FR2680529A1 - Self-locking double-face foldable support for signalling posts and panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a self-locking double-face foldable support for signalling posts and panels of various types. A foldable support according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, a substantially rectangular base (1) and, on the other hand, a foldable framework (2) intended to support either a signalling panel or a signalling pole, or two signalling poles in opposition, one on each face of the foldable support. The base comprises two parallel longitudinal members (3d, 3g) joined together by end cross-pieces (4) and a central cross-piece (6) on which an inverted U-shaped piece (9), forming a base for the foldable framework, bears. A bolt (14) is fixed to the bottom of the foldable framework, so that it attaches it to the base (1) by simple weight action when the support is deployed. Unlocking occurs automatically when the foldable support is inclined forwards. One application is the construction of temporary road signalling panels.

Description

Self-locking double-sided folding support for beacons and panels.

 The subject of the present invention is folding supports, single and double sided, of various beacons and panels, in particular road signs, with automatic locking and unlocking.

 The technical sector of the invention is that of the construction of indicator panels.

 Until recently, temporary signs were fixed on folding trestles, which had to be tilted with respect to the vertical, to resist the thrust of the wind, hence poor visibility of the signs by the drivers of vehicles.

In addition, the "beacons", recently introduced into the range of road signs, must be presented vertically.

 Currently, foldable supports for panels or beacons are constructed, comprising a substantially rectangular base, placed on the ground, and a vertical, foldable frame carrying the panel or the beacon.

These devices make it possible to present the panels or beacons vertically, hence better visibility. In addition, they are very stable.

 Such folding supports are described in patents FR1 478 906 - FR 69/24 111 - FR 71/03 179 - FR 76/01 926 and FR 86/07 153.

 Known folding supports having a rectangular or trapezoidal base generally include locking devices intended to hold the folding frame in a vertical position, which are complex.

 An object of the present invention is to provide collapsible supports for beacons and various signaling or advertising panels having a simple locking means, which provides automatic locking of the collapsible frame in a vertical position.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide collapsible supports for beacons and signs or the like, adapted to be transported, once folded, in special transport vehicles, flat, on horizontal or suspended rails.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide collapsible supports for beacons and traffic signs or the like, the unlocking of which, for folding, is also automatic.

 Another objective of the present invention is to provide foldable supports allowing the permanent positioning of double-sided beacons, the second face not hampering the folding.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide collapsible supports for beacons or temporary or other traffic signs having excellent stability, fully collapsible flat, easy to unfold or fold, and movable by one man.

 Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic locking system easily adaptable to folding supports already sold, composed of a vertical chassis that can be folded down on a rectangular or trapezoidal base.

 The folding supports according to the invention comprise, in known manner, on the one hand a substantially rectangular base, intended to be placed on the ground, and, on the other hand, a folding frame which carries the tag - single or double-sided - or the road sign, or the advertising sign. In the open position, the folding frame is held by a double strut which connects it to the base.

 The objectives of the invention are achieved by means of folding and self-locking supports, single and double-sided beacons, and indicator panels, in which the base comprises two parallel beams, interconnected by end crosspieces. These beams may have the shape of a hollow square tube, or of an angle with unequal wings, the large wing being arranged vertically, and the small wing facing outwards from the chassis. The longitudinal members can also be made up of hollow or rectangular tubes.

 The end crosspieces, in flat iron or rectangular tube, protrude on either side of the longitudinal members, this to allow both better seating of the assembly and easy storage on horizontal rails. I1 may seem interesting that these end crosspieces are welded slightly back from the ends of the side members, to allow easy locking on the storage slides. Likewise, the part of the end crosspieces located beyond the side members may be slightly inclined downward, for better sitting on the ground.

 The invention results in new folding supports intended to receive either an indicator panel, or a single or double-sided beacon, or a display or advertising panel.

 The folding supports according to the invention have very good stability, and they offer the advantage of presenting the panel or the tag which they support in a vertical position, therefore very visible.

 Once folded, the supports according to the invention have a very small footprint, and they are easy to store flat or suspended on horizontal slides equipping special transport vehicles for this type of folding supports.

 The locking system fitted to the folding supports according to the invention has the advantage of being automatic, either in the direction of blocking the open support, or in the direction of unlocking for folding. It also has the advantage of being able to be easily adapted to other folding supports existing on the market.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking system is fixed to the bottom of the movable part, and in its center. I1 works mainly by the action of gravity: the lock, in the form of
C elongated, tilts freely around an axis located in its upper part and hooks the mobile and foldable part of the support in a vertical position, to a transverse bar - which can be round or square - connecting the two frame rails by their middle .

 To avoid sliding of the mobile part either towards the front or towards the rear, the bottom of this mobile part can advantageously consist of an inverted U-shaped iron, which covers the central crosspiece of the base. For greater convenience, it is preferable that the rear wing of the U-shaped iron is narrower than the front wing. Similarly, this front wing of the U-shaped iron receives in its middle a cutout which will allow the free passage of the lock.

 The two struts which connect the foldable part of the support to its base are articulated, on the one hand on each of the side members a little in front of the central part, on the other hand at the ends of a horizontal bar secured to the part mobile folding support whose length is slightly less than 1 spacing between beams.

This horizontal bar secured to the mobile part must be 0.20 meters above the ground when the folding support is in the open position and is intended to present regulatory markers of type K5c of French regulations, on each of its two faces.

 Two small pins can advantageously be welded to the front ends of the horizontal bar. Their function is to retain the lower part of a temporary regulatory triangle, round or square sign.

 Beacons, traffic signs or advertising panels can be fixed on the mobile part of the folding support by any suitable means. I1 is useless to separate them from this mobile part to fold the support.

 The deployment or folding of the support is very simple, and can be carried out by a single man: the folded support, equipped with its beacons (on both sides) or its panel (on one side) is placed on the ground, at the location it must occupy.

The worker grabs the upper end of the movable part, and lifts it up by pulling it towards him. The action of the struts causes this movable part to pass from the horizontal position to the vertical position.

 The U-shaped iron with unequal wings which serves as a lower support for the mobile part of the support is fitted onto the central crosspiece of the base, and the locking is done automatically by the action of gravity. The support can no longer fold unexpectedly.

 The folding maneuver is also simple: by tilting the deployed support forward, the lock is released, still by the action of gravity, and the worker only has to push the mobile part; this, by the movement of the struts, folds and comes to be positioned between the side members of the base. If, for any reason (seizure, presence of foreign body, etc ...) unlocking is not done by the simple action of gravity, 1 worker can advantageously release the lock by pressing with the foot on a lug unlocking device provided for this purpose.

 The location of the axes of rotation of the struts on the side rails, and the length of these struts will be calculated so that the folded frame is not offset from the side rails of the base.

 Furthermore, if the self-locking folding support is large - intended for example to receive auozoutier panels, it may be advantageous, according to a known method, to place rollers at the ends of the somewhat elongated beams, to allow easy movement from the whole.

 The following description refers to the appended drawings, which represent, without any limiting nature, an exemplary embodiment of folding supports according to the invention.

 Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a tag or panel support, respectively in the open position and in the folded position.

 Figure 3 is a front view of the movable part of the support.

 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base of a support.

 Figure 5 is the front view of a strut.

 FIG. 6 represents the mode of articulation of a strut on a spar.

 Figures 7 and 8 show, on a larger scale, the lower part of the foldable arm of the support, respectively from the front and from the side.

 Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the lock.

 Figs 1 and 2 represent an exemplary embodiment of a folding support intended to receive either a tag on each of the sides of the folding frame (here two parallel square tubes), or a temporary or permanent road sign, such as a square triangle, disc or arrow, or an advertising panel of any form whatsoever. For clarity of the drawing, the tags or the panel are not shown in FIG. 2.

 The folding support consists essentially of two parts: a base 1 intended to be placed on the ground, when the support is in service, and a folding chassis 2 which carries a tag on each of its two front and rear faces, or a panel on its front side only.

 In the service position, shown in Figure 1, the frame 2, which is perpendicular to the base 1, is substantially vertical.

In the folded position, which is shown in Figure 2, the frame 2 is folded against the base, so that the assembly consisting of the base, the frame and the panel fixed on the front face, or tags fixed on the front and rear faces form, in the folded state, a thin object, easy to store in a transport vehicle.

 The base 1 has the general shape of a rectangular frame which is composed of two 3d beams, 3g, connected together by two crosspieces. Advantageously, the cross members 4 have a length greater than the spacing between the side members, so that each cross member has two extensions 5 which extend outside the side members.

 These extensions form feet whose function is twofold: they increase the width of one base and they thus ensure better sitting on the ground. Advantageously, the four feet 5 can be slightly bent downwards, that is to say on the side opposite to the side members.

