Abstract:
A traffic signal system for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The traffic signal system includes a support member including at least one receiver member and at least one light module including a plug member extending outwardly from the light module, wherein the plug member is positionable within a cavity of the receiver member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable to this application. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable to this application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to traffic lights and more specifically it relates to a traffic signal system for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
         [0007]    Traffic lights have been in use for years. Typically, traffic lights are used as signaling devices and are positioned at places, such as but not limited to road intersections and pedestrian crossings to indicate whether it is safe to proceed. 
         [0008]    Traffic lights are generally comprised of a container holding a plurality of lights. When replacing or performing maintenance on the traffic lights it is generally required to hingedbly open and close the container to gain access to the traffic light. There is generally a wide array of movable parts and wiring associated with the container of the traffic lights, which makes performing maintenance on traffic lights tedious and cumbersome. 
         [0009]    Traffic lights are also generally positioned at a high vertical height with a minimal amount of support structures nearby. Because of the lack of support structures, it is generally preferred to spend a minimal amount of time maintaining traffic lights. Traffic lights that include a wide array of parts and complicated container structures generally take longer to perform maintenance on because of the difficulty in accessing the traffic light. 
         [0010]    While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Traffic lights with complicated container structures can prove to be tedious in performing maintenance on and also generally have an unnecessarily large amount of parts that are subjectable to being lost over time. 
         [0011]    In these respects, the traffic signal system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of traffic lights now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new traffic signal system construction wherein the same can be utilized for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 
         [0013]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new traffic signal system that has many of the advantages of the traffic lights mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new traffic signal system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art traffic lights, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0014]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a support member including at least one receiver member and at least one light module including a plug member extending outwardly from the light module, wherein the plug member is positionable within a cavity of the receiver member. 
         [0015]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0016]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0017]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a traffic signal system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
         [0018]    A second object is to provide a traffic signal system for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide a traffic signal system that does not require the use of tools to interchange traffic lights. 
         [0020]    An additional object is to provide a traffic signal system that utilizes a light system comprised of a LED signal module. 
         [0021]    A further object is to provide a traffic signal system that easily mountable. 
         [0022]    A further object is to provide a traffic signal system that does not have any exposed electrical wiring. 
         [0023]    A further object is to provide a traffic signal system that is lightweight. 
         [0024]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is am exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with one light module exploded. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway magnified upper perspective of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a front magnified view of the present invention with the light module in an initial position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a front magnified view of the present invention with the light module in a locked position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
       [0033]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 6  illustrate a traffic signal system  10 , which comprises a support member  20  including at least one receiver member  24  and at least one light module  50  including a plug member  52  extending outwardly from the light module  50 , wherein the plug member  52  is positionable within a cavity  26  of the receiver member  24 . 
       B. Support Member 
       [0034]    The support member  20  is preferably comprised of a tubular configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The support member  20  is also comprised of an elongated configuration to accommodate a plurality of light modules  50 . The support member  20  is preferably comprised of a metal material to provide added strength to the traffic signal system  10  and also to endure harsh weather conditions; however the support member  20  may be comprised of alternate materials, such as but not limited to plastic. 
         [0035]    The support member  20  includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end of the support member  20  are preferably comprised of substantially similar configurations. Further, the first end and the second end of the support member  20  are preferably comprised of a threaded configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0036]    When the threaded configurations of the first end and the second end are not being utilized a first cap  21  and a second cap  22  are preferably positioned over the first end and the second end as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The first cap  21  and the second cap  22  preferably restrict foreign elements (i.e. dust, rain, etc.) from accessing an interior of the support member  20 . 
         [0037]    At least one receiver member  24  extends out from the support member  20  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Further, there are preferably three receiver members  24  extending from the support member  20  to receive three light modules  50 ; however it is appreciated that there may be more than three receiver members  24  utilized with the traffic signal system  10 . The receiver members  24  are preferably comprised of an electrical receptacle configuration. The receiver members  24  are also preferably weatherproof and watertight to withstand harsh weather conditions. The receiver members  24  of the support member  20  are also preferably perpendicularly oriented toward the housing unit  40 . 
         [0038]    The receiver members  24  each include a plurality of cavities  26  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The cavities  26  preferably extend into the receiver member  24 . The cavities  26  are also comprised of an elongated configuration to secure the plug members  52  of the light module  50 . The cavities  26  are preferably positioned around an inner radius of the receiver member  24  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0039]    At least one of the cavities  26  preferably includes a first extending portion  27 . The first extending portion  27  preferably extends perpendicularly inward from at least one of the cavities  26 . It is appreciated that the cavities  26  of the receiver members  24  may be positioned in an alternate configuration rather than the preferred embodiment. 
         [0040]    Each of the receiver members  24  preferably include electrically wiring  28 , wherein the electrical wiring  28  travels through a hollow interior of the support member  20  and into a container  29  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The electrical wiring  28  of the receiver members  24  preferably terminates inside the container  29 . The container  29  is preferably attached to the support member  20 . 
         [0041]    The container  29  is preferably comprised of an electrical junction box configuration. The container  29  serves as an access point to the electrical wiring  28  of the traffic signal system  10 . The electrical wiring  28  preferably transfers a current source to the receiver members  24 . It is appreciated that the receiver members  24  may receive a current source through various other manners rather than the preferred embodiment, such as but not limited to batteries. 
       C. Attachment Members 
       [0042]    The attachment members  30 ,  32  preferably extend from the support member  20  to a back of the housing unit  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Further, the attachment members  30 ,  32  attach the support member  20  to the housing unit  40 . The attachment members  30 ,  32  are comprised of a strong material, such as but not limited to metal. The attachment members  30 ,  32  also preferably include a plurality of first attachment members  30  and a plurality of second attachment members  32 . 
         [0043]    The first attachment members  30  preferably attach an upper end of the support member  20  to an upper end of the housing unit  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The second attachment members  32  preferably attach a lower end of the support member  20  to a lower end of the housing unit  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The first attachment members  30  and the second attachment members  32  are preferably positioned at an angle to provide added strength to the attachment of the housing unit  40  and the support member  20 . It is appreciated that the traffic signal system  10  may use a plurality of different attachment methods to attach the support member  20  to the housing unit  40  rather than the preferred embodiment. 
       D. Housing Unit 
       [0044]    The housing unit  40  is preferably comprised of a separate structure than the support member  20 ; however it is appreciated that the housing unit  40  may be integrally formed with the support member  20 . The housing unit  40  is also preferably comprised of a metal material to provide added strength to the traffic signal system  10  and also to endure harsh weather conditions; however it is appreciated that the housing unit  40  may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to plastic. 
         [0045]    The housing unit  40  preferably includes a first plate member  42  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The first plate member  42  is preferably comprised of a rectangular configuration; however other configurations may be utilized with the first plate member  42 , such as but not limited to a square or circular configuration. The first plate member  42  preferably includes a plurality of vents  43 . The vents  43  are preferably positioned throughout the first plate member  42 , wherein the vents  43  extend through the first plate member  42 . Further, the vents  43  reduce wind resistance upon the traffic signal system  10 . 
         [0046]    An interior of the first plate member  42  is also preferably cutout to receive a second plate member  45  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The first plate member  42  and the second plate member  45  are preferably separate structures; however it is appreciated that the first plate member  42  and the second plate member  45  may be comprised of an integrally formed structure. 
         [0047]    The second plate member  45  is preferably comprised of a rectangular configuration and preferably fits slightly over the cutout portion of the first plate member  42 . The second plate member  45  preferably includes at least one opening  46 . The opening  46  is preferably substantially similar in diameter to the diameter of an outer edge of a shell  55  of the light module  50  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . Further, the second plate member  45  preferably includes three openings  46  to receive three light modules  50 ; however it is appreciated that there may be more than three openings  46  utilized with the traffic signal system  10 . 
         [0048]    The openings  46  are each preferably positioned along the same longitudinal axis of the support member  20 . Each of the centers of the openings  46  preferably align with a center of the receiver member  24 . Further, there preferably exist an equal number of openings  46  in the second plate member  45  as there are receiver members  24  along the support member  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
         [0049]    The second plate member  45  also preferably includes at least one shield member  49 . The shield member  49  preferably extends perpendicularly outward from the outer edge of the openings  46  of second plate member  45  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The shield members  49  help to reduce the glare of the sun upon the light modules  50 . 
         [0050]    The housing unit  40  also preferably includes a first tab  47  and a second tab  48 . The first tab  47  and the second tab  48  are preferably attached substantially near the front outer edge of the openings  46  of the second plate member  45  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . The first tab  47  and the second tab  48  are preferably positioned 180 degrees apart from each other around the opening  46 . It is appreciated however that the first tab  47  and the second tab  48  may be positioned at various places around the opening  46 . It is also appreciated that the present invention may include multiple tabs  47 ,  48  positioned about the opening  46 . The first tab  47  preferably prevents the light module  50  from moving horizontally outward while positioned within the opening  46 . The second tab  48  preferably prevents the light module  50  from rotating and moving horizontally outward while positioned within the opening  46 . 
       E. Light Module 
       [0051]    The light module  50  is preferably comprised of a traffic light module configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . It is appreciated that the traffic signal system  10  preferably includes three light modules  50  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; however it is appreciated that there may be more or less than three light modules  50  utilized with the traffic signal system  10 . The light modules  50  are also preferably comprised of LED signal modules; however it is appreciated that the light modules  50  may be comprised of various configurations rather than the preferred embodiment. 
         [0052]    The light modules  50  are preferably comprised of a configuration substantially similar to the openings  46  of the housing unit  40 , wherein the light modules  50  are positioned within the openings  46 . The light modules  50  also preferably include a plurality of plug members  52  as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 6 . The plug members  52  preferably fit within the cavities  26  of the receiver member  24 . The plug members  52  and the receiver member  24  are preferably comprised of a twist and lock configuration. Further, the plug members  52  and the receiver member  24  are preferably comprised of an electrical plug and socket configuration, wherein the light module  50  receives power via the plug members  52 . 
         [0053]    The plug members  52  are preferably comprised of elongated configurations. The length of the plug members  52  is preferably substantially similar to the depth of the cavities  26  of the receiver member  24 . The plug members  52  preferably extend out from a rear of the light module  50 . Further, the plug members  52  preferably extend out from the light module  50  at a rear center of the light module  50  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The plug members  52  are also preferably positioned around an inner radius of the light module  50 . 
         [0054]    At least one of the plug members  52  preferably includes a second extending portion  53 . The second extending portion  53  preferably extends perpendicularly inward from at least one of the plug members  52 . The second extending portion  53  is received by the first extending portion  27  of the cavities  26 . When the plug members  52  are inserted into the cavities  26  the light module  50  is preferably rotated so the second extending portion  53  locks the light module  50  within the receiver member  24 . It is appreciated that the plug members  52  and the receiver member  24  may be comprised of various electrical plug and socket configurations rather than the preferred embodiment. 
         [0055]    The light module  50  also preferably includes a shell  55  surrounding an outer edge of the light module  50  as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4 . An outer diameter of the shell  55  is preferably substantially similar to a diameter of the opening  46  of the housing unit  40 . The shell  55  preferably fits within the opening  46  of the housing unit  40 . A lens  54  is also attached to the outer side of the shell  55 . The lens  54  preferably includes a first slot  56  and a second slot  57  positioned about the outer edge as shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . It is appreciated however that the first slot  56  and the second slot  57  may be positioned upon the outer edge of the shell  55 . The first slot  56  and the second slot  57  are further preferably positioned 180 degrees apart from each other around the lens  54 . It is appreciated that there are an equal number of slots  56 ,  57  positioned about the light module  50  as there are tabs  47 ,  48  positioned about the opening  46 . 
         [0056]    The first slot  56  and the second slot  57  preferably receive the first tab  47  and the second tab  48  respectively when inserting the light module  50  within the opening  46 . The first slot  56  is further preferably positioned about the top of the light module  50  and the second slot  57  is preferably positioned about the bottom of the light module  50  so the user may easily access the second slot  57  and second tab  48  through the lower gap in the shield members  49 . The radius of the bottom portion of the light module  50  is also preferably slightly greater than the radius of the top portion of the light module  50  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6  so as to properly secure the second tab  48  within the second slot  57 . 
         [0057]    The first slot  56  is preferably comprised of a recessed configuration upon the outer edge of the lens  54 . The first slot  56  receives the first tab  47  when the light module  50  is positioned within the opening  46 . Further, an outer lip of the first tab  47  extends horizontally outward from the first slot  56 , wherein when the light module  50  is rotated the lip of the first tab  47  catches on the outer edge of the light module  50  thus preventing the light module  50  from moving horizontally outward as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0058]    The second slot  57  is preferably comprised of a recessed configuration upon the outer edge of the lens  54 . The second slot  57  includes a receiving portion  58  and a locking portion  59 . The outer edges of the locking portion  59  preferably extend slightly downward to catch the horizontal portion of the second tab  48  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The second slot  57  receives the second tab  48  when the light module  50  is positioned within the opening  46 . The horizontal portion of the second tab  48  is initially positioned along an outer edge of the receiving portion  58 , wherein when the light module  50  is rotated the horizontal portion of the second tab  48  is positioned within the locking portion  59  to prevent the light module  50  from rotating further as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0059]    Further, an outer lip of the second tab  48  is preferably initially positioned within the receiving portion  58  of the second slot  57 , wherein when the light module  50  is rotated the lip of the second tab  48  is repositioned over the locking portion  59  to prevent the light module  50  from moving horizontally outward as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The second tab  48  preferably locks within the locking portion  59  of the second slot  57  at a simultaneous time as the plug members  52  lock into the receiver member  24  when rotating the light module  50 . 
         [0060]    The second tab  48  is released from the locking portion  59  and forced into the receiving portion  58  by pushing a dividing member between the receiving portion  58  and the locking portion  59  perpendicularly away from the receiving portion  58  and locking portion  59 . When the second tab  48  is positioned within the receiving portion  58  the light module  50  is preferably able to be removed from the housing unit  40  and the support member  20 . 
       F. In Use 
       [0061]    In use, the support member  20  is first mounted at an adequate position to serve as a traffic signal light. The support member  20  may be mounted via threadably mounting the first end and second end to a support structure. The support member  20  may also be mounted by being clamped against a pole or other structure. It is appreciated that the traffic signal system  10  may be mounted in a plurality of other manners consistent with mounting a traffic light. 
         [0062]    After the traffic signal system  10  is securely mounted the electrical wiring  28  may be accessed via the container  29  and subsequently connected to an outside power source. The light modules  50  are now inserted within the openings  46  of the housing unit  40  so the second extending portion  53  of the plug members  52  enters the first extending portion  27  of the cavities  26  and the first tab  47  extends through the first slot  56  and the second tab  48  extends within the second slot  57 , referred to as the initial position. The light modules  50  are now rotated, thus securing the light modules  50  within the housing unit  40  and support member  20 . 
         [0063]    When removing a light module  50  from the housing unit  40  and support member  20  the lens  54  is depressed firmly substantially near the slot  57  to disengage the second tab  48  and the light module  50  is pushed slightly inward to disengage the plug members  52 . The light module  50  is now rotated in an opposite direction as the light module  50  was rotated when the light module  50  was attached to the housing unit  40  and the support member  20 . Once the light module  50  reaches the initial position it may be removed by pulling the light module  50  perpendicularly outward from the opening  46  and the receiver member  24 . Another light module  50  may subsequently be replaced within the housing unit  40  and the support member  20 . 
         [0064]    What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.