Internally powered traffic control device

A traffic lane delineator device comprising

• a housing adapted to be secured to a roadway surface and subjected to vehicle traffic thereon comprising a base, a rigid top and sloped sides supporting the top facilitating the passage of vehicles thereover without damage to the housing, wherein one of said sides is adapted to allow light to pass therethrough,
• a light emitting diode positioned within the housing such that light produced thereby emerges through said one side,
• a power supply including a rechargeable battery pack and a solar cell for recharging the battery pack during periods of high ambient light intensity positioned with the housing,
• a network positioned within said housing for controlling the energization of the light emitting diode, including oscillator means which when activated periodically energizes the light emitting diode and light sensing means for activating the oscillator means when the intensity of the ambient light is below a predetermined level, and
• a retroreflective material disposed adjacent said one side for enhancing the visibility of the delineator device during periods when the network is de-energized,
• whereby the use of the periodically energized light emitting diode enables the delineator device to be small, compact and rugged, usable directly on traffic surfaces while yet having appreciable intensity and practical battery life enabling acceptable maintenance intervals.

A traffic hazard warning device comprising

• a. a thin layer of a flexible material having a high degree of conformability,
• b. an array of light emitting diodes mounted within the layer at spaced intervals with the light emitting portion thereof projecting through the layer such that light produced thereby is primarily directed away from and normal to the layer,
• c. an array of printed circuit conductors sandwiched within the layer providing separate electrical contacts to each light emitting diode within the diode array, and
• d. means within said device for sequentially energizing adjacent diodes of the diode array for producing a train of flashes of light which apparently traverses the device, said means for sequentially energizing comprising a rechargeable battery pack, means such as a solar cell for generating electrical power during periods of high ambient light intensity to recharge said rechargeable battery pack and a network for controlling the coupling of electrical power from the battery pack to the diode array including oscillator means which when activated periodically couples power to energize the diode array and light sensing means for activating the oscillator means when the intensity of the ambient light is below a predetermined level, such that motorists may be alerted to the presence of a traffic hazard and instructed to move in a desired direction.