EP0243286A2 - Base for removably securing and supporting a support post - Google Patents

Abstract

- Signalling equipment. - The base according to the invention is characterised in that the lock (9) consists of a lever (10) pivoting about a horizontal pivot pin (11) carried by the base, comprising, at the end, a foot (12) capable of traversing the opening (8) in order to clamp a post engaged in the well and arranged in a housing (14) of the base so as to be at least partially retracted beneath the upper surface (4a) of the latter when it occupies its position immobilising the post. - Application to road signs. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to the means for securing and supporting, in particular on the ground, temporarily, a foot intended to carry at height of the ground any signaling or information element.

The invention relates, more particularly, to road equipment and, in this field, temporary signaling by any type of information element.

In the technical field above, it is frequent to bring to the knowledge of users a temporary modification of the signage information corresponding to the traffic rules, by placing on the ground information or signaling elements or equipment.

As a general rule, such information elements are most often constituted in the form of panels carrying the information and fixed themselves on folding tripods forming, in the open position, support legs.

Such legs can be simple or more or less complex and include wheels, possibly retractable, to facilitate the movement of the signaling element by rolling on the ground.

Such equipment is not at all satisfactory because either the traffic conditions, or the changes in weather conditions and, in particular, the existence of wind, contribute to destabilize such equipment, to the point of displacing or even overturning it. . In such a case, the signaling function is no longer assumed and can be the cause of incidents or even serious accidents.

To remedy this drawback, it is frequent to use the use of additional masses, such as stones, construction agglomerates, etc., which are placed astride the base to stabilize it.

All these methods are, in reality, only stopgap solutions which do not allow the problem of stable support of such temporary road equipment to be resolved as it should be.

The prior art has proposed other solutions in an attempt to resolve such a problem.

Application DE-A-25 24 379 proposes a base having, in its upper surface, a well intended to receive a foot carrying a panel, which foot is immobilized by means of at least one splint assuming a function of blockage similar to a corner.

Such a solution, if it makes it possible to confer better stability on the foot via the base, does not yet represent a satisfactory proposition. Indeed, the adaptation of the foot in the base is carried out, for practical reasons, with a certain play which is responsible for a resistance of adaptation adaptation between the foot and the base. Risks of disengaging and disorientation of the panel remain, due to the fact that the recommended means do not allow to constitute, mechanically strong, but also temporary, with a base and a foot a homogeneous, coherent and unitary signaling assembly.
Other proposals have been made to try to resolve this problem by advocating the interposition of a immobilizer lock. This is the case of the publications DE-A-32 07 228 and US-A-3 762 674 which plan to provide the well with a kind of movable jaw moved towards a fixed jaw by either a screw mechanism, or a cam mechanism. These proposals are not satisfactory in the field of application chosen for the following reasons.

The movable jaw is driven in displacement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the foot, which is not favorable for obtaining a good wedging, necessary condition for the constitution of a unitary signaling assembly from 'a base and a foot.

The screw mechanism, like the cam mechanism, requires the use of specific tools which are generally not available to users of road signs at the installation sites.

The screw mechanism and the cam mechanism are reputed, in the configuration chosen, to be unable to exert a pressing force capable of effectively clamping the support foot.

The screw mechanism and the cam mechanism are relatively fragile devices which are poorly suited to the rustic conditions of implementation in the field of application. Their effective operating time is thus reduced.

The prior art also knows the publication DE-U-85 32 495 providing for the interposition of a sliding finger with elastic return between the base and the foot. It is understandable that such a solution, which is particularly fragile and unreliable, cannot give lasting satisfaction in the face of the particularly harsh conditions of use reserved for the intended field of application.

In total therefore, the prior art does not provide any acceptable solution capable of responding positively to the problem posed, which is that of being able to constitute, from constituent elements necessarily separated for reasons of economy, storage and transport, sets signaling, especially road, unitary, but also removable, robust and stable.

The object of the invention aims to solve this problem by proposing a new base for the removable fixing and the support of a stand carrying any signaling and / or information element.

The object of the invention is designed so as to provide the support and the removable fixing of a support leg, of any suitable height, to give it a stable and resistant seat, whatever the traffic or wind conditions at which must resist road equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base, the particular design of which enables rapid mounting and / or dismounting of the support leg, without having to use any special equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new base which can be easily stored, stored or transported in the smallest possible volume or bulk.

Another object of the invention lies in the particular design of some of its elements provided to avoid inadvertent disassembly of the supported leg.

