AU2011100758A4 - Improvements in directional tactile indicator bars - Google Patents

Abstract

-9 There is a directional tactile indicator bar I for vision impaired persons. The bar has marker head 4 which in a position of use protrudes above a walkway surface. There is a fixing means 5 associated with the underside of the marker head for engaging the walkway. The marker head has an elongated textured upper surface 4 sectioned by anti-slip formations 7 across the width of the bar to provide increased traction in a direction along the length of the bar In mm

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN DIRECTIONAL TACTILE INDICATOR BARS The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing known to me.

This invention relates to tactile indicators for vision impaired persons. In order to warn vision impaired persons of danger areas or to identify a particular route it is known to fix tactile indicators along walkways. The indicators currently used include directional tactile indicator bars as is currently defined in AS 1428.4.1.2009. These are installed as a requirement of the Australian Standards and Building Code of Australia to orientate vision impaired persons with a direction of travel. The bars are elongated with an length of 290 mm and a width of 35 mm. They are between 4 & 5 mm in height with sides inclined or bevelled at about 45 degrees which slope up to a planar upper face. They are designed to AS 1428.4.1.2009 a size and shape which is readily sensed by a vision impaired person using a foot or cane while at the same time providing only minimum interference to other pedestrian traffic. One problem with current tactile indicator bars is the below standard anti-slip properties in the longitudinal direction. While it is known with existing bars to form textured surfaces extending the length of the upper face this only provides the required anti-slip rating of R9-RI I across the width. Lengthwise the slip properties with prior art directional tactile bars are still below the required "W" rating for dual slip classification required by insurance companies and end users. It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a directional tactile indicator bar for vision impaired persons is disclosed, said bar having a marker head which in a position of use protrudes above a walkway surface and a fixing means associated with the underside of said marker head for engagement with said walkway, said marker head having an elongated textured upper face sectioned by one or more anti-slip formations extending across the width thereof to provide increased traction in a direction along the length of said bar. Preferably said anti-slip formations are disposed at right angles to the length of the bar. [It is further preferred that said textured face is sectioned by a plurality of anti-slip formations extending across the width thereof where the aggregate of the spacing between said formations does not exceed about 125 mm. It is further preferred that said anti-slip formations extend above the level of said textured face, Current preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a directional tactile indicator bar according to a first embodiment of the invention, figures 2 and 3 are plan and side elevation views of the bar of figure 1, figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of anti-slip formations on said bar according to the first embodiment, and figures 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 16 are sets of corresponding perspective, plan and side elevation views of second, third and fourth embodiments respectively of a directional tactile indicator bar according to the invention. Referring first to figures I to 4 there is a bar indicated generally as I with rounded ends 2 and parallel side edges 3 which slope upward to an elongated textured upper face 4. A series of spaced apart shafts 5 extend down from the flat underside of the bar for fixing into a walkway surface. The textured upper face with this first embodiment comprises spaced apart sets of concentric rings or ridges 6 which are formed into the bar by machining, moulding or other suitable process. While these rings provide a degree of traction for pedestrians additional grip in the longitudinal direction is provided according to the invention by anti-slip formations 7 extending transversely across the bar at spaced apart locations between said sets of rings 6. With this first embodiment the anti-slip formations comprise rows of cleats 8. As best shown in figure 4 these cleats extend above the surrounding face of the bar, have sloping sides 9 and a flat top 10. While five cleats are shown in each row the number may vary within the scope of the invention. It is also preferred that the aggregate of the longitudinal spacing between the anti-slip formations does not exceed about 125 mm. With the second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention shown respectively in figures 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 16 the main components that correspond in function to those of the first embodiment are identified by the same numbers which however are primed ('), (") and ('" to distinguish them. In the case of the second embodiment the upper face 4' of the bar 1' comprises a series of parallel ridges I1 running the length thereof. The anti-slip formations 7' comprise transverse channels 12 with rectangular ribs 13 extending above the level of said face. As with earlier embodiments it is preferred that the aggregate of the spacing between said formations does not exceed about 125 mm. With the third embodiment of the invention the upper face 4" of the bar similarly comprises parallel ridges 14. The anti-slip formations 7" are transverse channels 15 with rows of cleats 16 which are similar in shape to those of the first embodiment extending up above said upper face. With the fourth embodiment the upper face 4'" of the bar similarly comprises parallel ridges 17. The anti-slip formations 7"' are transverse channels 18 with sets of four parallel sharp edged ribs 19 extending across and protruding above said face. The number and dimensions of these ribs may vary within the scope of the invention. Preferably the anti-slip formations of the aforementioned embodiments protrude above the surrounding textured faces of the bars between about 0.25 & 1.00 mm although other heights may be appropriate according to design requirements.

It has been found through testing by the inventor that for bars constructed in accordance with this invention a "'dual" anti-slip classification can be achieved under the Australian Standards. On an Oil/Wet ramp test a minimum result of RI I in both transverse and longitudinal directions was achieved. On a Wet Pendulum Slider test a minimum result of "W" in both transverse and longitudinal directions was achieved. To the inventors knowledge no prior art directional tactile indicator bar has obtained such dual classification. It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments disclosed provides a novel and improved form of directional tactile indicator bar. Clearly however the examples described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art For example the number, shape, configuration, orientation and spacing of the anti-slip formations on the bar may vary according to installation requirements or design preference, The invention is also not limited to any particular surface texture for the upper face of the bar or any material for constructing said bar. Preferably however the bar would be machined or moulded from aluminium, stainless steel, plastic, ceramic or other suitable materials.

Claims (10)

1. A directional tactile indicator bar for vision impaired persons, said bar having a marker head which in a position of use protrudes above a walkway surface and a fixing means associated with the underside of the marker head for engaging the walkway, said marker head having an elongated textured upper face sectioned by one or more anti-slip formations disposed across the width thereof to provide increased traction in a direction along the length of said bar

2. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-slip formations extend above the level of said textured face.

3. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim I wherein said anti-slip formations are arranged at right angles to the length of said bar.

4. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim I wherein there are a plurality of anti-slip formations disposed across the width of said bar.

5. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim I wherein said anti-slip formations include rows of cleats extending above the level of said textured face.

6. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-slip formations include transverse channels with rectangular ribs extending above the level of said textured face.

7. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim I wherein said anti-slip formations include transverse channels with rows of cleats extending above the level of said textured face.

8& The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim I wherein said anti-slip formations include transverse channels with sets of parallel sharp edged ribs extending above the level of said textured face.

9. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed in claim 4 wherein the aggregate of the spacing between the anti-slip formations does not exceed about 125 mm.

10. The directional tactile indicator bar as claimed claim 2 wherein said anti-slip formations extend above the level of said textured between about 0.25 & 1.00 mm Dated this 22nd day of June 2011 Celestine Patrick McCuskey By His Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR