EP0597839A1 - Anti glare barrier - Google Patents

Anti glare barrier

Info

Publication number
EP0597839A1
EP0597839A1 EP91909280A EP91909280A EP0597839A1 EP 0597839 A1 EP0597839 A1 EP 0597839A1 EP 91909280 A EP91909280 A EP 91909280A EP 91909280 A EP91909280 A EP 91909280A EP 0597839 A1 EP0597839 A1 EP 0597839A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
barrier
elongate member
opposed
elongate
above ground
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP91909280A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
David Trevor Aelwyn Rees
Arwyn Hopkins
Griffith Owen Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0597839A1 publication Critical patent/EP0597839A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F7/00—Devices affording protection against snow, sand drifts, side-wind effects, snowslides, avalanches or falling rocks; Anti-dazzle arrangements ; Sight-screens for roads, e.g. to mask accident site
    • E01F7/06—Anti-dazzle arrangements ; Securing anti-dazzle means to crash-barriers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a device for enhancing road safety, particularly on dual carriageways, motorways or the like.
  • the beam of headlights may pass through windows disturbing the occupants of the building.
  • a glare barrier device comprising a non-transparent elongate member provided with means for supporting said member substantially parallel to and spaced from ground level, such that said member acts a barrier to the passage of vehicle headlight beams therethrough.
  • the uppermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, located at a distance above ground level greater than the legal upper limit for the height above ground of vehicle headlights.
  • the lowermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, at a distance above ground level approximately equal to the height above ground of the top of a conventional crash barrier.
  • the elongate member preferably includes opposed longitudinally extending outer faces. Such surfaces may be curved or, more preferably, they may be substantially planar.
  • the elongate member is preferably formed of sheet material and may, for example, be of plastics sheet.
  • the sheet member may be formed such that the opposed outer faces are provided on opposed portions of the sheet member.
  • the elongate member is, as mentioned above non- transparent (that is, translucent, which is preferred, or opaque) ; it may incorporate marker indication, such as colour variations, stripes at intervals, or the like.
  • the elongate member is of generally inverted 'V shaped in transverse cross section, with the upper closed longitudinal edge defining the uppermost extent of the elongate member, and the opposed outer faces being provided on opposed downwardly extending portions.
  • the means for supporting the elongate member may in one embodiment be one or more upright support members connected to the elongate member along the length thereof.
  • the elongate member may be provided with means for attachment to a roadside crash barrier or the like.
  • the elongate member may, for example, be fastened to an existing crash barrier by means of rivets.
  • crash barriers used on dual carriageways, motorways etc comprise two spaced barrier elements running parallel to one another.
  • the elongate member is provided with attachment means in the form of formations arranged to be biased into complementary engagement with opposed facing elements of a roadside crash barrier.
  • the inverted , V sectioned elongate element is preferably provided with respective longitudinally extending recess portions extending along the lower edge of the downwardly extending portions, which recess portions are arranged to be biased into engagement with respective upper edges of the facing elements of the crash barrier.
  • the biasing is advantageously effected by the resilience of the downwardly extending portions, which may be compressed together and resiliently bias outwards when released.
  • a plurality of elongate members are preferably arranged in end to end relationship providing a substantially continuous glare barrier of indefinite length.
  • the longitudinally opposed ends of each elongate member are formed so as to be complementarily engageable with respective ends of adjacent elongate members.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a glare barrier device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a more detailed view of part of the device of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of glare barrier device.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of glare barrier device according to the invention.
  • an elongate glare barrier generally designated l is in the form of a translucent plastics sheet deformed so as to have a generally inverted 'V shaped transverse cross section (see Figure 2) .
  • the opposed outer faces 3,4 are provided with longitudinally extending lips 5,6 which in use are biased into engagement with the uppermost edges 7,8 of the opposed crash barrier elements 9,10.
  • each glare barrier has a recessed surface 15 which is arranged to slidingly locate in the end 16 of an adjacent barrier.
  • the barrier 1 is preferably translucent to prevent passage of a beam of light therethrough, and since the faces 3,4 are inclined towards one another, at least some of the light which impinges on the barrier is reflected upwards and not back into the path of oncoming traffic.
  • the translucency ensures that the barrier will be visible to oncoming drivers, without causing dazzling.
  • the barrier shown in Figures 1 to 3 is intended for use along the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway, hence the provision of the opposed inclined faces 3,4.
  • the glare barrier 1 shown in Figure 4 is intended for use on a kerbside crash barrier 17.
  • the barrier comprises an upwardly extending plastics sheet having an inclined barrier surface 18.
  • the glare barrier is fixed to the crash barrier 17 by means of fixing screws or rivets 19 passing through the crash barrier and a lip 20 provided along the bottom edge of the glare barrier.
  • the glare barrier includes longitudinally spaced support posts 21,22 capable of mounting the barrier at the required height above ground level.
  • the glare barrier 1 has a recessed end portion 23 for locating and engaging with an adjacent glare barrier (not shown) .
  • the lips 5,6 of the opposed outer faces may be secured to the respective barrier by means of screws, bolts, rivets or the like.
  • the sheet constituting the barrier need not necessarily be of inverted 'V section , and may for example be substantially circular in cross-section, substantially triangular in cross- section, or any other suitable shape.
  • the barrier according to the invention may be provided with photocells or the like, which can be arranged such that they provide power for illumination means provided along the length of the barrier.
  • the barrier device may further be provided with reflecting strips or the like on its outer surface.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
  • Devices Affording Protection Of Roads Or Walls For Sound Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

