GB2227269A - Portable road speed bumps - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable speed-preventing ramp 10 constructed of plastic composites bonded on two sides to strips of steel 11 through which a number of hardened steel pins 13 may be driven to releasably secure the said ramp to any road surface to cause motorised vehicles to reduce speed when proceeding towards 'built up' areas. The said ramp 10 comprises in-built reflective surfaces which reflect the lights of approaching vehicles warning them of the need to reduce speed. The said ramp 10 may be removed from any road surface to which it has been attached for use at any other appropriate site. <IMAGE>

Description

tP O R T A POLICA R A X P, his invention relates to a mobile,relatively inexpensive,easily located and remosed,nethod of causing motorised vehicles to reduce speed to a safe and acceptable speed within tbuilt up' connurbations.

Although the Country has accepted a need to impose speed limits for notorised vehicles in residential areas aNd areas in towns,cities and even villages there pedestrians have to cross roads to attend shops, surgeries, schools or institutions, accidents still occur when drivers of vehicles choose to ignore such speed restrictions0 The Country has also accepted the need to provide pedestrian crossings at various locations in towns,cities and villages there people may cross the road with some degree of safety.The surface of the road at such sites is hatched with clearly visible white diagonal bands of 'road' paint and as a further indication two flashing light beacons,one on either side of the road.There are however, no physical means of restraint or of causing the vehicle driver to reduce speed. The well known 'humps' or ramps,permanently constracted in the road surface are costly to prepare and maintain,While the strips of yellow marking paint seen on some roads,Ehich merely raise the surface of the road at intervals only a few millimetres and do not cause the driver to reduce speed.

According to the present invention there is provided an individually manufactured speed reducing ramp which can be pegged to the surface of a road whether it has already been constructed or is being constructed and can be releasably secured at pre-determined intervals along the surface to cause vehicle drivers to reduce speed.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which t- Figure 1 illustrates the "Porta Polica" Ramp in several perspective views.

Figure 2 shows the "Porta Polica" Ramp fixed to a road surface.

Referring to Figure 1 the "Porta Polica" Ramp 10 is indicated as a halfround or sectorial shaped projection with two flat,thin,steel side strips 11 bonded and securely homogenised with the 'parent' composite substance of the said ramp 10. Along the two steel side strips 11 is a series of holes 12 which provide for the insertion of hardened steel pins 13 which will releasably seoure the ramp 10 to any road surface.

The horizontal extension of the ramp 10 can be adapted to match any width of road surface and the hardened steel pins which are inserted through holes 12,by their very design do not release under vibration from the movement of vehicles in either direction.

The vertical dimension of the ramp 10 above the road surface is determined by repetitive testing and established to be sufficient to enforce the slowing down of any vehicle approaching the site to which the said ramps have been releasably attached.

The composite material of which the "Porta Polica" Ramps will be constructed includes a reflective component which will reflect the light from motorised vehicles during the hours of darkness to ensure adequate warning of approach to speed-reducing and cautionary areas.

The height of the ramp 10 projection above the road surface is pre-determined and pre-production tested to ensure the interruption to the velocity of the vehicle is purely restrictive and not disruptive of control of the vehicle.

Siting of the "Porta Policao Ramp is suitable for all and any road,whether leading to and from schools,colleges,universities,hospitals,residential homes, factories or other private buildings.

It is included in this embodiment of the invention that the nPorta Polica" Ramp 10 may be applied and releasably secured to any road surface but may also be detached from that road surface and removed to some other site whereever and whenever necessary.

Referring to Figure 2 the "Porta Polica" is shown laid at pre-determined intervals along a road surface. Such intervals would be determined by any Local or National Authority with whom such mandate existed. The heads of the hardened stoeL pins 13 are barely visible above the surface of the two steel side strips 11, while the projection of the said strips is but a few millimetres above the road surface. In this embodiment the height of the ramp 10 from the road surface is indicated at approximately 25 millimetres but such dimension is purely arbitrary and may be increased or descreased on the dictate of any Local or National Authority.

The simplicity of the "Porta Polica" Ramp 10 requires no lengthy description because there are no internal components to warrant explanation0

Claims (4)

1. CLAIMS 1. A "Porta Polica' Ramp constructed of composites moulded in the shape of a half round sector with two steel side strips through which a number of hardened steel pins are inserted and driven into a road surface to releasably secure the ramp in position.
2. 2. A Ports Polica" Ramp as claimed in 1 which comprises reflective inserts which will reflect the lights of approaohing vehicles during the periods of darkness. The inserts are moulded with the parent composite material.
3. 3. A "Porta Polica" Ramp as claimed in 1 and 2 which is lightweight,durable, easy to fix and safe in use.
4. 4. A "Porta Polica" Ramp substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.