Road Stud

Abstract

Described is a road stud that can be provided at regular intervals on the surface of a road, such as the center line, edge, or branch line of a roadway. The road studs enable drivers to easily and visually identify lanes and to recognize lane departures or lane invasions through the sensation of vibration or auditory sensation of sound.

Claims

1. A road stud, comprising: a base in which a coupling part is formed through a center of a body with an inner space formed, a mounting step is formed to protrude on an inner edge of the body, a locking step is formed to protrude inward in a state in which an outer upper end of the mounting step protrudes upward, a drainage path is provided in an outer direction of the body from an inner surface between the mounting step and the locking step, and a drain is provided in the form of a groove radially on a lower surface; a fixing portion in which an upper end is inserted and screwed into the coupling part of the base and a lower end is inserted into a groove formed at an installation part of a road so that the base is fixed to the installation part by curing a fixing member injected into the groove; a cap that has elastic restoring force and has a dome shape in which a flange is formed on an outer circumference so that the flange is fitted and fixed in the groove between the mounting step and the locking step of the base to generate air pressure by external pressure; a light reflection portion that is adhesively fixed to a height surface of the base and reflects ambient light; and a sound generation portion that directly radiates sound to the outside by air pressure generated while the cap is pressed while being fitted and fixed in a path passing through the inner space of the base from an outside of the light reflection portion and while pressing and fixing the light reflection portion to an outer surface of the base.

2. The road stud of claim 1, wherein the coupling part of the base is a polygonal or “+”-shaped through hole, which through hole is formed in an upwardly protruding part or a downwardly protruding part from a central bottom surface of the body.

3. The road stud of claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is a tubular fixture in which a flange is formed on an upper outer circumference made of a synthetic resin material, in which a base coupling member is formed to protrude from an upper surface of the flange so as to be fitted and coupled to correspond to the coupling part of the base, a screw coupling hole for fixing the base is formed in the center of the base coupling member, and a slit or rib, which is a path through which the fixing member penetrates before curing, is formed on an outer circumference of a tube body formed on a lower surface of the flange.

4. The road stud of claim 1, wherein the cap is characterized in that a light reflection member is provided in a groove formed on an upper surface.

5. The road stud of claim 1, wherein the cap is characterized in that a logo of a government, an affiliated organization, a local government, or a company is displayed on an upper surface of the cap.

6. The road stud of claim 2, wherein the fixing portion is a tubular fixture in which a flange is formed on an upper outer circumference made of a synthetic resin material, in which a base coupling member is formed to protrude from an upper surface of the flange so as to be fitted and coupled to correspond to the coupling part of the base, a screw coupling hole for fixing the base is formed in the center of the base coupling member, and a slit or rib, which is a path through which the fixing member penetrates before curing, is formed on an outer circumference of a tube body formed on a lower surface of the flange.

7. The road stud of claim 2, wherein the cap is characterized in that a light reflection member is provided in a groove formed on an upper surface.

8. The road stud of claim 2, wherein the cap is characterized in that a logo of a government, an affiliated organization, a local government, or a company is displayed on an upper surface of the cap.

9. The road stud of claim 3, wherein the cap is characterized in that a light reflection member is provided in a groove formed on an upper surface.

10. The road stud of claim 3, wherein the cap is characterized in that a logo of a government, an affiliated organization, a local government, or a company is displayed on an upper surface of the cap.

11. The road stud of claim 4, wherein the cap is characterized in that a logo of a government, an affiliated organization, a local government, or a company is displayed on an upper surface of the cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall external configuration of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view specifically illustrating the overall external configuration and the coupling structure of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a light reflection state in a state installed on the configuration or structure and installation part of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a warning sound is output by external pressure in a state of being installed in the configuration or structure and installation part of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating another structure in which the cap is fitted and coupled to the base of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in the installation part.

[0034] FIGS. 7 to 10 are side cross-sectional views illustrating in stages another example in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in the installation part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings presented as described above.

[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, the road stud 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base 11 in which a coupling part 11a is formed through a center of a body with an inner space S formed, a mounting step 11b is formed to protrude on an inner edge of the body, a locking step 11c is formed to protrude inward in a state in which an outer upper end of the mounting step 11b protrudes upward, two to four drainage paths 11d are provided in an outer direction of the body from an inner surface between the mounting step 11b and the locking step 11c, and a drain 11f is provided in the form of a groove radially on a lower surface. The road stud 10 may also include a fixing portion 12 in which an upper end is inserted and screwed into the coupling part 11a of the base 11, and a lower end is inserted into a groove 1 formed at an installation part of a road so that the base 11 is fixed to the installation part by curing a fixing member 2 injected into the groove 1. The road stud 10 may also include a cap 13 that has elastic restoring force and has a dome shape in which a flange 13a is formed on an outer diameter so that the flange 13a is fitted and fixed in the groove between the mounting step 11b and the locking step 11c of the base 11 to generate air pressure by external pressure. The road stud 10 may also include a light reflection portion 15 adhesively fixed to a height surface of the base 11 and reflecting ambient light, and a sound generation portion 16 that directly radiates sound to the outside by air pressure generated while the cap 13 is pressed while being fitted and fixed in a path passing through the inner space S of the base 11 from an outside of the light reflection portion 15 and while pressing and fixing the reflection portion 15 to an outer surface of the base 11.

[0037] Herein, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base 11 is a block body of a “␣” shape as a whole made of a synthetic resin material. An outer upper peripheral portion and a lower peripheral portion may protrude in a horizontal direction relative to the surface of the light reflection portion 15.

[0038] The base 11 is formed in a circular shape as an embodiment, but the base 11 is not limited thereto and may be formed in a polygonal shape including an oval or a quadrangle.

[0039] The coupling part 11a of the base 11 of an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above is a polygonal or “+”-shaped through hole, which may be formed in an upwardly protruding part (shown in the attached drawing) or a downwardly protruding part (not shown in the attached drawing) from a central bottom surface of the body.

[0040] In addition, the mounting step 11b of the base 11 may be a protruding part at a distance from the protruding part where the coupling part 11a is formed on an edge of the inner bottom surface and the height surface of the base 11 body.

[0041] In addition, the space S of the base 11 may be an annular space formed between the protruding part where the mounting step 11b and the coupling part 11a are formed or a space partitioned with a gap.

[0042] In addition, the locking step 11c of the base 11 may be a protruding part formed in parallel with an upper surface of the mounting step 11b, and as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings, a locking groove 11e may be formed on the surface on which the upper edge of the inner height surface of the base 11 located between the mounting step 11b is located.

[0043] In addition, the drainage path 11d of the base 11 may be inclined downward while going from an inside direction to an outside direction.

[0044] The fixing portion 12 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a tubular fixture in which the flange 12c may be formed on an upper outer circumference made of a synthetic resin material. A base coupling member 12a may be formed in the flange 12c to protrude from an upper surface of the flange 12c so as to be fitted and coupled to correspond to the coupling part 11a of the base 11. A screw coupling hole for fixing the base 11 may be formed in the center of the base coupling member 12a, and the slit or rib 12b, which is a path through which the fixing member 2 penetrates before curing, may be formed on an outer circumference of a tube body formed on a lower surface of the flange 12c.

[0045] A nut may be further provided on the inside of the tube body located on a lower surface of the flange 12c of the fixing portion 12 to increase durability or fastening holding force when the screw for fixing the base 11 is fastened. The nut may be provided during insert injection molding into the fixing portion 12.

[0046] The cap 13 of an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a light reflection member 17 provided in the groove 13b formed on an upper surface of the cap 13.

[0047] The cap 13 may further display a logo 18 of government agencies and its affiliated organizations, local governments, or companies on an upper surface of the cap 13.

[0048] In addition, the cap 13 may be fitted and coupled to the locking groove 11e formed on an upper surface of the locking step 11c of the base 11 after the outer edge of the flange 13a is bent upward.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light reflection portion 15 may be a reflector including a reflective tape, a reflective film, a reflective sheet, and a reflective block that reflects the light of a vehicle (headlamp) at night or in the dark to facilitate identification (including retroreflectors). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a reflective tape is intended to be applied as an embodiment.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sound generation portion 16 may be a squeaker that generates a sound by air pressure applied from the inside (so-called beeper).

