EP0528967A1

EP0528967A1 - Portable and wind resistant signalling device.

Info

Publication number: EP0528967A1
Application number: EP91910349A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Beatrice Feuvray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-16
Filing date: 1991-05-16
Publication date: 1993-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-16
Also published as: WO1991018380A1; FR2662289A1; ATE113135T1; US5329875A; AU7963391A; CA2082958A1; EP0528967B1; DE69104720T2; FR2662289B1; JPH05507973A; DE69104720D1; ES2065692T3

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de signalisation pour routes ou chantiers. En position déployée, les pieds (15) dépassent vers le bas, cependant que les encoches (9) viennent se loger autour des tronçons (8) des barres de torsion (7, 8). Ces dernières sont alors dressées, ainsi que le panneau indicateur (1). Ce dernier fléchit provisoirement quand le vent est trop fort. Applications: panneau utilisable sans lest, et n'ayant pas tendance à se déplacer sous l'effet du vent, même sur un revêtement routier uniforme.The invention relates to a signaling device for roads or construction sites. In the deployed position, the feet (15) protrude downward, while the notches (9) are housed around the sections (8) of the torsion bars (7, 8). These are then erected, as well as the indicator panel (1). The latter temporarily bends when the wind is too strong. Applications: panel usable without ballast, and not tending to move under the effect of the wind, even on a uniform road surface.

Description

PORTABLE AND ANTIVENT SIGNALING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a signaling device both portable and anti-winding, comprising an indicator panel. Such a device is intended to be placed on the ground and it can be used to carry an indicator panel of any type. In particular, it may be a road sign, industrial or commercial advertising, signage on a site, etc.

For this purpose, it is already known to use a base carrying the indicator panel, as described, for example, in patent FR-A 2 609 199. However, it can be seen that such a known device is present at the use various disadvantages. In particular, the base being constituted by a folding easel, it lacks rigidity and is no longer suitable for large signposts, of the kind used in particular now on motorways. Under the effect of a strong wind, or even during the simple passage near vehicles launched at high speed, we see that the whole device tends to advance by successive small leaps. In fact, it remains necessary to ballast the device as soon as the dimensions of the indicator panel become large. The present invention aims to avoid these drawbacks, by providing a signaling device that is both light, foldable, and usable without ballast, when in fact it has perfect stability when placed on any ground, or even on the roadway of a highway, even if the panel it supports is large.

To this end, this signaling device comprising a rigid base frame, surmounted by a foldable indicator panel in the plane of the base, is characterized in that the lower part of the panel is supported and pivotally mounted, around a horizontal and transverse axis, on the front of the base frame, by an elastic return support assembly by means of at least one torsion bar, and a locking device is provided for immobilizing the elastic return support assembly in the position where the panel ^' is raised upwards, substantially vertically, or to unlock it, when the panel must be folded down in the plane of the base.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawing in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signaling device according to the invention , when in the deployed position. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same device, in the folded position.

Figure 3 is an elevational view, on a larger scale, of the elastic return mechanism with two torsion bars.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, showing a part of the locking device of one of the torsion bars.

FIG. 5 is a partial elevation view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1.

Figure 6 is an elevational view in the direction of arrow VI of Figure 1, illustrating the elastic return mechanism in excess of neutral, provided for immobilizing the locking beams.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment comprising a tubular beam with square section crossed by a zig¬ zag spring wire. Figures 8 and 9 are partial perspective views in the direction of arrow VIII of Figure 7, when the spring wire is respectively in one and the other of the two possible diagonal positions. Figures 10 and 11 are partial perspective views illustrating an alternative embodiment of the locking device of the bars torsion, respectively in the locked and unlocked position, used with the variant shown in Figures 7 to 9.

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the locking device.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of the locking device shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of the torsion bars used with the locking device of FIGS. 12 and 13.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a stackable base frame.

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the base frame of FIG. 15.

In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a signaling device according to the invention comprising an indicator panel 1 (shown in phantom), the lower part 2, substantially horizontal, is pivotally mounted, about a transverse axis, on the front of a horizontal frame 3 serving as a base. The articulation is ensured by two torsion bars 4 and 5. Each of these bars comprises a central torsion segment 6, substantially horizontal, materializing the axis of articulation of the panel, this central segment 6 extending between a first section extreme 7, bent and rigidly integral with the indicator panel 1, and a second end section 8, bent on the same side as the first end section 7 and capable of being engaged in a notch 9 of the locking device, when the latter is in the locked position, to maintain the panel 1 deployed vertically (Figures 1,3 and 4).

The two notches 9 receiving the. second bent end sections 8 are respectively formed in two longitudinal members 10 forming part of the base frame 3. Each longitudinal member 10 is articulated on front 11 and rear 12 crossmembers of the base frame 3, in order to be able to pivot about a longitudinal axis horizontal 13.

The two central torsion segments 6 of the two torsion bars 4 and 5 are arranged side by side, preferably inside a rigid tube 14, integral with the front cross member 11 and which holds them one against the other. .

