Abstract: A traffic control system is provided wherein the green and/or red signal lights are blinked momentarily at a predetermined interval before the direction of traffic is changed, and wherein a marker is placed along the roadway at a normal distance of travel within the timing of the blink signal to enable motorists to gauge their driving to save gasoline and achieve greater safety solely by noting their location relative to the marker when the blink signal occurs. Further, the invention relates to the use of this traffic signalling system in connection with a semi-actuated controller having a synchrolizer providing a background cycle, wherein the timing of the blink signal and the yellow caution signal is obtained from the synchrolizer. A specific feature resides in a novel means to prevent the synchrolizer from triggering a change in direction of traffic without a prior actuation of the blink signal.

Abstract: A street name sign of a vandalproof type which comprises one or more sign heads of a hollow aluminum-frame construction and a center staff passing centrally through the sign heads and down into the post supporting the sign, is provided with a lock collar clamped to the lower end of the center staff and itself having a one-way locking action against the inside wall of the post permitting the sign to be readily pressed down onto the post but locking the sign against any unauthorized removal. The lock collar is secured firmly to the center staff preferably by clamping pressure exerted through the sign assembly to hold the whole assembly on the center staff in an integral construction.

Abstract: An equipment is provided in connection with a traffic actuated controller to cut off the traffic actuation to shift the controller to a fixed time basis at a predetermined interval before the direction of traffic will change, and at the same time provide an advance signal for motorists to enable them to gauge their driving to save gasoline and to achieve greater safety. The green signal is continued during the first portion of this fixed interval until the yellow clearance interval begins. A specific feature resides in the provision of a circuit adjunct including an adjustable timer, which can be connected externally to existing controllers to cut off the traffic actuation and feed out the advance signal at the setting of one adjustable control and to terminate the green signal and start the yellow signal at the setting of another adjustable control.

Abstract: An apparatus of electromechanical or solid-state character is provided for intermittently blinking the traffic control signals at street and road intersections to inform motorists and pedestrians at intervals during each period the lights are red or green as to the time remaining before the lights are changed to green or red to indicate a change in direction of traffic. The apparatus includes an interrupter switch in the power line of the traffic lights and a timer for the interrupter switch cycled by a pulse from the controller of the traffic lights each time the lights are changed. During each cycle of the timer the interrupter switch is operated at intervals to provide distinguishing signals each differing by one blink from the other. For example, the traffic lights may be blinked once when 30 seconds remain before the lights will change and twice at a rate of 3 to 6 per second when 15 seconds remain.

Abstract: A street name sign comprising one or more sign heads of a hollow, aluminum-frame construction mounted on a post cap via a center staff and a nut threaded thereon against the post cap is provided with a vandal-proof arm secured to the center staff, which is anchored deep in the cylindrical post or pipe supporting the sign to render the sign vandal-proof against unauthorized removal from the post and against being bent or broken by a yanking on the ends of the sign ends by one's full strength and weight. The vandal-proof arm may comprise a threaded extension of the center staff secured thereto through a staff nut used also to clamp the post cap to the sign heads, or preferably it may be an integral extension of the center staff having a one-way spring-lock washer thereon acting through a compression spring against the post cap to clamp the same to the sign heads.