GB2243860A

GB2243860A - Speed restricting device

Info

Publication number: GB2243860A
Application number: GB9109219A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Pitchforth; Philip Hird
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-03
Filing date: 1991-04-29
Publication date: 1991-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-29
Also published as: GB2243860B; GB9009985D0; GB9109219D0

Abstract

A method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like comprises the steps of applying directly to said roadway or the like a first layer of liquid thermoplastics material e.g. in accordance with British Standard 3262, and applying to said first layer a subsequent layer of liquid thermoplastics material, said subsequent layer being applied to said first layer prior to setting of said first layer. One or more further subsequent layers of liquid thermoplastics material are applied to said subsequent layer, said further subsequent layer(s) being applied prior to setting of a previously laid layer.

Description

Speed Restricting Device This invention relates to speed restricting devices.

Speed restricting devices, more commonly known as speed restricting ramps or 'sleeping policeman', are well known per se, but several disadvantages are associated with known devices. Not least of these disadvantages is the fact that during placement or installation of such devices, the roadway or the like to which the device is to be applied has very often to be closed to traffic leading to resultant chaos or at least inconvenience to motorists and other road users. This applies to concrete or similar devices and to pre-formed devices such as those made of rubber or similar material. Other disadvantages are the cost, both in installation time and material, of installing or laying the device, and also the high cost of the production of a pre-formed device.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved method of forming a speed restricting device which will obviate the above-related disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like comprising the steps of applying directly to said roadway or the like a first layer of liquid thermoplastics material and applying to said first layer a subsequent layer of liquid thermoplastics material, said subsequent layer being applied to said first layer prior to setting of said first layer.

The method may include the additional step of applying to said subsequent layer one or more further subsequent layers of liquid thernoplastics material, said one or more further subsequent layers being applied prior to setting of a previously laid layer.

Preferably, the liquid thermoplastics material will be poured into a mould having a shaped opening at one end thereof, said mould being movable in the direction in which the speed restricting device is to extent so as to enable the material to be transferred to the surface of said roadway or the like.

The thermoplastics material will preferably be that used for applying white or yellow linings or markings to roadways, and will preferably be that thermoplastics material formed to British Standard 3262.

The layers of liquid thermoplastics material will be laid and shaped as required so as to give the desired shape of speed restricting device.

In laying and forming the speed restricting device, use will be made of a shaped hand mould into which the liquid thermoplastics material is poured. The mould has a shaped opening at one end thereof, the arrangement being that as the mould is pulled in the direction in which the speed restricting, device is to extend, the material leaves the mould and is transferred to the surface of the roadway or the like. Subsequent layers of liquid thermoplastics material are similarly laid, each subsequent layer being applied prior to the setting of the previosly laid layer.

The procedure is repeated until the speed restricting device is formed to the required dimensions.

Althotlgh the speed restricting device may be of any size and shape, a typical speed restricting device made in accordance with the invention will be of the order of 300ruin to 1000ram in width, 20mm to 150mini in height, and of a length to suit the width of the roadway or the like on which the device is being installed. ore preferably, the finished device will be 900rnn in width and 37mix in height and will be of a generally segmental shape. It will lsowever be appreciated that the speed restricting device may be of any size and of any suitable shape to suit the particular circumstances.

Wliere appropriate, i.e. where the roadway or the like has a curb edging, a gap of approximately 100run. will be left between the curb edging and the end of the speed restricting device so as to allow for drainage of the roadway or the like.

The laying of the first layer of liquid thermoplastics material will take up and accommodate any unevenness in the surface of the roadway or the like and any other surface defects, and because the device is formed and installed in situ, the layers of therinoplastics material will automatically follow any camber which is applied to the roadway or the like.

Because of the nature of the material used in the formation and installation of the speed restrictint device, and because the device is formed in situ, the finished device is low in cost and lou in maintenance. Because the liquid therinoplastics material is fast setting, the speed restricting device can be formed very quickly with very little inconvenience to traffic and other road users.

Whilst it is the intention of devices in accordance with the invention to limit and restrict the speed of vehicles to acceptable levels, it is still possible - indeed it is better for the motorist - to proceed over the device at a speed of 20mph, so as to ensure a comfortable yet controlled transition from one side of the device to the other.

Because the speed restrictino device is formed in situ, there is no capital plant cost as would be required for the manufacture of a pre-formed device, and there is no necessity for drilling or plugging of the roadway or the like for means to secure the device in position on the roadway or the like.

Claims

CLAIt:S:

1. A method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like comprising the steps of applying directly to said roadway or the like a first layer of liquid thermoplastics material and applying to said first layer a subsequent layer of liquid thermoplastics material, said subsequent layer being applied to said first layer prior to setting, of said first layer.

2. A method in accordance with Claim 1, includin the additional step of applying to said subsequent layer one or more further subsequent layers of liquid thermoplastics material, said one or more further subsequent being applied prior to setting of a previously laid layer.

3. A tod in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the liquid thermoplastics material is poured into would having a shaped opening at one end thereof, said mould being movable in the direction in which the speed restricting device is to extend so as to enable the material to be transferred to the surface of the roadway or the like.

4. A method in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said liquid thermoplastics material is made to comnform to British Standard 3262.

5. A method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like substantially as herein described.

6. A speed restricting device formed in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 5.

7. A speed restricting device substantially as herein described.

7. A speed resticting device in accordance with Claim 6, wherein said device is of the order of 300mm to lOOOIlm in width and 20n.m to 150mm in height.

8. A speed restricting device substantially as herein described.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED bS FOLLOWS.

CLAIMS: 1. A method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like comprising the steps of applying directly to said roadway or the like a first layer of liquid thermoplastics material and applying to said first layer a subsequent layer of liquid thermoplastics material, said subsequent layer being applied to said first layer prior to setting of said first layer, said layers of thermoplastics material being applied to said roadway or the like through the intermediary of a mould having a shaped opening at one end thereof, said mould being movable in the direction in which the speed restricting device is to extend so as to enable the material to be transferred to the surface of the roadway or the like.

2. A method in accordance with Claim 1, including the additional step of applying to said subsequent layer one or more further subsequent layers of liquid thermoplastics material, said one or more further subsequent layers being applied prior to setting of a previously laid layer.

3. A method in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said liquid thermoplastics material is made to conform to British Standard 3262.

4. A method of forming a speed restricting device in situ on a roadway or the like substantially as herein described.

5. A speed restricting device formed in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A speed resticting device in accordance with Claim 5, wherein said device is of the order of 300mm to 1000mm in width and 20mm to 150mum in height.