Signals and indicators – Indicators – Temperature responsive or compensating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2001-10-16
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
Temperature responsive or compensating means
C116S06300T, C116S281000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302054
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein pertains to a device which visually signals freezing temperatures for motorists and others.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Objectives of the Invention
Vehicle accidents escalate in areas when temperatures suddenly drop below freezing on roads and highways. Water which remains on or reaches roadways can suddenly freeze and turn a harmless condition into a hazard for unsuspecting motorists, causing vehicles to slide or carom out of control. Drivers that frequently drive in icy conditions generally do so in a cautious, deliberate manner. However, unsuspecting drivers that suddenly encounter icy or freezing conditions may lose control of the vehicles, causing severe accidents and death. Pilots, joggers, skiers and others can also benefit from the knowledge of current temperature conditions.
Transportation departments and municipalities have used signs of various types in the past to warn of icing road conditions in an effort to alert motorists. However, such signs are not necessarily controlled by the weather conditions, i.e., such are controlled by workers observing the weather conditions. Thus, if a “ROAD ICING” sign is in place beside a road for an extended period after the icing conditions have temporarily ceased, drivers become desensitized to such signs and pay little or no attention to them. This creates a potential problem if the road freezes suddenly for an unsuspecting driver.
Thus with the foregoing problems and disadvantages of conventional warning devices, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a freezing weather indicator for motorists or others which is controlled by the actual weather conditions or temperature.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a freezing weather indicator and method which can be readily placed in service along roads, highways, intersections and the like by relatively unskilled personnel.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a freezing weather indicator which is clearly visible by motorists and other passersby.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a freezing weather indicator which can be constructed with relatively few moving parts and easily maintained.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a compact, self-contained structure for providing a visual indication of freezing weather conditions.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a freezing weather indicator which utilizes a fluid container which includes a liquid which expands during freezing.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a freezing indicator and method whereby a brightly colored sphere is movable from a hidden to an exposed position for freezing temperature indication.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description of the invention is set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing an independent, self-standing structure which includes a fluid container which is open at the top and sealed at the bottom and a visual indicator such as a brightly colored sphere or other shape in communication therewith. A screen-like housing is provided around the fluid container and a transparent dome is affixed atop the housing for containing and protecting the colored sphere from adverse weather, vandalism and the like.
Water or other suitable expandable, freezable liquid is positioned in the vertical fluid container which may be tubular or otherwise shaped. The visual indicator is joined to a rod or similar means movably positioned within the liquid. Thus, as the liquid freezes and expands it urges the rod and sphere upwardly, from the tubular fluid container allowing the sphere to become exposed through the transparent dome. Motorists, joggers, pilots, skiers or others passing by the indicator easily see the colored sphere within the transparent shield and realize that freezing conditions now exist. As the weather condition changes and the temperature rises above freezing, the ice formed within the fluid container melts, allowing the spherical indicator to drop and disappear from sight below an opaque band along the bottom of the transparent dome.
REFERENCES:
patent: 476374 (1892-06-01), Eastman
patent: 1176010 (1916-03-01), Williams
patent: 1453769 (1923-05-01), Sandvoss
patent: 3621810 (1971-11-01), Zuck, Jr.
patent: 4083250 (1978-04-01), Goff et al.
patent: 4089222 (1978-05-01), Perkins
patent: 4132186 (1979-01-01), Manske et al.
patent: 2634579 (1978-02-01), None
patent: 2281704 (1976-03-01), None
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