Barrière anti-éblouissante (1) comportant un élément allongé (2) non transparent possédant des structures ou formations de support (5, 6) destinées à maintenir ledit élément (2) dans une position sensiblement parallèle au sol et espacée de celui-ci de sorte que cet élément (2) serve de barrière au passage à travers la barrière anti-éblouissante (1) de la lumière des phares de véhicules.Anti-glare barrier (1) comprising an elongated non-transparent element (2) having support structures or formations (5, 6) for maintaining said element (2) in a position substantially parallel to the ground and spaced from it by so that this element (2) serves as a barrier to the passage through the anti-dazzle barrier (1) of the light from the headlights of vehicles.

Description

Anti glare barrier.
This invention relates to a device for enhancing road safety, particularly on dual carriageways, motorways or the like.
When motoring at night along roads of the type just mentioned, "glare" associated with the headlights of oncoming traffic can dazzle drivers travelling in the opposite direction, causing them to be momentarily blinded to what lies in the road immediately in front of them.
This problem is exacerbated where the road is unlit, because drivers' eyes become accustomed to darkness, and oncoming traffic may well be using headlights on full beam illumination.
Furthermore, where main roads pass close by buildings such as houses or the like, the beam of headlights may pass through windows disturbing the occupants of the building.
According to the invention therefore, there is provided a glare barrier device comprising a non-transparent elongate member provided with means for supporting said member substantially parallel to and spaced from ground level, such that said member acts a barrier to the passage of vehicle headlight beams therethrough.
It is preferred that the uppermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, located at a distance above ground level greater than the legal upper limit for the height above ground of vehicle headlights. Preferably, the lowermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, at a distance above ground level approximately equal to the height above ground of the top of a conventional crash barrier.
The elongate member preferably includes opposed longitudinally extending outer faces. Such surfaces may be curved or, more preferably, they may be substantially planar.
The elongate member is preferably formed of sheet material and may, for example, be of plastics sheet. Advantageously, the sheet member may be formed such that the opposed outer faces are provided on opposed portions of the sheet member. The elongate member is, as mentioned above non- transparent (that is, translucent, which is preferred, or opaque) ; it may incorporate marker indication, such as colour variations, stripes at intervals, or the like.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate member is of generally inverted 'V shaped in transverse cross section, with the upper closed longitudinal edge defining the uppermost extent of the elongate member, and the opposed outer faces being provided on opposed downwardly extending portions.
The means for supporting the elongate member may in one embodiment be one or more upright support members connected to the elongate member along the length thereof. Alternatively, and more preferably, the elongate member may be provided with means for attachment to a roadside crash barrier or the like. The elongate member may, for example, be fastened to an existing crash barrier by means of rivets.
Typically, crash barriers used on dual carriageways, motorways etc comprise two spaced barrier elements running parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment of barrier device according to the invention, the elongate member is provided with attachment means in the form of formations arranged to be biased into complementary engagement with opposed facing elements of a roadside crash barrier.
In the preferred embodiment mentioned above, the inverted ,V sectioned elongate element is preferably provided with respective longitudinally extending recess portions extending along the lower edge of the downwardly extending portions, which recess portions are arranged to be biased into engagement with respective upper edges of the facing elements of the crash barrier. The biasing is advantageously effected by the resilience of the downwardly extending portions, which may be compressed together and resiliently bias outwards when released.
In use, a plurality of elongate members are preferably arranged in end to end relationship providing a substantially continuous glare barrier of indefinite length. In order to facilitate the production of such a continuous barrier, it is preferred that the longitudinally opposed ends of each elongate member are formed so as to be complementarily engageable with respective ends of adjacent elongate members. The invention will now be further described in preferred embodiments by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a glare barrier device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a more detailed view of part of the device of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of glare barrier device; and
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of glare barrier device according to the invention.
Referring initally to Figures 1 and 3, an elongate glare barrier generally designated l is in the form of a translucent plastics sheet deformed so as to have a generally inverted 'V shaped transverse cross section (see Figure 2) . Along the lower longitudinal edge of the barrier, the opposed outer faces 3,4 are provided with longitudinally extending lips 5,6 which in use are biased into engagement with the uppermost edges 7,8 of the opposed crash barrier elements 9,10.
This outward biasing results from the resilience of th opposed portions 11,12 about the longitudinal upper edge 13, and serves as a means of attachment of the glare barrier device to the crash barrier. Referring to Figure 3, an end portion 14 of each glare barrier has a recessed surface 15 which is arranged to slidingly locate in the end 16 of an adjacent barrier.
The barrier 1 is preferably translucent to prevent passage of a beam of light therethrough, and since the faces 3,4 are inclined towards one another, at least some of the light which impinges on the barrier is reflected upwards and not back into the path of oncoming traffic. The translucency ensures that the barrier will be visible to oncoming drivers, without causing dazzling.
The barrier shown in Figures 1 to 3 is intended for use along the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway, hence the provision of the opposed inclined faces 3,4.
The glare barrier 1 shown in Figure 4 is intended for use on a kerbside crash barrier 17. In this embodiment the barrier comprises an upwardly extending plastics sheet having an inclined barrier surface 18. The glare barrier is fixed to the crash barrier 17 by means of fixing screws or rivets 19 passing through the crash barrier and a lip 20 provided along the bottom edge of the glare barrier.
Referring lastly to Figure 5, in which the glare barrier includes longitudinally spaced support posts 21,22 capable of mounting the barrier at the required height above ground level. Again, the glare barrier 1 has a recessed end portion 23 for locating and engaging with an adjacent glare barrier (not shown) . Various modifications of the illustrated embodiment are possible. For example, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the lips 5,6 of the opposed outer faces may be secured to the respective barrier by means of screws, bolts, rivets or the like. The sheet constituting the barrier need not necessarily be of inverted 'V section , and may for example be substantially circular in cross-section, substantially triangular in cross- section, or any other suitable shape.
In one embodiment of the invention, the barrier according to the invention may be provided with photocells or the like, which can be arranged such that they provide power for illumination means provided along the length of the barrier. The barrier device may further be provided with reflecting strips or the like on its outer surface.

Claims

Claims:
1. A glare barrier device comprising a non-transparent elongate member provided with means for supporting said member substantially parallel to and spaced from ground level, such that said member acts a barrier to the passage of vehicle headlight beams therethrough.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, located at a height above ground level greater than the legal upper limit for the height above ground of headlights present on a vehicle.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lowermost extent of the elongate member is, in use, located at a height above ground level approximately equal to the height above ground of the top of a crash barrier alongside a road.
4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongate member comprises opposed longitudinally extending outer faces, which elongate member is preferably formed of sheet material.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the member of sheet material is formed such that the opposed outer faces are provided on opposed portions of the sheet member.
6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate member is of generally inverted "V" shape in transverse section, with the upper closed longitudinal edge defining the uppermost extent of the elongate member, and the opposed outer faces being provided on opposed downwardly extending portions.
7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said supporting means comprises one or more upright support members connected to the elongate member along the length thereof, or comprises means for attachment of said device to a roadside crash barrier.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said attachment means comprise formations provided on said elongate members and arranged to be biased into complementary engagement with opposed facing elements of said barrier.
9. A device according to claim 8 as appendant to claim 6, wherein said inverted "V" sectioned elongate element is provided with respective longitudinally extending recess portions extending along the lower edge of the downwardly extending portions, with recess portions are arranged to be biased into engagement with respective upper edges of the facing elements of said crash barrier.
10. A device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein longitudinally opposed ends of each elongate member are formed so as to be complementarily engageable with respective ends of adjacent elongate members.
EP91909280A 1990-05-05 1991-05-07 Anti glare barrier Withdrawn EP0597839A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9010205 1990-05-05
GB9010205A GB2243635B (en) 1990-05-05 1990-05-05 Glare barrier device
PCT/GB1991/000728 WO1991017316A1 (en) 1990-05-05 1991-05-07 Anti glare barrier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0597839A1 true EP0597839A1 (en) 1994-05-25

