 has a large number of perforations 16 therethrough to decrease the wind resistance, however, bright and contrasting colors on the concentric rings 17 and 18 are maintained in the same manner as above.

Embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 inclusive utilize the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, but due to the particular colors and patterns utilized for the concentric rings, provide additional information for traffic flow. In the modified form shown in FIG. 4, the outer ring 19 is divided along a vertical central line 20 into a left hand semicircular area 21 which is here lined for red and a right hand semicircular area 22 which is here lined for green. The adjacent ring 23, in this example, is lined for yellow. This arrangement signifies that no left turn is to be made by traffic facing the control, however a right turn is permissible.

In the modified form shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement is similar to that described in FIG. 4 with the exception that the left hand outer ring area 24 is lined for green and the corresponding right hand area 25 is lined for red, indicating that a left turn is permissible but not a right turn.

In FIG. 6, the outer ring 26 is red throughout and the adjacent concentric ring 27 is yellow. This configuration conveys the information that there is no turn in the intersection for traffic facing the control.

FIG. 7 shows a modified form similar to FIG. 4 except that the red area 28 of the outer ring 29 covers only the angular portion corresponding to the hours 7 to 9 on a clock face, the remainder being green. This conveys the information that between the hours seven oclock and nine oclock no left turn will be permitted, however, both left and right hand turns are permitted at any other time.

FIG. 8 is similar to the modified form described in connection with FIG. 7 except, in addition, the numerals 25 are shown in a prominent portion of the outer concentric ring 30, indicating that the speed limit through the intersection is 25 miles per hour.

In FIG. 9 a further modified form is shown wherein separate red areas 31 and 32 form a part of the outer ring 33 and cover the hours on a clock face from six to nine and from ten to twelve, signifying that no left turn will be permitted between six to nine and ten to twelve but is permitted at other times.

It is to be understood that although certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited thereto except insofar such limitations are included in the following claims. I 1

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: y g

1. In an alternating projecting traffic signal light arrangement to aid a vehicle driver in locating traffic signals from a confusing background, comprising in combination: v v

a. a signal box adapted to project .the traffic signal light in a direction,

b. a circular mask surrounding said box,

0. concentric rings of contrasting color on the surface of said mask and positioned to be exposed in said direction, and

d. meanssecuring said mask in position with respect to said box, whereby said concentric rings form a target design with said box substantially in the center, thereby aiding in directing the eye toward said box. a

2. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said' mask is perforated to reduce wind load.

3. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an outer concentric ring is divided into areas of different color to symbolize traffic flow information.

4. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an outer concentric ring is divided into more than .two areas to signify controls during separate time periods.

5. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an area has numerals positioned thereon to signify a speed limit.

Claims (5)

1. In an alternating projecting traffic signal light arrangement to aid a vehicle driver in locating traffic signals from a confusing background, comprising in combinatIon: a. a signal box adapted to project the traffic signal light in a direction, b. a circular mask surrounding said box, c. concentric rings of contrasting color on the surface of said mask and positioned to be exposed in said direction, and d. means securing said mask in position with respect to said box, whereby said concentric rings form a target design with said box substantially in the center, thereby aiding in directing the eye toward said box.

2. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mask is perforated to reduce wind load.

3. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an outer concentric ring is divided into areas of different color to symbolize traffic flow information.

4. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an outer concentric ring is divided into more than two areas to signify controls during separate time periods.

5. The arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein an area has numerals positioned thereon to signify a speed limit.

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