GB2093892A

GB2093892A - Road marker post

Info

Publication number: GB2093892A
Application number: GB8100238A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SWINTEX
Current assignee: SWINTEX
Priority date: 1981-01-06
Filing date: 1981-01-06
Publication date: 1982-09-08

Abstract

A traffic cylinder post which can yield resiliently on impact comprises an upper part (10) resiliently secured to a base (12) by an elastic cord (24), the base being adapted to be secured to the road surface or (as shown) to be secured in a receptacle for a road reflector. The interconnecting surfaces (20) and (16) between the upper part and the base are preferably shaped such that the upper part can be tilted in any direction relative to the base but cannot (by virtue of ribs 18) be relatively rotated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Traffic hazard warning device This invention relates to traffic hazard warning devices and more particularly a traffic cylinder.

Traffic cylinders are known devices which generally comprise hollow cylindrical bollard of plastics material, the bottom of which is adapted to be fitted in a receptacle for a road reflector commonly known as a "cats-eye" (Registered Trade Mark) or a similar device for example a rubber or plastics traffic cylinder base. Although such cylinders have a certain degree of resiliency it has been found that they can be permanently deformed, broken or dislodged if they are struck by a vehicle, particularly a vehicle travelling at speed.

Such damage may not be confined to just a few cylinders moreover, for on a motorway where a succession of cylinders may be used to close off a lane over long distances or as permanent markers at gaps in the central reservation of a motorway a vehicle that strays slightly may quite easily break or dislodge a very large number of cylinders.

The present invention has been made with this problem in mind.

According to the invention there is provided a traffic cylinder comprising an elongate body having at least two resiliently connected parts, one end of one part being adapted to be located and secured in a receptacle for a road reflector or like device or adapted to be permanently or temporarily located on a road surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the body is split transversely into two parts to form a base portion which can be fixed in a road reflector receptacle or like device or fixed directly to a road surface, and an upper portion resiliently connected to the base. The resilient connection is such that the upper portion is normally held on the base to project substantially vertically upwardly therefrom when the base is located in a road reflector receptacle or fixed to a road surface but also such that the upper part will be tilted relative to the base if struck by a vehicle for example.

The nature of the resilient connection between the parts is not critical and any arrangement will suffice provided that it will permit the upper part to yield to an applied force such as being struck by a vehicle but cause the said upper part to return to its normal position after the applied force is removed. It is also important that the resilient connection should be such that the upper part does not yield to light forces, for example, wind.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a longitudinal section through a traffic cylinder.

Referring to the drawing the cylinder comprises a hollow cylindrical upper part 10 and a base part 1 2. The lower end of the base is designed for engagement in a road reflector receptacle or like device in that it is provided with projecting parts 14 for location under inwardly projecting lugs in a road reflector receptacle. This kind of arrangement is described in detail in our British Patent Specification No. 12555/77 (Serial No.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not confined to the above-mentioned means for securing the post in a road reflector receptacle, any adaptation of the base which will serve can be used.

The upper surface of the base is formed with a dome 1 6 in the centre thereof from which ribs 1 8 extend at uniform angular intervals, for example 900. A corresponding profile of concave recess 20 and slots 22 is formed at the bottom of the upper part 10 so that the upper part can be fitted snugly on the base and when so fitted will not rotate relative to the base.

A resilient cord 24 is fixed at one end to the centre of the dome 20, extends through an aperture 26 in the concave recess 20 and is fixed at its other end to a ring 28 on a cap 30 fitted in an aperture at the top of the upper part. The tension in the cord is selected so that it will normally hold the upper part in position on the base against light forces such as wind. If, however, the upper part is struck hard, as by a vehicle it will tilt relative to the base. The tension in the cord is also such as will return the upper part to its position on the base when it is released.

The invention is not restricted to the above described specific embodiment, many variations being possible. For example the engaging surfaces of the upper part and base may be different to that described above. It is preferred that such surfaces should be profiled in some way to prevent relative rotation of the upper part and base, this being necessary when the base is provided with the kind of means as specifically described for securing the post in a road reflector receptacle which involves rotation of the base. In other cases it may not be necessary to prevent relative rotation of the base and upper part in which case the adjacent surfaces of the upper part and base need not be profiled but may be flat for example.

Although the embodiment shown in the drawings consists of two parts, that is to say a base and an upper part it is possible, if desired, for the upper part itself to be made up of a number of separate pieces resiliently linked together.

For use in connection with traffic the cylinder of the present invention is preferably provided with a surface which is reflective so that it will be readily perceived at night time when illuminated by the lights of vehicles. The cylinder of the invention is not confined to one in connection with traffic and in such other uses a reflective portion may not be required. It is also to be understood that the size and shape of the cylinder of the invention can be altered to suit the use for which the cylinder is intended.

1. A traffic cylinder comprising an elongate body having at least two resiliently connected parts, one end of one part being adapted to be located and secured in a receptacle for a road reflector or like device or adapted to be

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Traffic hazard warning device This invention relates to traffic hazard warning devices and more particularly a traffic cylinder. Traffic cylinders are known devices which generally comprise hollow cylindrical bollard of plastics material, the bottom of which is adapted to be fitted in a receptacle for a road reflector commonly known as a "cats-eye" (Registered Trade Mark) or a similar device for example a rubber or plastics traffic cylinder base. Although such cylinders have a certain degree of resiliency it has been found that they can be permanently deformed, broken or dislodged if they are struck by a vehicle, particularly a vehicle travelling at speed. Such damage may not be confined to just a few cylinders moreover, for on a motorway where a succession of cylinders may be used to close off a lane over long distances or as permanent markers at gaps in the central reservation of a motorway a vehicle that strays slightly may quite easily break or dislodge a very large number of cylinders. The present invention has been made with this problem in mind. According to the invention there is provided a traffic cylinder comprising an elongate body having at least two resiliently connected parts, one end of one part being adapted to be located and secured in a receptacle for a road reflector or like device or adapted to be permanently or temporarily located on a road surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the body is split transversely into two parts to form a base portion which can be fixed in a road reflector receptacle or like device or fixed directly to a road surface, and an upper portion resiliently connected to the base. The resilient connection is such that the upper portion is normally held on the base to project substantially vertically upwardly therefrom when the base is located in a road reflector receptacle or fixed to a road surface but also such that the upper part will be tilted relative to the base if struck by a vehicle for example. The nature of the resilient connection between the parts is not critical and any arrangement will suffice provided that it will permit the upper part to yield to an applied force such as being struck by a vehicle but cause the said upper part to return to its normal position after the applied force is removed. It is also important that the resilient connection should be such that the upper part does not yield to light forces, for example, wind. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a longitudinal section through a traffic cylinder. Referring to the drawing the cylinder comprises a hollow cylindrical upper part 10 and a base part 1 2. The lower end of the base is designed for engagement in a road reflector receptacle or like device in that it is provided with projecting parts 14 for location under inwardly projecting lugs in a road reflector receptacle. This kind of arrangement is described in detail in our British Patent Specification No. 12555/77 (Serial No. It is to be understood that the present invention is not confined to the above-mentioned means for securing the post in a road reflector receptacle, any adaptation of the base which will serve can be used. The upper surface of the base is formed with a dome 1 6 in the centre thereof from which ribs 1 8 extend at uniform angular intervals, for example 900. A corresponding profile of concave recess 20 and slots 22 is formed at the bottom of the upper part 10 so that the upper part can be fitted snugly on the base and when so fitted will not rotate relative to the base. A resilient cord 24 is fixed at one end to the centre of the dome 20, extends through an aperture 26 in the concave recess 20 and is fixed at its other end to a ring 28 on a cap 30 fitted in an aperture at the top of the upper part. The tension in the cord is selected so that it will normally hold the upper part in position on the base against light forces such as wind. If, however, the upper part is struck hard, as by a vehicle it will tilt relative to the base. The tension in the cord is also such as will return the upper part to its position on the base when it is released. The invention is not restricted to the above described specific embodiment, many variations being possible. For example the engaging surfaces of the upper part and base may be different to that described above. It is preferred that such surfaces should be profiled in some way to prevent relative rotation of the upper part and base, this being necessary when the base is provided with the kind of means as specifically described for securing the post in a road reflector receptacle which involves rotation of the base. In other cases it may not be necessary to prevent relative rotation of the base and upper part in which case the adjacent surfaces of the upper part and base need not be profiled but may be flat for example. Although the embodiment shown in the drawings consists of two parts, that is to say a base and an upper part it is possible, if desired, for the upper part itself to be made up of a number of separate pieces resiliently linked together. For use in connection with traffic the cylinder of the present invention is preferably provided with a surface which is reflective so that it will be readily perceived at night time when illuminated by the lights of vehicles. The cylinder of the invention is not confined to one in connection with traffic and in such other uses a reflective portion may not be required. It is also to be understood that the size and shape of the cylinder of the invention can be altered to suit the use for which the cylinder is intended. CLAIMS

1. A traffic cylinder comprising an elongate body having at least two resiliently connected parts, one end of one part being adapted to be located and secured in a receptacle for a road reflector or like device or adapted to be permanently or temporarily located on a road surface.

2. A traffic cylinder as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body is split transversely into two parts.

3. A traffic cylinder as claimed in Claim 2, wherein one part of the body is resiliently connected to said other part so that said one part projects substantially vertically upwardly when said other part is located and secured in a receptacle for a road reflector or like device or fixed temporarily or permanently to a road surface.

4. A traffic cylinder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient connection comprises a resilient cord.

5. A traffic cylinder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one part of said body is provided with projections for location under lugs in a road reflector receptacle.

6. A traffic cylinder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surface of one part is formed with a dome, there being a corresponding concave recess on the other part for reception of the dome therein.

7. A traffic cylinder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for preventing relative rotation of the body parts.

8. A traffic cylinder as claimed in Claims 6 and 7 wherein the means for preventing relative rotation of the body parts comprises at least one rib extending from the dome on said one part, there being a slot in said other part for receiving each said rib.

9. A traffic cylinder as claimed in Claim 8, wherein a plurality of ribs extend from said dome at uniform angular intervals.

10. A traffic cylinder as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ribs extend from said dome at intervals of 900.

11. A traffic cylinder as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 10 wherein the resilient connection extends through the centre of the dome.

12. A traffic cylinder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.