WO2003058585A1

WO2003058585A1 - A road sign

Info

Publication number: WO2003058585A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2002/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Terence Warwick
Original assignee: Ronald Terence Warwick
Priority date: 2002-01-14
Filing date: 2002-01-14
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: AU2002234284A1

Abstract

A road sign has a display capable of automatic variation to correspond with changes in weather, visibility, traffic, density or time. The sign comprises a display portion, and a support portion and means for measuring changes in visibility, atmospheric moisture content, wind or time.

Description

A ROAD SIGN

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to road signage and in particular signage capable of automatic variation or alteration of display in accordance with changes in weather or visibility or traffic density or predetermined time settings.

BACKGROUND ART

Despite the fact that road safety is continually a focus for government authorities attempting to reduce road accidents and road deaths, accident statistics continue to climb with concommittant rises in associated insurance and medical costs, law enforcement costs, medical rescue and clean-up costs, as well as the cost to business and families in terms of loss of human life.

Often accidents may be ascribed to human error or recklessness in conditions where drivers are able to exercise discretion. For example, in a zone which has a speed limit of 120 km/h (a limit set for good driving conditions), in conditions of high wind, rain or poor visibility, it is left to the driver's discretion as to whether to travel at 120 km/h, 80 km/h or 60 km/h : logic tells one that in poor conditions speed limit should be reduced or lights should be switched on or hazard lights activated, but while motorists might feel that a reduction of speed to 100 km/h is appropriate, an actual safer speed to encourage efficient and safe reaction time in the prevailing conditions might be 80 km/h. Generally there is nothing to warn the motorists of these appropriate speeds for the conditions and secondly, should they drive recklessly fast in those conditions, but in accordance with the usual prescribed speed limit, prosecutions is at best difficult and at worst impossible.

One possible solution is the use of variable message road signs. There are variable message road signs in use in various countries, but these are either L.E.D or electronic text types. These signs require constant power and do not look like any standard road sign. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a road sign which has an automatically adjustable display in response to variation in weather conditions, visibility and even traffic density or predetermined time settings and has a similar appearance to conventional static signs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a road sign having an automatically variable display, comprises a display portion, and a support portion; means for measuring one or more of the factors of time changes, variations in visibility, variations in atmospheric moisture content and weather conditions; and means for automatically altering the display in response to changes in the measured factor changes; and a power source.

In one form, the power source comprises solar powered cells. The applicant envisages that since, in most cases, variations in the factors will not occur more than several times per day, stored solar energy will be more than sufficient to effect these changes. In the worse case scenario should the power source fail, the display would default to a normal display.

In the preferred form, the sign will be identical in size and appearance to the conventional road sign of a particular country or district. The display portion preferably includes a light- reflective surface.

In one form of the invention, the display may be electronic, with actual messages being displayed. For example in conditions of poor visibility, a message might read "switch on headlights; reduce speed to 60 km/h".

A "switch on headlights" sign may be the same as the speed reducing signs and may be combined with a "buckle up" or "speed kills" message. Having removed the driver's discretion as to when to reduce speed and turn on headlights, he may then be prosecuted if caught or held culpable should he be involved in an accident.

It is however submitted that such an electronic display may have disadvantages one of which would undoubtedly be high cost. In addition these signs require constant power supply, cabling from source and installation of cable costs, as well as the risk of cabling getting damaged or stolen.

In the simplest and preferred form of the invention; the display portion of the sign comprises a hollow housing having in the front side thereof a cutout portion. The housing includes on the interior side of the side walls thereof means for rotatably mounting one or more display elements, the display element having two or more display faces including indicia or portions of indicia for indicating hazard warnings, speed limits, weather conditions, an instruction or the like message. These indicia many comprise numbers, words, or conventional road signs or symbols.

The faces are preferably dimensioned to either singly or in combination, fill the cutout.

In the preferred form, three triangular rotatable elements are provided, the elements being rotatable synchronously. The result is that three rotations are possible and hence three different displays for different driving conditions may be displayed, with each face of each triangular element having a portion of a letter, word, symbol or other form of indicium for prescribing a specific speed limit or warning of a particular hazard.

In the simplest and preferred form however, the display will be capable of displaying three different speed limits.

The rotatable elements are preferably mounted on a cam belt mechanism. The sign of the invention further includes a light and/or moisture sensor which will enable visibility to be monitored as well as detecting mist or rain which even if visibility is not adversely affected, will have a bearing on road conditions. This would prompt an automatic lowering of the speed limit by the sign forcing drivers to exercise on potentially slippery roads.

