TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Abstract

 This traffic light is of the type comprising stackable modules (1) couplable on a post or member (6) for anchoring to a support surface, said modules (1) being provided with respective casings (3) carrying lighted or acoustic signaling means. The modules comprise: - a inner core (1) having, at opposite ends, respective gear rings (21) for axially coupling successive inner cores with any angular offset, - fixing means (52, 52) for fixing the facing ends of the successive inner cores (1) in the angular position determined by the gear rings (21), said inner cores (2) forming a structural support column of the assembly, and - centering devices for aligning the facing ends of the inner cores (2) in the assembly position.

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic light, of the type comprising stackable modules carrying lighted signaling means and couplable on a post or member for anchoring to a support surface.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Most traffic lights existing on the market today have a modular configuration, which allows stacking several modules, carrying respective lighted or acoustic signaling means.

[0003] These traffic lights must comply with a series of mechanical requirements such as: a modularity that allows increasing or reducing the number of modules in traffic lights already installed, the rigidity of the assembly of the modules, forming a column once attached to one another, and the possibility of rotation or orientation between the modules to assure their correct orientation.

[0004] Currently, each of the modules is formed by a casing provided with a body and an access cover for the inner cavity in which the corresponding signaling means are housed.

[0005] In these traffic lights, the casings are fixed directly between one another, said casings being those which function as a structural or support member of the assembly, as a support of the signaling means housed therein and as an outer case or enclosure, the structural rigidity of the assembly frequently being compromised.

Description of the Invention

[0006] The traffic light object of the invention has technical features aimed at maintaining the modularity of the traffic light, allowing the incorporation of a variable number of modules, and especially at increasing the structural rigidity of the assembly by means of incorporating in said modules an inner core functioning as a member for attaching the respective modules; said inner cores, once coupled, forming a rigidizing column which provides the assembly with considerable stability and additionally functioning as a support for the casings of the modules.

[0007] According to the invention and as was just stated, the modules comprise an inner core for the outer assembly and support of the corresponding casing with the respective signaling means, said inner core having, at opposite ends, respective gear rings for their axial coupling and any angular offset with the inner cores of adjacent modules. Additionally, said modules comprise fixing means for fixing the facing ends of the successive inner cores in the angular position determined by the gear rings, and centering devices for aligning the facing ends of the inner cores in the assembly position.

[0008] Additionally, the inner cores of the modules have coaxial holes at the facing ends for assembling fixing means, preferably formed by threaded sleeves and respective locknuts, said fixing means being in charge of pressing against the facing ends of the inner cores in opposite directions, on one hand assuring the interaction of the gear rings in charge of establishing the relative angular position between said inner cores and, on the other hand, stably fixing the mentioned inner cores in the assembly position.

[0009] The incorporation of the mentioned central cores in the modules of the traffic light, in addition to allowing the modularity of the assembly and each module to operate as an independent unit, which can be installed individually or as a whole according to needs, provides additional advantages including the possibility of assembling the modules in two reverse positions given the symmetry of the gearing existing at opposite ends of the central core, which solves assembly problems according to the orientation which the casing must adopt, or the possibility of using different outer casings or of substituting them with casings of another model, because in this case the resistant structure of the assembly is determined by the support column formed by the inner modules and not by the outer casings, whereby the rigidity of the assembly is clearly improved.

[0010] According to the invention, the centering devices mentioned above are formed by rings, preferably made of a plastic material, arranged in the facing ends of the inner cores, assuring their alignment during the assembly.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the inner cores have a general tubular configuration with a side window or opening for accessing the interior thereof, which simplifies assembly tasks, especially with respect to the positioning and actuation of the fixing means of the successive inner cores of the modules.

[0012] The mentioned inner cores laterally have means for the fixed or hinged fastening of support members of the corresponding casing which, as previously stated, can have several forms, though said casings will generally be formed by a body and a closure cover, with the seals or elements necessary for assuring the tightness of the visual or acoustic signaling means housed therein and fixed either to the cover or to the body of the casing. In the assembly position, the body and the cover of the casing surround the inner core of the module corresponding.

Description of the Drawings

[0013] To complement the description being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

• Figure 1 shows a partial elevational view of an embodiment of the traffic light of the invention with two laterally oriented lower modules and a frontally oriented upper module.
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the inner cores of two consecutive modules disassembled and vertically aligned and an embodiment of one of the casings, also disassembled.
• Figure 3 shows an exploded view of one of the inner cores, the fixing means and the ring centering device.
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of two facing inner cores in reverse positions
• Figure 5 shows an upper plan view of a traffic light with two modules in different angular positions, forming with one another a 90º angle.
• Figure 6 shows an upper plan view of a traffic light in which an embodiment variant of the casings has been shown.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0014] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the traffic light comprises a total of three modules (1) fixed to one another and assembled on a support post (6).

[0015] As can be seen in Figure 2, each of the modules (1) is formed by an inner core (2) intended for being coupled with the inner core of consecutive modules or, where appropriate, with the post (6) and a consecutive module, and a casing (3) which is assembled externally with respect to the corresponding inner core (1).

[0016] Each inner core (2) has, at opposite ends, respective gear rings (21) the purpose of which is to determine the relative angular position between the successive modules (1) when the successive inner bodies (2) are assembled by means of superposing them in the vertical direction.

[0017] The traffic light comprises centering rings (4) which are arranged between the successive inner bodies (2) of the modules (1) for assuring their coaxial alignment in the assembly position. The stabilization of the assembly formed by two or more modules is established with fixing means, formed, in the attached figures, by threaded sleeves (51) which are assembled through holes (22) defined in the facing ends of the inner cores (2) to be attached, and by the corresponding locknuts (52). The holes (22) are suitably sized to allow the coupling of the inner core (2) with conventional support posts existing on the market.

[0018] Said fixing means establish the locking of the facing ends of the inner cores (2) and their coaxial fixing, being determined by the relative angular position of said inner cores (2), and consequently of the modules (1), by the interaction of the respective facing gear rings (21). It should also be mentioned that the diameter of these fixing means allows for a very reliable locking between modules.

[0019] The symmetry of the inner cores (2) allows the axial coupling thereof in the same position as is shown in Figure 2, or in reverse or symmetrical positions, as is shown in Figure 4, which gives greater assembly versatility, aids in placing the casings (3) with the most suitable orientation in each case.

[0020] The mentioned inner cores (2) of the modules (1) form a structural column in the assembly position providing rigidity to the assembly and serving as a support for the casings (3) containing the respective acoustic or lighted signaling means, which are not depicted in the attached drawings as said signaling means are conventional and do not concern the nature of the invention.

[0021] Since the inner cores are in charge of providing rigidity to the assembly, the casings (3) can have different configurations as is shown by way of illustration in Figures 5, 6, being formed in this embodiment by a body (31) and a closure cover (32), which externally surround the inner core (2) of the corresponding module.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, the inner cores (2), made from a rigid material, specifically injected aluminum, laterally have means for the fixed or hinged fastening of support members of the corresponding casing (3). In Figure 2, said means are depicted by shafts (23) for assembling the hinges (7) of the cover (32) of the casing (3) and by internally threaded appendages (24), for fixing the body (32) of the casing (3) by means of screws.

[0023] In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, the inner cores have a general tubular configuration with a wide side opening (25) allowing access to the interior thereof for placing and locking the bushes (51) and nuts (52) forming the fixing means for the successive inner cores.

[0024] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as a preferred embodiment thereof, it is stated for all suitable purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements may be modified provided this does not alter the essential features of the invention which are claimed below.

Claims

1. Traffic light, of the type comprising stackable modules (1) couplable on a post or member (6) for anchoring to a support surface, said modules (1) being provided with respective casings (3) carrying lighted or acoustic signaling means; characterized in that the modules comprise:

- an inner core (1) for the outer assembly and support of the corresponding casing (3) with the respective signaling means; said inner core (1) having, at opposite ends, respective gear rings (21) for axially coupling successive inner cores with any angular offset,

- fixing means (52, 52) for fixing the facing ends of the successive inner cores (1) in the angular position determined by the gear rings (21), said inner cores (2) forming a structural support column of the assembly and,

- centering devices for aligning the facing ends of the inner cores (2) in the assembly position.

2. Traffic light according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner cores (2) of the modules (2) have end holes (22) for assembling the fixing means (51, 52).

3. Traffic light according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the fixing means are formed by threaded sleeves (51) and respective locknuts (52).

4. Traffic light according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the centering devices are formed by rings (4) arranged in the facing ends of the inner cores (2).

5. Traffic light according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner cores (2) have a general tubular configuration with a wide side window or opening (25) for accessing the interior thereof.

6. Traffic light according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner cores (2) laterally have means (23, 24) for the fixed or hinged fastening of support members of the corresponding casing (3).

7. Traffic light according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the casings (3) comprise a body (31) and a cover (32) which, in the closed position, externally surround the inner core (2) of the corresponding module (1).

Drawing