In addition, the feet 5 allow the sliding of the folded assembly on horizontal slides equipping a special vehicle for transporting the supports in the horizontal position, for example a vehicle of the type described in patent FR 1,582,008, or in the vertical position. , in a specially designed vehicle, such as that described in the patent
FR 86/08 247.

 The two side members are, moreover, connected in their middle, by a cross member 6 made of round or square iron, on which the lower part of the movable chassis comes to bear, in a vertical position.

 The chassis 2 has the most suitable shape to correspond to the type of beacon or panel that it must receive.

 Figures 1 and 3 show, by way of illustration, a chassis 2 intended to receive beacons on each of its faces, or temporary traffic signs of "normal" dimension with regard to the regulations in force in France.

 Of course, this chassis can have any other shape.

The frame 2 presented by way of illustration comprises two parallel uprights 7d, 7g connected together, at one of their ends, by a cross-member 8. The spacing between the two parallel uprights - which can be made of hollow square tube irons,
U, or any other section - is slightly greater than the diameter of the bolt which will fix the beacons or the panel to the mobile chassis.

The two parallel uprights 7 are interconnected at their other end by a part 9 in the shape of an inverted U, the length of which is substantially less than the spacing between the side members.
One of the wings of the U-shaped iron can advantageously have a width less than the other. It will be placed on the opposite side to the holes 23 in the side members, which will be discussed later. The other wing of the U-shaped iron is partially indented in its center. The notch 26 must be wide enough to allow the free passage of the latch 14 shown in perspective in FIG. 9.

 A cross 10 - which may be constituted by a hollow or solid square iron is welded perpendicular to the uprights 7, at a distance from the U-shaped piece 9 slightly less than the regulatory height of the lower edges of the beacons, that is to say twenty centimeters.

 This square iron 10 carries at each of its ends a lug lld, llg. The total length of the square iron 10, increased by that of the lugs 11, must be slightly less than the spacing between the base rails.

 Two small flat irons 12d, 12G are welded to the square iron 10, on the opposite side to the uprights 7, and immediately before the end pins lld and llg. They are intended to hold in place a regulatory sign, or a beacon, also fixed to the mobile chassis by a bolt with nut placed at the desired height in the interval between the uprights 7.

 Advantageously, the square iron 10 can be given a slightly curved shape towards the U-shaped cross member, to allow better insertion of a regulatory circular panel. In this case, it is imperative that the pins lld, llg are aligned and at the same level.

 Figures 7 and 8 show, on a larger scale, the detail of the front and profile, of the lower part of the movable chassis.

 The two uprights 7 are drilled, in alignment, at 13, a little above the inverted U-shaped iron. This drilling will allow the automatic lock 14 to be fixed, shown in perspective in FIG. 9.

 The latch 14 must be able to pivot without difficulty on an axis 15, which crosses the first upright 7g, then the piercing 16 in one of the wings of the C-shaped latch, the second parallel upright 7d, and is permanently fixed by a pin 17 ; a washer 18 is interposed between the outer part of the upright 7d and the pin 17. Any other means can be used to fix the axis 15 to the uprights 7, up to and including the weld. The main thing is that the latch 14 can pivot freely on the axis 15.

 The latch 14, which has the shape of an elongated C, and one of the branches of which is pierced at 16 so as to be able to pivot on the axis 15, receives on its other branch a lug 19, which protrudes on either side. This lug 19 is intended to prevent complete rotation of the latch 14, which could prevent automatic locking. The latch 14, which pivots freely on the axis 15, has its stroke limited by the lug 19, which can abut on the uprights 7, so that it is always in the proper position to make the movable frame 2 integral to the cross member 6 of the base, when the folding support is deployed. At this moment, the U-shaped iron 9 is placed on the cross-member 6, and the latch 14, by the action of gravity, sees its end carrying the lug 19 pass under the cross-member 6 of the base, and remain in place, locking the movable chassis 2 on the base 1.

 A stud 20 extends the branch of the latch 14 pierced at 16. I1 finds its utility to allow the mobile chassis 2 to be separated from the base 1 in the event of natural malfunction. It suffices to press with the foot on the stud 20 to unlock the movable frame 2.

 The mobile chassis 2 is connected to the base 1 by two identical connecting rods 21d, 21g, one of which is shown in FIG. 5.

 These connecting rods 21 consist of a flat iron, pierced at each of its ends, at 22a and 22b. Their length is calculated so that the mobile chassis is in the middle of the base, when the support is folded, the protrusion on either side, if necessary, parallel uprights 7 being equal.

 FIG. 6 represents a mode of articulation of the connecting rods on the side members of the base. These are drilled in 23d, 23g, a little in front of the central crossbar 6. The two holes are equidistant from the crossbar 6.

 A stud 24 is placed, from the outside of the spar, in the hole 23, then in one of the holes 22 in the connecting rod 21, and held in place by a self-locking washer 25, or by any other means.

The connecting rod 21 must be able to pivot freely.

 One of the pins 11 of the cross member 10 of the movable chassis 2 receives the other hole 22b of the connecting rod 21. The latter is held in place by a self-locking washer or any other means. The connecting rod must be able to pivot freely.

 The other identical connecting rod is fixed in the same way both to the base 1 and to the movable chassis 2.

 The folding support is ready to operate.

Adapting the automatic locking system to the folding supports currently existing on the market is very easy:
For the base 1, it suffices, after having removed all the existing manual locks, to put in place - if it is not already there - the transverse bar 6 which joins the centers of the side members.

 For the folding frame, the addition, in its lower central part, of the inverted U gutter 9, as described above with its notch, and of the latch 14 held in place by its axis 15 are sufficient.

 This operation does not change the height or the structure of the mobile chassis, and therefore of the transformed folding support.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS.  1.- Foldable and self-locking support for an indicator panel, in particular for permanent or temporary road signs, of the type comprising a base (1) substantially rectangular, intended to be placed on the ground, and a folding frame (2), which carries said panel indicator, and the shape and dimensions of which depend on the type and size of the panel to be presented, characterized in that said base comprises two parallel beams (3d, 3g) connected to each other at their ends, by a crosspiece (4) of which the end pieces (5) protrude on either side, and a third crosspiece (6), joining their central part, crosspiece on which comes to rest, by means of a gutter (9), the folding frame in the open position , said folding chassis being, moreover, connected to the side members of the base by two articulated buttress rods (21), placed in front of the cross-member (6), and equipped, in its lower part, with a locking system beam (14) which is positioned automatically under the central crosspiece (6) by the simple action of gravity, when the support is deployed, thus making the foldable frame integral with its base.  2. A folding support according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking system (14) has the general shape of a "C", one of the branches of which, pierced at (16) can rotate freely around an axis ( 15), itself held in place by a pin (17) and a washer (18) or any other suitable means, said locking system being thus secured to the lower part of the movable frame.  3.- Foldable support according to claim 1 characterized in that the other branch of the locking system in the shape of "C" is provided with a lug (19) protruding on either side, to prevent complete rotation of and keep it in the locked position, whether the chassis is deployed or folded.  4.- folding support according to claim 1 characterized in that the branch pierced in (16) of the locking system (14) is extended by a lug (20) which allows, by a simple pressure of the foot, to separate the movable frame (2) of its base (1), in the case where a simple inclination towards the front of the folding support would not effect this separation by the sole effect of gravity.  5. Foldable support according to claim 1 characterized in that the two connecting rods (21) are articulated on the one hand inside each of the side members of the base, a little in front of the central crossing, by means of a stud (24), held in place by a self-locking washer (25) or any other suitable means, and, on the other hand, at the ends, in the form of studs (lld, l) of a horizontal crossmember (10), integral with the chassis (2), the length of which - studs included - is slightly less than the distance between the side members of the chassis (1), which connecting rods are held in place on the studs (11d, 114) by a self-locking washer (25) or any other suitable means.  6. Foldable support according to claim I, characterized in that the gutter (9) is in the shape of an inverted U, the wing of which - of normal width - placed on the side of the crosspiece (10) relative to the frame (2 ) receives a notch (26) wide enough to allow free passage of the locking system (14) and its two pins (19), while the other wing is of a smaller width.  7. Foldable support according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal crosspiece (10) of the movable frame, on which rests the lower part of the traffic sign, kept moreover pressed against the foldable frame by one or two bolts of the trade, is provided with two tabs (12d, 12i3) which have the effect of prohibiting the shifting of the panel towards the front.  8.- Foldable support according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the crosspiece (10) excluding end studs is slightly greater than the width of a regulatory tag, so that the foldable frame can receive, optionally , a beacon on its front face - side of the connecting rods - and a second beacon on its rear face, without the presence of this second beacon preventing the folding of the chassis (2) between the side members (3d, 3g) of the base (1) the two opposing tags being held in place on the folding frame by two commercial bolts, or any other suitable means such as nipples and buttonholes.  9. A folding support according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism in the shape of a "C" can be placed on other types of folding supports currently on the market, with some minor modifications.