EP1327718B1

EP1327718B1 - Road light signs

Info

Publication number: EP1327718B1
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: 2005-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-15
Also published as: ATE290129T1; DE60109187D1; ES1047235U; EP1327718A1; WO2002033175A1; ES1047235Y

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. <IMAGE>

Description

Object of the invention.

The present invention relates to an improved light signalling device for roads, whose purpose is to facilitate both vehicular traffic and pedestrian transit, mainly in areas shared in common by both groups, such as crosswalks or any other roadway crossings. In addition; in crosswalks, it is used for alerting any other eventuality in the roads.

The luminous spots are located in the middle of the road and it is the place where eyesight is automatically directed towards, in a way that it is practically impossible not to see these spots and, above all, it is necessary to point out that it is very useful in poor visibility conditions, for example, at night or with fog, rain or snow, etc.

The location of the new signalling device allows a more direct viewing for the drivers, so that there is no need to turn one's head or to look away to view the signalling device, contrary to what often occurs with existing signalling devices which are usually located on one or both sides of the road, which implies that the driver must turn his/her head or look away in order to view them.

The signalling system of the invention will usually be activated by the pedestrian who wants to cross a road where there are cars and other vehicles driving. Thus, the signalling system incorporates some activation means also located in the ground in a very convenient strategic area, mainly for people in a hurry, so that the pressing of the activation means of the signalling system will not interrupt the user' path.

Background of the invention

Light signalling systems, such as traffic lights, are actually very effective in crosswalks and other public highway crossings through which the pedestrians cross these public highways when the traffic lights allows so.

However, it sometimes occurs that the driver does not see the traffic lights enough in advance of the pedestrian crosswalk, but rather when he/she is already too close to the said crosswalk.

This occurs, among other reasons, because it is necessary to slightly turn one's head towards the traffic lights or to look away in the direction of said traffic lights, which is usually located at the side of the road or public highway.

All this means a real danger for the pedestrian who relies fully on traffic lights or any other signalling system to cross the road safely.

In addition to crosswalks with traffic lights, it applies especially to zebra crossings, which are only signalled with stripes painted on the ground. Indeed, it can happen that the driver will only see the zebra crossing once he/she is on top of it or when coming across a pedestrian, because the latter usually crosses suddenly, on the grounds of priority for this type of crossings. It sometimes happens that the drivers have the bad habit of not giving way at zebra crossings, requiring for that reason a striking reminding system, for example, through bright flashing lights.

Another drawback is that sometimes a large vehicle, such as a bus or a truck, is stopped or parked right in front of the traffic lights, so that the motorist driving through is unable to see the traffic lights, with the resulting danger for pedestrians, and, in the best case, even though the driver slows down as precaution, there is a risk, and it is always the pedestrian who is at stake.

Some crosswalks have a push button that the pedestrian can use to change the colour of the traffic lights and then cross safely, said push button being located on the support or pole of the traffic lights. The location of this push button has the disadvantage that if the pedestrian is in a hurry, he/she will not bother to approach the place where the traffic light stands and tries to cross the road after looking to both sides of the road, which still represents a danger and an obvious risk.

The spanish Utility Model application No.U-9801095 refers to a metallic structure with a luminous device inside which is installed transversely across the public highway parallel to the crosswalk.

This Utility Model discloses a device including a support or pole with a switch that will be placed in the vicinity of one side of the crosswalk to avoid interrupting the pedestrian path. But the pedestrians will also in this case have to walk to one side of the crosswalk to operate the push button, with the implied abovementioned disadvantages. In addition, said pole represents an architectural barrier, which like other barriers, are aimed to be removed by all means.

Document EP 0 843 296 A discloses a light signalling device including retractable lighting modules located transversally on the road, such that they can be retracted when rolled over by the wheels of vehicles. However, no push button is disclosed for activating the light signalling device.

Description of the invention.

In order to fulfil the objectives and avoid the disadvantages mentioned in the previous sections, the invention suggests a light signalling device for the road according to claim 1. The signalling device comprises lighting modules placed transversally on the road, usually in connection with a zebra crossing at a certain distance from it. The lighting modules can also be installed according to other places or circumstances.

Another feature of the signalling device of the present invention is the means used to activate the signalling, said means consisting of at least one push button located on a central area of the crosswalk, so that there is no need to walk to one end of the crosswalk to activate the light system as with existing systems. Usually, the push button will be located on the road near its curb. This way, the pedestrian will be able to step on it in an easy, simple and fast way before crossing the public highway, waiting previously for the luminous elements to change their status.

Since the push button is located in the centre or passage area, it can be easily activated with the foot, with no need to do anything special, except continue walking normally. To facilitate its use, the push button is of a large size, such as 25x25 cm, so that it can be easily activated by slower pedestrians, such as old-aged people or children. Since it is located at ground level one will not bump into it and, therefore, it does not represent an architectural barrier.

Another feature of the invention is that the lighting modules are retractable when they are driven over buy car wheels, so that these elements are usually slightly projected with respect to the surface of the road to be better viewed, mainly by drivers.

This feature of being retractable means a substantial modification and improvement in relation to the Utility Model application No. U-9801095. This Utility Model includes amongst its items a bent plate projecting out of the road, which is not retractable, so that said plate represents an interruption in the public highway, very inconvenient for vehicles and for the passengers thereof, mainly for public transportation drivers and for users of such public transportation who are in an upright or standing position. The bent plate projecting out of the road affects the mechanisms of the vehicles negatively, because of the constant hits on wheels and suspension, and is particularly very dangerous as this hitting can lead to loss of control, essentially in light vehicles or those with small wheels, such as motorbikes, mainly under poor visibility conditions, when the system is not activated because there is no pedestrian crossing at that time. Instead, these disadvantages no longer exist since the device of the invention can be hidden.

Another advantage in relation to the Utility Model application No. U-9801095, is its easy installation, as, since it is retractable, it can remain hidden with a screw and a pin when it is mounted so that vehicles can drive through freely until the hardening of the fixing product (resin) occurs which takes five to six days. Besides, the system of said Utility Model is hit by the wheels which hinders its fixing, such that it is sometimes necessary to close the road to traffic or place a protection sheet cover with the implied difficulties of noises, troubles, accidents and sheet displacement.

Other advantages in relation to the Utility Model application No.U-9801095 which improve it are the following:

Widely accepted new system.
Inexpensive, simple design and operation, which mean fewer breakdowns that are easy to repair since a simple screw or nut is required to dismount it; so that there is no need to close the road to traffic.
Easier to install, since it only requires a few drills in the roadway.
When it is hidden it does not wear out due to contact with the wheels, it does not have to hold weights such as a truck wheel stopping above it, nor wheel hits from trailer, braking, circumstances which occur in the device of the Utility Model application No. U-9801095.
It does not gather dirt in its vicinity as it is hidden, so that dirt remains on the surface.
The push button located in the road is easier to activate and does not represent a barrier.
It has a correct operating control acoustic warning.
All the internal components such as springs, switches, etc. are sealed and rubber coated, and have additional drainage systems for the different waste products that may accumulate.

The signalling is also characterised in that it includes a spring mechanism for positioning the lighting modules on the outside projecting above the road in its resting position.

Each of the lighting modules is telescopically coupled over a lower tube by means of a recovery spring. Inside the lighting module there is a lamp, whereas the lower tube is secured to a tubular casing fixed to the ground. This casing has drainage holes for dirt, water, etc.

There are also included the holding and coupling means for the raising part of the lighting module which consist basically of a nut screwed to the tubular casing, nut where the raising part of the lighting module stops axially when returning to its initial resting position after being concealed downwards trough the action of a car wheel.

The lighting modules rise slightly above the surface of the road, so that when a car wheel drives through, it will not suffer any damage, returning to its initial raised position once the wheel no longer steps on the said lighting element. To this contributes the characteristic that the lighting modules have a bevelled or rounded upper edge, which facilitates the initial movement when the car wheel starts to step over it.

The visible and luminous components or parts rise above the road sufficiently as to be seen at a great distance and under poor visibility conditions and sufficiently, that is, they have the suitable size or measurement which allows them to be pressed down and therefore retracted without resistance and very easily through the effect of the wheel of any type of vehicle, regardless of the size and width of the latter and of the vehicle concerned: bicycles, motorcycles, wheelchair, etc. The shape of these components is not limited, although in the figures they are represented as circular and squared, and said shape can also be rectangular, triangular, etc., according to its efficiency for the purpose and operation of the system and considering efficiency, duration, and fabrication capacity criteria.

In addition, it must be pointed out that because of its bevelled structure and shape in all the contour and with grooves in all its sides, the visible and mobile components can therefore be pressed down and concealed from any corner of attack of said car wheel, even when the vehicle is driving through laterally, in reverse, etc.

