GB2457881A

GB2457881A - Temporary roadside signpost

Info

Publication number: GB2457881A
Application number: GB0803418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John-Paul Mcconville
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-26
Filing date: 2008-02-26
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Also published as: GB0803418D0

Abstract

The signpost, particularly for use during road maintenance work, comprises an attachments portion 1 for connecting to a crash barrier (ii) and a post portion with two points of vertical rotation connected by a horizontal portion 2, one centred over the attachment portion and one horizontally offset from the attachment portion. The signpost is preferably formed from a number of interchangeable parts which can be changed to accommodate different types of signage or dismantled to facilitate transport. The attachment portion preferably enables the signpost to be connected to Z shaped posts (i) used to support crash barriers and may include a locking mechanism 4 to temporarily secure the signpost in place at a desired height. Locking pins 5 are preferably used to secure post portions in the desired rotational orientation.

Description

Page 1 Title: Temporary Roadside Sign Post Backiround This invention relates to temporary sign stands most commonly used during dual carriageway and motorway maintenance work.

When alterations or maintenance work is being conducted on motorways or dual-carriageways, temporary stands are used to hold signs that provide information to road users. These signs are attached directly to the stand by road workers. The stand is then positioned by the road worker usualiy along the side of the central reservation or barrier on the near side of the road. Sand bags are placed at the base of the post and rope is used to tie the sign to the barrier, both of which help to prevent the post from blowing over in strong winds.

These sign stands are essentially two large rectangular shaped frames that are hinged in a similar way to a step ladder. When placed at the side of a barrier they can pose an obstruction to traffic using the road. For example, in the event of a driver loosing control and crashing into a barrier, it is possible that the car could collide with one or several of these stands sending debris across the road causing a danger to other road users. Furthermore, installation and positioning of these stands by road workers can be time consuming and dangerous. It is not uncommon to see road workers running across three lanes of a motorway carrying a stand to position it and then running back for the sand bags and rope to hold it down. This presents the obvious risk of the road worker being hit by a vehicle after tripping and falling in the road carrying the cumbersome objects.

Statement of Invention

To reduce the amount of time it takes to position and remove the road signs in the road and to decrease the possibility of collision with vehicles, the present invention proposes a post divided into sections that can be inserted and locked onto a roadside crash barrier's upright supporting post.

Page 2 c Advantages The proposed invention will not require rope or sand bags to prevent it from blowing over in strong winds. It will be simply placed over the vertical upright crash barrier post and locked in position.

Preferably, a quick release locking mechanism will be at the base of the bottom section allowing clamping and unclamping to the crash barrier post. This will reduce the amount of time it takes to install the sign post at the side of the road.

Preferably, the positioning of the sign attached to the post will be manually adjustable rotationally about the vertical axis of the top and bottom sections. This will enable better positioning which will make the sign easier to read for road users and enable safer positioning which will reduce the likelihood of collision with vehicles.

Preferably, the sign will be easily dismantled and made compact for storage. This will reduce the amount of space taken up on the transport vehicle and allow space for other loads.

Preferably, the post will be easy and light to early for the road workers. This will enable safe handling of the sign by the road workers.

Introduction to Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 illustrates relevant parts of the crash barrier that the invention will attach onto. Note: the crash barrier is not part of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates all the components of the invention and shows how the invention could look when attached to the crash barrier.

Page 3 Figure 3 illustrates in detail section (1) of the invention and how it is attached and secured to the upright of the crash barrier.

Figure 4 illustrates section (2) of the invention and how it will attach to sections (1) and(3).

Figure 5 illustrates section (3) of the invention in more detail and how it will look attached to section (2).

Figure 6 illustrates how section (3) would look with a sign attached (Note the signs are not part of the invention) Figure 7 is showing an example of a combination of sections that could be used to achieve different positioning of the invention.

Figure 8 further illustrates the option of combining different sections of the invention in order to achieve different positions for the invention.

Figure 9 illustrates how the height of the invention could be increased without adding extra parts.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates a typical roadside crash barrier. Note view (a) is a plan view of part (1) which is a Z shaped upright barrier support. Part (ii) (shown only in view (b)) illustrates the horizontal section of the crash barrier which attaches to the side of the upright post (1).

Figure 2 illustrates all three sections of the temporary sign post (no sign attached) as well as the locking mechanism (4) located near the base of section (1) (Note: locking mechanism could be a simple nut and bolt arrangement with a handle attached to the head of the bolt for easy and quick release -no spanners required). The locking Page 4 mechanism (4) can be used to adjust the overall height of the post from the ground by simply locking the post to the barrier at the required position along the length of the crash barrier upright (i).

Section (2) can rotate about the vertical axis of section (1) and section (3) can rotate about its own vertical axis at the point where it joins to section (2). Free rotation is controlled by locating pins (5) that are used to prevent further rotation once the desired positioning has been reached.

Section (1) is essentially a tube with a longitudinal cut out running approximately three quarters of the way up the middle to allow it to be inserted over the upright (i) of the crash barrier. Close to the bottom of section (1) is the locking mechanism which is essentially a threaded nut and bolt that acts as a grub screw arrangement with a handle connect for ease of use.

Section (3) is the part that holds the sign. Six horizontal arms protrude out the side of the post. These arms will have pins (not shown in this figure -see figure 5) that hold the sign securely in place on the post. These pins could be a simple nut and threaded bolt arrangement.

Figure 3 illustrates two scenarios provided by view I and 2. View I illustrates section (1) of the post arrangement before it has been inserted onto the upright crash barrier post (i) and before the locking mechanism has been inserted (Note: handle not shown in this drawing). View 2 illustrates section (1) of the post arrangement after it has been placed onto the upright crash barrier post (i). In this view the locking mechanism has been inserted into the tapped hole (Ia) (Note handle not shown in this drawing).

Figure 4 illustrates two scenarios provided by view 1 and 2. View 1 illustrates section (2) as a single component (i.e. it has not been inserted into sections (1) and (3)). View 2 illustrates section (2) after it has been inserted into sections (1) and (3).

Note the locking pins (5) for both sections (1) and (3) have been inserted in this

example.

Page 5 Figure 5 illustrates section (3) in more detail. Section (3) accommodates the road signs via the use of six locating pins (3a) (Road sign not shown in this figure).

Figure 6 is the same illustration as figure 5 but with an example road sign attached.

Note: the road signs are not part of this invention. Temporary road signs for motorway and dual carriageway use are of a standard fixed dimension (i.e. the locating holes in the signs are of the same dimension and geometry regardless of the shape, size or nature of message the sign delivers. This allows all temporary road signs to fit the same post).

Figure 7 is showing an example of a combination of sections that could be used to achieve different positioning of the invention. In this example two section (2) parts have been joined together to allow greater height and a bigger radius from the centreline of section (1) Figure 8 further illustrates the option of combining different sections of the invention in order to achieve different positions for the invention. In this example, two section (3) parts have been joined on top of each other in order to enable more signs to be fitted to the invention.

Figure 9 illustrates how the height of the invention could be increased without adding extra parts. The invention is positioned at some the desired distance down the crash barrier upright (i) and then lock in position using the locking mechanism (4).

Claims

Page 6 Claims 1. A post for holding signs that comprises attachment means for attaching to roadside crash barriers, a height adjustable attachment for altering the vertical positioning of the post, and a means of adjusting the position of the sign rotationally about a vertical axis with a radius of zero and a vertical axis with a radius greater than zero.
2. A post according to claim 1, that is made of a variety of interchangeable sections which can be used to alter the quantity of signage attached to the post arrangement.
3. A post according to claim 2 that is made of a variety of interchangeable parts that can be used to alter the direction in which it is intended to point.
4. A post according to claim 2 that can be dismantled into smaller sections to facilitate transport in smaller vehicles.