GB2312229A - Traffic calming device obstructs vehicle depending on its speed - Google Patents

Abstract

A traffic calming device 200 is disclosed which comprises a housing 13,15 a projection means adapted to move from a retracted position to a projecting position, and an actuation means 18 mechanically connected to the projection means. When a vehicle crosses the traffic calming device, it provides energy to the actuating means 18 which causes the projection means to move to the projecting position. The height of the projection means is dependent on the speed of the passing vehicle, and so slow vehicles can pass relatively unimpeded as the projecting means does not rise too high. Faster vehicles cause the projecting means to rise higher as to impede passage of the vehicle. Preferably the front wheels of the vehicle strike the actuating means 18 and the rear wheels of the vehicle then strike the projecting means. One or more such devices can be fitted across a lane of a highway. The device can be locked in the retracted position on receiving an electronic signal, from for example an emergency vehicle. There are several different embodiments of the device disclosed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO TRAFFIC CALMING This invention relates to providing an improved apparatus and method of slowing vehicles, or traffic calming.

There are various known devices which are situated within roads through which it is desired that vehicles do not travel at excessive speeds.

Many such known devices affect vehicles travelling well in excess of the desired speed in a similar way as they affect vehicles travelling at the desired speed.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a traffic calming device comprising a housing, projection means adapted to move from a retracted position to a projecting position, actuation means adapted to cause the projection means to move to the projecting position, in which the actuation means is mechanically connected to the projecting means and, in use, the displacement of the actuation means by the wheels of a vehicle passing over the device provides the energy to project the projections means to the projecting position and in which the height to which the projection means projects is determined, at least in part, by the speed of the vehicle when it runs over the actuation means.

Such a device has the advantage that vehicles are impeded according to the speed at which they pass over the device. Therefore, vehicles passing over the device at high speeds will be impeded much more than vehicles passing over the device at low speeds. This may result in drivers driving according to the restricted speed passing relatively unobstructed.

It will be appreciated that the mechanical connection between the actuation means and the projection means may comprise a rigid member, or portion linking them, or it may comprise a hydraulic link.

The housing means preferably is cuboid and, preferably comprises two end walls and two side walls and may or may not further comprise a base wall. (Therefore the housing may comprise four or five sides of the cuboid). Such an arrangement may contain the projection means and the actuation means whilst allowing access to these means through a substantially open, sixth, side of the housing.

The projection means may comprise a body which is held within the housing. Such an arrangement may provide a compact device.

The body of the projection means may be solid or may be hollow (or shell). It is perhaps preferred to provide a solid body because this may result in a more robust projection means with a higher weight. (This may be important as will become apparent hereinafter).

Preferably when the projection means is in the retracted position the projection means is housed, substantially, within the housing. Most preferably the projection means is substantially flush with the top edge portions of the side walls when in the retracted position. This may result in a device which is substantially flat when the projection means is in the retracted position.

Conveniently when the projection means is in the projecting position the projection means projects beyond the top edge portions of the side walls.

Preferably the actuation means is adapted, in use, to be actuated by the front wheels of a vehicle.

The projection means may be adapted, in use, to interact with the rear wheels of a vehicle passing across the device. The degree of projection of the projection means is determined by the vehicle's speed and therefore the degree of interaction between the rear wheels and the projection means may be determined by the vehicle's speed.

Preferably the projection means is adapted, in use, to be further moved into a further projecting position by the rear wheels if a vehicle is travelling in excess of a critical threshold speed. This may offer a greater resistance to such vehicles.

Most preferably the projection means is adapted, in use, to be depressed into the retracted position by the rear vehicles is a vehicle is travelling at, or below the critical threshold speed. This may allow such vehicles relatively unimpeded passage.

The actuation means may comprise at least one projection from the body of the projection means, and this may be substantially toward an end portion of the projection means. This arrangement may be convenient to manufacture, and result in a shorter device.

When the projection means is in the retracted position the projections of the actuation means preferably extend above the top edge portions of the two side walls. Such an arrangement may provide a convenient way of accessing the actuation means.

Preferably when the actuation means is actuated the actuation means are substantially fully contained within the housing.

Preferably pivots are provided on the housing, and most preferably the body rotates about the pivots. Having such an arrangement may provide a simple method of allowing the body to move from the retracted position to the projecting position.

Stops may be provided on the housing. Such stops may prevent the body from rotating too much. Alternatively stops may be provided on the body which co-operate with the housing.

Preferably male guides are provided on the housing which cooperate with female tracks as the body, perhaps providing a way of ensuring the body rotates as desired.

Alternatively male guides could be provided on the body with female tracks provided on the housing.

Preferably if a base wall is provided for the housing, ducts are provided through the base wall. Such ducts may allow water (for example rainwater) contained within the housing to escape.

