Abstract:
A portable, hand-held traffic signal device such as for use at traffic intersections and school crossings, comprising: a front, indicia-bearing sign portion for communicating traffic instructions to on-coming traffic; a handle portion coupled to a lower edge portion of the front, indicia-bearing sign portion; and an electrical circuit containing (a) one or more sources of illumination mounted peripherally on the front, indicia-bearing sign portion, (b) a power source and (c) a switch for activating the circuit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to mobile traffic signs, and more specifically to a portable traffic sign that is self-illuminated to provide greater visibility.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Traffic signs are devices placed along, beside, or above a highway, roadway, pathway, or other route to guide, warn, and regulate the flow of traffic, including motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, equestrians, and other travelers. In general, traffic signs should only be placed where warranted or required by facts and engineering studies. Traffic signs should be placed as necessary for safety and proper regulation of traffic. The use of too many traffic signs at a given location may reduce the overall effectiveness of all the signs at that location.  
         [0003]     Traffic signs, like any other traffic control device, must meet five fundamental requirements:  
         [0004]     Fulfill a need  
         [0005]     Command attention  
         [0006]     Convey a clear, simple meaning  
         [0007]     Command respect from travelers  
         [0008]     Give adequate time for proper response  
         [0009]     The official manual for signing in the United States is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The MUTCD is a national standard, intended to ensure that signing is consistent throughout the US. The MUTCD is developed and modified by FHWA through the Federal Register rule-making process.  
         [0010]     In the United States, a STOP sign has an octagonal shape. It is primarily red in color with a white border and a reversed white colored “STOP” printed in the center. The standard size of a regular road side STOP sign is 30×30 inches. Where greater emphasis or visibility is required, a larger size is recommended. On low-volume local streets and secondary roads with low approach speeds, a 24×24 inch size may be used. The shape, size, typeface, letter size and other specifications of a STOP sign is governed by the MUTCD, as previously mentioned.  
         [0011]     A STOP sign means that vehicles must make a full stop before entering a crosswalk or at a white “limit line.” On divided highways, a STOP sign for crossing or turning vehicles is often placed on the island or diving strip. Like other traffic signs, STOP signs are usually permanently secured on sign posts and supports. Wood and steel are the two primary materials used for small sign supports. Larger sign supports, such as cantilever structures or sign bridges, are usually made of steel.  
         [0012]     Sometimes there are needs to have temporary STOP signs in school areas, construction sites, street detouring areas, parking lots etc. Usually, the signs are a smaller version of regular STOP signs with a short handle either hand-held by users or secured on a temporary stand such as a traffic cone.  
         [0013]     Due to the nature of the sign message and application locations, it is vital for drivers and pedestrians to notice the presence of mobile STOP signs and their bearers. Mobile STOP signs must have very high visibility to demand attention due to their relatively small size, unusual locations and unexpected presence.  
         [0014]     Most traffic signs are lit passively by reflecting the head light from approaching vehicles. The signs are usually polished with retroreflective coating so as to increase the reflectivity of incoming light. There are different types of retroreflective surfaces such as basic reflective sheeting which is made of small glass beads, multi-layered reflective sheeting, microprimatic sheeting etc. with different degrees of reflectivity. Regardless of coating materials, those traffic signs are only lit at night and/or during foggy conditions when approaching traffics have their headlights on.  
         [0015]     Some school buses are sighted with their retractable STOP signs illuminated by installing a red light bulb in the center of the sign. Those signs are however attached to the buses and henceforth not portable.  
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention is a portable traffic sign with a self-illumination system that will increase the visibility of the sign tremendously.  
         [0017]     An object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a STOP sign which is self-illuminated regardless of lighting conditions in the environment. Power source and light source are both self-contained and can be installed on the STOP sign with no external attachments, making them completely portable.  
         [0018]     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide portability. Despite additional power source and light source, the STOP sign of present invention is light enough to be carried around by most users.  
