US1195583A - Traffic-director - Google Patents

Description

F. B. HENRETTA.

TRAFFIC DIRECTOR.

APPLICATION men MAYZB. 191s.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Fig.4 I 5.: g

FRANCIS B. HENRETTA, or ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters 1 mm. -Patnted A g. 22 1916 Application filed m 2a, 1916. "sci-111.1%. 99,979.

Z0 all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, FRANCIS B. HENRETTA,

a citizen of the United States, residing ,at

Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Traffic-Dime tors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with means for directing traffic on city streets and the principal objects thereof are, 1st, to provide an automatic device for displaying traffic signals and one capable of regulation so as to allow variable intervals of traffic in several directions; 2nd, to provide in connection with such devices means for advertising violations of traffic rules.

With such general and other specific ob- 1 jects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be herein described and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatical representation of the timing and regulating portion of my invention. Fig. 2 a representation in plan view of intersecting streets showing the relative locations of certain of the elements used; Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram in which will be traced the electrical connections by means of which the desired results are obtained; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical section through one of the safety bars in the street paving showing the means by which the return of the same to normal position may be delayed through a short period of time.

The device is intended for use primarily at intersecting streets, and such a street crossing is shown in Fig. 2, the letters N, W, S and E designatingthe directions north, west, south and east respectively. The direction of traffic is indicated at each quarter by means of arrows suitably directed in Fig.2.

At A,'B, C and D are located si als or semaphores which control the tra c from north, west, south and east respectively. These are each preferably provided with a visual day signal or .semaphore arm, operated electrically and designated A B C and I) respectively in Fig. 3 and a night signal or light for use therewith, designated in Fig. 3 as A B C and D respectively. These lights at night burn constantly and the semaphore arms may carry the customary colored lenses to show white and red to indicate that the street is clear or closed to traffic. In connection with these semaphores there is provided a motor M which 1i suitably geared at 3 and 4 to a drum 5, the gearmg being such as to produce a comparatively slow rotation of the drum. The drum 5 is provided with electrical contact bands.

66 etc., of varying length and suitably wired together at 77 etc. There are then provided two contact fingers 8 and 9 which are movable on slides 10 and 11 so as to con tact any of the bands 6 desired. The finger 8 serves the semaphores A and C, or for traffic in the north and south directions, the finger 9 serving the semaphores B and D or for westbound and eastbound traffic. Hence by positioning these fingers over bands 6 of various lengths and not completely encircling the drum current will flow to the semaphores for any variable lengths of time desired and be shut off therefrom during regular recurring intervals as may be de sired. It will be understood that traffic in one direction may, for example, be open for thirty seconds and closed for a like period, the traffic in the opposite direction being open for say a period of ten seconds while the other stands closed, ten seconds being allowed for clearance of the crossing in each direction. Any such variations may be effected by correct proportions of the drum 5 and the bands 6-6 thereon, the contact fingers being shiftable. The drum 5 is further provided with a continuous band 12 with a contact finger 13, the band 12 being wired to the bands 6-G at 14 and thus the circuit back to the main source of electrical energy is completed.

In order to safeguard traffic, contact bars A B, C and D are placed in the street paving, each being provided to warn against violations of traffic rules from the north, west, south and east respectively. These bars are arranged so that if passed over and depressed when the corresponding semapliore shows red all of the semaphores will go to red and in addition a bell 15 and light 16 will be energized at F in the center of the crossing. This signal will continue and the semaphores stand at red for any desired length of time when all signals will automatically be restored and traffic may be resumed and controlled. by the normal opera tion of the device.

The results attained having thus been set forth the wiring and incidental parts by which the same are secured will now be de- 'contacts being in multiple.

scribed, reference being principally to Fig. 3. Any convenient source of electrical energy may be employed, such a circuit being indicated by the conventional electrical symbols and The lights A B C and D are wired directly across this circuit at 17 and 18, hence as long as current is supplied to the circuit these lights will burn unless cut out by means of a suitable switch in the line. The diagram shows current flowing to the signals B and D which are now red and the connections thereto are as follows: from the positive side, through the wires 19 and 20, the winding 46 of the magnetic switch 47 and the wire 48 to the finger 9, the signals being in multiple in this line; through the bands 6, the wires 7 and 14, the band 12 and finger 13 and the wire 21 to the negative side. The signals A and C are similarly wired from the positive side to the drum through the wires 22 and 23, the winding 49 of the magnetic switch 47 and the wire 50. -Thus the revolutions of the drum 5 alternately display the signalsv A C and B D The motor M is wired from the positive to the negative side through the wires 24 and 27, the connector 25 of the magnetic switch 26 normally connecting these wires. The semaphores A and C at this time show, whitef hence the bars B and D guard the northbound and southbound traflio. In case either of these bars is depressed connection will be made between the wires 36 and 37 at 38 or 39, these The magnetic switch 47 functions as follows: Two windings are supplied, these being wound for opposite polarity, the one (46) being in series through the wires 20 and 48 with the signals B and D the other (49) being in series through the wires 23 and 50 with the signals A and C As long as current is flowing to the signals B and D and no current to A and C the magnetic switch will stand as indicated in Fig. 3 with connection made between the wires 51 and 36 so that the bars B and I) may complete the circuit to the switch 26. If current should be flowingto the signals A and C and not to B and D the reverse condition would exist, the wires 28 and 52 being connected and 36 and 51 disconnected. In this latter ca e .the bars A and C would be effective and 13 and D non-effective.

