AU2009208047A1

AU2009208047A1 - Lane divider

Info

Publication number: AU2009208047A1
Application number: AU2009208047A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Mckie
Original assignee: Traffic Calming Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Traffic Calming Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-07
Filing date: 2009-08-07
Publication date: 2011-02-24

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: Traffic Calming Australia Invention Title: LANE DIVIDER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 LANE DIVIDER Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a lane divider for use in separating adjacent lanes, on a roadway, particularly, a cycle lane from a vehicle lane. In particular, this invention relates to a lane divider for separating a cycle lane from a vehicle lane on a road, which lane divider 10 functions to alert vehicle drivers when they stray into the cycle lane. Background of the Invention 15 Cycling as a sport and a means of commuting has dramatically increased in popularity in recent years. In response to this demand, the number of dedicated cycle lanes on roadways has been increased. 20 Cycle lanes are usually provided on the shoulders of main and arterial roads and are typically delineated simply by a white boundary line and are marked with the image of a bicycle or other identifying words or symbols. It is often impractical to erect safety barriers between cycle 25 lanes and vehicle lanes. Accordingly, cyclists using these lanes are therefore potentially at risk of injury or death due to collision with vehicles which stray into the bike lane from vehicle lanes. 30 There is accordingly a need for improved means of delineating a cycle lane such that vehicle drivers are warned if they inadvertently stray into a cycle lane. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to 35 provide a lane divider for use in separating cycle and vehicle lanes which overcomes or at least alleviates the above discussed problems. 901898 3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 - 3 Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a lane divider for use in 5 separating a cycle lane from a vehicle lane, said lane divider having a base and a non-slip upper surface and including: a dividing member for defining the boundary between said cycle lane and said vehicle lane, 10 one or more lateral elements projecting from at least one lateral side of the dividing member and adapted to cause vibration in a tyre when contacted by a moving vehicle, said lane divider being configured such as to 15 allow substantially unimpeded traverse thereof by a moving bicycle. Typically the dividing member is elongate. 20 Preferably the lane divider is adapted to be secured to a road surface by fasteners. More preferably the lane divider further includes recesses for receiving said fasteners. 25 Typically each lateral element includes a ramped upper surface with a slope that allows safe traverse by cyclists, yet causes vibration in a vehicle type when contacted therewith. Preferably each said lateral element includes a curved outer profile. Preferably each said 30 lateral element has a radius of curvature measured from the longitudinal axis of the dividing member of between 90 and 150mm, preferably between 100 and 130mm, more preferably about 110mm. 35 Preferably each said lateral element is substantially symmetrical normal to the longitudinal axis of the divider. 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 - 4 Preferably each said lateral element has a curved upper surface which slopes downwardly away from the longitudinal axis of the dividing member. 5 Preferably the curved upper surface of the lateral element includes a radius of curvature measured in a plane perpendicular to the divider base of between 300 and 500mm, preferably between 350 and 450mm, more preferably 10 from 400 to 425mm. Preferably the anti-slip surface is textured. Preferably the textured anti-slip surface includes a 15 plurality of raised elements for frictional engagement with a moving bicycle tyre. Preferably the raised elements are integrally formed pimples. 20 Preferably the anti-slip surface is provided on the dividing member and the or each lateral element. Typically the upper surface of the dividing member is 25 angled in order to facilitate water run off. Preferably the upper surface of the dividing member has a curved profile in transverse cross-section. Preferably the radius of curvature of said curved profile is from 50 to 100mm, preferably from 60 to 80mm, more preferably about 30 70mm. Typically, the maximum width of the lane divider is selected so as to accommodate roadway lane mergers. Preferably the width of the dividing member is from 50 to 35 250mm, preferably from 75 to 125mm, more preferably around 100mm. 9018983 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 -5 Preferably the dividing member is longitudinally flexible, such that in use it is able to conform with contours in the road. 5 Preferably the lane divider further includes one or more reflectors provided in or on said upper surface. Preferably the lane divider is moulded from an elastomeric material. Preferably the elastomeric material is rubber, 10 more preferably recycled rubber. The lane divider may be of any colour, but is preferably a highly visible colour such as yellow or other bright colour and may also include reflectors. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lane divider according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the 25 lane divider shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 2. 30 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a series of lane dividers according to the invention in use on a roadway. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 35 Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a lane divider 10 for use in separating a cycle lane from a vehicle lane on a roadway. The lane divider 10 includes a flat base 12 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 - 6 and a non-slip upper surface 14. The lane divider 10 includes an elongate dividing member 16 which is adapted to define the boundary between the cycle and vehicle lanes. 5 Lateral elements 18 project from one lateral side 16a of the dividing member 16 and are spaced substantially equidistant from each other. These lateral elements 18 are positioned such as to extend into a vehicle lane when 10 the lane divider 10 is in use and are shaped and spaced from each other such as to cause vibration in a vehicle tyre (not shown) when engaged by a moving vehicle. The lane divider 10 is configured such as to allow 15 traverse thereof by a moving bicycle substantially without slippage or impedance of the bicycle. The lane divider 10 is adapted to be secured to a road surface by means of fasteners (not shown) and includes 20 recesses 20 for receiving respective fasteners. Each lateral element 18 includes a ramped upper surface 18a. The ramped upper surface 18a is curved in cross section, as shown in Figure 3. The radius of curvature of 25 surface 18a is around 411mm. This provides a slope sufficiently low as to facilitate traverse thereof by a cyclist. Each lateral element 18 also includes a curved outer profile 18b, which has a radius of curvature of 110mm. 30 The non-slip upper surface 14 includes a plurality of raised elements comprising integrally formed pimples 22 for frictional engagement with a moving bicycle tyre, to thereby minimise the risk of slippage by a cyclist. The 35 pimples 22 are provided on the dividing member 16 and on each of the lateral elements 18. 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 - 7 As shown in Figure 3, the dividing member 16 has a curved upper surface 16b in cross section which facilitates water runoff in use. The radius of curvature of surface 16b is about 70mm. 5 The overall width of the lane divider 10 is around 160mm. This width is such as to not present an obstruction in the roadway where lanes merge, such as in the vicinity of an intersection or a roundabout. 10 The lane divider 10 also includes reflectors 24 provided on the lateral members 18 and located so as to reflect headlights of oncoming vehicles. Figure 4 shows a series of lane dividers 10 in use on a roadway and dividing a 15 cycle lane 26 from a vehicle lane 28. The lateral members 18 project into the vehicle lane. As shown, the reflectors 24 are located on the rearward periphery of the lateral members 18 where they can reflect headlights of oncoming vehicles. 20 The lane divider 10 is constructed from recycled rubber and is longitudinally flexible so as to conform with the contours of the road to which it is affixed. 25 Finally, it is to be understood that various other modifications and/or alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as outlined herein. 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09

Claims

1. A lane divider for use in separating a cycle lane from a vehicle lane on a roadway, said lane divider having 5 a base and a non-slip upper surface and including: a dividing member for defining the boundary between said cycle lane and said vehicle lane, one or more lateral elements projecting from at least one lateral side of the dividing member and adapted 10 to cause vibration in a tyre when contacted by a moving vehicle, said lane divider being configured such as to allow substantially unimpeded traverse thereof by a moving bicycle. 15

2. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein said dividing member is elongate.

3. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein said lane 20 divider is adapted to be secured to a road surface by fasteners.

4. The lane divider of claim 3, further including recesses for receiving said fasteners. 25

5. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein each said lateral element includes a ramped upper surface.

6. The lane divider of claim 5, wherein each said 30 lateral element has a curved outer profile, preferably wherein the curved outer profile has a radius of curvature measured from the longitudinal axis of the dividing member of between 90 and 150mm, preferably between 100 and 130mm, more preferably about 110mm. 35

7. The lane divider of claim 6, wherein said lateral elements are substantially symmetrical normal to the 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 -9 longitudinal axis of the divider.

8. The lane divider of claim 1 wherein each lateral element has a curved upper surface which slopes downwardly 5 away from the longitudinal axis of the dividing member.

9. The lane divider of claim 8, wherein the curved upper surface of the lateral element includes a radius of curvature measured in a plane perpendicular to the divider 10 base of between 300 and 500mm, preferably between 350 and 450mm, more preferably from 400 to 425mm.

10. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein said anti slip surface is textured. 15

11. The lane divider of claim 10, wherein said textured anti-slip surface includes a plurality of raised elements for frictional engagement with a bicycle tyre. 20

12. The lane divider of claim 11, wherein said raised elements are integrally formed pimples.

13. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein said anti slip surface is provided on the dividing member and the or 25 each lateral element.

14. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the dividing member is angled in order to facilitate water run off. 30

15. The lane divider of claim 14, wherein said upper surface has a curved profile in transverse cross-section.

16. The lane divider of claim 15, wherein the radius 35 of curvature of said curved profile is from 50 to 100mm, preferably from 60 to 80mm, more preferably about 70mm. 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09 - 10

17. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein the maximum width of the dividing member is selected so as to accommodate roadway lane mergers, and is preferably from 50 to 250mm, preferably from 75 to 125mm, more preferably 5 around 100mm.

18. The lane divider of claim 2, wherein said dividing member is longitudinally flexible. 10

19. The lane divider of claim 1, further including one or more reflectors provided in or on said upper surface.

20. The lane divider of claim 1, wherein said lane 15 divider is moulded from an elastomeric material.

21. The lane divider of claim 20, wherein said elastomeric material is rubber, preferably recycled rubber. 20

22. A lane divider for use in separating a cycle lane from a vehicle lane, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25 901898_3 (GHMatters) 7/08/09