Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – Highway or street marker
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-08
2004-02-10
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3611)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
Highway or street marker
C040S492000, C040S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06688028
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of sign exhibiting and traffic control. More specifically, the present invention relates to signs having hinge mounted display items wherein the display items are supported by means permitting rotation along one margin thereof to facilitate exposure of the item to be displayed upon occurrence of a condition in the environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The orderly and safe flow of vehicular traffic is dependent on the proper functioning of a variety of traffic control devices. Traffic control devices range in complexity from simple placard-type signs to combination electric signal lights and vehicle sensors. The development and use of this variety of display devices is not just to control the flow of traffic, but also to advise of hazardous road conditions, such as curves, construction, road icing and the like. However, most display devices are static, in that they do not automatically sense and respond to an unplanned change in a condition of their environment which could impact the orderly flow of traffic or represent a new hazard.
The field has been and continues to be motivated to provide condition responsive traffic control devices. Typical examples of such devices include variable timer circuits preset to control signal light cycling intervals according to expected rush-hour and non rush-hour traffic volumes, and embedded road surface vehicle sensors for initiating a signal light cycle. Generally, these condition responsive control devices respond to an unplanned change in the condition of the environment, such as a power outage, flooding, freezing temperature or the like. Specialty traffic control devices have been developed to try to address the problem of certain unplanned changes in the environment which affect the orderly flow of traffic or represent potential hazards. For example, Wys (U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,481) is a recent patent for a “fail-safe” stop light apparatus which covers the face of a traffic light with a warning sign when electrical power to the light fails. Upon restoration of power, the Wys device retracts to uncover the face of the light. The Wys device is relatively complex and requires two separate biasing and electromagnetic latching mechanisms to accomplish its utility. Kerr, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,214) is an earlier example of a device designed to address the same problem of a power outage to a traffic signal light. The Kerr device deploys a placard mounted at the end of a pivot arm from behind the signal light when power fails, displaying an alternative traffic control sign. Another example of a traffic control device responsive to a loss of electrical power to a signal light is disclosed by Karp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,605). The Karp device is relatively simple, but unlike the Wys and Kerr devices, it in not taught as retracting after power is restored to the signal light.
Each of the Wys, Kerr and Karp devices are useful for their stated purpose. However, the only condition to which they are automatically responsive is presence or absence of electrical power. Additionally, each of these devices is also required to be physically attached to the traffic signal light for which they serve as an alternative display device. It would be beneficial to have a relatively simple traffic control device that can be readily adapted to automatically respond to a variety of environmental conditions (in addition to loss of electrical power), and can be mounted and displayed other than physically attached to a traffic signal light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a condition responsive traffic sign device for directing pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic. The present device presents alternative sign items depending on a condition in the environment in which it is posted, a sign item being an advisory message or symbol for display to vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic in the area.
The present device is comprised of a vertically disposed placard. The placard has two sections, one disposed over the other. The upper section of the placard is a “fixed” section. It is fixed in that it is the section of the placard that is attached to the pole, standard or other mount on which the device is posted. The lower section of the placard is a “pivotable” section. Each section has a perimeter edge, and front surface and back surfaces. A pivot mechanism connects the bottom perimeter edge of the fixed section with the top perimeter edge of the pivotable section. The pivot mechanism allows the front surface of the pivotable section to rotate and fold flat against the front surface of the fixed section. A catch mechanism is disposed between the fixed section and the pivotable section. The catch mechanism releaseably holds the front surface of the pivotable section against a bias flat against the front surface of the fixed section, preventing the pivotable section from unfolding under the force of the bias. A controller is attached to the back surface of the fixed section of the placard. The controller may be mechanically operated, electric powered, or a combination of the two. The controller senses when the condition to which the sign is responsive occurs, and then releases the catch mechanism from holding the pivotable section flat against the fixed section. This allows the pivotable section to unfold under the force of the bias to display the front surfaces of both sections of the placard substantially aligned in a vertical plane. An electrical power source is operatively connected to the controller. A mounting means is also disposed on the back surface of the fixed section. The mounting means attaches the fixed section of the placard in a proximately vertical orientation to a pole, standard or other suitable mount.
When the placard is in an unfolded configuration, the front surfaces of the fixed and pivotable sections of the placard together display a first sign item. However, when the placard is in its folded configuration, it is the back surface of the pivotable section that is presented and can display a second sign item. Therefore, alternative sign items may be displayed, depending on whether the sections of the placard are folded or unfolded.
The pivot mechanism may be accomplished by any of a number of means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Typically, a pivot means comprises the fixed and pivotable section of the placard being interconnected by at least one mutual rod or pin about which the sections are rotatable. For example, any of a variety of hinges are selectable and adaptable for practice of the pivot means for interconnecting the fixed and pivotable sections of the placard. The pivot mechanism may further include a spring to bias the pivotable section of the placard relative to the fixed section in an unfolded configuration. Other means for biasing the pivotable section of the placard relative to the fixed section in an unfolded configuration may be included in the present device. The purpose of this biasing means is to facilitate the initial unfolding of the two sections of the placard relative to each other. Depending on the type of pivot mechanism used, if the device has not been activated in a long time, the pivot may not operate as freely as desired, and an initial bias to facilitate its operation could be beneficial. Additionally, in inclement weather, icing of the folded surfaces may occur, and an initial bias to break any adhesion of the folded surfaces may facilitate the operation of the device.
The catch mechanism comprises a latch and catch combination. The latch is mounted on one section of the placard and the catch is mounted on the other. The latch on one section is disposed to releaseably engage the catch on the other section and prevent the rotation of the sections about the pivot mechanism. Typically, the latch is mounted on the fixed section of the placard and the catch is on the pivotable section of the placard. The catch mechanism may be electrically or mechanically operated to cause the latch to disengage the catch. Examples of catch mechanisms adap
Morris Lesley D.
Patel Motilal P.
Pernia Sherman D.
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