GB2285435A

GB2285435A - Sign anchoring device

Info

Publication number: GB2285435A
Application number: GB9424532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Owen Cooper
Original assignee: PRESSURE POINT Ltd
Current assignee: PRESSURE POINT Ltd
Priority date: 1993-12-07
Filing date: 1994-12-05
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Also published as: GB9325023D0; GB9424532D0

Abstract

A sign anchoring device comprises a receptacle 10 adapted to be filled with sand or ballast, attachment means 12 adapted to attach the receptacle 10 to a leg or cross-member of a free-standing sign frame and one or more carrying handles 13. Alternatively, a pair of receptacles may be joined together with opposing walls defining a slot for receiving the cross-member. <IMAGE>

Description

SIGN ANCHORING DEVICE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved sign anchoring device.

Background to the Invention Portable signs are used extensively now, especially near road works on highways and on industrial sites. These signs are prone to blowing over, either in windy conditions or in the slip-stream caused by heavy lorries passing close by. Currently it is common practice to weight temporary road signs down with sand bags laid on or over the sign frame. This method is far from satisfactory since the bags are difficult to fill single-handed and often split under their own weight. Furthermore, since the sand bags are rarely reusable they are frequently left on the road-side as an eye sore when work has been completed.

Since sand bags can only be fully effective when positioned over a convenient sign cross-member this limits the number of bags that can be used on any one sign. Not only that, if there is no suitable cross-member then sand bags are not going to be an effective anchor for that particular sign.

The necessity to drape a sand bag over a cross-member presents other problems. Sign cross-members are usually L-shaped or square in crosssection and can cut through or weaken the sand bag itself, causing the contents to spill out.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, in its broadest sense, there is provided a sign anchoring device comprising: i) a receptacle adapted to be filled with sand or ballast; ii) attachment means adapted to attach the receptacle on to a leg or cross-member of a free-standing sign frame; iii) one or more carrying handles; the receptacle being so sized, shaped and proportioned so as to stabilize either alone or in combination the sign frame in lieu of the traditional sand bag when the receptacle is filled with for example, sand or other ballast in use.

Preferably the attachment means is a hooked portion the hooked portion being so sized, shaped and proportioned that the receptacle clips securely on to a leg or cross-member of a free-standing sign frame.

Preferably the hooked portion is formed as an integral part of the receptacle.

Preferably the receptacle also incorporates interlocking means adapted to interlock one receptacle with another.

In a particular preferred embodiment the interlocking means comprises a "tongue and groove" type feature such that a so-called tongue on one face of one receptacle is adapted to interlock with a so-called groove feature on another face of a different receptacle.

In a further embodiment the attachment means can be formed by connecting two receptacles together, spaced slightly apart such that the size and shape of the gap between the receptacles is proportioned such that the pair of receptacles can rest firmly in use astride a cross-member of a free-standing sign frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of anchoring a sign, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device as described above; (b) filling said device with sand, aggregate or other ballast; (c) hooking/attaching the device to a free standing sign frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a sign anchoring device; Figure 2 and Figure 3 are front and rear perspective views respectively of a sign anchoring device; Figure 4 shows two such sign anchoring devices mounted, in use, on a frame; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention in use hooked on to a sign frame; Figure 6 is a further perspective view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is an end elevation showing two of the embodiments described in Figure 7 stacked one inside another; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the third embodiment in use; Figures 10 and 11 show perspective views of the sign anchoring devices described in these embodiments in use on a free standing sign frame.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment in use against a sign frame; Figure 13 shows an end elevation of the fourth embodiment; Figure 14 shows a further perspective view of the fourth embodiment; Figure 15 shows two sign anchoring devices according to figures 12 to 15 hooked onto a horizontal sign frame cross-member.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The embodiments shown respectively in figures 1 1, figures 5 and 6, figures 7- 9 and figures 12 - 15 represent currently the best wavs known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Figures 1-4 show the first embodiment of the invention which consists of a receptacle or bucket 10, to hold weighting material or ballast (usually sand) which will be used to anchor an otherwise free standing sign frame. In this context, a bucket refers to any shape of receptacle that can be filled with sand or other ballast. In this first embodiment the bucket has a reinforcement 11 to improve its rigidity and load-carrying ability. This reinforcement can be achieved by techniques well known in this field of engineering and this feature does not need detailed description here.

The bucket is provided with hooks 12 to hook on to a cross member of a road traffic sign and a handle 13 for ease of carrying. In this example, the hook is plastic and is moulded as an integral part of the bucket. The hooks are spaced to enable "back to back" interlocking (as shown in figure 4) and consequently increase the weight available to anchor the sign. Sign anchoring devices of this type would usually be used on a cross member of the traffic sign frame where that cross member is fixed at a distance from the ground greater than the height of the bucket, thus enabling them to hang freely on the cross-member. The bucket is tapered to enable easy stacking.

It will be appreciated that the shape of the bucket is not critical, although rectangular or trapezoidal shaped have proved effective in trials. The important parameters are that the bucket is of such a size and shape that it can be hooked firmly onto a sign frame and that the weight of the ballast in the bucket is such that alone, or in combination with other buckets, there is sufficient weight in total to anchor the sign to the required extent.

Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of this invention in the form of a substantially tall, upright bucket 14 with hooks 15 on each side of one upright face. The hooks locate onto the upright of a sign frame, either angle iron or box section, with the hooks gripping by gravity the front face of the frame which when in situ will be angled backwards. The added weight of the ballast will force the container towards the frame and downwards whereby the container will rest on the ground. To that end, the base of the container 16 is angled such that, in use, at least a portion of the base is in contact with the ground surface. The base of the container can be recessed (not shown) to allow stacking whereby the filled containers can rest one on top of each other while the hooks on each container both grip the same upright of the sign frame. This stacking facility also assists in storing the sign authoring devices when not in use. Cut out handles 17 are provided at the top of at least one face of the bucket.

Figures 7-9 show a still further embodiment of the present invention which consists of a twin-chambered receptacle 18 to hold weighting material with a central carrying handle 20. The two chambers are joined at the top by the handle section, the individual chambers being tapered to enable easy stacking. This creates a tapered grove or slot 19 between the two chambers which sit over the cross member of an angle iron or box section sign frame as shown in figure 9. The base of each chamber can be rounded or boat-shaped (as shown) to make the whole container unattractive for other purposes (ie.

as a tool box). Again, each chamber may be strengthened as necessary to prevent "bowing" when in use.

A fourth, and currently preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 12 - 15 inclusive. These show a substantially closed respectacle 30 which is filled with sand or ballast through apperture 31 in the notional top of the receptacle. Hooks 32 are provided which co-operatively engage any convenient sign frame member, the hooks 32 being an integral part of the construction.

Additional features in this embodiment are an angled base portion 33 which enables the receptacle to sit firmly on the ground when resting against a sloping sign frame leg. Most importantly there is provided a "tongue-andgroove" interlocking feature 34, 35 such that two or more receptacles can be positioned together on the same frame member, as shown in Figure 15. This greatly enhances the applicability of this particular embodiment and this feature also provides sturdy handles with which to carry the receptacles. This is particularly important because when they are full of sand they can be extremely heavy. These handles can be of solid rather than hollow construction to give increased strength and durability.

The use of an apperature as opposed to an open side or face minimises the tendency for sand to spill out accidentally and also tends to keep rain water out.

The number and width of cross members and uprights will dictate the number of containers that can be used on any sign. The larger the sign the more anchoring devices will be required to stabilize the sign against high winds and the vacuum caused by heavy vehicles passing nearby at speed.

It will also be appreciated that these sign anchoring devices could be made from a variety of materials including plastic, with or without glass reinforcement, metals or the like. The material of construction can be decided by the skilled addressee of this specification, but the material should be strong enough to withstand the full weight of ballast and also be able to withstand extremes of weather such as frost and direct sunlight.

The attachment means for securing these sign anchoring devices on to sign frames can take a variety of forms. In the illustrated examples they take the form of hooked portions, designed to grip around a sign frame cross-member or upright. Alternatively, ties or straps could be used to the same effect. The bucket could also incorporate a recess which can accommodate part of the sign frame and grip it tightly to enable the bucket to be secured by that means alone or by an additional fixing.

Since these receptacles will be on public display, and at least one of the designs could find an alternative use as a tool box, some anti-theft measures may be necessary. For example, the buckets could contain divisions to make to use as a tool box impractical, provision could also be made to lock the anchoring devices onto a sign frame by conventional locking means such as a padlock and chain.

In summary, the "family" of containers has been designed to allow for quick filling of the sign anchoring device which can then easily be carried to the already erected sign, positioned, and on completion of work emptied and stacked away for use next time. The models described enable the anchoring of any road traffic sign irrespective of its height, width or frame size.

Most road traffic signs currently in use consist of a metal frame and a sign plate depicting a message. The frame is usually one of two types Le. angle iron or box section and this invention allows for the anchoring devices to be used on both types of frame.

Claims

1. A sign anchoring device comprising: i) a receptacle adapted to be filled with sand or ballast; ii) attachment means adapted to attach the receptacle on to a leg or cross-member of a free-standing sign frame; iii) one or more carrying handles; The receptable being so sized, shaped and proportioned so as to stablize either alone or in combination the sign frame in lieu of the traditional sand bag when the receptable is filled with for example, sand or ballast in use.

2. A sign anchoring device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said attachment means is a hooked portion, preferably formed integrally with the receptacle, the hooked portion being so sized, shaped and proportioned that the receptacle clips securely onto a leg or cross member of a free standing sign frame.

3. A sign anchoring device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the hook portion is formed as an integral part of the receptacle.

4. A sign anchoring device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the attachment means is formed by connecting two receptacles together, spaced slightly apart, such that the size and shape of the gap between the receptacles is proportioned such that the pair of receptacles can rest firmly in use astride a cross-member of a free standing sign frame.

5. A sign anchoring device as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises interlocking means adapted to interlock one receptacle with another.

6. A sign anchoring device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein interlocking means comprises a "tongue and groove" type feature such that a so called tongue on one face of one receptacle is adapted to interlock with a so-called groove feature on another face of a different container.

7. A sign anchoring device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of anchoring a sign comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device as claimed in any of Claims 1-7; (b) filling said device with sand aggregate or other ballast; (c) Hooking/attaching the device to the frame of a free standing sign.