AU2009238316A1 - Counterweight - Google Patents

Description

1 COUNTERWEIGHT The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to counterweights and more particularly but not exclusively to a counterweight suitable for use with a temporary 5 road sign. The term "counterweight" is used throughout this specification to include any type of weight which can function to counter forces encountered by any item or object which could otherwise cause that item or object to move from a required position. 10 Background to the Invention In the use of self-standing signs, such as road signs, it is clearly necessary that they are maintained in an upright position as far as possible. In the case of road signs, these are, 15 of course, particularly prone to being blown over by winds or being struck by vehicles, resulting not only in the loss of signage, but in frequently providing a dangerous obstruction in the roadway. Because of the prevalence of this problem, there has been a recent proposal in New 20 Zealand that no road sign will stand higher than 150 mm above the ground when knocked over. Although this invention, by way of simplicity, will be described hereinafter with specific reference to road signs, it is to be understood that the term "road sign" is intended to 25 cover any and all types of self-standing signs, used for any purpose, which may be at risk of falling or being knocked over. Typically, temporary road signs at roadworks and the like will be stabilised by temporary weights, such as sandbags. While sandbags provide a cost effective solution, they are 30 in many respects unsatisfactory, particularly in terms of their lack of longevity, being readily damaged in the harsh environment in which they are usually located. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a counterweight for a sign support which will overcome, or at least obviate, problems at the present time, or which 35 at least will provide the public with a useful choice.

2 Further objects of this invention, in all its various embodiments, will become apparent from the following description. Brief Summary of the Invention 5 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a counterweight adapted in use to be positioned on and stabilise a leg of a sign support, said counterweight having a body portion having, or adapted to have, a weight which, when in use, provides a required stabilisation of the sign support, said body portion including 10 channel means adapted to receive and accommodate, in use, said leg of said sign support. Preferably, said body portion further includes stacking means to enable a plurality of like counterweights to be stacked one upon the other, depending upon the amount of 15 stabilisation required. Preferably, said body portion is inherently of sufficient weight to provide a required stabilisation. 20 Alternatively, the body portion is adapted to accommodate a weighting means. Possibly the body portion may be wholly or partially hollow to accommodate the weighting means. 25 Preferably, a pair of channel means is provided for said body portion so that a said leg, in use, can be accommodated in either one of said channel means. Preferably, said body portion includes an upstanding handle portion. 30 Preferably, said handle portion of a lower counterweight, in a stack of counterweights, can be accommodated in a said channel means of an upper, next adjacent, counterweight in said stack. Preferably, at least a substantial part of said body portion is integrally moulded. 35 Preferably, said body portion is of rubber.

3 According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a counterweight substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5 Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example of possible embodiments, and with reference made to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings 10 Figure 1: shows very diagrammatically an end perspective view of a counterweight according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: shows a plan view of the counterweight of Figure 1; 15 Figure 3: shows a stack of counterweights according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: shows very diagrammatically a three-legged sign support with a 20 counterweight, of one possible embodiment of the invention, positioned on each leg; Figure 5: shows the formation of a stack of counterweights according to one possible embodiment of the invention; and 25 Figure 6: shows an underneath view of the counterweight of Figure 1. Brief Description of Possible Embodiments 30 Referring firstly to Figure 4, a sign support 10, such as that for a road sign, is shown with three substantially tubular legs 11. Typically, such road sign supports 10 have at least three, possibly four, legs and reference for examples of such supports may be made, for example, to New Zealand complete patent specification no. 551785 of the inventor of the present invention. The inner ends of the legs 11 are accommodated in a substantially 35 central hub 12. A sign post 13 is shown mounted in the hub 12.

4 Each leg 11 in the example shown has a counterweight 1 according to one possible embodiment of the invention positioned on it. This is achieved by the body 3 of the counterweight I having a channel 2 which can accommodate the leg 11. 5 As shown, particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 6, each counterweight, referenced generally by arrow 1, includes a body 3 which, in this example, is shown substantially square but any suitable shape or cross-section could be utilised. The body portion 3 may, as shown, be moulded of a suitable mouldable material such as rubber. Alternatively it could be cast of metal, or consist of parts of metal, rubber, plastics or the like secured 10 together such as by welding. In one example, the body portion 3 may be moulded from a hard rubber, such as that of recycled tyres, to provide a sufficiently dense and heavy body to achieve the necessary weight to be imposed on the leg 11. 15 The body portion 3 may have a handle 4 upstanding from its upper surface to facilitate lifting and placement of the counterweight 1. The underside of the body portion 3, see especially Figure 6, is shown with at least one channel 2 extending between the sides of the body portion 3, the or each channel(s) 2 being adapted to accommodate the leg 11 20 of the sign support 10. The term "channel" is intended to cover any leg accommodating structure or component. It could alternatively for example include one or more leg accommodating clips. Preferably, as shown, a pair of channels 2 extend in opposite directions across the 25 undersurface of the body portion 3, to form a cruciform shape, so that the counterweight can be positioned in either orientation on the leg 11. The depth of the channel 2 may also be sufficient to accommodate the height of the handle 4 when counterweights 1 are stacked, as shown in Figure 3. In this way the channels or the like 2 function both to accommodate the legs 11 but also provide part of the stacking means. Additional or 30 alternative stacking means may however be provided to allow or facilitate the stacking of the counterweights I and their retention in the stack so formed. As seen particularly in Figures 2 and 5, the size of the channels 2 is commensurate with the size of the handles 4 so that when a stack is formed the handles 4 will nest within the 35 channel 2 of the counterweight 1 above it. By having a pair of channels 2, in one embodiment, either one of the channels 2 may be utilised to accommodate a handle 4.

5 Depending on the weight of the counterweight 1, and depending on the environment in which the sign is being used, a plurality of the counterweights 1 may therefore be stacked together as shown, to provide a sufficient weight. As an alternative, a plurality of 5 counterweights I may be laid side by side along the length of a leg 11 of a sign support 10. In an alternative embodiment the counterweight I may be substantially or wholly hollow. In this way transport could be made much easier as they would be substantially lighter. 10 The body 3 of the counterweight 1, in this embodiment, could accommodate a flowable filling means and enable a granular material such as sand, or a liquid such as water or the like to be inserted to provide the necessary weight. The body 3 may be provided with compartments so that one or more compartments could be selectively filled depending on the weight required. 15 In order to improve the visibility of the counterweights 1, especially at night, they could be provided with light reflective material. This could simply be light reflective tape secured on one or more parts of the body 3. The body 3 may be provided with elongate recesses to accommodate the tape to avoid it being ripped off. 20 Alternatively, the material of the counterweight 1 could be seeded with a light reflective material such as glass particles. The material of the counterweight 1 could also be of a high visibility colour such as yellow. 25 It is seen therefore that the present invention provides a readily usable and effective alternative to the use of sandbags. Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such 30 equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the 35 appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A counterweight adapted in use to be positioned on and stabilise a leg of a sign support, said counterweight having a body portion having, or adapted to have, a 5 weight which, when in use, provides a required stabilisation of the sign support, said body portion including channel means adapted to receive and accommodate, in use, said leg of said sign support.

2. A counterweight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body portion further includes 10 stacking means to enable a plurality of like counterweights to be stacked one upon the other, depending upon the amount of stabilisation required.

3. A counterweight as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said body portion is inherently of sufficient weight to provide a required stabilisation. 15

4. A counterweight as claimed in claim I or claim 2 in which the body portion is adapted to accommodate a weighting means.

5. A counterweight as claimed in claim 4 wherein said body portion is wholly or 20 partially hollow to accommodate the weighting means.

6. A counterweight as claimed in claim 5 in which the body portion includes one or more compartments which can be selectively filled with weighting means, depending on the weight required. 25

7. A counterweight as claimed in claim 6 in which the weighting means is a flowable filling means.

8. A counterweight as claimed in claim 7 in which the flowable filling means is a 30 granular material or a liquid.

9. A counterweight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a pair of channel means is provided for said body portion so that a said leg, in use, can be accommodated in either one of said channel means. 35 7

10. A counterweight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said body portion includes an upstanding handle portion.

11. A counterweight as claimed in claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 in which said 5 stacking means include said handle portion and wherein said handle portion of a lower counterweight, in a stack of counterweights, can be accommodated in a said channel means of an upper, next adjacent, counterweight in said stack.

12. A counterweight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which at least a 10 substantial part of said body portion is integrally moulded.

13. A counterweight as claimed in claim 12 in which said body portion is of rubber.

14. A counterweight as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said 15 body portion wholly or partly includes a reflective material.

15. A counterweight substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20