GB2125863A - Supporting road signs - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a support post, fitted across the upper rim of a rubber tyre, on to which a whole range of signs, lamps, warning and information markers, can be mounted, the lower rim of the tyre being releasably locked to the ground by a horizontally sliding bolt assembly secured to the ground. The tyre thus provides a safe, low cost, yet stable shock absorber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements to traffic signs I, Bernard Whitehead, of 25, North Park Road, Bradford 9, in the County of York, a British Subject, do hereby declare the Invention, for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by, the following statement:- For modern traffic conditions, guidance and warning information needs to be displayed and secured to the highway, in a manner as to make such structures as safe as possible.

Normal practice for splitting traffic, for example, on a pedestrian refuge, is to fix a box shaped illuminated bollard sign on a kerbed island. In collision the bollard breaks away, which gives scope for vandalism, and because it can physically obstruct the opposing traffic, especially in darkness, it adds further danger to the road user.

The purpose of this invention is to secure such relevant information to a shock absorbing tyre base, to give universal movement in either temporary or permanent siting conditions.

In the case of a bollard, a tyre can be fixed by means of a horizontal tube extending across the diameter of the tyre and over the tyre rim, whilst the other end allows a sliding bolt to be inserted over the opposite rim when the tyre is in position.

The tube is secured by its angle iron feet, which buttress against the tyre rim, and have drilled holes for securing to ground bolts by lock nuts.

A road sign is mounted and secured over a steel member, which is bolted crossways under the upper tyre rim. This cross member mounts a shaped vertical post. e.g. angle iron, which enabies any given road sign or post to socket over the tyre upright or the tyre lid centre.

To improve appearance and reduce the spring movement, a moulded plastic (Glass-fibre) lid needs to be added, in order to safeguard and insulate electrical gear. This lid is stepped and strengthened by a round central dome with a shaped cut out to locate the upper shaped tyre member, and this enables a translucent tube to socket over its perimeter for illumination purposes.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the cross position of the rim fittings, and how the upper frame is secured by nuts and washers.

Fig. 2(A) shows a ground fitting, with the angle iron feet welded to the tube with lock bolt inserted.

Fig. 2(B) shows the upper rim frame consisting of two tubes, spaced and welded together by end bolts, which fit through prepared holes in the tyre, and locked as shown in Fig. 1. The welded upright has a drilled dimple into which the sign is locked.

Fig. 2(C) shows a longer upright for mounting lamps, with a third leg to control side movement.

Fig. 2(D) shows a translucent sign casing, which fits over, and is bolted to the upright, and locates itself to the central dome over the tyre lid. (See Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 shows a reflective sign, mounted and secured to the upper rim frame, and which sits on the lid dome.

Fig. 4 shows a reflective triangular sign, with prepared holes, for securing a warning lamp.

Fig. 5 shows the back of the sign, with the hollow angle socket, moulded or fixed by rivets.

The threaded hole is for bolting the sign to the tyre upright. The holes provide for lamp fixing bolts.

Fig. 6 shows a post sign for roping off a dangerous area, with lamps secured to the angle base fitting.

Fig. 7 shows how the upper tyre fitting can be extended over two tyres to enable tall signs to be displayed against high wind pressures.

Claims

1. A rubber tyre, which when laid flat, can be secured to the ground by means of a lock bolt across its lower rim, and where a supporting post can be secured to the upper rim for the purpose of mounting posts or signs.

2. A tyre as claimed in 1, which can mount a convex stepped moulded cover, with a central cylinder or dome, with cut out to fit over the vertical tyre post.

3. A cover, as claimed in 2, which will protect and insulate electrical gear fitted to the upper rim frame within the tyre well, and by its domed centre, enable a translucent tube to locate over it.

4. A tyre base, as in 1, which can mount a combination of signs, posts, lamps, and roping, arranged and described with reference to Figs.

1-7.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements to traffic signs I, Bernard Whitehead, of 25, North Park Road, Bradford 9, in the County of York, a British Subject, do hereby declare the Invention, for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by, the following statement:- For modern traffic conditions, guidance and warning information needs to be displayed and secured to the highway, in a manner as to make such structures as safe as possible. Normal practice for splitting traffic, for example, on a pedestrian refuge, is to fix a box shaped illuminated bollard sign on a kerbed island. In collision the bollard breaks away, which gives scope for vandalism, and because it can physically obstruct the opposing traffic, especially in darkness, it adds further danger to the road user. The purpose of this invention is to secure such relevant information to a shock absorbing tyre base, to give universal movement in either temporary or permanent siting conditions. In the case of a bollard, a tyre can be fixed by means of a horizontal tube extending across the diameter of the tyre and over the tyre rim, whilst the other end allows a sliding bolt to be inserted over the opposite rim when the tyre is in position. The tube is secured by its angle iron feet, which buttress against the tyre rim, and have drilled holes for securing to ground bolts by lock nuts. A road sign is mounted and secured over a steel member, which is bolted crossways under the upper tyre rim. This cross member mounts a shaped vertical post. e.g. angle iron, which enabies any given road sign or post to socket over the tyre upright or the tyre lid centre. To improve appearance and reduce the spring movement, a moulded plastic (Glass-fibre) lid needs to be added, in order to safeguard and insulate electrical gear. This lid is stepped and strengthened by a round central dome with a shaped cut out to locate the upper shaped tyre member, and this enables a translucent tube to socket over its perimeter for illumination purposes. By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows the cross position of the rim fittings, and how the upper frame is secured by nuts and washers. Fig. 2(A) shows a ground fitting, with the angle iron feet welded to the tube with lock bolt inserted. Fig. 2(B) shows the upper rim frame consisting of two tubes, spaced and welded together by end bolts, which fit through prepared holes in the tyre, and locked as shown in Fig. 1. The welded upright has a drilled dimple into which the sign is locked. Fig. 2(C) shows a longer upright for mounting lamps, with a third leg to control side movement. Fig. 2(D) shows a translucent sign casing, which fits over, and is bolted to the upright, and locates itself to the central dome over the tyre lid. (See Fig. 3). Fig. 3 shows a reflective sign, mounted and secured to the upper rim frame, and which sits on the lid dome. Fig. 4 shows a reflective triangular sign, with prepared holes, for securing a warning lamp. Fig. 5 shows the back of the sign, with the hollow angle socket, moulded or fixed by rivets. The threaded hole is for bolting the sign to the tyre upright. The holes provide for lamp fixing bolts. Fig. 6 shows a post sign for roping off a dangerous area, with lamps secured to the angle base fitting. Fig. 7 shows how the upper tyre fitting can be extended over two tyres to enable tall signs to be displayed against high wind pressures. Claims

1. A rubber tyre, which when laid flat, can be secured to the ground by means of a lock bolt across its lower rim, and where a supporting post can be secured to the upper rim for the purpose of mounting posts or signs.

2. A tyre as claimed in 1, which can mount a convex stepped moulded cover, with a central cylinder or dome, with cut out to fit over the vertical tyre post.

3. A cover, as claimed in 2, which will protect and insulate electrical gear fitted to the upper rim frame within the tyre well, and by its domed centre, enable a translucent tube to locate over it.

4. A tyre base, as in 1, which can mount a combination of signs, posts, lamps, and roping, arranged and described with reference to Figs.

1-7.