EP0126982B1 - Marking stone slab in the shape of an elongate beam-like body - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A road marker in the form of an elongate, beam-like body with a substantially constant solid section along the length thereof, the marker having a lower, plane fixing surface (20), two lateral surfaces (22, 24), and an upper surface (26) made of a rubber material and having screw holes (36) allowing screw-fixing of the marker at intervals, the screw holes extending perpendicularly to the fixing surface (20) and having a widening for receiving the screw heads, and the marker having a reflecting area (34) on at least one lateral surface (22, 24), characterised in that the marker is made of an elastic, linear or granular recycled rubber and has an internal, plane reinforcement (44) located in the area of the screw holes (36) and closely connected to the rubber material.

Description

The invention relates to a crossbar according to the preamble of claim 1.

This crossbar is known from British Patent 2 104 946, which forms the closest prior art. The crossbar described therein has also become known through the advertisement in the magazine "Traffic Engineering and Control", November 1981, page 610. It is made from a "high impact rubber", ie from a high impact resistant (virgin) rubber material. High-impact resistant means that it does not give in when it is impacted, but remains essentially hard. The known crossbar is so heavy that it stops in place on a street, this support being supported by the action of suction cups. A screw fixing is only intended for a more permanent installation, for this the crossbar has the screw holes with extensions.

Due to the high impact-resistant rubber design, there is no relative movement between these screws and the rubber material when fastened with screws when the crossbeam is loaded. However, if you want to manufacture the crossbeam from an elastic and at the same time a force-reducing rubber material that compresses under load, a relative movement between the screws and the rubber material inevitably takes place under load. A sufficiently robust fastening of a crossbeam by means of screws for motor vehicle traffic is therefore not achieved according to the teaching of this British patent specification if the crossbeam is made of an elastic material that enables a reduction in force.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known crossbar and to create a crossbar which is suitable for applications in the traffic area of motor vehicles, enables a reduction in power and permits universal use.

This object is achieved by a marking stone with the features of the current patent claim 1.

The desired elasticity and thus also the power reduction factor (not directly linked to the elasticity) are set cheaply and specifically for the applications in the road traffic area by recycling rubber, thereby an economical production is possible. Despite the elasticity and the desired deflection, there are no obstacles in the form of upstanding screw heads to a wheel that rolls over the crossbar.

Furthermore, a crossbar is known from French patent specification 1 501 896, which is made according to claim 1 from rigid or semi-rigid material. It has bowl-shaped metal inserts that have a U-profile, the upper, free legs of which are flush with the top of the body. If this known crossbeam is actually made of a material that is as elastic and thus enables a reduction in force as the material from which the crossbeam according to the invention is made, the rubber material is compressed under load. However, the metal parts cannot follow this movement, so that they protrude from the upper side and thereby pose a serious traffic hazard, or at least can destroy tires. The <1 Me + & talleinserts are also not intimately connected to the material of the crossbeam, they are not arranged on the inside and therefore do not act as an internal, area-like reinforcement.

If the crossbeam is actually made from an elastic recycled rubber according to this French patent specification, relative movements between the metal inserts and the elastic body inevitably take place under load.This leads to damage to the elastic material, in particular to the right-angled outer corners of the metal inserts, and the elastic material becomes open cut the duration at least at this point and destroyed it. Permanent fastening is therefore not possible with elastic material.

The old British patent specification 689 791 from 1950 does not refer to a crossbar, but to road markers, as are usually created by paint application. The road markers are also not significantly higher than a layer of paint, the height (page 2, lines 49 to 54) is between three and five millimeters. Due to the extremely small thickness of the road markers, the elasticity in the vertical direction is practically insignificant, in any case no reduction in force is achieved. The elasticity is required in order to be able to adapt the uneven road surfaces to the flat road marker.

Usually this road marker is stuck on, several methods are given for the sticking. According to the explanations on page 2, lines 104 to 113 of the patent specification, the road marker can also be fastened by large-headed nails, whereby it is proposed, among other things, to provide holes with extensions similar to the screw holes of the crossbar according to the invention through which the nails are struck. It is also proposed to arrange a steel washer in a recess, recess. In view of the extremely low height of the road markers, a real contribution towards a large-area fortification cannot be achieved.

Recycled rubber, in particular a recycling rubber that teaches power reduction, teaches this British patent does not. In view of the extremely low height, it is also not to be expected that it will allow a reduction in power.

German Offenlegungsschrift 27 58 696 describes a molded body made of rubber granulate and binder. It has inserts in the form of rods made of prestressing or ribbed steel, by means of which it is achieved that a deformation imparted to the shaped body by bending or in some other way is retained in a dimensionally stable manner. The use of these inserts for fastening the previously known shaped body is not described.

Furthermore, from US-A-2 851 935 a marker for traffic management is known, which is also designed as a thin-walled, downwardly open shell made of natural rubber, the shell is reinforced by a narrow, longitudinal web. This marking stone is thus hollow and, when it is rolled over by a vehicle tire, it is flattened, as a result of which it presents a safe obstacle to the vehicle wheel. Its material is sufficiently elastic so that this marking stone can return to its normal, non-flattened shape after the load has subsided. Since the marking stone is open at the bottom, it does not lie over the entire surface, but with a narrow edge on its fastening surface in accordance with its shell shape. If it is rolled over and flattened by a vehicle wheel, the vehicle wheel is practically not raised. The marking stone therefore has an almost exclusively optical effect, it does not create a physical barrier. The fastening forces are introduced via just two screw heads and only have a local effect in the thin-walled web, they are not distributed over a large area. Therefore, the marking stone can be torn up and removed via the screw heads.

Finally, a crossbar is known from DE-A-1 784 201, which consists of a rigid, gable-roof-shaped support body, which is advantageously made of metal and has reflector elements embedded therein. This crossbar does not allow the loss of power when it is rolled over by a vehicle wheel.

Since the crossbar according to the invention is made from recycled rubber, it can yield elastically to external forces acting on it and cushion load forces, dampen hard impacts and thus protect people from injuries and vehicles from damage. Due to its design made of elastic recycled rubber, the crossbeam can also be bent in the longitudinal direction, i.e. it can be easily adapted to the curvature of a boundary line and can also be used in the case of level differences, for example waves, the fastening surface on which it rests.

The reinforcement ensures sufficient durability of the crossbeam despite its elasticity even under loads from motor vehicles, for. B. trucks.

A force reduction factor of forty to sixty percent, preferably fifty percent, in each case based on a sand bed with a standard grain size, has proven to be very favorable. The crossbar designed in this way can yield sufficiently elastically when impacted, which helps to reduce noise and protect people and materials.On the other hand, it is a real physical barrier that lifts a vehicle tire when it rolls over, even if it deflects when it rolls over.

In particular, at the beginning or end of a traffic-calmed zone, a crossbar that is rounded, in particular round, flatter is advantageous. The reflection areas signal to the driver that the threshold has been deliberately applied, but the shape and design of the crossbeam enables the crossshaft to be driven over only moderately. In this case, a general advantage of the crossbar according to the invention is particularly clear in one application and design: since the crossbar according to the invention absorbs shocks and reduces the forces introduced, it contributes to noise reduction.

It is very advantageous to provide drainage incisions in the (lower) fastening surface, which are visible as bays on both side surfaces and connect both side surfaces. As a result, surface water can flow between the crossbar and its base, the surface drainage of traffic areas is promoted, water accumulations and puddles on one or both sides of the crossbar, which could endanger traffic or cause nuisance, cannot form. Advantageously, several such drainage incisions are provided over the entire length of the crossbeam, which is typically ten centimeters to two meters.

It is advantageous to provide a nose or a groove on the fastening surfaces. As a result, the crossbar can be pressed onto an already existing or specially designed bar, or its nose is pressed into a groove that is already present in the ground or has been cut or prepared specifically for the crossbar. In both cases, very precise courses of the marking line can be achieved, in particular with curvatures in the course of the marking line. The assembly work is also simplified.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the remaining claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be understood as restrictive. They are described below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf den Querbalken gemäß Fig. 1
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht eines Querbalkens entsprechend Figur 1 für ein Anfangs- oder Endstück,
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht auf das Anfangs- oder Endstück gemäß Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Querbalkens gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2, und
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Querbalkens mit flachem, gerundetem Profil.

