LU82466A1 - INDICATOR POST FOR SIGNS ON ROADS - Google Patents

Description

D, 51.14ο

I- $ 24 $ fi GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG

"Patent No ............................................... ...

from .... 2o ..... raai ... 19.8.0 .-------------- Mr. Minister, National Economy and the Middle Classes

Book title: ...___________________________________ i "

YjM Industrial Property Service? LUXEMBOURG

Patent Application • I. Request -_I "a-.g.ociëtë dit * ..... TmJB & SSICg. CQBPORftyiQN. # ... Boute 22, ..... â, ___________________________ a). BREHSTERf Newr-Yoxk. 1q5q9 United States of America, ..... represented ...........

by Mr. Jacques de Muyser, acting as a man- (2). ".. 8i.atr.air. @ ........................ ....... m .., n, ..... H ................... „........... .................................................. .................................................. ............................................

deposit this .V.ing.t ... mal.-19., OQ .._. guat __________________________________________________ (3) at ________. 15 .____________ hours, at the Ministry of National Economy and the Middle Classes, in Luxembourg: 1 the present request for obtaining a patent for an invention concerning: ...... "Indicating post for the marking of roads" .______________________________________________________ (4) declares, assuming responsibility for this declaration, that the (es) inventor (s) is (are): ..... Y.Ol.t ...... on ... back ____________________________________________________________________ (5) 2. the delegation of power, dated ... ....... 3..Q ...... ^. V ^. Il .... i..9 ..?. Q ...

3. description in language ..........% .. i ^ nçaise ............................ ..... of the invention in two copies; 4 ..........? .................... drawing boards, in two copies; 5. the receipt of the taxes paid to the Luxembourg Registration Office, on ....... 2o mal 198o ....................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ..................................................

claims for the above patent application the priority of one (s) request (s) for (6) ................... patent ....... .......................................... filed ^ / in (7). ...... in the United States of America ................

February 8 ..... 19.8.0 ........... (No., ...... 119 ..,. 8.54.) .......... ........................................... (8) on behalf of. .................................................. .................................................. ..., .............................................. ......................................... (9) takes up residence for him (she ) and, if appointed, for its representative, in Luxembourg ...................................... ..

35, ..... bld. Royal................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............ (10) requests the grant of a patent for the invention for the subject described and represented in the aforementioned "appendices", - with adjournment of this grant to. .......... /. / ...................... ...... month.

'.. (¾¾¾¾5iÿ> Π. Statement of Deposit

The above application for a patent for invention has been filed with the Ministry of National Economy and the Middle Classes, Industrial Property Service in Luxembourg, on: 2o mal 198o. · -......... .. · -. Pr. The Minister at ..... 15 .............. hours / -O · of the National Economy erides C3àsses Moyennes,. ..- p / d (// FO · 1! / * &% il Δ C0nn7 I ® θ6! ^ · '·' *> ΐΒ? ι. -2 1 #! CLAIM OF D. 5i.i40

'PRIORITY OF DEPOSIT OF

j · PATENT APPLICATION

TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OF February 8, 1980 | 1 *> V K (\ VAA> J0- ') | j Brief Description submitted in support of a request for

PATENT-B’INVENTION

d to d, Luxembourg

j formed by: TLB PLASTICS CORPORATION

I for: Signpost for road markings.

% s i ~ ί. -

The present invention relates, in general, to improvements made to visual beaconing devices and it relates in particular to an improved signpost which straightens automatically for motorways, roads and the like.

It is common practice to place, at the edge of a motorway, devices constituting visual and / or acoustic beaconing for this motorway in order to indicate, in complete safety, the lateral limits thereof to drivers of vehicles who circulate there and this, both day and night. The beacon indicating devices for motorways which have been widely used up to now have many drawbacks, among which mention will be made of their poor visibility under many conditions, as well as the need for their frequent replacement. In patent US 4,084,914 granted on April 18, 1978, there is described an indicator post ii self-righting for highways, this post ij designed to remedy some of the disadvantages of indicator devices classic markup. However, the signpost described in this patent has certain drawbacks. Under many conditions, especially in windy weather, the night visibility of the device is unreliable and greatly reduced due to the excessive vibrations experienced by the signpost supporting the reflective elements. Since the reflecting surface is flat, the rotation of the post causes a shaking or a "blinking" effect with regard to the reflection which, in addition to the loss of reflection, constitutes a source of distraction which could divert attention from 'a driver. In addition, the visibility of the signpost is likely to be impaired by damage to the reflective elements! that the correct location of signposts is critical, that the orientation of the reflective elements must be precise and that there is only a low tolerance, otherwise the signposts for motorways leave much to be desired.

A main object of the present invention is to provide an improved beacon indicating device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved signpost for the marking of a highway.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved signpost which straightens automatically for the marking of motorways.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved signpost of the reflective and self-righting type for the marking of motorways, this post being perfectly visible by day and by night, even under unfavorable conditions, for example by large wind, while it is able to withstand numerous shocks and deflections without significant damage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described above, characterized by its high reliability, its robustness, its low cost price, its easy application, as well as its great possibilities of use and adaptation. . J

These various objects of the present invention, as well as others will appear on reading the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

An automatically straightening signpost for the marking of motorways according to the present invention comprises a vertical member made of a flexible plastic resin - 4 - and having a curved and wavy cross section comprising a median section with concavity directed towards the front, joined together to opposite rear-facing concavity side sections which terminate in rear arms diverging rearwards, as well as a forward-facing reflector located on the post near the upper end j of this one.

In the preferred embodiment of the improved signpost, the vertical member has a uniform thickness, the middle section having a greater radius of curvature than the side sections, while the side arms are flat and form an angle lying between 10 ° and 45 ° relative to the median longitudinal plane of the post, protruding towards the rear of the median section. The post is front-! suitably made of polycarbonate resin or the like,! while the reflecting member is a reflective tape comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive support, this member adhering to the middle section, as well as to the adjacent parts | side sections of the pole. A metallic anchoring member in the form of a channel whose outer central face I is fixed to the concave face of the post, is suspended below I of the latter by acting as a guide in order to facilitate the insertion of the signpost into the ground, while 'barbs directed upwards are automatically formed on the lower part of the vertical member in order to prevent it from coming out of the ground.

The improved and self-righting signpost for highway signposting according to the present invention is highly reliable, it provides an optimal and uniform visual indication or signaling even in strong winds, it is robust and able to withstand many conditions, while '' it is easy to apply and offers great possibilities of use and adaptation. While the vibrations to which the improved signpost is subjected are not sufficient, even in strong winds, to appreciably alter the visibility of this signpost, the latter easily flexes under a shock to return to its initial position.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a highway along the shoulders of which are signposts according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sign post bent under the impact of a vehicle, the normal position of this post being shown by broken lines; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the unmounted signpost; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure S is a sectional view of the sign post, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3, the lines in broken lines illustrating this post in the twisted position; and Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3.

5 Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 denotes, in general, the improved signpost which automatically straightens for motorways, this signpost being illustrated, Figure 1, in the upright position along the unpaved shoulders 11 of a highway 12, the signposts 10 being spaced apart. J.

In its installed or erected position, the sign post 10 comprises a practically vertical member 13, a reflective tape 14, as well as an anchoring or driving member 16.

The vertical member 13 is made of a flexible elastic thermoplastic impact and weather resistant polycarbonate resin which is advantageously pigmented in white or in another suitable color, this member being manufactured in any conventional or suitable manner. The vertical member 13 is elongated and has a uniform thickness with a wavy and uniform cross section comprising a median section with concavity directed towards the front 17 connected in one piece, along its opposite edges, to sec- » lateral concavity directed towards the rear 18 which terminate, at their parallel outer edges, by wings or flat arms 19 diverging towards the rear and which advantageously emerge towards the rear beyond the convex rear face of the middle section 17. In the normal installation position, the concave face of the middle section 17 is directed towards the approaching traffic, while the vertical member is symmetrical with respect to a vertical or longitudinal median plane. The radius of curvature of the middle section 17 1 is greater than that of the side sections 18.

!

In order that the signpost cannot leave its position of installation in the ground, one or more rectangular barbs 20 inclined rearwards and upwards while being spaced vertically are formed from the middle section 17 at which they are joined in one piece along their lower edges, providing corresponding rectangular openings 21.

According to a specific example of the vertical member 13, by way of illustration, the thickness of the member 1 1! forms the latter, is 3.175 mm, the distance between the free ends of the arms 19 is 95.25 mm, the radius of curvature of the middle section 17 is 38.1 mm, while that of each lateral section 18 is 13.49 mm. Each arm 19 is oriented at an angle of 20 ° relative to the median longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry of the vertical member 13, while the distance between the free end of each arm 19 and the line joining the convex front faces of the lateral sections 18 by forming a tangent to these faces is 26.19 mm. The height of the vertical member 13 will be that usually adopted or any desired height.

The reflector member 14 is a reflective tape of a conventional and well-known design and it comprises a flexible fibrous film or substrate comprising a backing layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and the front face of which supports spherical or highly reflective multi-facets in a well known manner. The reflector member 14 has a rectangular profile and is located a short distance below the upper edge of the vertical member 13, while it extends along and adheres to the front faces of the middle section 17 and adjacent parts of the side sections 18 following the shape of their outline.

The anchoring and driving member 16 made of metal is fixed to and descends vertically from the front face of the vertical member 13 while, as shown in the drawings, it has the shape of a profile in U with wings comprising a front transverse member 22, as well as lateral arms 23 diverging and protruding rearward, ending in opposite transverse flanges 24 extending in the same plane. The transverse member 22 comes into contact with the concave rear face of the vertical member 13. The member '- / I- ".......

! crage 16 is fixed to the vertical member 13 by means of self-locking rivets 26 or nut and screw fasteners coming to engage

In vertically aligned and spaced openings which are made in the vertical member and the anchor member. Vertically spaced openings 27 are formed in the transverse member 22 of the anchor member.

As regards the application and the putting into service of the improved signposts 10 described above, these are erected along the shoulders 11 of the road at the desired locations by pushing each organ into the ground. anchor 16 fixed to a respective vertical member 13 and this, almost completely until the barbs 20 are located below ground level.

The signpost 10 acts as a guide to locate the vertical member and cause it to sink easily into the ground before the plastic material enters the latter which could be rocky or hard. It also allows the driving force to be applied to its upper edge and not to the plastic. Each signpost is oriented so

Ique the reflective member is directed towards the approaching traffic, thus being brightly lit by the headlights of the approaching vehicle and returning the incident light towards the latter. Due to the exceptional configuration of the vertical member 13, the winds generate a minimum of turbulence while the vibrations and oscillations of this vertical member on its vertical axis and its transverse axis are also reduced to a minimum and limited to deviations of the vertical member with respect to its normal position without constraint as> shows in Figure 5 which illustrates the maximum oscillation stroke on the vertical axis, which contrasts with the strokes of + 90 indicator posts of the same kind of previous technique. 2- T ο Tû-Pl û v î r \ n rl α 1 ο 1 nm -î ^ oroc / 1 I ir pV »η τ 1 P ατνητΠΓ HflTlt - 9 - by the reflector 14 towards this vehicle is not interrupted by the torsional vibrations of the vertical member 13 by virtue of the curvature of the reflective member, thus eliminating the drawbacks presented by trembling or interrupted reflection.

When a vehicle 28 leaves the road and comes

B

roll on the shoulder 11 coming to strike the sign post * * as shown in FIG. 2, the impact has the effect of bending the vertical member 13 forward and, as the vehicle advances, this member vertical pushed up hits the underside of the latter, thus producing noisy warning sounds that alert the driver of the vehicle.

As soon as the vehicle 28 has passed the collapsed signpost 1 '* the latter returns elastically to its normal vertical position. The signpost 10 is able to support | many shocks, always returning to its normal vertical operating position.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, it is obvious | that many modifications, omissions and additions may | be considered without departing from the spirit of the latter.

For example, although in the illustrated embodiment, the wings 19 protrude rearward beyond the convex rear face of the middle section 17, they could just as easily have a dimension equal to or even less than that of this middle section 17. Similarly, although the driving member 16 is illustrated in the form of a U-shaped member or i wing, it could also have a cross section an-! gular or even tubular. In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment, the barbs 20 are rectangular, they could be triangular or hemispherical.

Claims (10)

1. Self-righting signpost, characterized in that it comprises a vertical member made of a flexible plastic material and having a corrugated cross section comprising a median section with concavity directed towards the front, joined to lateral sections opposite to conca-. rear-facing unit terminating in side arms diverging rearward, as well as a forward-facing reflective member located on the vertical member, near the upper end thereof. 2. Sign post according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral arms are practically flat 3. Sign post according to claim 2, * characterized in that the lateral arms are oriented at angles of between 10 ° and 45 ° relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vertical member. 4. Sign post according to claim 3, characterized in that the reflective member comprises a reflective tape superimposed on the concave front face of the middle section. 5. Sign post according to claim 4, characterized in that the reflective tape extends along at least part of the convex front faces of the lateral sections. 6. Sign post according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral arms protrude towards the rear of the convex rear face of the middle section. 7. Sign post according to claim 3, characterized in that barbs inclined outwardly and upward are formed in one piece with the 'lower part of the vertical member. - II - r 8. Sign post according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an elongated metal driving member suspended from and coming to be housed in the lower part of the vertical member. “9, Signpost according to claim 3, characterized in that the vertical member consists of a flexible and elastic themoplastic polycarbonate resin. 10. Sign post according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforementioned angles are approximately 20 °. % *