EP0871947B1 - Systems for information-carrying signs - Google Patents

Systems for information-carrying signs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0871947B1
EP0871947B1 EP95935613A EP95935613A EP0871947B1 EP 0871947 B1 EP0871947 B1 EP 0871947B1 EP 95935613 A EP95935613 A EP 95935613A EP 95935613 A EP95935613 A EP 95935613A EP 0871947 B1 EP0871947 B1 EP 0871947B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shield
information
signs
sign
back shield
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95935613A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0871947A1 (en
Inventor
Johan Kok
Siete Fijma
Franciscus Schoofs
Gerardus Van Zanen
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 EP0871947A1 publication Critical patent/EP0871947A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0871947B1 publication Critical patent/EP0871947B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
    • G09F13/0418—Constructional details
    • G09F13/0472—Traffic signs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/16—Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
    • G09F7/18—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
    • G09F7/18—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
    • G09F2007/1804—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure for fastening to a post

Definitions

  • the invention relates to information-carrying systems such as traffic signs, advertising columns, road markings and alike, wherein the signs are divided into a number of main parts belonging to each other, namely an information and/or symbol-carrying front shield and a constructional and partly closed back shield, said front and back shields being fastened to each other by means of a locking system at several points along their circumference, wherein the front and back shields once connected to each other, form a rigid box structure (see e.g. EP-A-0 575 224).
  • Traffic signs consisting of a shield (usually metal), often with a double-flanged rim (DFR) and separate fastening means (clamps), are known and generally used.
  • DFR double-flanged rim
  • clamps separate fastening means
  • foils and/or layers of lacquer are applied, retroreflecting or otherwise, representing information such as, for example, traffic symbols.
  • the shield and fastening clamps are often fixedly interconnected by clamping screws.
  • the clamps are in turn secured to posts, walls or other parts of the immobile world by clamping strips or screwed connections.
  • Various types of bridging structures between the shield(s) and the immobile world are also often used.
  • a disadvantage of the sign design described above, is that (even without considering the often necessary earthwork) the installation, changing, replacing and removal of the signs are very time-consuming because of the many elaborate connections to be made/broken.
  • the current design also has the disadvantage that the signs cannot be put into service flexibly. If, for example, in the case of temporary, periodical and/or unexpected changes in a traffic situation, changes of symbols or additional signs are required, such an alteration can usually not be carried out instantaneously and without any preparations.
  • the current sign design allows theft because the fastening means (such as bolts and nuts) can be easily reached. After theft, a new sign has to be purchased and installed.
  • sign combinations are required in one place (e.g. on one post) .
  • sign combinations are often tailored to each new situation and consist of clamps and/or combinations of tubes and coupling pieces.
  • Retroreflecting foils are available in many different embodiments. Their principle of action is based on (glass) beads or on so-called cube-corner elements.
  • Generally applied methods of representing information (e.g. traffic symbols) on said retroreflecting foils consist in printing and/or sticking onto them transparent or black lacquers and/or foils.
  • the invention aims:
  • a locking system consisting of one or more single-locking locks, positioned on the rim of the front shield and/or back shield and wherein the lock of the single-locking locks is/are connected to a control device, and wherein the lock or the single-locking locks can attract or eject the front shield with respect to the back shield by a wedging action, and wherein the lock or the single-locking locks has/have positions in which the front shield can move freely towards or away from the back shield and positions in which the front shield is fixed with respect to the back shield.
  • Fig. 1 shows different views of a possible combination of system elements according to the invention: signs, coupling pieces and means for securing the system to the immobile world.
  • Fig. 2 shows front and top plan views of a composite circular sign according to the invention, mounted on a sign post. One coupling has been mounted on the side of this sign.
  • Fig. 3 shows section III-III of fig. 2 in detail, representing the rim connection between the front and back shields.
  • Fig. 4 shows front and top plan views of a circular front shield according to the invention.
  • Fig. 5 shows section V-V of fig. 4 in detail.
  • Fig. 6 shows front and top plan views of a circular back shield fitted with a locking system, all according to the invention, in which coupling pieces are mounted on the back shield in one coupling direction.
  • the back shield in turn is mounted on a sign post.
  • Fig. 7 shows section VII-VII of fig. 6 in detail.
  • Fig. 8 shows section VIII-VIII of fig. 2 in detail, schematically representing a mechanism for transmitting forces from the front shield to the back shield.
  • Fig. 9a shows section IX-IX of fig. 6.
  • Fig. 9b shows a part of the same section IX-IX positioned back to back with figure 9a. This illustrates the back-to-back installation of signs against a post, each sign being fastened with its own clamping strips. Between figures 9a and 9b a part of a sign post is shown.
  • Fig. 10 shows section X-X of fig. 6.
  • Fig. 11a shows section XI-XI of fig. 9a, in which the clamping strip connection is shown around a tube with the smallest possible diameter.
  • Fig. 11b shows the same section XI-XI, in which the clamping strip connection is shown around a tube with a relatively large diameter.
  • Fig. 12 schematically shows a pattern for installing signs according to the invention, in this case with four coupling directions.
  • Fig. 13 schematically shows a pattern for installing signs according to the invention, in this case with two coupling directions at right angles to each other.
  • Fig. 14a, 14b, 14c schematically show a single locking lock according to the invention in a top plan view (without the front shield), a partly cut-away front view and the respective sections XIVa-XIVa, XIVb-XIVb, and XIVc-XIVc (partly in elevation).
  • Fig. 14a shows the single-locking lock in the closed position, the front shield being pulled and/or locked against the back shield.
  • Fig. 14b shows the lock during the operation thereof, the front shield being ejected with respect to the back shield.
  • Fig. 14c shows the situation after the front shield has been taken out.
  • Fig. 15 shows a front view of a rotating body with a pin according to the invention, positioned in the corner of a triangular back shield.
  • Fig. 16 shows detail A of fig. 6. The inserted operating tool is shown as well, in two positions.
  • Fig. 17a and 17b show section XVII-XVII of fig. 16.
  • Fig. 17a shows the locking system (and operating tool) in the closed position.
  • Fig. 17b shows the locking system (and operating tool) in the opened position.
  • Fig. 18 shows detail B of fig. 16 in which the tool has been inserted in the winding bush and the locking system is in the closed position.
  • Fig. 19 shows section XIX-XIX of fig. 18.
  • Fig. 20a shows section XX-XX of fig. 18 (closed position).
  • Fig. 20b shows the same section XX-XX with the system in the opened position.
  • Fig. 21 shows section XXI-XXI of fig. 19, representing the opening for the operating tool in the back shield.
  • FIG. 1 shows rear, side, top plan and front views of an example of a combination of system elements according to the invention.
  • a sign (1) is secured at the back thereof by means of clamping strips (2) to the immobile world, in this case a sign post (3).
  • Another sign (4) is connected to the side of sign (1) by means of coupling pieces (5).
  • Sign (6) is mounted above sign (1) by means of coupling pieces that are identical to (5).
  • Sign (7) is installed under sign (1) by means of coupling pieces.
  • Fig. 2 shows top plan and front views of a possible embodiment of the invention.
  • the sign consists of a information-carrying front shield (8), which can be fastened all round to a back shield (9).
  • the back shield can be secured to the immobile world, for example a sign post (3), or be coupled to other signs of the system through coupling pieces (5).
  • Fig. 3 shows a section of a possible rim connection (10) between the front and back shields. This connection is such that both shields, when fastened to each other, together form a rigid box construction, making denting of the sign impossible.
  • FIG. 4 shows front and top plan views of the front shield according to the invention. As appears from the section in fig. 5, this front shield consists of 2 parts, a shield (11) and a protection plate (12).
  • the shield (11) is made of a clear transparent material, for example a plastic. It is entirely flat at the front and forms a pattern of cube-corner reflector elements (13) at the back, which render the shield retroreflecting.
  • the reflector elements (13) may be designed in many other (already known) ways, depending on the application of the sign. It is, for example, possible that, for applications within a built-up area, the reflector elements are shaped thus by the back side that reflection is maximal for irradiation by vehicles at a distance of 50 meters from the sign, when the sign is positioned at a height of 2 m above the road surface.
  • a protection layer or plate (12) is connected all round to the shield (11) so as to form a connection which is impermeable to liquid, the colour of this layer or plate preferably being white.
  • This plate prevents dirt and moist from reaching the reflector elements at the back, and thus from having a negative effect on reflection.
  • the white colour enhances the necessary white appearance of the front shield (especially during daytime), when looked at from angles at which the reflector elements do not reflect but on the contrary can be seen through.
  • retroreflecting foils (14) can be applied to the front shield, according to the currently accepted method.
  • the material of the front shield does not have to be transparent and the reflector elements on the back side of the shield can be omitted, as well as the protection plate.
  • Representations of information, such as traffic symbols, are applied to the front shield according to the above-described known techniques (printing, sticking).
  • known (special) layers such as layers impermeable to UV-light or layers with little affinity for inks (graffiti) may be used as well.
  • a special embodiment of the front shield is the neutral print, for example a plain grey surface, which can be used when a sign is out of service. It is also possible to realise a neutral shield by producing the shield (11) from grey plastics material.
  • Fig. 6 shows a top plan and front view of an embodiment of the back shield (9) according to the invention.
  • the back shield is preferably made of plastic, according the NEN-standard in the colour grey.
  • the back shield comprises on the back side thereof a semi-circular groove (15), which allows centring this part against a range of round posts with varying diameters (3).
  • the diameter of the groove is equal to the diameter of the smallest post onto which the sign still has to fit.
  • the back shield comprises openings (16) through which clamping strips (17) can be led in order to press the back shield against the post.
  • Fig. 9a and 9b show a recess (18) in the groove (15) which allows passing (19) clamping strips between, for example, the sign post (3) and the back shield (9).
  • the embodiment of the clamping strip openings described above allows placing 2 signs back to back, while they are both fastened to, for example, a sign post by means of clamping strips.
  • the lock (20) of the clamping strips is preferably located inside the back shield, instead of outside the back shield (on the post). This construction renders the clamping strip invisible and inaccessible once the front shield has been installed.
  • the back shield according to the invention may also comprise provisions to screw two back shields back to back, in particular around the post/tube with the smallest diameter in the above-mentioned range.
  • the heads of the screws used for this purpose and possible nuts are positioned on the front side of the back shield and are therefore inaccessible after the front shield has been installed.
  • the back shield (and possibly the protection plate) can, if and where necessary, be provided with ribs (21) increasing its rigidity and strength.
  • Fig. 8 shows a schematic section of a central projection (22) on the back shield, prohibiting that a front shield, when pressed backwards from the front side, will bent through.
  • the protection plate (12) comprises one or more projections (23) which transmit the force from shield (11) to protection plate (12). This protection plate in turn transmits the forces to said projection.
  • Fig. 11a and 11b are sections showing how the semicircular groove (15) centres tubes etc. of varying diameters.
  • Fig. 11a shows the situation of the tube (24) with the smallest fitting diameter. In this case, a sign mounted back to back with the first sign will be flush with the latter.
  • Fig. 11b shows the situation in which the sign is clamped onto a round tube (25) with a relatively large diameter.
  • Fig. 9a and 10 show provisions in the back shield (9), to which coupling pieces (5) for interconnecting the signs can be fastened, for example by means of screws (26).
  • a coupling between two signs is realized by means of two elongated coupling pieces, for example tubes. These coupling pieces are put through holes (27) in the back shield (see also fig. 6), so that the coupling pieces are largely invisible, and the fastening thereof to the back shield completely invisible, once the front shield has been installed. After the installation of the front shield, it is also impossible to reach the fastening means.
  • a coupling between signs according to the invention matches the shallowness and the geometry of the sign. This coupling also matches the coupling pattern discussed below. It is desirable to install a sign in front of a tube/post by fastening it with coupling pieces to an adjacent sign (usually above or under the first sign), instead of fastening the sign to the tube/post with clamping strips. This method is timesaving and it also has the advantage of allowing the installation of an additional sign in cases where the tube/post behind the first sign does not extend far enough to allow the use of clamping strips.
  • a practical embodiment of such a coupling consists of two identical, parallel tubes, rods or strips (5) which can be installed along the post/suspension tube according to fig. 1, 9a and 10.
  • the embodiment described above is essential for realizing a coupling which has a transparent appearance, which is sufficiently rigid and strong, which does not project in front of the sign surfaces and which allows back-to-back installation of additional signs or sign combinations.
  • Said embodiment in the form of a tube has the additional advantage that coupling pieces can be easily given lengths that deviate from the standard, for example by sawing.
  • the coupling system allows coupling signs in the same plane as the front side of the front shield. In order to restrict the required number of different coupling pieces, the coupled signs are positioned according to a certain spatial pattern.
  • a two-dimensional, circumscribing geometric basic form (28) can be defined, into which the front faces of all the signs belonging to that system (e.g. a circle (29), a triangle (30), a square (31), a rectangle (31), or yet another shape (32, 33)) fit.
