WO2009146754A1

WO2009146754A1 - Signaling device and relative method of production

Info

Publication number: WO2009146754A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/058806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marina Celada
Original assignee: Marina Celada
Priority date: 2008-06-05
Filing date: 2008-07-07
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

A horizontal road sign device (10) comprises a base body (12) of a substantially planar type, able to be associated with a roadway (14). The base body (12) is made of a recycled rubber based material and has an upper surface (20), on which motor vehicles are able to pass. The signaling device (10) comprises one or more signaling elements (16) able to determine a desired visual sign, which are at least partly incorporated into the upper surface (20) of the base body (12), having at least a visible signaling surface (18, 19, 21) facing toward the outside of the base body (12).

Description

"SIGNALING DEVICE AND RELATIVE METHOD OF PRODUCTION"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a horizontal road sign device, and the relative method of production, installable on the roadway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to make horizontal road signs by painting the desired symbol or writing, using suitable paints, directly on the road surface, according to needs.

The road signs quickly fade with the passing of motor vehicles and through exposure to bad weather, and for this reason it is necessary to program cyclical interventions for the maintenance and painting of the road surface, which wastes resources of time, money and labor, and also causes inconvenience for road users. Moreover, when the horizontal road signs are wet, for example by rain or when the road surface is being washed, the water stagnates upon them, since they have no draining capacity. Consequently, the surface has a much lower friction coefficient than that of the road surface, which on the contrary has a good draining capacity. Therefore, it becomes slippery and does not allow a good grip, thus constituting a danger for motor vehicles, cycles, motorcycles and pedestrians passing thereon. One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a signaling device which has a high operating life, without needing maintenance, or at least needing reduced maintenance, and which is easy and quick to install and replace.

Another purpose is to perfect a method to make a signaling device which is economical and easily automated. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a horizontal road sign device according to the present invention comprises a base body of the substantially planar type, able to be associated with the roadway.

The base body has an upper surface, normally facing toward the outside, on which the motor vehicles are able to pass.

The base body can be located above the roadway, so as to protrude therefrom by a determinate amount. It is possible to have the base body completely above the roadway, or partly embedded and partly protruding from the roadway.

Alternatively, the base body can be completely embedded in the roadway, and its upper surface is on a level with the roadway, or below the level of the roadway. According to the present invention, one or more signaling elements are associated with the base body, and are at least partly incorporated in the upper surface of the base body, to determine a desired visual sign; the signaling elements have at least a visible signaling surface, facing toward the outside of the base body. According to a variant embodiment, the signaling elements are partly incorporated in the base body and partly protrude from the base body, and are thus above the level of the roadway by a determinate amount.

According to another variant embodiment, the signaling elements are completely incorporated in the base body, with only the external surface visible, on a level with the upper surface of the base body.

In another variant, the color of the material used to make the signaling elements, or at least the relative visible surface, determines a high visual contrast with respect to the color of the material used to make the base body.

For example, the base body may be black, or colored, while the signaling elements have a color that contrasts with the color of the base body, for example white, yellow, red, orange in the case of a black or dark-colored base body, or, for example, the signaling elements can be black if the base body is a lighter color.

According to an advantageous variant of the present invention the color of the material used to make the signaling elements is at least partly white. The white can be a natural coloring of the material used to make the signaling elements, or can be artificial and deliberately obtained by means of dyes or whiteners. The invention is thus able to reproduce horizontal road signs according to the rules of the road.

A variant provides the signaling elements with reflecting components, so as to be visible at night.

It is clear that the color of the signaling elements can be different, according to the regulations or the type of sign desired, for example yellow, orange, red, black on a white background, a combination of these or other.

Advantageously, the upper surface of the base body and/or the visible surface of the signaling elements have grooves and/or ribs with a geometry and design able to promote the drainage of the water and to reduce the phenomenon of aquaplaning.

According to the present invention, the base body is made of a material based on recycled rubber.

According to a variant solution, the rubber used for the base body is rubber from recycled tires. Advantageously, the rubber used for the base body has a high friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the signaling elements are made of a material based on recycled rubber, including the rubber of recycled tires, or based on plastic material, such as PVC, ABS or other polymers or plastic materials. In another variant, as plastic material it is also possible to use recycled plastic, or non-recycled rubber. For the signaling elements too it is advantageous to adopt a plastic material with a high friction coefficient.

The signaling device thus has long operating life, without needing maintenance interventions and, since it is pre- fabricated, is easy and quick to install and replace.

Moreover, according to an advantageous variant, the invention reduces or eliminates the risks of skidding for motor vehicles and vehicles in general, and of slipping for pedestrians, especially in wet conditions, thus assisting the braking operation. The device also allows good friction, due to the contact between the rubber of the tires, and the recycled rubber, advantageously from tires, of the base body or the plastic material of the signaling elements.

The device also allows a considerable absorption and deadening of vibrations and noise due to the passing of motor vehicles in general.

According to one form of embodiment of the present invention, the device is a panel with a considerable plane size, such as to be advantageously assembled with a limited number of other devices of a panel type, so as to create a continuous connection from one side of the roadway to the other.

In this way, the ends of the panel are active and effective in keeping it in place, and overall, the device is not subject to stresses and remains stably in place.

According to an advantageous variant, preferentially adopted in the variants where the base body at least partly protrudes from the roadway by a determinate amount, it is possible to make ramp means along the sides of the device which are transverse to the direction of advance of the motor vehicles. The ramp means are configured as slides or lead-ins for the ascent and descent of the motor vehicles, eliminating or reducing any difference in level. The ramp means can be integrated, or in a single piece, with the body of the device, or can be distinct from the body. Furthermore, the ramp means can be of different lengths and inclinations from each other, depending on whether they are at entrance or exit.

A preferred variant provides that the ramp means, distinct from panel type signaling devices located transverse thereto, affect at least two of said signaling devices so as to distribute better the horizontal forces that are created with the passage of motor vehicles.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is shaped compatibly with the profile of the road surface, so that it can be located optimally. It may be provided, as a variant solution, that the device according to the present invention, along the lower profile of the base body, has at least a positioning element able to cooperate with a mating positioning compartment made on the road surface. This solution can also exploit transverse bar means, passing along the positioning element, for anchorage to the roadway. According to a variant, along said lower profile, the device has one or more positioning seatings able to cooperate with a mating positioning member connected directly or indirectly with the roadway.

In particular, in correspondence with the ramp means, the lower profile is shaped to function as a positioning and reference portion, cooperating with the mating seatings made in the road surface, or as an attachment zone to the road surface. The profile contributes to reinforce the point of impact with the motor vehicle and to share the load uniformly. Moreover, an increase in resistance to horizontal forces is obtained.

The forms of said lower profiles can be for example rectangular and straight, or herring bone.

The present invention can be used to make traditional horizontal road signs, or sleeping policemen, to define surfaces to assist braking, for acoustic signalers of high speed or a detour in the direction of travel, or tactile indications for routes for the visually impaired, barriers or mini-barriers for the traffic or other similar devices.

According to an advantageous form of embodiment, the invention provides to add suitable additives to the rubber material with which the body of the signaling device and the relative signaling elements are made, able to render the device fireproof and self-extinguishing.

According to another form of embodiment, the device according to the present invention can be of the "double-face" type, that is, bearing the signs on both faces, so that they can be turned upside down and so inverted when the rubber of the surface in contact with the motor vehicles is worn, giving the artifact a longer operating life, or to display different messages on the two faces.

The present invention also concerns the use of a panel as a surface to assist braking in an anti-skid platform for vehicles, which may or may not have visual signaling elements. The panel, being made in a material based on recycled rubber with a high friction coefficient, is able to resist tangential forces and pull forces of at least 3 N/mm. Moreover, the panel can be located above the roadway, resting on a cement or asphalt base associated with the roadway, or inside a containing bed embedded in the roadway.

A method to achieve a horizontal road sign device according to the invention comprises a first shaping step in which each of the signaling elements is made by molding under pressure grains of recycled plastic material, according to a predetermined shape, and a second shaping step in which the support body is made by molding under pressure grains of recycled rubber. The characteristic of the method is that the optical/visual sign is defined during the production of the artifact that makes up the base body of the signaling device.

