WO2000066836A1

WO2000066836A1 - Bright bolt reflector

Info

Publication number: WO2000066836A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/001457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Vaughan
Original assignee: Robert Vaughan
Priority date: 1999-05-01
Filing date: 2000-04-17
Publication date: 2000-11-09
Also published as: GB9910035D0; AU4581400A; GB2344146B; GB2344146A

Abstract

The Bright Bolt (2) as shown in illustration 'A' has, in each of the facets of its hexagonally shaped head a reflective device (8) which fits flush into a countersunk or drilled hole. The stem of the Bright Bolt has a thread which can allow for a securing nut (14) to be tightened into position. The reflective power of the Bright Bolt can be enhanced with the fitting of its own capping hood (4) which is domed in shape and has its own reflective coating (16) and is push fitted onto the head of the bolt (2) allowing the head to slot into the moulded 'Well' (10) and is secured to the bolt (2) by its own moulded washer attachment (6) which slips over the stem of the bolt (2). In illustration 'B' the Bright Bolt (2) can be hollowed as shown to allow for a small light bulb (7) to be installed and to be fed by a continuous electrical feed or supply (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION.

BRIGHT BOLT REFLECTOR

This invention relates to a Bright Bolt reflective device for use in unlit sections of motorways and dual carriageways etc; being positioned in the steel safety barriers of the central reservations.

At present, stretches of unlit motorway and dual carriageway are served by reflective devices built into the tarmacadam or concrete surfaces for the specific purposes of lane definition and in some instances as coloured hazard warnings for kerbs. The main problems associated with these existing devices is that they are subject to high levels of wear and tear from vehicle tyres and offer poor visibility when the surface of the road is waterlogged, thus obscuring the reflective ability by splashes. In such conditions, the curvature of the roads in darkness is not then defined which can lead to dangerous incidents of driving "blind".

According to the present invention hereby submitted and substantially described herein these problems are overcome by installing an alternative design of reflector in each face of the hexagonally shaped heads of the bolts which connect the safety barriers on the central reservation. In positioning the reflective device in this way they can serve a dual role of usual nut and bolt as well as offering reflection free from vehicle wear and tear and are not obscured by the presence of surface water in heavy rain. The bolts themselves are placed in groups of eight at around 1.5 to 2 metre intervals in the joined barrier sections.

In areas of poor visibility where residues from the run off from road side embankments etc create extra grime as spray, the current invention (Bright Bolt) also offers its own hood or capping fitting, domed in shape, with its entire surface covered in reflective chips or reflective coating which can be pushed into place over the head of the bolt by means of a moulded well within the hood itself and is secured by its own moulded washer attachment that connects with the stem of the bolt. The hood can be manufactured in PVC, rubber or similar hardwearing material and with its larger reflective surface the hood can enhance the Bright bolts performance in all conditions. The Bright Bolt fitting is intended specifically to replace the 'ordinary' steel bolts that are currently in situ on mtorways etc as an additional safety feature in outlining bends and curves in roads.

The Bright Bolt can also be further advanced by the hollowing of both the head and stem of the bolt so that a lighting bulb can be installed to glow with warning or flashing colours . The electrical supply to these bolts can be run conveniently and continuously along the inner face of the metal crash barriers as described above. The Bright Bolt (2) as shown in illustration 'A' has, in each of the facets of its hexagonally shaped head a reflective device (8) which fits flush into a countersunk or drilled hole. The stem of the Bright Bolt has a thread which can allow for a securing nut (14) to be tightened into position. The reflective power of the Bright bolt can be enhanced with the fitting of its own capping hood (4) which is domed in shape and has its own reflective coating (16) and is push fitted onto the head of the bolt (2) allowing the head to slot into the moulded 'Well' (10) and is secured to the bolt (2) by its own moulded washer attachment (6) which slips over the stem of the bolt(2).

In Illustration Η' the Bright Bolt can be hollowed as shown to allow for a small light bulb( 7) to be installed and to be fed by a continuous electrical feed or supply (3).

Claims

CL I S.

1. A Bright Bolt having a hexagonally shaped head, with each facet or plane of the head being drilled or countersunk to provide a seating.

2. A Bright Bolt as described in claim 1 , where each drilled and countersunk hole or seating is fitted with its own diamante type glass chip reflector so that each facet has a reflective face.

3. A Bright Bolt as described in claims 1 and 2 where each reflector fits flush into its seating or hole.

4. A Bright Bolt as described in 1,2 and 3 which is manufactured with a thread to the stem of the bolt in order to receive a securing nut.

5. A Bright Bolt as described in all preceding claims where the bolt can receive its own reflective push on capping hood for additional reflective powers.

6. A Bright Bolt as described in claim 5 where the reflective capping hood is domed shaped with an all round reflective chip or coated surface and has an inner core specifically moulded with a hexagonally shaped well or hole to accommodate the head of the bolt and is manufactured from PVC , Rubber or similar hardwearing material.

7. A Bright Bolt as described in claims 5 and 6 where the domed shaped capping hood has a moulded washer attachment which slips over the stem of the bolt so as to ensure that the hood remains attached to the Bright Bolt even if the hood itself should become dislodged from its correct position on the bolt head.

8. A Bright Bolt as described in all preceding claims that can be adapted by the hollowing of the bolts head and stem to accommodate a small light bulb and electrical feed or supply so that the Bright Bolt can be lit to provide enhanced safety features.

9. A Bright Bolt as described in claims 1 to 8 where the bolt can be fixed in place by the means of a securing nut which can be tightened as required.

10. A Bright Bolt substantially as described herein with reference to illustrations 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.