EP1421238A1

EP1421238A1 - Road signal device retractable

Info

Publication number: EP1421238A1
Application number: EP02774851A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marie Detienne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-27
Filing date: 2002-07-29
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-29
Also published as: FR2827884A1; WO2003016636A1; ATE457387T1; DE60235310D1; EP1421238B1

Abstract

Said signalling element being capable of taking up a first position wherein said signalling element is retracted at ground level and a second position wherein it is almost vertical; the actuating means enabling the signalling element (2) to shift, when operated, from one to the other of the first and second positions by rotation of the signalling element about the axis of rotation (7), and the signalling element further comprising at its base and above the axis of rotation, an elastic articulation (4) enabling it to be deflected in the direction opposite its retraction in the first position when it is subjected to a load resulting from the passage of a vehicle and to return to the second position when there is no more load.

Description

FOLDABLE BEACONING DEVICE

The present invention relates to the field of signaling on communication routes, or any place intended to accommodate vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a beacon device which can be folded down into the ground and which is straightened to indicate different information to the driver of a vehicle.

On certain roads or railways, certain recurring information need only be indicated at a specific time. This is for example the case for traffic jams, side winds, accidents. It can also be used to indicate a direction of traffic temporarily, as in the case of work.

Some systems use retractable bollards in the ground. Thus, US Pat. No. 4,713,910 describes a tag comprising on its length a rack which cooperates with a gear located inside the ground, allowing a motor to descend and to mount the tag. The problem with these retractable beacons is that they require a certain time to be taken out and brought back into the ground. Also US patent 4,713,910 also provides folding tags. These are articulated around an axis allowing the beacon to fold down inside a recess provided in the ground. The tag is hollow in order to accommodate the mechanism allowing its straightening. The tag must therefore be reinforced to protect the mechanism from any impact. These beacons are used to prohibit the access of a zone to a vehicle and not as a means of signaling on traffic lanes. They therefore constitute physical barriers and can only be lowered in one direction at the user's command. So when they are struck by a vehicle, they break or damage the vehicle.

US Patent 4552089 relates to removable folding beacons intended for signaling. It is a device allowing to install several beacons at the same time. These are also articulated around an axis, allowing them to fold into a receptacle. The entire device is removable. When the device is installed on the roadway, a spring allows the beacon to be straightened, so that it is vertical. The winding allows to exert a stress on the tag and to fold it inside the receptacle. Thus, once in position at the level of the traffic lane, the beacon cannot be actuated in righting and turning down, but remains in a fixed position. In addition, a stress undergone in the opposite direction to the folding in the receptacle causes damage to the tag since no rotation in this direction is expected. This can be inconvenient for demarcating two two-way traffic lanes.

Also, the object of the present invention is to allow the use of foldable beacons in the ground, capable in the event of an impact with a vehicle of lying down to remain in running condition without damaging the vehicle that the impact takes place in one direction traffic or in the other, and can thus be positioned in the middle of a traffic lane. These beacons must also be able to be erected and folded down on command without the device leaving its location.

More precisely, the object of the present invention is a beaconing device intended to serve as signaling for at least one vehicle comprising a beaconing element articulated around an axis of rotation and a straightening element, the beaconing element being able to take a first position in which the beacon element is folded down to ground level and a second position in which it is vertical or almost vertical; characterized in that the straightening element is an actuating means allowing the beacon element to pass, on command, from one to the other of the first and second positions by rotation of the beacon element around of the axis of rotation (7), and in that the tag further comprises, at its base and above the axis of rotation, an elastic articulation (4) allowing it to bend opposite to the direction of its drawdown in the first position when it is subjected to a stress due to the passage of a vehicle and to return to the second position when this stress has ceased. The objects, objects and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description made with reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents the whole of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a behavior of the device according to the present invention according to a given case.

The beaconing device, as shown in FIG. 1, is intended to be inserted into the ground 3. It is composed of a beaconing element 2, which includes a signaling means 5, so that when it is straightened, the beacon or beacon is in the signaling position and is visible from a distance by the conductors. The beacon 2 comprises a rotation axis 7, around which it can rotate 90 degrees from the horizontal position to the vertical or almost vertical position. The horizontal position of the beacon 2 is hereinafter called the first position and the vertical or quasi-vertical position is hereinafter called the second position of the beacon 2. Thus, the beacon can fold down at ground level, in particular by coming to be housed in the ground inside a recess provided for this purpose, preferably in a housing 8 inserted in the ground and the dimensions of the tag. The straightening in the horizontal position and the folding in the vertical or quasi-vertical position of the beacon 2 is ensured by an actuating means. The beacon can therefore be raised or folded to order thanks to this actuation means depending on the situation to be reported. Likewise, in the event of an impact in the direction of the drawdown, the tag 2 will fold back into the ground. To respond to a shock in the other direction, the beacon comprises an elastic articulation 4 situated above the axis of rotation 7. Thus, when such a shock takes place, the tag will twist at this joint under the effect of stress, the area below the axis of rotation 7 being supported against the ground, and return to the vertical position when this stress has ceased. The elastic joint 4 therefore allows the tag to bend up to 180 degrees relative to its folded position at ground level. FIG. 4 illustrating this kind of constraint represents a vehicle which, passing over the beacon 2, will set it down. During the passage of the vehicle, the tag is lying and rubbing under it. As soon as it has passed, the beacon will return to the initial position, namely the vertical or almost vertical position.

Preferably, the articulation consists of a piece 4 of flexible and elastic material, such as polyurethane, comprising a narrowing 6 at the level of which a twist is made when the beacon 2 undergoes a stress opposite to its direction of folding down at ground level. . The elasticity of the material allows the tag 2 to return to a vertical or almost vertical position.

Preferably, the actuating means generates a translational movement of a rack 42 directly coupled to a first gear 44, the translational movement is thus transformed into a rotational movement. In Figure 1, the first gear 44 is coupled to a second gear 46 fixed to the tag 2, so that the rotation of the first gear in one direction causes the rotation of the tag in the other direction, and thus flap or straightens the tag. It is also possible to envisage a single gear which is directly fixed to the beacon 2 and coupled to the rack 42. Likewise, the number of gears can be greater than two. As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical positioning of the rack and the even number of gears implies that the descent of the rack 42 causes the beacon 2 to rise.

The actuating means may include an electromagnet which when activated allows the element to markup or beacon 2 to pass from one to the other of said first and second positions. In the case where the device 1 comprises a gear rack torque, as shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnet drives the translation of the rack 42. The latter comprises a bracket 12 intended to be fixed in the ground, a metal core 14, a translation axis 18a or 18b at each of the ends 16a or 16b of the core and two electric coils 30a and 30b on either side of the stirrup. The two coils are connected to a direct current source via electrical wires 32a and 32b, so that energizing one of the coils causes the core to move to this coil. Each of the translation axes 18a and 18b passes through a hole located at one end of the stirrup 2, one of the axes 18b being directly connected to the rack 42, so that the translation of the core 14 causes the displacement translation axes through the stirrup 12 and therefore the translation of the rack. The translation of the axes 18a and 18b is improved by fixing bearings 20a and 20b at the ends of the stirrup. These bearings have a hole of the same diameter as the translation axes 18a and 18b and are self-lubricated, so that the axes slide through the bearings 20a and 20b. In order to use a minimum of energy, a spring 22 is fixed on one side to the bracket 12 and on the other to a plate 24 fixed to the end of the translation axis 18a opposite the rack 42 , so that the spring serves as a counterweight to the tag 2. Thus the force required to lift the tag 2 is much lower. The supercharging of the coil (30a in FIG. 1) makes it possible to generate a magnetic field sufficient to exert the force required for the rectification of the beacon 2.

The device may also include an electromagnetic suction cup 52 located opposite the rack 42, so as to hold the translation axis 18a by magnetization. For this, the suction cup 52 includes a permanent magnet generating a magnetic field of an intensity making it possible to keep the beacon 2 vertical when this one undergoes a force lower than a threshold S, and allowing its folding back when it undergoes a stress higher than the threshold S. This threshold S is fixed according to the constraints that the beacon can undergo 2. Thus, when the beacon is at the edge of the road, it is important that the beacon does not fold down under the action of the wind. The threshold S will therefore correspond to the average intensity of the wind which usually blows at the place where the beacon must be installed. The permanent magnet is therefore chosen according to this threshold, which can also be a standard threshold, such as a resistance to a wind of 20 km / h. When a car strikes the beacon 2 in the direction of its folding in the first position, the stress undergone by the beacon is greater than the threshold S; the shock then separates the translation axis 18a from the suction cup 52. The air gap 50 generated is sufficient for the magnet to no longer exert sufficient force to maintain the beacon in the second position. The latter then folds down to ground level. Likewise during the controlled folding of the tag, the coil included in the suction cup is supplied with direct current by means of electric wires 54 so as to cancel the magnetization generated by the permanent magnet. The coil supply is preferably managed by a control unit 34 making it possible to optimally synchronize the supply of the coils 30a, 30b and of the suction cup 52. The supply can be supplied by a current source external to the device or an internal source, such as a battery.