The bands 66 on the drum overlap each other so that during the interval of clearing the crossing all four signals are receiving current so as tohold them at red. In this case the windings 49 and 46 balance each other and all bars become ineffective so that delayed and slightly premature crossing of these bars will not tie up traffic. But as of bars B or D will cause current to flow through the winding of the magnetic switch 26 thence through the wire 32 to the wire 20 and. through the regular drum connections to the negative side. The electric switch 26 being magnetized the connection 25 will be broken and the motor M stopped. At the same time the signals A and C will be set through the wire 33, the connector 34 and the wire 35. A second connector 40 of the magnetic switch 26 cuts in the multipleconnected bell 15 and light 16 through the wires 41 and 42. 7

When the bars A and C guard the eastbound and westbound traffic the depressing of either of these bars will connect the wires 28 and 29 at 30 or 31, thus cutting in the magnetic switch winding through the wires 29 and 43 to the wire 23 and thence through the line through the wires 32 and 44, the connector 45 and the wire 35. light 16 cut in as before.

While the depression of the bars A B C or D is permissible when the trafiic over the same is clear, yet a violation of the sig nal will be instantly advertised and all signals will go to red.

The bars A B C and D may be supplied with a suitable retarding device such as the commercial check arrangement 53 indicated in Fig. 4 by means of which the bar depressed, such as B may be held down and the magnetic switch 26 be held in for any period of time desired so as to allow the violated crossing to become clear. When released and contact broken, the switch 26 automatically returns to its normal position and at once all signals will be reinstated and trafiic may be resumed.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that an open circuit causes the semaphores, to go to white, the closed circuit showing red. shutting off of current all semaphores will go to white and trafiic may be directed by an officer as usual.

I have thus provided an automatic traflic The bell 15 and director suitable for use in cities where congestion exists. And it will be understood that while the embodiment of the invention just described is a practical and desirable one, yet other embodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets embodying an electric signal at each of the four corners, and in combination therewith a primary electric cireuit, two branch circuits therefrom, each embracing the signals on diagonally oppo- Thus in case of accident or site corners, and an automatic controlling mechanism for the same whereby the flow of current in the branch circuits may be alternated so as to alternate the display of signals on diagonal corners at and during variable intervals.

2. A traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets embodying an electric signal at each of the four corners, means for controlling said signals in diagonally opposite pairs, said means comprising an electrical circuit, a rotating drum therein, a series of bands of varying lengths thereon, movable contacts for said bands, each of which has electrical connection with a pair of said signals, the said bands and contacts being so arranged that current Will be admitted to one pair of signals before being shut off from the other pair.

3. In a traffic directing device an electric circuit, a plurality of lights connected across the same, an electrically actuated mechanical signal for each light, timed means for changing said mechanical signals .at variable and recurring periods, said means and said mechanical signals being actuated from the same source of electrical energy as the said lights.

4. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located at each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of signals.

5. In a. traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located at each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of. signals, the said signals being arranged to be displayed when current is admitted thereto and to be withdrawn when the circuit is broken.

6. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located on each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of signals. the said signals being arranged to be displayed when current is admitted thereto and to be withdrawn when the circuit is broken, the said alternating means being so arranged that one pair of signals will be cut in for a vari able length of time before the other pair is cut out.

7. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located on each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carry ing means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of signals, and means located in the paving of one street adapted and connected to short circuit the signals controlling traffic on the other street.

8. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located on each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of signals, and means located in the paving of one street adapted and connected to short circuit the signals controlling traffic on the other street, and a separate tell-tale signal connected so as to be actuated when the said signals are short circuited.

9. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, .a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located on each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and all being in multiple with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow of current between the pairs of signals, and means located in the paving of one street adapted and connected to short circuit the signals controlling traffic on the other street, and a separate tell-tale signal connected so as to be actuated when the said signals are short circuited, and automatic means carried bythe said short-circuiting means whereby the said short-circuit may be maintained for a short period of time and then released.

10. In a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a plurality of signal lamps in the same, one located on each corner, a motor connected in multiple with the said lamps, electrically operated mechanical signals on eaclrof the four street corners, the diagonal signals Ill being wired in pairs and all being in multipie with the lamp signals, the said motor carrying means for alternating the flow vof current between the pairs of signals, and means located in the paving of one street adapted and connected to short circuit the signals controlling trafiic on the other street, and to break the circuit to the said motor. v

11. in a traffic directing mechanism for intersecting streets, an electric circuit, a motor connected across said circuit, electrically operated mechanical signals on each of the four street corners, the diagonal signals being wired in pairs and the pairs being wired in multiple across the line with a common lead, the said motor carrying means for alternativel connectin either of the pairs of signals with the common lead, short circuiting means located in the street pavingat each corner and adapted to make elec trical contact when depressed, whereby the signals in the opposite street will be short circuited, means from thenormal circuit to the said signal for making or breaking the connection from the said short circuiting means, the latter being so arranged that the short-circuit connection will be broken when.

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