AU2006201940B1 - Metal cap for traffic surface adapter - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Austact Pty Ltd Invention Title: METAL CAP FOR TRAFFIC SURFACE ADAPTOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 METAL CAP FOR TRAFFIC SURFACE ADAPTER FIELD OF TH INVENTION This invention relates to a metal cap for a metal-capped device (herein referred to as a traffic surface adapter) that is arranged to be positioned in a localised area of a (pedestrian or vehicular) traffic surface for the purpose of adapting modifying) the characteristics of the surface.

The traffic surface adapter to which the metal cap is fitted may be employed in various applications, usually in an array; for example to provide a non-skid surface, to provide a condition-changing indication, or to act as a direction indicator or lane or boundary indicator. In one of its applications the traffic surface adapter may be provided in the form of a tactile marker of a type that is positioned on a walkway surface for the assistance of pedestrians generally and, more specifically, for the assistance of persons with impaired vision. Such markers typically are arrayed in a grid pattern to mark some sort of transition, for example at the foot or head of a stairway, at the loading area of an escalator and along the edge of a railway platform.

The traffic surface adapter is hereinafter described largely in the context of its application as a tactile marker. However, it is to be understood that this comprises but one application of the surface adapter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There basically are three different types of tactile marker. One is in the form of a tile-like pad that is moulded from a durable plastics material and which incorporates an array of integrally moulded individual markers. The pad is in use positioned within a recess in a walkway surface. The second comprises an individual marker that has a stem portion that is forced into one of a grid of drilled holes in a walkway and an integrally moulded enlarged head portion that sits on the walkway 3 surface. The third type is similar to the second, except that a plurality of aligned markers is moulded integrally with a common depending strip, and the strip is forced into one of a number of parallel channels that is cut into the walkway.

The present invention in its application to a tactile marker is applicable to a tactile marker of the second and/or third type but more specifically to one that presents with the appearance of a metal marker.

lo SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly defined, the present invention provides a pressed metal cap for a traffic surface adapter device that is arranged (in use) to be positioned on a traffic surface. The metal cap is formed on its underside with a plurality of dimples which create complementary protuberances on its topside, and the apex of each protuberance is apertured.

The invention may also be defined as providing a traffic surface adapter device which comprises: a) a plastics material first portion having a head that is arranged in use to sit on a traffic surface and a depending projection that is formed integrally with the head and is arranged in use to locate within a recess in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ and b) a pressed metal cap that is shaped and sized to overfit the head, the metal cap being formed on its underside with a plurality of dimples which create complementary protuberances on its topside, and the apex of each protuberance being apertured.

The apertures within the protuberances function to provide the metal cap with a non-skid (or, at least, minimal skid) surface and they may also serve to carry any moisture away from the exposed (topside) surface of the cap.

-4- OPTIONAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The apertures within the protuberances may be formed by first piercing the cap material and then forming the dimples in the locations of the apertures. Alternatively, the apertures may be pierced pursuant to formation of the dimples.

The plastics material first portion of the traffic surface adapter device may be provided in its head with at least two spaced-apart apertures. In such case the metal cap will be provided with depending tabs that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive to the head.

In order to create the impression of an all-metal device, a pressed metal ring may be provided to overfit a peripheral portion of the head of the first portion of the device and be held in place by the metal cap. The cap and the ring (when provided) would normally be formed from a metal that is durable in the environment to which it is to be exposed. It may for example comprise stainless steel or brass. The ring might for aesthetic or other decorative purposes be formed from a metal that is different from that from which the cap is formed.

Depending upon its application, the metal cap may optionally be circular or have an elongate form. In the latter case the (optional) ring also would have an elongate form.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following illustrative description of alternative embodiments of a traffic surface adapter device that incorporates the metal cap. The description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first portion of the device when in the form of a tactile marker, Figure 2 shows an elevation view of the portion illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an underside view of the portion illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second portion of the tactile marker, Figure 5 shows an elevation view of the portion illustrated in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a top-side perspective view of a third portion of the tactile marker, Figure 7 shows an underside perspective view of the third portion of the tactile marker, Figure 8 shows an elevation view of the third portion of the tactile marker, Figure 9 shows sectioned elevation views of an assembly of the first, second and third portions of the tactile marker in the process of insertion into a traffic surface hole, Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a fourth portion of the tactile marker, Figure 11 shows a sectioned elevation view of an assembly of the first to fourth portions of the tactile marker, Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention when in the form of a strip of surface adapter devices that are 2 5 suitable for use, for example, as tactile markers or, in an array, as antiskid devices, Figure 13 shows an end elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 12, Figure 14 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention when in the form of a direction indicator, Figure 15 shows an end elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 14, and -6- Figure 16 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention when in the form of a step tread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the first portion 20 of the tactile marker comprises a generally frusto-conical marker head (having a bevelled periphery) 21 and an integrally moulded depending projection in the form of a stem 22 projects downwardly from the underside of the head.

As best seen from Figure 3, the underside of the head 21 is recessed to minimise material bulk, and the stem 22 has a generally square crosssection throughout its length. The stem is also formed with longitudinally extending flutes 23 for minimising material bulk and to accommodate resilient lateral compression of the stem.

A lower region 24 of the stem is provided with a taper to facilitate insertion of the stem 22 into the second portion 25 of the tactile marker, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, and the head 21 is formed with diametrically spaced slots 26 to accommodate attachment of a third portion 27 of the tactile marker as illustrated in Figures 6 to 8.

Two slots 26 are shown in the drawings but more may and normally would be provided.

The second portion 25, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is formed from a durable thermoplastic material such as nylon, as is the first portion and it comprises a bush having a cylindrical body 28 and a flanged upper part 29. The body is dimensioned to be a press-fit in a hole (Figures 9) which is drilled in a traffic a walkway) surface 31 to receive the tactile marker, and the flange 29 is provided to limit the extent of movement of the bush into the hole The external diameter of the cylindrical body 28 is formed over approximately 50% of its length with circumferential grooves 32 which, -7as viewed in section, have a saw-tooth profile. The grooved portion, being at the lower end of the bush, provides for enhanced gripping engagement of the bush in the hole 30 when the bush is expanded following insertion of the stem 22 into the bush. Longitudinally extending slits 33 also are provided in the bush to facilitate expansion of the lower end of the bush with insertion of the stem 22.

The bush 25 has a central square-section bore 34 and, as best seen from Figure 7, the bore 34 has a slightly enlarged opening through the flanged upper portion 29 of the bush. The major part of the length of the bore 34 is shaped and dimensioned to be a press-fit on the stem 22 and a lower end portion 35 of the bore is tapered inwardly to complement the taper at the lower end 24 of the stem 22.

The third portion 27 of the tactile marker comprises a pressed metal cap having a disc-shaped upper portion 36 and integrally formed diametrically spaced depending tabs 37. Two tabs are shown but the number provided will match the number of slots 26 that are provided in the head portion As seen from below (Figure the upper portion 36 of the metal cap is formed with a central dimple 38 and two concentric rings of further such dimples, which all transfer as protuberances 39 on the outside of the upper portion 36. Holes 40 are shown to be located at the apexes of all of the protuberances 39. The holes 40 may be formed by piercing the upper portion of the cap before forming the dimples 38 or, alternatively, the holes may be formed pursuant to formation of the dimples. However, it will be understood that the holes and, indeed, the protuberances need not necessarily be provided in all embodiments of the invention.

The third portion 27 might be formed from any metal, to meet particular aesthetic or architectural requirements, but normally would be stamped and pressed from stainless steel or brass.

-8- Prior to on-site installation of the tactile markers, the metal third portion 27 is over-fitted to the first portion 20, with the tabs 37 projected through the slots 26. The tabs are then bent inwardly against the underside of the head 21 to hold the third portion 27 captive to the first portion When installing the tactile marker, the holes 30 are drilled in the walkway in a required grid pattern. One of the bushes 25 is then pressed into respective ones of the holes 30, and the assembly of the first and third portions 20 and 27 of the marker is then pressed into the bore 34 of the bush 25, initially to the position shown in Figure 9.

Thereafter the assembly 20/27 is forced downwardly to drive the full cross-section of the stem 22 into the tapered region of the bush and to cause the body 28 of the bush to expand outwardly to engage positively with the hole 30. Thus, the bush 15 is held captive in the hole 30 and the stem 21 is held captive in the bush.

In the embodiment of the invention described to this point with reference to Figures 1 to 9, the tactile member when positioned on a traffic surface is seen as having a peripheral bevelled ring of plastic material surrounding the metal cap 27. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a fourth portion 41 (Figure 10) of the tactile marker is provided to cover the peripheral bevelled ring of plastic material. The fourth portion 41 is formed as a pressed metal ring with a shape that complements the frusto-conical shape of the head 21. It over-fits the head 21 and is held in place by the pressed metal cap 27, and the combination of the cap 27 and the ring 41 provide the impression of an all-metal tactile marker.

The ring 41 would normally be formed from stainless steel but it might for aesthetic or other decorative purposes be formed from any metal 9 that is the same as or different from that from which the cap 27 is formed.

Diametrically spaced slots 42 are formed in a land 43 of the ring 41 to accommodate the tabs 37 of the metal cap 27 during initial assembly of the complete tactile marker, as shown in Figure 11.

In the further embodiment of the traffic surface adapter device as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, plural head portions 21a are formed integrally with a depending projection in the form of a longitudinally extending strip 44. The strip projects downwardly from the underside of the head portions 21a as an alternative to the stem 22, and it is provided for location in a slot which, in mounting the plural head portions 2 l a to a traffic surface, is sawn as a groove (not shown) into the traffic surface.

Although three only head portions 21a are shown in Figure 12 as being integrated with the longitudinally extending strip 44, a very much larger number of the head portions may, and normally would, be provided.

Each of the head portions 2 l a is formed in substantially the same way as the head portion 21 shown in Figures 1 to 11, and each of the head portions 2 la is fitted with a metal cap 27 of the same type and in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Thus, each metal cap 27 is held captive to its head portion 2 la by projecting tabs 37 through slots 26.

A ring 41 as shown in figure 10 may also be mounted to the head portions 2 la in the manner shown in Figure 11.

In the further embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, a single elongate head portion 21b is formed integrally with a depending projection in the form of a strip 44b, although the strip 44b 10 might be replaced by a plurality of stems 22 of the type shown in Figures 1 to 11. The elongate head portion 21b is formed in a manner similar to the circular head portions 21 and 2 la of Figures 1 to 13, having a generally frusto-conical configuration in cross-section, and it is provided with longitudinally spaced slots 26 in similar manner to the circular head portions. An elongate metal cap 27b is fitted to the head portion 2 l1b by way of tabs 37 that are projected through the slots 26 and, as shown, the metal cap in this case is formed with non-apertured protuberances 39 that are disposed so as to provide for direction indication.

Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of the traffic surface adapter that is in the form of a step tread. In this case the first portion 2 1 c of the device is formed as an L-shape with limbs 45 and 46 that are disposed to engage with the tread and riser of a step. A depending projection (not shown) in the form of stems 22 or a strip 44 projects downwardly from the limb 45 and engages in holes or a sawn groove in the step tread. As in the previous embodiments, a metal cap 27c is provided, in this case in the form of an elongate strip, and is secured to the limb 45 by projecting tabs 37 into slots 26. The metal cap 27c is formed with protuberances 39 which desirably are apertured (as at 40) to provide enhanced non-slip characteristics.

Variations and modifications may be made in respect of the embodiments as above described without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A pressed metal cap for a traffic surface adapter device that is arranged (in use) to be positioned on a traffic surface, the metal cap being formed on its underside with a plurality of dimples which create complementary protuberances on its topside, and the apex of each protuberance being apertured.

2. The pressed metal cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apertures within the protuberances are formed by first piercing the cap material and then forming the dimples in the locations of the apertures.

3. The pressed metal cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apertures within the protuberances are formed pursuant to formation of the dimples.

4. The pressed metal cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 when in the form of a disc.

The pressed metal cap as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the underside of the cap is formed with a central said dimple and at least two concentric rings of further such dimples.

6. The pressed metal cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 when of elongated form.

7. A traffic surface adapter device which comprises: a) a plastics material first portion having a head that is arranged in use to sit on a traffic surface and a depending projection that is arranged in use to locate within a recess in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ and b) a pressed metal cap that is shaped and sized to overfit the head, the metal cap being formed on its underside with a plurality of dimples 12 which create complementary protuberances on its topside, and the apex of each protuberance being apertured.

8. The traffic surface adapter device as claimed in claim 7 wherein plastics material first portion is provided in its head with at least two spaced-apart apertures and wherein the metal cap is provided with depending tabs that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive to the head.

9. The traffic surface adapter device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein a pressed metal ring over fits a peripheral portion of the head of the plastics material first portion and is held in place by the metal cap.

The traffic surface adapter device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the metal from which the metal cap is formed comprises stainless steel or brass.

11. The traffic surface adapter device as claimed in claims 9 and wherein the ring is formed from a metal that is different from that from which the cap is formed.

12. The traffic surface adapter as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the depending projection is in the form of a stem that is arranged to locate within a drilled hole.

13. The traffic surface adapter as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the depending projection is in the form of a strip that is arranged to locate within a sawn groove in the traffic surface. 13

14. The traffic surface adapter as claimed in claim 13 wherein a plurality of the heads is located at spaced intervals along the length of the strip. Dated this 10th day of May 2006 AUSTACT PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia