AU2019202319A1 - Sign Bracket for Roadway Safety Barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket used for attaching short-term roadwork signage onto w-beam guardrail or wire rope safety barrier systems in an offset position, above and behind the safety barrier. The bracket can be installed quickly without the use of cumbersome fixing arrangements, having a fixed lower jaw on its main vertical post and a sliding upper jaw assembly, it clamps over w-beam guardrail or wire rope safety barrier systems and locks in place by way of an adjustable over centre latch. Described is the bracket configured to accept a multi message sign frame as commonly used in Australia, it provides good visibility and a stable mounting for signage off the roadway. The upper section of the bracket may be configured differently to accept other types of signage as used in other regions around the world, or devices such as portable traffic signals. Figi

Description

SIGN BRACKET FOR ROADWAY SAFETY BARRIER

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is a bracket that relates to roadwork signage and traffic control. More specifically, it is a device that enables the simple, temporary installation of roadwork signage onto w-beam guardrail and most types of wire rope safety barrier where the barrier obstructs correct placement along the edge of the roadway.

BACKGROUND [0002] Examples or knowledge in this specification is included for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention, as it existed in Australia, or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0003] Along ever increasing sections of roadways around the world, roadway safety barriers are being installed with the intended purpose of making roads safer for the travelling public. However, when there is a requirement to carry out routine maintenance, urgent repairs to the roadway or a structure such as a bridge, on occasions these safety barrier systems have an adverse affect on being able to carry out the works safely.

[0004] For example, where longer sections of safety barrier systems have been installed along the edge of the roadway, it becomes very difficult to place signage associated with road works at the appropriate locations, as there is not enough clearance between the guardrail and roadway to place signage.

[0005] When carrying out these types of works, the associated signage is required to be set out along the edge of the roadway at specific locations. The distances between the signs must comply with the relevant legislation of the particular region they are being used in, and in some regions, any deviation outside of the given tolerances are considered to be an unacceptable risk without further control measures being developed. In some situations, a Registered Practicing Engineer must be engaged in the process, which is the case in Queensland, Australia.

[0006] The general signage used for short term road works in most states of Australia, consist of a multi message sign frame, which holds up to 3 individual sign panels displaying the relevant messages advising road users of the works, reduced speeds and so on. These multi message sign

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 frames have vertical steel square hollow sections on the two outside edges that may receive removable stands that sleeve into them. The stands are configured in an upside down “T” shape, which are also made from steel square hollow section. The upright section slides into the vertical outside sections on the sign frame and keeps the sign in an upright position.

[0007] Signage configurations used for carrying out roadwork vary around the world, but the same problem exists wherever safety barrier systems are present. Where is it safe to place the signs where they will not be a hazard for road users? Most short-term roadwork signage is free standing on the edge of the roadway, some needing to have heavy bases, or sand bags to help keep them standing upright and stable in position.

[0008] In most cases where a safety barrier system is present, there is not enough clear distance between the barrier and roadway to place a sign. Even if a wider shoulder is available, there is an increased risk of cyclists straying into the traffic lane and being struck by a vehicle while maneuvering around the sign.

[0009] A common work around in this situation in Australia is to use longer than the standard length vertical square hollow sections on the stands. This allows the sign to straddle over the top of the guardrail. Although this keeps most of the sign assembly off the travelled path, there is an increased risk of instability, with the possibility that a larger passing vehicle, or gust of wind may cause the sign to blow over onto the roadway.

[0010] To reduce the risk of this happening, sand bags are sometimes placed on the base of the stands, which has varying results, depending on weather conditions and speed of large vehicles passing, sometimes they still blow over.

[0011] Another added risk encountered while adopting this work around is manual handling, persons involved in the setting out of signage having to carry heavy sandbags, sometimes over difficult terrain behind the safety barrier. Some regions use tripod stands, or heavy bases to hold the signage in the upright position, some weighing up to 17kg just to keep the signs stable.

[0012] It is known that there are other devices that utilise the w-beam guardrail post for attachment of temporary signage; this is not a practical solution as there are several different types of post arrangements for safety barrier systems in Australia and the world for which they will not work attach to. Applicant is aware of UK Patent GB 2457881 which does have an offset for displaying signage, and is said to be suitable for attaching to a guardrail having a vertical “Z” post, but does not solve the problem of differing post arrangements around the world, some

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 being of solid timber.

[0013] There is also a known device for roll up & ridged signs that attaches onto the front edge of w-beam guardrail and may display a sign directly above the device’s vertical fixing post, this leaves more than half of the sign panel encroaching onto the roadway, it also has a somewhat cumbersome fixing arrangement protruding on to the road side of the guardrail. Also, it does not allow for a larger sign arrangement such as the multi message sign frame to be offset away from the roadway, as there is no way to brace and support the offset.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0014] This invention seeks to provide a safer, and simpler way of placing signage associated with short-term roadwork off the roadway at locations where w-beam guardrail and wire rope safety barrier systems imposes restrictions. The present invention is a bracket, which may temporarily attach to w-beam guardrail and most types of wire rope safety barriers easily without cumbersome fixings, does not require a guardrail post for mounting and allows roadwork signage to be positioned above the guardrail, off the travelled path of the roadway.

[0015] The bracket comprises a custom aluminium extrusion with a profile designed to hook over a w-beam guardrail’s upper or lower section. The custom extrusion is used to form an adjustable upper jaw assembly and a fixed lower jaw, which work similar to a vice by gripping over the top and bottom of w-beam guardrail from behind the guardrail and is also usable for hooking over the top strand of a wire rope safety barrier.

[0016] A main vertical square hollow post extending upward for connection to an upper section for holding signage or other, and downward so as to sit just below the w-beam guardrail’s lower back edge. A lower jaw member, being a short section of the above mentioned custom extrusion is fixed upwardly facing to the lower front side of the main vertical post so as to hook under the guardrail from behind. A channel member fixed just above the custom extrusion lower jaw member and having it’s opening facing upwards, forms a fixed lower jaw for use on wire rope safety barriers, being able to hook under the bottom strand of wire from behind.

[0017] A large adjustable over centre latch (readily available at most hardware stores), may be attached to the back side mid section of the main vertical post, a spacer plate may be attached between it and the main vertical post, this is for maintaining vertical alignment with operable catch plate component of latch which is mounted on an adjustable upper jaw assembly.

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 [0018] An upper jaw assembly comprising; a square hollow profile member being of a reasonably short length, and being slidably receivable over main vertical post, having a short length of custom extrusion fixed to its front side mid portion being downward facing, enabling it to hook over the top section of guardrail, or top strand of wire safety barrier from behind.

[0019] The catch plate component of the above mentioned adjustable over centre latch may be attached to the back side mid portion of the slidably receivable member of the upper jaw assembly and has a spacer plate between it and the catch plate. The spacer is preferably welded to the slidably receivable member, with the catch plate being attached using short screws that will not penetrate into the main vertical post and hinder its ability to slide up or down over the main vertical post.

[0020] The above-mentioned components when attached to the main vertical post, may act like jaws reaching over the top and bottom back edge of guardrail or wire safety barrier. The upper jaw assembly may be slid down over the top portion of guardrail or top strand of wire on a safety barrier, the over centre latch may then be attached to it’s catch plate, the lever may then be engaged which will draw the upper and lower jaw members toward each other, thus clamping and locking the main vertical post onto the safety barrier firmly.

[0021] A very ridged mounting post is created by being able to clamp from behind the guardrail or wire barrier like a vice, something that other known devices, including spring mounted designs do not provide. This allows much heavier objects to be mounted to the bracket in the offset position, as the vertical post can have bracing fixed to it’s back edge, this is not possible if the post is positioned on the front side of the guardrail or wire barrier as another known device does.

[0022] The device may have additional members fixed to it in such a way so as to hold a multi message sign frame in an offset position, meaning no signage would be protruding out past the safety barrier onto the roadway and is now described.

[0023] A length of square hollow section may be attached horizontally in an offset position to the top of the main vertical post and in vertical alignment with the front edge of the custom extrusion on the upper jaw assembly, with it’s remaining length extending back; the offset is for the purpose of keeping signage away from traffic. Comparatively short channel members may be fixed to both outer upper extremities of the horizontal member and extending upwards with openings facing each other so as to receive a multi message sign frame.

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 [0024] A square hollow member may be attached diagonally from the lower rear portion of the main vertical post to the middle underside of the horizontal member which will act as a cross brace. Welding is the preferred method of fixing the above members unless otherwise described. Note: if the main vertical post was positioned on the front edge of the guardrail or wire safety barrier, as is the case with another known device, the fixing of a cross brace would not be possible as the safety barrier would be in the way.

