US3891175A

US3891175A - Traffic signal hanger

Info

Publication number: US3891175A
Application number: US511992A
Authority: US
Inventors: William L Hawley; Terence E Lewis
Original assignee: GTE International Inc
Current assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
Priority date: 1974-03-19
Filing date: 1974-10-04
Publication date: 1975-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-24
Also published as: CA976522A

Abstract

A traffic signal hanger which is assembled to provide an elbow member and two distinct hanger brackets. The first hanger bracket is pivotably mounted with respect to the elbow member about a first axis extending parallel to the axis on which the elbow member is mounted on a support arm of a traffic signal standard. The second hanger bracket is pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket member for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the first horizontal axis whereby a traffic signal housing suspended from the second hanger bracket may be vertically oriented with respect to the second horizontal axis. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second hanger bracket member has a conduit shaped lower end with a longitudinally extending recess formed therein. A locking washer is mounted on the lower end of the conduit member and has a locking tab projecting into the locking recess to prevent rotation of the locking washer with respect to the lower end of the first hanger. A locking washer is also formed to provide a plurality of ridges which engage the housing of the traffic signal and lock nuts are provided for clamping the traffic signal housing to the lower end of the first hanger bracket in locking engagement with the locking washer.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Hawley et al.

1 TRAFFIC SIGNAL HANGER 175] inventors: William L. Hawley, Rexdale;

Terence E. Lewis, Mississauga. both of Canada [73] Assignee: GTE International Incorporated,

Stamford, Conn.

221 Filed: Oct. 4, 1974 21 Appl. No.1 511,992

130] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 19,1974 Canada 195416 [52] US. Cl. 248/317; 248/324; 403/58; 248/278; 240/78 R [51 Int. Cl. B42F 13/00 [58] Field of Search 248/317, 323, 324, 325,

248/341, 278, 280, 340, 341; 403/58, 74, 111, 112, 205; 240/81 R, 85 B, 85 C, 85 D, 73 R, 73 BV, 78 R, 78 F, 78 D; 340/84 R, 74, 127, 128, 129, 130

l 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,770,272 7/1931) Horni 248/317 2,362,383 11/1944 Lcndinara 4031/58 2,925,458 2/1960 Lester ,1 240/78 R 3,077,328 2/1963 Nelson 1 248/317 3,420,581 1/1969 Richardson 1 1 403/58 3,778,860 12/1973 Thielcn 403/58 3,808,504 4/1974 Rabie 340/84 1 June 24, 1975 Primary E.raminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph W. Burnett; Theodore C. Jay, Jr.

[57} ABSTRACT A trafiic signal hanger which is assembled to provide an elbow member and two distinct hanger brackets. The first hanger bracket is pivotably mounted with respect to the elbow member about a first axis extending parallel to the axis on which the elbow member is mounted on a support arm of a traffic signal standard. The second hanger bracket is pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket member for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the first horizontal axis whereby a traffic signal housing suspended from the second hanger bracket may be vertically oriented with respect to the second horizontal axis.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second hanger bracket member has a conduit shaped lower end with a longitudinally extending recess formed therein. A locking washer is mounted on the lower end of the conduit member and has a locking tab projecting into the locking recess to prevent rotation of the locking washer with respect to the lower end of the first hanger. A locking washer is also formed to provide a plurality of ridges which engage the housing of the traffic signal and lock nuts are provided for clamping the traffic signal housing to the lower end of the first hanger bracket in locking engagement with the locking washer.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures immmliag PATENTEDJUN24 ms SHEET 2 5 7 82 D x/ c- D 78 5 FIG. 5

FIG. 4

1 TRAFFIC SIGNAL HANGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a traffic signal hanger. In particular, this invention relates to a traffic signal hanger which facilitates the vertical alignment ofa traffic signal which the hanger suspends from a support arm of a traffic signal standard.

Traffic signal hangers have previously been in the form of an elbow shaped member connected to the support arm of a traffic signal and adapted to provide limited pivoting of the signal about an axis extending parallel to the axis of the support arm. Difficulty has been experienced in providing adjusting means which will permit the traffic signal to be vertically oriented. In previous attempts to provide this type of adjustment, the passageway formed in one arm of the elbow member of the hanger was sufficiently larger in diameter than the support arm of the traffic signal standard on which it was to be mounted to permit the vertical alignment of the traffic signal by means of jacking screws. This system has proved to be troublesome in that it is difficult to achieve the required vertical alignment by means of the jacking screws and the oversize elbow arms. Furthermore, this type of mounting is not capable of providing an adjustment over a wide range and in previous applications, the range of adjustment has been limited to the order of 2 on either side of the vertical.

Difficulty has also been experienced in attempting to mount a traffic signal housing on a hanger in a manner such that rotation of the signal housing with respect to the hanger under the influence of strong winds will be prevented. It is vitally important to ensure that a traffic signal is not free to rotate under the influence of strong wind, as any misalignment of the traffic signal could result in misdirection of traffic which could cause a serious traffic accident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A traffic signal hanger according to the present invention permits vertical suspension and alignment of a traffic signal housing from and with respect to a lamp standard. The hanger also permits limited transverse deflection of the signal housing with respect to the arm on which the hanger member is mounted while preventing rotational movement of the traffic signal housing with respect to the signal hanger.

The traffic signal hanger comprises an elbow member, a first hanger bracket member pivotably mounted on the elbow member and a second hanger bracket pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket. The elbow member has a passage extending therethrough. one end of which is adapted to receive a support arm of a traffic signal to support the elbow member therefrom. The first hanger bracket means is pivotably mounted on the elbow for movement about a first generally horizontal axis and has a portion projecting downwardly from the elbow member. Return spring means are provided for reaction between the elbow member and the first hanger member to resist rotation of the first hanger member with respect to the elbow member.

The second hanger bracket is pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the axis of the pivot connection between the elbow mem ber and the first hanger bracket. Releasable locking means is provided for locking the second hanger bracket against rotation with respect to the first hanger bracket in a predetermined position, and mounting means is provided at the lower end of the second hanger bracket for securing a traffic signal housing thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention and by way of example, show a preferred embodiment. In such drawings:

FIG. I is a front view of a traffic signal suspended from a support arm of a traffic signal standard by means of a traffic signal hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the traf fic signal vertically suspended from a support arm which is not horizontally disposed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a traffic signal hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an assembled traffic signal hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned end view ofa traffic signal hanger taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 refers generally to a traffic signal hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanger 10 consists of an elbow member 12. a first hanger bracket 14 and a second hanger bracket I6. A traffic signal housing 18 is suspended from the lower end of the second hanger 16 as will be described hereinafter. The elbow member 12 is mounted on the support arm 20 of a traffic signal standard.

With reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the elbow member 12 has a removable cover plate 13 at one end thereof. The cover 13 has a lip 22 extending about the inner edge thereof which is adapted to fit in a groove 24 formed in a flange 26 so that the cover 13 may be lowered into a position engaging a main body portion 15 of the elbow member 12 to be secured in position by means of set screws 28 which engage threaded passages 30 in the main body of the elbow member. The main body 15 of the housing has a tubular portion 32 at one end thereof which is adapted to receive the support arm 20 in a close fitting relationship. Clamping screws 34 serve to rigidly secure the main body portion 15 with respect to the support arm 20. The clamping screws 34 are not intended to be used to effect any adjustment in the alignment of the main body portion IS with respect to the support arm The main body portion 15 also has downwardly extending

walls

36, 38, 42 and 44 which cooperate with one another to define a chamber for receiving a pair of restoring springs 46. A nylon bushing or sleeve 47 is adapted to pass through passages 50, 52 formed in two of the

chamber walls

36, 38 respectively and a pivot pin 48 is adapted to fit within the sleeve 47. The pivot pin 48 has an enlarged head portion 54 which will not pass through the passage 50.

The first hanger bracket 14 has a passage formed in the upper end thereof adapted to be slidably mounted on the sleeve 47 which acts as a bushing and which does not require lubrication. The pivot pin 48 has a groove 56 adapted to receive a snap ring 58 during assembly to axially secure the bushing 47 and pin 48 within the restoring spring chamber.

The first hanger bracket 14 also has shoulders 62 which engage the lower ends of the restoring springs 46 when the first hanger bracket is operably located on the sleeve 47. As shown in FIG. of the drawings. the restoring spring chamber formed in the housing member has upper walls 45 which engage the upper ends of the springs 46.

From the foregoing and from further reference to FIG. 5. it will be apparent that the first hanger bracket 14 may be rotated to and fro in the direction of the arrows A about a first horizontal axis 64 which is the axis ofits supporting pivot pin 48. In use. pivoting about the axis 64 permits the signal to yield slightly under the influence of a heavy wind or the like without permitting any rotation of the hanger with respect to the support arm 20. The springs 46 serve to restore the traffic signal housing to a vertical position after the deflecting force has been removed.

The first support bracket 14 has a portion 66 extending downwardly therefrom in which is formed a square passage 68 adjacent the upper end thereof and a circular passage 70 adjacent the lower end thereof.

The second hanger bracket 16 consists of an elon' gated Z-shaped conduit portion 72 and a laterally extending flange portion 74. The upper end 76 of the conduit portion 72 is adapted to fit within the open lower end of the elbow member 15. The upper end 76 of the conduit member 72 is proportioned so as to fit freely within the open end of the elbow member 15 so that it is free to move relative to the elbow member 15 of the pivot pin 48 about the axis and about a second axis normal to the axis of the pivot pin 48 which will be described hereinafter. The lower end 78 of the conduit member 72 is threaded and has a longitudinally extending key slot 80 formed therein.

The flange portion 74 is secured to and projects from the upper portion 76 of the conduit into the vertical plane of the lower portion 78. A first circular passage 80 is formed in the upper end of the flange 74 and an elongated slot 82 is formed toward the lower end of the flange 74. The

passages

80 and 82 of the second hanger bracket 72 are alignable with the previously described

passages

68 and 70 respectively of the first hanger bracket 14. A pivot pin 86 having a square end 88 and an enlarged head 90 is adapted to pivotably secure the second hanger bracket 16 with respect to the first hanger bracket 14. The square end 88 of the pin 86 fits within the square passage 68 of the first bracket to prevent rotation of the pivot pin. A pair of lock nuts 92 threadably engage the threaded end 94 of the pivot pin after it passes through the passage 80 in the flange 74 of the second bracket. The second hanger bracket is supported by the pivot pin 86 so as to be free to pivot about a second horizontal axis 96 in the direction of the arrow B (FIG. 4). A locking pin 98 is adapted to pass through the slot 82 in the second bracket flange 74 and the passage 70 in the first bracket to be secured by means of locking nuts 102 which serve to rigidly secure the second hanger 16 against pivoting action about the axis 96 with respect to the first hanger member 14. As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the slot 82 is formed so as to permit an angular deflection in the amount of 7 in the direction of the arrows C and an angular deflection in the amount of about 4 in the direction of the arrows Di Generally, the arms of traffic signal standards are given a slight upward inclination in their initial fabrication so that when the traffic signal housing is suspended therefrom, the arms will not droop. In order to ensure that the hanger member of the present invention may permit the signal to be vertically suspended from a support arm 20 which has a slight upward inclination. the hanger is adapted to permit a greater amount of adjustment in the direction compensating for the upward inclination than in the direction compensating for a downward inclination of the arm. We have found that the provision of an adjustment of the order of 7 to compensate for upward inclination and of the order of 4 compensate for downward inclination is sufficient for most traffic signal standards.

In order to prevent rotation of the traffic signal housing with respect to the lower end of the second hanger 16, there is provided a washer 104 which is adapted to fit over the threaded lower end 78 of the second hanger bracket 72. The washer 104 has a lug 106 projecting inwardly therefrom which is adapted to fit in a close fitting sliding relationship within the slot formed in the lower end ofthe second hanger bracket 16. The washer 104 also has a plurality of radially extending serrations 108. In use, a lock nut 110 is threaded onto the lower end of the second hanger bracket member 16, followed by washer 104. The lower end of the second hanger bracket 16 is then located within a mounting opening formed in the upper end of the housing 18. A neophrene washer 114 is then located on the lower end 78 and a second lock nut 112 is threaded onto the lower end 78 of the second hanger bracket 16 until it is elevated above passages 116 formed in the lower end. A cotter pin 118 is then located in the passages 116 and deformed to be secured with respect to the hanger bracket 16. The out 112 is then tightened toward the cotter pin 118 and thereafter the nut 110 is tightened toward the nut 112 to compress the components located therebetween into engagement with one another. By tightening the nut 110 toward the nut 112, the locking washer 104 is forced into engagement with the upper wall of the housing 18 so that the serrations 108 engage the upper wall of the housing and serve to pre vent relative rotation of the housing 18 with respect to the washer 104. As previously indicated, rotation of the washer 104 with respect to the lower end of the second hanger bracket 16 is prevented by means of the lug 106 which extends into the slot 80 formed in the lower end of the second hanger bracket. This assembly serves to prevent rotation of the housing 18 with respect to the vertical axis of the lower end of the second hanger bracket.

In use, the traffic signal hanger is secured to the traffic signal housing 18 as described above and thereafter it is mounted on the support arm 20. The clamping screws 34 are tightened onto the arm 20 to secure the hanger with respect to the bracket. The lock nuts 102 are released to permit the second hanger bracket 16 to pivot freely about the first hanger bracket 14. When the housing 18 is vertically oriented, the locking nuts 102 are tightened so as to securely locate the second hanger bracket 16 with respect to the first hanger bracket 14. In conditions of high wind or the like. the

hanger brackets

14, 16 and signal housing 18 may pivot about the axis 64 with the springs 46 serving to resist the pivoting action and to restore the assembly to a vertical position upon removal of the deflecting force.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the hanger bracket of the present invention provides a simple and effective mechanism capable of supporting the traffic signal housing in a position depending vertically from the support arm of a traffic signal standard. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What we claim as our invention is: l. A traffic signal hanger comprising: an elbow member having passage means extending therethrough. said passage means having openings at the first and second ends of said elbow member disposed substantially at right angles to one another, said passage means having a portion extending inwardly from said opening in said first elbow member end and being adapted to receive a support arm of a traffic signal standard whereby said elbow member may be mounted on a support arm of a traffic signal standard; first hanger bracket means pivotably mounted on said elbow member for movement about a first gen erally horizontal axis, said first hanger bracket having a portion projecting downwardly from said second end of said elbow member; return spring means operatively positioned between said elbow member and said first hanger member for interaction therebetwecn to resist rotation of said first hanger member with respect to said elbow member about said first generally horizontal axis and to return said first hanger bracket to its downwardly extending position with respect to said elbow member following deflection of said first hanger bracket means; second hanger bracket means pivotably mounted on said first hanger bracket means for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to said first generally horizontal axis, said second hanger bracket means having passage means opening therethrough, one end of said passage means of said second hanger bracket communicating with said passage means opening in said second end of said elbow member, the other end of said passage means of said second hanger bracket being disposed below said first hanger bracket;

releasable locking means for locking said second hanger bracket against rotation with respect to said first hanger bracket in a predetermined position; and

mounting means at said other end of said passage of said second hanger bracket means for securing a traffic signal housing thereto.

2. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim I wherein said first and second hanger brackets have body portions overlapping one another, said first and second hanger brackets being pivotally mounted with respect to one another by means of pivot pin means extending through said overlapping portions thereof. locking passage means opening through said overlapping portions of said first and second hanger brackets, said releasable means extending through said locking passage means to effect locking of said overlapping portions in fixed relationship, at least one of said locking passage means consisting of an elongated slot whereby said second hanger bracket is free to pivot with respect to said first hanger bracket when said locking pin means is released to vertically orient a traffic signal suspended therefrom in use.

3. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second hanger bracket means has a lower end in the form ofa threaded conduit, recess means extending longitudinally of the outer surface of said conduit and opening at the lower end of said bracket, locking washer means mounted on said conduit and having lug means projecting into said recess means for preventing rotational movement of said washer with respect to said conduit means, and serrated means formed on said locking washer means to prevent rotational movement between said locking washer means and a traffic signal housing engaged thereby and means for securing a traffic signal housing in clamping engagement with said locking washer means on said lower end of said second hanger bracket means.

Claims

1. A traffic signal hanger comprising: an elbow member having passage means extending therethrough, said passage means having openings at the first and second ends of said elbow member disposed substantially at right angles to one another, said passage means having a portion extending inwardly from said opening in said first elbow member end and being adapted to receive a support arm of a traffic signal standard whereby said elbow member may be mounted on a support arm of a traffic signal standard; first hanger bracket means pivotably mounted on said elbow member for movement about a first generally horizontal axis, said first hanger bracket having a portion projecting downwardly from said second end of said elbow member; return spring means operatively positioned between said elbow member and said first hanger member for interaction therebetween to resist rotation of said first hanger member with respect to said elbow member about said first generally horizontal axis and to return said first hanger bracket to its downwardly extending position with respect to said elbow member following deflection of said first hanger bracket means; second hanger bracket means pivotably mounted on said first hanger bracket means for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to said first generally horizontal axis, said second hanger bracket means having passage means opening therethrough, one end of said passage means of said second hanger bracket communicating with said passage means opening in said second end of said elbow member, the other end of said passage means of said second hanger bracket being disposed below said first hanger bracket; releasable locking means for locking said second hanger bracket against rotation with respect to said first hanger bracket in a predetermined position; and mounting means at said other end of said passage of said second hanger bracket means for securing a traffic signal housing thereto.

2. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second hanger brackets have body portions overlapping one another, said first and second hanger brackets being pivotally mounted with respect to one another by means of pivot pin means extending through said overlapping portions thereof, locking passage means opening through said overlapping portions of said first and second hanger brackets, said releasable means extending through said locking passage means to effect locking of said overlapping portions in fixed relationship, at least one of said locking passage means consisting of an elongated slot whereby said second hanger bracket is free to pivot with respect to said first hanger bracket when said locking pin means is released to vertically orient a traffic signal suspended therefrom in use.

3. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second hanger bracket means has a lower end in the form of a threaded conduit, recess means extending longitudinally of the outer surface of said conduit and opening at the lower end of said bracket, locking washer means mounted on said conduit and having lug means projecting into said recess means for preventing rotational movement of said washer with respect to said conduit means, and serrated means formed on said locking washer means to prevent rotational movement between said locking washer means and a traffic signal housing engaged thereby and means for securing a traffic signal housing in clamping engagement with said locking washer means on said lower end of said second hanger bracket means.