A number of devices may be provided in a row across a road. It is advantageous to provide a number of devices so that a car passing across the devices cannot swerve to avoid contacting them.

Conveniently a flange is provided towards a top edge portion of at least one outside wall of the housing. Such a flange may aid securing of the device(s) within the road.

Preferably a support portion of a top wall of the housing is provided next to the actuation means. An advantage of this is that a vehicle wheel actuating the actuation means will be supported once the actuation means have been contained within the housing. The support portion is fixed in relation to the housing and the actuation means moves in relation to the support portion.

The centre of gravity of the projection means may be arranged in association with the pivots so that the weight of the projection means returns the projection means from the projecting position to the retracted position. This may provide a simple yet effective way of returning the projection means to the retracted position. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to have a relatively high mass for the projection means to ensure that the projection means has enough weight to return it to the retracted position.

Locking means may be provided adapted, in use, to lock the projection means in the retracted position (and/or the projecting position).

Such a locking means has the advantage that it will be possible to prevent the device from actuating should it be desired to let vehicles pass relatively unimpeded, or to raise the projecting means should it be desired.

The locking means may be controlled by control means. Such control means may be adapted, in use, to receive signals from an approaching vehicle (perhaps an emergency vehicle) and lock the projection means in the retracted position to allow the vehicle a relatively un-impeded passage.

Preferably the control means (and the locking means if necessary) receive power from a mains electricity source, for example a nearby street lamp. An advantage of this is that the device will be continuously powered relatively simply. The control means may be controlled by mains signalling. Alternatively or additionally a separate control wiring, or power wiring, may be provided.

Alternatively, or additionally, the device may be powered by local electricity source (for example a battery, a generator, solar cells, wind turbine or other such generating device). Advantages of using a local electricity source are that the device may be powered during power failure of the mains electricity, and also the device could be situated in areas with no mains electricity. There may be a back up battery to support a mains supply.

Preferably the device is set in a road so that the top edge portions of the walls of the housing are substantially flush with the road surface.

This may allow the device to offer the desired amount of impedance to vehicle passing across the device.

The device may be set on top of a layer of gravel. This may provide good drainage.

The device may be located with a layer of tarmac, so providing a secure way of locating the device.

The flange may interact with the tarmac, providing a more secure location of the device.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a method of calming traffic comprising providing a device with projecting means, actuation means and a housing, in which the projecting means is adapted to move from a retracted position to a projecting position, the actuation means causing the projection means to move to the projecting position and the displacement of the actuation means by wheels of a vehicle passing over the device providing the energy to project the projection means to the projecting position and in which the height to which the projection means projects is determined, at least in part, by the speed of the vehicle when it runs over the actuation means.

An advantage of such a method is that vehicles may be impeded according to their speed; faster vehicles may be impeded more than slower vehicles.

Preferably the method further comprises providing a device which interacts with the rear wheels of a car according to the speed of the vehicle. An advantage of this is that faster vehicles can be further impeded in relation to slower vehicles.

The method may further comprise providing a device which can be locked in an in-active position to permit the relatively unimpeded passage of some vehicles. Vehicles, such as emergency vehicles, may be allowed relatively unimpeded passage.

According to a third aspect of the invention I provide a number of devices according to the first aspect of the invention arranged in a row and set in a road.

This may provide a way of ensuring that vehicles cannot swerve to avoid a single device placed in a road.

Devices positioned to the outer edge portions of the road may be dummy devices. This may provide a way of reducing the expense of installing the devices in a road.

The dummy devices may appear substantially the same as the device, but have no moving parts. This may fool people into thinking there was a row of functioning devices. (It is known people swerve so that at least one set of their vehicle's wheels avoid the traditional road humps that do not pass the whole. way across a road). Accordingly, people may not swerve to miss the devices because they may believe that there is a row of devices. An advantage of providing dummy devices is that they are cheaper than functioning devices.

An embodiment of the invention is described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic of a traffic calming device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an arrangement of a number of traffic claming devices of Figure 1 across a road; Figure 3 shows a schematic of a second embodiment of a traffic calming device according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a section of the devices of Figure 3 embedded in a road; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a traffic claming device 200 according to the invention; Figure 6 shows an overhead view of the device 200 shown in Figure 5 Figure 7 shows the device 200 of Figures 5 and 6 in a rest position prior to passing of a vehicle; and Figure 8 shows the device with the projection means rotated about the pivot.

Figure 1 shows perhaps the preferred embodiment of a traffic calming device 2 according to the invention.

A housing 4 is provided comprising four walls (two side walls 14,16, two end faces 13,15) of a cuboid and contains a projection means 6. A top face 8 of the housing is substantially open, and a bottom face 10 is open comprising no material.

