Patent Publication Number: US-5023607-A

Title: Pedestrian crossing safety apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention relates to signal apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus wherein the same is arranged for directing attention to arrest movement of motor vehicles permitting pedestrians to cross at designated intersections. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     At various intersections particularly intersections relating to passage of pedestrians such as school children and the like, crossing guards are frequently at a disadvantage in directing attention to a pedestrian crossing environment. The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing a signal arrangement particularly arranged to direct attention to a pedestrian crossing and enhance safety of the pedestrian crossing environment. 
     Examples of the prior art signal apparatus may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,215 to ANDERS et al wherein a signal member is positioned for mounting upon a vehicular roof and the like with a flashing light mounted at a corner thereof to indicate a distress situation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,494 to CROTWELL sets forth a lighted sign and includes a flasher arrangement with legs for mounting upon a vehicle and the like with electrical association to a cigarette lighter organization of an associated vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,726 to SULLIVAN sets forth a portable distress signal apparatus utilizing a sleeve mounted to a staff. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,565 to COX sets forth a distress sign arranged for placement on an upper edge of a vertically movable window such as utilized in a motor vehicle by use of a clip arrangement. 
     As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved pedestrian crossing signal apparatus as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the instant invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of signal apparatus present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus wherein the same utilizes a readily transportable and selectively positionable self contained signal apparatus to effect notice to motor vehicle operators of a pedestrian crossing. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art signal apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the pedestrian crossing safety apparatus of the instant invention includes apparatus including an L-shaped handle mounting a battery pack at one end thereof and a selectively actuated flashing sign at an upper end thereof wherein the flashing sign includes a border of a first coloration contrasting to a central panel of a second coloration each coloration formed of a reflective material wherein the handle of the organization includes a reflective strip of a first coloration including a handle and a switch member. The organization may further include a joint member to permit inter-folding of the organization for ease of transport and storage. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art signal apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such pedestrian crossing safety apparatus economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus which may be compactly stored when not being utilized. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus wherein the same sets forth structure to arrange a self contained signal apparatus for transport and selective positioning relative to a pedestrian crossing environment. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a prior art signal apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of a further prior art signal apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is an orthographic frontal view taken in elevation of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an orthographic rear view taken in elevation of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view taken in elevation of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagramatic illustration of an electrical circuit utilized by the instant invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric illustration of a modified handle structure utilized by the instant invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric illustration somewhat enlarged of section 8 as set forth in FIG. 7. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 8 thereof, a new and improved pedestrian crossing safety apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art signal structure 1 wherein a support post 2 is telescopingly received within a sign 3 utilizing a flasher unit 4 to direct attention to the sign organization. FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a flashing sign structure 6 utilizing electrical association by a cord structure 7 to a cigarette lighter of an associated motor vehicle. 
     More specifically, the pedestrian crossing safety apparatus 10 of the instant invention essentially comprises, an L-shaped support shaft 11 including an alternating first reflective stripe 12 defined by a first coloration such as a reflective red or yellow with a second reflective stripe 13 of a second contrasting coloration such as white wherein the first and second stripes are helically wound about the support shaft 11. A U-shaped handle 14 is integrally and orthogonally mounted medially of a vertical shaft portion of the handle 11 adjacent an on/off switch 15 positioned adjacent the handle to permit convenient manipulation of the switch during use. A battery storage container 16 is mounted at a lower terminal end of the vertical extent of the support shaft 11 and provides a support base as well as a counter balance to a sign member 17 mounted at a remote terminal end of the horizontal extent of the support shaft 11. The sign member 17 includes a reflective sign first coloration 18 such as a red or yellow coloration with a reflective second coloration 19 defined as a continuous border about the first coloration 18. 
     The sign is formed of an octagonal configuration conformity with universally accepted stop sign configurations with contrasting letters positioned medially of the reflective first coloration 18 to indicate the word &#34;Stop&#34;. 
     A series of 4 flashing light sets 20 are mounted at respective upper, lower, right side, and left side portions of the border 19 and cooperate with a flasher unit 21 to effect flashing of the bulbs of the light sets 20. Reference to FIG. 7 and 8 illustrates a modified support shaft 11a of the organization wherein the support shaft 11a includes a horizontal leg 23 pivotally mounted to a vertical leg 24 wherein the battery storage container 16 is mounted at a lower terminal end of the vertical leg 24 while the sign member 17 is mounted at a free terminal end of the horizontal leg 23. A selectively lockable joint member 25 is mounted at an intersection defined by the horizontal and vertical legs 23 and 24 respectively wherein a horizontal leg plate 28 projects longitudinally of the horizontal leg 23 while a vertical leg plate 29 projects longitudinally of the vertical leg 24 wherein the horizontal and vertical leg plates 28 and 29 respectively are pivotally mounted relative to one another and selectively locked together by a joint member 25. The horizontal leg 23 includes a horizontal leg opening 23a while the vertical leg 24 includes a vertical leg opening 24a to direct a first and second electrical connective wire 26 and 27 from the vertical leg to the horizontal leg to effect electrical communication between the battery container 16 including a conventional storage battery therewithin in electrical communication with the sign member 17 through the switch 15 in a manner as set forth in FIG. 6 for example. The first and second electrical wires 26 and 27 define a length between the horizontal and vertical leg openings 23a and 24a of an extent greater than that defined by the respective horizontal and vertical leg plate 28 and 29 to permit accommodation of rotation of the horizontal leg 23 relative to the vertical leg 24 during pivotment of the horizontal leg 23 relative to the vertical leg 24 for storage and transport of the organization. 
     The joint member 25 includes a series of first radial serrated teeth 30 formed on the horizontal leg plate 28 including a threaded boss 32 orthogonally and integrally mounted coaxially of the first radial serrated teeth 30 on the horizontal leg plate 28. A series of second radial serrated teeth 31 are positioned in confronting relationship to the first radial serrated teeth 30 wherein the second radial serrated teeth 31 are mounted on the vertical leg plate 29 with a securement fastener 33 securable to the threaded boss 32 to sandwich the vertical leg plate 29 between the securement fastener 33 and the horizontal leg plate 28. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.