GB2323401A

GB2323401A - Sign

Info

Publication number: GB2323401A
Application number: GB9707924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Wallwork
Original assignee: SWINTEX
Current assignee: SWINTEX
Priority date: 1997-03-17
Filing date: 1997-04-18
Publication date: 1998-09-23
Also published as: GB9705464D0; GB9707924D0

Abstract

A temporary road sign (10) comprises a curved sign display body (11) which may have variable curvature, and a base (12) with a curved slot (14, Figure 5) for receiving the display body (11). The slot may be wider than the display body thickness and be continuous, discontinuous with bridge sections across it, or be formed by a series of projections defining retaining pinch points (15, 15A, Figure 5). The slot may also have a releasible detent mechanism to capture the sign body in position. The display body (11) may be fabricated from metal or plastic, and may have an integral thickening bead around its edges. The sign may further comprise a supplementary sign display body (16, Figure 3), and the base (12) may have extensions (20, Figure 5) projecting from its rear. The sign may be provided with a carrying handle (19, Figure 4) and may include an illuminating means.

Description

SIGN The present invention relates to a sign and particularly, but not exclusively to a portable sign.

It is conventional to use portable signs at road works to display information regarding the road works, such as for example the closure of a traffic lane. One known form of sign comprises a metal plate display body which is supported by a stand which is located at the rear of the display body. The stand may be collapsed such that the sign may be stored in a space efficient manner when not in use. Such signs can be expensive to manufacture and, in any event, there is a growing preference for signs that are not of metal construction.

GB 2267303 relates to a traffic bollard as opposed to a sign. Such traffic bollards are inherently not as wide as signs, their typical width being 100 to 150 mm and their typical height being 750 to 1000 mm. This arrangement would be unusable for many wider sign display bodies. The bollard of GB 2267303 comprises a flat display body and a base having a curved slot in its upper surface for receiving the display body. The lower end of the display body, which is flat at rest, is deformed on insertion into the curved aperture. The upper end of the display body remains flat.

The curved form provides a higher level of rigidity at the lower end of the display body whilst the upper portion of the display body may retain its flat configuration. As a flat display body is used the body must be relatively thick if the top ofthe display body is to be sufficiently rigid to ensure that it does not move unduly in windy conditions. The use of thick panels is undesirable in that this adds to the manufacturing costs.

Furthermore this arrangement would be unsuitable for wide signs as the display body surface is progressively more unusable with display bodies having larger surface areas which would be prone to deformation in the wind.

The market for portable signs is very competitive. Consequently a small reduction in manufacturing costs can have a dramatic effect on the commercial success of a product. The present invention seeks to provide a portable sign which is cost effective to produce.

According to the present invention there is provided a sign comprising a sign display body and a base for supporting the sign display body, the base being provided with a curved slot for receiving the lower end of the sign display body, wherein, prior to locating the sign display body in the slot, the sign display body, when viewed in plan view, is curved.

For any given sign width, over roughly 50 cm, the arrangement of the invention may use sign display bodies of a thinner gauge than the arrangements used for traffic bollards in GB 2267303.

The arrangement of the invention ensures that the top of the sign display body is arcuate, thus ensuring that the top of the sign display body retains a sufficient degree of rigidity so as not to be unduly affected by windy conditions even when relatively thin sign display bodies are used. The arrangement further provides satisfactory wind resistance for the sign display body over a wide range of display body widths. This is a very important consideration for signs bearing road safety information which are often located in exposed areas. The curvature of the sign display body may be constant throughout the height of the sign display body. Alternatively the curvature may increase or decrease with the height of the sign display body, but the top of the display body would preferably not be flat. An increase in curvature at the top of the sign would increase strength and thus resistance to body in the wind. A decrease in curvature towards the top of the sign display body may be desirable for safety reasons, particularly with larger road signs, when thick gauge material is used for the sign display bodies.

Further, if desired, the edges of the display sign body may be provided with an integral thickening bead, and/or folded return and/or a specifically applied protective bead. This may be especially useful for providing increased safety when thinner materials are used for the display members.

The display sign body ideally comprises plastics and/or sheet metal. Plastics material is preferred such as thermoplastic, thermosetting and/or reinforced resin compounds such as glass fibre. Ideally the plastics material comprises any of the following either alone or in combination: polyester, PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS. Polyethylenes are particularly preferred and especially high density polethylenes. It is noted that a laminate structure may be used. The use of corrugated or fluted extruded sheets or foamed sheets may prove advantageous. The base ideally comprises rubber, plastics or wood. Recycled material may be used for the base and/or sign display body so as to reduce manufacturing costs. If plastics materials are employed the plastics material may incorporate fillers of lesser cost, such as limestone, talc or sand, or strengthening materials such as glass fibre, textiles or others which are known in the art. The thickness of the sign display body is ideally in the range from 0.5 mm to 3 mm ifmade ofmetal and in the range from 2 mm to 8 mm if made of plastics material, the thickness ofthe slot being up to 30%, or more preferably 20%, or still more preferably 15% wider than this such that the sign display body is received in the slot with a snug fit.

The slot preferably has a radius of curvature of less than 1.5 m, more preferably less than 1.2 m and most preferably less than 1.0 m, whilst preferably being at least 0.3 m and more preferably at least 0.7 m. The radius of curvature ofthe sign display body is preferably of less than 1.5 m, more preferably less than 1.2 m and most preferably less than 1.0 m, whilst preferably being at least 0.3 m and more preferably at least 0.7 m. The depth of the slot is ideally in the range from 50 mm to 200 mm and is preferably in the range from 80 mm to 130 mm and the length of the slot is ideally in the range from 400 mm to 1.2 m and more preferably is in the range from 600 mm to 900 mm. One or more bridges may optionally span the slot such that the slot is discontinuous. The bridges may serve to aid location of the base of the display sign body in the slot. The slot may be open ended or have closed ends. It is noted that the term "slot" as used herein is used to define any body comprising a plurality of pinch points between which the base of a sign display body may be retained. Thus the slot in one embodiment may comprise a conventional slot optionally having projections provided at one side thereof such that in this embodiment, the sign display body is retained between these projections and the opposing slot wall. In other words at least a part of the slot would be more narrow than the remainder of the slot, the display sign body being captured in the narrow portion of the slot. In an alternative embodiment a series of projections may be arranged in a staggered fashion so as to define a series of pinch points between which the base of the sign display body may be retained. The pinch points are preferably alternatively staggered on opposite sides of the zone intended for receiving the display sign body.

The base may be profiled so as to be capable of bearing supplementary information at its front such as the manufacturer's logo. Furthermore the sign may include a supplementary sign display body. This may be received in a second slot which may be curved or straight. Alternatively the supplementary sign display body may be received, at least in part, together with the main sign display body in a single curved slot. Such a supplementary sign may comprise indentations for location purposes. These may be received over bridges or projections provided in the single slot which may in turn be used for location or as pinch points for the main sign display body. The supplementary sign display body may be reusable so as to have an alternative display on its rear to its front. Only one of such displays would be visible from a distance in that the other would be masked by the main sign display body. One or more extensions ideally project from the front and/or rear of the base over which a heavy object such as a sandbag may be located. In some embodiments these extensions may be arranged such that they fold towards or into the base to reduce storage size. The base is ideally profiled so as to be capable of being stacked and being arranged horizontally in a space efficient manner so as to minimise wasted storage space. A handle is ideally located at the top of the base, the centre of gravity of the base being located substantially in the same plane as the centre of gravity of the block such that tilt of the block is minimised when lifted via its handle, either with or without the display member inserted in the slot. The base may be any height that is convenient, but it is preferably greater than 20 cm and is more preferably greater than 29 cm from the ground to the opening of the slot.

A detent mechanism may be provided so as to releasably capture the display sign body in position. Such a detent mechanism is ideally "self-engaging" on insertion of the display body in the slot. A detent mechanism may be located at the front and/or rear of the slot. More than one of such mechanisms may be provided. In such cases it is preferred that the sign display body is more curved at its base than the slot such that the sign display body is urged towards the detent mechanism.

The curvature of the sign display body may be increased at its ends, if for example, the ends of the sign display body extend beyond the slot. This additional curvature could increase strength at the edges. This may be especially beneficial when the signs are in excess of 75 cm in height and more particularly in excess of 90 cm in height and more particularly still in excess of 110 cm in height. At least a part of the display body and/or base may have a retroreflective surface. This is particularly important if the sign is intended for use as a road sign.

For larger signs it may be that a multi-component base unit is preferred.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one sign in accordance with the present invention; Fig.2 is a front elevation of the main sign display body of the sign of fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the supplementary sign display body of the sign of fig.1; Fig.4 is a side elevation of the base of the sign of fig. 1; Fig.5 is a plan view of the base illustrated in fig.4; Fig.6 shows two bases of the type illustrated in figs. 4 and 5 arranged in storage; Fig.7 shows four bases of the type illustrated in figs. 4 to 6 arranged in storage; Fig.8 is a plan view of a base of a second sign in accordance with the present invention; Fig.9 is a front elevation of a supplementary sign display body for use in combination with the base of fig.8; Fig. 10 is a plan view of a base of a third sign in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a supplementary sign display body for use in combination with the base of fig. 11; Fig. 12 is a front elevation of an alternative main sign display body for use in accordance with the present invention, the display portion of which is in a first position; and Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the sign display body of fig. 12 in which the display portion is in a second position.

Referring to figs. 1 to 7 a temporary portable sign 10 for use at the side of road works comprises a self supporting main sign panel 11 and a base support 12 for the main panel 11. The main panel 11 is made of thermoplastic polyethylene. Information 13 is provided on the front ofthe main panel 11. The main panel 11 is arcuate as is readily apparent when it is viewed from above. The radius of curvature of the panel 11 is substantially uniform at a radius of 800 mm. The lower end of the main panel 11 is operative to be received in a slot 14 in the base 12. The slot 14 is curved as is readily apparent from fig.5. The radius of curvature of the slot is substantially 850 mm. Four projections 15 extend partly into the slot from the rear. The lower end of the main panel is received between the ends 15a of the projections 15 and the opposing slot wall 14a with a snug fit. A detent mechanism is ideally provided at the front ofthe slot 14 for releasably retaining the main panel 11 in the base. By ensuring that the radius of curvature of the main panel 11 is less than that of the slot 14 the front of the main panel 11 within the slot 14 will urge against the front of the slot 14. This ensures that the detent mechanism which is provided at that position will readily engage with a hole provided at the lower end ofthe panel 11. A supplementary sign display body 16 may be received in the slot 14 in front ofthe main panel 11. Tongues 17 depend at spaced intervals from the supplementary sign display body so as to be retained in the gaps between the projections 15. Alternative messages may be provided on the opposite faces of the supplementary display body. Only one of these messages is visible when the supplementary sign display body 16 is located in position.

The base 12 comprises a block of recycled filled PVC material. The front of the base is profiled so as to minimise the required storage space and to reduce wind resistance. It is noted that additional information 18 is located on the front of the base 12 for customer identification. A handle 19 is located at the top of the block behind the slot 14. The handle 19 is located substantially in the same plane as the centre of gravity of the base 12. Extensions 20 project from the rear of the base. The spacing between the extensions is such as to accommodate a man's leg. This is useful when the base 12 is being carried via its handle.

It is noted that a plurality of similar bases 12 may be stored in a space efficient manner as illustrated in figs. 6 and 7. In fig. 6 the front of a first base is received in the space between the extensions at the rear of a second base. A layer of bases may be stored in one or more rows in this manner. A second layer of bases is stored on top of the first layer after first having inverted the bases which form the second layer. It is noted that the bases stack in such a manner that the rear upstanding walls of the stacked bases of the first and second layer abut. Furthermore the extensions of the second layer of bases abut the tops of the first layer of bases and vice-versa. The handles of the bases of the first layer are received between the extensions of the bases of the second layer and vice-versa.

Referring to figs. 8 and 9 a similar arrangement is shown to that previously illustrated except in that the supplementary sign 18 is not received in the slot 19, but instead is provided with two legs 20 which are received in holes 21 in the base.

Referring to figs. 10 and 11 a still further arrangement is shown in which the supplementary display body 22 is simply a flat plate. The middle portion of this supplementary sign display body 22 is received between the main sign display body and the slot wall. The ends of the supplementary sign display body are, however, received in branches 23 from the slot 24.

Referring to figs. 12 and 13 a sign display body is illustrated in which a semicircular flap 25 is attached via a hinge formed from ties to a main panel 26. The flap is removable from about the hinge between a first position as illustrated in fig. 12 to a second position as shown in fig. 13. The flap may be secured in either ofthe two positions by VELCRO (trade mark). This arrangement allows for one of two alternative displays to be visible at any one time.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiment is by way of illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible. For example, the base may be provided with a compartment to hold a lighting arrangement and/or be provided with a fitting to receive a detachable light for the display member and may also be provided with a compartment for a battery or a plug and socket arrangement to connect the lighting to a remote battery.

Claims

1. A sign comprising a sign display body and a base for supporting the sign display body, the base being provided with a curved slot for receiving the lower end of the sign display body, wherein, prior to locating the sign display body in the slot, the sign display body, when viewed in plan view, is curved.

2. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curvature of the sign display body is constant throughout the height of the sign display body.

3. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curvature of the sign display body increases with the height of the sign display body.

4. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curvature of the sign display body decreases with the height of the sign display body.

5. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the display sign body are provided with at least one of an integral thickening bead, a folded return or a protective bead.

6. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign display body is made of metal, the thickness of the sign display body being in the range from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

7. A sign as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sign display body is made of plastics, the thickness of the sign display body being in the range from 2 mm to 8 mm.

8. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the slot is up to 30% wider than the thickness ofthe sign display body.

9. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the slot is up to 15% wider than the thickness of the sign display body.

10. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot has a radius of curvature of less than 1.5 m.

11. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot has a radius of curvature of less than 1 - 0 m.

12. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot has a radius of curvature of 0.3 m or more.

13. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot has a radius of curvature of 0.7 m or more.

14. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the depth ofthe slot is in the range from 50 mm to 200 mm.

15. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length of the slot is in the range from 400 mm to 1.2 m.

16. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more bridges span the slot such that the slot is discontinuous.

17. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot is formed by a series of projections arranged in a staggered fashion so as to define a series of pinch points between which the base of the sign display body may be retained.

18. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign further comprises a supplementary sign display body.

19. A sign as claimed in claim 18, wherein the supplementary sign display body is received in a second slot.

20. A sign as claimed in claim 18, wherein the supplementary sign display body is received, at least in part, together with the main sign display body in a single slot.

21. A sign as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the supplementary sign display body has alternative displays on its rear to its front.

22. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more extensions project from the base.

23. A sign as claimed in claim 22, wherein the extensions are arranged so as to fold towards or into the base.

24. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a handle is provided at the top of the base.

25. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of the base is greater than 20 cm.

26. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a detent mechanism is provided so as to releasably capture the display sign body in position.

27. A sign as claimed in claim 26, wherein the curvature of the sign display body increases at its ends.

28. A signed as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a light source is incorporated into the base, the light source being operative to illuminate the sign display body.

29. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim substantially as defined herein with reference to figs. 1 to 7, 8and9, 10 and 11 and 12 and 13.