US3593262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A traffic control system for merge junctions
Assignee: EMI Ltd
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Filing: 1968-12-13
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-12-13
Abstract
Abstract In a traffic control system for a merge junction between first and second vehicular paths there is provided means for detecting movement of a vehicle along the second path towards the junction. A first set of indicators are arranged in succession along a length of the first path and in advance of the junction; the indicators being so controlled by the detecting means as to direct the creation of a moving gap in the traffic on the first path. The moving gap is arranged to arrive at the merge junction simultaneously with the merging vehicle so that said vehicle can safely merge with the traffic on the first path.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf Edmund Spencer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:48
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/07; G08G1/075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A traffic control system for a merge junction between first and second vehicular paths including first detecting means for detecting movement of a vehicle along the second path towards the junction and a first set of indicators, arranged in succession along a length of the first path, the indicators being so controlled by the detecting means as to direct the creation of a moving gap in the traffic on said first path, into which gap the vehicle can merge at the junction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A traffic control system for a merge junction between first and second vehicular paths including first detecting means for detecting movement of a vehicle along the second path towards the junction and a first set of indicators, arranged in succession along a length of the first path, the indicators being so controlled by the detecting means as to direct the creation of a moving gap in the traffic on said first path, into which gap the vehicle can merge at the junction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 including a second detecting means for detecting movement of a vehicle along said first path and a second set of indicators being so controlled by said second detecting means as to indicate the presence of the vehicle on said first path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 wherein said indicators are so controlled by said first detecting means as to cause said gap to move with substantially constant velocity and to reach said junction at the same time as the joining vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 in which the control of said first set of indicators by said first detecting means is arranged to take account of different velocities of vehicles on said two paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 in which the control of said first set of indicators by said first detecting means is arranged to take account of relative acceleration of vehicles on said two paths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 in which said first detecting means comprises a plurality of vehicle detectors arranged in succession along a length of the said second vehicular path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A traffic control system according to claim 6 wherein the spacing between successive vehicle detectors is progressively increased in accordance with a predetermined vehicle acceleration characteristic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A traffic control system according to claim 6 wherein said vehicle detectors include inductive loops.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A traffic control system according to claim 1 wherein said indicators comprise lamp units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A traffic control system according to claim 9 wherein each lamp unit includes two lamps of different colors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A traffic control system according to claim 10 wherein the first lamp of each lamp unit is of one coloR, the second lamp of those lamp units nearer to the merge junction is of a second color, and the second lamp of those lamp units further from the merge junction is of a third color.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |