GB2163799A

GB2163799A - Illuminated traffic bollard

Info

Publication number: GB2163799A
Application number: GB08422150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Waring Mackie
Original assignee: LINKTECH Ltd
Current assignee: LINKTECH Ltd
Priority date: 1984-09-01
Filing date: 1984-09-01
Publication date: 1986-03-05
Also published as: GB8422150D0

Abstract

A traffic bollard is illuminated by a base lamp 11 protected by a glass or plastics window 9 and shining up onto one or more plastics mirrors such as 15. The mirror 15 shown is replaceably held by lips 16, 17, at an angle of 45 DEG such that the light is reflected generally horizontally onto a translucent or semi- translucent portion 4 of the bollard. In a modification the planar mirror 15 is replaced by an inverted pyramid. The bollard base is surrounded by a ramp 14 and, in use, when the bollard is struck by a vehicle, although the bollard itself may become detached from the bollard base the lamp contained therewithin is protected by the window 9 and continues to shine. The bollard itself may be replaced upon the bollard base, if it is not severely damaged, by a push or snap-fit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to illuminated traffic signs This invention relates to illuminated traffic signs such as those employed on roads to indicate to drivers of vehicles which route they should take.

One known type of traffic sign comprises a bollard base which is fixed to the ground and from which projects upwardly a translucent or semi-translucent bollard which is illuminated from the inside by a lamp fixed above the base. Such a bollard is often employed at junctions to indicate the flow of traffic and it is precisely for this reason that they are vulnerable to accidental damage. It is typical for such bollards to be knocked over by vehicles and in such circumstances damage to the bollard is usually great, necessitating its replacement by a new bollard. This can be expensive and also inconvenient because until the replacement is installed in position there is a hazard to traffic unless alternative means of indication have been temporarily provided.

Furthermore, when such a bollard is knocked over the electrical wiring can be exposed, thus creating an additional hazard to the public as a result of which fatalities occurfrom time to time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic sign in which the aforementioned disadvantages are obviated.

According to the invention, there is provided a traffic sign comprising a bollard base within which is contained lighting means, the base also incorporating a protective window through which light can be transmitted from the lighting means to a bollard above the base and window, within which bollard is disposed mirror means adapted to reflect light from the lighting means onto a translucent or semi-translucent portion of the bollard such that said portion can be illuminated.

By providing lighting means within the bollard base and illuminating the bollard by means of a mirror, the invention provides a traffic bollard which has the advantage in that when e.g. a vehicle is driven over it, the bollard itself may become detached from the bollard base and even destroyed but because the lighting meanstherewithin is protected by a window, damage is minimised. This has a further advantage in that if the bollard is struck by a vehicle at night or on a foggy day, the light from the lighting means continues to shine and can act as a warning to other road users.

Conveniently, the bollard base comprises a metal housing adapted to withstand the compressive force of a vehicle wheel such that even if, for example, a heavy goods vehicle wheel comes to rest upon the bollard base, the base does not become flattened. Similarly, the window may be of toughened glass or a suitably tough plastics material, such as that sold under the Registered Trade Mark LEXAN, of a suitable thickness so as to withstand the compressive force of a vehicle wheel upon it. In order to prevent the ingress of water, dirt, etc. into the bollard base, a seal may be provided between the window and the base.

The lighting means may conveniently comprise an electric lamp and a reflector may be provided to concentrate light emitted from the lamp onto the or each mirror in the bollard itself.

The bollard base may be surface mounted upon a road or pavement, in which case it can be conveniently protected around its edges from impact damage by a vehicle wheel by a ramp such that the vehicle wheel tends to ride up and over the base. Alternatively, the bollard base may be set flush into a road or pavement surface, in which case the need for a ramp may be dispensed with.

The bollard itself may be moulded from a suitable plastics material such as polyethylene having a good recovery rate such that if it is struck by a vehicle and the damage is not too great, it can be reaffixed back into position upon the bollard base. The bollard may be secured into position on the base by a push or snap-fit, or it may be provided with a more permanent fixing such as with screws.

If only one portion of one side of the bollard requires illumination, a single mirror may be fixed within the bollard at an angle of approximately 45" to reflect light from the lighting means onto the portion and thereby illuminate it. Instead of a single mirror, a plurality of mirrors may be provided and if, for example, it is required to illuminate a portion of each side of the bollard, the mirror may take the form of an inverted pyramid which is fixed to the top of the bollard such that its apex depends centrally within the bollard.

The or each mirror may be fixed within the bollard by a lip moulded integrally therewith such that assembly or replacement of the or each mirror can be effected quickly and easily.

The or each mirror may be made of glass but, in order to obviate the risk of injury by flying splinters of such glass during an accident, a clear plastics material may be conveniently used instead, such as an acryiic plastics upon one side of which is a reflective coating.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a traffic sign according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional view in the direction of arrow "A" across the plane "x--x" of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the traffic sign comprises an elongate four-sided upright bollard 1 having a top end 2 near to which on a front side 3 of the bollard 1 is disposed a square semi-translucent sign 4 indicating that traffic must pass on the left of the boliard. The lower end of the bollard 1 is secured to a square shaped bollard base 5 comprising a base plate 6 from which extends vertically a four-walled housing 7 adapted to receive the lower end of the bollard 1 as a push or snap-fit such that the bollard is normally fixed in position unless it is struck firmly by a vehicle etc. Around the top of the housing 7 is a lip 8 upon which is supported a square-shaped window 9 secured to the lip 8 by screws (not shown). Between the window 9 and lip 8 is a seal 10 which prevents ingress of water, dirt etc. into the housing 7.

Within the housing 7 is disposed an electric lamp 11 which is retained centrally on the base plate 6 by an "L" shaped bracket 12, itself secured to the base plate 6. Between the lamp 11 and base plate 6 is disposed a reflector 13 adapted reflect and concentrate light through the window 9 when the lamp 11 is illuminated. For convenience, the electrical supply to the lamp 11 has been omitted from the drawing.

A ramp 14 extends around the periphery of the base plate 16 adjacent the housing 7 and the lower end of the bollard 1 and serves to protect the housing 7 in a manner two be described.

Within the upper end of the bollard 1 is disposed a plastics mirror 15 which is secured at an angle of approximately 45 from the window 9 by a pair of lips 16, 17 which are moulded integrally with the bollard 1 such that the mirror 15 is a push-fit therebetween.

In normal use, light from the lamp 11 is directed, as shown by the arrows in Figure 2, with the aid of the reflector 13 through the window 9 onto the mirror 15 from where it is reflected generally horizontally onto the semi-translucent sign 4 which is thus illuminated. However, in the event that the bollard is struck by a vehicle it can become completely detached from the bollard base and, depending upon the severity of the accident, may or may not be replaceable on the base. It will be appreciated that because the lamp 11 is protected within the housing 7 beneath the protective window 9, little or no damage can be expected as a result of vehicle impact and this in turn means that the cost of replacement of the bollard is minimised and, additionally, live electrical wires do not become exposed during an accident. Afurther distinct advantage, as previously stated, is the fact that during the hours of darkness or on foggy days, even if the upright bollard 1 becomes displaced as the result of an accident, the lamp 11 continues to shine and act as a warning to other road users.

Claims

1. A traffic sign comprising a bollard base within which is contained lighting means, the base also incorporating a protective window through which light can be transmitted from the lighting means to a bollard above the base and window, within which bollard is disposed mirror means adapted to reflect light from the lighting means onto a translucent or semi-translucent portion of the bollard such that said portion can be illuminated.

2. A traffic sign according to claim 1 in which the bollard base comprises a housing adapted to withstand the compressive force of a vehicle wheel such that it does not become flattened if a vehicle wheel comes to rest upon it.

3. A traffic sign according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the window comprises a toughened glass.

4. A traffic sign according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the window comprises a suitably tough plastics material.

5. A traffic sign according to any preceding claim in which a seal is provided between the window and the bollard base to prevent the ingress of water, dirt etc.

6. A traffic sign according to any preceding claim in which the lighting means comprises an electric lamp.

7. Atraffic sign according to claim 6 in which a reflector is provided in the housing to concentrate light emitted from the lamp onto the or each mirror in the bollard.

8. A traffic sign according to any preceding claim in which the bollard base is protected around its edge by a ramp such that, during a collision, a vehicle wheel tends to ride up and over the base.

9. A traffic sign according to any preceding claim in which the bollard is of a moulded plastics material.

10. Atraffic sign according to any preceding claim in which the bollard is secured into position on the bollard base by a push or snap-fit.

11. A traffic sign according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the bollard is secured to the base by screws.

12. Atraffic sign according to any preceding claim in which the mirror means is fixed within the bollard at an angle of approximately 45 to reflect light from the lighting means onto the bollard.

13. A traffic sign according to claim 12 in which the mirror means is in the form of an inverted pyramid which is fixed to the top of the bollard such that its apex depends centrally with the bollard and each side thereof can be illuminated.

14. Atraffic sign according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the or each mirror is releasably fixed within the bollard in a lip moulded integrally therewith such that assembly or replacement of the or each mirror can be effected quickly and easily.

15. A traffic sign according to any one of claims 12 to 14 in which the or each mirror comprises a clear plastics material.

16. A traffic sign according to claim 15 in which the clear plastics material is an acrylic upon one side of which is a reflective coating.

17. A traffic sign substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.