         [0019]     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a programmable lighting pattern. The LED light fixtures can be wired and programmed in order to have a particular flashing pattern so as to increase visibility of the entire STOP sign of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide versatility to be either hand-held by users or mounted on stationary stands such as traffic cones with minimal installation.  
         [0021]     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be come apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a representative front side view of a preferred embodiment of an illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a representative side view of a preferred embodiment of a illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1C  is a representative back side view of a preferred embodiment of a illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2A, 2B  and  2 C are representative front views of alternative traffic signs of the present invention using similar illumination device and arrangement.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2D  is a representative view showing one of the preferred embodiments of the apparatus and method mounting the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention on a stationary stand  316 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a representative view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method of use of the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]     The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.  
         [0029]     It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a representative front view of a preferred embodiment of an illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. The illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention comprises of two key portions, a flat, sign portion  102  and a handle portion  120 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 1A , in a preferred embodiment, the flat sign portion  102  is a portion of flat sheet material in a regular octagonal shape. Sign portion  102  can be made of stainless steel, aluminum or other light, hard and durable materials including plastics, resins, composites, etc. The visual design of flat sign portion  102  is resembling to regular street STOP signs. The design of both sides of flat sign portion  102  of illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention are the same. Flat sign portion  102  is painted red predominantly with a white border  104  and a reversed white “STOP” is painted in the middle of the design carrying the single-minded message of the sign. As discussed, the shape, typeface, letter size and other specifications of flat sign portion  102  follow the regulating rules by the MUTCD. The surface of flat sign portion  102  could be coated with reflective materials such as retroflective sheeting, glass beads sheeting, “encapsulated lens” sheeting, multi-layer sheeting etc. to improve the visibility of flat sign portion  102  at night and/or in foggy conditions when headlights of incoming vehicles are on.  
         [0032]     In a preferred embodiment, a plurality or singularity of LED (light-emitting diode) light set(s)  106  are secured preferably on the border  104  and within the rim  112  of flat sign portion  102 . LED light sets  106  can be individual LEDs  108  connected in series by power cable  110  with only one resistor for the whole series string or other circuit arrangements that are known in the art. Alternatively, LED light sets  106  can be existing LED flash light accessories connected in series or other circuit arrangements by power cable  110 . By using existing LED light sets  106  that have flashing patterns installed, users can select flashing patterns for the entire illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. Also, users can optionally putting LED light sets  106  on places other than the border  104  for even better visibility as long as the “STOP” design element is not visually hindered.  
         [0033]     LED light sets  106  are secured on the surface of flat sign portion  102  either by heat-resistant and industrial strength adhesives and/or mechanical means such as bolts and nuts. The circuit on the front panel of flat sign portion  102  and the circuit on the back panel of flat sign portion  102  are connected through a through hole  114  on the bottom part of flat sign portion  102 .  
         [0034]     As best shown in  FIG. 1A, 1B  and  1 C, LED light bulbs  108  and or incandescent, flourescent or CCFL light bulbs can be installed at the handle tip  126  of handle portion  120  to further increase the illumination effects on the flat sign portion  102  of the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the illuminated STOP sign  100  of the present invention has a front, illuminated faceplate or sign portion  102  for increased visibility such as in poor light or inclement weather conditions.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1B  is a representative side view of a preferred embodiment of a illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 1A and 1B , handle portion  120  is a round, pistol grip, ergonomic or other shape tubular structure with a horizontal slit  124  along the diameter cross-sectionally. The building material of handle portion  120  can be wood, plastic, aluminum or other strong and light material available. In a preferred embodiment, handle portion  120  should be a hollow or semi-hollow tube-like structure in order to reduce the weight of the entire illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. Additionally, the space inside handle portion  120  can be utilized to house power cable  110  or even power source  204 . The key purpose of handle portion  120  is to provide a grip for users to hold the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. The shape and girth of handle portion  120  should be selected so as to provide a comfortable grip for users. The recommended length of handle portion  120  is in the range of 30 cm to 50 cm, or more or less. The width of horizontal slit  124  should be greater than the thickness of flat sign portion  102  with a comfortable clearance in the range of 1-10 mm or more or less. Horizontal slit  124  acts as a cradle to hold flat sign portion  102  in place and subsequently secured by a plurality of screws  122  along the length of handle portion  120 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 1C  is a representative back view of a preferred embodiment of a illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, one or more LED (light-emitting diode) light set(s)  106  are secured preferably on the border  104  and within the rim  112  of flat sign portion  102 . LED light sets  106  can be individual LEDs  108  connected in series or parallel or otherwise by power cable  110  with only one resistor for the whole series string or other circuit arrangements that are known in the art. Alternatively, LED light sets  106  can be existing LED flash light accessories such as Cat-Eye-brand LED-type flashing or programmable bicycle lights connected in series or other circuit arrangements by power cable  110 . By using existing LED light sets  106  that have flashing patterns installed or pre-programmed, users can select flashing patterns for the entire illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of the present invention. Also, users can optionally put LED light sets  106  on places other than the border  104 , such as on other portions of the flat sign portion  102 , for even better visibility as long as the “STOP” design element is not visually hindered.  
