GB2023694A

GB2023694A - Temporary road sign

Info

Publication number: GB2023694A
Application number: GB7828053A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SPACESAVER SIGNS
Current assignee: SPACESAVER SIGNS
Priority date: 1978-06-27
Filing date: 1978-06-27
Publication date: 1980-01-03
Also published as: GB2023694B

Abstract

A temporary sign comprises a tubular post (10) and a flexible sign panel (12) secured to rigid bars (18, 20) along two opposite edges. One bar (18) has a central portion exposed to engage in a channel (24) at the top of the post. A spring (26) resiliently and detachably connects the central portion of the other bar (20) to a lower portion (30) of the post so that the sign panel is stretched between the bars. The bottom end of the post can be slotted (32) for fitting to the central web (34) of an I- or Z-section post (36) supporting a crash barrier or the like. The sign panel can be rolled up with the bars and inserted lengthwise into the post when not in use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Temporary sign and mounting bracket therefor This invention relates to temporary signs, and especially to road signs, for example when it is desired to warn oncoming motorists of an accident or other hazard.

The present invention provides a temporary sign comprising a tubular post and a flexible sign panel secured to rigid bars along two opposite edges, one bar having a central portion thereof exposed and engageable in an upwardly opening channel at the top portion of the post, and an attachment element adapted to resiliently attach the central portion of the other bar to a lower portion of the post so that with the said one bar engaged in said channel the sign panel is stretched between the bars. The attachment element may take the form of a spring which is stretched to connect said other bar to the post. The bottom end of the post may be adapted for mounting to a fixed support.For example, it may be provided with a longitudinal slot for fitting onto the central web of a permanently located I- or Z-section post which supports a barrier alongside the road, such as the crash barrier in the central reservation of a motorway. Said channel may be formed by a separate channel element attached to the top portion of the post. Preferably, however, the channel takes the form of a slot in the top of the tubular post itself. The size of the bars and sign panel in relation to the post is preferably such as to allow the sign panel to be rolled up with the bars and inserted lengthwise into one end of the tubular post and be housed substantially entirely within it. The attachemnt element is preferably connected to said other bar and detachable attachable to the post, for example by means of a hook, so that it can be stored together with said other bar within the post.

The invention also provides a mounting bracket for detachably mounting an article to the top of a post such as the post of the above described temporary sign. The bracket comprises a channel shaped component, open at one end and having a tongue extending from the other end of the channel component lengthwise of the channel in the mouth thereof and spaced from the sides thereof, whereby the bracket can be fitted to the top of a circular section post so that a wall portion of the post enters the channel while the tongue enters the top end of the post, the tube wall at the top of the post emerging from the mouth of the channel in the spaces between the tongue and the side of the channel. The bracket preferably has an extension of the back wall of the channel beyond the side walls with an aperture for attachment to the article to be mounted to the post.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the temporary sign in use, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a mounting bracket for mounting a warning lamp to the post, and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the mounting bracket in use.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig.

1; the sign comprises a tubular support post 10, and a flexible sign panel 1 2. The signal panel can be made of any conventional material, such as laminated plastics with a transparent protective front surface over an indicia layer applied to a plastics substrate layer, the indicia layer being provided by or including paint containing glass micro-beads to give highly reflective indicia. The sign panel is provided with sleeves 14, 1 6 along its upper and lower edges in which are located rigid bars 18, 20 respectively, for example of steel strip. The central portion of the upper bar 1 8 is exposed by a cut-away region 22 of the sign panel. This exposed region fits remova- bly into a diametrical slot 24 in the top of the post 10.The centre of the lower bar 20 has one end of a spring 26 connected to it. The other end of the spring has a hook 28 which, when the upper bar is engaged in the slot 24 and the sign panel hanging from it, can be engaged in an opening 30 in a lower portion of the post by extending the spring. Thus, the sign panel is kept reasonably taut and the upper bar is held in the slot 24.

Preferably a second opening 30 is provided on the opposite side of the post so that the sign can be mounted to the other side without having to turn the post around.

The bottom portion of the tubular post is deeply slotted lengthwise and diametrically at 32, so that it can be fitted over the web 34 of a Z-section support post 36 for a motorway central reservation crash barrier 38. Thus, the sign can be quickly assembled and put in place in the event of an emergency.

To dismantle the sign, it is removed from its support 36, the spring is unhooked and the upper bar 1 8 lifted from the slot 24 to detach the sign panel from the post. Then the sign panel is rolled up with the bars 18, 20, and the elongate pack thus formed is inserted lengthwise into the open top end of the tube 10. The tube is as least as long as the bars, so that the pack is housed entirely within the tube. A pin extends across the lower end portion of the tube 10 to prevent the pack from falling through, but the pin is located so as not to interfere with the use of the slot 32.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a warning lamp 40 is mounted to the top of the post 10 by means of a bracket 42 secured to the to the body of the lamp. The bracket is made from metal, and comprises a channel shaped component having opposite side walls 44 and a back wall 46. The back wall is extended beyond the side wails at one end of the channel to provide a plate 47 which is apertured to take a fixing screw 48 which secures the bracket to the lamp body. The channel is open at its lower end, but a tongue 50 extends from its upper end along the mouth of the channel and spaced from the side walls 44.

In use, the bracket is fitted onto the open top end of the tube 10, a wall portion of the tube being received in the channel and the tongue 50 being received in the tube 10, the wall of the tube extending from the channel in the spaces between the tongue 50 and side walls 44. This can be clearly seen from Fig.

3. In this way the bracket can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the post 10.

Claims

1. A temporary sign comprising a tubular post and a flexible sign panel secured to rigid bars along two opposite edges, one bar having a central portion thereof exposed and engageable in an upwardly opening channel at the top portion of the post, and an attachment element adapted resiliently to attach the central portion of the other bar to a lower portion of the post so that with the said one bar engaged in said channel the sign panel is stretched between the bars.

2. A temporary sign according to claim 1 wherein the attachment element takes the form of a spring which is stretched to connect said other bar to the post.

3. A temporary sign according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bottom end of the post is provided with a longitudinal slot for fitting onto the central web of a permanently located I- or Z-section post.

4. A temporary sign according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the size of the bars and sign panel in relation to the post is such as to allow the sign panel to be rolled up with the bars and inserted lengthwise into one end of the tubular post and be housed substantially entirely within it.

5. A temporary sign according to claim 4 wherein the attachment element is connected to said other bar and detachably attachable to the post so that it can be stored together with said other bar within the post.

6. A temporaray sign substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.