GB2251258A

GB2251258A - Kerbstone incorporating light reflecting element

Info

Publication number: GB2251258A
Application number: GB9026944A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Amyes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-12
Filing date: 1990-12-12
Publication date: 1992-07-01
Also published as: GB9026944D0

Abstract

A kerbstone of bull-nosed form has a radiused edged between an upper face (10) and a front face (11) at 90 DEG thereto, a corner (12) defined by the faces (10, 11) and an end face (13) being formed with a recess provided by a flat chamfer (14), there being a light reflecting element (15) mounted in the chamfer, for example cast into the kerb. The kerbstone can have such a recess at both its ends, and moreover a double chamfer (20) can be provided at said radiused edge at a position between the ends of the kerbstone. The double chamfer (20) can alternatively be provided without the end recesses of the kerbstone. In another embodiment the kerbstone front face has its upper part sloping rearwardly and the recess for the reflector element is that between this rearwardly sloping upper part and the upper face. <IMAGE>

Description

KERBSTONE This invention relates to kerbstones and has an object to provide a kerbstone in which one or more light reflecting elements in incorporated.

According to the invention there is provided a kerbstone having first and second faces which are in use directed respectively upwards and towards a roadway, an edge of the kerbstone between said first and second faces having a recess in which a reflector element is mounted so as reflect a headlight beam from a vehicle travelling substantially parallel to a kerb defined by the stone.

In one embodiment of the invention said recess is provided by a chamfer on a corner defined by said first and second faces and an end face of the kerbstone.

In an alternative embodiment said recess is located on said edge intermediate the ends of the kerbstone.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view showing opposite ends of a kerbstone, Figure 2 is a pictorial view showing part of an alternative kerbstone intermediate its ends, Figure 1 shows the invention applied to a standard bullnosed kerbstone, that is one having a radiused edge between its faces 10, 11 which are, in use, respectively uppermost and facing a roadway which is edged by the kerbstone. A corner 12 which is defined by the faces 10, 11 and an end face 13 is formed with a recess which is provided by a flat chamfer 14. In the example the chamfer 14 extends from a point at a distance d = 55mm from the face 13, and intersects the face 13 at an angle A of 400 to the plane of the face 11.Cast into the kerb and opening on to the face of the chamfer 14 is a glass reflector element 15. Preferably the element 15 stands slightly proud of the face of the chamfer 14. The element 15 is preferable of the type which includes a plurality of corner reflector surfaces, such that beams of light striking the element 15 are reflected back on parallel paths.

The kerbstone has a similar chamfer 16 on a corresponding corner at its opposite end, so that when two such kerbstones are set end to end light paths to and from the reflector element 15 will not be obscured. If required the chamfer 16 may be provided with an additional reflector element, as indicated at 17.

As shown in Figure 2 the kerbstone may additionally or alternatively be provided with a recess 20 defined by a double chamfer as above described. One or both faces of the recess 20 have a reflector element 15.

As shown in Figure 3 the invention may equally be applied to a kerbstone of different cross section, as for example that known as half batter, in which an upper part 22 of the face 11 is inclined to the vertical. The dimensions of the chamfer 12 of Figure 1 will result in a somewhat larger chamfer area. Those dimensions may therefore be modified accordingly for half batter or full batter kerbstones, of advantage take of the larger area to include larger reflector elements.

It has been found that the inclination to the vertical of the outer faces of the reflector elements, as well as the spacing of those elements above the road surface, enables them to remain sufficiently clean without the need for provision of a wiping arrangement such as is provided on known road studs.

Claims

1. A kerbstone having first and second faces which are in use directed respectively upwards and towards a roadway, an edge of the kerbstone between said first and second faces having a recess in which a reflector element is mounted so as reflect a headlight beam from a vehicle travelling substantially parallel to a kerb defined by the stone.

2. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 1, in which said recess is provided by a chamfer on a corner defined by said first and second faces and an end face of the kerbstone.

3. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 2, in which there is a further chamfer on a further corner defined by said first and second faces and an opposite end face of the kerbstone.

4. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a reflector element is mounted in said further chamfer.

5. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein between its opposite ends is provided a double chamfer defining two mutually inclined surfaces, in at least one of which a reflector element is mounted.

6. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said recess is located between opposite ends of the kerbstone.

7. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said recess is defined by a double chamfer in the form of two mutually inclined surfaces, in at least one of which a reflector element is mounted.

8. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the first and second faces are at 90 to one another.

9. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which a part of said second face which is uppermost in use is inclined rearwardly of the remainder of said second face, and said edge having the recess is that between said first face and said rearwardly inclined part of the said second face.

10. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each reflector element stands proud of the face of its recess.

11. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each reflector is of glass and is formed of a plurality of corner reflector surfaces.

12. A kerbstone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each recess has the or each reflector element mounted therein so as to be inclined to the vertical when the kerbstone is upright, in use.

13. A kerbstone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1, or Figure 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 1 as modified by Figure 2, of the accompanying drawings.