FR2646268A1 - Composite marking plate - Google Patents

Abstract

Composite marking plate for displaying variable numerical data on a vehicle, and especially on a container transported by a vehicle. This plate includes, in combination: a) a set of cutout figures 3 of the same height each pierced by two orifices 4 arranged close to their upper and lower ends; b) a support plate 1 pierced by a number of orifices 2 corresponding to the number of figures 3 to be displayed, at the rate of two orifices 2 per figure; c) a set of metal blades 5 equal in number to that of the numbers 3 to be displayed on the support plate 1, and whose ends are partially folded over on themselves and curved inwards so as to form tabs 6, these blades 5 being intended to be positioned on the rear face of the support plate 1 and to be put in place after the figures 3 have been fixed at their locations, the tabs 6 being inserted through the orifices 2 and 4 superimposed in such a way as to hold the figures 3 in place.

Description

The present invention relates to a composite sign plate

  for vehicles, allowing a display of

figures.

  We know that tankers transporting dangerous products such as flammable and / or toxic products must carry on both sides of the tank, as well as on its rear side, warning plates showing the encrypted code of the product. involved, so as to immediately inform the firefighters of its nature in the event of an accident. For the same reason, these plates must be able to resist fire

  for at least fifteen minutes.

  The loads of these tank trucks can vary quite often, their drivers are required to frequently change the plates in question, which requires them to transport a fairly considerable number of plates whose weight and size are important. To overcome this drawback, plates have been proposed in which the figures were removable and individually supported by small plates fixed to the support plate by means of a system of slides. However, this device has the drawback of leading to the storage in the vehicle of a large number of these plates, which are

  relatively bulky and whose weight is not negligible.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback by proposing a composite signaling plate of a new type which makes it possible to reduce the weight as much as possible and

  the size of the equipment to be stored in the vehicle.

  The present invention thus relates to a composite sign plate which is essentially characterized in that it comprises in combination: a) a set of figures cut out at the same height, each pierced by two orifices arranged at a short distance from their ends. b) a support plate pierced with a number of orifices corresponding to the number of digits to be displayed, at the rate of two orifices per digit, aligned vertically and spaced from each other by a distance equal to that separating the two ports of

each digit.

  c) a set of metal blades of length slightly greater than the distance separating two superimposed orifices and the ends of which are partially folded back on themselves and curved so as to form tongues, these blades being

  intended to be positioned on the rear face of the plate-

  support and to be put in place after the figures have been affixed to their location, the curved ends of each blade then being introduced into the two superposed orifices of the support plate and of the chosen figure, so as to ensure the

maintenance of the latter.

  The metal blades used in the signaling plates according to the invention also act as springs between the plate and its support, because of the arcuate shape which they affect when they are in place, due to their slightly length greater than the distance between the holes in the plate. It follows that they advantageously cooperate in stabilizing the plate on its support, preventing it from being subjected to excessive vibrations, and that they allow

  in addition to easier removal of the plate.

  The holes in both the plate and in the figures can be circular, but they are preferably square, so as to prevent the metal tabs from blocking them.

damage in the long run.

  The various constituent elements of the composite signaling plate according to the invention are advantageously made of a metallic alloy, such as steel, having a fire resistance compatible with the legislation governing the

transport of dangerous goods. -

  The present invention is illustrated in the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment in which: - Figure 1 shows a front view of a sign plate according to the invention, in which a single number has

been fixed.

  - Figure 2 shows a sectional view along the line-

I-I ', from this same plate.

  If we refer first to Figure 1, we see that the signaling plate according to the invention consists of a support plate 1 provided with a number of square holes 2 regularly spaced and aligned vertically two to of them. A number 3 provided at its ends with two square orifices 4 capable of being superimposed on the two corresponding orifices 2 of the plate 1 is held in place by means of a blade 5 whose curved ends 6 pass through the 1-digit plate assembly

  3 through the superposed orifices 2 and 4.

  If we then refer to Figure 2, we see that the blade 5, after positioning through the holes 2 of the plate and 4 of the number, has a curved shape which allows it to act as a spring vis-à-vis screw of the support on which the signaling plate of the invention is placed, thus cooperating. to its stabilization. The signaling plate according to the invention allows, as has already been said, to considerably reduce the size and the weight of the equipment necessary for the successive display of different encrypted codes designating the content of the tank being transported. In fact, it suffices in this case a set of support plates provided with the number of blades corresponding to the number of digits to be displayed, and a set of digits allowing all the necessary displays. This numbers game consisting of

  cut out figures present a minimum weight and size.

  The sign plate according to the invention also has the advantage of being easy to maintain and of being able to give rise to an easy restoration of the cut figures when the paint which generally covers them disappears under

  the effect of bad weather and chemical attack.

  Of course, the present invention cannot be

  limited to the above description and which may be subject to some

  number of modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the orifices made in the sign plates can be arranged differently, so as to allow the placement of letters of the alphabet such as the letter "X" designating a product which should not be brought into contact with the water. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the signs described can be used not only for tankers, but for any type of transport subject to

  regulations concerning hazardous products.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS.   1) Composite signaling plate for the display of variable figures on a vehicle, and in particular on a container transported by a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises in combination: a) a set of cut numbers (3) likewise height each drilled with two orifices (4) arranged in the vicinity of their upper and lower ends; b) a support plate (1) pierced with a number of orifices (2) corresponding to the number of digits (3) to be displayed, at the rate of two orifices (2) per digit, aligned vertically and spaced one of the other by the distance separating the two orifices of each digit (3); c) a set of metal blades (5) equal in number to that of the numbers (3) to be displayed on the support plate (1), of length slightly greater than the distance separating two superimposed orifices (2), the ends of which are partially folded back on themselves and curved so as to form tongues (6), these blades (5) being intended to be positioned at the rear face of the support plate (1) and to be put in place. after the figures- (3) have been affixed to their location, their orifices (4) facing the orifices (2) of the plate (1), the tabs (6) terminating the blades (5) being introduced through holes (2) and (4) superimposed so as to hold the digits (3) in place, the arc formed by each blade (5) on the rear face of the support plate (1) allowing, by a spring effect , to stabilize in position the plate (1) when it has been placed in its support, on the vehicle or the walls of the   container transported by a vehicle.   2) composite signaling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that its various constituent elements are made of a metal alloy having a fire resistance compatible with the legislation governing the transport of dangerous products.   3) composite signage plate according to claim   2, characterized in that this metal alloy is a steel.