EP0899381B1 - Complex of base and upright traffic marker - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a base and road beacon assembly flexible alignment, such an assembly being intended for be used in the road industry along a track traffic in order to delimit the footprint of a construction site public works or any other temporary obstacle occupying a traffic lane to be neutralized For safety reasons.

An alignment road beacon - called a beacon in this which follows - comes in the form of a plate so to show on one or both sides an alternation of red and white stripes inclined at 45 degrees, delimited by a standard vertical frame of 1000 x 250 mm, the lower horizontal side is kept at a height of 200 mm above the ground by a foot capable of being embedded in a cavity of a base generally molded of materials rubbery or recycled plastic. In what follows this standardized framework is called a symbol.

The design of this stand and its base, not standardized, and the structure of the tag, have already been several invention patents because it concerns for the sets base / beacon to fulfill several conditions with difficulty reconcilable.

Indeed, these sets must be able to withstand multiple handling without precautions, be installed, quickly moved and deposited under circulation in depending on the progress of the work, and the tags must be able to be easily removed from their base for reasons for transport in vehicles, be maintained upright over a total height of 1200 mm despite the air movement, and be replaced on their base if broken or bent by a leaving vehicle accidentally its trajectory.

In addition, for reasons of economy, users on the one hand wish to be able to reuse in their dimensions normalized the damaged tags because they are often coated with a more expensive reflective film than the support, and on the other hand avoid if possible theft of their beacons installed along the roads.

Finally, the bases must be able to possibly support a battery or electrical cells to power a lantern placed at the top of the beacon, can be stored without loss of space, and have a certain rigidity and a reasonable weight to ensure stability of the tag while allowing their manipulation without requiring too much effort from the handlers.

In the area of road signs, the patent E.P n ° 0 257 226 A describes a boundary marker for roads with dropped edges so rigid that can be anchored in a base and be held and wedged there by friction and projection in the base sleeve, but its height is reduced and its non-standardized trapezoidal shape.

EP patent n ° 0 387 645 A describes a tag in terms of rotomolded plastic so rigid but standardized, on foot cylindrical and rigid of small diameter therefore fragile in shock, anchored in its base via a cylindrical sheath intended to prevent rotation of the tag on its vertical axis.

The pedestal / beacon system described by US Patent No. 5,484 225 A makes it possible to recover the broken tag after an impact and install it again on its base, but by shortening after each accident.

Finally, sheet metal beacons, reinforced laterally by a rigid U-shaped steel frame welded to a tubular steel foot of rectangular section therefore heavy and dangerous to handle and in the event of an accident, are still used in France.

In the advertising field, PCT patent No. WO 90/11590 relates to a display medium consisting of a base convex molded in plastic, partially traversed by a transverse slot which can receive a sheath in which is screwed the base of a sheet metal panel thin flexible. But this concept cannot be accommodated conditions of use in the signaling field particularly due to its fragility, poorly accessible system to separate the two elements, and the convex cover of the base which does not allow a stacked or pyramid storage.

It is therefore a question of designing a base / beacon assembly capable to bring together the maximum benefits for the user resulting from the conditions listed above, and this is why the invention consists in adapting tags to the case the characteristics of the integrated stand base assembly and flexible temporary road sign and its improvements described in the request for EP patent n ° 0 767 276 A filed on September 18, 1996 by the applicant.

The base / preferential panel described in this European patent application comprises on the one hand a base square made up of a lower square section plate rectangular 600 mm side and 80 mm high surmounted by a shorter trapezoidal cross-section isosceles with a height of 100 mm which is integral with it and forming two crutches molded in its mass, crossed over its entire height by an axial transverse sleeve and vertical grooved, and on the other hand a flexible panel in plastic material with its integrated foot is suitable for being housed in the base sleeve, the base being hollow and partially provided with a cover.

The application of this system to the anchoring of tags had then not been treated specially by this request for patent, since these tags can be adapted to the type base described therein.

But anchoring the tags does not require the use a base as perfected and above all as heavy therefore quite expensive since its weight reaches 30 kg as Some models of bases currently sold. Also, adaptations, simplifications and innovations described and motivated below can be made to the system when studying the anchoring of beacons which are narrower therefore less heavy and less bulky as motorway traffic signs by example.

According to the invention, the system for placing and removing the foot the tag on its base remains simple, fast and efficient against air movement, and the use of a beacon flexible and reusable after an impact becomes possible.

1°/ Réduction de la hauteur du socle par la suppression du plateau supérieur à section trapézoïdale, c'est-à-dire de sa couverture partielle, mais encadrement du plateau inférieur pour le rigidifier, réduction de l'épaisseur du plateau inférieur et réduction de sa largeur puisque la largeur d'une balise normalisée est de 250 mm.

2°/ Remplacement des angles droits du socle par des pans coupés, cette solution n'affectant pas sa stabilité.

Various solutions are proposed first to lighten the base described in the aforementioned European patent application of the applicant, called initial base in the following. Compared to this initial base, these solutions are as follows:

1 ° / Reduction of the height of the base by the elimination of the upper plate with trapezoidal section, that is to say of its partial cover, but framing of the lower plate to stiffen it, reduction of the thickness of the lower plate and reduction of its width since the width of a standard beacon is 250 mm.

2 ° / Replacement of the right angles of the base by cut sides, this solution does not affect its stability.

• saillies d'extrêmité formant poignées de préhension avant et arrière du socle, avec entailles,
• fourreau transversal axial et vertical sans fond à premières et secondes rainures verticales sans fond formant le siège d'emboítement du pied de la balise et de ses renforts éventuels,
• nervure axiale transversale
• rails supérieurs et inférieurs de calage,
• supports de batterie ou de piles électriques.

The initial base modified according to the first lightening solution proposed above is therefore in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and the following elements of the initial base are maintained:

• end projections forming grips on the front and rear of the base, with notches,
• bottomless axial and vertical transverse sheath with first and second bottomless vertical grooves forming the nesting seat for the base of the beacon and its possible reinforcements,
• transverse axial rib
• upper and lower wedging rails,
• battery or electric battery holders.

The new simplified base is presented according to the invention in the form of a rectangular frame of uniform height consisting of two longitudinal edges and two edges transverse with a transverse axial rib of same height crossed in the direction of its length by a axial and vertical grooved bottomless sheath. This structure stiffens the base which is flat. The borders transverse form in their central part each a grip handle on the front and rear of the base with a recess under and against these handles. A frame square can also be made if necessary.

Two battery holders, but without a scalloped rim, are always placed on either side of the axial rib transverse but whose bottom coincides with the lower level of the base, the grips forming a offset rim of the battery or battery holders.

Compared to the initial base, the lateral borders and the new base are now chamfered externally in whole or in part for safety reasons for vehicles accidentally crossing the base, like most of the bases sold, which also makes it possible to lighten the base.

The dimensions of the cross section of the transverse sleeve axial and vertical grooved are slightly higher to the dimensions of the foot of the beacon. Indeed, a slight clearance is required to be able to fit without friction the foot of the tag in the socket of the base and extract it easily since the tag is temporarily attached to the base by a metal rod as shown below. This clearance, of the order of 1 mm, also makes it possible to extract, by simply lifting the base, the interchangeable base the foot of the tag described below, after accidental breakage.

According to the second lightening solution, which is proposed as a variant of the base, the four right angles of the base are replaced by cut sides created by reducing the length of the transverse edges of the base by compared to the width of the base measured at its rib transverse axial and tilting its longitudinal borders either from their transverse axis, or at from another origin such as the sides of the rib transverse axial, so that they tilt inward of the base and that they form or that their direction forms an acute angle with the sides of the axial rib transverse or with their direction to reach the ends shortened transverse borders giving the base a substantially hexagonal or octagonal shape.

This solution also applies to lightening the base initial partially provided with a cover, combined with the reduction of its dimensions to be better suited to anchoring a tag, which can also reduce the dimensions of the battery holders for reasons transverse strength of the base at its rib transverse axial, which is not annoying because a a single battery is sometimes sufficient and even useless for mark open sites for a single day or located under an urban lighting network.

As for the tags, these are in majority double-sided which does not allow to attach to the back an axial reinforcement over their entire height as for a panel signaling. There are also beacons with lights scrolling which require vertical reinforcement. Also, the elongated reinforcement plate provided in the patent application above-mentioned European request is replaced by two reinforcements side in flexible plastic profiles or molded with the tag against its vertical sides, either from the upper level of the base, also against the sides of the part built into the sheath of the base of the foot of the beacon. To complete this device, one or two reinforcement plates can be fixed against the foot of the tag up to the lower limit of the symbol, the dimensions of these reinforcements corresponding to the dimensions grooves in the base.

The elongated vertical shape of the sides of the tag does not allow hardly any narrowing and flaring of the foot above wedging heels provided for the feet of the panels temporary signage. Also, in the case of a beacon, the wedging heels are formed by the projections side reinforcements limited to the upper level of the base that is to say on the upper level of the built-in part of the foot in the base sleeve, relative to the width normal of the tag.

In the event that the lateral reinforcements of the beacon are extended inside the base sleeve along of the built-in part of the foot of the beacon, it is necessary to fix or mold a horizontal blocking cleat against the foot of the beacon, at the upper level of the built-in part of the foot of the beacon in the sheath of the plinth corresponding to the upper level of the plinth, or drill a hole in the foot of the tag at the same level to introduce a pin, this system allowing wedge the beacon on its base and delimit the built-in part of his foot.

In the absence of lateral reinforcements, the beacon is widened to from the upper level of the base to form a border along the sides of the symbol. In other words, the total width of the tag and the top of its non-recessed foot in the base sleeve either greater than the width of the built-in lower part of his foot whose height corresponds to the height of the basement. In the case of built-in lateral reinforcements, the ends of the base sleeve must be widened.

The foot of the tag includes, like the foot of the panels signaling devices described in the patent application of the applicant, an opening for the use of V-shaped hanging handle in its built-in part in the base sleeve. This opening allows provide an anti-theft system for beacons which are often stolen, or another temporary joining system of the base / beacon assembly, in particular to facilitate its displacement by shifting once installed.

Just drill a horizontal hole in the vertical axis transverse of the transverse axial rib of the base, throughout the thickness of said rib and in the axis of the opening of the hanging handle of the installed beacon on its base, and introduce a round metal rod. This rod is provided at one end with a stop stop which can take the form of a ring or a curvature at right angles to the rod, and pierced with a hole in its other end to be able to introduce the handle of a padlock or a pin, this hole can be replaced by a threaded end with wing nut. The distance separating the stopper and the hole or thread either greater than the thickness or width of the rib transverse axial, and that the diameter of the hole for use metal rod hole is greater than the diameter of this rod, this orifice being circular.

To avoid losing the anti-theft or securing rod when handling the base, it is hung on to a chain itself attached to the base, preferably to a battery holder, or is placed in a clips or elastic clamp fixed in the same place.

Finally, to remedy the problem of replacing the beacon made unusable by an impact caused by a vehicle having left its trajectory, the following solution is proposed as a variant with regard to design the foot of the tag.

Indeed, rupture tests have shown that it is produced at the upper level of the base, that is to say at level of heels for setting the foot of the beacon or panel, or if the rupture did not occur, the foot was bent from this level, under the effect of the passage of a vehicle wheel. When bending or bending at an angle right of the foot of a polycarbonate tag for example, the verticality of the tag cannot be completely restored and the tag becomes unusable as a tag broken foot. Also, just design a tag partially interchangeable foot made of a material inexpensive, flexible, breakable or bendable to cold. The beacon is thus recoverable after impact while the lower part of his foot is replaced.

This lower part of the foot of the beacon is made in a material less efficient than the support of the symbol therefore more economical, for example in plywood, or rigid expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the module bending elasticity is low. After rupture, the recessed and broken part of the foot can be easily recovered as indicated above since the sheath of the base is bottomless.

To make the partially interchangeable stand, the integrated foot of the beacon is cut a little above the upper level of the base and the lower part is replaced by a new partial PVC foot for example, surmounted by a U-shaped profile whose widened branches are suitable to serve as sheath at the top the foot of the tag. The spacing of the branches of the sheath in U is very slightly greater than the thickness of the tag and its upper foot to facilitate its introduction. The two elements are then screwed or bolted together while remaining removable. So we get two overlapping sheaths: that of the base and that of the foot, separated by a flexible element but not very resistant to bending, for fuse use.

The length of the U-shaped profile is greater than the width of the built-in part of the foot of the beacon so as to provide two heels at the upper level of the base setting, and to ensure good stability to the beacon. In general, the length of the U-shaped sheath is equal to or greater to the width of the non-recessed part in the scabbard of the base of the foot of the beacon, the ends U-shaped sheath that can be opened or closed.

The new built-in foot is either molded with its profile in U, either the two branches of the profile are fixed against this foot by gluing or by a mechanical connection. The ends of the U-shaped sheath thus created must be widened in case the tag to be anchored is reinforced laterally to the bottom of this sheath. We notice that this system can replace the foot stopper of the tag described above.

All adaptations, simplifications and innovations which have just been described can be transposed to the whole base and temporary traffic sign having is the subject of the aforementioned European patent application of applicant, including in the event that the panels are supported by a foot with straight and parallel sides similar to the sides of a tag.

A base / beacon assembly designed in accordance with the invention therefore has advantages: reduced base weight, transverse axial rib of the base allowing temporarily securing the base / beacon assembly in particular by an anti-theft system, no friction of the foot of the beacon in the base sleeve at the time of installation and removing the beacon, using a flexible beacon but resistant in plastic material, storage of plinths without loss of space facilitated by wedging rails, reusable beacon after an impact by a vehicle by partial replacement of his broken or bent foot.

La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un ensemble socle avec encadrement et balise installée.

La figure 2 représente une vue en perspective du même ensemble, mais avec un socle à encadrement à quatre pans coupés.

La figure 3 représente une vue en perspective d'un ensemble socle initial à quatre pans coupés et balise installée.

La figure 4 représente une coupe longitudinale verticale du socle avec encadrement à l'échelle de 1/5 faite au niveau de son axe transversal.

La figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'une balise à pied partiellement interchangeable.

The invention is described below using examples and references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a base assembly with frame and tag installed.

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the same assembly, but with a pedestal with a framing with four cut sides.

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of an initial base assembly with four cut sides and installed beacon.

Figure 4 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the base with framing on a scale of 1/5 made at its transverse axis.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a partially interchangeable foot tag.

According to the preferred embodiment shown by FIG. 1 and by FIG. 4 for the hidden parts, the base consists of a 600 x 400 mm frame, with a uniform thickness or height of 80 mm, formed by two edges longitudinal 1 of a section of 80 x 75 mm chamfered externally on 25 mm at the top from their mid-height, and by two transverse edges (2) of a 80 x 60 mm section externally chamfered on 25 mm at the top, forming the handles in their central part grip 3 of the base, front and rear of 150 x 55 x 45 mm. This frame therefore has an interior void 480 x 250 mm.

A transverse axial rib 4 is fixed in this void in the transverse axis of the frame, 250 mm long, 120 mm wide and 80 mm high.

A bottomless axial and vertical 5 sheath is open in the longitudinal axis of the axial rib cross 4 and has a cross section of 250 x 7 mm for a height of 80 mm. It has in its walls front and rear a first vertical central groove unreferenced, bottomless, cross section of 100 x 6 mm, which has a second central groove vertical unreferenced, bottomless, cross section 50 x 6 mm, these grooves also having a height of 80 mm. Their opening is drawn in Figure 1 and they are visible in Figure 4. The transverse sheath axial and transverse 5, grooved and bottomless, therefore presents in its central part a width of 7 + (6 x 2) + (6 x 2) = 31 mm, thus leaving a clearance of 1 mm for a beacon of 6 mm thick with four axial reinforcements of the same thickness.

As for the initial base, two upper rails 6 and two lower wedging rails 7 are molded in the mass above and below the transverse axial rib 4 of the base according to figure 4, but are not drawn in the figures 1 and 2 so as not to overload the drawings. The crampons of the initial base are replaced by non-soles referenced, easier to mold.

The presence of the transverse axial rib 4 forms two 250 x 180 mm internal dimensions with the two longitudinal edges 1 and the two edges 2. The two frames thus created are provided each floor of 250 x 130 x 20 mm used for battery holder 8 fixed against the rib 4 and the two longitudinal edges 1 leaving an empty space 50 mm in front of each handle 3. These battery holders 8 are fixed to the lower level of the base.

The tag 9 is cut with its integrated foot 10 following a 1200 x 250 mm rectangle in a polycarbonate sheet 6 mm thick, self-extinguishing, flexible and deemed unbreakable but foldable under impact, transparent for a better understanding of the drawings, and reinforced by lateral reinforcements 11 made of material profiles flexible plastic protruding 25 mm to form two heels setting 12 of foot 10 of tag 9 from upper level of the base.

With the beacon 9 in place, the lower part of its foot 10 is embedded in the transverse sheath axial and vertical 5 of the transverse axial rib 4 of the base on a height of 80 mm and a width of 249 mm to provide a lateral clearance of 1 mm, while the beacon 9 has a width of 300 mm taking into account its lateral reinforcements 11.

The built-in part of the foot 10 of the tag 9 has an opening 13 drawn in FIG. 5, for use as a handle of suspension in the shape of V. A circular orifice 14 12 mm in diameter allowing the passage of a rod anti-theft or securing metal 15 drawn on the Figure 4, 10 mm in diameter, is open in the thickness 120 mm from the transverse axial rib 4 in its axis vertical transverse and opposite the opening 13 for use handle for hanging the tag 9, this opening being 90 x 30 mm therefore largely sufficient to leave pass the anti-theft or securing rod 15.

The anti-theft rod 15 measures 180 mm in length, is provided a stopper 16 constituted by a ring on one from its ends, and is drilled with a hole 6 mm in diameter on the other end to allow passage of one padlock handle 17; its useful length measured between its stopper 16 and its padlock shackle hole 17 is 150 mm. A chain 18 attaches the ring of the stopper 16 from the anti-theft rod 15 to a battery holder 8 to which it is fixed.

Figure 2 shows as a variant the base as it just described but whose four right angles have been replaced by four cut sides formed by borders or oblique sides 19. For this purpose, the length of the two transverse edges 2 has been reduced from 400 to 300 mm without changing the dimensions of the grips 3 of the base, and the ends of the two longitudinal edges are tilted 75 degrees from the vertical plane adjacent sides of the transverse axial rib 4 from the base to tilt from these planes to the ends 2 shortened transverse edges of the base.

In order to eliminate the risk of transverse overturning of the base / beacon assembly, a narrow sole not referenced is molded under the ends of the transverse axial rib 4 of the base.

Figure 3 shows the same modified modification system to the initial base by the creation of four sides cut to the place of the four right angles of the base.

This initial base has also been made lighter by reducing its width from 600 to 450 mm measured at its axial rib transverse 4, and its height from 180 to 90 mm. The length grip handles 3 has been reduced from 160 to 150 mm for a section of 50 x 30 mm, and the length of its projections end or transverse edges 2 reduced from 600 to 300 mm. The width of these end projections 2 remains fixed to 60 mm and their thickness has been reduced from 80 to 55 mm.

The width or thickness of its transverse axial rib 4 remains fixed at 120 mm to allow pyramidal storage of the new base.

This base is also suitable for anchoring a tag 9 whose side reinforcements 11 are extended along its foot integrated 10 into the axial transverse sheath and vertical 5 whose cross section is 250 x 7 mm and the height of 90 mm. The vertical central grooves have been removed but on the other hand the ends of the sheath 5 have been widened to allow the lateral reinforcements to pass 11 extended from the tag 9, and a blocking cleat 20 formed by a small cleat 100 mm long in material plastic is fixed against the foot of the tag 9 at the level upper of the transverse axial rib 4 of the base.

The inclined cover 21 of the base is pierced with lights circular 22 of relief recesses. The upper rails support 6 are drawn and the battery supports 8 are of reduced dimensions, their walls being inclined towards the middle of the transverse axial rib 4 for reasons of solidity of the base as indicated above.

The transverse axial rib 4 is pierced with an orifice transverse circular 14 to let the anti-theft rod pass or joining 15 not drawn. The lateral sides of the base are chamfered and are inclined by 70 degrees from the vertical plane of the axial rib transverse 4 to form the oblique sides 19 of the base which is always fitted with lateral handling notches 23, but halfway up.

Figure 5 shows as a variant of the foot 10 of the beacon 9 the partially interchangeable beacon system 24. For its realization, the integrated foot 10 beacon 9, here without lateral or axial reinforcements, with a width of 300 mm including a border of 25 mm each side, is cut in two parts in the direction of its width so as to obtain an interchangeable base 24 of the foot, the part of which can be inserted into the transverse sheath axial and vertical 5 of the base 250 x 90 x 7 mm has a cross section of 249 x 6 mm for a height 90 mm, the two edges having been deleted.

Two wedge heels 12 of 25 mm result from the difference in width between the interchangeable base 24 and the non-recessed upper part of foot 10 of the beacon 9, and a sheath 25 in the form of a U-profile open at its ends are molded on the interchangeable base 24 of the foot of the beacon so as to obtain a profile of 300 mm in length, with an outer section of 80 x 20 mm and a inner tube 25 of 25 x 6.5 mm so that the upper level of the sheath 25 coincides with the level bottom of tag 9 symbol.

The upper part of the foot 10 of the tag 9 is embedded in the sleeve 25 and is held in this sleeve using bolts that go through the two branches of the scabbard and the upper part of the foot of the beacon. The bolts are tightened using wing nuts to obtain manual assembly and disassembly of the system.

The interchangeable base 24 of the foot of the beacon has also an opening 13 for use as a suspension handle the tag and this interchangeable base 24 is molded with its sheath 25 in rigid expanded PVC.

The manufacture of the base / beacon assembly is of interest to both the plastics industry and the elastomers.

The beacons can be manufactured either by injection of a thermosetting plastic and more precisely polyester, and even composite materials, or by laser or water jet cutting of extruded sheets made of thermoplastic resins and more precisely of plates polycarbonate, preferably recycling.

As for the bases, they can be manufactured by molding of an agglomerate of rubber particles or materials recycled plastics bonded with a polyurethane-based adhesive or by an elastomer, the rubber particles which can come in particular from tires and shredded electrical or telecommunications cables.

