Abstract: A neon-type pedestrian traffic signal which includes a housing. A partition divides the housing into two separate compartments, each compartment having a parabolic-shaped rear wall covered with a suitable reflective substance. A tubular-type neon lamp is mounted in each compartment as the focal point of the corresponding parabolic-shaped rear wall. Each neon lamp extends outwardly from the rear wall. The housing has an open front, and a face plate fits over the open front. The face plate has the appropriate "WALK" and "DONT WALK" symbols positioned over the respective compartments. An egg crate visor is mounted over the face plate to shield the pedestrian traffic signal from sunlight. Due to the configuration of the rear reflective wall of each compartment, the tendency for symbols on the face plate to be visible when not illuminated is minimized.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled loop detection system to be connected to a number of inductive loops which are buried in a road bed and which is used to detect the presence of motor vehicles above the loops to control the operation of traffic lights at an intersection. A common oscillator is connected to each loop on a time-shared basis under the control of a microprocessor, and the frequency of the oscillator in each instance is dependent upon whether or not there is a vehicle above the loop. The microprocessor provides a null time as the system is switched from one loop to another to prevent spurious responses in the system due to transient signals. The microprocessor acts to count the number of cycles of the output signal of the oscillator which occur during a predetermined time interval as each loop is connected to the oscillator by the microprocessor to determine the oscillator frequency for each loop and thereby detect the presence of a vehicle in the particular loop.

Abstract: A solid state power supply and light emission controller for a cold cathode luminous tube which converts standard alternating current line voltage, or direct current voltage, into a variable repetition rate pulse alternating current voltage for energizing the tube and for controlling the light emission thereof. The power supply and controller provides for essentially constant light emission from the tube in the presence of variations in the load presented by the tube, ambient temperature and line voltage. The power supply and controller includes a flyback transformer circuit which, in turn, includes circuitry for monitoring the line voltage and the load presented by the tube, and for providing an automatic cut-off when the line voltage decreases below a predetermined level. The power supply and controller finds use, for example, with cold cathode luminescent tubes such as fluorescent-mercury-argon-neon, fluorescent neon, clear mercury-argon-neon, and clear neon.

Abstract: A visor assembly for a pedestrian traffic signal, which is intended to be mounted across the face of the signal and which serves to screen the signal from sunlight. The visor assembly of the invention includes a frame, and a grating mounted in the frame. The grating is formed of a plurality of zig-zag strips and straight strips interposed between one another, and adhesively attached to one another, so as to provide a solid grating which is locked into the frame, and which cannot be pried out of the frame by vandals.

Abstract: A visor assembly for a pedestrian traffic signal, which is intended to be mounted across the face of the signal and which serves to screen the signal from sunlight. The visor assembly includes a frame, and an "egg-crate" grating mounted in the frame, the grating being composed of a multiplicity of intersecting webs which provide a plurality of rectangular openings. The invention, the grating is locked in the frame to prevent vandalism by plastic strips which receive the ends of the webs, and which are secured to the frame.

Abstract: A combined elongated terminal box and a mounting bracket is provided for pedestrian and traffic signal units for mounting traffic signals, and either one or two pedestrian signal units on an upright pole. The bracket is mounted to the pole to extend radially outwardly from the pole on one side of the longitudinal axis thereof when a signal unit is to be mounted on the pole, and to extend on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the pole when two pedestrian signal units are to be mounted on the pole. The bracket has a tubular protuberance at the distal end thereof which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bracket and into a mounting hole in the top edge of the signal unit to be supported by the bracket. The energizing electric wires for the unit are brought up through the interior of the pole and through a bushing into the interior of the bracket to a terminal strip which is mounted in a housing formed by the bracket.

Abstract: A two-piece bracket assembly is provided for a pedestrian traffic signal unit for mounting the unit on an upright pole. The bracket consists of a first piece which is bolted or strapped to the pole, and a second piece which is mounted on the side of the signal unit. The two pieces are removably hinged together by appropriate hinges, and are shaped to form an enclosure when turned about the axis of rotation of the hinges to a closed facing position. The energizing wires for the signal unit are brought up through the interior of the pole and through an opening in the first piece of the bracket to be connected to a terminal strip in the second piece of the bracket. The terminal strip is connected to wires extending into the signal unit itself, the wires being connected to the electrically energized illuminating elements within the unit.

Abstract: An adapter unit is provided which may be easily and quickly fitted into existing pedestrian traffic control signals to adapt such signals to an assembly in which luminous gaseous tube signal elements are mounted in an enclosed capsule, or module, which, in turn, is supported within the original housing of the signal. The adapter unit of the invention comprises a signal illuminating capsule which has a tray-like configuration, and which is mounted in the cover of the traffic control signal by means of a pair of cross bars which are releasably clipped into brackets fixed to the upper and lower rear edges of the cover.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for use in conjunction with a wire loop which is embedded in a roadway, and which senses the presence of vehicles in the roadway to control a traffic signal. The monitoring system senses the output of the loop oscillator which is included in the traffic control circuitry and which generates a loop signal and whose frequency-determining circuit includes the wire loop to indicate immediately any failure in the loop circuit. If for any reason the loop oscillator fails to operate, that fact will be sensed immediately by the monitoring system of the invention, and such a failure will be equated to a failure in the embedded loop, or in the lead-in circuit which connects the loop to the loop oscillator.

Abstract: A high resolution digital test instrument is provided which has particular, although not exclusive, utility in testing the inductance and inductance changes of wire loops which are embedded in roadways and which are incorporated into vehicle presence sensing systems. The test instrument provides a simple means for determining the sensitivity of the loop to vehicles of different sizes; as well as for determining whether the loop inductance is susceptible to drift, whether open circuit or short circuit conditions exist, whether there are intermittent circuit breaks, and a variety of other conditions. The instrument includes frequency counting circuitry which counts, on a selected time basis, the output frequency of a Class C oscillator. The frequency of the oscillator is determined by the combined loop and lead-in inductance together with the lead capacitance of the loop circuit being tested.