C \Docums nd Sctungs\AZM\Local Scungs\Tcmporm Intemet FilesOLK6\spci amendments doc-26/I I/2012 - 1 Tactile Ground Surface Indicator The content of the complete specifications of Australian patent application nos. 2008202373 and 2007101236 as originally filed is hereby incorporated 5 herein in its entirety by reference. The present invention relates to tactile indicators which are disposed on a ground surface to provide a tactile and/or visual indication to a person, particularly a blind or vision impaired person, walking on the surface. 10 Tactile ground surface indicators comprise specially configured protrusions which are positioned on walking surfaces. Such indicators are typically found in public areas in and around buildings and stairs, or at pedestrian crossings and the like, to forewarn pedestrians, particularly blind or vision-impaired persons, of an upcoming obstruction or hazard. A 15 person feeling tactile indicators under his or her feet, is made aware that his or her next step should be taken with caution. Tactile ground surface indicators can be located, for example, in approaches to steps or stairs, edges of railway platforms, traffic crossings, ramps and so forth. 20 It is advantageous to machine or mould tactile indicators from strong, durable material, such as stainless steel. Stainless steel indicators are typically adhered to the ground with adhesive such as epoxy adhesive, either directly on the ground surface or in a recess or cavity in the ground into which a stem of the indicator is received. The need for adhesive 25 complicates the installation of the tactile indicators, in that supplies of such adhesive must be maintained and the indicators are vulnerable to dislodgement before the adhesive has set, generally necessitating downtime, usually of the order of 24 hours, during which the area in which the indicators have been installed must be cordoned off. 30 The invention provides a tactile ground surface indicator comprising: a rigid indicator head which is substantially solid and of single-piece construction; C.\ocun tals and SningsAZM\Local Scttings\Tcmpory Inyem Fdcs\OLK6I1\spcci cm ents doc-26/11/2012 -2 a rigid projecting member fixed relative to the head; and a casing which is applied to the projecting member and is configured with at least one protuberance deformable against a sidewall of an upwardly opening cavity formed in the ground, upon downward insertion of the projecting member and casing into the cavity, 5 whereby to anchor the indicator to the ground, the or each protuberance projecting transverse to the direction of said insertion. Deformation of the protuberance(s) against the wall establishes sufficiently tight contact engagement between the casing and the wall to resist upward pulling forces on the 10 indicator. Such engagement will generally include frictional engagement. Advantageously, the tactile ground surface indicator can thus be installed very rapidly, without any adhesive, whilst still being robust and durable. 15 The projecting member and casing which is applied thereto may be driven into the cavity to cause deformation of the casing. The casing may be overmoulded to, or moulded over, the projecting member. 20 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projecting member comprises a stem which extends downwardly from the indicator portion to be receivable in the cavity, and the casing is fixed to the stem. The casing may be overmoulded to, or moulded over, the stem. The projecting member may alternatively comprise, for example, a flange. 25 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the or each protuberance is plastically deformable against the cavity wall. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one protuberance comprises opposed ribs which extend in general alignment with the direction of insertion of the 30 casing in the cavity to engage opposed portions of the cavity wall.
C:D O ncis;and Stungs\AZM\Local Scwngs\Tempory- Imcmi FdesOQLK-Xspecci aem doc-26/I I/21I2 -3 In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one protuberance extends circumferentially around the casing to engage the opposed portions. In particular, the at least one protuberance may comprise one or more ribs extending around the casing. The ribs may possibly define a barbed or saw-tooth configuration 5 which facilitates insertion of the casing. Preferably, either or each of the indicator head and projecting member is formed of metal. Preferably, the metal comprises stainless steel. 10 Preferably, the casing is closed at a lower end thereof. Preferably, the casing and projecting member are interlocked. The indicator head and projecting member may be integrally formed. 15 The indicator is preferably configured such that the base is received directly against the ground surface when the indicator is installed. Preferably, the base is substantially flat. 20 Preferably, the casing is permanently fixed to the projecting member. Preferably, the indicator is one which has been formed via a method comprising providing a rigid body comprising the indicator head and projecting member extending from the base 25 of thereof and applying the casing to the projecting member. Preferably, applying the casing to the projecting member comprises moulding the casing to the projecting member. Preferably, the indicator head is generally circular or button-shaped and comprises a bottom, an upper portion and a surrounding sloped side wall extending upwardly and 30 radially inwardly from the bottom to the upper portion. The generally circular or button shaped head may further comprise an upwardly projecting lip extending around the C \Documnis and Scitings\AZM\Loca l Setungs\Temporn Irnacm FsieOOLK6Kspeci ;un m ts doc-26/l 1/2012 -4 periphery of the upper portion to be engageable with the sole of a person's shoe. The lip defines a protuberance which can catch and engage the sole of the person's shoe, particularly as moved against the tactile ground surface indicator in a direction having a sideways component, thereby preventing slipping, especially in the general plane defined 5 by the side wall, and conferring improved anti-slip characteristics to the tactile ground surface indicator. The inclined side face may be substantially smooth, affording the indicator enhanced visual characteristics, aesthetic appeal and/or simplified manufacture, whilst the upwardly projecting lip, if present, serves to prevent a person slipping, the risk of which may otherwise be particularly high as a result of the side wall being smooth. In a 10 preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lip projects from a top end of the side wall. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the side wall is frustoconical. Preferably, the upper portion is provided with anti-slip formations arranged radially inward of the lip. Preferably, the formations comprise upwardly projecting ribs arranged at successive radial positions between the lip and a centre of the upper portion. In a preferred 15 embodiment of the present invention, the ribs are continuous. In an alternative embodiment, the ribs may be discontinuous. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ribs are concentric. In an alternative embodiment, the ribs may be arranged end-to-end so as to define a continuous spiral. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an upper end of the lip and upper ends of the ribs are coplanar. 20 Consistent with national standard no. AS/NZS 1428, tactile ground surface indicators according to preferred embodiments of the present invention provide areas of raised ground surface texture treatment, designed to provide blind or vision-impaired pedestrians with warning and/or directional orientation information. 25 The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure IA is a perspective view of a tactile ground surface indicator according to a first embodiment of the invention; 30 Figure lB is a top view of the indicator showing Figure IA; Figure IC is a cross-sectional elevation view taken through section J-J in C \D un and Sus\Z Local Scns\Temporar Inmet Files\OLK68\speci amendments doc.26/11/21 12 -5 Figure 1 B, showing deformable longitudinal ribs of a casing of the indicator; Figure ID is a cross-sectional elevation view taken through section K-K in Figure 1 B, showing channels of the casing of the indicator; Figure IE is a further perspective view of the indicator shown in Figure IA; 5 Figure IF is a bottom view of the indicator shown in Figure IA; Figure 2A is a perspective view of the body portion of the tactile ground surface indicator according to both the first embodiment and a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 2B is a top view of the body portion shown in Figure 2A; 10 Figure 2C is a cross-sectional elevation view taken through section D-D in Figure 213; Figure 2D is a rotated side view of the body portion shown in Figures 2A to 2C; Figure 2E is a further perspective view of the body; Figure 2F is a bottom view of the body; 15 Figure 3A is a perspective view of a tactile ground surface indicator according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3B is a top view of the indicator showing Figure 3A; Figure 3C is a cross-sectional elevation view taken through section F-F in Figure 3A; 20 Figure 3D is a further perspective view of the indicator shown in Figure 3A; Figure 3E is a bottom view of the indicator shown in Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a perspective view of an indicator portion of the indicators according to both the first and second embodiments; Figure 4B is a top view of the indicator portion shown in Figure 4A; 25 Figure 4C is a cross-sectional elevation view taken through section D-D in Figure 413; Figure 4D is a view of detail E as shown in Figure 4C; Figure 4E is a rotated side view of the indicator portion shown in Figures 4A to 4D; Figure 4F is a further perspective view of the indicator portion; 30 Figure 5A is an upper perspective view of an indicator according to a third embodiment of the invention, from one side; C \Documenis and Scung\AZfM\LocaI Scings\Tempo-ry Inicme Fics\OLK6(\spcCs ;mcndncis doc-26! 11/2012 -6 Figure 5B is a lower perspective view of the indicator shown in Figure 5A, from the other side; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of an indicator according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 5 A tactile ground surface indicator I according to a first embodiment of the invention, as depicted in Figures IA to IF, comprises a body 3 which is moulded as a single piece from stainless steel, or machined from a solid bar of stainless steel, and, as can best be seen in Figures IC and ID and Figures 2A to 2F, comprises an indicator head 5 which will be 10 positioned above a ground surface, and a downwardly projecting member in the form of a stem 7 which is receivable in a cavity, provided in the ground, which locates the indicator I in position. The indicator 1 further comprises a generally elongate casing 9, which is received over, 15 and engaged with, the stem 7, the casing, which is for holding the indicator 1 in the ground, being made from suitably deformable plastic, whereby it can deform against an annular wall of the cavity when the indicator I is driven into the cavity. The casing in this embodiment is moulded as a single piece of plastically deformable 20 plastic, and is moulded to the stem 7. The casing 9 is configured as a cap which covers the stem 7, the cap defining a recess 11 which is occupied by the stem 7. The casing 9 has a generally circular outer transverse cross-sectional profile. The exterior of the casing 9 includes a pair of opposed ridges or ribs 13 which extend 25 linearly and longitudinally along the casing 9 from a top end of the casing 9. The ribs 13 are provided at diametrically opposite positions on the casing 9. The ribs 13 protrude radially outwardly to be engageable with the annular wall of the cavity so as to deform against the wall when the indicator I is driven into the cavity, thus permanently locking the casing in the cavity and fixing the indicator I in the ground. To this end, the outermost 30 extents of the ribs 13 are spaced apart by a distance which slightly exceeds the diameter of the cavity.
C\Docuens.,nd SetUngs\AZMLocaI Scinngs\Teporary Inemt FIes1OLK6\spec mexms doc-26/1 1/20f12 -7 In an alternative embodiment, two pairs of ribs are provided, the ribs of each pair lying at diametrically opposite positions on the casing to define planes which are perpendicular to each other. 5 The lower end 15 of the casing 9 is tapered radially inwardly to facilitate driving of the encased stem 7 into the ground. The casing 9 may further comprise a pair of longitudinally extending channels 17 which 10 are disposed at diametrically opposite positions on the exterior of the casing 9 and extend generally linearly between the top and bottom ends of the casing 9. The channels 17 define spaces into each some of the material of the casing 9 may be displaceable when the casing 9 is driven into the cavity, under a radially inward pressure exerted by the cavity wall, giving rise to a radially outward biasing of the casing against the cavity wall, which 15 assists retention of the indicator I to the ground. Referring also to Figures 2A to 2F, the stem 7 is configured with an annular channel 19 which defines a space into which a complementarily configured, radially inwardly projecting portion 21 of the casing 9, in the form of an annular rib in the recess 11, is 20 received. The channel 19 defines an upper shoulder 23, providing a downwardly facing surface 25, and a lower shoulder 27, providing an upwardly facing surface 29. Similarly, the projecting portion 21 defines an upper shoulder 30, providing a downwardly facing surface 31, and a lower shoulder 33, providing an upwardly facing surface 35. The downwardly facing surface on the casing 9 abuts the upwardly facing surface on the stem 7 25 to restrain the body 3 from upward movement relative to the casing 9. Similarly, abutment of the downwardly facing surface of the stem 7 with the upwardly facing surface of the casing 9 prevents downward movement of the body 3 with respect to the casing, as does abutment of the upper end of the casing 9 with the underside of the indicator head 5. Relative movement between the casing 9 and body 3 is thus prevented. The stem 7 and 30 casing 9 are thus rigidly interlocked.
C :ocuntvus and Scnings\AZM\Locl engs\Tcmpora intmct FilesOLK68specr a mndmcmsndoc-26112/2012 - 8 As will be clear from Figures lB and ID, the channels 17 lie in an upright plane which is perpendicular to an upright plane in which the ribs 13 lie. The ribs 13 are thus provided intermediate the channels 17 around the exterior of the casing 9. 5 In the following description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as used in respect of the first embodiment will be used to designate common features. The indicator ' according to the second embodiment is shown in Figures 3A to 3E. It is identical to the indicator 1 of first embodiment in every respect except that the casing 10 comprises opposed ridges or ribs 13' which, instead of extending longitudinally along the casing 9', extend around the casing 9'. The ribs 13' each extend between the channels 17 and are provided at opposite sides of a longitudinally extending plane passing through the channels, the ribs 13' thus defining a substantially annular deformable portion. The ribs 13' are provided approximately halfway down the casing. 15 In an alternative embodiment, the casing comprises more than two ribs, constituting protuberances or protruding portions, extending therearound to define a substantially annular deformable portion. In another alternative embodiment, the deformable portion is defined by deformable wings protruding from the casing. 20 Because the casing 9/9' in each of the first and second embodiments is permanently fixed to the stem 7, each indicator 1/1' is, advantageously, provided as a single or unitary item, whereby it is very quick and easy to install. 25 In another embodiment, the exterior of the casing is configured with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting protuberances or protruding portions, in the form of ribs or ridges which are arranged at axially or longitudinally spaced apart positions along the casing and which each extend therearound. The ridges or ribs provide a serrated longitudinal cross sectional profile, affording the exterior of the casing a barbed configuration, with each 30 ridge/rib extending upwardly and radially outwardly to define an annular edge.
C Documents and ScUngs\AZM\.ocal Sctngs\Tempomw Ine t FiIcsXOLK6(\spcc anendmsns do-26/11/2012 -9 The head 5 of indicators 1 and ' is illustrated in Figures 4A to 4F. The head 5, which is provided as a single piece, has a generally circular transverse cross section and includes a bottom portion 56, defining, at the bottom of the head 5, a peripheral shoulder 55 and a downwardly facing surface 58 arranged to abut the ground surface. The head 5 further 5 includes an upper portion 57 and a sloped or tapered smooth side wall 59, extending upwardly and radially inwardly from the bottom portion 56 to the upper portion 57 and being inclined at an angle of approximately 350 to 45' from the downwardly facing surface 58. The diameter of the bottom portion is 35 millimetres. 10 The upper portion 57 is defined by an upwardly facing surface 61, which is bounded by an upper end of the side wall and which in each described embodiment is level with the upper end of the side wall. The diameter of the upwardly facing surface 61, and thus the upper portion, is 25 millimetres. The distance between the downwardly facing surface 58 and the upper portion 57 is 4 to 5 millimetres. 15 A circular lip 60 is provided at a radially outermost position on the upper surface 61 and extends upwardly from the upper surface 61 to protrude outside of the curved surface of an imaginary cone a section of which is formed by the side wall 59. The upper end 64 of the lip 60 lies outside of the imaginary cone. The lip 60 has a height of 0.5 millimetres. 20 The lip 60 is able to catch and engage the sole of the person's shoe, particularly as moved against the tactile ground surface indicator in a direction having a sideways component, thereby preventing slipping, especially in the general plane defined by the side wall, and conferring improved anti-slip characteristics to the tactile ground surface indicator. 25 Advantageously, the lip 60 confers upon the indicator 1 an R13 anti-slip rating in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4586:2004. To enhance gripping further, a gripping pattern 63 is provided on the upper surface 61, the 30 gripping pattern 63 comprising a plurality of ribs in the form of concentric rings 65 extending upwardly from the upper surface 61. The upper ends or tips of the rings, which C-\Dou n n Scungs\AZM\LocaI Stn\Tempomry Ine FIstOLK6X\spcc. amn d -26/11/2012 - 10 define the uppermost extent of the gripping pattern 63, lie in a plane which is 0.5 millimetres above the upper portion 57 or the plane defined by the upwardly facing surface 61 and are coplanar with the top end of the circular lip 60 and the upper end 64. 5 The concentric rings 65 each have a thickness of 0.4 millimetres, as does the lip 60. The concentric rings 65 have a radial pitch P of 1.1 millimetres, each ring 65 thus having a thickness which is approximately 35% of the radial pitch P. Annular spaces 66 are defined between the rings 65, the annular spaces having a radial dimension of 0.7 millimetres, as does the annular space defined between the lip 60 and the outermost ring 65. 10 A disc-shaped portion 67 is located on the centre of the upwardly facing surface 61 and extends upwardly therefrom to end flush with the upper ends of the rings 65. The disc-shaped portion 67 has a diameter of 3mm. 15 Manufacture of the indicator I and 1' according to the first and second embodiments firstly comprises moulding of the body 3, including the indicator portion 5, from stainless steel, or machining it from a solid billet of stainless steel. With the body 3 arranged upside down, the stem 7 is then centrally positioned in a mould 20 which defines the external configuration of the casing 9/9', the flat underside of the head 5 abutting a lower end of the mould to close that lower end. Molten plastic is then injected into the space between the mould and the stem, through a suitable opening provided in the mould. The plastic is then allowed to cool and set, whereupon the finished indicator 1/1' is removed from the mould. 25 An indicator 1" according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The indicator 1" includes the same body 3 as in the indicators 1 and 1' and a casing 9" which is applied to the body 3 in exactly the same manner as the casings 9 and 9' are applied to body 3 in the indicators I and 1' respectively, though is configured 30 with two pairs of opposed ribs 13A and 13B which extend linearly and longitudinally along the casing 9" from a top end of the casing 9", the ribs of each pair lying at C\Documntsand StungsAZM aSetungs\Tc mpow ryni cmrNc Fis\OLK6xWspcci aedmetsdo-26/ll 2112 - 11 diametrically opposite positions on the casing to define planes which are perpendicular to each other. The ribs 13A and 13B protrude radially outwardly to be engageable with the annular wall of the cavity so as to deform against the wall when the indicator I" is driven into the cavity, thus permanently locking the casing in the cavity and anchoring the 5 indicator 1" to the ground. To this end, the outermost extents of the ribs 13A are spaced apart by a distance which slightly exceeds the diameter of the cavity and the outermost extents of the ribs 13B are likewise spaced apart. An indicator 1"' according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in 10 Figure 7. The indicator '" is identical to the indicator 1" though the casing 9"' thereof is configured at its upper end with a section having a diameter which is less than the spacing between the outermost extents of the ribs 13A and the spacing between the outermost extents of the ribs 13B, that section defining a neck 50, at the lower end of which the ribs 13A and 13B terminate. The neck 50 defines a relief which may facilitate deformation of 15 the casing 9' in the cavity. Because in the indicator according to each of the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments, the casing is fixed to the respective stem, each of those indicators is, advantageously, installed as a single or unitary item, and thus very quickly and easily. 20 Because, in the indicator according to each of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the casing is fixed to the stem, the indicator is provided as a single or unitary item which can be installed very quickly and easily. 25 It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will 30 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.