Patent US2032397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traffic signal box
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A traffic signal box made of a hollow housing on the front of which two panels are pivotally mounted. A mechanism is mounted on the housing to pivot the panels in synchronism. The outer side of the panels exhibits a distinctive bright color while the inner side of the panels and the rest of the housing is a mat black. The panels pivot so as to alternately show the color side and the black side therefore giving the impression of a flashing signal. The mechanism is adapted to be remotedly controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard A M Buono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:04
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A traffic signal box for race-tracks comprising: a hollow housing having a substantially flat front wall, the said front wall comprising two superposed panels pivotally mounted about their median axis, the said axes being parallel with each other, motor means for moving said panels from a closed position to an opened position, a first linking means pivotally mounted to said motor means and a first one edge portion of one of said panels so as to rotate the said one panel until it shows the rear surface of the said one panel to a first viewer, the said front one edge portion being vertically outside one of the median axes, a second linking means pivotally mounted to a second edge portion of said one panel on the other side of its said one median axis and to the edge portion of the other panel adjacent the said second edge portion to rotate the said other panel in a direction oppoSite the said one panel until it shows the rear surface of the said other panel to said front viewer, the said box being characterized by the fact that the front surface of the panels has one color and the inner and outer surfaces of the rest of the housing, including the rear surface of the panels, have a single other color which is contrasting with the color of the front surface of the panels, whereby the color of the front surface of the panels is adapted to provide a visual signal when closed, the said signal disappearing when the panels are rotated and the rear surface of the panels appears to the front viewer to blend with the color of the said rest of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A traffic signal box for race-tracks comprising: a hollow housing having a substantially flat front wall, the said front wall comprising two superposed panels pivotally mounted about their median axis, the said axes being parallel with each other, motor means for moving said panels from a closed position to an opened position, a first linking means pivotally mounted to said motor means and a first one edge portion of one of said panels so as to rotate the said one panel until it shows the rear surface of the said one panel to a first viewer, the said front one edge portion being vertically outside one of the median axes, a second linking means pivotally mounted to a second edge portion of said one panel on the other side of its said one median axis and to the edge portion of the other panel adjacent the said second edge portion to rotate the said other panel in a direction oppoSite the said one panel until it shows the rear surface of the said other panel to said front viewer, the said box being characterized by the fact that the front surface of the panels has one color and the inner and outer surfaces of the rest of the housing, including the rear surface of the panels, have a single other color which is contrasting with the color of the front surface of the panels, whereby the color of the front surface of the panels is adapted to provide a visual signal when closed, the said signal disappearing when the panels are rotated and the rear surface of the panels appears to the front viewer to blend with the color of the said rest of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A box as recited in claim 1, wherein the said second linking means is a connecting rod pivotally connected at both ends to the back of the panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A box as recited in claim 2, wherein the said connecting rod is longitudinally adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A box as recited in claim 1, wherein the said motor means comprises a motor and a gear box for rotating a shaft and an arm mounted on said shaft, the first linking means comprises a link pivotally connected at one end to one end of said arm and at the other end to one of said panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A box as recited in claim 1, comprising a shade extending in front and around the housing for covering the forwardly projecting part of the panels when positioned in a substantially horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A box as recited in claim 2, wherein the free end of the rod is dimensioned so as to constitute an abutment for one rotating panel when the latter has reached the end of its predetermined pivoting movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A box as recited in claim 1, comprising a support for a battery, the said motor being a D.C. motor adapted to be connected to said battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A box as recited in claim 1, wherein the said inner and outer surfaces of the rest of the housing and the rear surface of the panels are black and the outer surface of each of the said panels has a bright color finish.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A box as recited in claim 8, wherein the black surfaces are mat and the bright finish is luminescent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A box as recited in claim 1, comprising fluorescent lighting means mounted around the forward edge of the housing for projecting a light on the said panels.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |