US 6,107,941 A · Traffic control system and kit

Abstract

In order to minimize the risk to fire department and rescue vehicles as they enter into traffic, a traffic control system is provided. It includes a traffic signal assembly having a center light housing and a pair of outer light housings disposed on opposite sides thereof. The traffic control system includes a traffic sign assembly having warning information for vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic on one side thereof for mounting below the center housing of the traffic signal assembly. The traffic control system includes a solar panel to be mounted for maximizing solar energy collection in order to collect solar energy for delivery to and storage in a battery for illuminating bulbs in the housings. A sign light visually enhances the warning information on the sign. The traffic control system includes a programmable central control panel operatively associated with the battery for controlling the traffic signal assembly and delivering power from the battery to the traffic signal assembly responsive to a signal from a remote location. A modular arrangement of components is provided for rapidly connecting and disconnecting the traffic signal assembly, battery, solar panel, sign light and programmable central control panel. With this arrangement, the traffic control system can be provided in kit form to include at least three yellow lenses and at least two red lenses for the traffic signal assembly and a pair of signs for the traffic sign assembly including an international fire truck crossing sign and a stop here on red sign.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An emergency vehicle traffic control system having a front side and comprising:

a) traffic signal assembly including a horizontally disposed backboard having three openings formed therethrough, three light housings positioned within the three backboard openings, three light receptacles located at generally middle portions within the three light housings and three light emitting components electrically coupled to the three light receptacles, the traffic signal assembly mounted to a perpendicularly disposed pole,
b) a battery for supplying electrical power to the emergency vehicle traffic control system,
c) a solar panel for gathering solar energy and energizing the battery,
d) a traffic sign assembly positioned on the front side of the emergency vehicle traffic control system,
e) a programmable central control panel for initiating a light emitting component illumination sequence in response to a wireless signal transmitted from a remote location, the programmable central control panel electrically coupled to the battery and the traffic signal assembly, and
f) a verification light positioned upon the emergency vehicle traffic control system providing a visual indication to an emergency vehicle operator emerging from the remote location that the traffic signal assembly is operating properly, the verification light electrically coupled to the battery.

3 more elements

An emergency vehicle traffic control system for alerting vehicular and pedestrian traffic of an approaching emergency vehicle requiring exclusive possession of a vehicular and pedestrian pathway egress, the emergency vehicle traffic control system having a front side and comprising:

a) a traffic signal assembly including a horizontally disposed backboard having three openings formed therethrough, three light housings positioned within the three backboard openings, three light receptacles located at generally middle portions within the three light housings, three light bulbs electrically coupled to the three light receptacles and three colored lenses, one colored lens positioned in each of the three light housings covering each light bulb positioned therewithin, the traffic signal assembly mounted to a pole such that the three light housings are horizontally oriented to a ground surface providing a center light housing and a pair of outer light housings,
b) a battery for supplying electrical power to the emergency vehicle traffic control system,
c) a solar panel for gathering solar energy and energizing the battery,
d) a traffic sign assembly positioned on the front side of the emergency vehicle traffic control system,
e) a programmable central control panel for initiating a light bulb illumination sequence in response to a wireless signal transmitted from a remote location, the programmable central control panel electrically coupled to the battery and the traffic signal assembly, and
f) a verification light positioned upon the emergency vehicle traffic control system providing a visual indication to an emergency vehicle operator emerging from the remote location that the traffic signal assembly is operating properly, the verification light electrically coupled to the battery.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Traffic control system and kit

Life of this patent

Traffic control system and kit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21