FR2879332A1 - Traffic sign`s readability improving device for e.g. highway, has set of holes which are perforated at periphery and spaced at distance from few millimeters to few centimeters, where holes permit passage of back light - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a set of holes (1) which are perforated at the periphery and spaced at a distance from few millimeters to few centimeters. The holes bordering letters, figurines, designs, figures, arrows, or other signs provided on traffic signs. The signs are disposed on highways and freeways. The holes permit the passage of the back light and have any geometric form such as rectangular, identical to other holes.

Description

The invention relates to devices for improving the reading at

against the light:

  road signs on roads and highways; those on the railroad tracks; those on the sea lanes; and those at airports; as well as beacons indicating the roundabouts and those indicating the medians in the middle of the roads; signs and advertising signs placed on the facades, roofs of buildings or near roads; commercial signs; and advertisements or other texts on street furniture.

  The invention, adaptable to each particular case, is described below.

  Generally speaking, reading and understanding of these signs, markers, signs and advertisements or others (on street furniture) is difficult or even impossible against the light, especially when traveling in the sun, or in a direction slightly different, shortly after rising or shortly before bedtime.

  These difficulties of reading and therefore of comprehension can be the cause of serious accidents, even fatal.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by facilitating or even allowing the backlight reading of these signs, tags, signs and advertisements wherever they are and in all circumstances.

  In addition the present invention is easily adaptable to the current signage, since it does not change the shapes and dimensions of the panels used, which will minimize the costs of its implementation.

  With regard to the signaling panels, the invention consists in highlighting the information to be communicated by the following devices: a succession of holes (perforated) of circular shape, of variable diameters (for example from one to several millimeters) bordering letters, figurines, drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged the most significant on these panels, and therefore located on their periphery, spaced a few millimeters to several centimeters, as the case may be, to ensure the passage of light (cf. (1) in Figure 1). It is this passage of light that brings out the letters, figurines, drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged the most significant on the panels; according to another characteristic, these holes of the same circular shape may be arranged inside the letters, figurines, drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged the most significant on these panels, regularly or randomly to bring out the better by allowing more light to pass (see (1) in Figure 2); according to another feature, instead of being circular in shape, the holes may be slits whose height and width may, depending on the case, vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters, these slits being arranged on the periphery of the letters, figurines , drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged to be the most significant on the panels and spaced a few millimeters to several centimeters depending on the case (see (1) in Figure 3); according to another characteristic, these slots may be arranged inside the letters, figurines, drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged the most significant on these panels, staggered, perpendicularly to each other, or according to any other arrangement allowing the optimum passage of light (see (1) in Figure 4); according to another feature, each hole may be of any geometric shape, identical to that of others or not, the best adapted to the type of panel, for example: round, square, rectangular, or triangular; according to another feature, the holes described above, perforated perpendicularly to the panels (whatever the material or materials used to manufacture these panels), may be replaced by others of any other shapes obtained for example by stamping for a panel made of metal, forming a partial screen in the direct passage of light to minimize glare or to control diffraction problems, thus creating a kind of light pipe with an angle of incidence of less than 90 degrees with respect to the panel (cf. (1) in Figure 5).

  The devices described above apply regardless of the material or materials used to manufacture the panels, metal, plastic, wood, concrete or any other solid material, agglomerated or mixed and regardless of the manufacturing method used (including stamping molding or forming).

  According to another application, all or part of the panels, before or after perforation holes, may be a reflective product, applied or included in the mass, to enhance their visibility.

  According to another application, the holes may be filled with transparent material, in particular plastic or glass, forming a lens or not.

  The same devices described above apply to: signs and advertising signs placed on façades, roofs of buildings or near roads; commercial signs; and advertisements or other texts on street furniture.

  For the markers marking roundabouts and those indicating the medians in the middle of the roads, the same devices described above for the backlit legibility of traffic signs apply, in particular but not exclusively to highlight any herringbone on these tags. In addition, if the beacon has no particular design (eg rafters or arrows), the invention also covers the realization of these tags in the form of plates in any material (including metal or plastic), variable height and width, for example: height of 0.5m to 2m, width of 1m to 2m, (non-limiting values), having holes as described above.

  By extension of the above case markers indicating the roundabouts and those indicating the medians, the invention also relates to the visibility of the lateral limits of the two highways traffic axes: it then consists of indicating these lateral limits by plates having holes as described above arranged on the sides. These plates will be inclined relative to the axis of the highway (variable angle of a few degrees to 90 degrees) and as spaced as possible on the outer edges and on both sides of the medians while showing them clearly and - by reflecting the light from the headlights forward to better illuminate it; and, for plates installed between the central sides of the highway, limiting the glare created by the headlights of vehicles traveling on the other side. In addition, these plates can be the same for both sides.

  Today all signs can be manufactured in various materials: metal, plastic, wood, concrete or any other solid material, chipboard or mixed. Generally they are in solid stamped sheets on which the signals are painted in different contrasting colors to ensure optimum visibility.These colors are chosen and associated between black, red, yellow, blue, green, white, selected background with the same colors . This is also the case for certain commercial signs located on the pediment of the shops.

  The application of the invention for these panels has no additional cost of manufacture or at least a minimal extra cost when it is provided in their manufacturing process.

  As regards illuminated signs and street furniture, the present invention provides competitive alternatives.

  As regards the visibility of roundabouts and terraces, the present invention provides an inexpensive solution, easy to install on existing constructions.

  As far as highways are concerned, nothing specific is currently installed outside the anti-crossing barrier, with in some cases a device against glare from the headlights of vehicles traveling on the other side.

Claims (3)

-4Claims   1) Device characterized by a set of holes perforated at the periphery and / or inside the letters, figurines, drawings, figures, arrows or other signs, judged the most significant on the road signs placed on the roads and highways, those on railway lines, those on sea lanes and those on airports, on beacons indicating roundabouts and those indicating the medians in the middle of roads, on signs and advertising signs placed on the facades , roofs of buildings or near roads, on commercial signs and on advertisements or other texts on street furniture - these holes ensure the passage of light against the light and thus improve the reading against day of these signs, tags, signs and -I0 advertisements.   2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the holes can be either perforated perpendicularly to the panels, or replaced by others of any other shapes obtained for example by stamping for a metal panel, forming a partial screen in passing direct light to minimize glare or diffraction problems, creating a kind of light pipe with an angle of incidence of less than 90 degrees to the panel.   3) Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that all or part of the panels, before or after perforation holes, may include a reflective product, applied or included in the mass, to enhance their visibility.   4) Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the holes may be filled with transparent material, in particular plastic or glass, forming lens or not.