FR3087288A1 - SIGNALING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Signaling device comprising: - a post (A); - a fixing bracket (B) surrounding the pole and comprising a body comprising a core (1) and at least two wings (2a and 2b) connected to the core and arranged to resiliently enclose the pole (A), wings each having a projecting portion (5a, 5b) of the post for hanging a rear portion of the panel; - a panel (C).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of traffic signs. More particularly, the invention relates to a signaling device comprising a panel and a fixing bracket intended to fix said panel to a pole.

The traffic signs, whatever their shape, are made from a stamped sheet having edges folded backwards perpendicularly to a main front face intended to bear the traffic marking. The folding of the edges makes it possible on the one hand to stiffen the panel and on the other hand to avoid cuts for people likely to be in contact with the edges of the panel · whether these are voluntary contacts as for · · the technicians who fix the 15 traffic signs or involuntary as for pedestrians. Alternatively, the sheet can be reinforced · by being fixed on a frame formed by aluminum profiles ·. According to document FR-A-2 814 580, there are also traffic signs comprising a stiffening frame constituted by a strip that is profiled to present a lateral ledge (or gutter) capable of fitting the periphery of the pardi and closed on itself - around the panel.

The traffic signs can be fixed on a vertical upright, in general a post of square, round or rectangular section by a flange enclosing said post and having two ends bolted to a fastening bar secured · permanently in the back · of the panel- Another fixing means is described in document ER-A-3 011 971 which makes a fixing collar cooperate with a C-shaped rail fixed to the rear of the panel.

Thus, the fixing of current signaling devices requires that a first operator maintain · the panel at the desired height · on the post while a second operator will place the flange around the post, position the flange at the height of the bar, if necessary drill it, then fix the two ends of the flange to the bar. It is therefore necessary to simultaneously hold the flange and the panel while handling the tool allowing them to be fixed, which is impossible for a single operator.

An object of the invention is' to provide a means to at least partially remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, there is provided, according to the invention, a signaling device comprising:

- a pole;

- a sign ;

- a fixing bracket surrounding the post and comprising a body comprising a groin and at least two wings connected to the core and arranged to clamp elastically between them: the post, the wings each having a projecting portion of the post for hanging ' a rear portioh: of the panel.

Thus, the stirrup can be positioned by an operator at the desired height on the post and remains in place after · said operator has released it to take hold of:

panel and hang it on the bracket, The panel can therefore be fixed in a simple way by a single operator.

Preferably, the internal face of at least one of the wings is provided with a relief to come into abutment against the post.

Advantageously, the portion of each projecting wing of the post has the shape of a hook intended to hang a rear portion of the panel.

The hook will preferably be notched to oppose a detachment of the rear portion: of the panel.

Advantageously also, the stirrup according to the invention is provided with at least one clamping device for pressing the panel against the post; said clamping device preferably being a: screw engaged: in a tapped hole in the core of the stirrup, said screw, once tight, coming to bear against the post.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear portion of the panel attached to the protruding portions of the post forms a flange, said flange being able preferably to extend over a whole periphery of the panel and / or to be pierced at least two holes into which are inserted the portions of the wings projecting from the post.

In accordance with the intention, there is also provided a method for attaching a sign to a pole comprising the steps of:

a- placing on the post a first stirrup resiliently enclosing the post so that the first stirrup has protruding portions of the post;

b- attach a rear portion of the panel to the portions of the first stirrup and protruding;

c- fix as before the panel at a second point using a second bracket;

d- permanently fix the panel to the post by pressing the panel against the post.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of a preferred non-limiting embodiment of

The invention.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention,;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stirrup according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the stirrup illustrated in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a detail view of the signaling device showing the post, the stirrup. enclosing the · post and the panel attached to one bracket, said panel being illustrated in section for better understanding of the device;

- Figure 5 is- a detail view of the signaling device showing the post, the stirrup enclosing the post and the panel attached to the stirrup, said panel being according to a variant of the invention provided with a flange drilled with at least two holes, said panel being illustrated in section for a better understanding of the device.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the invention relates to a signaling device comprising:

- a post Ά,

- two fixing brackets B,

- a panel C.

The post A is here a standard post of rectangular section (40 × 80) generally made of galvanized steel comprising two main faces A1, A3 opposite to each other and connected by two-side sides A2, A4 of smaller width than the main faces.

Each fixing bracket B, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a body, here substantially C-shaped, having a rectangular core 1 having two longer sides having a length substantially equal to the width of the -faces- principal Al, A3 of the post A and two smaller sides from each of which extends a wing 2â, 2b. The two wings 2 a, 2 b are substantially parallel to each other and orthogonal to the core 1 of the fixing bracket B-. Each wing 2 a, 2 b has an overall rectangle shape and has one of its smaller sides connected to the core 1 and has larger sides having a length greater than the width of the side faces A2, A4 of the post A. Thus, each wing 2a, 2b has one end secured to the core 1 and, on the other hand, a free end which projects from the post A when the fixing bracket B is mounted on the post A The free end of each wing 2a, 2b has a cutout to form a hook 5a, 5b to cooperate with a rear portion of the panel G as will be seen later and at a height less than the core. 1 of the fixing bracket B. Gem illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cut forming the hook 5a, 5b is carried out so that 1 / free end 5 of the wing 2a, 2b has a shape of L lying with the foot of L up. Preferably, the hook 5a, 5b is notched so as to oppose a detachment of the rear portion of the panel, the notches: thus allowing better grip of said · rear portion :.

For example, for column A of dimension

40mm x 80mm, the fixing bracket B will have a core: with a length of 80,: 5 mm, that is to say very slightly greater than the width (80 mm) of the main faces of the post A and the wings with a length of 63 mm, extends a length greater than: width (40 mm) -from: lateral faces of the post A. Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the dimensions of the fixing bracket B and in particular its height (formed by the width of the core 1) as a function of the material in which the fixing bracket B will be made so that the latter has the mechanical characteristics necessary for its function, in particular in terms of mechanical strength and elasticity. In particular, the fixing bracket B is dimensioned so that it can be: placed on the post A in such a way that the wings 2 a, 2 b 25 resiliently enclose the post A between them. The elastic clamping force is sufficient for the fixing bracket B to be retained in position without sliding under its own weight along the post A but also so as not to slip under the weight of the panel: C hooked to the bracket of 30: attachment B as will be seen later. Here, the fixing bracket B is made of galvanized steel and has a: height of 50mm.

According to the invention, the wings · 2a, 2b of the fixing bracket B each have an internal face provided with a relief 35 3 to come into abutment against the lateral faces A3, A4 of the post A and thus ensure the maintenance by pressure of the fixing bracket B on the post A. The relief 3 is here formed by 'a localized plastic deformation of part of one of the longitudinal edges of each wing · 2a, 2b. The dimensions of the relief 3 are determined so as to enhance the effect of the elastic clamping · of the post A by the wings 2a, 2b. A person skilled in the art will be able to carry out said relief by any means, it may be a recess formed on the wing 2a, 2b or an additional part added to the internal face of the wing for example by fixing · a metal part by welding or brazing or a part, in elastomer by gluing or other.

Each fixing bracket B is provided with a rib '8 extending along a median longitudinal axis of the core 1 and a portion of the wings · 2â, 2b adjacent to the core of the bracket . The rib 8 makes it possible to reinforce the resistance of the fixing bracket B to deformations likely to exceed its elastic limits, in particular during its manipulations for its positioning on the post A or its removal from it.

Each wing 2a, 2b of the fixing bracket B is provided with a gripping tab 4 which allows the user grasping said tabs to slightly spread the wings 2a, 2b from one another to move the fixing bracket B along the post A. or disengage the fixing bracket B from the post A. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tabs of grip 4 are formed by folding a rectangular portion projecting from an upper longitudinal edge of the wing 2a,

2b. Each gripping tongue 4 extends perpendicularly projecting from an outer face of the wing 2a, 2b. Those skilled in the art will know how to arrange and size the gripping tabs to give them sufficient mechanical strength to enable them to perform their function.

Ί

Each fixing bracket 2a, 2b is provided with a clamping device for pressing the panel G against the post A. Here, the clamping device is a screw 6 engaged in a tapped hole 7 passing through the core 1 of 5 1 ' fixing bracket B:; said screw 6 bearing against the post Ά. Thus, the clamping device makes it possible not only to strengthen the fixing of the stirrup to the post but also that of the panel against the post.

The panel G can have any: shape: circular, triangular, hexagonal, rectangular, square ... It comprises two faces r a front face 10 which has the signaling marking and a rear face 11 attached to the post G. According to the invention, the rear face 11 of the panel G comprises a rear portion forming a flange 15 12, said flange 12 being shaped so that it allows · the attachment of panel C to the hooks 5 of the stirrup. In particular, the rim 12 has at least one face

12.1 parallel to the rear face 11 of the panel remote from said: rear face. The space 13 thus formed between the face 20 12.1 of the rim: 12 and the rear face 11 of the panel C allows the hooks 5 to be housed there. By way of nonlimiting example ·, the rim 12 can be produced in accordance with the teachings of: of document FR-A-2 · 814 580. The rim 12 can also be produced by an angle, a profile or a shaped strip of U, C or L added: on the rear face 11 of panel C or produced: simply by means of a blade fixed on the rear face 11 of said panel C, the blade being fixed to the rear face 11 of panel G with a sufficient spacing to keep the space provided between said flange 12 and the underside of the panel. A person skilled in the art will know how to shape the flange 12 so that when the panel 'is hung, the hooks: 5 are at least: partially in the space 13 formed between the flange 12 and the rear face 11 of the panel G. The panel G is thus 35, fixed to the pole A. by means of: the fixing bracket B to which the rear face 11 of said panel 12 is suspended or hung, and this without any other device.

Preferably, a panel G according to the invention may have a flange which extends over a whole periphery of the panel C.

According to a variant, illustrated by FIG. 5, of the invention, the flange can be pierced with at least two holes in which the hooks 5 are inserted. Thus, the space 13 is here replaced by the holes 14 ,

The present invention also relates to the method of fixing the panel G to the post A, comprising the steps of:

a- put in place · on the post A a first of the fixing stirrups B elastically enclosing the post A 15 between its · wings' 2 a, 2b in such a way that the hooks 5 form portions of the fixing stirrup B projecting from the post A. The position of the fixing bracket B is adjusted on the post A by spreading the wings 2a, 2b from one another by means of the gripping tabs 4 so that the pressure- exerted by the reliefs · 3 on the lateral faces A2, A4 of the post A is sufficiently reduced · to allow the user to easily adjust the position of the stirrup B;

b- hook the rear portion of the panel G to the hooks 5 of the first bracket so that the hooks 5 are at least partially engaged in the space 13 formed between the flange and the rear face of the panel C; ;

c— fix the panel as previously at a second point using a second of the fixing brackets B;

d- permanently fix the panel G to the post A by pressing the panel C against the post A by means of the clamping device. This last step is carried out by tightening the screw.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant coming within the scope of the invention as defined by the resellers.

In particular, the post may have a shape different from that described and have a circular, oval or other section or be made of a material other than galvanized steel, the skilled person will then be able to adapt the shape of the stirrup so that it encloses said 10 pole.

In particular, the panel is preferably made of sheet metal, but it can also be made: of plastic and / or composite material.

In particular, the method describes a fixing of the panel by two brackets, but it is possible to fix the panel with a single bracket or more than two depending on the external dimensions of the panel and its shape.

Claims (12)

1- Signaling device comprising; - a post (A); 5 - a fixing bracket (B) surrounding the post and comprising a body comprising; a core (1) and at least two wings (2a and 2b) connected to the core and arranged to enclose the post (A) elastically between them, the wings each having a projecting portion (5a, 5b) of the pole for hanging a rear portion of the panel; - a panel (C). 2- A signaling device according to claim 1, in which at least one of the wings has: an internal face provided with a relief to come into abutment against the post 15 (3). 3- Signaling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the portion of each wing projecting from the post has the shape of a hook. 4- Signaling device according to claim 20 3, in which the hook is notched to oppose a stall of the: rear portion of the panel. 5- Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the stirrup is provided with at least one clamping device ( 6, 7) press the panel against the post. A signaling device according to claim 5, in which the tightening device is a screw engaged (6) in a tapped hole: (7) in the core of the stirrup, said screw, once tightened, coming in support against the post. 7- Signaling device according to claim 30 1, in which a rib (8) extends along the core and part of the wings, adjacent to the core of the stirrup. 8 “Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the portion: rear · of the panel forms a flange. 9- Signaling device according to claim 7, wherein the flange (it) extends over an entire periphery of the panel. 10- Signaling device according to claim 5 8, in which the rim is pierced with at least two holes (14j into which are inserted the protruding portions of the stirrup wings. 11- Method of fixing a traffic sign to a post comprising the steps of: 10 a- put in place on the post a first stirrup resiliently enclosing the post so that the first stirrup has protruding portions of the post; b- attach a rear portion of the panel to the portions of the first projecting stirrup; C- fix the panel as above at a second point using a second bracket; d- permanently fix the panel · to the water pot by pressing the panel against the pole.