EP1327718A1

EP1327718A1 - Road light signs

Info

Publication number: EP1327718A1
Application number: EP01976318A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eduardo Diz Ramos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-16
Filing date: 2001-10-15
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-15
Also published as: ES1047235Y; WO2002033175A1; ES1047235U; DE60109187D1; EP1327718B1; ATE290129T1

Abstract

It is about a signposting, whose objective is to improve the current signs in order to facilitate; both the circulation of the smooth traffic, and the traffic of pedestrians, essentially in areas common to both groups.

It includes some modules of illumination (1,1') that are disposed transversely in the highway (2) at the same time that they include some visualization elements which project with regard to the surface of the highway in positions of rest and they are susceptible of being whisked away when they are stepped by the wheels of the vehicles.

Description

The present invention refers to luminous signposting for the highway whose purpose consists on improving the current system of signs in order to facilitate both the circulation of the smooth traffic and the pedestrians' movement, mainly in common areas of both groups, as for example in pedestrian crossings or any other passages that crosses a circulation road. Besides, in pedestrian crossings, it is good to point out any other eventuality in the roadway.
The luminous points are located in full highway and it is the place where the vision goes directly, so that it is practically impossible not to see those luminous points and mainly it is proper to point out that it is very useful under conditions of scarce visibility, as for example during the night or when there is fog, it rains or it snows, etc.
The location of the new signposting allows a very direct visualization of the drivers in such a way that it is not necessary to rotate the head neither to look of side to visualize that sign, on the contrary to what it happens many times with current signs, in such a way that the same ones are habitually in one or both sides of the roadway, which implies a turn of the head or deviation of the driver's view for its visualization.
Usually, the system of signposting of the invention will be activated by the pedestrian that wants to cross one highway where the cars and any other vehicle circulate. For it; the system of signs incorporates activation means also located in the floor in one very appropriate strategic area, mainly for those people who are in a hurry, so that the pulsation of those means of activation of the traffic sign system will not interrupt the user's trajectory.

BACKGROUNDS OF THE INVENTION

Luminous systems of signs, such as traffic lights, are really effective in pedestrian crossings and other passages of public roads through which pedestrians cross those public roads when the traffic lights allow it.
Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that the driver doesn't see the traffic lights with enough advance to the pedestrian crossing of the road, but when he is already very close to it.
This happens this way, among other reasons, because it is necessary to rotate the head lightly toward the traffic lights or to deviate the look toward said traffic lights, which you can habitually find in a lateral of the highway or public road.
Everything supposes a true danger for the pedestrian that trusts traffic lights or any other system of signs completely, to be able to cross the road without danger.
Besides pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, it is mainly applicable in those that are only signalled with lines painted on the ground. This way it happens that the driver only sees the pedestrian crossings when he is on them or when he meets a pedestrian, so that this in general passes in a sudden way, seeking protection in the preference that shows this type of crossings. It sometimes happens that drivers, due to a bad habit, don't give the preference in pedestrian crossings, needing for it a system that reminds it to them in a surprising way, for example, with attractive gleams of lights.
Another inconvenient is that sometimes, exactly before the traffic lights, a big vehicle, such as a bus or a truck, is stopped or parked, to such a degree that the driver that circulates on the road doesn't see the traffic light, with the consequent danger for the pedestrian, so that at best, although the driver diminishes the speed like prevention, a risk exists and it is always the pedestrian who is more prejudiced.
On the other hand, in some crossings a push-button has been settled so that the pedestrian presses it in order to change the colour of the traffic light to be able to cross later without danger, in such a way that this push-button is installed in the own support or column of the traffic light. The location of this button presents the inconvenience that if the pedestrian is in a hurry, he doesn't bother to come close to the place of location of the traffic light and he tries to cross the roadway looking previously to both sides of the same one, which all the same constitutes a danger and evident risk.
The Utility Model n° U-9801095 refers to a metallic structure with luminous device in its interior that is installed transversely to the wide of the public thoroughfare in a parallel way to the pedestrian crossing.
This device of the utility Model includes a support or post with switch that will be placed in the proximities of a lateral of the pedestrian crossing to avoid that it interrupts the passing of the same ones. Therefore, in this case it will also be necessary to move until a lateral of the pedestrian crossing to press the push-button, with the drawbacks that it bears just as has been mentioned previously. Also, this post constitutes an architectural barrier that like others, is sought to be eliminated by all possible means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the objectives and to avoid those inconveniences mentioned in the previous sections, the invention proposes luminous signposting for the roadway that is characterized in the first place to be a system of signs composed by several luminous elements that are located in a transverse area of the roadway, usually in correspondence with a pedestrian crossing to a certain distance of the same one. The luminous elements can also be installed in correspondence with other places or circumstances.
Another characteristic of the signposting of the invention is the means used to activate the signposting , consisting this means in at least a push-button located in a central area of the pedestrians crossing, in such a way that it won't be necessary to move until an end of the crossing to activate the luminous system as it happens with those current systems. Usually, the push-button will be located in the sidewalk next to the kerb of the same one. This way the pedestrian will be able to step with the foot in an easy, simple and quick way before crossing the public road, waiting previously for the luminous elements to change situation.
The push-button, as it is in the centre or passing area, can be pressed easily with the foot, not having to make anything special for it, but only to continue walking as usual. To facilitate their use, the push-button is of a big size, as for example of 25 X 25 cm, being this way easily usable for limited people, such as the aged or children. As it is located level with the floor, you don't trip on it and therefore it doesn't constitute an architectural barrier.
Another characteristic of the invention is that those luminous elements can be made vanish when being stepped by the wheels of the vehicle, so that those are usually projecting lightly with regard to the surface of the highway to be visualized better, mainly for the drivers.
This characteristic of being made vanish supposes a modification and substantial improvement with regard to the model of Utility n° U-980195. This Model of Utility includes among their elements an arched plate that projects from the floor and can't be snatched away, in such a way that the said plate constitutes an interruption in the public road of great annoyance for the vehicles and for the occupants of them, mainly for the drivers and users of the public transportation that are in erect position or standing up. The arched plate projecting from the floor affects negatively to the mechanisms of the vehicles, for constant blows in the wheels and suspensions, and mainly very dangerous as that beating is the causing of losses of control, essentially in slight vehicles or of small wheels, such as motorcycles, mainly under conditions of little visibility, when the system is not activated as no pedestrian crosses at that moment. On the other hand, as the system of the invention can be hidden, it puts an end to these inconveniences.
Another advantage regarding the Utility Model n° U-9801095, as it is folding, is the installation easiness when being hidden with a screw and a bolt, since it is mounted so that vehicles can circulate this way freely until the fixation product (resin) forges, which takes from five to six days. Also, the system of the mentioned Model of Utility, when being hit by the wheels, its grasp is hindered, being necessary sometimes to cut the traffic or to put plates with the difficulties of noises, nuisances, accidents and being displaced that imply.
Other advantages with regard to the Utility Model n° 9801095 that improve it are the following ones:

Novel system of great acceptance.
It is cheap, simple of design and working therefore with few failures, being these easy to repair as it can be dismantled with a simple screw or nut; to such a degree that it is not necessary to cut the traffic.
Easier to install, because it only requires the realization of some drills in the pavement.
As it is hidden it isn't worn away for the close contact of the wheels, it doesn't have to tolerate weight like in the case that the wheel of a truck stops on it, blows of wheels of braked tows, circumstances that are given in the model of Utility n° U-9801095.
It doesn't accumulate dirt in its environs as it can be hidden, so that the dirt passes overhead.
The push-button of the sidewalk is easier to work and it doesn't produce trips.
It has acoustic bell controller of correct operation.
All the internal components such as springs, switches, etc are sealed and covered with rubber, also having systems of drainage of the diverse residuals that can be accumulated.

The signposting is also characterized because it includes a spring mechanism to position those elements of illumination outwards projecting over the roadway in its rest position.
Each one of the luminous elements is telescopically fitted on a lower tube by means of a recovery spring. Inside the luminous element, a lamp exists, at the same time as the lower tube is fixed to a tubular support united with the floor. This support possesses some drainage holes for dirt, water, etc.
Retention means and joining of the illumination element, which consist basically on a nut threaded to the tubular support, are also included, a nut where the illumination element collides axially when it recovers its initial position after having hidden down for the action of the wheel of a car.
The elements of illumination project lightly above the surface of the roadway, in such a way that when it is stepped by the wheel of a vehicle it will not suffer any deterioration, recovering their initial projecting position once the wheel stops stepping on this element of illumination. To it helps the characteristic that the elements of illumination possess their superior border chamfered or rounded, which facilitates the attack at the beginning of the footfall of the vehicle wheel.
The pieces or visible luminous parts have a measure and therefore they stand out of the roadway enough to be seen at great distance and under conditions of deficient visibility and enough, that is to say, they have the size or measure suitable for being able to be pressed and therefore whisked away without resistance and with supreme easiness for the effect of the wheel of any vehicle type, independently of the size and width of these and of the vehicle that they are: bicycles, motorcycles, wheelchairs, etc. The form of theses pieces is not limited, although in the figures it is represented as circular and square, being this also able to be rectangular, triangular, etc... depending on if it is more effective for the commitment and operation of the system and assisting to approaches of effectiveness, duration and capacity of production.
Besides, it is necessary to point that the visible and movable pieces, due to their structure and chamfered forms in all their contour and with grooves in all their sides, can be for it pressed and hidden from any side that they are attacked by the wheel of the vehicle in question, when the vehicle accedes from a lateral, reverse gear, etc.
The luminous elements possess a translucent part at least to allow the light of the lamp to pass so that both drivers and users can see this light clearly.
The translucent part through which the luminous glimmer is emitted, can also occupy all the faces or the whole contour of this visible piece, to be able this way to be visualized from any point and also by the pedestrians that cross, to indicate them that the system is in operation.
On the other hand, the element of illumination can also be determined by a folding plate which, when being stepped by the wheels of a vehicle, will be evened with the surface of the floor, recovering its position later by means of the respective mechanism of spring.
Another benefit of the system of the invention that doesn't possess the utility Model n° U-9801095 is that that has lodged inside the compartment of the push-button a sonorous system that emits a discontinuous and certain whistle when the system is activated and therefore the street can be crossed, being good this way to make blind and absent-minded people become aware of it.
When the system is foreseen to signpost an eventuality different from a pedestrian crossing, the system in this case will be activated in a continuous way without starting the push-button.
The signposting of the invention is connected to the electric conductions, which are more and more habitual in the cities: electric net, traffic lights, lampposts, luminous, etc.. and that the electric components that integrate it are a current switch to cut the supply, a magnetothermic regulator that disconnects it in the event of failure, a power limit and an electronic regulator of frequencies adjustable to be able this way to program in it parameters of intensity, duration, cadence and frequency of the luminous gleam. Likewise, in the connection point to the electrical supply, it takes a voltage transformer from 220 volts to 12 or 24 volts that is the voltage type to one which the lamps that integrate it work and besides as measure of security, although the system goes perfectly isolated, in the case of incorrect manipulations. All the electric components are housed in a tight coffer dedicated to such a purpose, located in the plug, or by the side of the push-button. At the same time the whole electric conduction goes through a hose with isolation of thick rubber and anti-humidity and in the passing areas from this to the electric coffer or to the container of the push-button it is isolated with sealing nuts with tight rubber of variable pressure. Moreover, the electric power supply can be made in some concrete cases with rechargeable batteries, with solar power, biomass, etc.
Next, to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive memory and being integral part of the same one, some figures in which, with illustrative and nor limitative character, the object of the invention has been represented, are accompanied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- It represents a view in perspective of the group of the luminous signposting for roadway, object of the invention. It basically comprises some luminous modules installed transversely in the roadway, as well as a push-button also installed in the floor so that a pedestrian can work these luminous modules by means of the foot.
Figure 2.- It shows a view in section of the push-button that activates the modules of illumination.
Figure 3.- It shows a view in section of the push-button that activates the modules of illumination.
Figures 4 to 9.-They show a view in section of some modules of illumination which represent some realizations different from the one represented in the figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED REALIZATION METHOD

Next, an example of realization of the invention is described attending to the numeration adopted in the figures.
The luminous signposting for the roadway is constituted starting from several luminous modules established transversely in a roadway or public road 2 and a foot push-button 3 installed in the floor in correspondence with the sidewalk 4, at the same time that it is faced in one central area of a pedestrian crossing 5 or similar of those pedestrians. There is also a cable hose 6 that travels along the luminous modules 1 until arriving to the foot push-button 3.
Each one of these luminous modules 1 comprises a tubular housing 7 evened superiorly with the surface of the roadway or public road 2 and fixed by means of a material of resin 8 where several radial benches 9 joined to this housing are absorbed 7.
In the lower part of the housing 7 there is at least a transverse piece 10 where the bottom of a lower tubular member, from where a vertical support comes from 12 for the fixation of a lamp 13 next to the surface of the public road 2, is fixed.
Telescopically coupled to the tube 11 and with interjection of a spring 14, an upper tubular part 15 exists manufactured of a translucent material to let the light of the lamp pass 13. This upper part 15 projects from the surface of the roadway 2, at the same time as it is closed by a metallic plate 16 grooved and rounded in their borders in order to facilitate the attack of the wheel of a vehicle when it rides on the translucent part 15 which will move down against the resistance of the spring 14 until being evened with the surface of the roadway 2.
The spring 14 is installed coaxially with the vertical support 12 of the lamp 13.
The subjection of the translucent body 15 is carried out by means of a threaded sleeve 17 which is coupled outwardly on the tubular housing 7, in such a way that the translucent body 15 collides axially with the threaded case 17 through an external wing 18 joined to the translucent body 15. This includes another internal wing 19 where the spring 14, which tends to push the translucent body 15 outward, collides.
The housing 7 includes inferiorly some drainage holes 20 to facilitate the passing of the water, sand and in general, any dirt that is introduced inside the housing 7.
The push-button 3 also comprises a housing 21, as well as a pulsation plate 22 evened with the surface of the sidewalk 4. The pulsation plate 22 is associated to an internal switch 23 by means of an intermediate piece 24.
The stability and position of rest of the pulsation plate 22 are assured through recovery springs 25 coupled around some short axes 26 joined to the pulsation plate 22 and guided in some holes 27 settled down in an internal plate 28 fixed to the housing 21, so that those recovery springs 25 that collide with the internal plate 288, at the same time that they tend to position the pulsation plate 22 outwards evened with the surface of the sidewalk 4, after having pressed said plate with the foot 22 so that the lamps 13 of the different modules of illumination 1 light.
The housing 21 of the group of the push-button 3 also includes some drainage holes 29 to facilitate the escape of any type of dirt.
With this described disposition, when a pedestrian seeks to cross the public road 2, first he will have to press the push-button with the foot 3, at which they will light, they will activate or the lamps of the different modules of illumination 1 settled down in a transverse alignment of the roadway or public road 2 will change their colours 13. This way, drivers will see with supreme easiness the gleams of light emitted through the transparency of the projecting part of the translucent bodies 15 of the illumination modules 1. Once the opportune time the pedestrian needs to cross the roadway 2 amply has passed, then the lamps 13 will go out or they will change colour and the vehicles will be able to circulate, to such a degree that the wheels of the vehicles when stepping on the translucent upper bodies 15 of the modules of illumination 1 will move downwards against the resistance of the springs 14 until being evened with the surface of the roadway 2. Later, when it stops stepping on the modules of illumination 1, the upper bodies 15 will re cover their initial position projecting from the roadway 2 through the springs 14.
The illumination will have a defined colour, characteristic of this system that will be good for associating it in an easy and quick way with it; being this of great brightness and producing flashes of light or intermittent gleams with a frequency, cadence and intensity.
Although if the modules of illumination are hidden with the pressure of the wheels, as measure of security and comfort, these modules are at the same time of small size and enough separation among them to be able to be avoided easily by the wheels.
In the figures 4 to 9 other realizations of the invention are shown, where it is done without the two lower 11 and upper 15 tubular bodies, as well as of the coaxial spring 14 disposed around the vertical support 12 of the lamp 13.
Therefore, in these cases, the vertical support 12 of the lamp 13 fixes to the transverse piece 10 directly fixed to the housing 7 in turn. In the narrow entrance of the housing 7 a translucent folding plate 30 is disposed whose position of rest corresponds with an inclined position above the surface of the roadway 2, so that this position is kept by means of some appropriate means, either through a spring 31, 31' or through a counterweight 32; being these means associated to the folding plate 30 that is connected to an articulation axis 33. The housing 7 also includes some drainage holes 20. The folding plate can present any form, either circular, rectangular or any other.
Therefore, in all the cases of the folding plate 30, when a vehicle rides on this plate, this will be approximately evened with the surface of the roadway 2, at the same time that it will support on a seat 34 of the housing 7. Once the vehicle stops stepping on the folding plate 30, this will recover their initial position inclined of rest by means of the spring 31, 31', or by means of the counterweight 32, projecting in all the cases the plate above the roadway 2.
In the figure 4 the spring 31 is prepared in a vertical position next to the axis of articulation or of the hinges 33.
In the figure 5, the spring 31 is exactly disposed in the contrary side of the axis of articulation.
The figure 6 shows a realization where the spring 31 is coupled coaxially around the axis of articulation or of the hinges 33.
On the other hand, in the figure 7 the folding plate 30 is associated to the spring 31 located in an intermediate area of the plate below the same one 30, at the same time that said spring is coupled in turn around an arched element 35 fixed to the plate and guided inferiorly in a hole settled down in a plane piece 36 disposed below the surface of the floor.
Finally, the figure 8 represents the counterweight 32 fixed in a prolongation 37 of the folding plate 30, prolongation that comes from the articulation axis 33. The counterweight 32 is the element in charge of placing and locating the plate 30 in its inclined position of rest.
The internal face of the folding plate has a mirror, either of glass or metallic that serves for reflecting the gleams emitted by the lamp 13. Also, the folding plate presents in all its contour a chamfered and grooved form to be able to be pressed this way by the wheels from all the sides that the folding plate 30 is set upon.
The threaded case 17 is a nut with thread and grooves in its external upper face, in order to be able to be loosened with a chisel and hammer so as to facilitate the dismantling of the mechanism.
A fixation bench 38 has been foreseen, where a staggered frame 39 is retained in which the tip-up plate 30, among other elements, is connected in such a way that to dismantle the group of the system, it will be necessary to take apart the bench 38 fixed by means of some screws or other appropriate fixation elements.
In the realizations of the invention, represented in the figures 4 to 9 a peripheral lap 40 is included, arranged around the folding plate 30, determining this way a hollow area. The interior face of that lap presents a surface of metallic or glass mirror that is good to reflect the light of the lam 13, constituting in turn this lap 40 an element of concealment and protection of the springs, according to the pattern that it is about.

