LIGHT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is concerned to traffic control and, in particular, the light signal devices for the traffic control installed along the roadways or other roads and having the LED panels which are fixed on the support pillars ( bearing pedestals) in a certain way and synchronously duplicate the controlling multidirectional light signals of one or several road signs providing the improved quality and detection of control signals which result in the increase of safety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is known that as a device for placing (fixing) of traffic signs and signals, as well as other media, which are placed along the roads and directly or indirectly involved in the traffic management of vehicles and pedestrians, as well as for the support of any other information medium of advertising or civil character , the different bearing pedestals may be used (vertical, cantilever, U-shaped, etc.), metal or concrete pillars.

Thus, it is known the device in the form of the reinforced concrete post of a square, triangular or circular section rigidly fixed to the surface layer of soil and covered with a particular color or a metal tube attached in foundation by the threaded connection which also require additional painting while it is exploited (SU, 1551768).

Due to corrosion, aging due to direct moisture, salts, chemical reagents used for controlling sleet and snow, and other corrosive factors such known constructions require constant cleaning and update applying paint or a special coating to maintain the aesthetic appearance of these devices, which entails high labor and financial costs.

It is also known a device for placing the traffic or other information which has the bearing pedestal in the form of the reinforced concrete pillar the lower part of which is fixed in the ground, while the upper portion is configured to be attached to the various characters, signs and other information carriers, as well as protection means for the outer surface of the bearing pedestal made in the form of a foundation attached to the plastic tube of a certain color covering the concrete pole (UA, 19096). Such a device is actually produced by immersing a rack in the form of the plastic tube filled with concrete in the hole to stop the lower end in the bottom of the well and then pouring the concrete.

Plastic pipes of a certain color are used as protection means for the outer surface of the bearing pedestals, they don't need to be painted. It provides significant economy of paints or anticorrosion coatings, as well as manual labor. The smooth surface is easy to clean from dirt when cleaning with a water jet, which simplifies maintenance and depreciation of its operation.

Although known design and has certain advantages because it does not require the use of additional protection, but is of a monolithic construction - quite expensive to manufacture, dismantle and repair in case of damage or replacement.

Although this device has certain advantages because it does not require additional protection, it is a monolithic construction and quite expensive to produce, maintain and dismoun in case of damage or replacement. The system of street urban warning which uses the principle of creating a removable hollow structure of the polymer material, which is used to protect against the corrosive environments and to improve the aesthetic appearance of lamps installed and secured on the building is also known from RU, 2291997, but this solution cannot be applied to the bearing pedestal of devices in order to fix the main light signal road signs, working synchronically with additional light signal alert.

It is known that the light signal main road signs are not always the same distinction for all road users as a result of, for example, the "phantom" effect, low location of pointers, availability of obstacles obstructing the view (heavy transport, tree branches), the bend of the road before the intersection and etc. Therefore, development of various additional means of a light signal alert, such as duplicate traffic lights to improve the recognition of control signals is very essential nowadays. The most relevant solution to the claimed invention is a light signal device disclosed by UA, 70044. This device has a support pillar of U-shaped structure, the lower vertical portions of which are fixed in the ground, and the upper parts of which are attached the main light traffic signage. The additional means of warning light signal is adapted in the form of an LED display having a control system connected to the control system switching optical signals of the main road traffic index. Additional means of signaling warning light provides a visual signal on the display image of the pedestrian when he appears in the area of a pedestrian crossing, but it cannot be expanded the total area of visualization, such as the tri-color control signal, and to improve its recognition. Furthermore, maintenance of the aesthetic appearance designs continually requires trimming and applying new coatings. The known device is not universal and cannot be used for existing roadside poles and at the same time solve the problem of preserving their aesthetic appearance, in particular, exclude the possibility of sticking on the bearing pedestals various paper ads and commercials. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is aimed at providing such a universal light signal device for traffic control, which due to the improving of protective outer surface of the support ( bearing) pillar of the original removable hollow structure and the possibility of securing its external surface in the longitudinal direction of the LED panels, redundant control signals major road signs, managed to improve the quality of visual perception of control signals and to expand the functionality of these devices together with the improvement and long-term preservation of their aesthetic appearance. The problem is solved by the following: in a light signal device for traffic control comprising a support pillar , the lower part of which is fixed in the ground or on a separate foundation or attached to another support pillar , and the upper portion of which is adapted to be attached thereto at least one main light traffic signage, and at least one additional means of light signal warning, having LED panel duplicating control signals of the light traffic signage , and a protection means for the outer surface of the support pillar , according to the invention the protection means for the outer surface of the support pillar has at least one removable hollow structure made of a polymeric material, covering preferably a lower visible part of the support pillar and comprising at least two sections adapted to connect with one another in joint location in the longitudinal direction, at least two terminal mounting assemblies fixed on the support pillar and each adapted to contact with a corresponding edge part of the removable hollow structure so as to fix position of these sections with respect to the support pillar in the longitudinal direction and spacer elements fixed on the support pillar at a distance from each other and adapted to provide elastically clamped contact of these elements with internal surface of the removable hollow structure in the transverse direction, wherein the removable hollow structure has on its outside at least two longitudinal grooves in which the LED panel are fixed and which are located according to the directions of traffic streams when the removable hollow structure is at the fixed position each section of the removable hollow structure being additionally arranged to be connected in the transverse direction.

