WO2009119928A1

WO2009119928A1 - Traffic sign

Info

Publication number: WO2009119928A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001770
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jang-Yeon Kim; Joo-Ho Park
Original assignee: Nexon Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-03-25
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: KR20090102275A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a traffic safety sign apparatus, and in particular to a traffic safety sign apparatus in which an engaging concave groove or an accommodation space is formed in the interior of a frame for engaging a lighting unit, and as the lighting unit is engaged in the engaging concave groove, a slim traffic safety apparatus can be manufactured, and as a lighting unit, a LED module arranged in a side surface of a light guide plate for thereby implementing a surface light emission, so an excellent visibility or recognition performance can be obtained even from a remote area.

Description

TRAFFIC SIGN

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a traffic safety sign apparatus, and in particular to a traffic safety sign apparatus in which an engaging concave groove or an accommodation space is formed in the interior of a frame for engaging a lighting unit, and as the lighting unit is engaged in the engaging concave groove, a slim traffic safety apparatus can be manufactured, and as a lighting unit, a LED module arranged in a side surface of a light guide plate for thereby implementing a surface light emission, so an excellent visibility or recognition performance can be obtained even from a remote area. Background Art

[2] Generally, as a traffic sign apparatus installed on the road, there are a regulation, instruction and caution plate. These sign apparatuses are generally made of a reflection sheet, so it is reflected only when a light from a vehicle lamp is received for thereby recognizing the messages provided on the traffic sign apparatus.

[3] However, the above conventional sign plate properly operates its function only when a vehicle lamp directly emits light on the sign plate in a construction section or on a highway. When a light emission direction is not matched with a sign plate as a road surface is a lot curved or formed in a S-shape, it does not perform its inherent function for thereby causing a safety accident.

[4] An electric bulb or a light emitting diode is installed in the interior of the sign plate so as to improve the above problems with electric power being supplied thereto for thereby flashing the bulb or the diodes. In case of the electric bulb, it has a shorter life span, so its maintenance is not economical, and in case of the light emitting diode, a plurality of light emitting diodes are needed, which leads to increasing a manufacturing cost. The installation structure of the light emitting diode is complicated, and there is a limitation for manufacturing a slim shaped product. It is impossible to implement a s urface light emission on the whole front surfaces of the sign plate, so a visibility and recognition performance are not so good from a remote area.

[5] The conventional traffic safety sign apparatus has a certain limitation that it cannot be installed in a conventionally installed pole. So, when the support pole is low, it is needed to newly install a support pole so as to obtain a proper height.

[6] The inventor of the present invention has invented a new slim type traffic sign apparatus by improving the structure of a frame while uniformly emitting light through a traffic sign plate along with the use of a small number of light emitting diodes. The installation is easy, and an appearance beauty of a road is not hurt. The present invention can be installed in a conventional support pole, and it is possible to adjust the installation height when a traffic safety sign apparatus is installed. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic safety sign apparatus which overcomes the problems countered in the conventional art and which makes it possible to surface-emit light through the whole surfaces of a sign plate while using a small number of light emitting diodes, so it is possible to enhance a visibility and a recognition performance from a remote area.

[8] It is another object of the present invention to provide a traffic safety sign apparatus which is able to implement a slim lighting unit such as a LED in an engaging concave groove as an engaging concave groove and an accommodation space are formed in the interior of a frame, and consequently an installation and exchange are easy, and it is possible to prevent a big size traffic safety sign apparatus from hurting the appearance of a road.

[9] It is further another object of the present invention to provide a traffic safety sign apparatus which might be installed in a conventional support pole in which a traffic safety sign apparatus is installed, and it is possible to freely adjust an installation height of a traffic safety sign apparatus if needed when installing in a support pole which is conventionally installed.

Technical Solution

[10] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a traffic safety sign apparatus which comprises a rear frame which has an engaging concave groove in its interior; a front frame which has an opening at a portion corresponding to the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and is engaged to the rear frame; a lighting means which is inserted into the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and emits light toward the opening of the front frame; and a sign plate which is attached to a front side of the front frame and includes a specific traffic guide message.

Advantageous Effects

[11] It should be appreciated that the present invention has the following advantages.

[12] First, a uniform surface light emission is implemented through the whole surfaces of a sign plate while using a small number of light emitting diodes, so a visibility and recognition performance are enhanced from a remote area. [13] Second, an engaging concave groove and an accommodation space are formed in the interior of a frame, and a lighting unit such as a LED or something can be slimly engaged in the engaging concave groove, so that a slim traffic safety sign plate can be implemented, and an installation and exchange procedure are simple and easy, and it is possible to prevent a relatively large size traffic safety sign apparatus from hurting an appearance of the road.

[14] Third, the present invention can be compatibly installed in a support pole of a conventional traffic safety sign apparatus, and it is possible to adjust the installation height of a traffic safety sign apparatus when installing in a previously installed support pole. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] Figures IA and IB are front and rear views illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[16] Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[17] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure IA.

[18] Figures 4A and 4B are front and rear views illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[19] Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[20] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 4A.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[21] According to the present inveion, a traffic safety sign apparatus comprises a rear frame which has an engaging concave groove in its interior; a front frame which has an opening at a portion corresponding to the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and is engaged to the rear frame; a lighting means which is inserted into the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and emits light toward the opening of the front frame; and a sign plate which is attached to a front side of the front frame and includes a specific traffic guide message.

[22] According to another embodiment of the invention, a traffic safety apparatus, comprises a front frame which forms an accommodation space formed in its interior with a certain thickness and has an engaging part formed along an opening formed in its front side; a lighting means which is inserted into an accommodation space of the front frame and emits light toward the opening of the front frame; a sign plate which includes a specific traffic guide message and is arranged between the lighting means and the front frame and is caught and supported by the engaging part of the front frame; and a rear frame which is engaged to the front frame and supports the lighting means. Mode for the Invention

[23] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [24] [Traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention]

[25] Figures IA and IB are front and rear views illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure IA.

[26] As shown in Figure 2, the traffic safety sign apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a rear frame 10a having an engaging concave groove 12 in its interior, an opening 14 formed in a portion corresponding to the engaging concave groove 12 of the rear frame 10a, a front frame 10b engaged to the rear frame 10a, a lighting unit 20 which is inserted into the engaging concave groove 12 of the rear frame 10a and emits light toward the opening 14 of the front frame 10b, and a sign plate 30 which is attached to a front surface of the front frame 10b and includes a certain traffic safety guide message.

[27] As shown in Figure 2, the rear frame 10a is equipped with an engaging concave groove 12 formed in its interior. When the front frame 10b is engaged to the rear frame 10a, a certain space is formed in the engaging concave groove 12 in the interior of the rear frame 10a. An opening 14 corresponding to the engaging concave groove 12 of the ear frame 10a is formed in the front frame 10b. A lighting unit 20 is engaged in the engaging concave groove 12. The light emitted from the lighting unit 20 is emitted toward the opening 14 of the front frame 10b. The sign plate 30 is attached to a front surface of the front frame 10b, and a specific traffic guide message indicated on the sign plate emits light by means of the light emitted through the opening 14 while being visible to the outside.

[28] The engaging concave groove is formed in the interior of the frame, and the lighting unit such as a LED is slimly inserted into the engaging concave groove, so that a slim traffic safety sign apparatus can be implemented.

[29] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lighting unit 20 includes a pair of opposite brackets

22 which are longitudinally installed in the engaging concave groove 12 and have accommodation grooves in their opposite sides, a LED module 24 which is longitudinally disposed in an inner surface of the accommodation groove of the bracket 22 and is constituted as a plurality of LEDs are arranged on the PCB substrate, and a light guide plate 26 which is inserted into the accommodation groove of the brackets 22 and surface-emits the light from the side cross sectional toward the opening 14 of the front frame 10b with the help of the LED module 24.

[30] When the LED module 24 emits light, the light is emitted in the direction of the lateral cross section of the light guide plate 26 for thereby surface-lighting the whole surfaces of the light guide plate 26, and the surface-lighting light guide plate 26 lights the whole surfaces of the sign plate 20 disposed in the front side of the front frame 10b in its backside. So, a visibility and recognition performance of the traffic safety sign plate can be significantly enhanced in the night or the middle night, so a driver can clearly recognize from a remote area. Preferably, a reflection sheet (not shown) might be further provided in the back surface of the light guide plate 26. So, it is possible to prevent the light from the lateral cross section of the light guide plate 26 from being dispersed or scattered.

[31] Preferably, a specific traffic guide message formed on the sign plate 30 might be printed using a paint which has a self-reflection characteristic or might be made of a self-reflection sheet.

[32] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front frame 10b is engaged to the rear frame 10a, and the sign plate 30 is arranged on the front surface of the front frame 10b, and a channel shaped molding member 40 is fixedly inserted along its rim. An engaging member such as a bolt or a piece is engaged to a plurality of engaging holes formed in the molding member 40, respectively, for thereby finishing an assembling of the traffic sign plate. The molding member 40 is able to prevent rainwater or foreign substance from being inputted from the outside into the interior of the frame.

[33] As shown in Figure IB, a pair of opposite sliding engaging apparatuses 50, which are vertically installed, are engaged in the bask surface of the rear frame 10a. The sliding engaging apparatuses 50 are opposite bent to each other for thereby forming an accommodation space in its interior, and a space 52 is formed in a vertical direction, and an engaging member 60 is movable up and down directions along the interior of the accommodation unit while a part of the same being exposed through the space 52. So, when installing a traffic safety sign plate according to the present invention fixed in a conventional support pole, it can be reliably installed in the engaging rod 1 by using an assistant member 70 in a proper position while moving the engaging member 60 along the spaces 52. The traffic safety sign plate according to the present invention can be compatibly installed in a conventional support pole, and it is possible to adjust an installation height of the traffic safety sign plate when installing in a previously installed support pole.

[34] [Traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention]

[35] Figures 4A and 4B are front and rear views illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 4A.

[36] As shown in Figure 5, the traffic safety sign apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a front frame 110b having an engaging part 114 formed along an opening 112 formed in its front surface while forming an accommodation space in the interior with a certain thickness, a lighting unit 120 which is inserted into an accommodation space of the front frame 110b and emits light toward the opening 112 of the front frame 110b, a sign plate 130 which includes a specific traffic guide message and is disposed between the lighting unit 120 and the front frame 110b and is supported as being caught by means of the engaging part 114 of the front frame 110b, and a rear frame 110a which is engaged to the front frame 110b and supports the lighting unit 120.

[37] As shown in Figure 5, the front frame 110b forms an accommodation space in its interior along with a certain thickness, and has an opening 112 in its front surface. The engaging part 114 is further provided along the opening 112 for supporting the lighting unit 120. So, when the rear frame 110a is engaged to the front frame 110b, a certain space is formed between the same. The lighting unit 120 is engaged in the space so formed. The light from the lighting unit 120 is emitted toward the opening 112 of the front frame 110b. The sign plate 130 is disposed between the front frame 110b and the lighting unit 120. A specific traffic guide message on the sign plate 130 emits light by means of the light from the lighting unit 120 while being exposed to the outside.

[38] A certain accommodation space is formed in the interior of the frame, and the lighting unit like a LED is slimly inserted into the space, so it is possible to implement a slim traffic safety sign apparatus.

[39] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lighting unit 120 includes a pair of opposite brackets 122 which are longitudinally disposed in the accommodation space and have an accommodation groove in the opposite surface, a LED module 124 which is longitudinally arranged in the inner side of the accommodation groove of the bracket 122 and is constituted as a plurality of LEDs are formed on the PCB substrate, and a light guide plate 126 which is inserted into the accommodation groove of the brackets 122 and surface-emits the light from the LED module 124 through its lateral side toward the opening 112 of the front frame 110b.

[40] When the LED module 124 emits light, the light is emitted toward the lateral cross section of the light guide plate 126 for thereby lighting the whole surfaces of the light guide plate 126, and the surface light-emitted light guide plate 126 lights the whole surfaces of the sign plate 130 disposed between the front frame 110b and the light guide plate 126 from its backside. So, a visibility and recognition performance can be significantly enhanced in the night or the middle night, so a driver can clearly recognize the safety message from a remote area. Preferably, a reflection sheet (not shown) might be disposed in a backside of the light guide plate 126. So, it is possible to prevent the light from the lateral cross section of the light guide plate 126 from being dispersed or scattered in the rear side direction.

[41] Preferably, a specific traffic guide message on the sign plate 130 might be printed using a self -reflection characteristic paint or might be made of a self-reflection sheet.

[42] As shown in Figure 4A, a pair of opposite sliding engaging apparatuses 150 are further provided in the back surface of the rear frame 1 Ia in vertical directions, and the sliding engaging apparatuses 150 are bent as being opposite to each other, and form a space 152, so the engaging part 160 is movable up and down along the interior of the accommodation part with it being exposed through the space 152. So, when installing the traffic safety sign apparatus according to the present invention in the engaging rod 1 fixed in the conventional support pole, it might be installed in the engaging rod 1 by using the engaging assistant member 170 in a proper position while moving it along the engaging part 160. The traffic safety sign apparatus according to the present invention might be compatibly installed in the conventional support pole, and it is possible to adjust an installation height of the traffic safety sign apparatus when installing it in a previously installed support pole.

[43] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[44] It should be appreciated that the present invention has the following advantages.

[45] First, a uniform surface light emission is implemented through the whole surfaces of a sign plate while using a small number of light emitting diodes, so a visibility and recognition performance are enhanced from a remote area.

[46] Second, an engaging concave groove and an accommodation space are formed in the interior of a frame, and a lighting unit such as a LED or something can be slimly engaged in the engaging concave groove, so that a slim traffic safety sign plate can be implemented, and an installation and exchange procedure are simple and easy, and it is possible to prevent a relatively large size traffic safety sign apparatus from hurting an appearance of the road.

[47] Third, the present invention can be compatibly installed in a support pole of a conventional traffic safety sign apparatus, and it is possible to adjust the installation height of a traffic safety sign apparatus when installing in a previously installed support pole.

Claims

[1] A traffic safety sign apparatus, comprising: a rear frame which has an engaging concave groove in its interior; a front frame which has an opening at a portion corresponding to the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and is engaged to the rear frame; a lighting means which is inserted into the engaging concave groove of the rear frame and emits light toward the opening of the front frame; and a sign plate which is attached to a front side of the front frame and includes a specific traffic guide message.

[2] A traffic safety apparatus, comprising: a front frame which forms an accommodation space formed in its interior with a certain thickness and has an engaging part formed along an opening formed in its front side; a lighting means which is inserted into an accommodation space of the front frame and emits light toward the opening of the front frame; a sign plate which includes a specific traffic guide message and is arranged between the lighting means and the front frame and is caught and supported by the engaging part of the front frame; and a rear frame which is engaged to the front frame and supports the lighting means.

[3] The apparatus of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said lighting means includes a pair of opposite brackets which are longitudinally arranged in the engaging concave groove and have accommodation grooves in the opposite sides, a LED module which is longitudinally installed in an inner surface of the accommodation groove of the bracket and is formed of a plurality of LEDs formed on a PCB substrate, and a light guide plate which is inserted into the accommodation grooves of the brackets, respectively, and emits the light received by means of the lateral cross section from the LED module toward the opening of the front frame.

[4] The apparatus of either 1 or claim 2, wherein a specific traffic guide message on the sign plate is painted by a paint having a self-reflection characteristic or is made of a self-reflection sheet.

[5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front frame is engaged to the rear frame, and the sign plate is arranged on the front side of the front frame, and a channel shaped molding member is inserted along its rim.

[6] The apparatus of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a pair of opposite sliding engaging apparatuses are installed in the rear side of the rear frame, and said sliding engaging apparatuses are bent as being opposite to each other for thereby forming an accommodation space therein, and form a space in a vertical direction, and the engaging member is movable up and down along the interior of the accommodation part while being exposed through the space.