AU726910B2

AU726910B2 - Flexible traffic post

Info

Publication number: AU726910B2
Application number: AU39941/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gary David Campbell; Boydan Joseph Mudryk
Original assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1996-10-04
Filing date: 1997-10-03
Publication date: 2000-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-03
Also published as: AU3994197A

Description

S F Ref: 393972

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIRCATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: De+nReth Pty. Ltd.

Unit 2-

ID

Ranton Street Cardiff New South Waes 2285

AUSTRALA

13-1>3o~~ SO~ Mu. M,'1 rc 1 -a 6'( Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Boydan Joseph Mudryk and Gary David Campbell Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Flexible Traffic Post ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [31] Application No(s) [333 Country P02822 AU [32] Application Date 4 October 1996 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 FLEXIBLE TRAFFIC POST Technical Field The present invention relates to upright traffic posts used adjacent to roadways and in particular to a flexible traffic post.

Background of the Invention Traffic posts are located alongside roadways to help guide traffic along the road, particularly at night when reflectors mounted on the posts indicate the path the road takes into the distance. These posts have traditionally been constructed of a square timber cross section and have been installed by driving them into the ground, or by oeooo 1o securing them in bore holes dug into the ground with cement if required. The posts are arranged at regular intervals along the roadway, particularly in country areas.

•Galvanised steel extrusions are also commonly used as traffic guide posts and are rigidly secured to the ground in a similar manner.

•""Traffic posts are also used to carry traffic signs give way, speed limit and street signs) and are typically located either beside the roadway or on a median strip or roundabout. These traffic posts are commonly manufactured from extruded tubular or *ogoo channel galvanised steel sections and are also rigidly secured either as above or by fastening the posts to a concrete surface by means of a flat base.

When a vehicle strays from the roadway and impacts a traffic post, a large impact force and moment about the base of the post result. The post is then typically damaged irreparably and/or uprooted from its rigid mounting, thereby contributing to excessive repair and replacement expenses. The impact force may also cause considerable and costly damage to the impacting vehicle as well as injury to the occupants travelling therein.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

[N:\LBLL]00598:GJG Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a traffic post comprising: a longitudinally extending upper post section, a longitudinally extending lower post section adapted to be driven into a support base, and a longitudinally extending elastically flexible unitary coupling member fastened to said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member being fastened to each of said upper and lower post sections with a front face thereof abutting a rear face of each of said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member having a width greater than a depth thereof so as to enable deflection in a fore and aft direction perpendicular to said width, wherein said coupling member has a longitudinally extending arcuately concave rear face.

Typically said coupling member is moulded of a plastics or elastomeric material, preferably polyurethane.

Preferably said upper and lower post sections are each in the form of a constant cross section channel, said upper and lower post rear faces each being disposed interiorly of the respective said channel such that said coupling member is disposed in said •g channels.

Preferably said upper and lower post sections are formed as substantially identical constant cross section channels each having a web defining the post section rear face and opposing flanges projecting rearwardly from opposing lateral sides of said web.

Preferably opposing side surfaces of said coupling member abut said opposing flanges.

Preferably said front face of said coupling member is moulded to conform to each of said upper and lower post section rear faces.

Preferably a lower end of said lower post section is provided with a triangular shaped cut out through said web so as to provide said lower post lower end with a forktype configuration.

There is further disclosed herein a traffic post comprising: a longitudinally extending upper post section, a longitudinally extending lower post section adapted to be driven into a support T YR base, and [R:\LIBLL]0997.doc:TCW a longitudinally extending elastically flexible unitary coupling member fastened to said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member being fastened to each of said upper and lower post sections with a front face thereof abutting a rear face of each of said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member having a width greater than a depth thereof so as to enable deflection in a fore and aft direction perpendicular to said width, wherein said upper and lower post sections are formed as substantially identical constant cross section channels each having a web defining the post rear face and opposing flanges projecting rearwardly from opposing lateral sides of said web, further wherein opposing side surfaces of said coupling member abut said opposing flanges.

S 15 Preferably a lower end of said lower post section is provided with a triangular shaped cut out through said web so as to provide said lower post lower end with a forke type configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of S 20 example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a flexible traffic post.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the flexible traffic post of Figure 1.

o Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the flexible traffic post of S"Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of the flexible traffic post of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a spring attachment member of the flexible traffic post of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the spring attachment member of Figure Figure 7 is a side view of the spring attachment member of Figure Figure 8 is a fragmentary front elevation view similar to that of Figure 3 with a moulded rubber sleeve (shown in cross-section) threaded onto the helical spring.

Figure 9 is a front elevation view of another flexible traffic post.

[R:\LIBLL]09970.doc:TCW 3a Figure 10 is a plan view of the flexible traffic post of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of yet another flexible traffic post.

Figure 12 is a front elevation view of the flexible traffic post of Figure 11.

s r r r r u r [R:\LIBLL]09970.doc:TCW Figure 13 is a front elevation view of a flexible traffic post according to a fourth embodiment of the current invention.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the flexible traffic post of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a a plan view of a flexible traffic post according to a fifth embodiment of the current invention.

Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the flexible traffic post of Figure Figure 17 is a plan view of the coupling member of the flexible traffic post of Figure Figure 18 is a front elevation view of the coupling member of Figure 17.

o10 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments According to a first embodiment as depicted in Figures 1 through 7, a flexible traffic post 1 is provided with a longitudinally extending upper post section 2, a flexible coupling member 3 and a longitudinally extending lower post section 4. The upper and °eo lower post sections 2,4 are both here of the same constant cross section which is known from Australian Registered Design No. 124770. The upper and lower post sections 2,4 are extruded from galvanised steel and may be powder coated if required to improve *their visibility and weather resistance. Road signs or reflectors may be fastened to the upper post 2 in the usual manner. A triangular cut-out region 5 is provided at the base of the lower post section 4 to facilitate the driving thereof into a support base such as the ground surface.

The flexible coupling member 3 of this embodiment comprises two spring attachment members 6 and a helical spring 7. Each spring attachment member 6 is provided with a planar attachment plate 8 through which is provided a plurality of attachment holes 9. A circular planar flange 10 is provided at an end of the attachment plate 8 and lies in a plane perpendicular thereto. Projecting perpendicularly from the face of the flange 10 opposing the attachment plate 8 is a threaded lug 11, onto which can be securely threaded the helical spring 7. The spring attachment members 6 of this embodiment are manufactured from mild steel, but any rigid material may be utilised.

[N:\LIBLL]00598:GJG The helical spring 7 is wound from a spring steel which here is a high chromiumsilicon content steel.

In a particularly preferred variation of the first embodiment depicted in Figure 8, the helical spring 7 is encased in a moulded rubber sleeve 13 which threads onto the helical spring 7. This protects the helical spring 7 somewhat from the external environment and reduces the risk of children catching fingers between the coils of the helical spring 7.

During installation, the lower post section 4 is vertically driven into the ground at the required location. A first attachment member 6 is then fastened to a region of the lower post section 4 towards its top edge by means of fasteners 12 through the attachment plate 8 attachment holes 9 and corresponding holes provided in the lower post section 4. The helical spring 7 is threaded onto the attachment lug 11 such that the end of the spring 7 abuts the flange 10, thereby providing a rigid horizontal surface for the spring 7 to react against when deflected. If the moulded rubber sleeve 13 is to be S 15 fitted, it is threaded onto the helical spring 7. A second attachment member 6 is then threaded onto the upper end of the spring 7 in a similar manner, with the upper post i section 2 then being fastened to the attachment plate 8 of the second attachment member 6, again with suitable fasteners 12.

*o Obviously the order of assembly is irrelevant. Rather than driving the lower post section 4 into the ground, it may be located in a pre-bored hole and, if required, cemented therein. The lower post section 4 should be located as deeply as possible such that the coupling member 3 is located adjacent the ground surface, thereby enabling flexion of the post 1 from near ground level.

In use, if the post 1 is impacted by a vehicle, the post will flex at the coupling member 3 by means of the spring 7. When the vehicle has passed and is clear of the post 1, the spring 7 will return the post 1 to the upright position (except on the off chance of the coupling member 3 being damaged by direct impact). The post 1 hence remains serviceable, and damage to the vehicle-should be minimised. The spring coupling member 3 is effective for impact from any direction in a generally horizontal [N:\LBLL]00598:GJG plane, and can also allow some twisting of the post 1 if a sign attached thereto is clipped on the side by a passing vehicle.

In a traffic post 21 according to a second embodiment, as depicted in Figures 9 and 10, the coupling member 3 arrangement is applied to upper and lower post sections 22, 24 extruded from a cross section as is known from Australian Registered Design No 127843. The coupling member 3 can equally well be applied to any typical post sections and constructions, such as rectangular cross section timber posts or tubular steel posts with modifications to the spring attachment member 6 as required. Again, the moulded rubber sleeve 13 may be fitted to the helical spring 7 of this embodiment.