To achieve the above objectives, the base for the removable fixing and the support of a support leg, of the type comprising a base delimiting at least one well with a vertical axis, open at the upper surface of the base, fully closed, of cross section complementary to that of a support leg and having in its wall an opening for the passage of a immobilization lock of the foot, movable on the base, is characterized in that the lock is constituted by a lever pivoting on a horizontal axis carried by the base, comprising at the end a shoe able to pass through the opening to clamp a foot engaged in the well and disposed in a housing of the base, so as to be at least partially retracted under the upper surface of the latter when it occupies its immobilization position of the foot.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

• La fig. 2 est une coupe-élévation longitudinale partielle illustrant, plus précisément, un détail de construction du socle.
• La fig. 3 est une coupe-élévation analogue à la fig. 2 illustrant une variante de réalisation.
• La fig. 4 est une coupe en plan montrant un autre exemple de réalisation de certains des éléments constitutifs de l'objet de l'invention.
• La fig. 5 est une perspective partielle illustrant un développement de l'objet de l'invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially broken away, of the subject of the invention.

• Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating, more precisely, a construction detail of the base.
• Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternative embodiment.
• Fig. 4 is a plan section showing another embodiment of some of the elements constituting the object of the invention.
• Fig. 5 is a partial perspective illustrating a development of the subject of the invention.

According to fig. 1 and 2 the base 1 according to the invention is provided to ensure the removable fixing and the support of a foot 2 intended to carry a signaling element 3 to form, by for example, temporary road sign equipment.

In this application example, the signaling element 3 is constituted by a panel capable of carrying visual information. It must, of course, be considered that the signaling element could be quite different.

Similarly, it should be remembered that the object of the invention can also be implemented in a field of application other than road signs.

In all cases, it should also be considered that the base can be designed to ensure the removable fixing and the support of several feet 2 .

The base 1 comprises a base 4 intended to define a support polygon and to assume a ballast of stability function. The base 4 is represented in the form of a cross of Saint-André, but a different design could be retained. The base 4 could, for example, be made in the form of a tripod or, again, a solid plate.

The base 4 delimits, for each support leg 2 , a socket or nesting seat 5 opening to the upper surface 4 a of the base, of vertical axis x-xʹ , having a closed bottom 6 and the cross section is complementary to that of the supporting foot 2 . In the present case, the well 5 has, in cross section perpendicular to the vertical axis x-xʹ , a polygonal shape, preferably rectangular.

The well or seat 5 is delimited by a peripheral wall 7 having an opening 8 which is reserved for the passage of a movable lock 9 for immobilizing the support leg 2 in the well 5 bearing on the bottom 6 . The immobilization lock 9 is of the pivoting type and comprises a lever arm 10 articulated on a horizontal axis 11 carried by the base. The lever 10 is provided with a clamping pad 12 extending at the end opposite the axis 11 . The shoe 12 preferably includes a ridged face 13 facing the opening 8 .

The latch 9 can pivot, in the direction of the arrow f₁ ( fig. 1 ), when the foot 2 is fitted into the well 5 to rest on the bottom 6 .

The movement in the direction of the arrow f₁ causes the shoe 12 to pass through the opening 8 and to press the foot 2 against the internal face of the peripheral wall 7 delimiting the well 5 .

The lock 9 is placed in a housing 14 delimited by the base 4 . The housing 14 is designed so that, in the immobilization position of the leg 2 , as illustrated in FIG. 2, the bolt 9 is fully retracted relative to the upper surface 4a of the base 4. In this way, the inadvertent opening of the lock 9 can practically not occur.

The lock 9 is designed so as to comprise an opening control member 15 which may be constituted by any suitable tab, projecting through the open bottom 16 of the housing 14 .

Thus, the opening of the lock 9 in the opposite direction to that of the arrow f₁ can only be obtained after turning the base 4 to act in the direction of the arrow f₂ on the tab 15 and thus push the lock in opening pivot.

Fig. 2 shows that, to ensure better stability of attachment of the lower end portion of the support leg 2 in the housing 5 , provision may be made for the latter, opposite the opening 8 , a backsplash 17 s 'rising above the surface 4, for instance in extension of the wall 7. The backsplash 17 can also be made in the form of a tubular sleeve, as shown in 17 a in phantom in FIG. 2 .

In certain cases, it may be useful to give the bolt 9 the possibility of immobilizing support legs 2 having at least one variable dimension and, for example, that between the wall 7 and the opening 8 . In such a case, it may be advantageous to mount the shoe 12 on the lever 10 , by means of an adjustment device 18 , of any suitable type. Preferably, this device 18 is arranged under the lever 10 so as to be inaccessible from the upper face 4 a . The device 18 can be provided to make the pad 12 adjustable in spacing relative to axis 11 . The device 18 could also be provided to ensure an adjustable position on the axis 11 or, again, to make it possible to adjust the wall 7 relative to the shoe 12 .

In the position illustrated in fig. 2 , the shoe 12 strongly clamps the foot 2 in the well 5 , so that this foot is immobilized in a vertical orientation. The leg 2 can thus provide the appropriate stable support for an information element, such as 3 , since the base 4 represents a support polygon of large surface area and relatively large mass. If this mass should be increased to further improve stability, provision may be made to attach removable plates 20 ( FIG. 1 ) to the upper surface 4 a . Such plates 20 can be fixed by means of pins or the like coming to engage in orifices 21 provided for this purpose in the base 4 .

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment according to which the well 5 has, in its wall 7 , opposite the opening 8, an axial stop means for the foot 2 . This means can be constituted by a notch or slot 22 intended to allow the engagement of a heel 23 formed by the base 24 of the supporting foot 2 . The engagement of the foot in the well 5 therefore consists, after releasing the bolt 9 , to insert the heel 23 inside the opening 22 before bringing the shoe 12 into the immobilized position. Thus, the supporting foot 2 is suitably immobilized by the combination of the wall 7 , the backrest 17 , the heel 23 , the light 22 and the shoe 12 against any pivoting movement in either direction of the arrow f₃ .

It is obvious that the axial stop means can be produced differently. For example, provision may be made to form a boss in the wall 7 by stamping in order to cooperate with a recess or other deformation produced in the foot 2 .

Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, that the means according to the invention can also be provided for the reception of a support foot 2 a of circular cross section. In one in this case, the wall 7 defines a complementary seat, as well as at least one backrest 17 a in the form of a half-circumference allowing easy engagement of the foot 2 . In such a case, the pad 12 of the bolt 9 is replaced by a jaw 12 a , of "V" type, also intended to pass through the opening 8 as in the previous example.

Fig. 5 illustrates another development of the invention according to which the base 4 is associated with an additional mass 20 a shaped to include, in its center, an opening 25 through which the mass can be threaded onto the backrest 17 and the foot 2 set in place in the housing 5 , so as to completely cover and close the housing 14 thus concealing the opening latch 9 .

As is apparent from the above, the base according to the invention allows rapid mounting and dismounting of the foot 2 with only the use of rustic equipment or tools such as a mass. This can be achieved while maintaining a possibility of inadvertent dismantling, since the lock is easily accessible by opening with respect to the face 4a or, again, totally inaccessible when covered by the mass 20.

Another advantage lies in the fact that the base can be easily separated from the base to offer a possibility of storage or transport in a small space. The possibility of adaptation makes it possible to have a set of bases corresponding to a maximum assessment of needs and to be able to adapt to each any piece of information temporarily necessary.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, since various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

To improve the tightening of the foot by the shoe 12 , provision may be made to interpose between the lever 10 and the axis 11 or between the latter and the base 4 , a compact mass, in particular of elastomer, capable of providing a reaction elastic to a particular compressive stress.

Claims (8)

1 - Base for the removable fixing and the support of a support leg ( 2 ), of the type comprising a base ( 4 ) delimiting at least one well ( 5 ) of vertical axis ( x-xʹ ), open at the upper surface ( 4 a ) of the base, with the bottom ( 6 ) closed, of cross section complementary to that of a support leg ( 2 ) and having in its wall ( 7 ) an opening ( 8 ) for the passage of a foot immobilization lock ( 9 ) movable on the base, characterized in that the lock ( 9 ) consists of a lever ( 10 ) pivoting on a horizontal axis ( 11 ) carried by the base, comprising at the end a shoe (12) adapted to pass through the opening (8) for clamping a root engaged in the well and arranged in a housing (14) of the base so as to be at least partially retracted below the upper surface (4a ) of the latter when it occupies its immobilization position of the foot. 2 - Base according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the spacing between the shoe ( 12 ) and the wall ( 7 ). 3 - Base according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock is accessible for its opening control by the open bottom ( 16 ) of the housing ( 14 ) the container. 4 - Base according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the lever ( 10 ) is mounted on the base with the interposition of a mass of elastomer. 5 - Stand as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (5) comprises, projecting above the upper surface (4a) of the base, a backrest (17) located opposite the opening ( 8 ) relative to the vertical axis ( x-xʹ ) of the seat. 6 - Base according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means ( 22,23 ) of axial stop between the well ( 5 ) and the foot ( 2 ). 7 - Base according to claim 1, characterized in that the base ( 4 ) comprises means ( 21, 25 ) for fixing a removable additional mass ( 20 ) having an opening ( 25 ) through which it can be threaded on the backsplash ( 17 ) and the leg ( 2 ) to rest on the base ( 4 ) by closing the housing ( 14 ) containing the latch ( 9 ). 8 - Road equipment comprising a base according to one of claims 1 to 7, supporting a foot ( 2 ) carrying a signaling element ( 3 ).

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