Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to sign exhibiting traffic control signals such as used by school guards, road construction crews and other persons in situations where there is a need for signals which are positional or conditionally responsive to direct the actions of individuals.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     The orderly and safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic is dependent on the proper functioning of a variety of traffic control devices. Traffic safety is a growing concern throughout the world. Each year, more and more people are being injured and/or fatally wounded due to accidents. Traffic control devices range in complexity from simple placard-type signs to combination electric signal lights and vehicle sensors. The development and use of this variety of display devices is not just to control the flow of traffic, but also to advise of hazardous road conditions such as curves, construction, road icing, school crossings, pedestrian directions and the like. Many accidents are caused because one inadvertently fails to read and/or identify traffic warning signs. Many individuals are so preoccupied by activities about them that they fails to see warning signs. Our environment is saturated with signs and signals which are not recognized by the person(s) who may be endangered.  
         [0005]     Innovations in this area continue to be motivated to provide condition responsive traffic control devices. Typical examples of such devices include variable timer circuits present to control signal light cycling intervals according to expected rush-hour and non rush-hour traffic volume and embedded road surface vehicle sensors for initiating a signal light cycle. Generally, the condition responsive control devices respond to an unplanned change in the condition of the environment, such as a power outage, flooding, freezing temperature or the like. Speciality traffic control devices have been developed to try to address the problem of certain unplanned changes in the environment which affect the orderly flow of traffic or represent potential hazards.  
         [0006]     Hand-held traffic control signs are well known. A large number of these consist of an octagonal frame with a handle extending out at the lower side. That type sign has a face which is usually red with “STOP”, and yellow showing “SLOW” or similar cautionary terms in bold letters across the face. These have served a useful purpose in the past and have been widely used. However, some of these are not as easily seen in inclimate weather, darkness, twilight or dusk as desired. Various lighted sign structures have been suggested none of which are lighted in response to the position of the sign and determined by the user and which may initiate control signals to other devices in combination therewith to enhance safety.  
         [0007]     Motor vehicle drivers&#39; habits and driving awareness vary, depending on a series of obstacles in driving proficiency. Some examples are: the posted speed limit, number of travel lanes, the driver behind scenes, the sun just rising or setting creating a glare in visibility, the driver is reading or writing while he/she drives, the driver is using a cell phone, the driver is disciplining children, the volume of their stereo set high, and the obstructions on roadways. The short list of examples above reflect only a partial list of why commanding the motorist&#39;s attention on what is going on outside the vehicle, and on the roadway is becoming increasingly more and more difficult.  
         [0008]     Flashing lights have been used for decades to gain motorist awareness from simple businesses displaying these signs or traffic signs themselves. Simple flashing of signs no longer gains the motorist attention due to the partial list of examples above. We have incorporated into our device, single light emitting diodes, hereinafter referred to as “LED”, in self contained clusters of three LEDs in an optical exact light output magnification refection which creates a brilliant light output. Built into this three cluster LED lighting device are multiple flashing sequences and even a “steady” burn cycle all for gaining and demanding the motorist complete attention while traveling the roadway.  
         [0009]     A second self enclosed set of three individual LED lights in an identical maximum optically correct light can be supplied for roadway situations, such as four or six travel lanes which carry higher volumes of traffic at various speeds. The second set of LEDs may be programmed to work identically as the first set of LEDs, or work in an alternating flashing sequence as well as multiple settings of flash cycles.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held device into which a sign may be forcefully inserted to provide a sign that is highly visible to an approaching motorist or pedestrian.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a road sign that is lightweight and easy to hold for extended periods of time.  
         [0012]     Still another object of the intention is to provide a hand-held sign that is effective to flash or be lighted only when the user desires to effect a viewer&#39;s recognition and response and/or to remotely control other signals responsive to the same user reaction and control.  
         [0013]     Still another object of this invention is to provide lighting that is selectively configured to simply light, flash, flash in a pre-determined sequence and/or colors for a desired display.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, hand-held device that includes circuitry to cause a signal to be transmitted to a remote signaling device which operates in unison or a predetermined sequence with the hand-held device.  
         [0015]     A further object of the present invention is to provide illumination means comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are programmable to flash in a predetermined sequence and/or colors.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The above objects are achieved with a portable hand-held device for selective engagement with a sign wherein the hand-held device utilizes a positional sensitive switch to activate lights to illuminate the surface of a sign to cause superior recognition of such sign at all times and in inclimate conditions as well as being interactive with a remote sign for selective control thereof.  
         [0017]     The sign includes a front unitary side and a back unitary side which may be selectively engaged into the handle of the hand-held device having switching means therein for voluntary control of the lighting effect of the sign. In an alternate embodiment the hand-held device embodies switching means for activating a signaling means for control of a remote lighting means for further indication to viewers a desired message.  
         [0018]     In a preferred embodiment, the two sides of a sign are nearly symmetrical. The hand held device has a slit therein for forcibly receiving the sign or other structure there into in a mating relationship. The hand-held device houses a switch which is positional sensitive to cause the sign to be lighted when held in a preferred position and extinguished otherwise to thus permit the user to voluntarily determine when to optimize the recognition of the sign.  
         [0019]     A sign of one&#39;s choice may be selectively engaged into the handle for use. Each side of the slit has a surface that is textured to maintain the sign within the slit&#39;s confines. An electrical power source is operatively connected to the hand-held device through a switch to energize the illumination means. The hand-held device may also include a transmitter which is energized when the illumination means is energized to transmit a signal to a remote receiver for thus energizing a lighting means at a remote location. When the hand-held device is positionally changed to cause the illumination means (lights) to be extinguished, a signal is then transmitted to the received to turn off the illumination means at the remote location. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a partly perspective view of a prior art hand-held sign of conventional type used to direct traffic or school crossings.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a hand-held device without a sign inserted there into.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a left side view of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a front side of the hand-held device with a sign partially inserted there into according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the hand-held device  2  as shown in  FIG. 2A  with a sign positioned the hand-held device.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hand-held device with a “stop” sign mounted therein and disclosing a power supply attached to the handle for illumination of the lighting effects of the combination.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  discloses a remote illumination means  19  which may be remotely controlled by hand-held device  2 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  discloses a preferred embodiment schematic diagram of hand-held device  2 , in combination with a remote illumination means  19  and related apparatus such a power supply  12 , controller  17  and lighting means  14  and lighting means  16 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  discloses a remote illumination means on a traffic cone remote to the hand-held device.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the illumination means of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side view of  FIG. 9  wherein the front side, the back side, the right side, the left side and the top side are identical as visually perceived.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  discloses a schematic diagram of hand-held device  2  in combination with a remote illumination means similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 7  which embodies arrays of light emitting diodes.  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  discloses an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the remote illumination device is a traffic cone with illumination means.  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  discloses a schematic diagram of hand-held device  2   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     Referring now to the drawings, the details of preferred embodiments of the present invention are graphically and schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings will be represented by like numbers.  
         [0035]     The present invention provides a hand-held device for forcibly receiving a sign there into that is easier to hold for long periods of time and more visible, as viewed from long distance by oncoming motorist. Various signs may be used as determined by the use. Preferred embodiments of the invention are versatile because they allow different sign expanses to be interchanged on the same basic frame and structure. The invention also includes a combinational use of the hand-held device in combination with a remote light fixture to further implement cautionary alert of viewers.  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  discloses a well-known hand-held prior art sign familiar to individuals for indicating when traffic or individuals are to stop.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 2A , hand-held device  2  has lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  which are directionally opposite to each other. There is a slit or groove  8  which is between illumination means  4  and illumination means  6  and along the longitudinal axis  7  of hand-held device  2 . Slit  8  has a first side  9  and a second side  11  which are resilient, that is, they are rigid and non-deformable under normal use. The first side  9  of slit  8  has an interior surface  13  and the second side  11  of slit  8  has an interior surface  15  which are juxtaposed. Juxtaposed surfaces  13  and  15  of slit  8  are textured to affirmatively grasp a structure which is forcibly inserted into slit  8  in a secure manner. One may remove the structure so inserted and insert a different structure dictated by the need of the user of the hand-held device  2 .  