[0051] Hereinbefore, in the sound generation portion 16, the part in contact with the light reflection portion 15 is expanded, and the light reflection portion 15 may be pressed, adhered, and fixed to the height surface of the base 11 in order to be inserted into the through hole.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure basically enables identification because the light reflection portion 15 provided on an external height surface of the base 11 reflects the light of the headlamp of a vehicle at night or when it is dark.

[0053] The light reflection member 17 provided along the groove 13b of an upper portion of the cap 13 additionally reflects light to increase the night discrimination.

[0054] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, the sound generation portion 16 fixed to an external height surface of the base 11 with one end exposed generates a sound by the air flow and air pressure applied from the inside due to the cap 13 being pressed.

[0055] The sound generation portion 16 is fixed in a wedge type, and it is preferably fixed by force fitting and fixing or helical coupling.

[0056] The road stud of an embodiment of the present disclosure assembled in this way is fixed to the ground of the road. When the cap 13 is pressed by a load applied when the tire steps on the cap 13 and then passes while a vehicle is driven, the flow and air pressure of the air are generated in the space S between the base 11 and the cap 13. Accordingly, the air is discharged through the sound generation portion 16, and a trembling plate vibrates, thus generating the sound to provide an auditory warning signal to a driver.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above, one end of the sound generation portion 16 is expanded in a flange form larger than the through hole. The end penetrates the light reflection portion 15 that is primarily adhesively fixed to an external height surface of the base 11 so that a secondary fixing is made to the base 11. The fixing force is increased than simply when the light reflection portion 15 is adhesively fixed to an outer surface of the base 11.

[0058] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure prevents detachment or damage of the light reflection portion 15 by increasing the fixing force over where the light reflection portion is simply adhesively fixed to a height surface of the base 11. This extends the maintenance period of the road stud 10 and simultaneously reduces costs.

[0059] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, because the sound generation portion 16 is exposed to the side of the base 11, the cap 13 is pressed to generate a flow of air, that is, air pressure. Thereby, the sound generated from the sound generation portion 16 is spread directly to the outside, so that the sound for warning is clearly transmitted to a driver.

[0060] An embodiment of the present disclosure is useful when a vehicle is driven, but is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to prevent an accident by outputting a warning sound even when a pedestrian steps thereon to call attention to the pedestrian.

[0061] In particular, an embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates a mounting and detachment of the cap 13 with respect to the base 11. This is done by fitting and fixing the flange 13a in a closed state by pressing both upper sides of the cap 13 formed of the dome shape in a groove formed between the mounting step 11b formed to protrude on an inner edge of the body of the base 11 and the locking step 11c formed to protrude inward in a state in which an outer upper end of the body protrudes upward, or by lifting the upper both sides of the cap 13, which is fitted and fixed as described above while pressing the same, so that the flange 13a is departed and detached from the groove.

[0062] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure greatly reduces the installation and maintenance work time of the road stud 10 by facilitating a mounting and detachment of the cap 13 with respect to the base 11 as described above, thereby minimizing the exposure of workers to hazards on the road.

[0063] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides two to four drainage paths 11d from an inner surface between the mounting step 11b and the locking step 11c of the base 11 toward an outer direction of the body. When rainwater or road washing water flows between the locking step 11c and the cap 13 of the base 11, the water is quickly discharged, thereby preventing contamination inside the road stud 10, as well as preventing loss of function of a squeaker, which is the sound generation portion 16, caused when the introduced rainwater or washing water penetrates the sound generation portion 16.

[0064] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drain 11f is provided in the form of a groove radially on a lower surface of the base 11, so that water flowing on the road during rain or road washing does not stay on or around the lower surface of the road stud 10. The water is allowed to flow out quickly. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent rainwater or washing water accumulated in the vicinity from flowing into the road stud 10.

[0065] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state in which the fixing portion 12 is inserted into the groove 1 into which the fixing member 2 made of a liquid or fluid material such as epoxy is injected, by curing the fixing member 2 and allowing the fixing portion 12 to be firmly fixed to an installation part, it is possible to maintain firm fixing force of the base 11 to the installation part.

