Patent US3641487A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3641487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Traffic control light with means responsive to a power failure
Assignee: LUMIDOR PRODUCTS CORP
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Filing: 1969-10-29
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A traffic control light is provided with a supplemental lamp which is illuminable by a secondary power source. Switching means are also provided which are responsive to a failure of the primary power source to connect the supplemental lamp to the secondary source so that the supplemental lamp is illuminated in a flashing mode to continue traffic control.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Rogers
- 👤 John A Stratman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In a traffic control light, a lamp unit comprising a first lamp means and a second lamp means, said second lamp means comprising an elongated bulb wound in a coil and filled with an ionizable gas which is mounted about said first lamp means, said first lamp means being illuminated by a primary power source, a secondary power source, means responsive to a failure of said primary power source for connecting said second lamp means to said secondary source so that said second lamp will be illuminated so that it will act as a control signal to motorists in place of said first lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a traffic control light, a lamp unit comprising a first lamp means and a second lamp means, said second lamp means comprising an elongated bulb wound in a coil and filled with an ionizable gas which is mounted about said first lamp means, said first lamp means being illuminated by a primary power source, a secondary power source, means responsive to a failure of said primary power source for connecting said second lamp means to said secondary source so that said second lamp will be illuminated so that it will act as a control signal to motorists in place of said first lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein means are provided to operate said second lamp means in a flashing mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said elongated bulb is filled with neon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said primary power source comprises a conventional 60 cycle per second alternating current source and said secondary power source comprises a direct current battery, said means responsive to a failure of said primary source comprising a relay, said relay having a coil connected across said primary source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said relay further includes switching means, said switching means being connected between said secondary source and said second lamp means so that failure of said primary power source causes said second lamp means to be connected to said secondary source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said traffic control light further comprises a high-voltage oscillator for energizing said second lamp, said oScillator being connected to said secondary power source for producing an energizing signal for said lamp means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said high-voltage oscillator comprises a push-pull oscillator and a step-up transformer for amplifying the voltage produced at the output of said push-pull oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said traffic control light further includes a switching device for alternately connecting and disconnecting said oscillator to said secondary power source, said switching device acting to cause said lamp to be operated in a flashing mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said switching device includes a multivibrator which is connected to said secondary source when said failure of said primary source is detected, a switch, said switch being responsive to said multivibrator for connecting and disconnecting said secondary power source to said high-voltage oscillator in accordance with the state of said multivibrator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 1 and further including charging means, said charging means being connected at its input to said primary source of power and at its output to said secondary power source, said switching device being so connected that said secondary power source is maintained between predetermined signal levels so long as said primary power source is operative.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said charging means includes a switching device and a triggering circuit, said switching means acting to enable charging of said secondary source by said primary source when said secondary source reaches a predetermined signal level, said triggering circuit being responsive to said signal level of said secondary power source so that when said secondary power source reaches a second predetermined signal level, said triggering circuit causes said switching means to disconnect said primary source from said secondary source.
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) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |