JPH09292846A - Reflection implement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reflection implement having a superior visibility at night and having an advertising function. SOLUTION: A retroreflective member 1 is belt-like or cylindrical one or more cut lines or gaps 2 of which the length is 30 to 90% of the full length of the reflection member 1 upward from the lower end of the reflection member 1 is provided, a rectangular piece 3 swung by wind is formed, the entire shape is shaped with octopus or the like, and a mounting portion 41 of mounting means 4 is rotatable on a support portion 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a reflector.
More specifically, it is useful for night visibility, which is useful as a sign to prevent vehicles from accidentally entering in specific areas such as parking lots, gas stations, one-man car turnaround locations, company premises, railroad crossings, and event venues. Regarding excellent reflectors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In gas stations, parking lots, etc., there are many places where the office lights are turned on all night even after the nighttime business is over. For this reason, it is difficult for the vehicle driver to misunderstand that it is in business, and it is difficult to visually recognize the rope, etc., even though ropes and chains are provided to prevent accidental entry of the vehicle etc. , If a vehicle, etc. mistakenly enters the area and damages the equipment installed there, or even if it is an originally safe work place, for workers working in that area,
There was a problem such as causing a personal injury. Therefore, at gas stations, etc., such problems have been solved by suspending a piece of white cloth or the like on a rope or a chain, but sufficient visibility at night could not be expected. Such problems also existed in other specific areas, for example, one-man-car turnaround points, company premises, railroad crossings, event venues, and the like.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is useful as a sign for preventing erroneous entry of vehicles, etc., which has excellent visibility even at night and also has an advertising function. It is intended to provide a reflector.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, one or more objects are installed on a structure of an object or a specific area to indicate the existence of the object or the specific area. A reflector, comprising a strip-shaped or tubular retro-reflecting material with one or more cuts or gaps 30 to 90% of the total length extending upward from the lower end of the reflective material. Alternatively, there is provided a reflecting device characterized in that a strip divided by a gap can be swung by wind.

In a preferred embodiment, the strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material has an attachment means for attaching it to an object or a structure in a specific area. Instruments are provided.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a reflecting device characterized in that the strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material is mainly made of plastic.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment thereof, the attaching means comprises an attaching portion for attaching to a structure in a specific area, and a supporting portion connected to the attaching portion for fixing the retroreflective material, and further attaching the attaching portion. A reflector is provided, wherein the part is rotatable with respect to the support part.

Further, as a preferred embodiment thereof, there is provided a reflecting instrument, wherein the strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material is in the shape of a polypod such as an octopus or a squid.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below. 1. Retroreflective Material The reflector of the present invention is mainly used as a sign that clearly indicates an object or a specific area at night. Therefore, the reflector used in this reflector needs to be retroactive in order to enhance the visibility at night. That is, by being recursive, a vehicle driver or the like can visually recognize a light beam emitted from his / her vehicle or the like as reflected light that is retroreflected.

Since the reflector of the present invention is often used outdoors, it is preferably made of plastic having excellent weather resistance. For example, vinyl chloride resin, acrylic resin, polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polyimide resin and the like can be mentioned.

The retroreflective material used in the present invention must have one or more cuts or gaps, and the strips defined by the cuts or gaps must be swingable by the wind. Must be able to withstand long-term use. Therefore, the thickness is 30 to 1,00.
0 μm is preferable, and more preferably 50 to 500 μm.
It is. If it is less than 30 μm, the strip is easily cut during use, and it cannot withstand long-term use. 1,0
If it exceeds 00 μm, it is difficult to expect the effect of rocking due to the wind, and it becomes difficult to perform the cutting process for providing a cut or a gap.

There is no particular limitation on such a retroreflective material, and a commercially available material can be used.

The shape of the reflecting material used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is not inconvenient to hang it on an object or a structure in a specific area, such as a rope used in a gas station. From the standpoints of setting a break described below, easiness of rocking due to wind, and designing the eye-catching, it is preferable that the belt-like shape or the cylindrical shape. FIG. 1 shows an example of a band shape and FIG. 2 shows an example of a cylinder shape. The reflecting surface of the reflecting material may be either one side or both sides, but it is preferably both sides in order to expand the directionality. Further, by making the reflecting material cylindrical, it is possible to improve the visibility regardless of the directionality.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to attract attention, it is necessary to make the shape of the retroreflective material 1 and the design of its surface a polypedic animal such as an octopus or a squid, which has an advertising function. It is also preferable from the standpoint of having them both. In the example shown in FIG. 1, its design is an octopus shape, and its mouth is a sign indicating that parking is prohibited to prevent erroneous entry of a vehicle. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of octopuses may be designed so that they can be viewed from multiple directions.

2. Cuts or gaps (strips) In the present invention, the retroreflective material is provided with cuts or gaps from its lower end upward, and the strips defined and formed by the cuts or gaps are swung in the wind. Make it easier. When the strip is swung in all directions by the wind, the reflected light is also reflected in multiple directions, so that it looks glittering and enhances visibility.

The number of strips divided by cuts or gaps varies depending on the material, total length, shape, thickness, etc. of the reflecting material, but the number is not particularly limited as long as it does not disturb the swing. 4 to 30 pieces are preferable for one reflecting device, and more preferably 5 to 5 pieces for one reflecting device.
It is 20. If the number is less than 4, the swinging effect of the strip on the wind and the effect of attracting the eyes become insufficient, and 3
If the number is more than 0, it takes time and labor for cutting and it becomes easy to cut during use.

The width of the strip also varies depending on the material, length, shape and thickness of the reflecting material, but is preferably 5 to 30 mm, more preferably 7 to 20 m.
m. If it is less than 5 mm, it may be easily cut during use, and the amount of light retroreflected in one direction may rather decrease. If it exceeds 30 mm, the brilliance due to the rocking may be reduced, and the eye-catching effect may be reduced.

The length of the strip in the longitudinal direction is preferably 30% to 90% of the total length of the reflective material in the longitudinal direction. If it is less than 30%, the rocking effect is not sufficient, and if it exceeds 90%, it becomes difficult to mount the mounting means, which is not preferable in terms of design, and there is a possibility that the rocking effect is reduced due to entanglement.

The length in the longitudinal direction of the strip is 30
-500 mm is preferable, More preferably, it is 40-30.
It is 0 mm. When it is less than 30 mm, the elongated pieces are hard to swing, and when it is more than 500 mm, the elongated pieces are entangled with each other during use, which may reduce the swinging effect and facilitate cutting.

The method of forming the same is not particularly limited, but it is possible to reduce the number of steps by forming a cut or a gap at the same time when the reflecting material is formed into a strip shape or is formed into a sheet shape before being formed into a tubular shape. Is preferred. For example, it is preferable to bring the reflecting material and the end of the cut into close contact with each other by welding or the like in order to prevent intrusion of rainwater or the like.

There is no particular limitation on the method of manufacturing the reflector shown in FIG. 2, and a general method of manufacturing a windsock can be used. For example, a substantially rectangular retroreflective sheet is provided with cuts or gaps of a predetermined length in the upward direction from the lower end in the longitudinal direction, and then edges of the widthwise ends are abutted against each other to form a tubular body. Are formed and joined with an adhesive tape in the upper part without any breaks or gaps. The adhesive tape is attached on the surface of the reflection sheet so as to straddle the joint portion (both edges in the width direction). Further, the adhesive tape is preferably attached to the formed inner surface of the tubular shape. As a result, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the reflectivity of the portion that occurs when the tape is attached to the outer surface of the tubular body. The adhesive tape can be attached to a part of the outer periphery of the upper portion of the tubular body (however, the portion straddling the joint portion) or the entire circumference. Sticking over the entire circumference increases the rigidity (strength) of the upper part of the tubular body that supports the swing of the strip, and the movement of the strip becomes large enough to be noticeable. preferable.

3. Attaching Means Since the reflecting device of the present invention is installed as one or more on a structure in a specific area, such as a rope of a gas station, as a sign for preventing incorrect entry, it is preferable to provide an attaching means for the structure. The means is not particularly limited as long as it is robust and can be securely attached,
As a simple method, a through hole may be provided in the upper portion of the reflective material and tied with a string or the like. Alternatively, the string may be attached to the upper portion of the reflective material in advance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting means 4 is
An attachment portion 41 for attaching to a structure in a specific area,
And a support portion 42 connected thereto and for fixing the retroreflective material 1.

(1) Mounting portion As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 41 is preferably shaped so as to be easily mounted on a structure in a specific area, such as a rope of a gas station, and is easily deformed or destroyed. It is preferable to use a non-use material, for example, metal such as stainless steel or engineering plastic.

Further, it is preferable that the mounting portion 41 has a structure rotatable with respect to the support portion 42. When the strip 3 of the retroreflective material 1 swings in the wind, by rotating itself, the brightness due to the reflection can be changed, and the visibility can be improved. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the lower portion is spherical and rotatable. FIG.
Alternatively, a universal joint as shown in FIG. 3 (c) may be used.

(2) Supporting portion Since the retroreflective material 1 is mainly made of plastic as described above, when exposed to the following hot sun, the upper portion of the retroreflective material 1 is heat-denatured and used. Can be difficult. Therefore, the support portion 42 is the attachment portion 41.
It is preferable that the retroreflective material 1 is reliably connected to the retroreflective material 1 and that the retroreflective material 1 is securely fixed and that the retroreflective material 1 also functions as a shade. From this point of view, the supporting portion is preferably made of a material having excellent rigidity and heat resistance. Specifically, it is preferable to use metal such as stainless steel or plastic having excellent rigidity and heat resistance.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the supporting portion 42 is made of metal, and the retroreflective material 1 is crimped so as to sandwich it, and the projections 43 firmly fix the retroreflective material 1. The example shown in FIG. 3A shows the situation immediately before the caulking work.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 3B, the supporting portion 4
2 is further combined with surface fasteners 44 and 45 so that the retroreflective material 1 can be fixedly attached and detached. The fixing of the support portion 42 and the surface fastener 44, and the fixing of the retroreflective material 1 and the surface fastener 45 are not particularly limited and can be performed using, for example, an adhesive or the like. The attachment position and area of the surface fastener are not particularly limited, and may be the entire surface or a partial area. With such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately replace the retroreflective material 1 with a different surface design depending on the season, event, etc., and improve the advertising function.

The example shown in FIG. 3C is another example of the detachable type. In this example, the retroreflective material 1 can be easily attached to and detached from the support pair 42 by interposing an elastic body 46, such as rubber or a spring.

4. Method of Using as Reflector The method of using the reflector of the present invention as a marker in a specific area can be appropriately selected depending on the specific area and the structure installed therein. For example, when it is used by attaching it to a rope of a gas station, it is preferable that the attachment interval be as narrow as possible in consideration of an erroneous entry of a light vehicle such as a bicycle or a motorcycle.
For example, it is preferable to attach them at intervals of 50 cm or less. Since the mounting height needs to be retroreflected by the illumination light of the vehicle, it is preferably 50 to 100 cm, for example. Further, it is preferable that the mounting portion is tightly fixed to the rope or the like by caulking or the like after being attached to the rope or the like.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a reflector having improved visibility even at night and having an advertising function that attracts attention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of a reflector according to the present invention, showing a case where a retroreflective material has a strip shape.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing another embodiment of the reflecting device of the present invention, showing a case where the retroreflective material has a tubular shape.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view schematically showing one embodiment of a mounting means used in the present invention, (a) shows a case where a supporting portion made of metal or the like is caulked to fix a retroreflective material by a protrusion,
(B) shows the case where the retroreflective material is further removable by using a surface fastener, and (c) shows the case where the retroreflective material is removable by using an elastic body.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing another embodiment in which the retroreflective material has a strip shape.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Retroreflective material 2 Cut or gap 3 Elongated piece 4 Attachment means (hole) 41 Attachment part 42 Support part 43 Protrusion 44,45 Surface fastener 46 Elastic body 10 Reflective device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reflector which is installed on one or more objects or structures of a specific area for indicating the presence of an object or a specific area, comprising a strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material, From the lower end of the reflector up to 30
A reflecting device comprising one or more cuts or gaps having a length of 90%, and a strip divided by the cuts or gaps can be swung by wind. 2. The strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material,
The reflector according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for mounting to an object or a structure in a specific area, on the upper portion thereof. 3. The strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material,
3. The reflector according to claim 1, which is mainly made of plastic. 4. The attaching means comprises an attaching portion for attaching to a structure in a specific area, and a supporting portion connected with the fixing portion for fixing the retroreflective material, and the attaching portion is the supporting portion. The reflector according to claim 2 or 3, which is rotatable with respect to the reflector. 5. The strip-shaped or tubular retroreflective material,
The reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which has a shape of a polypod such as an octopus or a squid.