[0066] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the actual fixing of the base 11 to an upper portion of the fixing portion 12 is made by screws (bolts) to facilitate replacement of the base 11, which is easily damaged or destroyed by friction or pressure with a tire according to the driving of a vehicle. In addition, the cap 13 is also easily replaced by the above-described detachable structure. By making it easy to replace, an economic improvement is obtained in the part that disassembles and stores the road stud 10 at the time of road repaving and enables reuse.

[0067] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling part 11a, which is a through-hole configuring the base 11, and the base coupling member 12a, which is a protruding part configuring the fixing portion 12, are formed in a polygonal or “+” shape. The shape prevents the base 11 from rotating with respect to the fixing portion 12 to which it is coupled, and thus, prevents wear and a generation of a gap of the coupling part, thereby increasing coupling holding force.

[0068] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is also preferable that a nut is further provided on the inside of the tube body located on a lower surface of the flange 12c of the fixing portion 12. As an example, the nut may be provided during insert injection molding into the fixing portion 12.

[0069] In this way, the durability of the fixing portion 12 made of a synthetic resin material is increased, and the fastening holding force is increased when the screw for fixing the base 11 is fastened.

[0070] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure increases the fixing force on an installation part by forming the slit or rib 12b, which is a path through which the fixing member 2 penetrates before curing, on an outer circumference of the fixing portion 12.

[0071] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, by attaching or printing the light reflection member 13c to the groove 13b formed on an upper surface of the cap 13, in addition to the light reflection portion 15 provided on an external height surface of the base 11, the visibility including night discrimination is further improved. Even when the base 11 goes inside the ground of the road due to external pressure for a long period of time, the light reflection member 13c provided on an upper portion of the cap 13 is always exposed to the outside, thereby obtaining the effect of semi-permanently maintaining light reflection function.

[0072] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a logo of government agencies and its affiliated organizations or local governments or companies is printed or displayed in engraving/embossing shapes on an upper surface of the cap 13, thereby clearly displaying an installer or management subject of the road stud 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sound generation portion 16 penetrates the light reflection portion 15 that is primarily adhesively fixed to a height surface of the base 11 so that a secondary fixing is made to the base 11. The fixing force is increased than simply when the light reflection portion 15 is adhesively fixed to a height surface of the base 11.

[0074] Next, an explanation of the installation process of the road stud 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as illustrated in FIGS. 6 or 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, the groove 1 is formed in an installation part of a road, that is, a roadway, and the fixing member 2 made of a liquid or fluid material such as epoxy is injected into the groove 1.

[0076] In this state, by fixing the base 11 to the fixing portion 12 and fixing the cap 13 on an upper portion of the base 11, the fixing portion 12 located at a lower end of the road stud 10, which is a pre-assembled finished product, is inserted into the groove 1.

[0077] Then, the fixing member 2 is cured while penetrating between the slit or rib 12b formed on an outer circumference of the fixing portion 12, and the fixing is made solid.

[0078] As an example of another installation process in an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, the groove 1 is formed in an installation part of a road, that is, a roadway, and the fixing member 2 made of a liquid or fluid material such as epoxy is injected into the groove 1, and the fixing portion 12 is inserted into the groove 1.

[0079] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings, the fixing member 2 is cured while penetrating between the slit or rib 12b formed on an outer circumference of the fixing portion 12, and the fixing is made solid. As illustrated in FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings, before or after the fixing member 2 is cured, after inserting the coupling part 11a of the base 11 into the base coupling member 12a of the fixing portion 12, the base 11 is tightened and fixed to the fixing portion 12 by using a flat washer and a screw or bolt.

[0080] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 10 of the accompanying drawings, the flange 13a is fitted and fixed in a closed state by pressing both upper sides of the cap 13.

[0081] Hereinbefore, although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in connection with the preferred embodiments to illustrate the principle of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations and operations that have been illustrated and described as described above.

[0082] In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that pluralities of changes and modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the attached claims.

[0083] Therefore, all these appropriate changes and modifications and equivalents thereto should be considered to fall within the range of the present disclosure.