         [0038]     Lighting means  4  has an aperture  7  which is an opening into the interior of lighting means  4  to thus permit light to be emitted upwardly to illuminate sign  10  ( FIG. 3 ) disposed in slit  8 . Lighting means  6  has an aperture  5  which is an opening into the interior of lighting means  5  to thus permit light to be emitted upwardly to illuminate sign  10  disposed in slit  8 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 2B  discloses a left side view of  FIG. 2A  showing lighting means  6 . Lighting means  6  may have an aperture  5  to thus permit light from lighting means  6  to be emitted upwardly to illuminate sign  10 . The right side of  FIG. 2A  is identical to the left side shown in  FIG. 2B .  
         [0040]      FIG. 3  discloses structure  10  which is partially inserted into hand-held device  2 . As structure  10  is positioned into slit  8 , the internal side  13  and internal side  15  of the slit  8  ( FIG. 2A ) grasp structure  10  to securely hold structure  10 .  
         [0041]     Hand-held device  2  is further disclosed in  FIG. 5  as being selectively connected to power supply  12  which supplies the power to cause the illumination means  4  and illumination device  6  to be selectively illuminated. Power supply  12  may be connected to the hand held device  2  through controller  17  for selectively energizing the lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  of the hand held device  2  to cause lighting means  4  lighting means  6  to pulse in a predetermined manner or to have a steady burn as desired by the user.  
         [0042]     Hand-held device  2  may be used to control a sign or illumination device  19  ( FIG. 6 ) that is remote to hand-held device  2 . Illumination device  19  comprises illumination means  14  and illumination means  16  which are responsive to a control system housed in structure  18 . The entire structure is supported on a vertical member  21 . The details of the control system in structure  18  are disclosed in  FIG. 7  to include a receiver  26  with an internal switch  28 , a power supply  30  for energizing lighting means  14  and lighting means  16 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 8  represents a traffic cone which has mounted thereon an illumination means  80  which has mounted thereon various arrays of lighting means  84   a ,  86   a ,  88   a ,  90   a  and  92   a.    
         [0044]     A schematic of the electrical connections of hand-held device  2  and remote illumination device  19  are shown in  FIG. 7 . Hand-held device  2  comprises a first switching means  20  which is positionally responsive to cause switch  20  to be in a closed position when hand-held device  2  is caused to be in a predetermined posture. When switch  20  is closed, lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  are energized. When the position of hand-held device  2  is changed, switch  20  will open to thus cause lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  to be extinguished (the electric current supply  12  is disconnected from said illumination means  4  and illumination means  6 ).  
         [0045]     Controller  17  may be connected between power source  12  and lighting means  4  and lighting means  7  to thereby control the particular lighting sequence of lighting means  4  and lighting means  6 .  
         [0046]     Switching means  22  is positionally responsive in the same manner as switching means  20 . When switching means  20  is open, switching means  22  is in position A. When switching means  20  is closed, switching means  22  is in position B. Switching means  20  and switching means  22  are positioned to respond to the position of the hand-held device  2  in like manner.  
         [0047]     The purpose of switching means  22  is to activate transmitter  24  which is a transmitter readily available in the art which transmits a signal to be received by state-of-the art receiver  26  to cause switching means  28  to be closed to thus cause illumination means  14  and illumination means  16  to be energized by power supply  30 . In this manner, remote illumination device  19  is energized in sequence with hand held device  2 . Transmitter  24  and receiver  26  are state-of-the-art devices which inherently include an internal power source for powering the transmitter  27  and/or the receiver  28 .  
         [0048]     When hand held-device  2  is positioned to cause the lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  thereon to be extinguished (switch  20  is open) and switch  22  is position A, the transmitter is thus caused to emit a signal which signal is received by receiver  26  to cause switch  28  to open to extinguish illumination means (lights)  14  and illumination means  16 .  
         [0049]     Controller  32  of remote illumination device  19  may be selectively connected between power supply  30  and lighting means  14  and lighting means  16  to thus cause lighting means  14  and lighting means  16  to pulsate or be illuminated in a predetermined manner for best viewer recognition.  
