Speedometer for train crossings
OwnerChris Martin, Tammy Martininventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus that indicates the speed of oncoming trains at train crossings comprises a large digital display attached to a drop gate or alternately on a side gate crossing sign for those crossings without a gate. The digital display is surrounded by a large sign indicating the speed of an oncoming train. A speed detection device aimed in either direction on the track to determine train speed. An interface converts the detected speed into a digital display. It is envisioned that motorists knowing the speed of an oncoming train will be less likely to try to beat the train through the crossing.
Claims15
A train speed indication system for displaying a speed of an approaching train on an existing railroad crossing pole and thereby deterring motorists from outrunning oncoming trains, said train speed indication system comprising:
- a digital speed display adapted to be positioned on the pole at which an existing train track crosses an existing vehicle roadway;
- a speed warning sign surrounding said digital speed display;
- and,
- a control enclosure adapted to be positioned on an upper rear portion of the pole, said control enclosure including a speed detection mechanism generating and transmitting a speed detection beam toward the approaching train and thereby determining a speed of the approaching train;
- wherein said control enclosure further includes a speed detection circuit communicatively coupled to said speed detection mechanism and said digital speed display.
A train speed indication system for displaying a speed of an approaching train on an existing railroad crossing pole and thereby deterring motorists from outrunning oncoming trains, said train speed indication system comprising:
- a digital speed display adapted to be positioned on the pole at which an existing train track crosses an existing vehicle roadway;
- a speed warning sign surrounding said digital speed display;
- and,
- a control enclosure adapted to be positioned on an upper rear portion of the pole, said control enclosure including a speed detection mechanism generating and transmitting a speed detection beam toward the approaching train and thereby determining a speed of the approaching train;
- wherein said control enclosure further includes a speed detection circuit communicatively coupled to said speed detection mechanism and said digital speed display, said speed detection circuit cooperating with said speed detection speed detection mechanism for displaying the train speed on said digital speed display.
A method of utilizing a train speed detection system displaying a speed of an approaching train on a conventional railroad crossing pole and thereby preventing motorists from trying to outrun oncoming trains, said method comprising the chronological steps of
- providing and positioning a digital speed display on the pole at which an existing train track crosses an existing vehicle roadway;
- providing and surrounding a speed warning sign about said digital speed display;
- and,
- providing and positioning a control enclosure on an upper rear portion of the pole by providing a speed detection mechanism and a speed detection circuit communicatively coupled to said speed detection mechanism and said digital speed display;
- wherein said speed detection mechanism generating and transmitting a speed detection beam toward the approaching train and thereby determining a speed of said approaching train;
- and,
- wherein said speed detection circuit cooperating with said speed detection mechanism and thereby displaying the train speed on said digital speed display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.