It is possible that the claimed device further comprises protective diffusing screens each fixed in the longitudinal groove on the outer side of the removable hollow structure the protective diffusing screens being equipped with audible and/or visual alarms and the outer surface of the sections of the removable hollow structure and the protective diffusing screens being ribbed so as to prevent them from paper sticking.

In the another embodiment of the claimed invention the LED panels may be made in a single modular design at least one LED panel having at least two separate segments, operating autonomously and configured to be connected into a single unit using connectors or the claimed device further may comprises a persistent local lighting that provides illumination in the direction of the carriageway the persistent local lighting module being configurated to provide a longitudinally disposed segment LED bar with constant radiation of white or yellow color, regardless of the appearance of a light signal unidirectional LED panel operating in synchronism with the control signals of the main light traffic signage. The LED panels may be also arranged to provide radiation of the flashing yellow light from the built-in battery power when control signals from the main light traffic signage are switched off or absent.

According to the other embodiments the cross section of the removable hollow structure may have a round, square or polygonal profile. The proposed device provides clear and high-contrast visualization of control signals major road signs, excludes the possibility of glare mode (day and night), ensures continuous operation at any time, provides additional features - permanent lighting of a pedestrian crossing and the alarm notification of the emergency mode basic road signs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained more detailed with references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.l shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention, mounted on a support pillar having a cantilever type with a removable hollow structure having four LED in its built-in panels and permanent local illumination of a pedestrian crossing;

Fig. 2 - sectional view in the plane A-A of Fig. 1 on an enlarged size, showing the grooves, two sections in a longitudinal direction;

Fig. 3 - zone B in Figure 2 in an enlarged size, showing a mount LED light diffusing panel with a protective screen in the longitudinal grooves;

Fig. 4 - zone C in Figure 2 in an enlarged size, showing the spline grooves, labyrinth seal; Fig. 5 - fragmentary perspective view of the longitudinal grooves LED panels with embedded light-scattering and protective screens, the outer sides of which are formed by finned;

Fig. 6 - block diagram of the control system, providing simultaneous duplication control signals primary light road traffic signs unidirectional LED panels, local lighting pedestrian crossing, emergency off-line and device protection from external interference.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown in Fig. 1, the claimed light signal device for traffic control has a support pillar (pedestral) 1, the lower part 2 which is mounted on the foundation 3, and the upper part 4 is fixed street lights 5 and pedestrian traffic lights 6, used as components of the light traffic pointer r 1 (although Fig. 1 shows the street and pedestrian traffic lights, but in this part 4of the carrier rack 1 can be set to any of the known road signs - railway traffic lights and so on).

The carrying rack 1 in Fig. 1 is formed as a cantilever structure 7 with traffic lights 8 disposed on one side of traffic, but such a rack can be executed in U-shape and being located on both sides of road (not shown in the pictures).

The claimed device comprises a means protecting the outer surface of pillars 1 , which according to the invention has at least one removable hollow structure 9 of polymeric material (Figure 1 shows two such structures - and to vertical arm section upright 1). Such structure 9 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (although it is understood that it is possible to use and other material). As shown in FIG. 1, nine hollow st covers the vertical part of the pillar 1 from the bottom part of the visible light to the site of attachment of road signs 5 and 6, and the arm portion of the pillar - in its central visible portion. According to the invention, the hollow structure 9 includes at least two sections 10, 11 (Fig. 2) having the ability to connect with one another in the joint location sections in the longitudinal direction, although it is understood that the number of these sections may be greater, for example, equal to the number of faces forming a polygonal profile. Joint sections 10,11 in the docking location sections in the longitudinal direction can be effected by tool joints 12, such as grooves, splined connections depicted in FIG. 2, 3 or splines-grooves 12 having a labyrinth seal 13 (Fig. 4). In advantageous embodiments, the cross section of the hollow structure 9 in the assembly has a round (2), square or polygonal profile (not shown in the figures), the choice of the profile and the number of stacked longitudinal sections 10, 11 may be selected based on the conditions and ease of installation for each specific model of a carrier rack 1 and its location.