The projection means 6 comprises a body 11, and is shown in Figure 1 in a retracted position in which the body 11 is substantially contained within the housing 4, through a portion of a top wall 21.

The body 11 also comprises two projection 18,20 (or actuation means), which in the retracted position extend above the housing 4.

A pivot 12 passes between the two side faces 14,16 and through the body 11.

A stop 22 is provided between the two side faces 14,16 and is positioned such that when in the retracted position it contacts a face 24 of the body 11.

Two male guides 26,28 are provided one on each of the side faces 14,16. Two female tracks 30,32 are provided on the body 11, and are adapted to co-operate with the guides 26,28.

In use, the device 2 will be positioned in a road so that a vehicle travels across the device in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.

The front wheels of the vehicle contact the actuation means 18,20, and impart an impulse to the body 11. The impulse forces the actuation means downwards, and this motion causes the body 11 to rotate about the pivot 12.

The portion of the top wall 21 supports the wheel of the vehicle which actuated the actuation means.

The rotation causes the projection means to begin to project above the housing 4. During the rotation the guides 26,28 travel along the tracks 30,32 in the body 11. Should the guides 26,28 reach the end portions of the tracks 30,32 further rotation will be prevented.

The magnitude of the impulse is governed by the speed of the vehicle. The degree to which the body rotates is governed by the magnitude of the impulse. There is therefore a direct link between the speed of the vehicle and the degree of rotation; a vehicle travelling faster will cause the body 11 to rotate more than the same vehicle travelling slower.

If the body 11 rotates to a large degree the rear wheels of the vehicle contact a face 34 of the body 11. Such contact causes the body 11 to further rotate and a large bump is perceived by the occupants of the vehicle.

Should the body 11 rotate to a lesser degree the rear wheels of the vehicle roll over face 34 and contact a top edge face of the body 11 and the body is caused to rotate back toward the retracted position. Contact in this situation therefore provides a much lesser bump to be perceived by the occupants.

It will be appreciated therefore that the greater the speed of the vehicle the greater the bump perceived by the occupants.

Once the vehicle has passed over the device the weight of the body 11 causes the body 11 to return to the retracted position. The stop 22 prevents the body 11 from over rotating.

Figure 2 shows a number of devices (50 to 66) installed across a section of a road. It will be noted in this embodiment the surface of the devices is curved. This allows the profile of the arranged devices to follow the camber of the road. Alternatively all of the devices may be identical.

The devices (50 to 66) are installed above a bed of gravel 68, which allows water passing through the housings 4 to drain away. A perforated layer 70 supports the gravel 68 and the devices (50 to 66) above a drainage channel 72.

The drainage channel 72 communicates with a drain 74 at the roadside.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the devices (50 to 66) are installed in a one way street, the arrow indicating the direction of travel.

If the devices were installed in a two way street the devices in each half of the road would be arranged so that vehicles passing across them did so in the correct direction.

In the embodiment of Figure 2 the devices 50 and 66 are dummy units, but have an identical appearance to the remaining units 52 to 64.

The dummy units contain no moving parts and are thus cheaper to manufacture.

An alternative construction of a device according to the invention is shown in Figure 3. The device 100 is essentially the same as the device shown in Figure 1. However, the actuation means is different, and comprises two frusto spherical members 102,104.

Vehicles pass across the device 100 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3.

The frusto spherical members 102,104 are depressed in the same way as the actuation means 18,20 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 there is more material 106 present between the frusto spherical members 102,104 than shown at position 19 of Figure 1. There is thus more material to support the vehicle's wheels.

Also shown in Figure 3 is a flange 108, which passes along a side wall of the device 100. This flange 108 facilitates the location of the device in a road.

Two devices 100 of Figure 3 are shown in section in Figure 4. The flanges 108 are shown embedded between compacted gravel 110 and tarmac 112. The drainage channels of Figure 2 are not shown for reasons of clarity. It will be appreciated that the flanges 108 are held by the tarmac 112 and thus the devices 100 are more securely held in place.

It will be appreciated that the device of Figure 1 has a flange similar to flange 10B (or may have such a flange) but that it is not shown in the drawing.

It will also be appreciated that it may be desirable to provide a flange which passes fully or substantially fully around the device, that is along the four walls of the housing. This may improve the security with which the device is held in the place.

A second embodiment 200 of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Parts which correspond to similar parts in the preceding Figures have been given the same reference numerals for clarity.

As shown in Figure 7, the projecting means 6 is normally at rest and does not project above the surface of the housing 4. Passage of a vehicle over the device 200 (in a direction from the left hand side of the page towards the right) will cause the projecting means 6 to rotate about the pivot 12 in a clockwise direction as shown in the figure 8. Thus, the height by which the projecting means 6 is raised depends upon the degree of rotation. This is, in part at least, determined by the speed at which the front wheels of the vehicle strike the projections of the actuation means.

