GB2410053A

GB2410053A - Base plate for a temporary sign

Info

Publication number: GB2410053A
Application number: GB0500751A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dawson
Original assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Current assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-16
Filing date: 2005-01-14
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Also published as: GB0500751D0; GB0400947D0

Abstract

A base plate 10 and comprises means for removably receiving a stem to which may be attached a sign 21. The receiving means defines a downwardly tapering slot which holds the complimentary stem in position, preferably with a friction fit. The base plate may have a higher specific gravity than the stem and is preferably made from recycled PVC, and preferably weighs 5.5kg. The stem preferably comprises polypropylene. The angle of taper of the stem and slot may be between 5 to 20 degrees to the stem axis and is preferably 15 degrees. The slot may be 60mm deep by 85mm wide, the corresponding stem may be 85mm by 9mm. Preferably the base plate includes a removable insert 15 which fits tightly within an aperture of the plate and wherein said plate is the known type used to support traffic barriers and the like.

Description

J

1 2410053

A SIGN

This invention relates to temporary signs and particularly, though not exclusively, to such signs when used to indicate road hazards, traffic directions, or the like.

Conventionally, such signs are produced from steel or other metal and the sign itself is often of similar material thus generating a high specific gravity and a relatively high centre of gravity. Such properties lead to difficulty in transporting the signs from place to place and also an increased risk of the sign being overturned through wind resistance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a temporary sign with considerably lower specific gravity and in particular with a very much lower centre of gravity.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a temporary sign comprising a or d base plate and means thereon for removably receiving an upright stem to which may .

be attached a sign; characterized in that the receiving means defines a slot of ^ .''. downwardly reducing width, and the stem has a complimentary downwardly tapered lowermost end region, the downwardly reducing width of the slot and the downwardly tapered end region of the stem serving to retain the stem in engagement with the base plate.

aces a The base plate may be of a material of higher specific gravity than the stem.

The complimentary angles of reducing width of the slot and of the tapered end region of the stem, with respect to the upright axis of the stem when in use, may be between 5 and 20 and preferably at or in the region of 15 .

The stem may be made from polypropylene.

At least a part of the base plate may be made from recycled polyvinyl chloride.

The depth of the slot may be at or in the region of 60mm and have a width at its wider end at or in the region of 85mm.

The slot may provide a friction fit for the stem.

The stem may be of strip form having a width at or in the region of 85mm and a thickness at or in the region of 9mm.

A sign may be fixedly attached to the stem.

A sign may be removably attached to the stem thus to be replaceable with a different sign.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way example only, with .

6o.. reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ë

I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a temporary sign made in accordance with the mventon.

Fig. 2 illustrates how an upright stem of the sign may be removably received within a slot in a base plate and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a base plate showing a sign both engaged therewith and removed therefrom.

Referring now to the drawings the temporary sign made in accordance with the invention comprises a base plate 10 of recycled PVC or the like and typically weighing some 5.5kgs. A slotted handle 11 is provided to assist with carrying the base plate. The base plate 10 is adapted to be located on the ground and has a peripheral lower surface 12 for stability, with upwardly sloping sides 13 at the apex of which is an aperture 14 adapted to receive a removable insert 15 also of recycled PVC.

Centrally located within the insert 15 is a narrow slot 16 of downwardly reducing width, the angle of taper typically being some 15 with respect to a vertical axis through the base plate. The cross depth of the slot may also be tapered if required.

The insert 15 has an upper flange 17 which rests upon the apex of the base plate 10 so that a lower surface 18 of the insert is clear of the ground.

A stem 20 being of some 85mm width and 9mm thickness, and made of a flexible polypropylene, has attached thereto a sign such as shown at 21. This can be a typical road sign indicating a hazard or for traffic direction or information. The sign is also preferably of a lightweight plastics material and may be screwed or riveted to the stem 20 as shown at 22. By screwing the sign 21 to the stem 20 it may be removed when required and replaced by another sign.

As can be seen, particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower end region of the stem 20 is of ë downwardly tapered form the angle of taper being complimentary to that of the slot 16. In this way, when the stem is located within the slot 16 it is retained therein and A. : thus in engagement with the base plate 10. The nature of the materials of the insert and stem 20 as well as the complimentary angles of taper of the two parts serve to provide a wedging action so that the stem becomes a friction fit within the base plate and needs a firm pull to remove it.

Since the specific gravity of the stem 20 and the sign 21 is very much lower than that of the base plate 10 the entire sign has considerable stability when in use. The centre of gravity of the entire sign is therefore also very much closer to the ground than in conventional signs incorporating a steel framework in the stem and the sign attached thereto.

The overall depth of the tapered slot 16 may be typically 60mm and the maximum top width of the slot may be as great as 85mm.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. For example, the insert 15 may be omitted and the base plate 10 may be formed to define the slot 16 although the arrangement illustrated is preferred since the base plate is of a kind commonly used to support traffic barriers and the like and thus may be readily adapted by the use of the insert 15 to support a temporary sign.

The width of the base plate 10 may be some 400mm for stability and the inclined angle of the side walls 13 may be in the region of 10 . The thickness of the base plate is typically in the region of 15 to 20mm, and the insert 15 is arranged to be a tight fit within the aperture 14 of the base plate thus to avoid any tendency for the insert to be withdrawn from the base plate upon withdrawal of the stem. . ë .ce ë ë .-

.. ..CLME: CLAIMS

Claims

1. A temporary sign comprising a base plate and means thereon for

removably receiving an upright stem to which may be attached a sign; characterized in that the receiving means defines a slot of downwardly reducing width, and the stem has a complimentary downwardly tapered lowermost end region, the downwardly reducing width of the slot and the downwardly tapered end region of the stem serving to retain the stem in engagement with the base plate.

2. A temporary sign according to Claim 1, wherein the base plate is of a material of higher specific gravity than the stem.

: ..

3. A temporary sign according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the . . complimentary angles of reducing width of the slot and of the tapered end .- region of the stem, with respect to the axis of the stem when in use, are between 5 and 20 . :'

4. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the a-e complimentary angles of reducing width of the slot and of the tapered end region of the stem, with respect to the upright axis of the stem when in use, are at or in the region of 15 .

5. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the stem is made from polypropylene.

6. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, when at least a part of the base plate is made from recycled polyvinyl chloride.

7. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, in which the depth of the slot is at or in the region of 60mm and its width at its wider end is at or in the region of 85mm.

8. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot provides a friction fit for the stem.

9. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the stem is of strip form having a width at or in the region of 85mm and a thickness at or in the region of 9mm.

10. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, including a sign fixedly attached to the stem. - I<

.'.

11. A temporary sign according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, including a sign ë* formed as to be removably attachable to the stem for replacement. * *

12. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate is of a weight at or in the region of 5.5kgs. '

-e.*. e

13. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate includes a removable insert within which is disposed said slot.

14. A temporary sign according to Claim 13 wherein the removable insert is a tight fit within an aperture in the base plate such as to avoid any tendency for the insert to be withdrawn from the base plate upon withdrawal of the stem.

15. A temporary sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate is of a kind commonly used to support traffic barriers and the like and is readily adapted by use of the removable insert to support the sign.