GB2269415A

GB2269415A - Portable traffic sign

Info

Publication number: GB2269415A
Application number: GB9316357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Smith
Original assignee: EUROPALITE Ltd
Current assignee: EUROPALITE Ltd
Priority date: 1992-08-08
Filing date: 1993-08-06
Publication date: 1994-02-09
Also published as: GB9316357D0

Abstract

A temporary road sign is formed as a single member from plastics material in a rotational or blow moulding operation and comprises a framework (12) surrounded by and integral with a sign mounting area (10). Legs (14) may also be formed integral with the framework (12) which may trap a sign carrying plate against the sign mounting area. A pivotal prop assembly (26) may also be mounted to the sign. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to Portable Traffic Signs The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to portable traffic signs, especially but not exclusively those signs which are erected temporarily to warn of road works.

Currently there are two main forms of temporary road sign. The first comprises a frame fabricated from angle iron which provides support for a sheet metal road sign and a pair of folding legs attached to the frame by which the frame can be propped up, the legs being collapsible to facilitate transportation of storage of the sign when not in use.

An alternative form of sign comprises collapsible metal framework which can take a number of forms and includes pivotally mounted legs, the frame supporting a road sign manufactured from a flexible plastics sheet material. Signs of this type are more complicated but can be collapsed into a smaller size for ease of transportation, for example, in the back of an emergency vehicle.

In view of the relative complication in manufacture of such signs and the amount of steel employed, they are expensive to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary road sign comprising a sign mounting area surrounded by and integral with a framework manufactured as a single unit from pastics material.

Preferably said single unit is manufactured by rorational or blow moulding.

Preferably said unit has fixture means formed therewith by which a pivotally mounted prop assembly can be attached to it.

Preferably the single unit comprises a substantially triangular portion having two downwardly depending legs integrally formed therewith.

Preferably the single unit is hollow over a substantial portion of its area.

Preferably the surrounding framework is hollow and preferably the sign mounting area is hollow.

Preferably the framework defines an inwardly diverging recess the base of which is formed by said sign mounting area.

Reinforcing ribs may be moulded into the rear of the sign mounting area.

Preferably the prop assembly is formed as a single unit from a plastics material. Preferably the prop assembly is hollow and is manufactured by a rotational or blow moulding technique.

Preferably a plate is mounted on said sign mounting area and said framework defines walls surrounding the area which converge in a direction away from the area to hold said plate within said framework.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a temporary traffic sign; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the sign; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line III-III of Fig. 1 A temporary traffic sign comprises a triangular area 10 which is planar and is adapted to receive an adhesive road traffic warning sign over its entire area. The triangular area is surrounded by a frame 12 which is hollow and is formed integrally with the sign mounting area 10 during the manufacturing process. Depending downwardly from each end of the triangular base member 12' there are provided two legs 14 each of which is hollow and each of which is formed integrally with the sign mounting area 10 and frame 12,12' .The front surface of the frame 12,12' and the legs 14 is spaced from the front surface of the triangular area 10 thereby defining a recess, the base of which is formed by the triangular area 10.

Fig. 2 shows the rear 16 of the road sign which is effectively planar and is spaced from the front sign mounting area 10 and front of the frame 12,12' and 14. It will be realised therefore that the main body of the road sign is hollow. Horizontally extending reinforcing recesses 18 (conveniently three in number) are formed in the rear member 16 which has formed integrally therewith a pair of mounting lugs 20 and detent lugs 22. The entire sign unit described above is manufactured as a single component thereby imparting a monocoque construction thereto. By means of a screw and wing-nut assembly 24 (preferably manufactured from plastics material) a prop assembly 26 can be pivotally mounted to the sign by the mounting lugs 20. The prop comprises essentially a rectangle having two upstanding legs 28 and two cross-members 30,32, the lower cross-member 32 being deflected slightly upwardly.Mounting lugs 34 project upwardly from the top of the upper cross-member 30 and receive the mounting screws 24. The entire sign unit described above is manufactured as a single component from plastics material by rotational moulding thereby imparting a monocoque construction thereto.

Preferably the prop 26 is manufactured by rotational moulding as a single unit from the same plastics material as the sign. Raised areas (not shown) protrude from the sides of the uprights 28 of the prop in the region of the detent blocks 22, which are provided with recesses in their facing faces, whereby when the prop is moved into its storage position in contact with the rear 16 of the road sign the raised members engage the detent blocks to hold it in this stored position.

In a modification a triangular metal plate carrying a sign can be accommodated within the recess defined by the frame members 12,12' and to maintain the metal plate in position the lower frame member 12' can have formed integrally therewith a pair of mounting blocks 35 which define between their rear faces and the area 10 a space which is substantially equal to the thickness of the plate to be accommodated therein. The top of the metal plate can be retained in position by a nut and bolt assembly passing through the plate and the sign.

In a modified sign designed for holding a metal sign carrying plate 36, as shown in Fig. 3, the frame members 12,12' have their inner walls 38 outwardly sloping as they move towards the area 10 so that the recess for the plate defined by the frame members 12,12' diverges inwardly.

The size of the plate is approximately equal to the base of the recess and consequently greater than the entrance to the recess. The plate is sufficiently thin to enable it to be resiliently deformed for fitment into the recess.

When it returns to its undeformed state, as shown in Fig.

3, it is retained within the recess without the aid of further fixing means.

As described above, the road sign is manufactured by a rotational moulding technique which facilitates its hollow construction but alternative manufacturing techniques, for example blow moulding or injection moulding may be employed if desired.

Clearly, numerous modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the road sign can be circular or rectangular, can have modified prop means or can have alternative fixing means attached to its rear whereby it can be used as a temporary sign mounted, for example, on a bollard, road sign post or lamp post. In a further modification the mounting means replacing the prop could be adapted to fit existing traffic cones, traffic separators or pillars presently used at the site of road works, emergencies, etc.

Claims

Claims:

1. A temporary road sign comprising a sign mounting area surrounded by and integral with a framework manufactured as a single unit from pastics material.

2. A sign as claimed in claim 1, in which said single unit is manufactured by rotational or blow moulding.

3. A sign as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said unit has fixture means formed therewith by which a pivotally mounted prop assembly can be attached to it.

4. A sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the single unit comprises a substantially triangular portion having two downwardly depending legs integrally formed therewith.

5. A sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the single unit is hollow over a substantial portion of its area.

6. A sign as claimed in claim 5, in which the surrounding framework is hollow.

7. A sign as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the sign mounting area is hollow.

8. A sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the framework defines an inwardly diverging recess, the base of which is formed by said sign mounting area.

9. A sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which reinforcing ribs are moulded into the rear of the sign mounting area.

10. A sign as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, in which the prop assembly is formed as a single unit from a plastics material.

11. A sign as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, in which the prop assembly is hollow and is manufactured by a rotational or blow moulding technique.

12. A sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a plate is mounted on said sign mounting area and said framework defines walls surrounding the area which converge in a direction away from the area to hold said plate within said framework.

13. A temporary road sign substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.