The lighting modules have at least a translucent portion, which lets the lamp's light go through so that it is clearly visible for both the drivers and the users.

The translucent portion, through which the luminous flashlight is emitted, can also occupy all the faces or the whole contour of said visible component, so that it can be viewed from any place and also by the pedestrians who are crossing, as a warning that the system is currently on.

The lighting module can also be specified by a folding component which, when stepped by the wheels of a car, will remain level with the ground surface, later returning to its initial position by means of the corresponding spring mechanism.

Another feature of the system of the invention, which the Utility Model application No. U-9801095 does not include, is that the former carries inside the push button compartment an acoustic system which sounds a discontinued and specific bip when the system is activated and therefore the road can be crossed. This is used to warn blind persons and distracted pedestrians of such event.

When the system is planned to signal an event other than a pedestrian crosswalk, the system in that case will be activated continuously without a push button to activate it.

The signalling device of the invention is connected to the electrical mains which are more usual in the cities: power grid, traffic lights, street lamps, neon signs, etc. and the electrical components included are a circuit breaker to interrupt the supply, a thermal breaker which disconnects it in case of failure, a power limiter and an adjustable electronic frequency controller which allows the programming of intensity, duration, rate and frequency flashlight parameters. Also, in the connecting point to the power supply, there is a voltage transformer from 220 volts to 12 or 24 volts, which corresponds to the type of voltage used by the lamps included and also as a safety measure, although the system is perfectly insulated, in case of improper handling. All the electrical components are lodged in a sealed housing dedicated to such purpose, located in the electric socket or next to the push button. In turn, all the electrical mains go through a moisture-proof and thick rubber insulated hose and in its passage area to the switch unit or the push button receptacle it is insulated with sealing nuts with a variable pressure waterproof skim coating. In addition, the power supply can be achieved in some particular cases using rechargeable batteries, solar energy, biomass, etc.

Then, to facilitate a better understanding of this specification and included as an integral part of it, there are accompanying drawings which, illustratively but not limited to, represent the object of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1.- Represents a perspective view of the light signalling assembly for the road, object of the invention. It includes basically some lighting modules installed transversely in the road, together with a push button installed also in the ground so that a pedestrian can activate said lighting modules with the foot.

Fig. 2.- Shows a sectional view of one of the lighting modules.

Fig. 3.- Shows a sectional view of the push button, which triggers the lighting modules.

Figs. 4-9.- Show a sectional view of some lighting modules which represent embodiments different from the one represented in Fig. 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The following is a description of an example of an embodiment of the invention according to the numbering used in the drawings.

The light signalling for the road is composed of several lighting modules 1 established transversally in a road or public highway 2 and a foot push button 3 installed on the ground 4 in connection to the road 2, which is also exposed in the central area of a pedestrian crosswalk 5. There is also a cable hose 6, which runs through the lighting modules 1 until the foot push button 3.

Each of these lighting modules 1 comprises a tubular casing 7 which is level in its upper part with the surface of the road or public highway 2 and fixed by means of a resin material 8, wherein several radial pins 9 fixed in said casing 7 are embedded in said material 8.

In the lower part of the casing 7 there is at least a transversal component 10 where the bottom of a tubular lower body 11 is fixed, the bottom from which starts a vertical support 12 which is used to fix a lamp 13 in the vicinity of the public highway surface 2.

Coupled telescopically to the tubular lower body 11 and with a spring 14 interposed, there is a tubular upper body 15 made from a translucent material so that the light from lamp 13 can go through. This upper body 15 is raised above the surface of the road 2, and is also covered by a grooved metallic sheet cover 16 with rounded edges to facilitate the movement of a car wheel when it steps over the translucent body 15 which will move downwards against the spring 14 resistance until it is level with the surface of the road 2.

The spring 14 is located coaxially with the vertical support 12 of the lamp 13.

The translucent body 15 is retained by means of a screwed nut 17 which is coupled externally to the tubular casing 7, so that the translucent body 15 stops axially over the screwed nut 17 by means of an external wing 18 fixed to the translucent body 15. The latter includes another internal wing 19 against which the spring 14 abuts, which spring 14 tends to push the translucent body 15 outwardly.

The casing 7 includes in the bottom some drainage vents 20 to facilitate the passage of water, sand and in general, any kind of dirt which enters the casing 7.

The push button 3 comprises also a casing 21, and a push plate 22 level pavement with the surface of the 4. The push plate 22 is associated to an internal switch 23 by means of an intermediate component 24.

The stability and resting position of the push plate 22 is ensured by means of recovery springs 25 coupled around a small axis 26 fixed to the push plate 22 and guided through holes 27 made in an internal plate 28 fixed to the casing 21, so that the recovery springs 25 which abut against the internal plate 28, also tend to position the push plate 22 outward levelly with the surface of the pavement 4, after stepping on said plate 22 to turn on the lamps 13 of the different lighting modules 1.

The casing 21 of the push button 3 also includes drainage vents 29 to facilitate the exit of any kind of dirt.

With the disclosed device, when a pedestrian aims to cross the public highway 2, first he/she must apply pressure with the foot on the push button 3, which will turn on, activate or change the colour for the lamps 13 of the different lighting modules 1 established in a transversal alignment of the road or public highway 2. Thus, the drivers will easily view the flashlights emitted through the transparent raised component of the translucent bodies 15 of the lighting modules 1. After a convenient time needed for the pedestrian to cross the road 2, lamps 13 will turn off or change the colour and the vehicles will resume driving, so that the car wheels stepping over the upper translucent bodies 15 of the lighting modules 1 will push said bodies is downwardly against the springs 14 resistance until they are level with the surface of the road 2. Then, once the lighting modules 1 are no longer stepped on, the upper translucent bodies 15 will return to their initial resting position raised over the surface of the road 2 by means of the springs 14.

The lighting will have a specific colour typical of this system which will be used to associate the colour easily and quickly; said colour will have a strong brightness and produce light bursts or intermittent flashes with a frequency, rate and intensity.

Although the lighting modules are concealed with the wheels pressure, for safety and convenience purposes, said modules will be small sized and sufficiently separated so that they can be easily missed by the wheels.

Figs. 4-9 show other embodiments of the invention, wherein the two lower 11 and upper 15 tubular bodies are discarded, and also the coaxial spring 14 installed around the vertical support 12 of the lamp 13.

Thus, in these cases, the vertical support 12' of the lamp 13 is fixed directly to the transversal component 10', which is in turn fixed to casing 7'. At the mouthpiece of the casing 7', a translucent folding plate 30 is istalled, which resting position corresponds to an inclined position above the surface of the road 2, so that said position will be maintained using appropriate means, whether through a spring 31, 31' or a counterweight 32; said means being associated to the folding plate 30 which is coupled to a hinge pin 33. Casing 7' also includes drainage vents 20'. The folding plate 30 can be of any shape, whether circular, rectangular or otherwise.

Thus, for all the embodiments including the folding plate 30, when a vehicle steps over the folding plate, the latter will remain approximately level with the surface of the road 2, resting on a seat 34 of casing 7'. Once the vehicle no longer steps over the folding plate 30, said plate will return to its initial inclined resting position by means of spring 31, 31', or counterweight 32, and in all the cases, plate 30 will have a raised position above the road 2.

In Fig. 4, spring 31 is placed in a vertical position next to the hinge pin 33.

In Fig. 5, spring 31 is placed right in the opposite side of the hinge pin 33.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment wherein spring 31' is coaxially coupled around the hinge pin 33.

Instead, in Fig. 7 the folding plate 30 is linked to the spring 31 located in an intermediate area beneath the folding plate 30, and said spring is also coupled around a bent element 35 fixed to the plate and guided at the bottom in a hole established in a flat component 36 set under the surface of the road.

Finally, Fig. 8 shows the counterweight 32 fixed on an extension 37 of the folding plate 30, extension that extends from the hinge pin 33. Counterweight 32 is the element responsible for placing and locating the folding plate 30 in its resting inclined position.

The internal side of the folding plate 30 has a mirror made of glass or metal, which is used to reflect the flashlight emitted by the lamp 13. In addition, the folding plate is bevelled and grooved alongside all its contour so that it can be pressed down by the wheels from any side of attack of the folding plate 30.

The screwed nut 17 is a nut with screw and grooves in the outer upper side, so that it can be unscrewed using a chisel and hammer to facilitate the dismounting operation of the mechanism.

A fixing pin 38 is provided for retaining a stepped frame 39 in which, among other elements, beats the folding plate 30, so that it is necessary to dismount the pin 38 fixed by means of screws or other appropriate fixing elements in order to dismount the system assembly.

