Railroad crossing gate lamp system

The present disclosure provides a new gate lamp system and method. The system and method is configured to facilitate the installation of a gate lamp onto a gate arm, and to facilitate the replacement of one or more of the gate lamps. The present disclosure provides a system and method of installing gate lamps on a gate arm in the field in a robust manner with ease.

BACKGROUND

Railroad crossing arms are in widespread use as traffic barriers at railroad road crossings. The crossing arms are normally positioned upright and are lowered to a horizontal position when an approaching train is detected. The crossing arms of railroad crossing gates are typically provided with various signal lights that are secured to the crossing arm.

Conventionally, three signal lights are used. A first light is disposed at the far end of the crossing arm. The remaining two lights are generally spaced along the crossing arm. It is conventional that the lights be incorporated into an electrical circuit such that the light at the far end is constantly illuminated when the crossing arm is in its horizontal position. The remaining signal lights are configured such that they alternately flash off and on. Other configurations have also been used.

The environments in which railroad crossing gates are employed are often harsh. Therefore, from time to time the gate lamps need to be replaced due to damage to the lamps and or damage to the gate arm itself. There is a need for gate lamp systems that are robust, modular, and easy and efficient to install.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a new gate lamp system and method. The system and method is configured to facilitate the installation of the gate lamp onto a gate arm and to facilitate the replacement of one or more of the gate lamps. The present disclosure provides a system and method of installing gate lamps on a gate arm in the field in a robust manner with relative ease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the FIGS. generally, the present disclosure is described in further detail below.FIG. 1illustrates an example cross gate arm. As is typical, the gate includes an arm10that pivots from a generally vertical position (as shown) to a generally horizontal position. The arm typically includes a plurality of lamps12,14, and16mounted thereon. Typically the gates include three lamps. When a train is near the distal lamp12, the lamp lights up and stays on whereas the middle lamp14and the proximal lamp16flash in an alternating sequence. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the lamps12,14and16are EZ Gate® LED Lamps with Light Out Detection (LOD). They are railroad crossing gate arm lamps that adjust their operating current based on whether or not the lamp illuminates. The purpose of such lamps12,14and16is to provide light at the gate arm10and to provide electrical feedback of their state of illumination. It should be understood that although in the depicted embodiment the lamps are EZ Gate® LED lamps with Light Out Detection, the lamps12,14and16could alternatively be any other type of light emitting diodes (LED) or a non-LED lamp such as an ordinary incandescent bulb. It should be appreciated that the terms “lamp” and “light” are used interchangeably herein.

Referring toFIG. 2, in the depicted embodiment the lamps12,14,16are identical and interchangeable. In the depicted embodiment, what determines whether the particular lamp stays on or flashing according to a particular timing is based on how the lamp is connected and/or configured. Accordingly, only one of the lamps12,14,16will be described in further detail below.

Referring generally toFIGS. 2-11, in the depicted embodiment, the gate lamp16includes a lower body portion18that is configured to mount to a crossing gate arm10. In the depicted embodiment, the lower body portion18defines a channel in which can be fitted over the upper edge of a gate arm10and screwed, bolted, or clamped to the upper edge of the gate arm10. In the depicted embodiment, the lower body portion18also includes a plug portion20. The plug portion20includes at least a first conductive prong22, a second conductive prong24, and a third conductive prong26. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the gate lamp system includes a connector28including a first end30that is configured to mate with the plug portion20of the gate lamp16. In the depicted embodiment, the first end30of the connector28includes a first conductive receptacle34, a second conductive receptacle36, and a third conductive receptacle38. In the depicted embodiment, the connector28is a multi-position connector. In particular, the rotational orientation of the first end30of the connector28relative to the plug20dictates which conductive receptacles34,36,38receive which conductive prongs22,24,26. In the depicted embodiment, depending on the rotational orientation of the connector28and plug20, the lamp16can be made to stay on when a train is approaching, flash at a first timing sequence, or flash at a second timing sequence. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the system includes an electrical cord40having a non-circular outer profile (e.g., a flat cord as shown). In the depicted embodiment, the electrical cord40includes a first conductor42, a second conductor44, and a third conductor46therein. In the depicted embodiment, each of the first, second, and third conductors42,44,46are electrically insulated from each other with a known predefined location within the electrical cord40. It should be appreciated that the terms “cord” and “cable” are used interchangeably herein. Also it should be appreciated that the electrical cord40and conductors42,44,46can be used to deliver power and/or a control signal. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the electrical cord40is connected to a second end32of the connector28such that the first conductor42of the electrical cord40is electrically connected to the first conductive receptacle34, the second conductor44of the electrical cord40is electrically connected to the second conductive receptacle36, the third conductor46of the electrical cord40is electrically connected to the third conductive receptacle38. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible. For example, the connector28can be rotated relative to the plug20to align different conductors with different receptacles.

In the depicted embodiment, the second end32of the connector28includes an opening48that is shaped to axially receive and guide the electrical cord40into electrical engagement with conductors within the second end32of the connector28. In the depicted embodiment, the shape of the opening48matches the shape of the external profile of the cord40. In some embodiments, the opening48is tapered to facilitate insertion of the electrical cord40. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiments, the conductors within the second end32of the connector28include a first conductive spear50that is configured and arranged to axially extend into the first conductor42of the electrical cord40, a second conductive spear52that is configured and arranged to axially extend into the second conductor44of the electrical cord40, and a third conductive spear54that is configured and arranged to axially extend into the third conductor46of the electrical cord40. In the depicted embodiment, the act of extending the conductive spears50,52,54into the conductor42,44,46enables electrical connection between the two components. In the depicted embodiment, the spears50,52,54are conical in shape and displace the conductor42,44,46radially as the spear50,52,54is driving axially into the end of the conductor42,44,46. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, a first conductive body56connects the first conductive spear50to the first conductive receptacle34. A second conductive body58connects the second conductive spear52to the second conductive receptacle36. A third conductive body60connects the third conductive spear54to the third conductive receptacle38. In the depicted embodiment, the spear50,52,54, the conductive body56,58,60, and the receptacle34,36,38are integrally formed of a conductive material (e.g., copper, brass, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, the body portions56,58,60that connect the spears50,52,54to the receptacle34,36,38share the same structure which can facilitate their manufacturing of the connector. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the connector28is configured to receive a set screw62that is configured to secure the electrical cord40within the second end32of the connector28. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible. For example, the connector28can be configured to clamp the end of the cord40in place and/or the cord40can be potted in place with an adhesive. Referring generally toFIGS. 19-20, an alternative embodiment of the connector28that secures the electrical cord40differently is described. The first end of the connector100shares the same features and the first end of the connector28. However, the second end of the connector100is different than the second end32of the connector28in that the second end of the connector100is configured to secure the electrical cord40via a self-locking strain relief system.

In the depicted embodiment, the electrical cord40is connected to the gate lamp by pushing the cord40into engagement with the spears50,52,54at the second end of the connector100and then tightening the retaining collar102. The act of pushing the cord40into engagement with the spears50,52,54deflects the cable grip plug104and causes it to grab the sheathing of the cable to prevent it from being pulled outwardly. In the depicted embodiment, the cable grip plug104is a thin sheet of steel with feet that deflect and bite into the cable sheathing. The distance between the teeth and the upper edge of the cable opening is substantially larger than the diameter of the conductors in the electrical cord40. The axial location of the cable grip plug104is positioned to prevent shorting of the cable (i.e., the teeth are configured to not be able to contact the conductors in the cord40.

In the depicted embodiment, the connector100is weatherproof (waterproof). In the depicted embodiment, the second end of the connector100includes a first seal106, a second seal108, and a washer110. When the collar102is tightened, the seals106,108are compressed and deform, thereby preventing moisture from permeating the connection between the connector body and the electrical cord. In the depicted embodiment, the first seal106includes assistive on both primary surfaces, and the second seal108is comprised of a soft resilient material (e.g., rubber). In the depicted embodiment, the cable grip plug104, the first and second seals106,108and the washer110all include upper and lower locator notches that align with the outwardly extending tab of the connector body112. This configuration prevents these internal components from rotating as the collar102is tightened.

Referring particularly toFIG. 9, in the depicted embodiment, the first conductive receptacle34, the second conductive receptacle36, and the third conductive receptacle38, are spaced apart and positioned equal distance from a central axis CA of the connector28. In the depicted embodiment, the distance D1between the first conductive receptacle34and the second conductive receptacle36is the same as the distance D2between the first conductive receptacle34and the third conductive receptacle38. In the depicted embodiment, the receptacles34,36,38are positioned 120 degrees relative to each other. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the electrical cord40includes a generally flat top periphery portion62and a generally flat bottom periphery portion64. In the depicted embodiment, the first conductor42, the second conductor44, and the third conductor46of the electrical cord40are arranged linearly with the body of the cord40. Likewise, the spears50,52,54are also arranged linearly in a row so that they axially align with the conductors42,44,46in the cord40. In the depicted embodiment, the plug20includes a cylindrical housing defining a recess wherein the first, second, and third prongs22,24,26are located. The outer surface66of the cylindrical housing is threaded. In the depicted embodiment, the cylindrical body of the connector28includes an annual flange78located between the first and second end of the connector30,32. In the depicted embodiment, a cap engages the annular flange78configured to engage the threads66to secure the connector to the plug20. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

In the depicted embodiment, the system includes an inline connector68comprising a first end70and a second end72. In the depicted embodiment, each end is configured to axially receive and secure a distal end of an electrical cord74,76. The inline connector68can facilitate installation of a lamp system where the connector and cord are pre-connected. It should be appreciated that many other alternative configurations are also possible.

Referring toFIGS. 12-14, an alternative embodiment of a gate lamp system is shown. In the depicted embodiment, a gate lamp having an upper portion80includes a lamp and a lower portion82that is configured to be secured to a crossing gate arm10. In the depicted embodiment, the upper portion80and the lower portion82define a through channel84. In the depicted embodiment, the upper portion80includes spaced apart staggered conductive spears86,88,90that extend downwardly towards the lower portion82. In the depicted embodiment, the electrical cord92extends through the gate lamp in the through channel84. The conductive spears86,88,90are arranged and configured to pierce and make electrical connection with spaced apart longitudinal conductors within the electrical cord92.

The present disclosure also provides a method of installing a gate lamp to a crossing gate arm comprising the steps of securing a gate lamp onto a crossing gate arm, connecting the gate arm to a power source by rotationally orientating a connector to a plug on the gate lamp, axially driving a flat cord into mechanical and electrical engagement with the connector, and securing the flat cord onto the crossing gate arm. It should be appreciated that the method can include more or less steps and that the steps can occur in a number of different sequences. In the depicted embodiment, the step of axially driving a flat cord into mechanical and electrical engagement with the connector occurs before the connector is electrically connected to the plug.