Fig. 1 is a side view, partially designed as a cross-section, a crossbar with inclined surfaces and a symmetrical profile,

• FIG. 2 shows a top view of the crossbar according to FIG. 1
• 3 shows a side view of a crossbar corresponding to FIG. 1 for a start or end piece,
• 4 is a plan view of the beginning or end piece of FIG. 3,
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the crossbar according to Figures 1 and 2, and
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a crossbar with a flat, rounded profile.

The crossbars shown are all elongated overall, so their length is significantly greater than their width or height.

They thus have a beam-like body, the cross section of which remains unchanged over the entire length. Each crossbeam has a lower fastening surface 20, which is flat in the exemplary embodiments shown, but may also have a different shape, for example a groove 21 (FIG. 5) or a tongue 21 '(FIG. 6). However, flat mounting surfaces are usually the norm. Since the crossbeam is made of an elastic material, these lie flush and fully on a surface in the assembled state, this also ensures good adhesion to the surface, which prevents the fastening surface from moving against the surface, especially when there are lateral forces shifts. Such shifts need not be ruled out, but it is preferred that they do not occur.

The crossbar also has two side surfaces 22, 24, an upper side 26 and two end surfaces 28, 29.

As already stated above, the crossbeam is made of an elastic material, in particular a rubber and preferably a recycling rubber. It is made of solid material. The elasticity is designed so that a force reduction of 40 to 60%, preferably 50%, based on a sand bed with standard grain size is achieved as a reference. The reduction in power and thus the hardness of the material are selected in relation to the intended use; a higher hardness is specified for traffic areas with motor vehicles than in pedestrian or cycling areas. The hardness setting and thus the power reduction factor is achieved through a suitable choice, size and shape of the rubber particle oaks from which the crossbeam is composed.

Both side surfaces 22, 24 are identical, in other words the profile of the crossbar according to FIGS. 1 to 5 is fold-symmetrical. Each side surface 22, 24 consists in each case of a vertical surface 30 and an upper inclined surface 32 adjoining this in the upper region. Reflecting regions 34 are arranged in the latter, as can be seen from the figures, which are designed as cat eyes in the exemplary embodiment shown. These are embedded flush in the material. For this purpose there are recesses, not shown, into which pins are inserted on the back of the cat's eyes. These pegs have retention claws or a sawtooth shape, which makes them last. The number of reflection areas 34 is determined as a function of the intended use of the marking stone, and consequently significantly more reflection areas 34 than shown or reflection areas with a larger area can be used.

On the vertical center line, which is also a plane of symmetry, there are a total of three recesses in the form of screw holes 36 which allow for a point-specific screw fastening. These have in the area of the top 26 extensions 38 which are shaped such that the head of a screw penetrating the screw holes 36, in particular a key screw, is clearly below the top 26, so that even when the top 26 deflects, the screw head is not opposite the top 26 steps forward.

The crossbar according to the invention is preferably attached by screws. For this purpose, holes are drilled in the subsurface before installing the crossbeam if the subsurface has sufficient strength, for example is formed by concrete or bitumen. Dowels are used in the boreholes in a known manner, which expand when a screw is screwed in and offer a secure hold for the screw. The crossbar is pressed flat against the lower surface when the screw is tightened. In the case of non-cohesive substrates, e.g. earth, an impregnated wooden block is embedded in the floor or a steel nail with an internal thread is driven into the floor.

A total of six drainage incisions 40, preferably running transversely to the longitudinal direction, are provided in the crossbar and are located between and at a distance from the screw holes 36. They enable cross-drainage between the crossbeam and its lower surface. They are visible on both side surfaces 22, 24 and connect these side surfaces 22, 24. The drainage incisions 40 are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and are cuboid. In the exemplary embodiment shown, its width is 70 mm and its height is 10 mm. They each start 70 mm next to a screw hole 36.

The crossbar shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 also has the following dimensions: the total length is 1 m, its height is 80 mm, the vertical surfaces 30 have a height of 50 mm, the inclined surfaces 32 have a vertical height of 30 mm. The crossbar is 100 mm wide, the Top 26 is 50 mm wide.

In an advantageous embodiment, the extensions 38 of the screw holes 36 are designed so that they can accommodate cat eyes. As a result, the actual fastening screws are completely covered and protected at the same time.

The crossbar shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in the form of a start or end piece basically has a structure like the crossbar already discussed, in contrast to this, however, an inclined surface 42 in the area of one end face 28, at least not both end faces. The inclined surface 42 is at an angle of approximately 30 degrees to the fastening surface 20 and merges downwards into a vertical partial end face with a height of 25 mm.

In Figures 1 and 2, a triangular groove 46 is drawn in dash-dotted lines in both end faces 28. It is not visible from the outside when crossbars are placed next to each other. A triangular connecting part can be inserted into it, which ensures a positive connection between adjacent stones.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the crossbar also has a folding symmetrical profile, but a flat, rounded profile shape. Rectangular reflection foils are embedded in the side surfaces 22 as reflection regions 34 or, if appropriate, are glued to the side surfaces 22, 24. Beyond that, however, there is no difference to the exemplary embodiments already discussed, screw holes 36 are also provided, so the fastening is also carried out in specific areas. The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6 includes a correspondingly beveled or rounded end or beginning block, as was similarly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Finally, the very diverse possible uses of the crossbar according to the invention should be emphasized once again: This crossbar can be used (individually or in combination), as a dividing stone, as a curb, as a boundary stone and as a curb. The universal application in these diverse areas saves the storage of many different stones of the type presumed to be known, which must be designed according to the respective purpose. In addition, the crossbar according to the invention has a lower specific weight, so it is easier to handle. The reduction in force of the crossbar according to the invention can be produced depending on the individual requirements. Power reduction factors of 40 to 60, preferably 50%, based on a sand bed with standard grain, have proven their worth.

Finally, FIG. 1 shows an internal, area-like reinforcement 44 made of a fabric material. This can also be formed by steel cord inlays, metal grids, nylon threads or the like. The area around the screw holes 36 is preferably reinforced. The reinforcement 44 is elastic and intimately connected to the material of the crossbeam. It ensures sufficient durability of the crossbeam even under loads from motor vehicles, for example trucks.

A sand bed with a standard grain size has the following composition in accordance with DIN 18915 Part 1: Sand with a maximum grain size of 6 millimeters without silty or clayey components. The force reduction of such a sand bed is standardized in DIN 18196 section 3.3 and is applied as a 100% value when compared with the material of the crossbeam.

A groove 21 is shown in FIG. 5 and a tongue 21 'in FIG. 6. Furthermore, an end groove 46 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The reflection areas 34 consist of a retroreflective material. A reflection is emitted largely independent of the angle of incidence of a light to be reflected.

Finally, the use of crossbeams in motorway junctions has proven particularly useful. Here, the lane for the entrance and the lane for the exit are separated from one another by crossbeams in order to clearly signal an overrun and thereby largely avoid that a driver becomes a ghost driver.

Claims (9)

1. A road marker in the form of an elongate, beam-like body with a substantially constant solid section along the length thereof, the marker having a lower, plane fixing surface (20), two lateral surfaces (22, 24), and an upper surface (26) made of a rubber material and having screw holes (36) allowing screw-fixing of the marker at intervals, the screw holes extending perpendicularly to the fixing surface (20) and having a widening for receiving the screw heads, and the marker having a reflecting area (34) on at least one lateral surface (22, 24), characterised in that the marker is made of an elastic, linear or granular recycled rubber and has an internal, plane reinforcement (44) located in the area of the screw holes (36) and closely connected to the rubber material.

2. A marker according to claim 1., characterised in that the rubber material has a power absorption factor of from forty to sixty per cent, preferably fifty per cent, in each case with reference to a sand bed with standard grain size (according to DIN 18 196).

3. A marker according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that beginning or end markers (fig. 3 and 4) have end faces (28) having an upper oblique surface (42) at an angle of between twenty and fifty degrees, preferably thirty degrees, with respect to the fixing surface (20).

4. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the width and/or height thereof is at least twenty millimetres and at most three hundred millimetres, the width being preferably at least one hundred millimetres and at most two hundred millimetres and the height being preferably at least one hundred and fifty millimetres.

5. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised by a length of at least ten centimetres and at most two metres.

6. A marker according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that drainage notches (40) connecting the two lateral surfaces (22, 24) are provided.

7. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the reflecting areas (34) are set in recessed regions of the lateral faces (22, 24) such that the reflecting areas do not project beyond the surface, the reflecting regions (34) being formed from reflecting foil.

8. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the reinforcement (44) is formed by a metal grid.

9. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, charaterised by an end face groove (48).

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