  • a pattern is made up of lines (34) representing coupling directions, said pattern also satisfying the condition that at each intersection (35) of these lines, a said circumscribing form can be positioned in such a way that the geometric centre of this circumscribing form coincides with said intersection and that circumscribing forms thus positioned do not overlap.
  • Fig. 12 schematically shows a pattern of sign positioning with, in this case, four coupling directions.
  • Fig. 13 shows another conceivable, and in practice very useful, pattern in which signs can be coupled in the sign plane in four different directions: upwards, to the left, to the right and downwards.
  • the abutment surfaces/fixation points for the coupling pieces are chosen in such a way that they all fit into the pattern.
  • the invention therefore provides a locking system, which is intended to pull the front shield (8) and the back shield (9) against each other when the sign is closed.
  • both shield rims after having been interlocked for a long time, cling to each other as a result of humidity and dirt and consequently cannot be separated by hand. Therefore, the locking system has to be able to force the front and back shields forcefully apart when the sign is opened.
  • the locking system according to the invention is composed of several single-locking locks (36) (fig. 6) that are spaced along the rim of the sign.
  • the rim of the protection plate (12) or, in another embodiment, the shield (11), comprises one or several inclining surfaces which, in cooperation with one or more elements or surfaces moving along these surfaces, connected to the back shield, produce a wedging effect.
  • This wedging effect is two-fold and causes the front shield to be either attracted or ejected with respect to the back shield.
  • said element/surface can be moved in such a way that it no longer contacts said inclining surfaces, so that the front shield can be moved freely into or out of the back shield.
  • the inclining surfaces (37, 38) are accommodated in an open slot (39) which has been provided in the rim of the shield (11) or protection plate.
  • the moving element is composed of a pin (40) on a body (41) which is connected rotatably to an axis (42) on the back shield.
  • the pin exclusively moves in a plane perpendicular to said axis.
  • Body and pin are driven by a cable (43) which is fixedly connected to the body and/or the pin, and which can be moved in two directions.
  • the lock further comprises provisions for placing the slots always in a certain position with respect to the axes (42)
  • Fig. 14a shows the single-locking lock in the locked position: front and back shields are pulled onto each other as the pin (40) abuts on an inclining surface (38).
  • Fig. 14b shows the situation in which the pin (40) has been turned towards the right with respect to the situation of fig. 14a, as a result of which the pin has ejected the front shield by way of the inclining surface (37).
  • Fig. 15 shows a practically useful embodiment of said moving element of the single-locking lock. It consists of a rotatable body with a pin (45), mounted in the corner of a triangular sign (46).
  • the rotatable body with the pin has been designed in such a way that the operating cable (47) runs along the circumference of a circle segment (48).
  • the cable length is constant in each position of the locking system and it is possible to fit the rotatable body in the corners of all conceivable types of signs (including triangular and rectangular signs).
  • the invention provides a central control of all the single-locking locks.
  • An essential aspect of this control is that all single-locking locks are interconnected in such a way that forces can be transmitted in two directions (opening, closing) and in such a way that the operating force can be fed into the system at one point.
  • Another essential aspect of the central control is that it requires a special key.
  • FIG. 16, 17a, 17b, 18, 19, 20a, 20b and 21 show an embodiment of the central control according to the invention.
  • This control consists of a bush (49) to which the two ends (50, 51) of a cable (43) are fixedly connected, said cable being fixedly connected to all the above-mentioned rotatable bodies with pins (41). Said cable runs along the rim of the back shield, so that the rotatable bodies can be operated in two directions.
  • Said bush has been mounted rotatably in the back shield (9). It can move the cable both to the left and to the right.
  • the bush can be operated by means of a special key (52), which can be inserted into the bush through a special opening in the back shield.
  • the key end (54) has a shape which does not resemble any common standard tool (such a screw drivers, wrenches etc.).
  • the bush has a corresponding contra-shape. Since the key is special, the sign can only be opened by authorized personnel. Since all the connections are situated behind the back shield, theft of the sign is made far more difficult.
  • the key shown here can only be withdrawn after the locking system has been put into the locked position.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
EP95935613A 1994-10-17 1995-10-17 Systems for information-carrying signs Expired - Lifetime EP0871947B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL9401728 1994-10-17
NL9401728A NL9401728A (nl) 1994-10-17 1994-10-17 Systemen voor informatie-dragende borden.
PCT/NL1995/000357 WO1996012266A1 (en) 1994-10-17 1995-10-17 Systems for information-carrying signs

