AU2007101050A4 - Sign ("flip top lolly pop")(Road Safety Sign) - Google Patents

Description

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SIGN

Field of the Invention SThe present invention relates generally to signs, in particular to traffic control signs in use on and around work sites and public roads.

Background of the Invention Known signs for controlling traffic around worksites generally have one message on each side of a signboard, and therefore traffic control sign operators generally carry several signs from site to site. Each sign is generally heavy and occupies a large volume.

Also, during use of the signs, if worksite conditions change, the sign operators cannot change signs quickly, nor can they change the signs without leaving their traffic control position. This reduces the effectiveness of each traffic control sign.

This sign has the capability of being changed to suit varying work conditions and speed requirements.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sign apparatus including: a primary sign element adapted to be mounted on a handle and including a leading display face and a reverse display face; one or more secondary sign elements adapted to be attached to the primary Sign element, the or each secondary sign element adapted to be placed in a concealing position where it conceals at least part of one face of the primary sign element.

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-2- Preferably the or each secondary sign element is attached to the primary sign element with a catch device.

Preferably the or each secondary sign element is movable between a leading display position wherein the or each secondary sign element conceals at least part of the reverse face of the primary sign element, and a reverse display position wherein the or each secondary sign element conceals at least part of Nthe leading face of the primary sign element.

Preferably a pivot assembly is provided so as to facilitate movement of the secondary sign element between the leading and reverse display positions.

Preferably the pivot assembly is mounted at a top region of the primary sign element.

Preferably the pivot assembly includes a first hinge and a second hinge spaced apart from the first hinge so that the secondary sign element is disposed substantially flat against the primary sign element when disposed in either the leading or reverse display position.

Preferably the catch device is a channel or an attachment hook or a tensionlocating pin, the channel or attachment hook being mounted to the primary sign element, secondary sign element, or a primary sign element support structure. The locating pin substitutes for the hinge pin on the secondary sign.

Preferably a handle is provided, connected to a primary sign element or a primary sign element support structure.

Preferably the handle is in the form of a post so as to elevate the sign from the ground when in use.

Preferably a handle, which separates near the mid-point is provided.

Preferably the handle extension device includes a handle-joining device which joins two handles.

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Preferably the handle joining device includes a sleeve which is adapted to a receive and fix two handle ends in order to extend the handle.

Preferably the handle joining device includes a tapered handle end portion Cadapted to insert into a recessed handle end portion.

SPreferably the handle joining device includes a recessed handle end portion Cadapted to receive a tapered handle end portion.

In one arrangement, the pivot assembly may include a reflex hinge.

In some arrangements, the catch may be magnetic or hook-shaped, or spring loaded, or some other suitable arrangement.

In some arrangements, the handle extension apparatus may include a telescopic device; however, in one arrangement of the handle extension apparatus there is provided a joining assembly which includes a sleeve, open at both ends, into which are placed two handle ends. The handle ends abut one another when assembled in the sleeve. Connection assemblies are provided which connect the handle ends to the sleeve. The connection assemblies may be in the form of a pair of spaced-apart through bolts which pass through the sleeve and the handles, though the connection assemblies may include coach bolts, rivets, interference fits, and the like. A retaining means may be provided with the extension assembly, which in one form is a retaining chain, fixed between two through bolts. The handle, when separated in two for storage or ease of transportation, may be joined by a tapered handle end which is adapted to insert into a recess of the second handle.

In another arrangement of the handle extension apparatus, a handle assembly may be provided which may be constructed from plastic and may be formed in at least two handle lengths so as to reduce its length to facilitate storage in a truck. One handle length may include a tapered handle end for insertion into a recessed handle end.

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In one alternative arrangement, the secondary sign elements may be detachable in order to move them between the leading display and reverse 0 display positions. Thus, the secondary sign elements may be adhesive stickers, arranged in a plurality of layers. In this manner, a stack of adhesive stickers may be stored on a face of the primary sign element, so that a Owarning sign may be selected from within the stack by tearing off secondary sign elements. Small tags would facilitate the tear-off selection of secondary Ssigns, each tag indicating the message on the secondary sign element, and Odisposed in a position external to the sign element periphery.

Some alternative arrangements may include a mounting frame for mounting the secondary sign elements, in one form including a rigid base or chassis.

The chassis may also include catches or latches disposed about a periphery of the chassis which are adapted to hook over a peripheral region of the primary sign element and then affix thereto.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a detachable sign apparatus which includes a chassis including a display region for displaying warning messages; and clips or catches for attaching the chassis to a sign element.

The chassis may be in the form of a plate, which may be flat, may be circular, and may be made of plastic or metal. The clips or catches may be hookshaped, and may be attached to the chassis by rivets, spot-welding, screws or adhesive or tension locating pin. The clips or catches may be constructed from metal, may be spring-loaded, or include a leaf-spring to reduce clattering and increase retention.

Part of each secondary sign element may be transparent or blank or wholly absent so as to only cover a portion of the sign underneath. This allows a variation of signs utilising only a fraction of the material, and mass.

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0 Brief Description of the Drawings In order to more clearly describe the invention a preferred embodiment is described with reference to the following drawings, and in those drawings: 0 Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a sign according to a preferred Sembodiment of the present invention in use on a road; SFigure 2 shows the sign of Figure 1 changing to display a reverse display position; and Figure 3 is one embodiment of a handle extension or handle joining device which allows extension of a handle assembly by joining two handle pieces.

Detailed Description of a preferred embodiment Referring to the drawings there is shown a sign apparatus generally indicated at 10, the sign including a primary sign element 12 adapted to be mounted to a post 14. The primary sign element 12 is connected to a connector 16 in the form of a sleeve 18. The sleeve 18 mounts the primary sign element 12 to the post 14 and includes a slot 20 disposed at an upper end 19 for receiving a base portion of primary sign element 12 and a bore 22 disposed at a lower end 23 for receiving an upper end of the post 14. Fasteners 27 in the form of bolts 28 pass through the sleeve 18 and post 14, and sleeve 18 and base 24 to hold the primary sign element 12 and post 14 together.

A secondary sign element 40 is attached to the primary sign element 12 with a retaining device 31 in the form of a pivot device 30 affixed to a top region 32 of the primary sign element 12. The retaining device 31 may be a detachable hook or channel but the pivot 30 preferably facilitates movement of the secondary sign element 40 between a leading display position where the secondary sign element 40 conceals at least part of a reverse face of the O -6-

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primary sign element 12 and a reverse display position wherein the secondary sign element 40 conceals at least part of a leading face of the primary sign 0 element 12. The pivot assembly 30 includes a first hinge 33 and a second VI hinge 34 spaced from the first hinge 33 which enables a 3600 rotation as well _as a stand-off at an upper region of the secondary sign element 40 so that it amay sit generally flat against the primary sign element 12 in either leading or reverse display orientations. A tension-locating pin 80 affixes the secondary asign to the pivot assembly, which is attached to the primary sign. In some C alternative arrangement the pivot device 31 is in the form of a reflex hinge (not shown).

The primary sign element 12 is a plate 13 which is generally circular in elevation with leading and reverse faces 42 and 44. The plate 13 may be octagonal, or square, triangular, or indeed any suitable shape.

The secondary sign element 40 is constructed from light material, so as to reduce damage and failure at the base portion 24 of the sign 12. Of course, the secondary sign element 40 may be constructed from other suitable materials such as composite material, such as honeycomb core with flat sandwich plates on either side upon which displays may be printed, painted or adhered.

A strengthening device in the form of a web or yoke 21 is provided adjacent the base portion 24. This yoke 21 is in the form of two plates which sandwich the primary sign element 12 at the base region 24. The primary sign element 12 and yoke 21 slot into the slot The diameter of the sign elements 12 and 40 are within a range of 300mm and 900mm, but 25 preferably 450mm.

There may be many secondary sign elements 40 provided, so as to provide a larger selection of warnings for different conditions. Each secondary sign element 40 may be mounted on the second hinge 34 and has two display faces 46, 48 so as to provide a range of different instructions to oncoming and outbound traffic (not shown). For example, in the Figures shown, the major sign element 12 shows "workmen digging" at 42 and "60" at 44. Secondary sign element 40 shows "SLOVV" at 48 and "STOP" (not shown) on the reverse of 48.

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A handle extension device 60 is provided to extend the height of the sign 0 elements 12 and/or to reduce storage length for a selected overall length of Vtt post 14. The handle extension device 60 includes a handle joining device 62 _which includes a sleeve 64 which is open at both ends 66 and 68. To Oassemble, handle butt ends 67 and 69 are inserted in the ends of the sleeve 64. Fastening means 70 are provided, in this embodiment being bolts 72 and 74 which pass through the butt ends 67 and 69 and also through walls of the Osleeve 64 adjacent the ends 66 and 68. Wing nuts 75 or rotating clips are provided as mounting or retaining means for a retaining device 77 in the form of a chain 79. In some alternative arrangements the handle extension device includes a tapered handle end which is adapted to insert into a recess of a second handle end. When disassembled the handle ends may fit more neatly into utility vehicles, which may have drawers into which they may be stowed.

Advantageous features of preferred embodiments of the invention are that one set of directions is given to incoming traffic, while another set of directions is given to outbound traffic, and these directions can be quickly changed for either or both directions. Preferred embodiments of the signs may occupy less length in storage and total volume than a quiver of known signs, freeing up space in a worker's truck.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A sign apparatus including: a primary sign element adapted to be mounted on a handle and including a leading display face and a reverse display face; one or more secondary sign elements adapted to be attached to the primary sign element, the or each secondary sign element adapted to be placed in a Sconcealing position where it conceals at least part of one face of the primary sign element.

O2. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the or each secondary Nsign element is attached to the primary sign element with a retaining device.

3. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the or each secondary sign element is movable between a leading display position wherein the or each secondary sign element conceals at least part of the reverse face of the primary sign element, and a reverse display position wherein the or each secondary sign element conceals at least part of the leading face of the primary sign element.

4. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 2 or 3 wherein a pivot assembly is provided so as to facilitate movement of the secondary sign element between the leading and reverse display positions.

A sign apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 2 4 wherein the pivot assembly is mounted at a top region of the primary sign element.

6. A sign apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 2 5 wherein the pivot assembly includes a first hinge and a second hinge spaced apart from the first hinge so that the secondary sign element is disposed substantially flat against the primary sign element when disposed in either the leading or reverse display position. C.) 0 O

7. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the catch device is a channel or an attachment hook, the channel or attachment hook being 0 mounted to the primary sign element, secondary sign element, or a primary sign element support structure.

O8. A sign apparatus in accordance with any previous claim wherein a handle is provided, connected to a primary sign element or a primary sign element Ssupport structure.

9. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the handle is in the form of a post so as to elevate the sign from the ground when in use.

A sign apparatus in accordance with any previous claim wherein a handle extension device is provided.

11. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the handle extension device includes a handle joining device which joins two handles.

12. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the handle joining device includes a sleeve which is adapted to receive and fix two handle ends in order to extend the handle.

13. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the handle joining device includes a tapered handle end portion adapted to insert into a recessed handle end portion.

14. A sign apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the handle joining device includes a recessed handle end portion adapted to receive a tapered handle end portion. A sign apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.