Claims (10)

1. Flexible alignment road marker and base unit of the temporary signalling panel/base unit type comprising firstly a square or rectangular or approximately hexagonal or octagonal base moulded in rubber or plastic materials and provided with two grasping handles (3), a transversal axial rib (4) traversed along its longitudinal axis by an axial and vertical transversal sheath (5), possibly grooved without any bottom, two upper adjusting rails (6) moulded on the axial transversal rib (4), two lower adjusting rails (7) moulded under the same axial transversal rib, and a battery support (8) on each side of its axial transversal rib (4), and secondly a flexible plastic marker(9) whose integrated foot (10) is able to be embedded in the axial transversal sheath (5) of the base so as to be anchored there and is provided with two adjusting heels (12) and an opening (13) to be used as a handle for hanging the marker (9), thus unit being characterised in that the base is flat and constituted by a square or rectangular or approximately hexagonal or octagonal frame formed by two . longitudinal borders (1) with chamfered lateral edges and by two transversal borders (2) with lateral chamfered edges; in that a circular orifice (14) is open for traversing the entire thickness of the axial transversal rib (4) of the base ; in that an anti-theft metallic round rod or joining rod (15) of the unit is attached to the base by an anchoring chain (18) ; in that the two lateral and vertical sides of the marker (9) are each reinforced by a lateral reinforcement (11) and in that the base of the foot (10) of the marker (9) is interchangeable and is provided with a sheath (25) for embedding a portion of the foot (10) of the marker (9), this embedding sheath being superimposed on the sheath (5) of the base.
2. Flexible marker and base unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the circular orifice (14) is horizontally open in the transversal vertical axis of the axial transversal rib (4) of the base opposite the suspension handle opening (13) made in the foot (10) of the marker (9) and in that its diameter is larger than the diameter of the anti-theft metal round rod or joining rod (15) of the marker (9) on its base.
3. Flexible marker and base unit according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the anti-theft metal rod or joining rod (15) of the marker (9) is provided at one of its extremities with a crash stop (16) ; in that the other extremity of the rod (15) is either pierced with a hole allowing the passage of a pin or shackle of a padlock (17) or threaded for screwing a fly nut, and in that the effective length of the rod (15) is larger than the thickness or width of the axial transversal rib (4) of the base.
4. Flexible marker and base unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the lateral reinforcements (11) of the marker (9) are constituted by either two flexible plastic sections or by moulding with the marker, and in that reinforcement is provided either over the entire height of the marker (9) and its foot (10) or from the upper level of the base.
5. Flexible marker and base unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the width of the marker (9), possibly laterally reinforced, and the upper portion of its foot (10), not able to be embedded in the axial and vertical transversal sheath (5) of the axial transversal rib (4) of the base, is larger than the width of the lower portion of its foot (10) able to be embedded in the sheath (5), and in that this embeddable portion of the foot (10) is delimited by an adjusting catch (20) fixed or moulded horizontally against the foot (10) of the marker (9).
6. Flexible marker and base unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the interchangeable base (24) of the foot (10) of the marker (9) is made of a flexible material able to be dried or cold-bent.
7. Flexible marker and base unit according to claims 1 and 6, characterised in that the interchangeable base (24) of the foot (10) of the marker (9) is topped by a sheath (25) with a U-shaped section, possibly closed at its extremities, and in that the spacing of the two elongated branches of the sheath (25) is slightly larger than the thickness of the foot (10) of the marker (9).
8. Flexible marker and base unit according to claims 1. and 7, characterised in that the upper portion of the foot (10) of the marker (9) is embedded in the sheath (25) with the U-shaped section of the interchangeable base (24) of the foot (10) of the marker (9), and in that it is fixed so as to be able to move inside this sheath (25) with the aid of screws, bolts or nuts.
9. Flexible marker and base unit according to claims 1 and 7, characterised in that the length of the sheath (25) with a U-shaped profile is equal to or greater than the width of the non-embeddable portion of the foot (10) of the marker (9) in the axial transversal sheath (5) of the axial transversal rib (4) of the base, and in that its extremities and those of the sheath (5) are widened.
10. Flexible marker and base unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the length of the two transversal borders (2) of the base is smaller than the width of the base measured at the level of its axial transversal rib (4), and in that the sides of the oblique borders (19) or their direction form towards the inside the base an acute angle with the sides of the axial transversal rib (4) or their direction so as to end at the extremities of the transversal borders (2).

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