FR2701970A1 - Permanent support for fitting temporary road sign panels on binding concrete crash barriers - Google Patents

Abstract

Device intended to improve visibility of road signalling. The invention allows, in combination: - the sign panels fitted by this device to be raised, - them to be made less dangerous because they do not encroach on the most dangerous traffic lanes, - the possibility of fitting outside peak traffic periods. It consists of shaped sheet metal (1) on which there is a square tube (2) reinforced by cross-braces (3). The device bolted onto the binding concrete crash barrier by the holes (4) is intended to receive a road sign panel mounted on a tubular support (7). The panel may be hidden or set in use by a simple quarter turn using notches (5) located in the upper part of the square tube (2). The panel may optionally be fixed to the support by bolting or any other method using the hole (6) provided for this purpose.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE
The constant increase in traffic has forced road technology to evolve towards greater safety.

In previous decades we have seen adoption
- roadways delimited by strips of white or yellow paint.

 - pavements separated by a central reservation (grassed or with plants).

 - pavements separated by metal safety rails.

- pavements separated by concrete walls, called by technicians, either:
- Adhesive Concrete Slides (Known as GBA by specialists)
- Adhering Concrete Delimiter (Referred to as DBA by specialists)
- Adhesive concrete separating walls
The adoption of these walls (especially in the case of narrow and contiguous roads) avoids the frontal collision, the most deadly cause of accident.

 -But the adoption of this technique generated a new danger, less frequent but which could also be deadly.

 This is the case, during the execution of laying and installation works, installation of temporary roadworks signage which in the case of heavily trafficked roads (or motorways) must be put in place simultaneously on the right lane (emergency lane) and left lane (fast lane).

The danger comes from the fact
- that the panels, despite their large size, are not visible from far enough by 1 user due to lack of height above the ground (panels whose feet are 0.40 to 0.60 m high).

 - that the panels installed on the left side (ie on the fastest route) encroach on the most dangerous route for the user.

 - that the installation of these temporary panels because of their dimensions and their poor maneuverability, is a significant risk of accident for the agents responsible for their installation, taking into account the two previous observations.

The present invention relates to a device intended to ensure better effectiveness of temporary road signs by:
- making temporary danger signs more visible to the user by increasing their height above the roadway. (Thanks to this device, their location on GBA places them from 1.10 to 1.30 m above the ground).

 - by not encroaching on the fastest and most dangerous route, to eliminate the risk of collision by the user of the panels currently used for temporary or site signage.

- while ensuring the agents responsible for the installation of these temporary signs
- faster installation,
- less bulky laying teams on the road,
- signaling which can possibly be set up and "new
oralized in “off-peak hours” then “activated” when the site is opened.

The device is in fact:
"PERMANENT" support with "TEMPORARY" signage.

 The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention.

The device consists of a curved sheet (1) with the standardized shape of the
GBA and drilling holes (4) for fixing it in the concrete of the GBA

by quick-fitting anchors (DBZ anchors from HILTI).

The square tube (2) is reinforced by two struts (3) and:
- notched at the top by 4 notches (5) to hold the panel leg (7) "in service" or "out of service" by a simple quarter turn.

 - drilled at its lower part (6) for possible securing of the panel leg (7) to the support.

The thinness of the sheet and the small thickness of the head of the DBZ plug does not protrude on the lateral faces of the GBA and keeps
GBA its qualities as a safety barrier.

 The square tube (2) is intended to receive the signaling panel mounted on tubular leg (7). The panel having a wind resistance, the solidity of the square tube (2) is reinforced by two support struts (3).

On the other hand, the square tube (2) perpendicular to the upper face of the
GBA, constitutes a dangerous obstacle in the case of a user sliding on the upper part of the GBA and who would suffer with this tube (2) a frontal impact.

The struts (3) due to their inclination at 45 constitute a protection against this frontal impact.

 In the vicinity of major agglomerations, through reckless acts of vandalism or malicious intent, road signs are very often stolen, damaged or put out of service if they are not subject to a fixed support (especially temporary or site signage) .

To compensate for these acts of free vandalism, the square tube (2) is drilled at
its lower part (6) thus allowing the tubular leg to be secured
from the panel (7) to the support.

This subjugation, ensured by the personnel in charge of the installation of the panels,
may be, depending on the degree of retention in place sought or even the duration of the
site, carried out by:
- metal key or pin.

 - Cotter pin.

 - classic bolting.

 - indestructible bolting.

 - riveting.

 - welding of a transverse key in (6).

 - pouring concrete into the tube (2) and keying in (6).

disassembly can, depending on the degree of protection sought, be effected
killed, either manually or with the help of suitable tools (hammer, pliers,
mechanic's key, torch, disc chainsaw, etc.).

The entire device is treated with rust-proofing by zinc plating or galvanizing
to avoid any subsequent maintenance.

The device has dimensions of the order of 50 cm. 25 cm in length. of
width and 60 cm. height.

Apures laying, and fixing on the GBA (or DBA) only the square tube (2)
and the struts (3) overhang the GBA (or DBA) by 25 cm. about.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to increase the
road safety during temporary neutralization of pavements by open
ture of building sites or other.

NIB. The sign panel to be installed must be mounted on a tubular foot (7) with a diameter less than the square tube (2) and provided at its lower part with lugs and corresponding holes (adaptation can be very easily achieved by the user and not included in 7th patent).

Claims (5)

 1) Device intended to improve temporary road signage on roads fitted with Adhesive Concrete Slides (GBA) by using these slides as the very support for signaling, and characterized in that the curved sheet (1), after fixing in concrete from GBA by DBZ plugs HILTI and through the holes (4) stored at the G.B.A. his qualities of CRASH BARRIER.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the support struts (3) of the central square tube (2) provide a distribution of the forces received by the latter when this central square tube serves as a support for a panel.  3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the support struts (3) of the central square tube (2) due to their inclination constitute a frontal impact protection with this central square tube (2) that could suffer a user sliding on the upper part of the GBA  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central square tube (2) intended to receive the support tube (7) of the temporary traffic sign has four notches at its upper part (5) thus allowing the agents specialized in road maintenance:  - to hide or activate the panel installed by a simple quarter turn.  - to be able to carry out the installation of panels before the opening of a site, at hours of least discomfort or least danger for them and for users.  5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the central square tube (2) has at its lower part a hole (6) allowing a subduing of the panel to the support by bolting, riveting, or any other fixing method anti-vandalism.