In this embodiment, the pivot 12 is secured in position via a locking washer 201 and a loading nut 202. The pivot runs in bearings 203, 204 provided on each end adjacent the side walls 14, 16.

Claims (40)

1. A traffic claming device comprising a housing, projection means adapted to move from a retracted position to a projecting position, actuating means adapted to cause the projection means to move to the projecting position, in which the actuation means is mechanically connected to the projecting means and, in use, the displacement of the actuation means by the wheels of a vehicle passing over the device provides the energy to project the projections means to the projecting position and in which the height to which the projection means projects is determined, at least in part, by the speed of the vehicle when it runs over the actuation means.

2. A traffic calming device according to claim 1 in which the mechanical connection between the actuation means and the projection means comprises a rigid member or a hydraulic link.

3. A traffic claming device according to any preceding claim in which the housing is cuboid and comprises two end walls and two side walls.

4. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the housing contains the projection means and the actuation means whilst allowing access to these means through a substantially open side of the housing.

5. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the projection means comprises a body which is held within the housing.

6. A traffic calming device according to claim 5 in which the body of the projection means is solid.

7. A traffic calming device according to claim 5 in which the body of the projection means is hollow.

8. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim adapted so that the projection means is housed substantially within the housing.

9. A traffic calming device according to claim 8 in which the projection means is substantially flush with the top edge portions of the side walls of the housing when in the retracted position.

10. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the projection means projects beyond the top edge portions of the side walls of the housing when in the projecting position.

11. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the actuation means is adapted, in use, to be actuated by the front wheels of a vehicle.

12. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the projection means is adapted, in use, to interact with the rear wheels of a vehicle passing across the device.

13. A traffic calming device according to claim 12 in which the projection means is adapted, in use, to be further moved into a further projecting position by the rear wheels if a vehicle is travelling in excess of a critical threshold speed.

14. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the projection means is adapted to be depressed into the retracted position by the rear wheels of a vehicle if said vehicle is travelling at, or below the critical threshold speed.

15. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the actuation means comprises at least one projection from the body of the projection means substantially toward an end portion of the projection means.

16. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which when the projection means is in the retracted position the projections of the actuation means extend above the top edge portions of the housing.

17. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim adapted so that when the actuating means is actuated the actuation means are substantially fully contained within the housing.

18. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which pivots are provided on the housing so that the body rotates about the pivots.

19. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which stops are provided on the housing or are provided on the body.

20. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which male guides are provided on the housing which co-operate with female tracks on the body.

21. A traffic calming device according to any one of claims 1 to 19 in which male guides are provided on the body with female tracks provided on the housing.

22. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which ducts are provided to allow water contained within the housing to escape.

23. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which a flange is provided towards a top edge portion of at least one outside wall of the housing.

24. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which a support portion of a top wall of the housing is provided next to the actuation means.

25. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the centre of gravity of the projection means is arranged so that the weight of the projection means returns the projection means from the projecting position to the retracted position.

26. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which locking means are provided adapted to lock the projection means in the retracted position and/or the projecting position.

27. A traffic calming device according to claim 26 in which the locking means are controlled by control means adapted to receive signals from an approaching vehicle and lock the projection means in the retracted position.

28. A traffic calming device according to claim 27 in which the control means receive power from a mains electricity source.

29. A traffic calming device according to claim 27 or 28 in which the control means is controlled by mains signalling.

30. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which a separate control wiring or power wiring is provided.

31. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim in which the device is powered by a local electricity source.

32. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim adapted, in use, to be set on top of a layer of gravel.

33 A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim adapted, in use, to be located with a layer of tarmac.

34. A traffic calming device according to any preceding claim which is provided with a flange which is adapted to interact with the tarmac of a road surface.

35. A method of calming traffic comprising providing a device with projecting means, actuation means and a housing, in which the projecting means is adapted to move from a retracted position to a projecting position, the actuation means causing the projection means to move to the projecting position and the displacement of the actuation means by wheels of a vehicle passing over the device providing the energy to project the projection means to the projecting position and in which the height to which the projection means projects is determined, at least in part, by the speed of the vehicle when it runs over the actuation means.

36. A method of calming traffic according to claim 35 which further comprises providing a device which interacts with the rear wheels of a car according to the speed of the vehicle.

37. A method of calming traffic according to claim 35 or 36 further comprising providing a device which can be locked in an in-active position.

38. A number of devices according to the first aspect of the invention are arranged in a row and set in a road.

39. A method of calming traffic substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. A traffic claming device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.