[0025] Above describes the preferred configuration of the bracket to suit a multi message sign frame as used in Australia and would allow the signage to be positioned off the roadway at a height providing good visibility above the guardrail or wire safety barrier. The bracket when preferably fabricated using aluminium weighs approximately 3.8kg, optionally, the upper portion of the bracket may be configured to receive portable lightweight traffic signals, or a single sign panel as may be used in other regions of the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0026] FIGURE 1 shows a 3D view as seen from the roadway, of the bracket with the adjustable over centre latch in the open position ready for attachment to w-beam or wire rope safety barrier guardrail.

[0027] FIGURE 2 shows a 3D view as seen from the roadway, of the bracket attached to the wbeam guardrail with the adjustable over centre latch in the locked position.

[0028] FIGURE 3 shows a 3D exploded view as seen from the roadway, of the main bracket components without configuration to hold signage.

[0029] FIGURE 4 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway, of the bracket with the adjustable over centre latch in the open position ready for attachment to w-beam guardrail.

[0030] FIGURE 5 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway, of the bracket attached to wbeam guardrail with the adjustable over centre latch in the locked position.

[0031] FIGURE 6 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway, of the bracket attached to wire rope safety barrier with the adjustable over centre latch in the locked position.

[0032] FIGURE 7 shows 3D view of the bracket as seen from the roadway, configured to hold a multi message sign frame as used in Australia.

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 [0033] FIGURE 8 shows a front view of a multi message sign frame holding roadwork signage as used in Australia.

[0034] FIGURE 9 shows a front view of the bracket configured to accept a multi message sign frame as used in Australia.

[0035] FIGURE 10 shows a front cross sectional view of w-beam guardrail, post and spacer.

[0036] FIGURE 11 shows a front view of the bracket configured for and holding a multi message sign frame and signage as used in Australia, installed on the w-beam guardrail system.

[0037] FIGURE 12 shows 3D of the bracket as seen from the roadway, configured for a multi message sign frame as used in Australia, installed on a w-beam guardrail system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0038] FIGURE 1 is a 3D view of components that allow the bracket to attach to w-beam guardrail 11, or wire rope safety barrier 19. 1 being a main vertical post of square hollow section, having a short length of custom designed extrusion 6 welded to its lower front side and is upwardly facing so as to hook under the back edge of a guardrail 11,7 being an upwardly facing channel section welded to main vertical post 1 and is for the purpose of hooking under the lower strand of a wire rope safety barrier 19.

[0039] Attached by way of screws 10, or other method to the mid portion back side of main vertical post 1 is an adjustable over center latch 9, which is operable with it’s associated catch plate 5, and having a spacer plate 8 between which is preferably welded to main vertical post 1.

[0040] Catch plate 5 associated with adjustable over center latch 9 may be attached to back side lower portion (by way of short screws 10 not visible in this fig), of slidably receivable square hollow member 2 and having a short length of downwardly facing custom extrusion 3 welded to its front mid portion enabling it to hook over the top portion of guardrail 11, or over the top strand of a wire rope safety barrier 19.

[0041] FIGURE 2 is a 3D view showing same components as Fig 1, with the bracket attached to a w-beam guardrail 11 and adjustable over center latch 9 shown in the locked position, which securely clamps the bracket to the w-beam guardrail 11. To remove the bracket from the guardrail 11, simply pull lever up on the adjustable over center latch 9, unhook from catch plate 5, slide the slidably receivable square hollow member 2 upwards and lift the bracket off.

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 [0042] FIGURE 3 shows a 3D exploded view of the brackets components. A spacer plate 4 is preferably welded to slidably receivable square hollow member 2, with catch plate 5 attached by way of short screws 10 so as not to hinder it sliding up or down over main vertical post 1. Spacer plate 8 is preferably welded to main vertical post 1, adjustable over center latch 9 attached to main vertical post 1 by way of screws 10 or other method. Custom extrusion 3, 6 & 7 are preferably welded to their corresponding members as shown in the drawing.

[0043] FIGURE 4 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway, of the bracket in the open position and the adjustable over centre latch 9 unlocked ready for attachment to a w-beam guardrail 11.