In the construction method of FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the two longitudinal members 10 is eccentric relative to its pivot axis 13. In this way the locking notch 9 can be brought into a first position in which it is open towards the top and receives the second corresponding section 8, then extending upwards, from one of the torsion bars 4,5, to immobilize in rotation the first sections 7, thus maintaining the panel 1 deployed, that is to say - say in a substantially vertical position (Figures 1,4 and 5).

The notch 9 can also be brought, after a pivoting of the associated side member 10 by 90 ° outwards, in a second position in which it extends horizontally and opens outwards so as to release the second section 8 (FIG. 2), which then allows the panel 1 and the first sections 7 to be folded down in the plane of the base frame 3.

Each of the longitudinal members 10 carries, at each of its ends, a support foot on the ground which is retracted in the plane of the frame 3 when the assembly is in the folded position (or else projects vertically downwards ( Figures 1,4 and 5) thus being perpendicular to the base frame 3, when the assembly is in the deployed position.

In the latter case, the feet 15 form four crampons which come to hang securely on the ground, without it even being necessary to increase the weight of the assembly by placing ballast weights on the base frame 3.

To keep the feet 15 and the side members 10 in place, both in the deployed position (FIG. 1) and in the folded position

(Figure 2), an elastic return mechanism is provided with a kinematics beyond dead center. In in the case of FIGS. 1 to 5, this mechanism comprises, at the rear, a return spring 16, substantially horizontal, each of the ends of which is anchored on a rear leg 15, at a point 17 which is located both at the outside the interval defined by the pivot axes 13 and above the horizontal plane defined by these two axes, when the feet 15 extend downward.

We see that, if we fold the feet 15 in the folded position (Figure 6, arrows 18), the two anchor points move from position 17 to position 19, which is, this time, located at- below the horizontal plane of the axes 13. It is understood that between these two positions 17 and 19, the anchoring points pass through a position of neutral or unstable equilibrium, when they are spaced from one another at most, in the same horizontal plane as the axes 13. The two positions 17 and 19 in FIG. 6 are therefore both stable equilibrium positions corresponding respectively to the deployed panel 1 (FIG. 1) and to this same folded panel (Figure 2).

In the variant illustrated in Figures 7,8 and 9, this elastic return locking device has been replaced by two fixed tubular beams 20, with square cross section. Inside each of these tubes is arranged a metal spring wire 21, shaped according to a plan zig-zag profile. This zig-zag wire naturally corresponds to a space requirement in width 22 substantially equal to the dimension of the diagonals of the inner square of the spar 20. In other words, the naturally planar shape of the zig-zag wire 21 gives the latter two positions of possible equilibrium in the spar 20, namely one in each of the diagonal planes of this spar. This elastic thread 21 can be passed from one to the other of the diagonal planes by forcing it there by action on its outer ends 23, folded back so as to constitute the equivalent of the aforementioned feet 15. In other words, each foot 15 or 23 constitutes, in the deployed position, both a foot which hooks the assembly to the ground in the manner of a crampon (FIG. 1), and a handle which the user uses, to deploy or fold the panel.

In Figures 10 and 11 is shown a locking device which is provided in the case where the signaling device comprises fixed tubular beams 20 as shown in Figures 7 to 9. In this case the second section 8 of each bar of torsion 4,5 is engaged, in the locking position, in a vertical notch 21, open upwards, formed in the internal face of a locking block 22 fixed to the internal face of the spar 20. The upper part of the notch 21 communicates with a horizontal recess 23 formed in the internal face of the locking block 22. Consequently, when the second section 8 is housed in the bottom or the lower part of the notch 21 (FIG. 10), it is immobilized in rotation, which ensures locking the corresponding torsion bar. To unlock this bar (FIG. 11), it is sufficient to lift it, so as to bring it to the level of the recess 23, after which the second section 8 is found to be released and the indicator panel can then be folded down in the plane of the base frame.

In Figures 12. to 14 is shown another alternative embodiment of the locking device. In this case, the second section 8 of each torsion bar 4.5 is folded in on itself towards the inside, forming a hook and ending in a short extreme branch 8a parallel to the second section 8. Furthermore, the frame base 3 comprises fixed tubular beams 20 with square cross section and the upper horizontal face and the external vertical face of each beam 20 are pierced with a common notch 24. In addition, the lower horizontal face of the beam 20 is pierced with a hole 25 vertically aligned with the part of the notch 24 formed in the upper horizontal face. In the locking position, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 12 and 13, the vertical end branch 8a extending the second section 8 is engaged vertically through the upper notch 24 and the lower hole 25, while the second section 8 extends downwards outside the spar 20. The torsion bar corresponding is thus immobilized in rotation. To unlock this bar, it suffices to slightly lift the second section 8 and the end branch 8a, so that the lower end of the latter is completely retracted inside the spar 20 and released above the hole 25, this which has the effect of releasing the torsion bar, and then of tilting this bar so as to pivot upwards, inside the tubular beam 20, the end branch 8a which then comes to occupy a substantially horizontal position represented in dashes in Figures 12 and 13.

In this embodiment the transverse tube 14, which is crossed by the central segments 6 of the two torsion bars 4,5, is free and it can move between the lower position shown in solid lines and the upper position shown in dashes in figure 13.

Figures 15 and 16 show a base frame 3 which can be used for the signaling device according to the invention. In this case the two fixed side members 20 comprise a central part horizontal extended, at its two ends, by end portions 20a which constitute inclined legs, at 45 ° for example, downwards and outwards from the frame 3, so that the signaling devices can be stacked. The two longitudinal members 20 are connected by front 11 and rear 12 crossmembers, the crossmember 11 serving for attachment to an easel.

We see that the device according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, it is no longer necessary to use a ballast and when the wind is blowing, or else due to air movements resulting from automobile traffic, the traffic sign 1 more or less tilts, against the return action of the torsion bars 4 and 5, thereby reducing the thrust which tends to move the base 3 on the ground. The pivot axis 2, materialized by the torsion bars 4,5, is located at the lower part of the panel 1. The base 3, constituted by a closed frame, is particularly rigid and stable. Ultimately, when the assembly in the deployed position is placed, even on a highway road surface, it has no tendency to advance little by little under the effect of air movement, and this despite its low weight, which facilitates its handling.

Claims

1.- Signaling device comprising a rigid base frame (3), surmounted by an indicator panel (1) foldable in the plane of the base (3), characterized in that the lower part (2) of the panel ( 1) is supported and pivotally mounted, about a horizontal and transverse axis, on the front of the base frame (3), by an elastic return support assembly by means of at least one torsion bar (4 , 5), and a locking device is provided for immobilizing the elastic return support assembly in the position where the panel (1) is raised upwards, substantially vertically, or for unlocking it, when the panel (1 ) must be folded down in the plane of the base (3).

2.- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the torsion bar support assembly comprises two torsion bars (4,5), each of which defines a central torsion segment (6) placed substantially horizontally at the base of the panel indicator (1), a first bent end section (7) integral with the indicator panel (1) and a second bent end section (8) capable of engaging and being held in a notch (9,21,24) of the locking device, when the indicator panel (1) is in the deployed position, or else contrary to being released, when the mechanism is unlocked, to allow the indicator panel (1) to be folded back.

3.- Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the notch (9) is cut in a beam (10) pivotally mounted, around a longitudinal axis (13), on the rest of the base frame (3 ).

4.- Device according to claim 3 characterized in that each of the two pivoting beams (10) carries, at each of its ends, a support foot on the ground (15) which extends downwards in the deployed position.

5.- Device according to claim 4 characterized in that each beam (10) is eccentric relative to its longitudinal pivot axis (13) and the corresponding ends of the two pivoting beams (10) are connected together by a spring mechanism return (16) with kinematics beyond dead center around the pivot axes (13) of the beams (10) so that, for each beam (10), two positions of stable equilibrium are defined on both sides other from neutral, namely a first position of the beam (10) in which the corresponding torsion bar (4,5) is unlocked so as to be able to fold the panel (1), and a second position in which the notch (9) of the side member (10) locks the corresponding torsion bar (4,5) in the deployed position.

6.- Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that each of the two beams (20) of the lower base frame (3) is constituted by a metal tube with square section, rigidly secured to the frame base (3), inside this tubular beam (20) is arranged, in one or the other of the two longitudinal diagonal planes, a metal wire with a zig-zag spring (21) which can be made pass by force, by elastic deformation, from one to the other of the two locking and unlocking positions corresponding respectively to one and the other of the two diagonal planes, and the bent ends (23) of the elastic wire ( 21), protruding out of the tubular beam (20), constitute both corresponding retractable feet of the base frame (3) and control handles for passing from the "locked" position to the "unlocked" position.

7.- Device according to claim 6 characterized in that each beam (20) carries, on its inner face, a locking block (22) having, in its inner face, a vertical notch (21), open upwards and communicating, at its upper part, by a horizontal recess (23), the lower part of the vertical notch (21) receiving the second end section (8) of a torsion bar for immobilize it in the locked position, while the upper recess (23) allows the release of this second section (8).

8.- Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the notch

(24) is formed in the upper face and in the external vertical face of a fixed spar (20), the lower face of which is pierced with a hole (25) aligned vertically with the notch (24) and the second section ( 8) is folded back on itself in the form of a hook and constitutes an end branch (8a) which can be engaged vertically through the upper notch (24) and the lower hole (25) of the spar (20), in the locked position and can be freely housed inside the side member (20) in the unlocked position.

9.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base frame (3) comprises two longitudinal members (20) each of which comprises a horizontal central part extended, at its two ends, by end parts 20a which constitute inclined legs, at 45 ° for example, downwards and outwards from the frame (3), so that the signaling devices can be stacked.