This can be done, according to an alternative, by carrying out the first step simultaneously with the second step, and providing to arrange in the molds the grains of recycled plastic material together with the grains of recycled rubber, in a manner coordinated with said predetermined shape, in order to simultaneously obtain both the shape of the base body and also the shape of each signaling element incorporated inside the base body. In accordance with another alternative, the first step occurs before the second step and the latter provides to dispose the signaling elements, shaped in the first step, inside the molds, together with the grains of recycled rubber, and to proceed with molding.

Both the alternatives described, in an equivalent manner, are part of the main characteristic of the method according to the present invention.

The method according to the invention is economical and easily automated, without needing the direct intervention of an operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a section of a signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a section of a variant of the signaling device according to the present invention; - fig. 3 is a section of another variant of the signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 4 is a section of another variant of the signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 5 is a section of another variant of the signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 6 is a plane view from above of a signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 7 is a plane view from above of a variant of the signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 8 is a plane view from above of another variant of the signaling device according to the present invention;

- fig. 9 is a section of a variant embodiment of the device in fig. 1 ; - fig. 10 is a section of a variant of fig. 9;

- fig. 11 is a section of another variant of fig. 9;

- fig. 12 is a partial section of the variant in fig. 9;

- fig. 13a is a section of another variant embodiment of the device in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 13b is a variant in section of fig. 13a; - fig. 14 is a section of an enlarged detail of the variant in fig. 9;

- fig. 15 is a section of an enlarged detail of the variant in fig. 2;

- fig. 16 is a section of a variant of fig. 14;

- fig. 17 is a section of another variant of fig. 14;

- fig. 18 is a section of the variant in fig. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF

EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a horizontal road sign device 10 able to be installed on or embedded in a roadway or road surface 14, comprises a base body 12, of the panel type, able to be disposed on the roadway 14, made of recycled rubber- based material, colored or non-colored, advantageously but not only deriving from recycled tires, and a plurality of panel-shaped signaling elements 16, smaller in size than the body 12, of which for convenience three are shown in fig. 1, made of recycled rubber for example recycled tires, or of PVC plastic material, or ABS, recycled material or suchlike, but also non-recycled plastic. The body 12 has two long sides 11 which, in normal use, extend transversely with respect to the direction of advance of the motor vehicles.

The body 12 has an upper surface 20, which normally comes into contact with the motor vehicles, and a lower profile 36, located in contact (fig. 1) or embedded (figs. 2, 3 and 4) in the roadway 14. The elements 16 are located drowned, or with only one visible face (figs. 1, 2 and 3) or with a protruding portion (fig. 4), on the upper surface 20. According to a variant, not shown, the signaling elements 16 are provided both on the upper surface 20, and also on the lower profile 36, achieving a double face structure. The elements 16 each have an upper surface 18 for visual signaling, visible with respect to the upper surface 20 of the body 12.

Both the body 12, and the elements 16 have a hardness, density and thickness such as to resist the wear of the motor vehicles and bad weather for a long period. Moreover, the material with which both the body 12 and the elements 16 are made does not freeze and therefore does not create problems in countries with a cold climate.

The recycled PVC is normally white, or in any case is whitened for the purpose, whereas the recycled rubber from the tires is normally dark, grey or black. This allows to obtain a desired visual contrast between the element 16 and the body 12. The same contrast can be obtained by coloring the recycled rubber used to produce the signaling element white, or by coloring the rubber that makes up the base body 12 red, or other suitable shade.

The effect of the device 10, seen plane as in fig. 7, reproduces for example the stripes of a pedestrian crossing, according to the rules of the road; it is thus possible to use the device 10 as a pedestrian crossing, raised or not raised.

Moreover, at least the surface of the elements 16, advantageously all the surface of the device 10 including the surface of the body 12, has a high friction capacity, or grip, with respect to the tires of the motor vehicles, cycles and motor cycles, even in wet conditions, eliminating the so-called aquaplaning phenomenon, and in general reducing by a great deal, or eliminating, the slipperiness of the wet surface. In correlation with this, grooves or ribs can be provided, with particular patterns or geometries on the surface of one or the other or both the body 12 and the elements 16 which, on the one hand promote drainage and discharge of water and on the other hand further reduce the phenomenon of aquaplaning. These patterns are also advantageous in making horizontal signs for routes for the visually impaired, to which the present invention is also applicable.

An advantageous variant of the present invention provides that the device 10 formed by the body 12 and the elements 16 defines an overall panel, of the desired thickness and with rectangular geometry, with the two main sides having a width and length respectively comprised between about 0.8 meters and 1.2 meters and 1.5 meters and 4.5 meters. The Applicant has carried out experiments concerning the resistance to stresses that tend to move the device 10 from its place of use and has found that as the size of the device 10 in plane increases, so also does its resistance to stresses increase. Therefore, the plane sizes of the device 10 can go up to 3 meters by 10 meters or 3 meters by 14 meters.

Preferably, to facilitate movement and transport, modular panels are used, able to be assembled, with sizes of about 1 meter by 3.5 meters.

In the variant shown in fig. 1, the elements 16 are disposed with their upper surface 18 level with the upper external surface 20 of the body 12, whereas the latter protrudes from the roadway 14. In this way, the device 10 can function as a sleeping policeman, or speed bump.

The variant in fig. 2, instead, provides that the body 12 is inserted in a suitable seating or recess 24, made in the roadway 14, and that the surface 20 is level with the roadway 14. The recess 24 can have a depth comprised between about 3 cm and 15 cm, preferably between 6 cm and 8 cm.

The device 10 is therefore level with the roadway 14. This solution is for example used, not only in the asphalt of normal roads, but also on cycle tracks, in routes for the visually impaired or others.

The variant in fig. 3 provides that the body 12 is embedded in the recess 24, with the surface 20 lowered by about 2 cm or more with respect to the roadway 14.

The variant in fig. 4 is similar to the variant in fig. 2, but the elements 16 protrude by a height H, comprised between about 0.5 cm and about 3.5 cm, from the surface 20 of the body 12, functioning as sleeping policemen or acoustic indicators that a motor vehicle is crossing a pedestrian crossing. Upper protrusions can be selected and used for particular applications.

One or more of the elements 16 can have two inclined surfaces 19 and 21 , at the sides of the surface 18. On said surfaces 19 and 21 reflecting elements 22 can be disposed, so that the device 10 can be seen better at night. The variant in fig. 5 concerns the insertion, drowned in the body 12, of one or more reinforcement elements 23, 25 and 27. For example, it is possible to insert an upper reinforcement sheet 23 and/or an intermediate reinforcement sheet 25 and/or a base reinforcement sheet 27. One or the other or all the reinforcement sheets 23, 25 and 27 can be made of mesh, in fabric, non-woven fabric, carbon fiber based, fiberglass and suchlike, according to the applications and operating needs.

As an alternative, or integration, it is possible to use a distribution of fiberglass finely dispersed in the body 12 and/or on the surface of the body 12, or again a metal or plastic supporting frame incorporated in the body 12.

Fig. 6 shows how the device 10 can be configured to represent one or more direction arrows, according to the rules of the road.

Fig 7 shows the definition of stripes for a pedestrian crossing by means of the device 10.

Fig. 8 shows how the device 10 can be configured to represent a "stop" sign according to the rules of the road.

In general, the elements 16 have a thickness such that, despite the wear, they are visible as signs for a long period, much longer than signs made in the state of the art.

The method according to the present invention provides to use the tires of automobiles, suitably cleared of the metal parts and shredded into granules and rubber powder. The rubber is mixed with resins and/or glues, of the hot or cold type, according to needs. The mixture thus obtained is poured into molds, where it is pressed and possibly heated, to make the body 12. It is clear that it is possible to use other types of recycled rubber too. Using recycled rubber rather than non- recycled rubber is advantageous in that it allows to use less complex production machines, since they have to process rubber in grains or powder, instead of having to manage a production process in which the rubber is in a liquid state, as in the case of non-recycled rubber. Furthermore, the use of recycled rubber also has an important value of an ecological type, since it is an environmentally sustainable production and therefore protects the natural environment.

The type of mixture, the pressure and the temperature of the process are correlated to the final density and hardness desired, so that it is all resistant to wear caused by the passing of motor vehicles and to bad weather. Furthermore, the body 12 thus obtained has good elastic properties and, above all, is compact.

Possibly, as mentioned above, fibers may also be provided in the mixture which confer structure on the body 12, for example based on carbon or fiberglass. The present invention provides that, in the forming molds into which the mixture is introduced, the material which makes the signaling elements 16 is also included, so as to have, at the end of pressing, the finished device 10. The material can be recycled rubber, also rubber from recycled tires, colored or not colored, PVC, ABS or other white plastic material, possibly mixed with suitable glues or resins.

As an alternative, or integration, to the glues and resins, plastic materials can also be used, of the thermosetting type from recycling.

As an integration it is also possible to mix the grains of the plastic with reflecting material.

By material that makes the signaling elements 16, we mean both the raw material in chip, still to be shaped, and also the finished piece, previously molded and shaped as a panel or other form, according to the application.

A variant of the method provides to make suitable compartments or dividers, in the desired place and shape, inside the molds into which the mixture that constitutes the signaling element 16 is poured. The mixture of PVC grains is disposed in said compartments, so that it is compartmentalized with respect to the grains of rubber that make up the body 12, and with a single pressing operation both the body 12 and the elements 16 are defined in a single piece. The type of road signal, whether pedestrian stripes, direction arrows, stop sign or others, is correlated both to the geometry of the compartments and also to the disposition of the compartments in the molds, which can easily be varied, according to needs.

In this variant the materials used, both for the body 12 and the signaling elements 16, are selected so as to have compatible pressing pressure and temperature.

Another variant of the method provides to make the signaling elements 16 aside, before the pressing of the body 12, by means of known pressing techniques, with the desired shape and sizes. Subsequently, the elements 16 are disposed in the desired place, inside the molds in which the body 12 is pressed, so as to obtain, following pressing, the finished artifact.

In both variants, the forming pressure is comprised between about 2 atm and 80 atm. If heating is also included, the temperature is comprised between about 60⁰C and 180⁰C.

The final device 10 has a hardness on the shore scale shA comprised between about 50 and about 90 and a density comprised between about 1000 kg/m³ and about 1500 kg/m³.

Fig. 9 shows a variant based on the embodiment in fig. 1, but in this variant there are peripheral slides or lead-ins 28 made in a piece with the body 12 of the device 10, which function as ascent and descent ramps for the motor vehicles, in correspondence with the sides 11. Alternatively, in fig. 10 it can be seen that the slides, indicated by 128, could also be components separate from the body 12, possibly made as already known, also made of different material, such as cement, asphalt or similar materials.

Both in fig. 9 and in fig. 10 the slides 28, 128 have the same inclination and length, both on one side and on the other side of the device 10. However, according to requirements, as can be seen in fig. 11, there could be a side 228 of greater length and lesser inclination, and on the opposite side, a slide 328 of lesser length and greater inclination. Even if not shown, the slides 228 and 328 could be transverse to the body 12, exactly as in the variant shown in fig. 10.

An advantageous form of embodiment provides that the slides 28, as indicated in fig. 12, but the same also applies to slides 128, 228, 328, include zones 29 (indicated in fig. 12 as partial sections in correspondence with the slide 28), having greater density and compactness of material, and are thus reinforced, since these are the zones which are most stressed by the passage of motor vehicles. A preferred solution of the present invention provides that the slides 28, 128, 228, 328 are produced with recycled rubber, advantageously from tires, with the density properties as indicated above, manufactured and reinforced as previously described, produced preferably as a single transverse piece at least 3 meters long or, if smaller, having a length able to affect at least two base bodies 12 adjacent to each other.

It is clear that other signaling elements may be applied, or not, on said slides 28, 128, 228, 328, for example of the visual type, such as reflecting elements 22, or acoustic. Another variant provides that, by incorporating into a single artifact the slides 28, 128, 228, 328 at entrance to and exit from the plane part, the overall length of the device 10 formed by the base body 12, provided or not with the signaling elements 16, can reach a length of even up to 7.5 meters. Another advantageous variant provides that the device 10, instead of being produced as a single artifact, is produced as two distinct artifacts, each one comprising a ramp part and a plane part.

