FR3086679A1 - HUMAN APPEARANCE ROAD SIGNALING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Road signaling device with human appearance (1) having a three-dimensional volume, and comprising one or more signaling elements, characterized in that it comprises a structure (10) in the form of a polyhedron extending longitudinally and comprising at least three parts of separate volume (10-1; 10-2; 10-3), in particular a lower part, a central part and an upper part, and at least one signaling element (2, 3, 4-1, 4 -2, 5, 6, 7) on at least one part.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Human-looking road signaling device

The invention relates to a road signaling device with a human appearance, remotely providing the appearance of a human silhouette in order to slow down motorists.

The invention will be more particularly described with regard to the appearance of a police officer, without however being limited thereto.

Such signaling devices with a human appearance are known on the roadsides, in particular in construction sites in the form of a mannequin of human form generally having an articulated arm to signal caution, and to engage the motorist to slow down. However, these devices are expensive and relatively fragile.

There are also inflatable structures, but they are tedious to implement, are fragile, and are not suitable when there is wind.

Finally, life-size two-dimensional structures are also proposed, most often made of cardboard, the structure being cut to the contours of a human form and on which a photograph is printed. This type of structure is used in particular with a photographic impression of a gendarme or a police officer, giving the impression at a distance of a real human appearance, leading the motorist to slow down. However, this two-dimensional structure is only relevant when it is facing the motorist; it cannot therefore be used regardless of the direction from which motorists come. In addition, it remains fragile.

The invention therefore aims to provide a road signaling device with a human appearance, which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular being simple to manufacture, inexpensive, and above all visible in all directions.

According to the invention, the road signaling device with a human appearance has a three-dimensional volume, comprising one or more signaling elements, and is characterized in that it comprises a structure of general shape in polyhedron extending longitudinally (in height / vertically in position of use), and comprising at least three parts of separate volume, at least one of the parts comprising at least one signaling element, in particular the structure comprising a lower part, a central part and a part upper, preferably the structure comprising several signaling elements which are arranged in an appropriate manner to delimit the legs, the bust, the arms and the head of a silhouette / of a person.

This device is not flat as are the two-dimensional silhouettes, but has a three-dimensional volume extending on the one hand two parallel, vertical and spaced planes (front and rear faces), and on the other hand at least two vertical planes perpendicular to the two parallel planes and connecting the latter (which forms two opposite lateral vertical faces and the edge of the structure). The edge is in particular with straight (vertical) sides for the lower part and a sub-part of the upper part, and inclined sides for the central part.

The three-dimensional structure of the device does not constitute a mannequin with a human form and / or the drawing of a human form; the structure of the invention is a structure with geometric shapes with sections, in front view, rectangular, square and triangular.

The simple polyhedral shape of the structure, in particular in three parts with contours with straight edges, provides a simplicity of manufacture of the device, while achieving the desired goal of giving the illusion from a distance of a person standing with his legs for the lower part, its trunk / bust with arms apart for the central part, and its head for the upper part.

Thus, this device which forms a three-dimensional assembly, in relief, is simple in design, unlike mannequins specifically designed and manufactured, and makes it possible to be advantageously perceived from all directions.

The shape of the structure, combined with the appropriate locations of signaling elements, preferably reflective, generates in the brain a fusion of images generating the perception from afar of an individual in a standing position. This device can be particularly used on the edges of a road to cause drivers to slow down, and makes it possible to be visible from all directions.

According to one characteristic, the polyhedron structure comprises two general faces (planes) opposite front and rear extending respectively in two longitudinal parallel planes (vertical in the position of use of the device) between two opposite ends called lower and upper, and two faces opposite sides forming the edge of the device and connecting the two front and rear faces of the lower end to the upper end, the side faces being made up of longitudinal straight (vertical) panels and cut panels, preferably cut at 45 °.

According to another characteristic, the three parts form a so-called lower part which is longitudinal cylindrical, preferably according to a rectangular parallelepiped (straight block with therefore its rectangular faces), a so-called central part which also extends transversely to the lower part and constitutes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, preferably with two square faces (front and rear faces are square), the substantially rectangular parallelepiped of said central part being arranged angularly, in particular at 45 °, relative to the longitudinal direction (vertical straight) of the part lower, and a so-called upper part of volume less than each of the volumes of the lower and central parts, and of rectangular parallelepiped shape ending in a triangular prism whose tip edge corresponds to the upper free end of the device.

The substantially rectangular parallelepiped of the central part projects from the lateral faces of the lower part of the structure, in particular it has two angular zones, at a point, intended to correspond respectively to two arms folded with the hands on the hips. a silhouette.

Advantageously, the three parts form a lower part with straight sides corresponding to the legs of a human silhouette, a central part corresponding to the bust of the silhouette and having inclined sides to correspond to two arms in the folded position (on the hips), and an upper part corresponding to the head and having a first sub-part with straight sides, connected to the central part and a second sub-part with a free end, with inclined sides.

The signal elements are advantageously distributed and appropriately sized to simulate a person's legs, bust, arms and head.

Preferably, the signaling elements in the lower part are at least one, preferably at least two parallel, spaced apart horizontal bands, arranged over the entire periphery of the structure, preferably the bands comprising a discontinuity on at least two faces. of the polyhedron structure (front and back faces) which gives the appearance of two distinct legs.

Advantageously, the signaling elements in the upper part are a horizontal strip arranged over the whole of the periphery, preferably in an area of triangular prismatic shape.

Advantageously, the signaling elements in the central part comprise at least one strip, preferably at least two symmetrical pairs of parallel and spaced strips, arranged in an inclined manner, preferably at 45 °, relative to the longitudinal direction of the structure.

The device comprises on at least each of two faces of the polyhedron structure (front and rear faces) a signaling element, preferably rectangular, to form a plastron and to correspond to the bust of a silhouette, and preferably at least one other signaling element arranged on the central part and / or the lower part to correspond to the waistband of a silhouette.

Finally, the signaling elements are in a color distinct from the rest of the body of the structure, in particular are in a reflective and / or fluorescent material or are able to be backlit, in particular to see the silhouette from a distance and visibly in the darkness.

The structure is made of an energy absorbing material in the event of impact. The material must not be accident-causing. The material is for example made from plastic material (s) preferably recycled, such as from recycled rubber of the type used tire beads and transformed by molding.

The structure can be hollow, in particular to accommodate accessories such as a defibrillator.

In one embodiment, the device comprises photovoltaic cells to provide a source of energy, in particular the photovoltaic cells being arranged on the flat surfaces of the polyhedron structure which make it possible to receive them easily, preferably at the level of the zones of the central part corresponding to the arms; all the cables and other elements to be connected to the photovoltaic cells then pass inside the structure which is hollow.

The structure is suitable for being fixed to the ground (and therefore includes appropriate means of fixing). In the following description, the term "height", the qualifiers "upper", "lower", "high" and "low" of an element of the device are used in the context of a normal installation of the device, c 'is to say relating to a vertical concept with respect to a horizontal floor on which would be placed / fixed the device.

The present invention is now described using examples which are only illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which:

[FIG 1] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views respectively from the front and from the side of the signaling device according to the invention;

[FIG 2] Figure 3 shows Figure 1 in the dark.

[FIG 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the base of the device.

The human-looking road signaling device 1 of the invention illustrated in the figures has a three-dimensional volume, and includes signaling elements 4 to 7 placed in an appropriate manner, so as to provide a human silhouette from a distance, in allowing to distinguish the legs, the bust, the arms and the head.

In the illustrated embodiment, the signaling elements correspond to reflective bands and fluorescent rectangles (for example in yellow) giving the illusion of a person dressed in high visibility safety clothing.

The device 1 of the invention comprises a structure in the form of a polyhedron 10 and a base 11 from which the polyhedron rises.

The device therefore does not constitute a mannequin with cut-out shapes in the image of a human person. The device 1 constitutes, by the polyhedron, a solid with multiple edges and facets.

Polyhedron 10 is relatively rigid. It is for example made of foam and wrapped in a waterproof plastic material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The structure is simple to manufacture by cutting a volume of foam and coating it with plastic.