In the embodiments of the invention represented in Figs. 4-9 a perimeter skirt 40 placed around the folding plate 30 is included, thus specifying a hollow area. The inner side of this skirt presents a metallic or glass mirror surface which is used to reflect the light of the lamp 13. This skirt 40 is also used to hide and protect the springs, according to the model concerned.

Claims

Light signalling device for the road which is composed of lighting modules (1, 1') adapted to be placed transversally on the road (2) and a push button (3) to activate lamps (13) that are included in the lighting modules (1, 1'), wherein said lighting modules (1, 1') also include retractable visible elements which can be raised over the surface of the road in a resting position and retracted when stepped over by the wheels of the vehicles, each lighting module (1,1') incorporates a retrieval device for raising the visible elements in said resting position, characterised in that the push button (3) which activates the lamps (13) that are included in the lighting modules (1) is adapted to be level with the surface of the pavement (4) boarding the road (2) and is adapted to be disposed, in an area which corresponds centrally with the transversal passage of the road used for pedestrians crossing.
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that each lighting module (1) comprises a casing (7) having in its interior a transversal component (10); a tubular lower body (11) having a bottom fixed to said transversal component; a vertical support (12) for said lamp (13) fixed to said bottom; a coaxial spring (14) disposed around said support (12) and lamp (13), which spring (14) abuts upwardly against an internal wing (19), the internal wing (19) being fixed to a translucent tubular body (15) included in the visible element and which tubular body (15) is retained in a nut (17) fixed to the casing (7) by an intermediate external wing (18) fixed to the translucent body (15); the bottom part of the casing (7) has drainage vents (20).
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that each lighting module (1') comprises a casing (7') having in its interior a transversal component (10'); a vertical support (12') for the lamp (13) fixed to said transversal component (10'); a translucent folding plate (30) coupled to a hinge pin (33) near the upper edge of the casing (7') and included in the respective visible element, wherein the folding plate (30) is adapted to be maintained inclined above the surface of the road (2) by means of said retrieval device, such that when the folding plate (30) is stepped over by a vehicle wheel it can be placed in a horizontal position approximately level with the surface of the road (2) and can rest over a seat (34) of the casing (7'); the lower part of the casing (7') includes drainage vents (20').
Light signalling device according to claim 2 characterised in that the translucent tubular body (15) is closed in its upper edge by means of a grooved metallic sheet cover (16) with rounded edges, to facilitate the movement of a car wheel when it steps over the translucent body (15).
Light signalling device according to claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the casing (7, 7') is adapted to be fixed to the road (2) by means of a resin material (8) and wherein said casing (7, 7') includes several fixing pins (9) adapted to be embedded in said resin material (8).
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the push button (3) comprises a casing (21) with drainage vents (29); a push plate (22) adapted to be level with the surface of the pavement (4); recovery springs (25) coupled around small axes (26) fixed to the push plate (22) and guided through holes (27) made in an internal plate (28) fixed to the casing (21), so that the recovery springs (25) tend to position the push plate (22) outward levelly with the surface of the pavement (4), the push plate (22) being associated with an internal switch (23) by means of an intermediate component (24).
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the visible elements of the lighting modules (1, 1') include in the internal side a mirror or metallic finishing which can reflect the light from the lamps (13).
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the visible elements of the lighting modules (1, 1') have bevelled and grooved edges to facilitate the movement and retraction of said visible elements by means of the wheels of a vehicle from any direction.
Light signalling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the push button (3) includes in its interior an acoustic device which can be activated when the push button (3) is pressed and connects the light signalling device.
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that the folding plate (30) retrieval device consists of a spring (31) placed in a vertical position near the hinge pin (33) and in association with the folding plate (30).
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that the folding plate (30) retrieval device consists of a spring (31) fixed at an end to the folding plate (30) at an opposite side of the hinge pin (33).
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that the folding plate (30) retrieval device consists of a spring (31') which is coupled coaxially around the hinge pin (33).
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that the folding plate (30) retrieval device consists of a spring (31) located in an intermediate area beneath the plate (30), said spring being also coupled around a bent element (35) fixed to the folding plate (30) and guided at the bottom in a hole established in a flat component (36) adapted to be set under the surface of the road (2).
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that the retrieval device consists of a counterweight (32) fixed on a lower extension (37) of the folding plate (30), said extension (37) extending from the hinge pin (33).
Light signalling device according to claim 3, characterised in that it includes a perimeter skirt (40) extending from the lower side of the folding plate (30).