Traffic control device with wind dampening backplate assembly

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/465,504 entitled “Traffic Control Device with Wind Dampening Backplate Assembly,” filed Mar. 1, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to traffic control devices generally and more particularly, but without limitation, to backplates for traffic control devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right frontal perspective view of a traffic signal housing with a wind dampening backplate assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the traffic signal housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the traffic signal housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a section designated by the number “4” in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmented sectional view of the traffic signal housing shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Traffic control devices must be easily seen to serve vehicular and pedestrian traffic. To that end, traffic control devices, such as signal housings, often are provided with a surrounding backplate to provide visual contrast for enhanced visibility. Although backplates improve visibility of the signals, they also present additional surface area to external forces such as wind, rain, hail, and flying debris. As a result, increased visibility is accompanied by increased wind resistance and consequently a greater likelihood of damage or detachment.

Attempts have been made to reduce the additional wind load created by backplates. For example, backplates have been provided with perforations or reduced width. However, there remains a need for backplates that minimize wind load without reducing the visibility of the signal.

The present invention provides an improved backplate assembly that reduces wind resistance and therefore the costs and disruptions associated with damage to traffic control devices. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a backplate assembly that comprises first and second side flanges that are resiliently deformable.

Turning now to the drawings in general and to FIGS. 1-3 in particular, there is shown therein a traffic control device equipped with a backplate assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. In the embodiment illustrated here, the traffic signal housing is a traffic signal light but the invention is no so limited.

Generally, the device 10 comprises a housing 12. The shape and configuration and orientation of the housing 12 may vary. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 12 supports a three-light vertically-oriented traffic signal. The housing 12 has first and second sides 14 and 16 (FIG. 3). In most instances, the sides 14 and 16 are straight and parallel as shown.

The device 10 further comprises a backplate assembly 20. The backplate assembly 20 usually will be sized and colored to provide visual contrast surrounding the signal lights. The backplate assembly 20 comprises first and second flanges 22 and 24. The first flange 22 has an inner edge 26 joined to the first side 14 of the signal housing 12, and the second flange 24 has an inner edge 28 joined to the second side 16 of the signal housing 12. That is, the flanges are attached so that they extend outwardly from the sides of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the connections may be to the back of the housing along the sides 14 and 16 so long as the flanges flank the housing visually when viewed from the front of the device.

In accordance with the present invention, the first and second flanges 22 and 24 are resiliently deformable. As used herein, “deformable” means that the side flanges yield, that is, bend or deflect in response to external forces, such as wind. The degree of flexibility may vary depending on the circumstances. By way of example, as explained more fully hereafter, the side flanges may be formed to remain rigid, that is, resisting bending in response to wind forces of 40 mph or less and to bend only about 45 degrees in response to wind speeds between about 40 mph and 80 mph, and to bend to about 90 degrees in response to wind speeds in excess of about 80 mph.

In the embodiment shown, each of the flanges 22 and 24 comprises an outer section 22a and 24a made of a rigid material and a flexible section that may comprises a strip of resilient material that forms a hinge or joint. A first joint 30 is provided adjacent the inner edge 26 of the first flange 22, and a second joint 32 is provided adjacent the inner edge 28 of the second flange 24. Now it will be appreciated that, the flanges 22 and 24 will deform in response to wind or other impact by bending forward or rearward at the joints 30 and 32. Alternately, the side flanges could be formed of resiliently deformable material, such as a suitable elastomeric material.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred structure for the joints 30 and 32 will be described. As both joints 30 and 32 may be identically formed, only the joint 30 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5. The joint 30 preferably comprises an elongate resilient strip 38 running longitudinally the length of the flange 22. The first and second side edges 40 and 42 of the strip 38 form longitudinal beads or ribs. The inner edge 46 of the first flange section 22a comprises a groove sized to receive the rib 40. Similarly, the inner edge 60 of an attachment section 62 forms a groove sized to receive the rib 42. Although not shown in detail, the joint 32 comprises a similar elongate resilient strip 36 and attachment section 64, as indicated in FIG. 4.

In a most preferred embodiment, the rigid attachment section, the resilient strip section, and the rigid outer section of each flange is formed by the process of dual durometer extrusion resulting in a chemical and mechanical bond at the interfacing surfaces to produce an integrally formed or unitary structure. Now it will be appreciated that the dual durometer composition will be selected to achieve the desired degree of deflection in relation to specific wind speeds.

In the embodiment shown, the joints 30 and 32 achieve resiliency by the elongate strips 36 and 38 formed of a resiliently deformable material, such as a suitable elastomeric material. Alternately, the resiliency may be provided at least in part by structure. For example, the joint may comprise a leaf and pin style hinge, or the elongate strip could be formed in longitudinal pleats or folds. Still further, the joint may be a saddle joint or pivot joint or other suitable structure that allows the side flanges to bend forward and backward.

In most applications, it will be advantageous for the backplate assembly 20 to extend around the full perimeter of the housing 12. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second flanges 22 and 24 extend a distance beyond the first and second ends 50 and 52 of the signal housing 12, as best seen in FIG. 3. To provide a continuous surround, the backplate assembly 20 may also comprises first and second connecting sections 54 and 56.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first connecting section 54 extends across the first end 50 of the signal housing 12 between the first and second flanges 22 and 24, and the second connecting section 56 extends across the second end 52 of the signal housing between the first and second flanges. One suitable way of securing the connecting sections 54 and 56 is shown in FIG. 5, although the invention is not so limited. One end 66 of the connecting section 56 is brought into abutment with the inner edge 68 of the attachment strip 62 that forms the inner edge 26 of the flange 22. Similarly, the other end 70 (FIG. 3) of the section 56 abuts the attachment strip 64 that forms the inner edge 28 of the flange 24.

The abutting edges are fixed together by any suitable means. One example of a suitable attachment is the support strip 72 (FIG. 5) secured behind the abutting edges by screws 74 or the like. Alternately, the support strip 72 could be eliminated by overlapping the edges of the attachment strips and the ends of the connecting sections. In the exemplary embodiment, the attachment sections 62 and 64 of the flanges 22 and 24 are bolted or otherwise connected to the housing 12. Still further, the flanges or the connecting sections or all of them could be integrally formed as part of the housing.

While the connection sections 54 and 56 are not designed to bend in this embodiment, in other embodiments the connecting sections may also be resilient or be otherwise deformably attached. Additionally, while the backplate assembly 20 is shown constructed in several parts, the number and configuration of the parts may vary. By way of example, the flanges 22 and 24 and connecting sections 54 and 56 may be integrally formed into a continuous surround made of a resilient material. These and other modifications are within the intended scope of the present invention.

The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary. Many details are often found in the art and, therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described herein. It is not claimed that all of the details, parts, elements, or steps described and shown herein are newly invented. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts, within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad meaning of the terms in the attached claims. The description and drawings of the specific embodiments herein do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but rather provide non-limiting examples of how to use and make the invention. Likewise, the abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.