US1338028A - Traffic-signal - Google Patents

Description

D. J. LINEHAN.

TRAFFlC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1919.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920'.

INVENTOR. I v DANIEL JLmE HAN ATTORNEY.

7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL J. LIN'EHAN, OF CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRAFFIC-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

. Application filed Kay 15, 1919. Serial No. 297,375,.

lowing is a full clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic signals for use at crossings and turning points in streets and roadways and for the general guidance and control of road traffic, and its leading object is to provlde a self-righting traflic signal which can be electrically illuminated at night and remain illuminated even if rocked on its base by a passing Vehicle. i

Another object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining the signal standard. in a normal vertical position and adapted to prevent the current ca'rr ing cable for feeding the electrical lamp rom being strained, when the standard is tilted by being struck by a passing vehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a housing for the lamp, which will not become wedged in a Vehicle striking or being struck by the same.

With the above and other objects in View the invention relates to new and useful combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts clearly described in the following specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing my improved traflic signal mounted in position in astreet pavement.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the lamp housing taken on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lamp housing.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the base showing the tubular standard in cross section.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 5 designates a metal shell or pipe which is vertically disposed in an opening 6 formed in the pavement 7. On the head of the pipe or'shell 5a metal cap 8 is mounted, which is secured in place by set screws 9 extended through the flange 8 thereof againstthe outer side of the shell or pipe 5 The top of the cap 8 is provided with .an opening 8*.

On the cap 8 a metal base 10 is disposed, the under surface of which is semi-spherical so that it will have a rolling action on top of the cap 8. The base 10 is formed with a centrally disposed upstanding socket 11 inwhich the lower end of the metal pipe 12 'is threaded or otherwise secured in place.

The, base 10 is preferably cast hollow and filled with concrete 10.

On the upper end of the pipe 12 apear shaped lamp housing 13 is mounted which consists of a lower section 14 and an upper section 15, the lower section being tapered and the upper section being formed with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface and constituting a detachable cap which is secured in place by means of the set screws 16 extended into the upper edge portion of the section 14.

The section 14 is formed with an integral shelf 17 on which the'lamp socket 18 is secured-and is also provided with apendant socket 19 which receives the uppe! end of the wire cable 20. The lower end of. the wire cable 20 is secured to the eye 21 of the weight 22 which is arranged in the well formed by the vertically disposed pipe 5, said cable being secured in place by the clamp 23, which is provided with a lateral eye I 24: through which the light current carrying cable 25 extends, the upper end of which is secured to the socket 18 so as to supply the lamp 26 with the necessary current. The cable 25 is extended through openings in the side of the pipe 5 and the pendant flange 8 into the conduit 27, which may lead to any distant point, as a central station.

The lamp house is formed with a plurality of openings 13 disposed in registration with the lamp 26 so that the light rays may project through the lamp house, and said openings may be supplied with red glass or otherwise as may be desired, or the lamp be supplied with red glass itself.

The head of the section 15 is equipped with means for clamping the base of a lantern thereto, which means consist of a pair of fixed jaws 29 and a movable jaw 30 rocking on its rounded or semi-spherical base 10. The cable 20 is connected at its outer end to the lamp house and owing to the pressure exerted by the weight 22 on said cable the upright will be automatically returned to a vertlcal position and held in such position. Owing to the pendant loop formed in the cable 25 by reason of its connection with the eye 24 no strain will be placed upon the cable and the light connection will not be broken by reason of the tilting of the standard.

Having described my invention, I claim: I

1. A traffic signal consisting of a-base having a convexed lower face whereby the base will have a rocking movement on the ground, a standard connected at its lower end to the central part of the base, a visible signal on the upper end of the standard, a tubular member for insertion in the ground, a cap for said member having an opening therein and providing a bearing for the base, a weight disposed in said tubular member, a cable connected at its lower end to said weight and extending through the standard and connected at its upper end to the upper end of the standard, and. means for illuminating the signal.

2. A traflic signal consisting of a base having a -convexed lower face, a tubular -member for insertion in the ground, a cap detachable on said member and providing, a bearing for said base, said base being pro vided with a central opening and said cap having an opening re isterin a tubular standard fixed at its ower end to said base and alined with said openings, a pear-shaped lamp house on the upper end of said standard, a cable connected at its upper end to the upper end of-the standard and extending downwardly therethrough and into the tubular member, a weight connected with the lower end of the cable, an eye located' above and connected vwith the weight, and

a flexible element for conducting an illuminating medium to the lamp house having a looped portion extending through said therewith,

eye and'extending through the openings and tubular standard into said lamp house.

DANIEL J LINEHAN.

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