GB2277341A - Portable road sign - Google Patents

Abstract

A road sign having at least one panel element surrounded by a frame constructed from lightweight extruded plastics members joined together by means of angled brackets, wherein the extruded members are formed with one or more longitudinal undercut slots 2 adapted to receive an edge 8 of the panel element, the edge region of the panel element being folded back on itself to provide a detent surface 4 facing away from the edge of the panel and capable of engaging the undercut surface of the slot. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO MODULAR ASSEMBLIES The present invention relates to modular assemblies for use as road signs, and is particularly concerned with temporary road signs and barriers placed by contractors at the sites of road and pavement works.

Temporary road signing to alert road users and pedestrians to the presence of road working gangs and excavations is well known, the principal arrangements used for road signs being frames constructed from 'L' section metal bars to which flat metal sign boards are attached by means of resilient clips. Conventional barriers to alert pedestrians to the presence of holes in the pavement have been formed by plastics pillars supporting brightly coloured crosspieces.

These prior art signs have several disadvantages, principally that they are heavy and unwieldy. The prior road signs, due to their metallic construction, also tend to suffer permanent damage when road users collide with them, thus shortening the effective life of the road sign. Again, the heavy metallic construction of the signs inflicts severe damage on vehicles colliding with them, resulting in onerous insurance claims against the sign users. The barriers of the prior art have the disadvantage that the pillars require feet of large area to provide stability, and even so the barriers tend to fall over when pedestrians walk into them, due to their high centre of gravity and flexible joint structure.

The present invention relates to a temporary road sign constructed from lightweight extruded plastics material, the individual extruded members of the structure being joined together by means of angled brackets, and the extruded members being further formed with one or more longitudinal undercut slots adapted to receive an edge of a panel element in a snap-engagement, the edge region of the panel element being folded back on itself to provide a detent surface facing away from the panel.

The extruded members are preferably tubular sections, and may have undercut slots formed on one or more faces. Two or more slots may be formed on the same face of the tubular section, and the members may be of polygonal or of curved shape in cross-section.

In an advantageous embodiment of a sign or barrier according to the invention, two of the extruded members are joined by means of a bracket which engages one or more of the undercut slot of one of the members and includes a spigot to enter the end of the other extruded member. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, two of the brackets may be joined by a pivoting joint, to allow two of the extruded members, each of which is connected to a respective bracket by means of a spigot entering the end of the extruded member, to hinge relative to each other.

In the preferred form of the invention, the angled brackets are provided with engagement means, which allows ancillary equipment to be attached securely and simply to the road sign.

A number of road signs and barriers according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of a first extruded member for use in the construction of a sign; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a second extruded member for use in the construction of a sign; Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a third extruded member for use in the construction of a sign; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an edge region of a signboard; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views showing the insertion of a signboard edge into an extruded member; Figure 7 shows a corner bracket for joining two extruded members; Figure 8 shows a male hinge bracket for attachment to an extruded member; Figure 9 shows a female hinge bracket for receiving a hinge of a male hinge bracket; Figure 10 shows an alternative male hinge bracket; Figure 11 shows a joint member for fixing two extruded members together at right angles; and Figure 12 is a schematic view from the rear of a sign assembled from the components illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 3 are cross-sectional views of extruded members used in the construction of signs and barriers according to the present invention. The extruded members are preferably hollow, and are most preferably extruded from plastics material. Each of the extruded sections includes an outer wall 1 which is re-entrant to form at least one undercut slot 2.

Each undercut slot 2 has an opening 3 and a detent surface 4 adjacent the opening 3 and facing away from the opening 3. The purpose of these slots, which extend along the length of the extruded members, will become clear in the description to follow.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, the manner in which a planar signboard 5 is fixed to the extruded members shown in members 1 to 3 is illustrated. Adjacent the edge of the signboard 5, and extending in parallel with its edge 6, is a line of weakness, in this case a groove 7. The presence of the groove 7 allows the edge portion 8 of the signboard 5 between the groove 7 and the edge 6 to be folded (clockwise as seen in Figure 4) to overlie the remainder of the signboard 5. With this edge portion 8 in contact with the signboard 5, the signboard 5 and edge portion 8 may be introduced through the opening 3 of the slot 2 in an extruded member 1, the relative dimensions of the edge portion 8 and the slot 2 being such that the edge 6 of the signboard can pass through the opening 3 of the slot.

When the edge portion 8 of the signboard is entirely within the slot 2, the resilient nature of the signboard material will cause the edge portion 8 to spring away from the remainder of the signboard, so that the free edge 6 of the signboard may engage the detent surface 4 within the slot 2. This engagement will prevent t-he withdrawal of the signboard 5 from the slot 2, and will retain the extruded member 1 in its position along the edge of the signboard 5.

The signboard 5 is preferably formed of plastics material, polypropylene sheet of 2 mm thickness being the preferred material.

The signboard can be printed with the sign material to be displayed, or may have an adhesive sign fixed thereto.

The extruded members shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be joined by means of brackets which engage either in their undercut slots 2, or which have spigots to engage the ends of the extruded members.

Figures 7 to 11 show examples of such brackets.

In Figure 7 there is shown an angle bracket intended to join two extruded members of the type shown in Figure 1. The angle bracket 9 includes a part-circular central section 10 having two radially arranged faces 11 and 12. Extending from these faces 11 and 12 are two spigots 13, each of which is shaped to be receivable in the end of an extruded member having the section shown in Figure 1.

Clearly the spigots 13 could be formed to correspond with the internal dimensions of the extruded members shown in Figures 2 or 3, or the angle bracket 9 may be provided with one spigot 13 to engage one of the three extruded members shown in Figures 1 to 3, and a second spigot 13 to engage another of the illustrated extruded sections. In the angle bracket 9 illustrated, the angle A between the longitudinal axes of the spigots 13 is substantially 90 degrees, but it is envisaged that other angles A may be contemplated.

Particularly, an angle bracket 9 in which the angle A between the spigot axes is 60 degrees finds utility in the construction of equilateral triangular signs. The central section 10 of the angle bracket 9 is penetrated by a bore 14, which may be used for attaching ancillary equipment to the sign structure.

In Figure 8 there is illustrated a bracket 20 for engaging the extruded section shown in Figure 1. The bracket 20 is substantially wedge-shaped, and its hypotenuse face is contoured to correspond with the external contours of part of the extruded member shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the bracket 20 includes two ribs 21 and 22, which are dimensioned and spaced to correspond with the internal dimensions of the slots 2 in the extruded member shown in Figure 2. The bracket 20 can be attached to the extruded member by introducing the ribs 21 and 22 into the slots 2 at the end of the extruded member, and sliding the bracket 20 along the extruded member to its required position. The bracket 20 shown in Figure 8 is further formed with a pivot pin 23 which will extend at an angle B to the longitudinal axis of the extruded member to which the bracket 20 is attached. Preferably the angle B is 30 degrees, but it will be foreseen that brackets 20 in which the angle A is other than 30 degrees could be produced.

Figure 9 shows a female hinge bracket intended to be used in connection with the bracket 20 of Figure 8. The female hinge bracket 25 comprises a centre section 26 including a bore 27 dimensioned to receive the hinge pin 23 of the bracket 20. The female hinge bracket 25 is further formed with two spigots 13, adapted to conform to the interior dimensions of the extruded member shown in Figure 2. It is again foreseen that the spigots 13 may have configurations which correspond to the internal dimensions of any of the illustrated sections, and it is unnecessary for the two spigots 13 of the bracket 25 to be identical.

Figure 10 shows an alternative male hinge bracket, adapted for attachment to the extruded member in the same way as the bracket 20. In the male hinge bracket 29 shown in Figure 10, ribs 21 and 22 are positioned and dimensioned to engage in the grooves 2 of the extruded member of Figure 1. The male hinge bracket 29 of Figure 10 further includes a hinge pin 23, but it should be noted that when the male hinge bracket 29 is assembled to an extruded member, the axis of the hinge pin 23 will extend in parallel with the axis of the extruded member.

The assembly of a triangular road sign using the components illustrated will now be described, with reference to Figure 12 which is a schematic rear view of a triangular road sign.

The road sign 30 of Figure 12 comprises a triangular signboard 31, a pair of extruded members 32 adapted to extend along two sides of the signboard 31, and bent at 33 so as to extend in parallel away from the signboard 31. The extruded members 32 are joined at their adjacent ends 34 by an apex bracket 9, as shown in Figure 7. The apex bracket 9 of Figure 12 will have an angle A of approximately 60 degrees. Preferably, the extruded members 32 have the cross-section shown in Figure 1.

Attached to the extruded members 32 intermediate their ends 34 and their bent portions 33 are respective male hinge brackets 20, as shown in Figure 8. The two hinge brackets 20 may be identical components, or may be Whandedw so that in their assembled condition the axes of their respective pivot pins 23 may coincide. In view of the engagement of the brackets 20 with the slots 2 in the extruded members 32, it will be necessary to form cutouts 35 in the signboard 31 to provide clearance for the brackets 20.

Each of the brackets 20 is engaged by a female hinge bracket 25, such as is shown in Figure 9. The pivot pins 23 of the male hinge brackets 20 are received in the respective bores 27 of the female hinge brackets 25. Extending between the female hinge brackets 25 is an extruded member 36, preferably of the type shown in Figure 2. To the remaining spigots 13 of the female hinge brackets 25 are attached leg members 37, of the type shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. The lengths of the leg members 37 are so arranged that a horizontal line, as seen in Figure 12, will join the lower ends of the extruded members 32 and the leg members 37.

Intermediate the length of the leg members 37, brackets 38 are attached to the leg members. The brackets 38 are shown in greater detail in Figure 11, and include a body section 39 having one of its faces contoured to correspond with the external contours of the extruded section forming the leg member 37. A rib 40 provided with an undercut 41 engages the slot 2 and detent surface 4 of the extruded member forming the leg member 37, and the body portion 39 of the bracket 38 is further provided with a spigot 13 adapted to engage within the end of a cross-member 45 which extends between the leg members 37. Preferably the cross-member is of the cross-section shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, and the configuration of the spigot 13 is arranged to suit.

Extending along the lower edge of the signboard 31 as shown in Figure 12 is a cross-member 46, which is joined to the extruded members 32 just below their bends 33 by means of two brackets 47 similar to the brackets 38. Preferably, the cross-member 46 has the cross-section shown in Figure 3, with the signboard 31 engaging one of its slots 2 and the other its slots 2 being open on the underside of the cross-member 46.

In order to assemble the sign illustrated in Figure 12, the extruded members 32 are cut to the appropriate lengths and are formed with bends 33. The male hinge brackets 20 are offered up to the free ends 34 of the extruded members 32, and are then moved along the extruded members 32 to the appropriate location.

The sub-assembly of the leg members 37, transverse members 36 and 45, and their respective female hinge brackets 25 and corner brackets 38 is then assembled by introducing the spigots 13 of the female brackets 25 into the ends of the leg members 37, introducing the brackets 38 into the slots of the leg members 37 by sliding them from the lower end, and the leg members are then assembled on to the transverse members 45 and 36 by introducing the respective spigots 13 of female hinge brackets 25 and brackets 38 into their respective ends of cross-members 36 and 45.

With this sub-assembly completed, the extruded members 32 are joined at their free ends 34 by the angle bracket 9, and the male hinge brackets 20 are slid into position along the extruded members 32 with the sub-assembly of leg members 37 etc. trapped between them with the pivot pins 23 of the male hinge brackets 20 extending into the bores 27 of the respective female hinge brackets 25.

The signboard 31 is then introduced between the extruded members 32, with the edge regions of the signboard folded over so that when they are introduced into the respective slots 2 of extruded members 32, the edge portions may engage the detent surfaces 4 within the slots to prevent withdrawal.

The assembly is completed by placing the angle brackets 47 into the ends of the cross-member 46, and thereafter engaging the angle brackets 47 with their respective slots in the extruded members 32 at the lower ends of the extruded members 32. The cross-member 46 and its brackets 47 may then be slid upwardly (as shown in Figure 12) along the slots of the extruded members 32 until the folded lower edge of the signboard can enter the slot 2 of the cross-member 46.

The engagement of the signboard 31 with the cross-member 46 prevents the assembly from becoming dismantled, as the various extruded members 32 and 46 are all held together by reason of their engagement with the signboard 31.

The sub-assembly of leg members 37 and cross-members 45 and 36 can pivot relative to the remainder of the assembly, so that the sign 30 may stand erect. Preferably, means to limit the pivoting movement is provided. In an advantageous embodiment, the means to limit this pivoting movement comprises a ballast support formed of the same material as the signboard, and engaging with the cross-member 45 and the cross-member 46 by means of folded edge portions engaging in the slots in those cross-members. The ballast holding member is preferably formed from two rigid panels hingedly joined at the centre, so that the sub-assembly of the legs 37 and cross-members 45 and 36 may pivot relative to the signboard 31, with the angle between the panels of the ballast holding member varying in accordance with the pivoting motion.

It will readily be appreciated that, in view of the modular construction of the sign, a supplementary signboard (not shown) may be attached to the sign by providing a further cross-member 46 with end brackets 47 to extend between the vertical portions of the extruded members 32. The supplementary signboard may have its upper edge received in a slot in the cross-member 46, and may have its lower edge received in a slot in the supplementary cross-member (not shown).

It will be readily appreciated that the components shown in the drawings may be used to produce a rectangular sign, by using a pair of corner brackets 9 whose angle A is a right angle to construct an inverted "U"-shaped framework from extruded sections similar to that shown in Figure 1. By using the male hinge brackets 29 as shown in Figure 10, a sub-assembly of leg members 37 and cross-members 45 and 36 similar to that shown in Figure 12 may be pivotally attached to the horizontal upper portion of this inverted "U"-shaped frame, and the lower edge of a rectangular signboard may be received in a cross-member similar to cross-member 46 of Figure 12, supported in brackets 47 attached to the vertical portions of the inverted "U"-shaped frame.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a pedestrian barrier may be formed from the components by providing an inverted "U"-shaped frame comprising only a horizontal top bar and two vertical legs of the Figure 1 cross-section extrusion, joined by corner brackets 9. Three cross-members similar to cross-member 46 or Figure 12 are then provided between the legs, so that two strip-like sign panels may be accommodated, the upper signboard being snap-engaged into the top bar and into the upper of the three cross-members, and a second strip-like board being engaged between the lower two of the three cross-members. By providing male and female link elements at respective ends of the barrier element, various elements can be linked together to form either a barrier or an enclosure. By applying brightly coloured or reflective material to the strip-like panels, a lightweight and stable barrier is provided. To improve the lateral stability of the barrier, transversely extending feet may be added at the lower ends of the legs.

In a preferred embodiment of the link members, male and female line elements are provided. In the male link element (not shown) an upstanding pin of polygonal cross-section is provided on the corner bracket 9 shown in Figure 7 used to join the top bar to the a of the barrier. The preferred cross-section for the upstanding pin is octagonal, but square, round or hexagonal pins may be provided. In the female variant of the link element, a bracket similar to corner bracket 9 is provided with a socket of polygonal cross-section similar to the cross-section of the pin of the male link element. By using such link elements, barrier sections may be joined together at predetermined angles relative to each other. Such joints will provide greater stability, particularly where barrier sections are assembled to form an enclosure.

In order to provide added stability to the signs and barriers assembled from the components shown, weights such as sandbags may be attached to the signs to provide extra stability.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved sandbag which comprises a pair of substantially rectangular sheets of fabric material sewn together along three sides to form a container. The fabric material sheets are also joined by a number of eyelets, preferably positioned at the corners of the rectangle and at the mid points of the sewn sides.

An elongated tubular neck is attached to the open side of the sandbag, and midway along the length of the neck a captive cord or tape is provided so that the bag, once filled, may be closed by tying the cord or tape around the neck. At the free end of the neck, an elongated strap is provided which can be attached to one of the eyelets in the sandbag to form a carrying loop. The improved sandbag may thus be filled at a central store of sand, its neck tied, and the carrying strap attached to one of its eyelets so that the sandbag may easily be carried by looping the strap over the shoulder. When the sandbag is to be used, the eyelets and shoulder strap provide various possibilities for attaching the sandbag to a sign or barrier, without the need for an operative to be supplied with supplementary binding materials.

Claims (10)

1. A road sign having at least one panel element surrounded by a frame constructed from lightweight extruded plastics members joined together by means of angled brackets, wherein the extruded members are formed with one or more longitudinal undercut slots adapted to receive an edge of the panel element, the edge region of the panel element being folded back on itself to provide a detent surface facing away from the edge of the panel and capable of engaging the undercut surface of the slot.

2. A road sign according to claim 1, wherein the extruded members are tubular in cross-section, and have undercut slots formed on one or more faces.

3. A road sign according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a line of weakness extends parallel to and spaced from the panel edge to delimit the edge region of the panel element.

4. A road sign according to any preceding claim, wherein two of the extruded members are joined by means of a bracket which engages one or more of the undercut slots of one of the members and includes a spigot to enter the end of the other extruded member.

5. A road sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel element is generally triangular, and has an upper apex and two side edges extending downwardly therefrom to the respective ends of a base, and the frame comprises three frame members surrounding the panel element and being attached to the side edges and base thereof by the engagement of the edges of the panel in respective undercut slots in the frame members, a pair of legs extending in parallel downwardly from the engs of the base of the panel element, and a supporting sub-assembly of leg members and cross-members which can pivot relative to the remainder of the frame between a folded position wherein the supporting sub-assembly lies substantially parallel with the plane of the panel element and a deployed position wherein the supporting sub-assembly lies at an acute angle to the plane of the panel element.

6. A road sign according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the panel element is generally rectangular, and has an upper edge and two side edges extending downwardly therefrom to the respective ends of a base, and the frame comprises four frame members surrounding the panel element and being attached to the upper edge, the side edges and the base thereof by the engagement of the edges of the panel in respective undercut slots in the frame members, a pair of legs extending in parallel downwardly from the ends of the base of the panel element.

7. A road sign according to claim 6, wherein the frame further comprises a supporting sub-assembly of leg members and cross-members which can pivot relative to the remainder of the frame between a folded position wherein the supporting sub-assembly lies substantially parallel with the plane of the panel element and a deployed position wherein the supporting sub-assembly lies at an acute angle to the plane of the panel element.

8. A road sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame includes means for the attachment thereto of ballasting means.

9. A road sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for the attachment thereto of ballasting means are provided on the corner brackets joining the frame members together.

10. A road sign, substantially as described herein with reference to any of Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.