Intersection emergency warning system

Claim 2

An intersection emergency warning system which is independent of other intersection traffic control devices, and remotely controlled from an emergency vehicle, comprising in combination: radio frequency transmitting means for mounting on an emergency vehicle for transmitting activation signals; radio frequency receiving means for receiving said activation signals; visual warning means for generating a visual emergency warning signal, said visual warning means being coupled to said radio frequency receiving means and activated responsive to said activation signals from said radio frequency receiving means and independent of other intersection traffic control devices, with said visual warning means comprising an illuminated rotating beacon for emitting said visual emergency warning signal in an arc sweeping the intersection as said illuminated beacon is rotated; audible warning means for generating an audible emergency warning signal, said audible warning means being coupled to said radio frequency receiving means and activated responsive to said activation signals from said radio frequency receiving means; a housing for carrying said radio frequency receiving means, said visual warning means and said audible warning means; and means for supporting said housing adjacent to said intersection at a position spaced from other intersection traffic control devices, whereby persons in proximity to said intersection may be warned by said visual and audible emergency warning signals as to the approach of said emergency vehicle independent of and not interacting with other intersection traffic control devices.

Claim 3

An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein: said activation signals comprise a first control signal and a second control signal; said visual warning means is activated only responsive to said first control signal; and said audible warning means is activated only responsive to said second control signal.

Claim 4

An apparatus as described in claim 2 in which said transmitting means generates said first and second control signals independently, whereby said visual warning means and said audible warning means may be activated independently of each other.

Claim 5

An apparatus as described in claim 3 having timer means coupled to said visual and audible warning means for limiting the operation thereof to a predetermined period of time after said activation, said timer means being carried by said housing.

Claim 6

An apparatus as recited in claim 4 having a source of stored electrical energy for powering said receiving means, said visual warning means, said audible warning means, and said timer means, with said source of stored electrical energy having means coupled thereto for replenishing said stored electrical energy.

Claim 7

An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said source of stored electrical energy is carried by said housing.

Claim 8

An apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said transmitting means comprises: means for generating said first control signal; means for generating said second control signal; a radio frequency transmitter and a transmitting antenna coupled thereto; switch means coupled between said means for generating first and second control signals and said radio frequency transmitter for selecting among said first and second control signals to be transmitted.

Claim 9

An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said receiving means comprises a radio frequency receiver and a plurality of receiving antennas coupled thereto.

Claim 10

An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said plurality of receiving antennas comprises a first group of antennas fixedly attached to said housing means and a second group of antennas movably attached to said housing means.

Claim 11

An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said audible warning means comprises a transducer for producing sound waves from said electrical energy, said sound waves having a plurality of frequencies within the range of human hearing for warning of the approach of said emergency vehicle.

Claim 12

An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said visual warning means comprises a transducer for producing visible light from said electrical energy, said light irradiating said proximity of said intersection with periodically varying intensity for warning of the approach of said emergency vehicle.

Claim 13

An intersection emergency warning system comprising in combination: visual warning means for generating a visual emergency warning signal, said visual warning means operated and activated independent of other intersection traffic control devices, with said visual warning means comprising a plurality of illuminating beacons circumferentially positioned about and rotatable about a central axis for emitting said visual emergency warning signal in an arc sweeping the intersection; audible warning means for generating an audible emergency warning signal; radio means for selectively activating said visual warning means and said audible warning means, said radio activating means comprising a radio transmitter carried by an emergency vehicle for transmitting an activating signal therefrom, and a radio receiver coupled to said audible warning means and said visual warning means to selective activation thereof responsive to receiving said activating signal; a housing for carrying said audible warning means, said visual warning means and said activating means, with said audible warning means being attached to said housing coaxially subjacent to said visual warning means, with said visual warning means being attached to said housing coaxially subjacent to said activating means, and with a plurality of directional radio receiving antennas electrically coupled to said radio receiver and movably coupled about the circumference of said housing for being manually directed to various areas adjacent the intersection; and means for supporting said housing adjacent to said intersection at a position spaced substantially clear from other intersection traffic control devices, whereby traffic in proximity to said intersection may be warned by said visual and audible emergency warning signals as to the approach of an emergency vehicle independent of other intersection traffic control devices.

Claim 14

An intersection emergency warning system comprising in combination: visual warning means for generating a visual emergency warning signal, said visual warning means operated and activated independent of other intersection traffic control devices, with said visual warning means comprising a plurality of illuminating beacons circumferentially positioned about and rotatable about a central axis for emitting said visual emergency warning signal in an arc sweeping the intersection; audible warning means for generating an audible emergency warning signal; radio means for selectively activating said visual warning means and said audible warning means, said radio activating means comprising a radio transmitter carried by an emergency vehicle for transmitting an activating signal therefrom, and a radio receiver coupled to said audible warning means and said visual warning means to selective activation thereof responsive to receiving said activating signal; a housing for carrying said audible warning means, said visual warning means and said activating means, with said audible warning means being attached to said housing coaxially subjacent to said visual warning means, with said visual warning means being attached to said housing coaxially subjacent to said activating means, and with a plurality of directional radio receiving antennas electrically coupled to said radio receiver and movably coupled about the circumference of said housing for being manually directed to various areas adjacent the intersection; and means for supporting said housing adjacent to said intersection at a position spaced substantially clear from other intersection traffic control devices, whereby traffic in proximity to said intersection may be warned by said visual and audible emergency warning signals as to the approach of an emergency vehicle independent of other intersection traffic control devices.

Claim 15

An apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said audible warning means comprises a transducer for producing sound waves having a plurality of frequencies within the range of human hearing.