US1954992A - Traffic control system - Google Patents

Traffic control system Download PDF

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Publication number
US1954992A
US1954992A US468377A US46837730A US1954992A US 1954992 A US1954992 A US 1954992A US 468377 A US468377 A US 468377A US 46837730 A US46837730 A US 46837730A US 1954992 A US1954992 A US 1954992A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
timer
pedestrian
condenser
control system
cam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US468377A
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English (en)
Inventor
Charles D Geer
John L Biach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Engineering & Res Corp
ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH Corp
Original Assignee
Engineering & Res Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Engineering & Res Corp filed Critical Engineering & Res Corp
Priority to US468377A priority Critical patent/US1954992A/en
Priority to GB23542/30A priority patent/GB360471A/en
Priority to FR701147D priority patent/FR701147A/fr
Priority to DE1930652893D priority patent/DE652893C/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1954992A publication Critical patent/US1954992A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals
    • G08G1/085—Controlling traffic signals using a free-running cyclic timer

Definitions

  • Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a street inapparatus of this character which may intellitersection with an apparatus embodying the gently be employed by even an inexperienced present system associated therewith,
  • FIG. 2 shows one unit of the timer apparatus, tively few parts, each individually simple and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the timer or control rugged in construction, these parts being capable apparatus, of assemblage to furnish a unitary structure
  • ca- Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken along pable of being accommodated in a minimum the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6 and in the direcamount of space and operating over long periods tion of the arrows as represented in Fig. 3, l 0 of time, with freedom from mechanical and elec- Fig. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the trical difliculties.
  • a still further object resides in the construct n ssa ly b p y a the Point 1' 25 tion of an apparatus providing a traffic-control tersection of two steets, but may be advantasystem of primary utility in connection with ge lsly d at pOint Simply Where P d s pedestrian traflic and by means of which the flow ordinarily cross a highway. S represents the sigof vehicular traflic will be interrupted to accord nal, hereinafter described in detail.
  • shunting condenser 15 is a circuit including a glow tube 16 and a relay 18.
  • the glow tube comprises a bulb containing a suitable gas into'which electrodes 17 extend.
  • This tube has such a characteristic that it is normally nonconducting, but when the voltage across its terminals reaches a certain critical or threshold value the gas ionizes and becomes a good electrical conductor and will not become non-conducting again until the voltage across its terminals has dropped considerably below the critical ionizing voltage.
  • the voltage of the supply is greater than the critical voltage of tube 16.
  • the interval elapsing between the application of the supply voltage to wires 12 and 13, and the operating of relay 18, is the period timed by the mechanism. By suitable adjustment of resistance 14, any desired interval may be obtained.
  • the above description shows only the fundamental of the timing mechanism and the details may be varied considerably as will be explained later.
  • relay 18 has been shown as closing one circuit, it may obviously close several circuits, or open circuits.
  • Figs. 3, 4 and 5 Before describing the details of the time control mechanism, one portion of it, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, will be reviewed.
  • Fig. 3 there is shown a shaft 23 rotatively mounted in bearings 24. Keyed to shaft 23 is the toothed wheel 25.
  • Fig. 4 there is shown the toothed wheel mounted on the shaft 23.
  • members 26, one on each side of wheel 25 are connected together as at 2'7 and 28.
  • Magnet 29 the terminals of its winding being indicated by wires 30 and 31, attracts core 32 when energized.
  • link 33 core 32 is connected to members 26.
  • Fig. 5 shows in detail a side elevation throu h one of the cams. It will be noticed that the cam is circular in shape, and carries three equally spaced projections 43-.
  • a member 44 carrying circuit makers 45. The details of these circuit makers are shown in Fig. 5. It will be noticed that this circuit maker may consist of two flat strips 46 and 47. The two strips are separated by an insulator 48, and they are separated from member 44 by an insulator 49. They are supported on member 44 by means of a screw 50.
  • Member 47 has a V shaped projection 51, and each member 46 and 47 carries contact 52 and 53.
  • Both member 46 and member 47 are preferably of springy material, and member 47 is tensed so that the edge of the V shaped pro- 1 jection 51 always rests against cam 42.
  • member 47 When resting against the circular part of cam 42, member 47 is in a down position causing contacts 52 and 53 to separate. But when, duringthe cycle of revolution of cam 42, projection 43 moves un- 1 der the projection 51, member 47 is raised bringing contacts 52 and 53 into contact. In this manner circuit between wires 54 and 55 is made during the time projection 51 rests upon projection 43. It will furthermore be noticed that 1 circuit between wires 54 and '55 is made three times per revolution of cam 42. vAs described above, motion of cam 42 is not continuous but proceeds in a series of steps, twelve per revolution.
  • the projection 43 can be so constructed 1 that during one position of cam 42 contact between 52 and 53 is made, and during the next succeeding three positions contact between 52 and 53 is broken. Similarly, by making cam 43 subtend twice the portion of the surface of cam l 42, as shown in Fig. 6, contact between 52 and 53 may be made during two positions and broken during the next succeeding two positions. Obviously, a similar change in construction would allow contact between 52 and 53 to be made in 1 any desired positions.
  • Springs 74;and 75 are mounted so that Just prior to the member 26 reaching its fully shifted position the projection engages the end of the spring 74 causing contacts 76 and 77 to engage, thus closing the circuit between wires 78 and 79. Of course, as the member 26 moves towards retracted or de-energized position, this circuit is interrupted.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the invention is visualized at the point of intersection of two streets, at which intersection merely a caution signal is displayed.
  • the embodiment of the present intersection is not restricted to the point of intersection of two streets, and additionally it will be obvious that if it is installed at such point of intersection the warning signal might be eliminated, or there might be substituted therefor a trailic-control or any other desired form of signal, by means of which right-of-way is transferred from one street to the other.
  • the normal condition of the signal may be a flashing amber light visible from highway and the cross street.
  • the signal not alone serves as a warning, but also permits traflic on both streets to move cautiously.
  • the reference characters AD present respectively the four positions of the cams and shaft, and through which the latter in one complete revolution passesthree times.
  • Position D is the normal position of the apparatus.
  • switch 56 is closed, thereby energizing the amber or yellow highway signal.
  • Current for both this signal as well as the corresponding cross street signal flows through the unit 66, which may be of any desired construction to provide a flasher.
  • this unit may be shunted by switch 67 if a steady amber light is desired.
  • switch 65 In position D switch 65 is also closed allowing the current to flow from the light and supply lead through this switch, thence through resistance 80, wires 81 and 82 and condenser 83 in the manner described in connection with the showing in Fig. 2.
  • the discharge circuit or condenser 83 is open in this condition of the parts for the reason that switch 61 is open. Therefore, even though condenser 83 may be charged to critical voltage for tube 84, discharge cannot take place.
  • the several pedestrian controls indicated at P are all preferably arranged in parallel, and for the sake of avoiding undue illustration only one of them has been illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • a pedestrian wishes to cross the street he simply operates the push button allowing the current to flow from the right hand power lead from wire 85 to conductor 86, thence through relay 87 and lead 88.
  • This operates the relay 87 which, by virtue of the contact 89, looks in through armature 90, lead 91 and switch 60.
  • Relay 87 also operates armature 92 causing it to engage the contact 93, which completes the discharge circuit for condenser 83 through tube v84, relay 94, lead 95, armature 92, and thence through lead 96.
  • switches 56 and 57 are open. Accordingly, the amber or yellow lights are extinguished; but due to the fact that switches 58 and 59 are closed, red or "Stop signals will be displayed in both streets and the pedestrian may now seek to cross the intersection.
  • switch 63 is closed, so that condenser 83 receives a charge through resistance 102, which may be adjusted to require the continuation of discharging for ten seconds before the condenser reaches the critical voltage. This time might of course be varied, but usually such a period is adequate for the pedestrian to negotiate the intersection.
  • the tube again operated the notching function or partial rotation of the cam shaft is repeated and the cams shift to position C.
  • Resistance 80 may be set to, for example, such a position that thirty seconds are required for the condenser to reach the critical voltage.
  • this resistance may comprise, for example, a series of resistances arranged and coupled one with the other-and from each of which a lead 109 extends terminating in contacts 108, with which a contact arm 10'? cooperates. By simply swinging the arm, the value of the resistance may readily and accurately be varied as desired.
  • the present invention provides a traflic-control system which, as illustrated, may permit traffic from all approaches to proceed cautiously. If pedestrians desiring to cross the intersection operate one of the several conveniently located actuating elements, thenafter an ample warning period vehicular traflic' will be stopped and the pedestrian will be given an adequate period of time to'cross the street. Also, warning will be given both to the pedestrian and the operators of the vehicles that right-of-way is about to be I transferred to the latter, and after such right-ofway has been given it cannot again be interrupted for a period of time such that there will be no danger of traffic becoming congested.
  • a traffic control system to be installed at the intersection of a pedestrian lane and a plurality of vehicular lanes of travel including a signalling means normally indicating no interruption of right of way to the vehicular lanes, a pedestrian operated controller, a timer connected to said signalling means and pedestrian operated controller for causing said signalling means to indicate Stop to vehicular traflic in all lanes in response to operations of said controller, said timer including means for automatically restoring the normal vehicular signal indications.
  • a timer connected to said signalling means to cause the same to normally display such cautionary indication, said timer being adapted to operate through a cycle,-means forming a part of said timer and connected to said signalling me'ans'whereby said timer in operating will cause the right of way interrupting means of said signalling means to function, and a pedestrian actuated controller connected to said timer whereby, 'in response to a functioning of saidcontroller,
  • a traffic control system to be installed at the intersection of vehicular tramc'lanes and a pedestrian lane, said system including signalling means, means forming a part of said signalling means whereby a cautionary indication may be displayed to the intersecting lanes, further means also'forming a part of said signalling means whereby there may be displayed an indicationinterrupting right'of way of vehicular traflic in all lanes, a timer connected to said signalling means to cause the same to normally display such cautionary indication, said timer being adapted to operate through'a cycle, means forming a part of said timer and connected to said signalling means whereby said timer in operating will cause the right of way interrupting means of said signalling means to function, a pedestrian actuated controller connected to said timerwhereby, in response to a functioning of said controller, said timer will operate through one cycle, and means forming a part of said system for preventing said timer from operating through a further cycle and in response to controller actuation until the normal cautionary indication has been displayed for a
  • a traffic control system to be installed at the intersection of vehicular traffic lanes and a pedestrian lane, said system including signalling means, means forming a part of said signalling means whereby a cautionary indication may be displayed to the intersecting lanes, further means also forming a part of said signalling means wherebythere may be displayed an.
  • a timer connected to said signalling means to cause the same to normally display such cautionary indication, said timer being adapted to operate through a cycle, means forming a part of said timer and connected to'said signalling means whereby said timer in operating will cause the right of [way interrupting means of said signalling means to function, a pedestrian actuated controller connected to said timer whereby, in response to a functioning of said controller, said timer will operate through one cycle, .means forming a part of said system for preventing said timer from operating through a further cycle and in response to controller actuation until the normal cautionary indication has beendisplayed for a certain interval of time, and means whereby operation of said timer will be initiated upon the elapse of such interval of ceived during such interval.
  • a traffic control system to be installed at the intersection of vehicular trafiic lanes and a pedestrian lane, said system including signalling means, means forming a part of said signalling means whereby a cautionary indication may be displayed to the intersecting lanes, further means also forming a part of said signalling means where y there may be displayed an indication interrupting right of way of vehicular traffic in all lanes, a timer connected to said signalling means to cause the same to normally display such cautionary indication, said timer being adapted to operate through a cycle, means forming a part of said timer and connected to said signalling means whereby said timer in operating will cause the right of way interrupting means voi.
  • said signalling means to function, and a pe-

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
US468377A 1930-07-16 1930-07-16 Traffic control system Expired - Lifetime US1954992A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US468377A US1954992A (en) 1930-07-16 1930-07-16 Traffic control system
GB23542/30A GB360471A (en) 1930-07-16 1930-08-06 Improvements in traffic control systems
FR701147D FR701147A (fr) 1930-07-16 1930-08-09 Appareil régulateur de circulation des véhicules
DE1930652893D DE652893C (de) 1930-07-16 1930-08-16 Verkehrsregelungsanlage

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US468377A US1954992A (en) 1930-07-16 1930-07-16 Traffic control system
GB23542/30A GB360471A (en) 1930-07-16 1930-08-06 Improvements in traffic control systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1954992A true US1954992A (en) 1934-04-17

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US468377A Expired - Lifetime US1954992A (en) 1930-07-16 1930-07-16 Traffic control system

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US1954992A (fr)
DE (1) DE652893C (fr)
FR (1) FR701147A (fr)
GB (1) GB360471A (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3196388A (en) * 1959-04-10 1965-07-20 Bliss E W Co Auxiliary traffic controllers

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE767104C (de) * 1939-08-09 1953-01-05 Allg Elektro Ind Heinrich Wink Lichtsignalanlage, insbesondere fuer Bremspruefungs-Meldeanlagen in Bahnbetrieben
DE1034522B (de) * 1955-03-08 1958-07-17 Erich Meier Dipl Ing Warnanlage fuer oeffentliche Verkehrswege, insbesondere Autobahnen

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3196388A (en) * 1959-04-10 1965-07-20 Bliss E W Co Auxiliary traffic controllers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB360471A (en) 1931-11-06
DE652893C (de) 1937-11-11
FR701147A (fr) 1931-03-12

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