         [0037]     LED light sets  106  are secured on the surface of sign blade  102  either by heat-resistant and industrial strength adhesive, bonding or other mechanical means such as bolts and nuts. The wiring harness or electrical circuit on the front panel of flat sign portion  102  and the wiring harness or electrical circuit on the back panel of flat sign portion  102  are connected through a through hole  114  on the bottom part of flat sign portion  102 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 1C , the two ends of circuit connecting LED light sets  106  on both front and back panels of flat sign portion  102  are connected, such as via wiring harness, to power source  204 . Power source  204  is one or more disposable or rechargeable DC or N batteries  206  connected in series or parallel and secured in a casing  205 . Power source  204  can be installed on both sides of handle portion  120 . Alternatively, power source  204  can be one single fixture installed on top of handle portion  120 . In an alternative embodiment, power source  204  can be installed and completely hidden inside a hollow structure of handle portion  120 , as best shown in  FIG. 1B .  
         [0039]     The required voltages to lit up all LED light sets  106  determine the number of batteries  206  needed. In a preferred embodiment, the total voltages of all the LED light sets  106  in the series string should not exceed the range of 80 percent of the supply voltage provided by power source  204 . This is to ensure good stability and predictable current consumption. The dropped voltage will then be the supply voltage minus the total voltage of the LED light sets  106  in the series string.  
         [0040]     In a preferred embodiment, switch  202  is installed on handle portion  120 . The key function of switch  202  is to turn on or off power to the LED light sets, henceforth the whole illuminated portable STOP sign of the present invention. When switch  202  is at the “On” position, electric current will flow through all LED light sets  106  and lit them up. Additionally, with the choice of LED light sets  106  that have flashing patterns installed, switch  202  can be used to select flashing pattern of individual LED light sets  106 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 2A, 2B  and  2 C are representative front views of alternative traffic signs of the present invention using similar illumination device and arrangement. As best shown in  FIG. 2A, 2B  and  2 C, LED light sets can be installed on other traffic signs such as SLOW sign  310  or YIELD sign  312 . The color, flashing patterns, luminous level, number of LED light sets  106  on individual signs can be determined by selecting a variety of different LED light sets  106 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 2D  is a representative view showing one of the preferred embodiment of mounting the portable illuminated STOP sign  100  of the present invention on a stationary stand  316 . As best shown in  FIG. 2D , illuminated STOP sign  100  and/or other forth-mentioned illuminated traffic signs  310 ,  312  etc. can be converted from a hand-held device to a temporary stationary device. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 2D , it can be attached to the top of a regular traffic cone by inserting handle portion  120  in the hole on top of a regular traffic cone  316  or by other mechanical means.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a representative view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method of use of the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , user  402  holds the illuminated portable STOP sign of the present invention to stop vehicles  406  on both sides of the road in order to allow school children  404  to cross safely. Due to the flashing of LED light sets  106 , the illuminated portable STOP sign  100  of present invention is much more visible and demands attention from drivers.  
         [0044]     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0045]     While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.