U.S. patent number 3,896,414 [Application Number 05/378,254] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-22 for roadway detour system for vehicles.
Invention is credited to Charles J. Rulo.
United States Patent |
3,896,414 |
Rulo |
July 22, 1975 |
Roadway detour system for vehicles
Abstract
A system to direct a vehicle off a roadway when there is
insufficient clearance between the vehicle and a nearby overpass
includes a height sensing device in combination with a detour
signal device that directs the vehicle off the roadway. The height
sensing device transmits a beam of light across a roadway to a
photocell. The beam of light is at a predetermined height over the
roadway and is subject to interruption by a vehicle that exceeds
this predetermined height. The detour signal device, which is
located a predetermined distance from the height sensing device, is
activated when the light beam is interrupted and directs the
vehicle toward an exit from the roadway to an alternate safe
route.
Inventors: |
Rulo; Charles J. (St. Louis,
MO) |
Family
ID: |
23492366 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/378,254 |
Filed: |
July 11, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/942;
250/222.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G
1/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08G
1/04 (20060101); G08g 001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/31R,38P |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cooper; William C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pope, III; John D.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A roadway detour system for vehicles comprising means for
sensing the height of vehicles in combination with means for
providing a detour signal, said height sensing means including
means for transmitting a light beam at a predetermined height
across said roadway, and light sensing means for receiving the beam
of light crossing said roadway, said light sensing means including
a collimating member for collimating said light beam, said detour
signal means being connected to and operable by said height sensing
means and comprising a signal device located between said height
sensing means and a roadway exit, and normally inactivated when
said light beam is received by said light sensing means, said
roadway detour system further including means for activating said
signal device to produce said detour signal when reception of said
light beam by said light sensing means is interrupted by a vehicle
having a height in excess of said predetermined height.
2. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 1 further including
an electric power supply means and wherein said detour signal
device is electrically operable, said means for activating said
detour signal device including switch means interposed between said
power supply means and said detour signal device, said switch means
being in a first switch position wherein said power supply means is
isolated from said detour signal device when said light beam is
received by said light sensing means, and said switch means being
in a second switch position wherein said power source is
electrically communicative with said detour signal device through
said switch means when reception of said light beam by said light
sensing means is interrupted.
3. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
switch means has an open position, and a normally closed position,
said first switch position being the open position wherein said
switch means opens the circuit between said power supply means and
said detour signal device, said second switch position being the
normally closed position wherein said power supply means
communicates with said detour signal device through said switch
means.
4. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 3 further including
a timing device connected to said switch means for maintaining said
switch means in said closed position for a predetermined amount of
time when reception of said light beam by said light sensing means
is interrupted.
5. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
detour signal device produces a visual signal.
6. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said
detour signal device further produces a sound signal.
7. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
height sensing means is spaced a predetermined distance from said
detour signal means such that said vehicle when moving in a given
direction approaches said detour signal means after passing said
height sensing means.
8. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light
transmitting means are provided in a first upright member disposed
at one side of said roadway, said light receiving means being
provided in a second upright member disposed at a second side of
said roadway opposite the first side of said roadway.
9. A roadway detour system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
height sensing means includes means for varying the height of said
light transmitting means and said light sensing means.
Description
This invention is directed to new and useful improvements in
traffic control systems and more particularly to a roadway detour
system for directing a vehicle to an alternate route when there is
insufficient clearance between the vehicle and a nearby overpass or
similar obstruction.
Almost every roadway in use today leads into tunnels or beneath
bridges, traffic ramps, railway tressels and elevated highways,
etc., all of which can be generally referred to as overpasses. It
is well known that many of these overpasses do not have sufficient
height to safely clear unusually tall vehicles, particularly
trucks.
Generally, signs or other warning devices are posted in advance of
the overpasses indicating the maximum safe vehicle height which the
overpass can safely accomodate. Despite such warnings, accidents
due to insufficient clearance between vehicles and overpasses
remain a continuing problem.
Proposed solutions to this problem include providing radio
transmitters on overpasses and equipping vehicles with special
warning receivers. This is an expensive approach to the problem and
would require the receivers in moving vehicles to be in continuous
operation. Another proposed solution includes equipping a vehicle
with an overpass clearance detector switch operable to warn a
driver of insufficient clearance when the vehicle is already at the
overpass. This device does not solve the problem if the vehicle is
traveling too fast to stop before the overpass. Furthermore, even
if the vehicle is safely stopped in advance of the overpass, the
driver is normally in an equally dangerous predicament of detouring
his vehicle in the face of oncoming traffic.
It is thus desirable to provide a roadway detour system for
directing the vehicle to a safe exit or detour from the roadway
before the vehicle comes to an overpass having insufficient
clearance.
Among the several objects of the present invention my be noted the
provision of a novel roadway detour system for directing a vehicle
away from an overpass; a novel roadway detour system that does not
require installation of special equipment on those vehicles which
the detour system is designed to protect; a novel roadway detour
system that can be actuated into operation by a vehicle that will
not safely clear a nearby overpass; and a novel detour system that
forms a part of the roadway system and is arranged to operate only
when a vehicle exceeds a predetermined height. Other objects and
features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out
hereinafter.
The present invention relates to a novel roadway detour system
having a detour signal which can be actuated into operation by a
vehicle as it passes a checkpoint, if the vehicle exceeds a
predetermined height. In one embodiment the invention comprises a
device for sensing the height of a vehicle in combination with a
device for providing a detour signal when required.
The height sensing device which includes a light beam transmitter
and a light sensing element produces a beam of light at a
predetermined height across the roadway. A vehicle exceeding this
predetermined height will interrupt the light beam to activate the
detour signal device.
The detour signal device comprises a signal light having those
colors conventionally used to slow down and/or stop the movement of
traffic. The detour signal lights can be arranged in the shape of
arrows for example to direct the vehicle with excessive height to a
roadway exit or detour. A sound signal arrangement can be included
in combination with the signal lights.
The circuit networks for operating the height sensing device and
the detour signal device communicate with each other and derive
their power from the same power source. Power to the detour signal
network is fed through a normally closed switch except when the
switch is held in an open position. The switch assumes its normally
closed position when reception of the light beam by the light
sensing device is interrupted by a vehicle exceeding the
predetermined height. A timing device included with the switch
maintains the switch in its closed position for a predetermined
time to provide a detour signal having a desired time duration.
Subsequent reception of the light beam by the light sensing device
causes the switch to open and terminate actuation of the detour
signal device.
The height sensing device and detour signal device are spaced apart
a distance that is compatible with the general speed of traffic on
the roadway. This spacing ensures that a vehicle having excess
height is given ample opportunity to be alerted by the detour
signal device when the vehicle has interrupted the light beam. A
roadway exit provided in the vicinity of the detour signal device
leads the alerted vehicle to an alternate route such as a depressed
service road providing adequate clearance between the vehicle and
the overpass, or to any other suitable detour.
The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter
described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the
following claims.
In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible
embodiments of the invention are illustrated,
FIG. 1 is a side view of a roadway detour system incorporating one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic block diagram of the roadway
detour system operating circuit; and
FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic block diagram showing another
embodiment of my invention.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
Referring to the drawings, a roadway detour system 10 incorporates
one embodiment of the present invention. Detour system 10 includes
a height sensing device 12 comprising any suitable known upright
standard members such as poles 14 and 16 spaced from each other on
small islands 18 and 20 located at opposite sides of a roadway 22.
Poles 14 and 16 include any suitable known means 24 for raising or
lowering the pole height.
The upper end portion of pole 14 includes any suitable known light
beam transmitter 26 for transmitting a collimated beam of light 28
across roadway 22 at a desired predetermined height above roadway
22 which height is generally designated 29. Height 29 of light beam
28 is preferably slightly less than the height of an overpass 30
extending across roadway 22.
The upper end of pole 16 includes any suitable known light
receiving means such as a photocell 32. The beam of light 28 from
transmitter 26 is arranged to focus on photocell 32.
Detour system 10 further includes a detour signal device 34
comprising any suitable known upright standard members such as
poles 36 and 38 spaced from each other on small islands 40 and 42
located at opposite sides of roadway 22. A cross member 44
extending across roadway 22 is supported at the upper portions of
poles 36 and 38. Poles 36 and 38 include any suitable known means
46 for raising or lowering the pole height, and the height of cross
member 44 over roadway 22 can be arranged to exceed the known
maximum height of vehicles in current use.
Detour signal device 34 is located a predetermined distance from
height sensing device 12 based on the speed range and maximum
stopping distances of traffic on roadway 22. Any suitable known
detour signal lights 48 are provided on cross member 44 and any
suitable known sound signal device 50 is likewise provided on
member 44. Detour signal lights 48 can be of those colors
conventionally used to slow down and/or stop traffic.
The operating circuit for detour system 10 comprises any suitable
known power source 52 connected to any suitable known normally
closed switch 54. Switch 54 is connected to any suitable known
timing device 56 for maintaining switch 54 in a closed position.
Switch 54 shown in open position in FIG. 3, leads to sound signal
50 and detour signal lights 48. Power source 52 is also connected
to transmitter 26 but there is no electrical connection between
transmitter 26 and photocell 32. Photocell 32 is connected to any
suitable known amplifier 58 which amplifier electrically
communicates with any suitable known switch control means 60 for
maintaining switch 54 in an open position.
In use, roadway detour system 10 transmits light beam 28 from
transmitter 26 to photocell 32. Photocell 32 is arranged in any
suitable known manner to convert light beam 28 to an electrical
signal. Amplifier 58 is arranged in any suitable known manner to
amplify the electrical signal from photocell 32. The amplified
electrical signal from amplifier 58 activates switch control means
60 to maintain switch 54 in an open condition. Consequently, there
is an open circuit between power source 52 and signal devices 48,50
when light beam 28 is transmitted to photocell 32.
Reception of light beam 28 by photocell 32 can be interrupted by a
truck 62 that passes between poles 14,16 and exceeds predetermined
height 29 of beam 28. Photocell 32 is thus prevented from producing
an electrical signal thereby deactivating switch control means 60.
As a result, switch 54 assumes its normally closed position
permitting power to flow from source 52 to detour signal lights 48
and sound signal 50. Timer 56 is arranged in any suitable known
manner to be activated when switch 54 closes.
Timer 56 serves to maintain switch 54 in its normally closed
position for a predetermined time duration after photocell 32
begins to again receive light beam 28 from transmitter 26. Detour
signal lights 48 and sound signal 50 are thus activated for the
predetermined time it would normally take to detour a vehicle that
has actuated detour signal 34.
Detour signal lights 48 can be shaped as arrows that point to a
roadway exit or detour 64 provided near detour signal device 34. If
desired, detour signal device 34 can also carry an illuminated
message giving detour directions. Detour 64 leads vehicle 62 away
from overpass 30 to a depressed service road (not shown) that
provides sufficient clearance between vehicle 62 and overpass 30,
or detour 64 can lead to any other suitable alternate route.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, height sensing
device 12 and detour signal device 34 can be supported or suspended
from any other suitable known support means besides poles. It will
also be apparent that transmitter 26 can be arranged to transmit
two collimated light beams spaced apart a predetermined distance
such as shown at 28 and 66 in FIG. 3.
Provision of light beam 66 in addition to light beam 28 can help
guard against nonvehicular actuation of detour signal 34 as by a
leaf or any other randomly moving object that might cross the path
of a light beam. The spacing between beams 28 and 66 can be
arranged to ensure that at least one light beam is received by
photocell 32 in the event of an undesired interruption of the other
light beam.
Since more than one vehicle may be alerted or stopped by roadway
detour system 10, detour signal device 34 can be arranged to carry
a concise illuminated or recorded message such as "DANGER! Overpass
Ahead. Vehicles Exceeding 18 Feet Must Exit." Any other known
visually attractive means for directing an endangered vehicle off
the roadway can be simultaneously actuated in a known or previously
described manner for operation in combination with detour signal
device 34.
Detour system 10 can be functionally arranged to extend across more
than one lane or roadway including lanes in which traffic moves in
opposite directions. For example, the height sensing device for
detour system 10 can include a plurality of spaced light beam
transmitters 68, 70 and 72 identical to transmitter 26, as shown in
FIG. 4. Transmitters 68, 70 and 72 transmit light beams 74, 76 and
78 to photocells 80, 82 and 84 identical to photocell 32. The
operating circuit for this modified roadway detour system can be
arranged in any suitable known manner to activate detour signal
device 34 only when light beams 74, 76 and 78 are interrupted in a
predetermined sequence such as 74-76-78.
In FIG. 4, traffic moving in one direction is symbolically
indicated by arrow 86 and traffic moving in the opposite direction
is symbolically designated 88. An oversize vehicle moving in
direction 86 will interrupt the light beams in sequence 74-76-78
and thereby activate detour signal device 34. Conversely, an
oversize vehicle traveling in direction 88 will interrupt the light
beams in the sequence 78-76-74 thereby having no effect on detour
signal device 34.
Some advantages of the novel invention evident from the foregoing
description include a roadway detour system that detours vehicles
exceeding a predetermined height to a roadway exit, a roadway
detour system having a detour signal device that can be actuated
into operation by a vehicle passing a check point in a given
direction, and a roadway detour system that does not require
installation of special equipment on those vehicles which the
detour system is designed to protect.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
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