Alternatively, the material is made from recycled plastic.

The polyhedron can be hollow to accommodate accessories.

The polyhedron is of a single color, distinct from white or yellow, for example in blue as to evoke the habit of the policeman or gendarme, or in dark and matt color.

The base 11 constitutes a support leg for the polyhedron and makes it possible to fix the device to the ground. To this end, the base 11 may include removable fixing means 12.

The polyhedron 10 extends longitudinally along an axis X, in height / vertically in the position of use, and comprises at least three parts 10-1,10-2 and 10-3 of distinct volume, each of the three parts comprising elements signaling.

The three lower parts 10-1, central 10-2 and upper 10-3 form a monolithic unit.

The lower part 10-1 corresponds to the legs of a human silhouette, the central part 10-2 corresponds to the bust and the arms of the silhouette, and the upper part 10-3 corresponds to the head.

The polyhedron 10 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

The polyhedron 10 has two symmetrical front 10A and rear 10B general faces, and two opposite lateral faces 10C and 10D which are symmetrical and connect the two general faces 10A and 10B and form a song by their thickness.

The two general faces 10A and 10B are planar and extend in two vertical planes parallel to the axis X from the base 11 to the free upper end of the polyhedron.

The two lateral faces 10C and 10D also extend from the base 11 to the free upper end of the polyhedron. They are with straight sides in the longitudinal direction X, and with inclined / cut sides, each at an inclination relative to the axis X.

The lower part 10-1 of the polyhedron is a rectangular parallelepiped; it is a straight paver with its rectangular front, back and side faces. The lower part 10-1 comprises:

rather near the lower end (towards the base 11) of the first signaling elements 2 in the form of two spaced parallel strips 20 and 21 which go around the pavement, to correspond to the lower legs of the silhouette, and which are provided with a median discontinuity on the front and rear faces of the structure to advantageously delimit the two legs (Figure 3);

at the upper end of the right block, a second signaling element 3 forming a continuous belt, delimiting the junction of the legs and the bust.

Preferably, the bands 20 and 21 are reflective while the belt 3 is fluorescent.

Preferably in addition, are arranged on the belt 3 and its entire periphery two reflective strips 30 and 31 spaced and horizontal.

The central part 10-2 which corresponds to the bust of the silhouette comprises two pairs 12-1,

12-2 and 12-3,12-4 of side panels which are inclined at 45 ° symmetrically with respect to the axis

X and perpendicular to the X axis, to correspond respectively to the two arms of the silhouette in a position bent at 45 ° while resting on the hips.

The central part 10-2 is a rectangular parallelepiped with the two front and rear faces which are of square section. The square section of the two front and rear faces has two opposite angular zones 13-1 and 13-2 which project relative to the lateral faces of the lower part 10-1 (the points being aligned in the horizontal perpendicular to the axis X), while its two other angular zones are invisible because melted in the mass of the lower part 10-1 and the upper part 10-3.

The central part 10-2 comprises first signal elements 4-1 and 4-2 symmetrical with respect to the axis X. These signal elements 4-1 and 4-2 each form two spaced and parallel bands which extend from the front face, at a distance from the edge as to correspond to the thickness of an arm in front view (as visible in FIG. 3), follow the edge or the lateral faces 10C and 10D (FIG. 2) and s' stop on the rear face away from the edge.

The central part 10-2 comprises a second signaling element 5 forming on each of the front 10A and rear 10B faces a rectangle of color distinct from the rest of the polyhedron, preferably in fluorescent yellow, perfectly delimiting the bust of the silhouette, while the angular zones 13-1 and 13-2 correspond to the arms. In height, the second signaling element / rectangle 5 forms a plastron and extends from the belt 3 to near and at a distance from the lower end of the upper part 10-3 so as to stop at the height silhouette shoulders. In width, the second signaling element / rectangle corresponds to the width of the lower part 10-1, and therefore of the belt 3.

Preferably, the central part 10-2 comprises an additional signaling element constituted by a reflective diagonal strip sharing in two the second signaling element / rectangle 5.

The upper part 10-3 which corresponds to the head of the silhouette comprises a first sub-part 14-1 with a right side panel connected to the central part 10-2 and a second sub-part 14-2 at the free end which is at inclined side panels.

The first sub-part 14-1 forms a straight block, preferably of square section. The second sub-part 14-2 forms a triangular prism whose two bases are merged with the front 10A and rear 10B faces of the structure 10, the lateral geometric face (of the prism) which is invisible is confused with the upper horizontal section ( invisible) of the right block. The upper edge 15 of the prism forms the free upper end of the polyhedron and of the device.

The upper part 10-3 comprises a signaling element 7, preferably in the form of a peripheral reflecting strip arranged in prismatic sub-part 14-2, at a distance from the first sub-part 14-1 and the edge upper 15.

By way of non-limiting example, the polyhedron in particular has the following dimensions:

Total height (length): around 1800 mm;

Edge thickness: around 150 to 300 mm;

Width of the lower part 10-1: of the order of 400 mm;

Height of the lower part 10-1: of the order of 800 mm;

Width of the central part 10-2 (distance separating the two points from the angular zones): of the order of 900 mm;

Height of the central part 10-2: of the order of 700 mm;

Width of the upper part 10-3: of the order of 200 mm;

Height of the upper part 10-3: around 250 mm.

The signaling elements in the form of strips are for example of width between 20 and 50 mm depending on the location of the strip, and are spaced for example by 20 mm. Variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, the polyhedron could for example include a few curved lines; the base 11 could be different from that illustrated.

Claims (12)

1. Road sign device with human appearance (1) having a three-dimensional volume, and comprising one or more signaling elements, characterized in that it comprises a structure (10) in the form of a polyhedron extending longitudinally and comprising at least three parts of separate volume (10-1; 10-2; 10-3), at least one of the parts comprising at least one signaling element (2; 3; 4-1, 4-2; 5; 6; 7), and the structure comprising several signaling elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) which are appropriately arranged to simulate the legs, the bust, the arms and the head of a silhouette. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyhedron structure (10) comprises two opposite front (10A) and rear (10B) general faces extending in respectively two longitudinal parallel planes between two opposite ends called lower and upper , and two opposite side faces (10C, 10D) forming the edge of the device and connecting the two front and rear faces of the lower end to the upper end, the side faces being made up of longitudinal straight sides and inclined sides (12 -1.12-2.12.12-3, 12-4). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the three parts (10-1; 10-2; 10-3) form a lower part (10-1) with straight sides corresponding to the legs of a human silhouette , a central part (10-2) corresponding to the bust of the silhouette and having inclined sides to correspond to two arms in the folded position, and an upper part (10-3) corresponding to the head and having a first sub-part ( 14-1) with straight sides connected to the central part and a second sub-part (14-2) at the free end with inclined sides. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the three parts (10-1; 10-2; 10-3) form a lower part (10-1) which is longitudinal cylindrical, a central part ( 10-2) which extends transversely to the lower part (10-1) and constitutes a rectangular parallelepiped, the rectangular parallelepiped of said central part being angularly arranged at 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lower part, and a upper part (10-3) of volume lower than each of the volumes of the lower and central parts, and of rectangular parallelepiped shape (14-1) ending in triangular prism (14-2). 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling elements (2) in the lower part are at least one strip (20) horizontal comprising a discontinuity on at least two faces of the structure of the polyhedron. 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling elements (7) in the upper part are a horizontal strip arranged over the whole of the periphery. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling elements in the central part comprise at least one strip arranged in an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the structure. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises on at least each of two faces of the central part, at least one signaling element (5) to form a plastron and correspond to the bust of 'a silhouette, and at least one other signaling element (3, 30, 31) arranged on the central part or the lower part to correspond to the waist of a silhouette. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are of a color distinct from the rest of the body of the structure, and are made of a material reflective or fluorescent or are capable of being backlit. 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises photovoltaic cells. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure is hollow for accommodating accessories therein. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of an energy-absorbing material in the event of impact.