In a traffic post 31 according to a third embodiment, as depicted in Figures 11 and 12, the lower post section 4 is replaced with a base 34. An upstandin plate 35 is fastened to the lower attachment plate 8 by means of fasteners 12 through the attachment plate holes 9. A base plate 36 welded to the upstanding plate 35 is fastened to a support base such as a concrete median strip by a plurality of bolts 37. Other S 15 similar methods may be used to rigidly secure a lower section of the post 1 below the coupling member 3.

co. In a traffic post 41 according to a fourth embodiment, as depicted in Figures 13 and 14, an alternate coupling member 43 is provided. The coupling member 43 comprises a single planar sheet of a flexible material such as spring steel or a plastic such as polyurethane. Some elastomers may also be appropriate. The coupling member 43 is fastened at either end to the upper post section 2 and lower post section 4 respectively, leaving a portion of the coupling member 43 therebetween which is free to flex. The base 34 of the third embodiment may also be used in place of the lower post section 4. The post 41 of this embodiment will only flex substantially when impacted from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupling member 43. Accordingly, the post 41 should be generally aligned with the path of oncoming traffic. Whilst the post 41 of this embodiment can only flex in one plane, it is simpler and less expensive to manufacture and hence may be more cost effective in certain situations.

[N:\LIBLL]00598:GJG 4" 7 A traffic post 51 according to a fifth embodiment as depicted in Figures through 18 is similar to the fourth embodiment except that the coupling member 53 is moulded to the shape of the upper and lower post sections 2, 4. The front face 53a of the coupling member 53a is moulded to the shape of the rear surface of the upper and lower post sections 2, 4 whilst the coupling member 53 rear surface 53b here has a concave shape. The coupling member 53 is moulded from polyurethane and is typically more secure and robust than the planar coupling member 43 of the fourth embodiment.

The coupling member 53 has a width greater than its depth so that it is most effective when impacted from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupling member 53.

[N:\LIBLL]00598:GJG

Claims

1. A traffic post comprising: a longitudinally extending upper post section, a longitudinally extending lower post section adapted to be driven into a support base, and a longitudinally extending elastically flexible unitary coupling member fastened to said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member being fastened to each of said upper and lower post sections with a front face thereof abutting a rear face of each of said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member having a width greater than a depth thereof so as to enable deflection in a fore and aft direction perpendicular to said width, C a 6"" wherein said coupling member has a longitudinally extending arcuately concave rear face.

2. The traffic post of claim 1 wherein said coupling member is moulded of S 15 a plastics or elastomeric material.

3. The traffic post of claim 1 wherein said coupling member is moulded of polyurethane.

4. The traffic post of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said upper and lower post sections are each in the form of a constant cross section channel, said upper and lower post rear faces each being disposed interiorly of the respective said channel such that said coupling member is disposed in said channels.

5. The traffic post of claim 4 wherein said upper and lower post sections are formed as substantially identical constant cross section channels each having a web defining the post section rear face and opposing flanges projecting rearwardly from opposing lateral sides of said web.

6. The traffic post of claim 5 wherein opposing side surfaces of said coupling member abut said opposing flanges.

7. The traffic post of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said front face of said coupling member is moulded to conform to each of said upper and lower post section rear faces.

8. The traffic post of claim 5 wherein a lower end of said lower post section is provided with a triangular shaped cut out through said web so as to provide said lower post lower end with a fork-type configuration.

9. A traffic post comprising: [R:\LIBLL]09970.doc:TCW 9 a longitudinally extending upper post section, a longitudinally extending lower post section adapted to be driven into a support base, and a longitudinally extending elastically flexible unitary coupling member fastened to said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member being fastened to each of said upper and lower post sections with a front face thereof abutting a rear face of each of said upper and lower post sections, said coupling member having a width greater than a depth thereof so as to enable deflection in a fore and aft direction perpendicular to said width, wherein said upper and lower post sections are formed as substantially identical constant cross section channels each having a web defining the post rear face and opposing flanges projecting rearwardly from opposing lateral sides of said web, further wherein opposing side surfaces of said coupling member abut said opposing flanges. i,

10. The traffic post of claim 9 wherein said front face of said coupling member is moulded to conform to each of said upper and lower post section rear faces.

11. The traffic post of either of claims 9 and 10 wherein said coupling member is moulded of a plastics or elastomeric material.

12. The traffic post of claim 11 wherein said coupling member is moulded of polyurethane. 20

13. The traffic post of any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein a lower end of said lower post section is provided with a triangular shaped cut out through said web so as to provide said lower post lower end with a fork-type configuration. o

14. A traffic post, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to S"Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A traffic post, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 15 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 15 September, 2000 Delnorth Pty. Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBLL]09970.doc:TCW