Family

ID=10675581

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91909280A Withdrawn EP0597839A1 (en) 1990-05-05 1991-05-07 Anti glare barrier

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0597839A1 (en)
AU (1) AU7789491A (en)
GB (1) GB2243635B (en)
WO (1) WO1991017316A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1154499B (en) * 1960-02-04 1963-09-19 Dr Josef Oberbach Guidance device for highways
GB927687A (en) * 1961-01-11 1963-06-06 Gadani Carlo Improvements in or relating to anti-dazzle screens for roads
GB1044556A (en) * 1964-02-18 1966-10-05 Expanded Metal Fence or barrier and method of erecting same
LU55865A1 (en) * 1968-04-09 1969-04-25
FR2005200A1 (en) * 1969-05-20 1969-12-12 Beaujean Robert
DE3229460A1 (en) * 1982-08-06 1984-02-09 Josef 8121 Pähl Baierl WALL CONSTRUCTED FROM PRE-MADE AND ASSEMBLABLE PROFILE COMPONENTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR NOISE AND VISUAL PROTECTION
FR2560243B2 (en) * 1983-02-04 1987-11-20 Masair PROTECTION AND VISUALIZATION DEVICE FOR ADAPTING ON CONCRETE TRACK SEPARATORS
US4751893A (en) * 1987-03-20 1988-06-21 Brantley William S Anti-glare screen

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9117316A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2243635B (en) 1993-12-22
GB9010205D0 (en) 1990-06-27
WO1991017316A1 (en) 1991-11-14
AU7789491A (en) 1991-11-27
GB2243635A (en) 1991-11-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4751893A (en) Anti-glare screen
US7568553B2 (en) Noise barrier system composed of a base with a transparent superstructure
US4770495A (en) Temporary roadway barrier of contrasting panel portions with reflective ridges or beads at the panel junctions
US6558069B1 (en) Pavement marker with improved daytime visibility
US6719444B1 (en) Vehicular headlights
EP0597839A1 (en) Anti glare barrier
EP0539615A1 (en) Road display apparatus and light source for said road display apparatus
US4088415A (en) Glare screen blade
JP3241808B2 (en) Light refraction type lighting plate
GB2171440A (en) Planks for temporary roadway or pavement barrier systems
US3583297A (en) Stationary antidazzling screen for shielding of vehicle headlights between separate roadways
JP2948500B2 (en) Vehicle guide structure of parking lot
GB2350671A (en) Optical element for attachment to a headlamp glass of a motor vehicle
KR102432621B1 (en) Road lighting method with flat cut-off lens
JPH1060833A (en) Snow road-sign
KR100288656B1 (en) Chevron Sign for Attaching Guardrail
KR200293138Y1 (en) shading board for central separator of a road
KR101027477B1 (en) Road median strip having wave-formed reflection bands
KR20230040517A (en) Road lighting device with flat cut-off lens and a blocking guard
JP2004293241A (en) Installation plate in road central traffic strip, for interrupting illumination of opposed vehicle and recognizing traffic strip at night
KR102181157B1 (en) Shadind structure for central separator of road
KR200348779Y1 (en) A indicator for dividing side line of a traffic road
NL1011461C1 (en) Barrier and warning system for railway level crossing, has hinged barrier arms which carry warning lights and reflective panels
KR200234898Y1 (en) median strip of road
KR200313279Y1 (en) A soundproof plate for the sun's lays refraction

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19921207

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GR IT LI NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19941201