Preferably, the tag 2 has a shape making it possible to have the signaling means or means 5 around its periphery, so that when the tag 2 is straightened, the signaling means is visible at 360 °. This shape can be that of a square post, on each face of which are fixed the signaling means or means. Preferably, the tag has the shape of a post to round section, the signaling means or means being distributed over the circumference of the beacon 2. When a box 8 is provided, the latter preferably has a suitable shape so that once folded into the box, the beacon does not not have too much play. For example in the case of a beacon in the shape of a round section post, the casing will have the shape of a gutter with an inside diameter identical to that of the beacon.

According to another embodiment, the tag 2 is flat and thus constitutes a cover so that when the tag is folded into the housing 8, the tag then covers the actuating means and closes the housing. This embodiment may be advantageous when installed directly on the traffic lane. Indeed, once it is folded down in the first position, a securing element for two-wheeled vehicles, which are much less likely to slip over it. In this case, certain signaling means can only be placed on the two largest faces of the beacon. However, this is not a drawback insofar as these means are generally representative figures, such as a stop or a lane prohibited to certain vehicles. In this case, only a visualization in both directions of traffic on the road is necessary. On the other hand, the 360 ° visualization can be kept for reflective bands or strips of diodes which can be arranged on the edge of the beacon. Preferably, these flat tags constituting a cover have a thickness of 5 millimeters. The beacons are preferably designed to withstand the chemical and temperature constraints specific to the traffic lanes for which they are intended.

The device according to the present invention is installed by carrying out a coring in the ground. The hole 10 resulting from this coring has a depth and a diameter making it possible to accommodate the actuating means and part of the tag 2. A groove 9 is also made at the soil surface 3. The groove 9 opens into the core drilling and has a depth, a width and a length sufficient to accommodate the beacon 2 when the latter is folded down into the first position. The depth of the hole 10 must be sufficient so that once positioned, the entire device is flush with the ground surface 3 when the tag is folded down. To allow the evolution of the translation axes 18a and 18b in the stirrup 12, the stirrup is fixed at a sufficient distance from the bottom of the hole 10.

Thus, the actuating means is permanently housed below the surface and is protected from vehicles.

In Figure 1, the device shown is intended to be installed after vertical coring. However, the device can also be provided so that the actuating means is installed horizontally. In this case, the arrangement of the rack relative to the gears allows the beacon to fold down thanks to a horizontal translation of the rack. This is particularly interesting in the case of bridges where the depth for digging is limited. A groove is made to accommodate both the folded tag and the actuating means. The groove has a sufficient length so that once installed, the entire device is flush with the ground surface when the beacon is folded down to the first position. The stirrup is fixed in the groove so as to allow the evolution of the axes of translation in the stirrup.

The applications of this device are diverse. It can be used to prohibit access to private parking. The reel control can thus be activated by the owner of the car park depending on whether or not he wants to block entry. For this, the control can be connected to a transceiver allowing remote control of the device.

It can also be used to warn a user who has taken a one-way lane in the wrong way. In this case, the beacon 2 is in the first position, that is to say at ground level, if a vehicle is detected in the opposite direction, by a radar or an agent, the latter activates the command which triggers the recovery of the beacon at the level of the area where the vehicle will pass. The signaling means 5 indicates to the passenger that it is in the wrong direction. This device makes it possible to place the beacon on the side of the track, but especially on the track, allowing an easily perceivable signal. The beacon can indeed be struck by vehicles regardless of their direction of movement since the beacon 2 will fold at ground level or bend. To improve the signaling, it is also possible to install several devices, according to the present invention, along the track and at regular intervals.

Such a system can also be used on lanes reserved for buses or taxis, the signaling means indicating the type of vehicle authorized. The device can be installed in the middle of the track. In this case, the beacon sets when a vehicle passes over it, and then rises immediately. Either the drawdown at ground level is in the direction of traffic, in which case the beacon is folded down in the first position and the recovery is carried out by the actuating means on command of the driver or a detector, or done in the opposite direction, in which case the bend bends while twisting at the level of the elastic joint under the stress of the vehicle, rubs under the vehicle during its passage, and straightens once the vehicle has passed. The bumpers of vehicles being generally 25 or 35 cm from the ground, the devices installed for these vehicles will include a beacon of about 45 cm in height, so that the shock takes place in the highest quarter of the beacon.

The control of the lowering of the beacon can be done directly from the outside, for example by means of a transmitter connected to a receiver itself connected to a module, such as the control box 34, thus enabling the supply of the coils to be actuated. It is also possible to provide detectors internal to the beacon triggering the actuation of the beacon. For example, detecting the approach of a vehicle will trigger the lowering of the beacon before any impact. This extends the life of the beacon. The rectification of the beacon can be programmed after a certain time.

An internal control can also be used coupled with a safety device in order to avoid the heating of the coils, in the case where the wheel of a vehicle or any other object prevents the straightening of the beacon folded down at ground level. The safety device triggers the command for a limited trigger time, sufficient to straighten the beacon when it is not blocked. If the coil cannot straighten, the control will not be actuated continuously, thus avoiding overheating of the coils. At the end of a time interval greater than the tripping time, for example eight times greater, the device will actuate the command again. The alternation triggering of the command and time interval without actuation of the command, will continue until the beacon is not rectified.

Besides on the road network, this device can be used for railways or runways of aerodromes or airports. In all cases the beacon can be placed at the edge of the tracks, and is raised or folded depending on the event to be reported. In addition, the device can be placed in the middle of the lane, since it can fold back in one direction or bend in the other when a vehicle passes over it.

Claims

1. Beaconing device intended to serve as signaling for at least one vehicle comprising a beaconing element articulated around an axis of rotation and a straightening element, said beaconing element being able to assume a first position in which said beaconing element is folded down at ground level and a second position in which it is vertical or almost vertical; characterized in that said straightening element is an actuating means allowing said marking element to pass, on command, from one to the other of said first and second positions by rotation of said marking element around said axis of rotation ( 7), and in that said tag further comprises, at its base and above said axis of rotation, an elastic articulation (4) allowing it to bend opposite to the direction of its folding in said first position when it undergoes a stress due to the passage of a vehicle and to return to said second position when this stress has ceased.

2. Marking device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing (8) intended to be inserted into the ground (3) and to accommodate said marking element (2) when the latter is folded down to the ground.

3. A marking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said marking element (2) has a shape such as a form of post with a round section, making it possible to have on its periphery a signaling means (5), so that when said marking element is straightened, said signaling means is visible at 360 °.

4. A marking device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said marking element (2) is flat and thus constitutes a cover so that when said marking element is folded down in said housing (8), it then covers said actuating means and closes said housing.

5. Marking device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said actuating means comprises at least one gear (44 or 46) and a rack (42), so that the straightening and the folding in the ground of said beacon element (2) is driven by translational movements of said rack.

6. Marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said actuating means comprises an electromagnet which when activated allows said marking element to pass from one to the other of said first and second positions.

7. Marking device according to claims 5 and 6, wherein said electromagnet comprises a bracket (12) intended to be fixed in the ground, a metal core (14), a translation axis (18a and 18b) at each ends (16a and 16b) of said core and two electrical coils (30a and 30b) on either side of the stirrup, the two coils being connected to a source of direct current so that the energization of one of the coils causes said core to move towards this coil; each of said translation axes passing through a hole located at one end of the stirrup, one of said translation axes being directly connected to said rack (42), so that the translation of said core causes the translation of said rack.

8. Marking device according to claim 7, wherein said actuating means further comprises an electromagnetic suction cup (52) located opposite the rack (42), so as to hold the axis of translation by magnetization ( 18a) opposite said rack, said suction cup comprising a permanent magnet generating a magnetic field of an intensity making it possible to keep said beacon element (2) vertical when the latter undergoes a force below a threshold S, and allowing it to be folded back into the ground when it undergoes a force greater than threshold S, said translation axis (18a) then separating from said suction cup.

9. Marking device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a spring (22) is fixed on one side to the bracket

(12) and on the other to a plate (24) fixed to the end of the axis of translation (18a) opposite to said rack

(42), so that the spring serves as a counterweight to said marking element (2).

10. Marking device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said elastic articulation consists of a part (4) made of elastic material, such as polyurethane, comprising a narrowing (6) at the level of which a torsion takes place. when said marking element (2) is subjected to a stress due to the passage of a vehicle.