GB2383363A

GB2383363A - Traffic sign

Info

Publication number: GB2383363A
Application number: GB0130515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Thomas Nicklin
Original assignee: TRAFFIC MAN PRODUCTS
Current assignee: TRAFFIC MAN PRODUCTS
Priority date: 2001-12-20
Filing date: 2001-12-20
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Also published as: GB0130515D0

Abstract

The traffic sign, primarily for use with self righting posts, comprises a resilient indicator 1 which in turn comprises a main panel 2 and two opposite side panels 3, with retro-reflective material being attached to each of the panels. The indicator is preferably formed from a high impact resistant resilient plastics material and the panels are preferably generally planar. The retro-reflective material is preferably attached using a contact adhesive and the side panels are may be joined to the main panel along common edges by radiused corners. Also claimed is a self-righting traffic sign where the indicator is supported on a self-righting post.

Description

SIGNAGE This invention relates to signage, specifically to traffic signage adapted to return to their intended orientation subsequent to an impact with, say, a motor vehicle.

It is an object of this invention to provide signage which is particularly efficient in use.

There is provided, by a first aspect of the invention, a traffic sign comprising a resilient indicator member connected to a support, the indicator member comprising a main panel and two opposite side panels, retro-reflective material being attached to each panel.

The indicator member is preferably formed from a high impact resistant resilient plastics material and may be in a range of 2 to 6, and most preferably 3 to 4.5 mm thick. Suitable materials are high-density polyethylene, Nylon@, polycarbonates, and the like.

EP 522148 discloses a sign post which will automatically return to its intended orientation when struck from any direction. It is much preferred that the support in the sign of this invention is such a post.

According to the invention in a second aspect there is provided a self-righting traffic sign comprising a resilient indicator member mounted on a self-righting post, the

indicator member comprising a main panel and two opposite side panels, retroreflective material being attached to each panel.

Preferably the panels of the indicator member are generally planar. The retroreflective material is preferably attached to the planar surface using a contact adhesive or the like.

By virtue of the presence of the main panel and side panels the indicator member is channel-shaped in cross section. The side panels may be at any convenient inclination to the main panel, preferably they are inclined so as to present the retroflective material such that it will be conspicuous. The member also may have a rectangular or triangular cross-section. In another embodiment a rear panel is connected to the post so that the sign has a generally box section.

The side panels are preferably joined to the main panel along their common longitudinal edges which preferably define radiused corners. A collision tends to flatten the member by pivoting the side panels to lie In line with the main panel, following a collision the radiused corners act as hinges or pivot points to encourage the member to revert to the initial shape.

Preferably edge portions of the panels are shaped so as not to dig into a substrate when the indicator member is pushed to the substrate when the sign IS struck

Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of making a self-righting traffic sign, the method comprising forming an indicator member comprising a main panel and two side panels from a resilient plastics material, attaching a retro-reflective material to the panels and mounting the indicator member on a self-righting post.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be explained, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a indicator member for a self-righting traffic sign

. {' according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the indicator member of Figure 1; Figure 3A is a perspective view of the indicator member of Figure 1; Figure 3B is a detail of Figure 3A; Figure 3C is a detail of Figure 3A ; Figure 4A IS a plan view of the indicator member of Figure 1, Figure 4B IS a detail of Figure 4A;

Figure 4C is a detail of Figure 4A; and Figure 4D is one alternative of the detail shown in Figure 4B.

An indicator member 1 for a self-righting traffic sign comprises a body of general channel section and has a main planar panel 2 with integral planar side wings 3. The member 1 is formed from a thermoplastic polymeric material by an extrusion or injection moulding process. The outer wall of the main panel is the front panel of the sign, in use.

The front panel 2, which is generally rectangular as seen in plan, has an end extension portion 4 which tapers to substantially form an inverted triangle, the base of the extension portion 4 ending in a trapezoidal projection 5. The inverted triangular form provides side walls which can contact a substrate without digging in, when the sign is driven side ways in a collision.

The side wings 3 are joined to the front panel 2 along their facing longitudinal edges These take the form of outwardly radiused corners 6 which are raised with respect to the panel 2 and wings 3. The outer longitudinal edge 7 of each wing 3 is also raised As IS best seen from Figure 4A, the panel 2 and side wings 3 are curved with respect to the corners 6 and edges 7. The lowermost edge 13, as shown, of each side wing 3 tapers to join the front panel 2 at, or about, the base of the inverted triangle-shaped extension portion 4. The uppermost edge 14, as shown, of each side wing 3 curves away from the radius corner 6

Retroreflective sheets are attached to the planar regions of the panel 2 and each wing 3 by a suitable adhesive. A preferred retro-reflective material is Diamond Grade (RTM) retro-reflective sheet material supplied by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) of St. Paul, Minnesota, U. S. A; both Engineer Grade and Superior Grade, also supplied by 3M, are suitable. By locating the sheets in on the planar surfaces of panels 2,3 the attached sheet is provided with an element of protection during any collision with the bollard. The retro-reflective sheet may have direction indicators, warning signs or the like thereon.

All the edges of each panel 2,3 are rounded so as to reduce the risk of injury to any person struck by a moving indicator member 1, for example, during a collision with a bollard.

The radiused corners 6 provide the joint between the main panel 1 and the side panels 2,3 with resilience when a force attempts to flatten the member, say during a collision with a motor vehicle. As a car runs over the member 1, the side wings 3 are forced to pivot outwardly about the radiused corners 6. The configuration of the member 1, together with the natural resilience of the matenal from which It is fabricated, cause the panel 2 and side wings 3, once the impacting force has subsided, to revert to their preimpact channel shaped configuration.

In use, the member 1 is Installed on a self-righting post. A suitable self-righting post is that disclosed in EP (GB) 522148. Bolts or other suitable retaining members extend

through holes in the member 1 and into the post, thereby retaining the member 1 on the post. One of the holes may be formed in the tab 5 and one other in the front panel 2. The member 1 is attached to the post with the inverted triangle-shaped extension portion 4 at or above the intended point of impact of a colliding motor vehicle. It is intended that the sign, during a head-on collision, will be struck by a colliding vehicle at a point on or below the inverted triangle-shaped extension portion 4 of the member 1.

The provision of retro-reflective materials on each of the side wings 3 ensures that the member 1 is visible from all three sides. For maximum visibility the retroreflective surface should be at right angles to the oncoming vehicle; this can be achieved by selecting the orientation of the side panels relative to the main panel. The member 1 is visible within a 270 arc.

Upon impact with a motor vehicle, when the sign of the invention is struck in the region of the inverted triangle-shaped extension portion 4, the member 1 and post wraps around the impacting vehicle, as is taught by EP (GB) 522148, the member flexing about or below the point of connection between the main panel 1 and the inverted tnangle-shaped extension portion 4 As the impact force continues, the post and member 1 spring back toward the upright, passing through the vertical, and the vehicle then causes the sign to pivot about the post's point of connection to its base. If the vehicle runs over the member 1, the side wings 3 pivot outwardly until the car has driven over the member 1, whereupon the post will cause the sign to revert to the upnght, initial configuration and the member 1 will return to its onglnal shape

As the member 1 approaches the ground during a collision, the tapered bottom edge 13 of the side panels 3 will contact the ground first and will be gradually forced to pivot about the radiused corners 6. Therefore, the shape of the lowermost edge of the side panels 3 enables the force of the collision to be more gradually spread throughout the side wing 3 than would otherwise be possible if they did not have such a tapered edge.

The raised outer edge 7 also helps in this regard.

Figure 4B and 4D show two embodiments of radiused corners 6, 6'. In Figure 4B, the corners 6 have a constant thickness, whereas in Figure 4D the thickness of the corner 6'reduces from front panel 2 to side wing 3. The shape of the corners 6'provides a greater degree of flexibility during an impact as the flexibility is, at least in part, determined by the thickness of the walls and the resiliency of the material from which they are composed.

If the retro-reflective sheet is damaged during any such collision it may be removed and replaced by an identical sheet The panel 2 and side wings 3 may have holes through which locating pegs may extend. The retro-reflective sheet matenal may be provided with corresponding holes to ensure accurate location of the sheet material on the panels 2 and each of the side wings 3 Tests have confirmed that the signs, comprising a member 1 mounted on a post according to EP (GB) 522148 can withstand between 15 to 100 impacts with a motor

vehicle travelling at up to 96 km/h (60 mph). The sign will withstand a collision from any direction.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example the member 1 may have a square section or a triangular section, each face thereof preferably being connected by longitudinal radiused corners.

The indicator member of the invention can be used in a variety of situations where a self-righting sign is required, such as on roads, at airports, in car parks and the like.

Claims

1. A traffic sign comprising a resilient indicator member connected to a support, the indicator member comprising a main panel and two opposite side panels, retro-reflective material being attached to each panel.

2. A sign according to Claim 1, wherein the indicator member is formed from a high impact resistant resilient plastics material.

3. A sign according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator member is 2 to 6, preferably 3 to 4.5 mm, thick.

4. A sign according to any preceding Claim, wherein the panels of the indicator member are generally planar.

5. A sign according to any preceding Claim, wherein the retro-reflective material is attached to the planar surface using a contact adhesive.

6. A sign according to any preceding Claim, wherein the side panels are joined to the main panel along their common longitudinal edges which define radiused corners.

7. A self-righting traffic sign comprising a resilient indicator member mounted on a self-righting post, the indicator member comprising a main panel and two opposite side panels, retro-reflective material being attached to each panel.

8. A method of making a self-righting traffic sign, the method comprising forming an indicator member comprising a main panel and two side panels from a resilient plastics material, attaching a retroreflective material to the panels and amounting the indicator member on a self-righting post.

9. A traffic sign or a self-righting traffic sign, substantially as shown herein with reference to the drawings.