An advantageous variant embodiment, shown in figs. 13a and 13b, provides to use a panel or mat 12a, formed only by the body 12 of rubber material, for example recycled rubber, with a high friction coefficient, provided or not with the signaling elements incorporated, and having a reduced thickness, located above a base 37 made of cement or asphalt, above the roadway 14 or embedded in the roadway 14, in a suitable containing bed 38. This solution has anti-skid functions and allows greater efficiency in the braking of the motor vehicles. In particular, this solution provides to attach the panel 12a by gluing it onto the cement or asphalt base 37 so as to be above the roadway 14 by a thickness of about 1 cm to 3 cm (fig. 13a), or embedded (fig. 13b) in the containing bed 38 for thicknesses of from 1 cm to 10 cm. The panel is able to resist tangential forces and pull forces of at least 3 N/mm. In the embodiment where it is located above the road surface, the panel 12a preferably affects the whole width of the carriageway, whereas if it is embedded it may affect only a limited width of the carriageway.

The preferred positioning of the anti-skid panel 12a is at specific points, especially near horizontal signs, in order to shorten braking distances. Hereafter we shall illustrate some variants in which the device 10, both in the elevated solution with respect to the level of the roadway 14 and also in the plane or embedded version, has the lower profile 36 shaped.

Fig. 14 shows a variant of fig. 9, in which the positioning with respect to the roadway 14 is made in a seating 31 made deliberately on the latter. In this case, the device 10, on its lower profile 36, has a mating positioning portion 30, in correspondence with the slides 28, 128, 228, 328, which is housed in the seating 31.

This concept is also applied to the variant in fig. 2, in which the device 10 is completely embedded in the roadway 14. In this case too, on the lower profile 36, there is a positioning profile 30 in correspondence with the slides 28, 128, 228, 328, inserted in the seating 31.

With reference to the solution shown in fig. 14, but this also applies to the variant in fig. 15, it is also possible to provide as a variant, shown in fig. 16, and usable in addition or as an alternative to the positioning portion 30, that the device 10 has a positioning seating 34 that cooperates with a positioning element

33 attached independently to the roadway 14.

Fig. 17 shows a variant in which there is an attachment bar 35, housed from side to side in the positioning portion 30 of the device 10, which functions as a through anchorage for all.

As can be seen in fig. 18, the use of several positioning portions 30, located stably in relative seatings 31 of the roadway 14, allows to diminish the unitary incidence of the horizontal force that develops with the passage of vehicles. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts and/or steps may be made to the signaling device and the relative method of production as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example, it is possible to attach the device 10 to the roadway 14 by means of attachment elements, not shown in the drawings, such as bolts or suchlike. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some examples, a person of skill in the art shall be able to achieve other equivalent forms of signaling device and relative method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

I. Horizontal road sign device comprising a base body (12) of a substantially planar type, able to be associated with a roadway (14), characterized in that at least the base body (12) is made of a recycled rubber based material and has an upper surface (20), on which motor vehicles are able to pass, and in that it comprises one or more signaling elements (16) able to determine a desired visual sign, which are at least partly incorporated into the upper surface (20) of the base body (12), having at least a visible signaling surface (18, 19, 21) facing toward the outside of said base body (12).

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that the recycled rubber used for the base body (12) is recycled rubber from tires.

3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (12) is located completely above the roadway (14).

4. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (12) is located at least partly embedded in the roadway (14).

5. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (12) is located completely embedded in the roadway (14).

6. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of the signaling elements (16) is directly integrated inside the base body (12).

7. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the signaling elements (16) are completely incorporated in the base body (12), their signaling surface (18) being flush with the upper surface (20) of the base body (12).

8. Device as in any claim from 1 to 6, characterized in that the signaling elements (16) partly protrude from the base body (12), their signaling surface (18) being slightly above the upper surface (20) of the base body (12).

9. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of the signaling elements (16) protrudes by a predetermined height (H) with respect to the base body (12).

10. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the color of the material with which the signaling elements (16) are made has a high visual contrast with respect to the color of the material with which the base body (12) is made.

I 1. Device as in claim 10, characterized in that the color of the material of which the signaling elements (16) are made is white.

12. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of said signaling elements (16) is at least partly made of plastic based material.

13. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of the signaling elements (16) comprises a visible reflecting part (22).

14. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it has a shore hardness comprised between about 50 and about 90.

15. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it has a density comprised between about 1000 kg/m³ and about 1500 kg/m³.

16. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises reinforcement elements (23, 25, 27) incorporated inside the base body (12).

17. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it defines a panel of a desired thickness and rectangular geometry with the two main sides of a width and length respectively comprised between about 0.8 meters and about 1.2 meters and between about 1.5 meters and about 4.5 meters.

18. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it has one side (11) able to be associated with elements that function as ramp means (28, 128, 228, 328) for the ascent and/or descent of the motor vehicles, located transversely to the direction of advance of the motor vehicles.

19. Device as in claim 18, characterized in that the ramp means (28, 128, 228,

328) are made of the same material of which the base body (12) is made, and possibly reinforced at the points of greatest stress.

20. Device as in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the ramp means (28) are made in a single piece with the base body (12).

21. Device as in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the ramp means (128) are made separate from the base body (12).

22. Device as in any claim from 18 to 21, characterized in that the ramp means comprise first (228) and second (328) ramp means, said first (228) ramp means having a different length and inclination with respect to the second ramp means (328).

23. Device as in any claim from 18 to 22, characterized in that the ramp means (28, 128, 228, 328) include compact zones (29) with a greater density than their remaining part.

24. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that, along its lower profile (36), it has at least a positioning element (30) able to cooperate with a mating positioning compartment (31) made on the roadway (14).

25. Device as in claim 24, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said positioning elements (30) located at predefined intervals along the lower profile

(36).

26. Device as in claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the positioning element (30) comprises bar means (35) for the through anchorage of the base body (12).

27. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that, along its lower profile (36), it has a positioning seating (34) able to cooperate with a mating positioning member (33) connected directly or indirectly with the roadway (14).

28. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that at least the base body (12) comprises additive components able to determine fireproof properties of anti-flammability or self-extinguishing properties.

29. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that at least the base body (12) is shaped mating with the profile of the roadway (14).

30. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it is of the double- face type, having signaling elements (16) on both the upper (20) and lower (36) faces.

31. Use of a device as in any claim hereinbefore as a raised pedestrian crossing.

32. Use of a panel (12a) as a surface to assist braking in an anti-skid platform for vehicles, said panel (12a) being made of a recycled rubber-based material with high friction coefficient and able to resist tangential forces and pull forces of at least 3 N/mm, said panel (12a) being located in correspondence with a determinate road signal, above the roadway (14), resting on a cement or asphalt base (37) associated with the roadway (14), or inside a containing bed (38) embedded in the roadway (14).

33. Method to make a horizontal road sign device comprising a base body (12) of the planar type, able to be associated with a roadway (14), and one or more signaling elements (16), characterized in that it comprises a first shaping step in which each of the signaling elements (16) is made by molding under pressure grains of plastic material, according to a predetermined shape, and a second shaping step in which the base body (12) is made by molding under pressure grains or powder of recycled rubber, wherein:

- the first step is simultaneous with the second step and provides to dispose in the molds the grains of plastic material together with the grains or powder of recycled rubber, in a manner coordinated with said predetermined shape, so as to simultaneously obtain both the shape of the base body (12) and also the shape of each signaling element (16) inside the base body (12); or

- the first step precedes the second step and the second step provides to dispose the signaling elements (16), shaped in the first step, inside the molds together with the grains or powder of recycled rubber.

34. Method as in claim 33, characterized in that the molding pressure in the second step is comprised between about 2 atm and 80 atm.

35. Method as in claim 33 or 34, characterized in that it provides to add, at least to the material which the base body (12) is made of, additives able to determine fireproof properties of anti-flammability or self-extinguishing properties.