U.S. patent application number 11/374264 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for directional highway buoy.
Invention is credited to Steven J. Frey.
Application Number | 20060204328 11/374264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36971108 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060204328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frey; Steven J. |
September 14, 2006 |
Directional highway buoy
Abstract
An improved highway barricade light, with increased visibility
and operational life span that can be installed on a common traffic
channelizer, without preventing the stacking of the channelizer. A
base with hand-hold features is attached to the top of a traffic
channelizer. The base holds a rechargeable power supply, control
circuitry, switch, solar cell and a photoresistor. A reflector ring
attaches to the base and holds an array of light emitting diodes
(LED) circumferentially around the device. The LED's can be
controlled to create a variety of flashing patterns to direct
motorists, including, but not limited to, constant burn, flashing,
clockwise, counter-clockwise, upward, downward and random. A
transparent or translucent cover attaches to the base to protect
the components, and may be flat, conical or dome shaped.
Inventors: |
Frey; Steven J.; (Dearborn
Heights, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVEN J. FREY
3955 MAYFAIR
DEARBORN HEIGHTS
MI
48125
US
|
Family ID: |
36971108 |
Appl. No.: |
11/374264 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60661561 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/654 20160201;
E01F 9/688 20160201; E01F 9/615 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/009 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/00 20060101
E01F009/00 |
Claims
1. A directional highway buoy for providing motorists warning
indications and information while approaching and driving through
construction zones, comprising: means for positioning and mounting
the device to the top of a common traffic channelizer and provide
hand-holds for lifting the traffic channelizer; means for retaining
the device to a common traffic channelizer; means for accepting
power from a solar cell, battery and photoresistor, controlling the
recharging of a battery and the operational cycle, flash rate and
sequence of a plurality of light emitting diodes, rigidly secured
to said means for positioning and mounting the device to the top of
a common traffic channelizer and provide hand-holds for lifting the
traffic channelizer; means for the detection of darkness,
functionally connected to said means for accepting power from a
solar cell, battery and photoresistor, controlling the recharging
of a battery and the operational cycle, flash rate and sequence of
a plurality of light emitting diodes; means for selecting the
operational mode for the device, functionally connected to said
means for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and
photoresistor, controlling the recharging of a battery and the
operational cycle, flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light
emitting diodes; means for providing power to light emitting
diodes, functionally connected to said means for accepting power
from a solar cell, battery and photoresistor, controlling the
recharging of a battery and the operational cycle, flash rate and
sequence of a plurality of light emitting diodes, and generally
supported to said means for positioning and mounting the device to
the top of a common traffic channelizer and provide hand-holds for
lifting the traffic channelizer; means for retaining and arranging
a plurality of light emitting diodes around the device in a radial
arrangement while providing a means to reflect and focus light in
an outward direction, coaxially fitted to said means for
positioning and mounting the device to the top of a common traffic
channelizer and provide hand-holds for lifting the traffic
channelizer; means for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes in a vertical pattern, circumferentially retained
to said means for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes around the device in a radial arrangement while
providing a means to reflect and focus light in an outward
direction; means for producing visible light, securely mounted to
said means for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes in a vertical pattern, and functionally connected
to said means for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and
photoresistor, controlling the recharging of a battery and the
operational cycle, flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light
emitting diodes; means for producing electricity to power light
emitting diodes and recharging a battery, functionally connected to
said means for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and
photoresistor, controlling the recharging of a battery and the
operational cycle, flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light
emitting diodes, and generally supported to said means for
positioning and mounting the device to the top of a common traffic
channelizer and provide hand-holds for lifting the traffic
channelizer; means for protecting internal components from the
environment or vandalizim, firmly fastened to said means for
positioning and mounting the device to the top of a common traffic
channelizer and provide hand-holds for lifting the traffic
channelizer; and means for retaining a cover to a base.
2. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for positioning and mounting the device to the top of a
common traffic channelizer and provide hand-holds for lifting the
traffic channelizer comprises a circular base.
3. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for retaining the device to a common traffic channelizer
comprises a substantially long, threaded fastener.
4. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and
photoresistor, controlling the recharging of a battery and the
operational cycle, flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light
emitting diodes comprises a printed circuit board controller.
5. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for the detection of darkness comprises a
photoresistor.
6. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for selecting the operational mode for the device
comprises a multi-position selector switch.
7. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for providing power to light emitting diodes comprises a
rechargable battery.
8. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes around the device in a radial arrangement while
providing a means to reflect and focus light in an outward
direction comprises a circular reflector ring.
9. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes in a vertical pattern comprises an LED
retainer.
10. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for producing visible light comprises a light
emitting diode.
11. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for producing electricity to power light
emitting diodes and recharging a battery comprises a solar
cell.
12. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for protecting internal components from the
environment or vandalizim comprises a translucent or transparent
cover.
13. The directional highway buoy in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said means for retaining a cover to a base comprises a
screw.
14. A directional highway buoy for providing motorists warning
indications and information while approaching and driving through
construction zones, comprising: a circular base, for positioning
and mounting the device to the top of a common traffic channelizer
and provide hand-holds for lifting the traffic channelizer; a
substantially long, threaded fastener, for retaining the device to
a common traffic channelizer; a printed circuit board controller,
for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and photoresistor,
controlling the recharging of a battery and the operational cycle,
flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light emitting diodes,
rigidly secured to said base; a photoresistor, for the detection of
darkness, functionally connected to said controller; a
multi-position selector switch, for selecting the operational mode
for the device, functionally connected to said controller; a
rechargable battery, for providing power to light emitting diodes,
functionally connected to said controller, and generally supported
to said base; a circular reflector ring, for retaining and
arranging a plurality of light emitting diodes around the device in
a radial arrangement while providing a means to reflect and focus
light in an outward direction, coaxially fitted to said base; an
LED retainer, for retaining and arranging a plurality of light
emitting diodes in a vertical pattern, circumferentially retained
to said reflector ring; a light emitting diode, for producing
visible light, securely mounted to said LED retainer, and
functionally connected to said controller; a solar cell, for
producing electricity to power light emitting diodes and recharging
a battery, functionally connected to said controller, and generally
supported to said base; a translucent or transparent cover, for
protecting internal components from the environment or vandalizim,
firmly fastened to said base; and a screw, for retaining a cover to
a base.
15. The directional highway buoy as recited in claim 14, wherein
said reflector ring has characteristics selected from the following
group: contains a plurality of dish or conical surfaces, and
mirrored and/or reflectorized surface finish.
16. The directional highway buoy as recited in claim 14, wherein
said LED retainer is printed circuit board.
17. The directional highway buoy as recited in claim 14, wherein
said cover is flat, domed or conical.
18. The directional highway buoy as recited in claim 14, wherein
said screw is tamper-resistant.
19. A directional highway buoy for providing motorists warning
indications and information while approaching and driving through
construction zones, comprising: a circular base, for positioning
and mounting the device to the top of a common traffic channelizer
and provide hand-holds for lifting the traffic channelizer; a
substantially long, threaded fastener, for retaining the device to
a common traffic channelizer; a printed circuit board controller,
for accepting power from a solar cell, battery and photoresistor,
controlling the recharging of a battery and the operational cycle,
flash rate and sequence of a plurality of light emitting diodes,
rigidly secured to said base; a photoresistor, for the detection of
darkness, functionally connected to said controller; a
multi-position selector switch, for selecting the operational mode
for the device, functionally connected to said controller; a
rechargable battery, for providing power to light emitting diodes,
functionally connected to said controller, and generally supported
to said base; a circular, contains a plurality of dish or conical
surfaces, mirrored and/or reflectorized surface finish reflector
ring, for retaining and arranging a plurality of light emitting
diodes around the device in a radial arrangement while providing a
means to reflect and focus light in an outward direction, coaxially
fitted to said base; a printed circuit board LED retainer, for
retaining and arranging a plurality of light emitting diodes in a
vertical pattern, circumferentially retained to said reflector
ring; a light emitting diode, for producing visible light, securely
mounted to said LED retainer, and functionally connected to said
controller; a solar cell, for producing electricity to power light
emitting diodes and recharging a battery, functionally connected to
said controller, and generally supported to said base; a
translucent or transparent, flat, domed or conical cover, for
protecting internal components from the environment or vandalizim,
firmly fastened to said base; and a tamper-resistant screw, for
retaining a cover to a base.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part
application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No.
60/661,561, filed Mar. 14, 2005, for DIRECTIONAL HIGHWAY BUOY, by
Steven J. Frey, included by reference herein and for which benefit
of the priority date is hereby claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to construction barricade
lights and, more particularly, to light emitting devices that
provide motorists with information regarding speed, direction and
avoidance of hazards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traffic channelizing devices (channelizers) are used at the
present time to warn and alert drivers of roadway hazards created
by work activity in or near the traveled way and to direct traffic
along a desired route and safely past these hazards. A series of
traffic channelizers may be positioned one after another along the
roadway to channel traffic in a construction zone from one or more
lanes into fewer lanes. Metal drums have been replaced by plastic
traffic channelizers like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,952,690 for many reasons, including the plastic channelizer's
ability to be stacked, thus reducing storage space. Additionally,
channelizer mounted light units, commonly called barricade lights,
are required to be used in virtually every road construction
project in order to warn and alert motorists generally to the
presence of the construction zone. These lights are configured to
operate in either a steady burn mode or in a flashing mode. Current
barricade lights, although familiar to most drivers, are not
without their flaws.
[0004] Most barricade lights in use today are similar to those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,439, consisting of an incandescent
light bulb, inside a unidirectional lens housing, and powered by
two six-volt zinc-carbon lantern batteries. Since these batteries
must be replaced after every 250 hours of service (for steady burn
lights) or 1000 hours of service (for flashing lights),
considerable expenses are incurred for both the purchase of new
batteries, and the maintenance labor costs, not to mention the
physical danger to maintenance workers in active construction
zones.
[0005] The safety barricade industry is currently the single
largest user of zinc-carbon lantern batteries, and uses millions of
those batteries each year. According to the United States Battery
Act, 1996, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
recommends disposal of zinc-carbon batteries in common municipal
waste incinerators or landfills. When incinerated, hazardous heavy
metals vaporize into the air and pollute lakes and streams. These
same heavy metals can also leach from solid waste landfills. In
either case, poisonous compounds make their way into the food
chain, causing serious health risks to humans and animals. Mild
symptoms of poisoning by these compounds can be coughing,
headaches, and vomiting. Children are the most highly affected by
the metals, with effects such as damage to their central nervous
system, seizures, and perhaps even mental retardation.
[0006] In addition to the health risks to the population, the use
of common barricade lights are not enough to safeguard motorists.
On Feb. 10, 2004, the Savannah Morning News reported, "The Georgia
State Patrol said a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by John Walls,
18, hit a construction barrel about 8:30 PM and swerved toward an
embankment at Exit 67. The vehicle rolled over several times and
stopped at the bottom of the ramp." Mr. Walls' brother, Harley, 20,
of Middleburg, Fla. was pronounced dead on the scene. Although
barricade lights are required by law at nearly every road
construction work zone, more than 40,000 people are injured each
year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones, according
to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway
Administration. The number of persons killed in the U.S. in motor
vehicle crashes in work zones has risen from 872 in 1999 to 1,028
in 2003 (an average of 1,020 fatalities a year). Traffic experts
believe much of the increase can be attributed to the proliferation
of road renovation and expansion projects as states take advantage
of an increase in federal funds available for road work, and will
continue to increase.
[0007] Another shortcoming of typical barricade lights like those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,439, is that the light emitted by
these devices is normally seen in only one direction. Traffic
control lamps and warning lamps need to emit light in an
omni-direction in order to properly signal those approaching the
lamps from all directions and conditions. Additionally,
physiological studies show that flashing lights draw attention more
than steady state lights, however a number of flashing warning
lights when used in conjunction with channelizers, flash randomly
or indiscriminately presenting a confusing fire-fly type scene to
the approaching driver and do not provide any direction or
delineation, and may actually create additional distractions and
danger to motorists.
[0008] Barricade lights currently being employed on an industry
wide basis, are designed around the use of an incandescent bulb as
the light source. The average life of an incandescent bulb used
under ideal conditions is only 400 hours and the bulbs tend to burn
out at different and very unpredictable rates. Everyday
environmental conditions such as variations in temperature,
voltage, shock and vibrations shorten the bulb's life span.
[0009] The combination of consumable batteries and light bulbs
limit the life span of each barricade light to but a few months.
Additionally the very use of these lights negate the benefits of
using plastic channelizers, by preventing the stacking of the
channelizer with the light attached, and as a result, many
channelizers are put into service on the road without the
installation of a barricade light, even though they are required by
law in most situations.
[0010] In addition to the aforementioned barricade light as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,439, other barricade lights have
been developed. To attempt to address the concerns of battery
usage, U.S. Pat. No. D254,658 discloses a device which makes use of
solar cells to recharge internal batteries. The configuration
shown, which is similar to other solar powered devices, may be
prone to accumulation of dirt and moisture when exposed to the
elements resulting in decreased solar efficiency due to the flat
horizontal upper surface of the solar cell array, which is exposed
to the environment, thus significantly reducing its effectiveness.
To address this specific issue, devices such as the one disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,990 place the solar cells inside the body of
the device, but due to the limitation of the overall package space
of such an arrangement, the size of the solar cells must be kept at
a minimum, thus drastically reducing their potential electrical
output and effectiveness.
[0011] To increase the life span and reliability of their
illumination function, some barricade lights, like the one
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,278, eliminate the use of
incandescent light bulbs in favor of longer lasting, more efficient
light-emitting diodes (LED)'s. Although more cost effective and
environmentally friendly than common barricade lights,
solar-powered devices using LED's, like the one disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,841,278 only address longevity, and do not increase, nor
provide nearly enough, visibility or information to properly guide
motorists through construction work zones.
[0012] In an attempt to better control the flashing of multiple
barricade lights, devices like one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,132,983 synchronize an array of barricade lights to flash
simultaneously. From a driver's perspective, the visual stimulus of
an entire lane of barricade lights turning on and off at the same
time could potentially cause a hypnotic or distracting effect, and
actually do more harm than good. To mitigate this risk, controllers
such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,080 cause
barricade lights to flash in a predetermined sequence. Although an
improvement, this system only provides motorists with improved
depth perception, and does nothing to provide direction or speed
information. Additionally, if the arrangement of channelizers along
the roadside is not in a precise enough manner, or worse
re-arranged out of sequence, such flashing lights could provide the
very fire-fly type scene the device is attempting to avoid.
[0013] At the present time, we have no knowledge of a traffic
control element and, in particular, a barricade light with a
perpetual life span, safe for the environment, highly visible
without being distracting to drivers, providing directional
information, and with the ability to be permanently attached to a
channelizer without preventing the channelizer from being
stacked.
[0014] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
highway barricade light.
[0015] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light with a plurality of flashing lights,
circumferentially located around the device. The flashing lights
can be configured and controlled to flash in a number of
predetermined sequences. Depending on the sequence and flash rate,
an approaching motorist would perceive movement, in a particular
direction.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light with a power supply that can be recharged with
solar energy.
[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light with a photoresistor to turn the light on at dusk,
and off at dawn, if desired.
[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light with a transparent or translucent cover or dome to
protect the internal components.
[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light that may be attached to the top of a traffic
channelizer in such a manner that the channelizer may be stacked
with the device attached.
[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a highway
barricade light with hand-hold features so that the device can be
lifted by itself or when attached to a traffic channelizer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
an improved highway barricade light, with increased visibility and
operational life span that can be installed on a common traffic
channelizer, without preventing the stacking of the channelizer. A
base with hand-hold features is attached to the top of a traffic
channelizer. The base holds a rechargeable power supply, control
circuitry, switch, solar cell and a photoresistor. A reflector ring
attaches to the base and holds an array of light emitting diodes
(LED) circumferentially around the device. The LED's can be
controlled to create a variety of flashing patterns to direct
motorists, including, but not limited to, constant burn, flashing,
clockwise, counter-clockwise, upward, downward and random. A
transparent or translucent cover attaches to the base to protect
the components, and may be flat, conical or dome shaped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a directional highway buoy
as installed on a common traffic channelizer;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a directional highway buoy
showing its internal arrangements and illustrating optional
mounting method to a common traffic channelizer;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front section view of a directional highway buoy
having front and rear views the same;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side partial section view of a pair of traffic
channelizers, each with a directional highway buoy installed, being
stacked one on top of another;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a directional highway buoy
electrical diagram;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone with a plurality of traffic channelizers and direction
highways buoys being deployed;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone with a plurality of traffic channelizers and direction
highways buoys being deployed; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone with a plurality of traffic channelizers and direction
highways buoys being deployed.
[0031] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and
components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout
the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a directional highway buoy
10 as installed on a common traffic channelizer 12.
[0033] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a directional highway buoy 10
showing its internal arrangements and illustrating optional
mounting method to a common traffic channelizer 12. The base 14 is
generally circular or disk shaped, being of similar size and shape
as the top of a traffic channelizer 12. The base 14 may be made
from a single component, or may be made of several individual parts
suitably fastened, welded or glued together. The base 14 may be
made from plastic, metal, or any suitable material. A fastener 16
is passed through a hole 46 in the base 14 and a mount hole 48 in
the traffic channelizer 12, and is secured with a nut 18, to retain
the base 14 to the traffic channelizer 12. The base 14 provides
support and retains the controller 20, battery 26, reflector ring
28, solar cell 34 and cover 36.
[0034] The selector switch 24 and photoresistor 22 may be attached
directly to the controller 20 as shown in FIG. 2, but may also be
mounted directly on the base 14, or any other suitable location to
allow proper operation of the selector switch 24 and photoresistor
22. The reflector ring 28 may be made from a single component or
several individual parts as shown in FIG. 2. The reflector ring 28
retains a plurality of LED retainer 30 circumferentially around the
device. The LED retainer 30 retains a plurality of light emitting
diode 32, the pattern of which made be, but not limited to a
vertical arrangement. The reflector ring 28 is shaped to provide a
plurality of reflector 44 to reflect and focus light in an outward
direction. The reflector ring 28 may be made of plastic or metal
and may be, but not necessarily, finished in a mirrored or
reflective surface.
[0035] The cylindrical cover 36 is to be made from a translucent or
transparent material and can be, but not limited to, a flat,
conical or domed shaped top. The cover 36 is retained to the base
14 with a plurality of screw 38 which may be, but not necessarily,
tamper-resistant.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a front section view of a directional highway buoy
10 having front and rear views the same. The base 14 is shaped to
provide one or more optional hand-hold 40. A switch access hole 42
is also provided in the base 14 to allow access for a secondary
tool 54 such as, but not limited to, a screwdriver for the
manipulation of the selector switch 24.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a side partial section view of a pair of traffic
channelizer 12, each with a directional highway buoy 10 installed,
being stacked one on top of another.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a directional highway buoy 10
electrical diagram. During daylight hours, sunlight passes through
the cover 36 and strikes the photoresistor 22 and the solar cell
34, which are wired to the controller 20. The photoresistor 22
senses the amount of ambient light, and sends an electrical signal
to the controller 20, to indicate whether it is day or night.
[0039] During daylight hours, the solar cell 34 produces
electricity which is passed to the controller 20. The controller 20
supplies electricity to the battery 26 to charge the battery 26,
and deactivates the plurality of light emitting diode 32.
[0040] At night, the solar cell 34 stops producing electricity, and
the controller 20 draws electricity from the battery 26 to provide
electrical power to a plurality of light emitting diode 32.
[0041] Depending on the position of the Selector switch 24, the
controller 20 turns the plurality of light emitting diode 32 on or
off, depending on the desired effect. The device can be set to turn
off all light emitting diode 32, in the case of storage or
transport of the device. The device can be set to turn on all light
emitting diode 32, in the case of a constant burn application. The
circumferential and vertical array of the plurality of light
emitting diode 32 also allows the controller 20 to create a variety
of flash patterns. The patterns include, but not necessarily
limited to the following; sequential clockwise, sequential
counter-clockwise, vertical upward direction, vertical downward
direction, or random.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone. A plurality of traffic channelizer 12 with directional
highway buoy 10 are placed on the roadway 50. When the directional
highway buoy 10 is set to flash the light emitting diode 32 in a
counter-clockwise direction as shown, the visual effect, as seen
from the approaching motor vehicle 52 is a sequentially flashing
light from left to right. The driver of the motor vehicle 52 is
visually directed to the right, regardless of the alignment of the
traffic channelizer 12 on the roadway 50. Because the plurality of
light emitting diode 32 are arranged circumferentially around the
device, the same visual stimulus is received by all motor vehicle
52, regardless of their direction of travel.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone. A plurality of traffic channelizer 12 with directional
highway buoy 10 are placed on the roadway 50. When the directional
highway buoy 10 is set to flash the light emitting diode 32 in a
clockwise direction as shown, the visual effect, as seen from the
approaching motor vehicle 52 is a sequentially flashing light from
right to left. The driver of the motor vehicle 52 is visually
directed to the left, regardless of the alignment of the traffic
channelizer 12 on the roadway 50. Because the plurality of light
emitting diode 32 are arranged circumferentially around the device,
the channelizer does not need to be placed on the roadway 50 in any
particular orientation, as the same visual stimulus is received by
all motor vehicle 52, regardless of the orientation or alignment of
the traffic channelizer 12.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a road construction work
zone. A plurality of traffic channelizer 12 with directional
highway buoy 10 are placed on the roadway 50. When the directional
highway buoy 10 is set to flash the light emitting diode 32 in a
top to bottom, or downward, direction as shown, the visual effect,
as seen from the approaching motor vehicle 52 is a sequentially
flashing light from top to bottom. The driver of the motor vehicle
52 is visually directed down, which would indicate a need to reduce
speed. Because the plurality of light emitting diode 32 are
arranged circumferentially around the device, the same visual
stimulus is received by all motor vehicle 52, regardless of their
direction of travel, or the orientation or alignment of the traffic
channelizer 12.
[0045] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate only a few of the combinations of
traffic channelizer 12 layouts and directional highway buoy 10
flash patterns possible, and are in no way intended to illustrate
the only layouts and patterns possible. By combining several
traffic channelizer 12 and directional highway buoy 10 flash
patterns, traffic can be easily and safely directed to avoid
hazards, merge and shift travel lanes, and reduce speed.
[0046] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute
departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *