DE20013764U1 - Warning sign - Google Patents

Description

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Warning sign

The invention relates to a warning sign, in particular a parking warning sign with a reflective surface with a retro-reflective surface and fastening devices for fastening to a vehicle or the like. —-~

Such warning signs are used as parking warning signs in accordance with the Road Traffic Act to mark vehicles and trailers that are parked on the road within built-up areas.

According to §51c StVZO, parked vehicles should be fitted with one parking warning sign on the front and one on the back of the vehicle, each with 100 mm wide red and white stripes running outwards and downwards at an angle of 45°. The parking warning signs must be as low as possible and not higher than the side of the vehicle facing the traffic.

is than 1000 mm. Warning signs for attachment to a vehicle are known in this form, although when used as a night parking warning sign, special requirements are placed on the reflectivity of their surfaces. This is not necessary for simple warning signs, which are used in particular to mark protruding edges of a vehicle. The warning signs are manufactured as rigid signs or as foldable signs that are only unfolded when required and are otherwise not identifiably attached to the vehicle. The particularly high requirements for the reflectivity of night parking warning signs are currently only met by parking warning signs measuring 423 x 423 mm, which are made of aluminum and have a red and white striped type 2 reflective film on the front. A small night parking warning sign that also meets these requirements has a size of 285 x 285 mm. This is foldable and has eight reflectors made of plastic, smooth on the top and with prismatic surfaces on the bottom. The individual reflectors are attached to a base plate made of aluminum or stainless steel using a rivet connection. A twist lock is also provided for closing the board when not in use, just like the large-format parking warning signs.

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which interacts with an eyelet or opening on the opposite side of the parking warning sign.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a warning sign, in particular a parking warning sign, which has even better retroreflective values than the known ones and can also be produced in a small format, i.e. in particular with dimensions of 285 x 285 mm. In particular with small-format warning signs, only much worse retroreflective values can be achieved with the known means than with the large-format warning signs, since the �iacgr;γ reflection surface is much smaller than with the large-format warning signs.

This object is achieved by a warning sign according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the retroreflective surface has a reflection value of at least 12.5 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ± 5° and of at least 5 mcd/(!x*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ± 30° for red reflecting light at an observation angle of 1/3° and/or a reflection value of at least 0.325 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±5° and at least 0.125 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30° for an observation angle of 1.5° and/or a reflection value of at least 50 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30° for white reflecting light at an observation angle of 1/3°. ±5° and of at least 20.0 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30° and/or at an observation angle of 1.5°, a reflection value of at least 3 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±5° and of at least 0.5 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30°. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

This creates a warning sign, especially a parking warning sign, that has reflection values far above the officially specified target values that are required in the technical requirements for vehicle parts during type testing according to § 22a StVZO, TA No. 18b. The visibility of the warning signs in the dark and in poor visibility is thus significantly improved, which means that accidents caused by driving into parked vehicles are much better prevented than with the warning signs.

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of the state of the art can be avoided. Due to the particularly favorable values, the use with small warning signs is also possible, whereby the known small warning signs with eight reflectors can be replaced. In many cases, the use of a small warning sign on

s a parked vehicle, whereas the use of a large warning sign leads to space problems. Here it proves to be particularly advantageous that the warning sign now also shows very good reflection values in the small format version. Even in the large format version, the warning sign proves to be more effective than the known warning signs of the state of the art.

The technology is advantageous because it also achieves much higher reflection values, which means that the warning sign can be seen by an approaching vehicle that illuminates it, which is greatly improved. Another advantage is the use of a glued-on reflective film instead of the riveted plastic reflectors that have previously been used on small parking warning signs.

If vehicles equipped with the small parking warning sign with plastic reflectors collide with it, the plastic reflectors shatter very easily and the parking warning sign becomes invalid. Such shattering cannot occur with the small parking warning sign with the reflective film.

Particularly when a small-format warning sign is provided, in particular in the format 285 x 285 mm, the retroreflective surface preferably has reflection values of 13 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 18 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±5° and/or of 6.25 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 9 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30° for red reflected light at an observation angle of 1/3°. Preferably, the retroreflective surface has reflection values of 0.35 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 0.5 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) for red reflected light at an observation angle of 1.5° at an illumination angle of ±5° and of 0.15 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 0.25 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30°. Preferably, the red coloring of the reflected light is produced by the strip-wise red coloring of an otherwise white retroreflective surface. This red coloring is particularly preferably applied to the white

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retroreflective surface. Despite this application of paint, the target values required in the technical requirements are exceeded by far, so that an early and intensive warning is achieved. Especially when a red coating is applied to a retroreflective surface, it is not obvious that the target values of the technical requirements are still exceeded by far and that such good results are achieved that even small-format warning signs with these very good reflection values can be provided.

&iacgr;&ogr; Preferably, the retroreflective surface has reflection values of 50 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 60 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) for white reflected light at an observation angle of 1/3° for an illumination angle of ±5° and of 26.5 mcd/(lx*cm ^{2 ) to 31 mcd/(lx*cm 2 ) for an illumination angle of ±30°. Particularly preferably, the retroreflective surface has reflection values of 50 mcd/(lx*cm 2} ) to 60 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) for white reflected light at an observation angle of ±5° for an illumination angle of ±30°.

is an observation angle of 1.5° reflection values of 1.5 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 2 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±5° and from 0.6 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 1 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle of ±30°. If reflection values are provided in these ranges, the white stripes of the warning signs are very clearly visible even in particularly poor weather and visibility conditions.

This also ensures that the red stripes are particularly easy to see. Since the small parking warning signs with plastic reflectors consist of several riveted plastic reflectors, snow can easily build up in the rivet holes and seams between the reflectors when it snows, which can impair the reflective power. The parking warning sign according to the invention, with its smooth film surface and very high reflection values, offers better visibility. Even small amounts of light are sufficient to make the warning and signaling function of the warning sign effective.

Preferably, the retroreflective surface is formed as a film material, in particular self-adhesive film material. Particularly preferably, a basic element of the warning sign can be made of a stable thin material, in particular a metal sheet, a combination of plastic and metal or a

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other material. Preferably, it can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, steel or a combination of these materials, in particular in a sandwich construction. The film material provided with the retroreflective surface is then attached to the surface of the base element, in particular glued to it. This means that the warning sign can be produced inexpensively and at the same time in a simple manner and yet is highly effective. The film material itself can also be very thin, which means that a comparatively lightweight warning sign can also be produced. However, this can also be provided with reinforcing ribs on its back, in particular if the base element consists of a plastic and is designed as a rigid warning sign. Polypropylene is particularly suitable here, but other plastics are also suitable. If the warning sign is to be foldable, this can be achieved by providing a hinge, in particular a film hinge or metal hinge. At an edge area of a first part of the

A hook element is then preferably provided on the warning sign for fastening a second part when the warning sign is folded up. The hook element is particularly preferably made of a flexible material and/or can be fastened and/or attached to one part of the warning sign in a variable position. The hook element serves to secure the two parts of the warning sign to one another during the period in which the warning sign is not to be used as a warning on the vehicle or another object. Alternatively, the warning sign would have to be removed. In order to avoid having to constantly remove the warning sign from the vehicle and reattach it, it can advantageously be folded up. Up to now, twist locks have been used for closing, but these are relatively difficult to turn, especially in damp and cold weather, and are therefore not very user-friendly. By providing a hook element, particularly in the upper area of the edge of one part of the warning sign, this hook element only needs to be bent outwards, whereupon the second part of the warning sign automatically folds away from the other part. When folding the warning board, this second part is simply attached to the first part of the warning board against the spring force of the hook element and holds on to the hook element after it springs back. By providing the flexible hook element, a non-

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not only a different, but also an advantageous and at the same time easier to manufacture closure option for the folded warning sign has been created, since the hook element can be molded onto the base element of the warning sign in particular.

Preferably, in addition to the hook element, a fastening or securing device is provided for fastening or securing the warning sign to an object, in particular a vehicle. The fastening or securing device is particularly preferably cooperating with a counterpart that can be fastened to the object and is in particular pin-shaped and can be clamped therein, in particular by providing a longitudinal slot. The fastening or securing device, which is preferably pin-shaped and provided with a longitudinal slot, preferably cooperates with the counterpart that is fastened to the object or vehicle, so that the fastening and securing device in

is the counterpart engages and holds itself in place. The longitudinal slot serves to facilitate insertion into the counterpart, which itself is preferably sleeve-shaped. After insertion into the counterpart, the parts of the pin-shaped fastening and securing device can spread apart like an expansion dowel and thereby clamp the device in the counterpart. The counterpart is particularly preferably made of soft polyethylene, whereas the fastening and securing device can be made of polypropylene.

Particularly preferably, at least one spacer device is provided on the back of the warning sign, in particular in an area facing away from the fastening and securing device, to maintain a distance from the object. The spacer device can be provided flat on the back of the warning sign, in particular in the form of smaller plates. The spacer device preferably consists of a roughened or rough material in order to prevent the warning sign from moving on the surface of the object to which it is attached. In addition, it can preferably consist of a comparatively soft material in order to avoid damaging the surface of the object to which the warning sign is attached.

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If the rear side of the warning panel is provided with reinforcing ribs, one or more spacer devices may be or will be inserted, in particular between two or more reinforcing ribs.

s To explain the invention in more detail, several embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a truck with the lower left rear

Corner is marked with a warning sign,

Fig. 2 shows a small-format parking warning sign designed according to the invention in

the top view,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of an inventive

ls appropriate warning board,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the warning panel according to Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the hinge according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 a detailed view of the fastening and securing device of the

Warning board according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 a detailed view of the hook element of the warning sign according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a rear view from below of another embodiment

a warning board according to the invention, and

Fig. 9 shows a table with reflection values for two inventive

warning signs.

Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a truck 2 provided with a warning sign 1. This truck is parked on an embankment and is therefore equipped with the warning sign.

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fei 1 at its left rear end at the prescribed height. The warning sign 1 shown is a large-format warning sign with dimensions of 423 x 423 mm, which is already evident from the number of red and white stripes running diagonally at an angle of 100 mm.

A corresponding small-format warning sign 3 is shown in plan view in Fig. 2. Both the large-format warning sign 1 and the small-format warning sign 3 are manufactured as rigid warning signs. They are therefore only attached to the vehicle when the truck 2 or another vehicle is parked at the side of the road to identify the vehicle. For this purpose, the small-format warning sign 3 has a hole 6 in each of two adjacent corners 4, 5. The hole spacing of the hole and its arrangement on the warning sign can be changed. The warning sign also has a peripheral edge 7 which defines an inner surface,

is provided with a retroreflective surface 8 with red stripes 9 and white stripes 10. This can be formed, for example, in the form of a film, as is indicated in the illustration in Fig. 3. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the warning sign does not have a peripheral edge, but the retroreflective surface extends to the outer edges of the warning sign. Here too, the retroreflective surface can be produced by attaching a film to a base element 11, as can be seen in Fig. 3.

The warning sign 12 according to Fig. 3 is a small-format warning sign, which is however provided with a device for folding, namely a plastic hinge element. The hinge element can be better seen in Fig. 5, in which a cross-section through this detail is shown. The hinge element is formed here as a film hinge, whereby a material weakening of the base element 11 is provided at this point. The material weakening is provided on the back 14 of the warning sign in order to be able to form the front 15 as a flat surface. On the front 15 of the rigid parking warning sign there is a film element 16 and on the foldable one there are two half film elements 16, whereby in the area of the plastic hinge 13 there is a distance of approx. 1 - 2 mm between the two film elements with the reflective surface 8. In this case too

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In this embodiment, a peripheral edge 7 of the base element 11 is created, in the perimeter of which a film element 16 is inserted in the case of rigid panels or two half film elements 16 in the case of the foldable panel. The film element 16 itself is preferably initially white and is then provided with red paint in strips, for example using a screen printing process. The color series of the red color is, for example, 800 I from 3M Deutschland GmbH. A film with the type designation Scotchlite Diamond Grade 983-10 from 3M Deutschland GmbH, Neuss, is particularly suitable as a film element. This is a film element of the so-called type 3, which has excellent reflection values. In Fig. 3, the stripes are only indicated, but not yet highlighted in color, as has already happened in Fig. 2.

In order to secure and fasten both parts 17, 18 of the warning panel 12 to one another as long as the warning panel is not being used for its intended purpose, a hook element 19 is provided on the upper end of the first part 17. The hook element 19 is arranged on a projecting area 20 of the base element 11 or on its peripheral edge 7. The hook element is preferably made of a flexible material and/or is fastened to the first part 17 in a positionally variable manner. In the case of a positionally variable fastening, the hook element is preferably fastened in a rotatable or pivotable manner, so that, just as in the design as a flexible element, the opposite edge 21 of the second part 18 can be inserted under the hook element and subsequently clamped by it. Such mobility of the hook element is outlined in Fig. 7.

To attach the folding warning sign 12 made of plastic to a vehicle, a fastening and securing device 22 is provided on the second part 18 on the back. The fastening and securing element is pin-shaped and provided with a longitudinal slot. This can be seen both in the sectional view along the line A-A through the warning sign according to Fig. 3 in Fig. 4 and in the detailed view according to Fig. 6. The fastening and securing element 22 is glued in particular to the back of the second part 18 and has projecting elements 24 for this purpose. The fastening and securing element 22

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The fastening and securing element 22 is attached in the manner of an expansion dowel by providing the longitudinal slot 23. The fastening and securing element 22 thus has the ability to spread apart after being inserted into a correspondingly shaped sleeve and thereby to hold itself firmly in this sleeve. Such a sleeve 25 is also shown in Fig. 6. It is inserted into an opening 26 in, for example, a vehicle rear part 27. The sleeve can consist in particular of a soft polyethylene, with the fastening and securing element 22 consisting in particular of polypropylene. The entire base element 11 can also consist of polypropylene or another plastic, but also of a metal or of a combination of a plastic and a metal, in particular in a sandwich construction. Suitable metals here are in particular aluminum, stainless steel, steel or other metals, preferably non-rusting and/or provided with a coating to prevent corrosion.

is The warning sign can be further attached to a vehicle by screwing, in particular through the holes 6. In particular, buffer pieces can also be inserted into the holes, which maintain a predetermined distance from the surface of the vehicle. Alternatively, only buffer elements can be attached to the back of the first part, which in particular are also provided with an opening into which a screw can engage in order to attach the warning sign to the vehicle. Such buffers can, for example, be glued to the back of the warning sign. It is also possible in principle to glue the warning sign to the vehicle, and this can also be done, for example, via the additional buffer surfaces 28.

Such a buffer surface is arranged on the back of the first part in Fig. 4. As a spacing device, it ensures that a certain distance is maintained between the wall panel and the vehicle surface and thus no damage to the vehicle occurs due to the warning panel in windy conditions.

Such buffer surfaces are also provided in the embodiment of the warning sign 29 according to Fig. 8. The warning sign 29 is also foldable and has the fastening and securing element 22 on its back. Instead of providing a smooth back, however, this warning sign is provided with stiffening ribs 30

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The stiffening ribs are arranged in a cross shape and thus form a grid into which two buffer surfaces 28 are inserted. The other design with the cantilevered area 20 is carried out in the same way as in the embodiment of the warning sign according to Fig. 3. By providing stiffening ribs 30, the warning sign is stiffened and can therefore also be made from a softer material, in particular from a plastic. Polypropylene is also particularly suitable here. The front of the warning sign is preferably flat and smooth in order to be able to form a retroreflective surface, in particular using one or two film elements, as has also already been described for Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 shows a table in which the measured reflection values for the red and white stripes at different observation angles and illumination angles ß are given for two warning sign samples. In addition,

is the target values contained in technical requirements No. 18b in Section 22a StVZO are given, with all values relating to a measuring area of 20 cm ² . In order to standardize to mcd/(lx*cm ² ), the values given must therefore be divided by a factor of 20. This table shows that sample II in particular far exceeds the required target values, in some cases by more than half the required target value. The measurements were based on a warning sign with a retroreflective surface measuring 285 x 285 mm. This was provided as a film material available under the name "Scotchlite Diamond Grade 983-10" from 3M Deutschland GmbH, Neuss. The retroreflective film material is glued to an aluminum sheet and the red reflective stripes are applied by screen printing, with an ink series 880 I being used. The selected observation angles and illumination angles ß are the usual measuring angles in the technical requirements for type approval according to § 22a StVZO, TA 18b for parking warning signs.

A particularly advantageous feature is that even small-format warning signs, which previously had poorer reflection or retroreflective values due to their smaller format, now also have very good retroreflective values and

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This makes them particularly suitable for use with smaller vehicles, where the provision of large-format warning signs often proves difficult because the required space of at least 430 x 430 mm is not necessarily available.

Instead of the ones shown in the previous figures and described
Numerous other embodiments of a warning sign according to the invention can also be formed using the above embodiments, each of which, however, has a retroreflective surface with excellent reflection values even for small-format warning signs, in particular when using a film material with such a retroreflective surface.

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List of reference symbols large format warning sign Trucks 1 small-format warning sign 2 Corner 5 3 Corner 4 drilling 5 surrounding border 6 retroreflective surface 7 Red stripes 10 8 White Stripes 9 Basic element 10 foldable small format warning sign 11 Hinge element 12 back 15 13 front 14 Foil element 15 first part 16 second part 17 Hook element 20 18 cantilevered area 19 edge 20 Fastening and securing element 21 Longitudinal slot 22 cantilevered element 25 23 Sleeve 24 opening 25 Vehicle rear section 26 Buffer area 27 folding warning sign sun 28 Stiffening ribs 29 Illumination angle 30 &bgr;

Claims (14)

1. Warning sign, in particular a parking warning sign ( 1 , 3 , 12 , 29 ), with a reflection surface with a retroreflective surface ( 8 ) and fastening devices ( 6 , 22 ) for fastening to a vehicle ( 2 ) or the like, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) has a reflection value of at least 12.5 mcdl(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of at least 5.0 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° and/or a reflection value of at least 0.325 mcd/lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° at an observation angle of 1.5°. ±5° and of at least 0.125 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° and/or with white reflected light at an observation angle of 1/3° a reflection value of at least 50 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of at least 20.0 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° and/or at an observation angle of 1.5° a reflection value of at least 1.3 mcdl(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of at least 0.5 mcdl(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30°. 2. Warning sign according to claim 1, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) has reflection values of 13 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) to 18 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and/or of 6.25 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) to 9 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° for red reflected light at an observation angle of 1/3°. 3. Warning sign according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) has reflection values of 0.35 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) to 0.5 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of 0.15 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) to 0.25 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° for red reflected light at an observation angle of 1.5°. 4. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) has reflection values of 50 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 60 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of 26.5 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) to 31 mcd/(lx*cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° for white reflected light at an observation angle of 1/3°. 5. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) has reflection values of 1.5 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) to 2 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±5° and of 0.6 mcdl(lx.cm ² ) to 1 mcd/(lx.cm ² ) at an illumination angle (β) of ±30° for white reflected light at an observation angle of 1.5°. 6. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 8 ) is formed as a film material ( 16 ), in particular self-adhesive film material. 7. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflection surface has small dimensions, in particular dimensions of 285 × 285 mm. 8. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hook element ( 19 ) for fastening a second part ( 18 ) when folding the warning sign ( 12 , 29 ) is provided on an edge region ( 20 ) of a first part ( 17 ) of the warning sign ( 12 , 29 ). 9. Warning sign according to claim 8, characterized in that the hook element ( 19 ) consists of a flexible material and/or is attachable and/or attached in a positionally variable manner to one part ( 17 ) of the warning sign ( 12 , 29 ). 10. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fastening and/or securing device ( 22 ) is provided for fastening or securing the warning sign ( 12 , 29 ) to an object, in particular a vehicle ( 2 ). 11. Warning sign according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening and/or securing device ( 22 ) cooperates with a counterpart ( 25 ) which can be fastened to the object and is in particular pin-shaped and can be clamped therein, in particular by providing a longitudinal slot ( 23 ). 12. Warning sign according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that on the back ( 14 ) of the warning sign ( 1 , 3 , 12 , 29 ) at least one spacing device ( 28 ) is provided, in particular in an area facing away from the fastening and/or securing device ( 22 ), for maintaining a distance from the object ( 2 , 27 ). 13. Warning sign according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the warning sign ( 1 , 3 , 12 , 29 ) consists of a plastic and/or metal and/or a combination of materials, in particular of a combination of a metal and a plastic, in particular in a sandwich construction. 14. Warning sign according to claim 13, characterized in that the metal is aluminum, steel, stainless steel or another metal, in particular a combination of one of the above metals and the plastic is polypropylene or another plastic.