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0871947A1 EP0871947A1 (en) 1998-10-21
EP0871947B1 true EP0871947B1 (en) 2000-01-19

Family

ID=19864799

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95935613A Expired - Lifetime EP0871947B1 (en) 1994-10-17 1995-10-17 Systems for information-carrying signs

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0871947B1 (nl)
DE (1) DE69514695D1 (nl)
NL (1) NL9401728A (nl)
WO (1) WO1996012266A1 (nl)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6029382A (en) * 1993-09-08 2000-02-29 Kochanowski; George E. Reflective sign

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL249213A (nl) *
FR2414095A1 (fr) * 1978-01-10 1979-08-03 Securite Signalisation Support pour panneaux de signalisation
FR2692708B1 (fr) * 1992-06-19 1994-08-19 Jean Ollivier Panneau de signalisation.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69514695D1 (en) 2000-02-24
NL9401728A (nl) 1996-06-03
WO1996012266A1 (en) 1996-04-25
EP0871947A1 (en) 1998-10-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5467548A (en) Protective barrier members for work areas
US6971329B1 (en) Lane maker
AU709764B2 (en) Reflective sign
US6233898B1 (en) Reflective warning and informational mounting member for traffic sign posts
US6839996B2 (en) Traffic sign device
EP0748497B1 (en) Reflective sign
CA2901910C (en) Sleeves for sign posts
US6561120B1 (en) Plastic barricade assembly
EP0871947B1 (en) Systems for information-carrying signs
US5974712A (en) Traffic sign
EP0514466B1 (en) Reflector, especially for display signs and road signs, and a sign manufactured thereof
CA1126954A (en) Traffic signs
KR102148765B1 (ko) 건설사명이 표시된 가로등용 지주연결 덮개
KR200266156Y1 (ko) 버스승강장의 안내표지대
CA2437041A1 (en) Flexible parking post
JPH06162814A (ja) 街路照明の支柱の構造
CN210489173U (zh) 一种便于换画的广告装置
KR20240001595U (ko) 재귀반사가 구비된 안전표지용 볼트머리 커버
KR102348880B1 (ko) 차선규제봉
CN2221812Y (zh) 可耐冲击及可回复原状的警示标志
JP2833991B2 (ja) 道路柵
JP2006316572A (ja) 小型標識物
KR200236504Y1 (ko) 도로의 교통안전표시용 사이드 포스터
KR20230107055A (ko) 반사시이트의 교체가 용이한 도로경계석
JPH07133606A (ja) 反射塗装膜と反射表示板および反射効果板とガラスビーズ仮固 定具並びにガラスビーズ一層密集配列機と反射塗装膜の成形方 法

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: 19970516

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE FR GB LI NL SE

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990210

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE FR GB LI NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 20000119

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000119

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000119

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000119

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000119

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000119

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69514695

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20000224

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000420

EN Fr: translation not filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20001017

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20001017