[0044] FIGURE 5 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway, of the bracket attached to a wbeam guardrail 11 and the adjustable over centre latch 9 in the locked position.

[0045] FIGURE 6 shows a 3D view as seen from off the roadway of the bracket locked onto a wire rope safety barrier 19, with the upwardly facing channel section 7 hooked under the lower strand of wire [0046] FIGURE 7 shows a 3D view as seen from the roadway of the bracket configured to accept a multi message sign framel8 (shown in Fig 8), as used in Australia. It now has the addition of a square hollow horizontal member 12 which may be welded to main vertical post 1 in an off set position so signage can be positioned off the roadway, channel members 14 & 15 may be welded to the upper outer extremities of horizontal member 12, extending upwardly so as to accept a multi message sign framel8, square hollow diagonal member 13 is preferably welded to lower back edge of main vertical post 1, extending to the mid underneath portion of horizontal member 12 and forms a brace.

[0047] FIGURE 8 shows a front view of a multi message sign frame 18 with typical roadwork signage used in Australia.

[0048] FIGURE 9 shows a front view of the bracket configured to accept a multi message sign frame 18 as is used in Australia.

[0049] FIGURE 10 shows a front cross sectional view of a w-beam guardrail system, comprising; w-beam guardrail 11, common steel guardrail post 17 and steel spacer 16 (Fig’s 8, 9 & 10 are shown above each other in vertical alignment).

[0050] FIGURE 11 shows a front view of the bracket configured for and holding a multi

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 message sign frame 18 with typical roadwork signage as used in Australia, installed on a w-beam guardrail system.

[0051] FIGURE 12 shows a 3D view of the bracket as seen from the roadway, configured for a multi message sign frame 18 and signage as used in Australia installed on a w-beam guardrail system.

Claims (4)

1. A bracket for use in attaching short-term roadwork signage onto w-beam or wire rope safety barrier systems, wherein the signage may be positioned above and behind the safety barrier system off the travelled path of the roadway, comprising;

a custom designed extrusion, having a profile enabling it to hook over w-beam guardrail’s upper and lower profile;

a main vertical post member being of such a length allowing it to span upwardly from the lower back edge, to beyond the upper back edge of a w-beam or wire rope safety barrier;

a lower jaw member being of said custom designed extrusion and facing upwardly, fixed to front lower side of said main vertical post member for engagement with a w-beam guardrail’s lower portion;

an upwardly facing channel member fixed to front lower side of said main vertical post member and positioned just above said lower jaw member for engagement with a wire rope safety barrier’s lower strand;

an adjustable upper jaw assembly, being of said custom designed extrusion and facing downwardly, fixed to the front mid portion of a reasonably short square hollow member being slidably receivable over said main vertical post member, a catch plate component attached to back side of said slidably receivable square hollow member, which is operable with an adjustable over centre latch;

an adjustable over centre latch fixed to back side mid portion of said main vertical hollow post, positioned to be operable with said catch plate component on said upper jaw assembly;

a spacer plate fixed between said slidably receivable square hollow member of upper jaw assembly and said catch plate component allowing for attachment of catch plate component using short screws so as to not hindering upper jaw assembly’s ability to slide up or down over said main vertical post member;

a spacer plate fixed between said main vertical post member and said adjustable

2019202319 03 Apr 2019 over centre latch, for the purpose of maintaining vertical alignment to said members.

2. A bracket according to Claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises additional members enabling it to receive a multi message sign frame, comprising;

a horizontal member being of square hollow section at a length slightly greater than the width of a multi message sign frame, attached to top of said main vertical post member in an offset position, wherein one end of said horizontal member is in vertical alignment with the front edge of said upper jaw assembly and remainder extending out rearwards away from the roadway;

a channel member attached vertically to both outer upper extremities of said horizontal member, with said channel member openings facing each other so as to receive a multi message sign frame;

a diagonal member being of square hollow section attached to lower back side of said main vertical post, extending to mid underside portion of said horizontal member to form a cross brace.

3. A bracket according to Claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises additional members enabling it receive light weight portable traffic signals, comprising;

a vertical member, being of a profile allowing it to receive a mounting post associated with a lightweight portable traffic signal unit, fixed to top of said main vertical post member.

4. A bracket according to Claim 1 comprising additional components to receive singular roadwork signage as used in other regions of the world.