US3863251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light screen for pedestrian traffic signal
Assignee: Display Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1973-04-20
•
Granted: 1975-01-28
•
Expires: 1993-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A light screen is provided for pedestrian traffic signals which eliminates the need for sun visors, and the like, such as are used in conjunction with present day units, and yet which provides for a complete blank-out of the legend on the signal when the corresponding light source is not illuminated, even in the presence of bright sunlight. The light screen of the present invention has a configuration in the form of an ''''egg crate'''' type of grating composed of intersecting webs which provide a multiplicity of rectangular apertures, and which is mounted over the face of the pedestrian signal, and which also comprises a light control film interposed between the grating and the face of the signal. The light control film has the property of transmitting only light which is essentially perpendicular to its surface.
Inventors
- 👤 James S Gould
- 👤 Samuel Gould
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:00
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In combination with a pedestrian traffic signal of the type having legends selectively illuminated by light sources within the signal and a vertically disposed face plate on which the legends appear, a light screen mounted on the signal in front of the face plate for shielding the legends from ambient light and for blanking out the legends when the light sources within the signal are not illuminated, said light screen comprising a grating composed of a multiplicity of intersecting webs forming a plurality of rectangular apertures therein and through which the aforesaid legends are exposed when illuminated by the light sources within the signal, said webs being in the form of rectangular strips, a first plurality of said strips being positioned horizontally in spaced and parallel relationship, and a second plurality of said strips being positioned vertically in spaced and parallel relationship perpendicular to the strips of said first plurality.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a pedestrian traffic signal of the type having legends selectively illuminated by light sources within the signal and a vertically disposed face plate on which the legends appear, a light screen mounted on the signal in front of the face plate for shielding the legends from ambient light and for blanking out the legends when the light sources within the signal are not illuminated, said light screen comprising a grating composed of a multiplicity of intersecting webs forming a plurality of rectangular apertures therein and through which the aforesaid legends are exposed when illuminated by the light sources within the signal, said webs being in the form of rectangular strips, a first plurality of said strips being positioned horizontally in spaced and parallel relationship, and a second plurality of said strips being positioned vertically in spaced and parallel relationship perpendicular to the strips of said first plurality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes a light control film interposed between the grating and the face plate, said film passing only light from the interior of the signal to transmit light from the illuminated legends and to blank out the legends from external light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination defined in claim 2, in which said light control film passes only incident light which is essentially perpendicular to its surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination defined in claim 2, in which said light control film is reflective on its external surface but is transparent to light from the interior of the signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3197903A
Cited
US3277455A
Cited
US3361912A
Cited
US3642557A
Cited
US3618014A
Cited
US3728808A
Cited
US3707792A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |