TRAFFIC SIGNAGE POST AND INSTALLATION METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

The present invention refers to a pole (1) for traffic signalling presenting a general shape of cylindrical type, in particular a pole comprising a pole part (11) provided in a general shape of pole type, and a base part (12) provided in a general shape of disc type, and adapted so that can be fixed to the pavement. Said signalling pole (1) is characterized in that said pole and base parts (11, 12) are adapted so that said pole part (11) can be retained on said base part (12) by means of a fitting engagement and rotation, including retention with removable blocking.

The present invention further refers to a process of installation of such a pole (1), whereby said pole part (11) can be manually retained on said base part (12) without requiring the use of a tool.

Claims

1. A traffic signalling pole comprising: a pole part provided in a generally elongated tubular shape, and a base part provided in a generally non elongated shape, and adapted so that said base part can be fixed to the pavement and be associated with said pole part, whereby said pole and base parts are adapted so that they can mutually engage in an engagement position (I) and be retained at a retention position (II) with reference to an engagement axis (X), wherein said pole and base parts present engagement parts provided in respective directly opposing parts and adapted to provide engagement and removable retention by means of a movement along said engagement axis and a movement around said engagement axis (X), of said pole part in relation to said base part.

2. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein said engagement parts comprise first engagement parts and second engagement parts adapted to provide engagement and removable retention by means of a movement along said engagement axis (X), preferentially in a previously defined relative position corresponding to an engagement position (I), and a movement around said engagement axis (X), preferentially in a previously defined given extension until a retention position (II).

3. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein each one of said pole and base parts presents respective first engagement parts provided in lateral faces of the closed alignment of a projecting portion and of a cavity portion of said pole and base parts, respectively, said closed alignment developing around said engagement axis (X), whereby said first engagement parts are configured as elements projecting along a direction transversal to that of said engagement axis (X), thereby providing a shape engagement of said projecting portion of the pole part on said cavity portion of the base part, if said pole part is at a previously defined angular position relative to said base part, corresponding to an engagement position (I), and rotated by a given extension therefrom.

4. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein each one of said pole and base parts presents at least one, preferentially two projecting elements, preferentially configured and distributed in symmetric manner along a common closed alignment, for example of circular shape, that develops around in symmetric manner and is centred with relation to said engagement axis (X), whereby said first engagement parts are configured with angular extensions so that said projection elements provide a longitudinal movement of introduction of the edge of said pole part into said base part in case vertically aligned, corresponding to said engagement position (I), and providing retention of said engagement at said retention position (II) in case they are rotated by at least a previously defined extension, preferentially by a rotation movement in an extension bigger than 10° and smaller than 180°, particularly preferred bigger than 30° and smaller than 110°, around said engagement axis (X).

5. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein each one of said pole and base parts presents second engagement parts provided in directly opposing base and top surfaces of said pole and base parts, respectively, preferentially in an exterior region with relation to said first engagement parts, and adapted so that they can mutually engage and provide blocking of retention, for example by means of a connection of tooth-cavity type, including against at least one of: a rotation movement and a spreading translation movement between said pole and base parts.

6. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pole and base parts presents a tooth element , as part of said second engagement parts, configured as a projection that develops along a direction at least approximately parallel to said engagement axis (X) and adapted for engaging in a corresponding cavity of the other of said pole and base parts, whereby said tooth element is preferentially configured with a triangular cross-section when seen in side view and with a cross-section when seen in top view adapted so that it can be inserted in said elastic tongue disposition.

7. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pole and base parts presents an elastic tongue disposition associated with a cavity, as part of said second engagement parts and configured so that it can be pressed in deflexion downwards by said tooth element, in the rotation movement of said pole part with relation to said base part, and in that said tooth element can be inserted in the cavity so that is retained blocked in said cavity by said elastic tongue disposition.

8. The traffic signalling pole of claim 7, wherein said elastic tongue disposition comprises a tongue portion that develops over an opening and is adapted so that it can be deflected in an elastic manner along a direction parallel to that of said engagement axis (X).

9. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pole and base parts presents an unblocking disposition adapted so that it provides the introduction from the exterior of an elongated element upon said elastic tongue disposition, in particular so that it can be exerted pressure upon said tongue portion, so as to provide an unblocking of engagement of said second engagement parts.

10. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein said pole part presents a form aspect ratio, in particular a relation of total height of said pole part in relation to the characteristic dimension of cross-section thereof, for example diameter, of at most twelve, preferentially of at most ten, and in that said base part presents a form aspect ratio, in particular a relation of total height of said base part in relation to the characteristic dimension of cross-section thereof, for example diameter, of at least 0.1, preferentially at least 0.2.

11. The traffic signalling pole of claim 1, wherein at least said pole part, and preferentially both of said pole and base parts are produced in a synthetic plastic material, preferentially in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or in a synthetic material presenting a similar memory shape factor, provided so that it can recover its initial position and form in case of an impact force thereupon, and in case said impact force is removed.

12. A process for installation of a traffic signalling pole, according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing a traffic signalling pole presenting a pole part and a base part according to claim 1; retaining said base part on the pavement; moving said pole part along a substantially vertical direction downwards, when in a previously alignment corresponding to an engagement position (I), so that a projecting portion of said pole part is inserted into a first cavity portion of said base part; carrying out a first rotation movement of said pole part around respective longitudinal axis (x), so that it provides a first engagement of said first engagement parts; further continuing the first rotation movement of said pole part, so that second engagement parts provide a blocking engagement, preferentially including an elastic deflexion and engagement of tooth-cavity type, so that it results in the retention of said pole part on said base part.

13. The process according to claim 12, comprising: applying a force upon at least one of said second engagement parts, for example by means of at least one unblocking device in the interface region between said pole and base parts when these are retained with each other; carrying out a second movement of rotation of said pole part with relation to said base part, in the direction opposite to said first rotation movement, carrying out a translation movement upwards of said pole part with relation to said base part, so that said pole part is removed from said base part.

14. The process according to claim 12,, in which all the movements and application of force associated with the retention of said pole part on the base part are carried out manually, without the use of any tool or auxiliary means.

15. The process according to claim 12, further including the step of fixing said base part to the pavement, including mechanical fixation means of removable type.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] The present invention shall be hereinafter explained in greater detail based upon preferred embodiments and the attached Figures.

[0020] The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

[0021] FIG. 1: side and perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the pole (1) according to the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2: side and perspective top view of the embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention, at a position where the pole (11) and base parts (12) are disassembled;

[0023] FIG. 3: side view of said pole part (11) of embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention, at a first and second rotation position around respective longitudinal axis (X);

[0024] FIG. 4: perspective views from the base side of the pole part (11) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5: detail perspective view from underneath of the inferior face of the pole part (11) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 6: perspective view from above of the base part (12) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 7: top view of the inferior face of the pole part (11) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 8: top view of the base part (12) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 9: side view of the base part (12) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 10: cut view of the lateral cross-section, according to the cut BB indicated in FIG. 9, of the base part (12) of said embodiment of pole (1) according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 represent an embodiment of traffic signalling pole (1), for example roadway traffic, according to the present invention.

[0032] Said traffic signalling pole (1) comprises a pole part (11) provided in a general shape of tubular type, and a base part (12) provided in a general shape of disc type, and adapted so that can be fixed to the pavement and that can retain said pole part (11), whereby said pole and base parts (11, 12) are adapted so that can mutually engage with reference to an engagement axis (X).

[0033] FIG. 1 shows said pole (1) in a condition whereby said pole (11) and base parts (12) are assembled, and FIG. 2 shows said pole (1) in a condition whereby said pole (11) and base parts (12) are disassembled.

[0034] According to an inventive aspect, said pole and base parts (11, 12) present respective engagement parts in directly opposing tops and adapted so that first engagement parts (111, 121) provide engagement by means of a movement along said engagement axis (X) and second engagement parts (112, 122) provide engagement by means of a movement around said engagement axis (X).

[0035] Said engagement parts comprise first engagement parts (111, 121) and second engagement parts (112, 122) adapted so that provide engagement and removable retention by means of a movement along said engagement axis (X), preferentially in a previously defined relative position corresponding to an engagement position (I), and a movement around said engagement axis (X), preferentially by a previously defined given extension up until reaching a retention position (II).

[0036] Said engagement axis (X) can coincide at least approximately with the central longitudinal axis of said pole part (11).

[0037] Said pole (11) and base parts (12) can present a projection portion and a cavity portion in respectively directly opposing parts, adapted so that provide an engagement in reciprocal manner, whereby at least one of said pole (11) and base parts (12) presents a projecting portion, preferentially aligned with the central longitudinal axis and presenting a shape at least partially cylindrical or conic and a perimeter of circular section, and the other of said pole (11) and base parts (12) presents a cavity portion, aligned with the central longitudinal axis, oriented in the direction of said projecting portion and presenting a shape at least partially cylindrical or conic and an interior perimeter of circular or conic section, with a dimension adapted so that engages in shape with said projecting portion.

[0038] It is further preferred when each one of said pole and base parts (11, 12) presents respective first engagement parts (111, 121) provided in lateral faces of the closed alignment of a projecting portion and of a cavity portion of said pole (11) and base parts (12), respectively, said closed alignment developing around said engagement axis (X), whereby said first engagement parts (111, 121) are configured as elements projecting along a direction transversal to that of said engagement axis (X), thereby providing a shape engagement of said projecting portion of the pole part (11) on said cavity portion of the base part (12), if said pole part (11) is at a previously defined angular position relative to said base part (12), corresponding to an engagement position (I), and rotated by a given extension therefrom.

[0039] As can be better observed in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in particular in the detail of FIG. 5, in the case of this preferred embodiment according to the invention, said pole part (11) presents a projecting portion in the inferior face thereof, configured with a shape that is at least approximately similar to the one of the remanding portion of pole part (11) and with a characteristic dimension, for example diameter, of exterior perimeter smaller than the exterior perimeter of the remanding portion of pole part (11). Said projecting portion is adapted so that can be introduced along a downwards vertical movement into a corresponding cavity portion provided in the base part (12) if disposed at a given angular position with relation thereto.

[0040] In particular, said projecting portion presents two projecting elements (111, 121), whereby the first engagement parts (111, 121) are configured with angular extensions such that said projecting elements (111, 121) provide a longitudinal movement of introduction of the edge of said pole part (11) into the base part (12) in case vertically aligned—see also FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIGS. 7 and 8—, corresponding to said engagement position (I), and provide retention of said engagement at said retention position (II) in case they are rotated by at least a previously defined extension, preferentially a rotation movement by an extension bigger than 10° and smaller than 180°, particularly preferred bigger than 30° and smaller than 110°, around said engagement axis (X).

[0041] Moreover, said inferior face of pole part (11) presents a tooth element (112), as part of said second engagement parts (112, 122), configured as a projection that develops along a direction at least approximately parallel to said engagement axis (X) and adapted for engaging in a corresponding cavity of the other of said pole and base parts (11, 12), whereby said tooth element (112) is preferentially configured with a triangular cross-section when seen in side view and with such a cross-section when seen in top view adapted so that can be inserted in said elastic tongue disposition (122).

[0042] Moreover, the base part (11, 12) presents an elastic tongue disposition (122) associated with a cavity, as part of said second engagement parts (112, 122 and configured so that can be pressed in deflexion downwards by said tooth element (112), in the rotation movement of said pole part (11) with relation to said base part (12), and in that said tooth element (112) can be inserted in the cavity so that is retained blocked in said cavity by said elastic tongue disposition (122).

[0043] It is preferred when said elastic tongue disposition (122) comprises a tongue portion that develops over an opening and is adapted so that can be deflected in elastic manner along a direction parallel to that of said engagement axis (X).

[0044] According to another preferred embodiment, and as can be observed in FIGS. 9 and 10, at least one of said pole (11) and base parts (12) presents an unblocking disposition (123) adapted so that provides the introduction from the exterior of an elongated element upon said elastic tongue disposition (122), in particular so that can be exerted pressure upon said tongue portion, so as to provide an unblocking of engagement of said second engagement parts (112, 122).

[0045] According to another inventive aspect, the process of installation of a pole (1) according to the invention, comprises carrying out a movement of said pole part (11) along a substantially vertical direction downwards, when in a previously defined alignment corresponding to an engagement position (I), so that a projecting portion of said pole part (11) is introduced into a first portion of cavity of said base part (12) and a first rotation movement of said pole part (11) around a respective longitudinal axis (x), so that provides a first engagement of said first engagement parts (111, 121).

[0046] Moreover, it is preferred when there is carried out a continuation of said first movement of rotation of said pole part (11), so that second engagement parts (112, 122) provide a blocking of engagement, preferentially including an elastic deflexion and engagement of tooth-cavity type.

[0047] It is further preferred when, in case said pole (11) and base parts (12) are in a condition of mutually retained with blocking, there can be applied a force upon at least one of said second engagement parts (112, 122), for example by means of at least one unblocking device in the interface region between said pole (11) and base parts (12) when these are retained to each other; carrying out a second rotation movement of said pole part (11) with relation to said base part (12), in the direction opposite to said first rotation movement, carrying out an upwards translation movement of said pole part (11) with relation to said base part (12).

[0048] Said pole part (11) can present a plurality of, preferentially at least six, successive sections along the height of said top part (11), whereby said sections present at least two cross-sections of different characteristic dimension, for example diameter.

[0049] Said base part (12) is advantageously provided so that can be retained in removable manner in the pavement, preferentially by means of a fixation of mechanical type, for example of screw type, or similar, through at least one orifice (214) provided in the face of the base of said base part (12).

[0050] Said pole part (11) is, preferentially, adapted so that can be produced by a method of extrusion of a plastic synthetic material

[0051] Said pole part (11) can present a cross-section of at least approximately circular shape, preferentially with a diameter comprised between 5 and 90 cm, preferentially comprised between 15 and 75 cm.

[0052] It is preferred when the exterior characteristic dimension of said pole part (11) is at least approximately similar to the exterior characteristic dimension of said base part (12).