US 4,332,503 A · Apparatus for signaling direction of travel on a road bed

Abstract

A ramp is pivotably mounted in a road bed transverse to the flow of traffic. The ramp pivots between a first position raised above the surface of the road bed and a second position approximately flush with the surface of the road bed, but preferably slightly raised therefrom. A spring biases the ramp to its second position, and applies a return force to the ramp when it pivots from its second, i.e., intermediate, position to a third, i.e., depressed, position substantially flush with the surface of the road bed. Responsive to traffic approaching the ramp from one direction, the ramp pivots from its intermediate position into its depressed position as the traffic passes over the ramp. Responsive to traffic approaching the ramp from the opposite direction, the ramp pivots from its intermediate position into its raised position as the traffic passes over the ramp to signal travel in the wrong direction. Specifically, a platform is pivotably mounted in the road bed adjacent to and after the ramp in the right direction flow. The platform pivots between an upper position substantially flush with the surface of the road bed and a lower position below the surface of the road bed. A spring biases the platform to its upper position and applies a return force to the platform when it pivots from its upper position to its lower position. The ramp and the platform are interconnected to pivot the ramp to its raised position when the platform pivots to its lower position, and to lock the platform in its upper position while the ramp is in its depressed position. The apparatus is housed by a container having a flanged open top covered by the ramp and the platform. Seals prevent moisture from entering the top of the container.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Apparatus for signaling travel on a road bed counter to the flow of traffic, the apparatus comprising:

a ramp;
means for movably mounting the ramp in the road bed transverse to the flow of traffic, the ramp being movable between a first position raised substantially above the surface of the road bed and a second position approximately flush with the surface of the road bed;
means for biasing the ramp into its second position;
means responsive to traffic approaching the ramp from one direction for preventing movement of the ramp toward its first position as the traffic passes over the ramp;
and
means responsive to traffic approaching the ramp from the opposite direction for moving the ramp into its first position as traffic passes over the ramp.

3 more elements

A road device for detecting direction of travel on a road bed, the device comprising:

a ramp having first and second ends;
means for mounting the ramp in the road bed so its first end pivots about its second end, the first end of the ramp being pivotable between a raised position substantially above the surface of the road bed and a depressed position substantially flush with the surface of the road bed;
a platform having first and second ends;
means for mounting the platform in the road bed so its first end pivots about its second end and is adjacent to the first end of the ramp, the first end of the platform being pivotable between an upper position substantially flush with the surface of the road bed and a lower position below the surface of the road bed;
spring means for biasing the first end of the ramp to an intermediate position between its raised and depressed positions and applying a return force to the first end of the ramp when it pivots from the intermediate position to the depressed position;
spring means for biasing the first end of the platform to its upper position and applying a return force to the first end of the platform when it pivots from its upper position to its lower position;
and
means interconnecting the ramp and the platform for pivoting the first end of the ramp to its raised position when the first end of the platform pivots to its lower position and for locking the first end of the platform in its upper position while the first end of the ramp is in its depressed position.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for signaling direction of travel on a road bed

Life of this patent

Apparatus for signaling direction of travel on a road bed

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18