GB2255998A - Base member for temporary road sign - Google Patents

Abstract

A base member (30) for temporary road signs is generally kite-shaped in plan (see Fig. 4), having a central ridge (32) extending from one longitudinal end thereof to the other and a transverse ridge (40) intersecting the central ridge (32). A socket (42) is formed at the intersection of the ridges (32, 40) which slope upwardly from the corners of the base to an apex (34). The socket (42) receives a post (52) of a sign (54) in use. The configuration of the base provides stable support for temporary signs, and is resistant to overturning in windy conditions. Additional ballast may be located in the angles between the transverse ridges, being retained in position by a peripheral wall (50) of the base. A base member which is generally rectangular in plan view is also disclosed (see Fig. 1). Said member has a central ridge portion (16) and first and second lateral portions (22, 24) of lesser height extending along either side of said central portion, all of which portions are generally concave in a direction extending at right angles to the length of the base member. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements Relating to Temporary Road Signs" The present invention relates to temporary road signs of the type which are erected at the site of road works and other temporary hazards.

Existing types of temporary road signs generally lack stability and are liable to be blown over in windy conditions. This prevents adequate warning of the hazard being provided for approaching drivers and the fallen sign may itself obstruct the road, possibly resulting in serious accidents. The instability of existing temporary signs has been recognised as a significant safety hazard for a number of years.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage of existing signs.

The invention provides a base member for temporary road signs having at least one socket for receiving at least one post of a temporary road sign, the ground-engaging surface of the base member covering a surface area sufficient to prevent the sign overturning in windy conditions.

The base member is preferably elongate in plan, having a length dimension greater than a width dimension, and having a central ridge portion extending between either longitudinal end thereof, said socket being formed in said ridge portion.

Preferably also, the base is generally rectangular in plan view, said central ridge portion having a first height and extending along the centre thereof, said socket being located centrally therein, and having first and second lateral portions of lesser height extending along either side of said central portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base member further includes a second, transverse ridge portion extending between first and second lateral vertices of said base member located on either side of said central ridge portion such that said transverse ridge portion intersects said central ridge portion, said socket being located at the intersection of said ridge portion.

Preferably also, said intersection is located closer to one longitudinal end of said central ridge portion than the other.

Preferably also, said ridge portions each slope upwardly from their respective outer ends to an apex at said intersection.

The base member preferably also includes a generally planar bottom surface extending between adjacent arms of said intersecting ridge portions, and preferably further includes an upstanding wall extending around the periphery of said bottom surface.

Most preferably, the base member is generally kite-shaped in plan.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a base member in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention having a sign mounted therein; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a base member in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of the base member of Fig.

2; and Fig. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of two of the base members of Figs 2 and 3 having a sign mounted thereon.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the base member embodying the invention, generally designated 10, is generally rectangular in plan view. A sign 12 is mounted in a socket 14 formed at the centre of the top surface 16 of the member 10 by means of a post 18. The length and width of the ground-engaging surface of the member 10 are selected to be large enough to prevent the base being overturned by wind pressure on the sign 12, the plane of the sign being maintained substantially at right angles to the longest axis of the base member 10. The base might be 1 metre wide by 2 metres long for a typical temporary sign.

The socket 14 is of sufficient depth to maintain the sign 12 upright in the base against the forces exerted thereon by the wind. The base member 10 includes a central portion 20 of a first height, in which the socket 14 is formed, extending along its length, and first and second lateral portions 22 and 24 of lesser height extending along either side of the central portion 20. The top surfaces of the central and lateral portions may be concave.

The base member 10 may be formed from plastics material by moulding or casting.

Referring now to Figs 2 to 4 of the drawings, a second, preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base member 30 which is generally kite-shaped in plan, having a length L which is greater than its width W. A central ridge 32 slopes upwardly from either longitudinal end of the base member 30 to an apex 34 between lateral vertices 36 and 38 and located closer to one longitudinal end of the central ridge 32 than the other. A transverse ridge 40 slopes upwardly from either lateral vertex 36 and 38 to intersect the central ridge 32 at the apex 34.

A generally cylindrical socket 42 extends vertically from the intersection of the ridges to receive the post of a sign. An auxiliary socket 44 is formed on the sloping top surface 46 of the longer of the two arms of the central ridge.

The bottom surface 48 of the base member 30 is generally planar, and a peripheral wall 50 extends along the edges thereof between the ends of the ridges 32 and 40.

Fig. 4 shows two of the base members 30 in use, each having a post 52 located in their sockets 42, a sign 54 being supported between the posts. The base members 30 may be arranged at any desired angles relative to the sign and to one another in order to provide maximum stability in the prevailing local conditions.

The ridges 32 and 40 define a generally cruciform base, the shape and proportions of which may vary from that of the illustrated example, as may the shape of the planar bottom surface 48 and peripheral wall 50.

Additional ballast, such as sandbags (not shown), may be placed in the angles between the arms of the ridges, the wall 50 serving to retain same in position.

The base 50 may again be cast or moulded from plastics.

In both embodiments, suitable clamping means (not shown) may be provided to secure the signposts non-rotatably in their receiving sockets. Such means will preferably maintain the plane of the sign substantially at right angles to the long axis of the base members.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A base member for temporary road signs having at least one socket for receiving at least one post of a temporary road sign, the ground-engaging surface of the base member covering a surface area sufficient to prevent the sign overturning in windy conditions.

2. A base member as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said base member is preferably in plan, having a length dimension greater than a width dimension, and having a central ridge portion extending between either longitudinal end thereof, said socket being formed in said ridge portion.

3. A base member as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said base is generally rectangular in plan view, said central ridge portion having a first height and extending along the centre thereof, said socket being located centrally therein, and having first and second lateral portions of lesser height extending along either side of said central portion.

4. A base member as claimed in Claim 3, wherein topmost surfaces of said central ridge portion and said lateral portions are generally concave in sectional planes extending at right angles to the length of the base member.

5. A base member as claimed in Claim 2, further including a second, transverse ridge portion extending between first and second lateral vertices of said base member located on either side of said central ridge portion such that said transverse ridge portion intersects said central ridge portion, said socket being located at the intersection of said ridge portion.

6. A base member as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said intersection is located closer to one longitudinal end of said central ridge portion than the other.

7. A base member as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein said ridge portions each slope upwardly from their respective outer ends to an apex at said intersection.

8. A base member as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, further including a generally planar bottom surface extending between adjacent arms of said intersecting ridge portions.

9. A base member as claimed in Claim 8, further including an upstanding wall extending around the periphery of said bottom surface.

10. A base member as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 9, said base member being generally kite-shaped in plan.

11. A base member for temporary road signs, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the the accompanying drawings.

12. A base member for temporary road signs, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.