Claims

LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, which comprises some modules of illumination that include at least some lamps, as well as a push-button to activate said lamps; characterized because the modules of illumination (1, 1') are arranged transversely in the roadway (2), at the same time that said modules include some visualization elements that project with regard to the surface of the roadway in their positions of rest and they are susceptible of being whisked away when they are stepped by the wheels of the vehicles; incorporating for it each module of illumination /1, 1') a device of recovery of the initial position of these visualization elements projecting outwards with regard to the surface of the roadway (2).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1 characterized because the push-button of activation of the lamps (13) that form part of those modules of illumination (1), this push-button is evened and prepared in correspondence with the surface of the sidewalk (4), essentially in a central area corresponding with the transverse passage of the roadway through which the pedestrians can cross.
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1, characterized because each module of illumination comprises a housing (7) in whose interior a transverse piece (10) exists where the bottom of a lower tubular member (11) is fixed to which a support (12) with lamp (13) is coupled, around which there is a coaxial spring (14) that collides superiorly against an inner wing (19) coupled to a translucent tubular member (15) constituent of the visualization element, being retained the same one in a case (17) fixed to the housing (7) with interjection of an external wing (18) joined to the translucent body (15), counting the lower section of the housing (7) with some drainage holes (20).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1, characterized because each module of illumination (1') comprises a housing (7') in whose interior there is a transverse piece (101) where a support (12') of the lamp (13) is fixed, being included in vicinity to the upper border of the housing (7') a translucent folding plate (30) connected to an articulation axis (33) and constituent of the respective element of visualization, at the same time that the plate is associated to some recovery means toward its position of rest where the plate stays bowed above the surface of the roadway (2) through said recovery means; everything so that when the folding plate (30) is stepped by the wheel of a vehicle will be located in a horizontal position approximately level with the surface of the highway (2) and leaning on a seat (34) of the housing (7'), including the lower section of the housing (7') some drainage holes (20').
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 3, characterized because the tubular translucent member /15 is closed by its upper border by means of a metallic plate (16) grooved and rounded in their borders; everything in order to facilitate the attack of the wheel of a vehicle when it steps on the translucent member (15).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to the claims 3 and 4, characterized because the housing (7, 7') is fixed to the highway (2) by a material of resin (8) where some fixation benches (9) joined to the housing (7,7') are absorbed.
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 2, characterized because the push-button comprises a housing (21) with the drainage holes (29) , as well as a pulsation plate (22) evened with the surface of the sidewalk (4), the pulsation plate being associated to an internal switch (23) by means of an intermediate piece (24), being included also some recovery springs (25) coupled around some short axes (26) joined to the pulsation plate (22) and guided in some holes (27) settled down in an internal plate (28) fixed to the housing (21), tending those springs to locate the pulsation plate (22) in the position evened with the surface of the sidewalk (4).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1, characterized because the elements of visualization of the illumination modules (1,1')include in their internal face a finish of glass or metallic mirror that reflects the light of the lamps (13).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1, characterized because the elements of visualization of the illumination modules (1,1') present some chamfered and grooved external borders; all of it in order to facilitate the attack and pressure of said elements by means of the wheels of any vehicle from any direction.
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 1, characterized because the foot push-button (3) includes in its interior a sonorous device that you active when, as you press the foot push-button (3), the system is connected.
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because the means of recovery of the folding plate (30) consist on a spring (31) prepared in vertical position next to the axis of articulation (33) and associated to the folding plate (30).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because the means of recovery of the folding plate (30) consist on a spring (31) that is in the contrary side of the axis of articulation (33).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because the means of recovery of the folding plate (30) consist on a spring (31') coupled coaxially around the axis of articulation (33).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because the means of recovery of the folding plate (30) consist on a spring (31) located in an intermediate area of the plate under the same one, at the same time that said spring is coupled around an arched element (35) fixed to the plate (30) and guided inferiorly in a hole established in a piece (36) disposed below the surface of the floor.
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because the means of recovery consist on a counterweight (32) fixed in one lower continuation (37) of the folding plate (30), prolongation (37) that comes from the articulation axis (33).
LUMINOUS SIGNPOSTING FOR THE HIGHWAY, according to claim 4, characterized because it includes a peripheral lap (40) that originates in the lower face of the folding plate (30).