In one form, a cup anemometer may be provided for detecting of wind speed which at certain levels may also require more cautions driving.

In an alternative form of the invention, two triangular rotatable elements are provided. This form may, for example, be used at an intersection which requires a stop sign during peak traffic periods but during periods of low traffic density, a yield sign is sufficient. In this form, the sign may be set using a timer to display a stop sign between 7.00 am and 8.30 am and 4.30 pm and 6.00 pm, while outside of these periods, the sign may be set to display a yield sign.

Similarly, speed reducing signs with built-in timers can be used at schools, hospitals etc. when pedestrians are present and may be crossing or in large numbers e.g. before school or when schools close, visiting hours etc.

In one form of the invention, signs may be linked electronically or otherwise to a traffic control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a speed limit sign according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the sign of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the rotatable display elements of a yield sign / stop sign in yield mode; and Figure 4 is a similar view of the rotatable display elements of a yield sign / stop sign in stop mode.

BEST MODE CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, a speed limit sign 10 comprises a support portion or stand 12 and a display portion 14 having a rectangular cutout 16 housing rotatable display elements 18. Power for rotation of the display elements is provided by a solar powered cell rechargeable by solar panel 20.

The rotatable display elements are mounted on brackets (not shown) attached to the interior of the side walls of the display portion which comprises a hollow housing 22 (Figure 2). Located atop the housing is the motor housing 24 which includes the solar panel 20, a solar cell, and a small motor not shown. The motor drives a cam belt 26

(Figure 3) which effects rotation of the display elements to alter the display.

Also included in the motor housing are light sensors, moisture sensors and in some instances, a cup anemometer for measuring variations in visibility, the advent of rain, mist or fog, and wind conditions.

The rotatable display elements are triangular in section as this not only affords three faces for three display options, but has also been found to be the most effective a stable form of rotatable element for this purpose.

In the sign of Figures 1 and 2, three rotatable triangular elements 18 are provided which permits display of three different speed limits.

In Figures 3 and 4, two triangular elements 18 are provided in which the indicia on each face comprise a portion of a yield sign (Figure 3) or a stop sign (Figure 4). This sign would find application at an intersection which has a high traffic density at certain times only when the additional caution of a complete stop is required. The signs of the invention have the appearance, size, colour and even font will be exactly as the standard of the country using it. As it has a reflective type finish and appears the same as a conventional sign it does not require an outside power supply. This allows it to be located in the remotest of areas without the expense of lengthy cabling and the installing of them.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A road sign (10) having an automatically variable display, characterised in that a display portion (14), a support portion (12); means for measuring one or more of the factors of time changes, variations in visibility, variations in atmospheric moisture content and weather conditions; and means for automatically altering the display in response to changes in the measured factor changes; and a power source.

2. A road sign (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that the power source comprises solar powered cells.

3. A road sign (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that it is identical in size and appearance to the conventional road sign of a particular country or district.

4. A road sign (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that the display portion (14) includes a light-reflective surface.

A road sign (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that the display is electronic.

6. A road sign (10) according to claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the display portion (14) of the sign (10) comprises a hollow housing (22) having in the front side thereof a cutout portion (16), the housing including on the interior side of the side walls thereof means (26) for rotatably mounting one or more display elements (18),, the display element (18) having two or more display faces including indicia or portions of indicia for indicating hazard warnings, speed limits, weather conditions, an instruction or the like message.

7. A road sign (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that the indicia comprise numbers, words, or conventional road signs or symbols.

8. A road sign (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that the faces of the display elements (18) are dimensioned to either singly or in combination, fill the cutout.

5 9. A road sign (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that three triangular rotatable elements (18) are provided, the elements being rotatable synchronously.

10. A road sign (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that two triangular rotatable elements (18) are provided, the elements being rotatable synchronously.

11. A road sign (10) according to claim 9 characterised in that three different speed 10 limits are able to be displayed.

12. A road sign (10) according to claim 9 characterised in that a stop sign and a yield sign are able to be displayed.

13. A road sign ( 10) according to claim 6 characterised in that the display elements (18) are mounted on a cam belt mechanism (26).

15 14. A road sign (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that . a cup anemometer is provided for detecting wind speed.

15. A road sign (10) characterised in that it is linked to a traffic control system permitting remove variation of the display.