GB2274478A

GB2274478A - Self-errecting road safety marker

Info

Publication number: GB2274478A
Application number: GB9301318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Richard Pinnell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-23
Filing date: 1993-01-23
Publication date: 1994-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-23
Also published as: GB2274478B; GB9301318D0

Abstract

A Self-erecting Road Safety Marker is opened by the effect of a sliding weight, 8, dropping down a central tube, 1, causing the legs, 5, and struts, 4, to open into a pyramid shape. A foldable, plain, printed or luminous, material, 10, may be attached to the struts, 4. When collapsed the marker may be stored in a tube or loosely in a container with other markers. A 'stuck-light', barrier and foldable sign may each be attached to the marker. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to Self-erecting Pyramids and Road Safety Markers.

Road Safety Narkers, known generally as 'cones' are well known and in use throughout the U.K. road network. They are used by local Authorities and road contractors for marking off and warning of specific danger areas on stretches of road. Police, emergency services and the public utilities use markers for incidents and emergency road works.

Although the standard markers will 'nest' one within the other they are bulky and difficult both to store and carry even when nested'. This is particularly true if a number are to be carried in the boot of a police incident vehicle, ambulance or public utilities van, together with the other necessary items of emergency equipment.

Self-erecting markers are also available but each takes time to erect and time is of the essence at an incident or emergency and/or are of a very light construction and easily blown over by the wind or by passing vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided a selferecting marker that comprises a central tube with struts attached by hinges at the top and legs attached by hinges to a sliding tube weight at the lower end of the central tube. The struts are, in turn, attached by hinges to a position on the outer side of the centre point of the legs. A foldable material is attached to the outer side of each strut to surround the upper part of the unit. The amount of opening of the unit is set by a stop at the bottom of the central tube preventing the sliding tube weight from moving too far and by the stretching of the foldable material across the struts. The centre tube and struts are of a lighter material than the legs and the sliding weight giving a low centre of gravity which, with the large base area given by the fully opened legs, gives high stability when in the open position.In the open position the unit forms a pyramid with the number of facets, usually four, determined as required during manufacture.

When closed the sliding tube weight is high on the central tube with the legs folded in against the sliding tube weight and the struts folded down against, or covering, the legs. The foldable material is wrapped around the unit for storage in a tube or similar container.

The pyramid is opened by holding the top of the central tube. The combined weights of the sliding tube weight and the inner part of the legs causes the sliding weight to drop down the central tube and the attached legs to open out together with the struts thus partially opening the item. Opening is completed by placing the pyramid in position on the ground. The amount of opening is controlled by a stop at the end of the central tube and the stretching of the foldable material across the struts. Maximum opening is controlled by a gap between the bottom of the central tube and stop and a theoretical horizontal line projected across the base of the opened legs. The item is closed by lifting it from its position, closing the struts and wrapping the material around the struts ready for storage.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following diagrams: Fig 1, Shows diagrammatically a side view of the item in the open position with the Central Tube, 1, and Distance Piece, 2, with hinge, 3, at Struts, 4, Hinge, 6, attached both to the Struts, 4, and Legs, S, on the outer side of the centre point of the legs measured from the Sliding Tube Weight, 8, and the outer end of the legs.Hinge, 7, attached both to Legs, 5, and Sliding Tube Weight, 8, with Weight Stop, 9 The Struts, 4, have attached a surround of Foldable Material, 10, which is of seperate pieces or one shaped piece dependent on manufacture, A Gap, 11, controls the amount of travel of the Sliding Tube Weight, 8, and thus the amount of opening.

Fig 2. Shows diagrammatically a plan view of the item in open position with Foldable Material, 10, in the stretched position, Fig 3. Shows diagrammatically a side view of the item in the closed position with the Struts, 4, folded against the Legs, 5, which are folded against the Sliding Tube Weight, 8, now in the upper position, Fig 4, Shows diagrammatically a plan view of the item in the closed position and the folding of the Foldable Material, 10, Fig S, Shows the addition of a standard, or redesigned,'Stick Light', 12, inserted down the Central Tube, 1, Fig 6. Shows the addition of a 'Barrier Bar, 13,' held in position by a standard, or redesigned, 'Stick Light', 12, inserted down the Central Tube, 1, Fig 7, Shows the addition of a Sign, 14, in foldable material with rigid bar top and bottom held with top Elasticated Hooks, 15, hooked into the top of the Struts, 4, and bottom Elasticated hooks, 16, hooked into the outer ends of the Feet, 5

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A Self-erecting Pyramid that may be of three or more facets. A sliding weight, of any material, on or around a central tube, of any rigid material. Legs, of any rigid material, attached by hinges to both the sliding weight and to the lower ends of struts. Struts, of any rigid material, hinged at the upper end to the central tube via a distance piece as necessary. The struts have attached a foldable material that may be self-coloured, luminous or printed. The struts and central tube are of a lighter material than the legs and weight. The difference between the weight of the struts and the weight of the legs plus the sliding weight opens the marker when held in an upright position.A stop on the central tube controls the weight travel and a gap between the ground level and the stop and the stretching of the material between the struts controls the amount of opening.
2. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 1 but with the struts of 'U' section wider than the legs enabling the struts to fold down and cover the legs thus reducing the overall width of the item when collapsed.
3. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1 and 2 with the unit used as a general support for any vertical pole inserted down the central tube.
4. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1 and 2 without the foldable material and with the unit used as a general support for any vertical pole inserted down the inside of the central tube.
5. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1, 2,3, 4 and 5 with sliding extensions to the feet to give further support.
6. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with the addition of a standard, or re-designed, 'Stick-light' inserted down the inside of the central tube, 7, fi Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with the addition of a barrier section and a standard, or redesigned, 'Stick-Light', 8 A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with a foldable sign self-coloured, luminous or printed, 9. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, without a 'Stick-light' and with a rod, tube or bar inserted into the central tube to support a barrier section.

6. ASelf-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with the addition of a standard, or re-designed,'Stick-light' inserted down the inside of the central tube.

7. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with the addition of a barrier section and a standard, or redesigned, 'Stick-Llght'.

8. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, with a foldable sign self-coloured, luminous or printed.

9. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 5, without a 'Stick-light' and with a rod, tube or bar inserted into the central tube to support a barrier section.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. fi Self-erecting Pyramid that may be of three or more facets that opens and closes by the effect of gravity alone, The struts are hinged to the outer side of the centre point of the feet to extend the feet away from the centre tubeto give high stablilty. A sliding weight, of any material, on or around a central tube, of any rigid material, Legs, of any rigid material, attached by hinges to both the sliding weight and to the lower ends of struts. Struts, of any rigid material hinged at the upper end to the central tube, The struts have attached a foldable material that may be self-coloured, luminous or printed, The struts and central tube are of a lighter material than the legs and weight.The difference between the weight of the struts and the weight of the legs plus the sliding weight opens the marker when held in an upright position. R stop on the central tube controls the weight travel and a gap between the ground level and the stop and the stretching of the material between the struts controls the amount of opening.

2, A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claim 1 but with the struts of 'V' section wider than the legs enabling the struts to fold down and cover the legs thus reducing the overall width of the item when collapsed.

3. A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1 and 2 with the unit used as a general support and base with the central tube extended vertically or with a vertical pole inserted down the central tube.

4 A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1 and 2 without the foldable material and with the unit used as a general support for any vertical pole inserted down the inside of the central tube, 5, A Self-erecting Pyramid as claimed in claims 1, 2,3, 4 and 5 with sliding extensions to the feet to give further support.