         [0050]     Illumination means  4  and illumination means  6  ( FIG. 4 ) may be an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which flash in a predetermined sequence or burn or flash as an array. Such arrays are available in the prior art and provide a new and useful application for such embodiments as the present invention. The LEDs may be of varying colors, red, amber, white or other variations, in combination or singularly displayed. The same principles apply to light emitting means  14  and light emitting means  16  ( FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). Light emitting means  14  and light emitting means  16  are bi-directional in that the light is directed in exact opposite directions from the sign by each illumination means. In the schematic disclosed in  FIG. 7 , lighting means  14  and lighting means  16  may be light emitting diode array  4  and light emitting diode array  6  as disclosed in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  discloses an alternative embodiment wherein light means  4  is particularly adapted to use an array of light emitting diodes  4   a . An array of light emitting diodes  4   a  are selectively illuminated by controller  4   b  to cause the light emitting diodes  4   a  to sequentially flash, strobe in unison or just be illuminated “burn” in unison. The particular manner in which light emitting diodes  4   a  illuminate is selectively determined by controller  4   b.    
         [0052]      FIG. 11  further discloses an alternative embodiment wherein light means  6  is particularly adapted to use an array of light emitting diodes  6   a . An array of light emitting diodes  6   a  are selectively illuminated by controller  6   b  to cause the light emitting diodes  6   a  to sequentially flash, strobe in unison or just be illuminated “burn” in unison. The particular manner in which light emitting diodes  6   a  illuminate is selectively determined by controller  6   b.    
         [0053]     Lighting means  14  and lighting means  16  disclosed in  FIG. 6  may also be light emitting diodes as disclosed in  FIG. 11  instead of incandescent or other lighting bulbs commonly known in the art. Lighting means  80  on traffic cone  82  may be light emitting diodes as disclosed in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 8  discloses a further embodiment of a remote control device such as is disclosed in  FIG. 6 . Many traffic control situations such as school crossings utilize a cone usually orange in color. While the selected color attracts the attention of pedestrians and motorists, the recognition factor may be improved by positioning an illumination means  80  on top of cone  82 . Illumination means  80  may be illuminated during certain times as when school children are leaving school. Alternatively, lighting means  80  may be remotely controlled by hand-held device  2  by way of the circuitry disclosed in  FIG. 12 . In this manner, lighting means  80  is selectively energized as determined by the user of hand-held device  2 . When hand-held device  2  is positioned in a predetermined posture, transmitter  24  ( FIG. 12 ) will cause a signal to be transmitted to receiver  26  to thus cause illumination means  80  ( FIG. 8  and  FIG. 12 ) to be energized.  
         [0055]     Illumination means  80  is further disclosed in  FIG. 8  to disclose lighting means  84   a  on side  84  of illumination means  80 , lighting means  86   a  on side  86  of illumination means  80 , lighting means  88   a  on side  88  of illumination means  80 , lighting means  90   a  on side  90  of illumination means  80  and lighting means  92   a  on side  92  of lighting means  80 . While it is disclosed that a lighting means is disposed on each side of illumination means  80  except for the bottom side, it is not necessary that each side of illumination means  80  be illuminated as only one selected side may be lighted as determined by the environment of use. Each side  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  and  92  of illumination means  80  may be identical as shown in the side view disclosed in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0056]     Illumination means  80  may be an array or light emitting diodes. For example, lighting means  84   a  may an array of light emitting diodes and associated controller as is lighting means  4  and lighting means  6  disclosed in  FIG. 11 . Thus, each lighting emitting diode array may be caused to pulsate or burn in a predetermined manner. Each side of illumination means  80  may be comprises of selected lighting means. Lighting means  84  a and lighting means  86   a  and lighting means  88   a  and lighting means  90   a  and lighting means  92   a  may be identical or may be of different colors and/or types of lighting means such as incandescent or light emitting diodes or other lighting means available in the prior art. Each such lighting means may have circuitry such as lighting means  4  of hand-held device  2  as disclosed in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0057]     While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the intention, but rather as exemplifications of one or another preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible, which would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, and not just by the embodiments.  
         [0058]     It is therefore understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.  
         [0059]     Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

Technology Category: 0