US3219973A - Traffic signal lens mounting construction - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 23, 1965 w. E. LENZ TRAFFIC SIGNAL LENS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1961 mm WNSH ATTO Nov. 23, 1965 w. E. LENZ 3,219,973

TRAFFIC SIGNAL LENS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WENTOR WILLIAM E. LE NZ BY WW m ATTO R N Y5 Ueiredhset s e @155 3,219,973 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 3,219,973 TRAFFIC SIGNAL LENS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION William E. Lenz, Haverstraw, N.Y., assignor to The Marbelite Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 82,492 1 Claim. (Cl. 34084) This invention pertains to a traflic signal and particularly to a lens clip which may be employed to hold a lens in a situably apertured traflic signal light base.

In the traflic signal art, emphasis is made upon simple and convenient assembly of the equipment since normally the service man must work at an awkward position on a ladder or other form of elevated platform. Prior art lens mounting devices incorporating flat washers and screw assemblies are rather difficult to remove and install at such awkward positions because the asserrrblying or dismantling generally requires the use of both hands. To the contrary, the mounting clips of the present invention permit easy and convenient lens assemblying or dismantling which can readily be performed with one hand.

It is an object of this invention to provide a plurality of clip devices for releasably securing the lens of a trafiic signal assembly to the hinged door or cover thereof in a convenient manner whereby the securing clips may be readily pivoted and released, without the need of using any tools, enabling a service man to conveniently remove the lens for cleaning or replacement.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages 'hereof will become apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view of a traffic signal assembly with parts broken away in cross section showing the lens clip mounting the lens on the cover;

FIG. 2 is a partial rear elevational view of the cover in open position with the lens secured thereto;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the elements of the lens clip viewed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative lens mounting clip assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the clip assembly shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 1 the traflic signal assembly shown generally as 11 has the usual casing or housing 12. Preferably the front door or cover 13 is hinged to a projecting pivot (not shown) on the casing has a circumferential well 14 adjacent circular opening 15 in which a lens 16 may be mounted. The lens shown has a circumferential flat rim 17 which is adapted to receive an inwardly opening annular recess 18 in the annular washer or gasket 19 which may be of an S-shaped cross-section. The gasket is of an appropriately predetermined size so as to readily fit in the well 14. The lens and Washer are clamped or mounted in position on the door by mounting clips, one of which is generally denoted in FIG. 1 at 20.

The mounting clip comprises a clip member 21 (FIGS. 1, 3) which is formed with two substantially parallel offset portions 22, 23 connected substantially perpendicularly by an intermediate portion 24. The connection between portions 23, 24 includes a rounded protrusion or bend 25 (FIG. 3) which is adapted to be positioned as a fulcrum in abutting relationship with a front wall or door 13 of the assembly. The portion 23 is formed with a bore 26 for receiving a headed bolt 27 which is threadedly attached to the door 13. Positioned on the bolt between the bolt head and portion 23 of the clip member is a spring 28 for biasing portion 23 away from the bolt head and toward the door or cover 13. The spring preferably surrounds a flanged sleeve 28A of relatively shorter length and which may be forced into abutting relation with clip portion 23 by bolt 27. The inwardly extending end of portion 23 is coined or otherwise formed so as to present a rounded edge 29 (FIG. 4). The edge 29 is readily insertable in an outwardly directed annular recess 18 of the washer or gasket 19. Thus, each clip member may be grasped by the relatively long handle or portion 22 and selectively pivoted about its bolt into and out of securing engagement with the lens and its gasket. The spring biased portion 23 in its lens securing position is urged into clamping engagement with the lens and its gasket.

In FIG. 2, the mounting clip 20 is shown in its correct lens securing position, but when in a partial securing position (dotted lines), the long handle is such that it will prevent the cover from being closed.

Thus it is believed to be readily understood that a service man, who may be in an awkward position on a ladder or the like, may with one hand pivot the mounting clips as desired into or out of securing engagement with the traflic signal lens, and by use of the foregoing structure, a traflic signal lens may be assembled or dismantled with increased facility.

As an alternative, the mounting clip assembly (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) may be employed. In this form, a retaining or locking means 28 such as a Truarc retaining ring, is positioned on the reduced non-threaded portion of bolt 27 between the clip member offset portion 23 and the threaded portion of the bolt. The locking means 28' serves to hold the spring 28 in place on the bolt 27 between the enlarged bolt head and clip portion 23. Thus the clip member 21 may be retained upon the bolt 27 such that the mounting clip assembly is easily adaptable for securement or remounting on any signal.

Referring to FIG. 1, a lamp 36 is shown in its normal position behind the lens and screwed or otherwise se cured to the reflector assembly 37. Preferably a polarized disconnect plug 38 extends from the reflector assembly by electrical cord 39 and is connected to the mating socket 40 in lamp operating condition. The socket extends from terminal block 41, mounted within the signal housing, by electrical cord 42. Preferably, the reflector assembly 37 is detachably pivotably mounted within the housing.

Thus, when it is desired to remove the reflector as sembly for maintenance or the like, the hinged door may be opened and the reflector assembly rotated slightly to gain access to the disconnect plug. Whereupon the plug may be disconnected from the socket, thereby break ing the electrical connection, Which will permit the withdrawal of the reflector assembly upon detachment of its pivotal mounting in the housing. Thus, it will be noted that the reflector assembly of the present invention is capable of being withdrawn without the use or need of screw drivers or other tools heretofore employed in disconnecting lead wires from a terminal block mounted in a signal housing.

It is understood that the described exemplary embodiment is intended merely for the purpose of illustration, and that the principles of the invention are not intended to be limited thereto, except as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a trafiic signalling lamp structure having a signal lamp enclosure, a door, a signal lamp and lens, an opening in said door to be substantially closed by the mount ing of said lens in said opening, gasket means, and lens mounting clip means for securing said lens in said opening, said clip means comprising a first and second portion, said portions being oifset substantially parallel, oppositely extending and connected substantially perpendicularly by an intermediate portion, the second portion including a fulcrum bend adjacent the connection of said intermediate portion and said second portion for engagement with said door, said second portion further including an aperature adjacent said bend, a bolt having an enlarged head at one end, a spring, said bolt passing through said aperture and pivotally securing said clip means to said door with said spring interposed between said bolt head and said second portion of said clip means, said clip means being pivotal about said bolt whereby 4 said second portion of said clip means is movable into and out of engagement With said gasket to permit assembly and disassembly of said gasket and lens.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,441,326 1/1923 Blocker 292-202 1,709,433 4/ 1929 Holfman 29257 2,508,662 5/1950 Carper 292202 2,534,992 12/1950 Reid 340-84 2,591,888 4/1952 Steffen 340-84 2,852,758 9/1958 Beaubien 340-74 2,949,598 8/1960 Bush 340-84 NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

BENNETT G. MILLER, Examiner.

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