GB2299435A

GB2299435A - Collapsible signal

Info

Publication number: GB2299435A
Application number: GB9606882A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Siebert
Original assignee: Horizont Geraetewerk GmbH
Current assignee: Horizont Geraetewerk GmbH
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1996-04-01
Publication date: 1996-10-02
Also published as: GB9606882D0; FR2732374A1; DE29505450U1

Abstract

Collapsible signal for presentation of traffic signs at building sites, accident sites and the like, which is opened and erected at the place of use comprises a three-legged stand 2 having a central guide tube 3. Signal support surfaces could be clamped between the legs. The guide tube accommodates a set of current sources 4 to supply electrical energy to a warning light 5 electrically coupled to the top of the stand, and the upper end of the guide tube is provided with a closure 8 by means of which the warning light can be coupled mechanically and electrically to the stand.

Description

SIGNAL AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE THEREFOR This invention relates to a collapsible signal for presentation of traffic signs at building sites, accident sites and the like, which is opened and erected at the place of use, for which purpose it has a support in the form of a three-legged stand having a central guide tube. Signal support surfaces may go over the legs of the stand.

Collapsible signals of the abovementioned type have been known for a long time.

There is often the additional need to mark the place of use visually. Known warning lights may be attached to the top of the three-legged stand for this purpose. However, the entire structure resulting therefrom is neither a constructional unit nor particularly stable. For the most part this stems from the fact that relatively heavy battery or accumulator packs are present in conventional warning lights. Accordingly, the entire structure comprising collapsible signal and warning light has a relatively high centre of gravity which allows the structure to be tipped over easily. This is especially so if one considers that the signal support surfaces also catch the wind, so that even in a light wind, the collapsible signal and warning light may be easily tipped over in one direction. Even gently touching the structure may lead to the signal tipping over.

Against this outlined background, the object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible signal which can be coupled to a warning light, but then forms a constructional unit and has considerably increased stability compared to known collapsible signals.

This object is achieved in that the guide tube of the stand has dimensions such that a set of current sources (batteries, accumulators) may be accommodated in its interior to supply a warning light with electrical energy which can be coupled to the top of the stand. The upper end of the guide tube is thus provided with a closure, by means of which the warning light can be coupled mechanically and electrically to the stand. A snap closure, for example a bayonet closure, but also for example a pin latch, in which a spring-loaded pin engages in the socket of a warning light through a corresponding bore on the end of the guide tube, is a preferred suitable closure.

A simple screw connection is also possible.

By accommodating the current sources in the guide tube of the collapsible signal, the centre of gravity of the combination comprising collapsible signal and warning light is lower down than in the case of the traditional combination. No batteries or accumulators are then required in the warning light which can be coupled to the collapsible signal. This measure alone considerably increases the stability of the collapsible signal compared to known collapsible signals. Furthermore, the combination comprising collapsible signal and warning light forms a compact constructional unit.

The stability of the three-legged stand may be increased still further by providing the legs with struts hinged thereto, which are connected to a guide ring that sits displaceably on the central guide tube, which legs are hinged to the guide tube at its upper end. The mechanical stability of the stand and hence the stability of the collapsible signal as a whole is thus considerably increased.

In the event that an additional optical marker is not needed, but the batteries or accumulators are to remain in the guide tube of the stand until the warning light is next used, a protective cover can preferably be connected to the upper end of the guide tube. This should advantageously protect the interior of the guide tube from moisture and dust.

The invention is illustrated in more detail using an exemplary embodiment according to the single figure.

The figure shows the three-legged stand 2 of the collapsible signal of the invention. Optional signal support surfaces (which could be clamped between legs 9, 10 and 11 of stand 2) are not shown for reasons of clarity.

Stand 2 has a central guide tube 3, on which a guide ring 12 sits displaceably. Struts 9', 10' and 11' are hingeably connected to the guide ring 12 and to the legs 9, 10 or 11.

The upper ends of legs 9, 10 and 11 are hinged to a fixed ring 14 which sits on an upper end 7 of guide tube 3. A helical spring 13, which ensures that stand 2 remains in the open position, is arranged between fixed ring 14 and guide ring 12.

Helical spring 13 produces a force upon the guide ring 12 directed downwardly, as illustrated, for this purpose.

A snap closure 8 is arranged on the upper end 7 of guide tube 3. A warning light 5, 5' can be coupled, not only mechanically but also electrically, to stand 2 via correspondingly designed closure devices 8' by means of this snap closure 8.

Current sources 4 (batteries, accumulators) are arranged in the interior of guide tube 3. Electrical contact is effected inevitably by means of suitable electrical coupling members (not shown) during coupling of the warning light 5, 5' to the upper end 7 of stand 2.

If the collapsible signal of the invention is to be used without warning light 5, 5', guide tube 3 can advantageously be covered using a protective cover 6 which is designed analogously to closure devices 8' and, for example, may engage with snap closure 8. The interior of guide tube 3 may thereby be sealed against dust and moisture, so that the current sources are not exposed to any damaging environmental influences.

Claims

1. A support structure for an illuminated signal device, the structure comprising a carrier for holding an electrical power source, a coupling, and a plurality of legs supporting the carrier and the coupling, the coupling being arranged such that the signal device can be releasably attached thereto in electrical contact with a power source held by the carrier.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is so positioned in the structure that adding the weight of the power source increases the toppling resistance of the structure without the power source.

3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein the added weight of the power source increases the toppling resistance of the structure with the signal device attached thereto.

4. A support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the legs are collapsible.

5. A support structure according to claim 4, wherein the legs are movably attached to a guide tube to form a stand.

6. A support structure according to claim 5, wherein the carrier is within the guide tube.

7. A support structure according to claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising a plurality of struts pivotally connected to the leg members and slidably connected to the guide tube.

8. A support structure according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the coupling is at an end of the guide tube.

9. A support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling is provided with a cover for protecting the carrier and any electrical power source held by the carrier.

10. A signal device including means for releasable attachment to and electrical contact with the coupling of the support structure defined in any preceding claim.

11. Collapsible signal for presentation of traffic signs at building sites, accident sites and the like, which is opened and erected at the place of use, for which purpose it has a three-legged stand like a type of support having a central guide tube in which signal support surfaces pass over the legs, characterised in that the guide tube has dimensions such that it may accommodate a set of current sources to supply a warning light with electrical energy which can be coupled to the tip of the stand, and in that the upper end of the guide tube is provided with a closure, by means of which the warning light can be coupled mechanically and electrically to the stand.

12. Collapsible signal according to claim 11, characterised in that the legs are provided with struts hinged thereto, which are connected to a guide ring that sits displaceably on the central guide tube, and are hinged to the guide tube at its upper end.

13. Collapsible signal according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that a protective cover can be connected to the upper end of the guide tube.

14. A support structure, a signal device or a collapsible signal, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.