Communications: electrical – Traffic control indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-03-06
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Traffic control indicator
C340S916000, C340S917000, C340S919000, C340S933000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198410
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an illuminatable traffic sign and more particularly pertains to lighting a traffic sign at night and upon the approach of a vehicle.
The use of traffic signs is known in the prior art. More specifically, traffic signs heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of controlling traffic are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,066 to Wiesemann et al. discloses a two-level security lighting system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,489 to Carroll et al. discloses a motion sensing and light flashing apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,448 to Schoepf et al. discloses an internally lighted, overhead, traffic sign for streets and highways. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 351,807 to Smith et al. discloses the ornamental design for an illuminated hand-held stop sign. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 315,695 to DeCaro discloses the ornamental design for an illuminated changeable warning signal. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 382,218 to Hall discloses the ornamental design for a hand held stop sign.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe an illuminatable traffic sign for lighting a traffic sign at night and upon the approach of a vehicle.
In this respect, the illuminatable traffic sign according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of lighting a traffic sign at night and upon the approach of a vehicle.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign which can be used for lighting a traffic sign at night and upon the approach of a vehicle. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of traffic signs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved illuminatable traffic sign. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a traffic sign secured to a support post. The traffic sign has indicia disposed thereon. The traffic sign has an outer periphery. A plurality of lights are positioned on the traffic sign along the outer periphery and outlining the indicia thereof. A photo cell is disposed within the traffic sign. The photo cell is in communication with the plurality of lights. A radar sensor is disposed within the traffic sign. The radar sensor is in communication with the plurality of lights. The radar sensor is equipped with a metal detecting system.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign which has all the advantages of the prior art traffic signs and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such an illuminatable traffic sign economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign for lighting a traffic sign at night and upon the approach of a vehicle.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminatable traffic sign including a traffic sign secured to a support post. The traffic sign has indicia disposed thereon. The traffic sign has an outer periphery. A plurality of lights are positioned on the traffic sign along the outer periphery and outlining the indicia thereof.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
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White Dorothy
White Larry
Goldstein & Canino
Hofsass Jeffery
Tang Son M.
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