The longitudinal size of the hollow structure may be defined as one of compounds from sections module docked in the longitudinal direction with end mounting assemblies 14, 15 (FIG. 1) and a large number located between mounting assemblies modules stacked and connected transversely by compounds 16 (Fig. 1) which may be formed, for example, as a movable plug connections. Terminal mounting assemblies 14, 15 may be made each in the form of two hollow half- rings joined by fasteners (bolts, screws, etc.) and having, for example, sealing. In this fixed mounting assembly 14 in the lower part of the structure 9 serves as a base during assembly, and mounting assembly 15 - the function of the lid, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that may be used with any other solution providing a fixed position established by the design with respect to the carrier rack.

According to the invention, the hollow structure 9 has, in addition, the spacer elements 17, for example the sleeve is fixed on the front carrier 1 at a distance from each other to provide a hard-elastic contact between these elements 17 with the inner surface of the structure 9 in its transverse direction.

The number and spacing of the spacer elements 17 are selected based on requirements to provide stiffness for a particular design in the transverse direction in view of its size. One of the advantages of the above invention is the ability to manufacture the outer side 18 of the hollow sections form a ribbed construction as shown in Fig 5. The proposed configuration of the outer side 18 minimizes the working area available to the outside of the device, thus hampering the possibility of long-term bonding or fixing the paper or advertisement.

The proposed device provides an additional means of signaling warning light provided in the form of at least two of LED panels 19 (Fig. 1,3,5) fixed in longitudinal grooves 20 (Fig 2, 5) formed on the outer sides of hollow structure 9 located in a fixed position a hollow structure 9 according to the traffic flow direction, preferably at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the pillar 1, i.e. so that the cross-sectional lines connecting the middle of the groove with the center, would form a right angle (for circular cross-section - a line of radius). Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the claimed device providing for accommodation of four LED panels 19. The protective function of the unauthorized access to the LED panel 19 (Fig. 2) of the proposed removable hollow structure can also provide protective light-diffusing screens 21 (Fig.3, 5) that are installed in the slots 20. For the same purpose, and can serve as a labyrinth seals 13 executed in the ground engages the sections 10, 11 in the longitudinal direction as shown in Fig. 4. The outer side 22 of protective diffusing screen 21 can also be made of ribbed (Fig. 5).

The longitudinal grooves 20 are arranged in LED panels 19 mainly operate on the entire length of the hollow structure. It is expedient choice of the length of the panel and place of its location on the support pillar as standard not less than 2 m in order to maximize the perception of the backup control signal at an altitude of direct visibility the driver in the vehicle, an adult or child pedestrian. However, depending on the design of the support pillar and the purpose of its use, it can be used and the individual modules of smaller size, e.g., 1 m, or a group of modules secured to the carrier rack.

LED panel 19 is usually performed as an integral structure.

In another preferred embodiment, the proposed construction allows to place mostly in remote areas of a module 23 assemblies (Fig. 1) a permanent local illumination of the pedestrian crossing, which is a separate segment LED bar with constant radiation of white or yellow light, regardless of the occurrence unidirectional signal light LED panel 19, a backup command light the main road traffic pointer 6. Fig. 6 shows one possible embodiment of the control system 24 for the claimed device, providing synchronous operation of LED panels 19 with control signals light road traffic index: main (road) traffic 8 backup (street) traffic and pedestrian traffic 5 6, and turning on and off a source of 23 permanent local illumination in the dark on operation, for example, the light sensor ( it is not shown jn Fig/6 ), and immediately goes into emergency mode blinking yellow light all the built-core, duplicate LED panels in the absence within a specified time control signals and / or power supply circuit of the main traffic light indicator.

System 24 is connected to a regular electrical circuit road traffic light indicator (5, 6, 8). Upon detection of an incoming control signal traffic indicator system 24 switches the operation of LED panels 19, indicating a light signal corresponding to the colors on the respective panels, duplicating the signal. In the absence of a control signal at a predetermined time interval control system 24 24 device switches to "flashing yellow" or disables light indication.

Power supply 25 provides power to the device, as the staff of the chain block traffic, and from an independent source of power when the system goes into emergency mode.

The system 24 provides controlling the LED panel 19 and the power supply 25 may be attached, for example, in remote areas of the upper end of the mounting assembly 15 (Fig.

1).

In case of the attempt to unauthorized disconnection of sections of a removable hollow structure of a breaking device the alarm, such as a siren, part of block 26 burglary is activated. The device, according to the invention, can be attributed to high-road equipment, which quickly and effectively can be integrated into existing single set of integrated management systems and traffic control, further decorating the roadway of streets and intersections, giving them the aesthetic appearance for a long time without significant cost for their service.