SECTION MEMBER ADAPTED TO OPERATE AS A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT FOR STIFFENING SIGNS, IN PARTICULAR TRAFFIC SIGNS, AND AS A RESTRAINED ELEMENT FOR THE BOLTS USED FOR ANCHORING THE SIGNS TO THE RELATED SUPPORTING POSTS

Abstract: The present invention relates to a section member adapted to operate as a stiffening structural element for signs, in particular traffic signs, and as a restraining element for the bolts anchoring these signs to their supporting posts. The section member is characterized in that it substantially comprises a first seat, adapted to perimetrically engage the sign sheet metal, so as to stiffen the sheet metal material. The subject section member comprises, more­ over, a second seat, adapted to slidingly engage the head of a screw, forming a portion of a bolt for an­ choring the sign on a supporting post, by means of specifically designed brackets.

Description: The present invention relates to a section member adapted to operate as a structural stiffening element for signs, in particular traffic signs, and as a restraining element for the bolts anchoring said signs to their supporting posts (see for example FR-A-2 580 737). As is known, vehicle traffic is advantageously controlled by suitable traffic signs, which are arranged either vertically or horizontally. Also known is the fact that vertical traffic signs have suitably designed shapes and size and bear suitable signals, said signs being affixed at the top of post members. Conventional traffic signs are made of a sheet metal material (for example iron or aluminium sheet metal), which is stiffened by an edge made by perimetrical bending the sheet metal material, according to known processing methods. On the rear face of these traffic sign there are successively welded or riveted suitable coupling members, comprising anchoring bolts to affix bracket members encompassing the supporting posts. Alternatively, along the perimetrical line of the sheet metal sign there is applied an extruded section member, made of an aluminium alloy or of anodized aluminium, adapted to improve the stiffness characteristics of the sign itself. Even in this case, however, it is necessary to apply, in a subsequent step, on the rear face of the signs,suitably shaped coupling members to couple the mentioned anchoring brackets to the supporting post. In this connection, it should be pointed out that, in the first case, it will be necessary to carry out, by means of rather complex machines, the edging operations on the sheet metal material and that, in both cases, the coupling members must be applied to the traffic sign by a separate processing step. This separate processing step requires the use of complex and expensive systems or machines, such as, for example, electrical spot welding apparatus and, moreover, requires a lot of time to be carried out. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an improved structural section member for making the frames of traffic signs, which is adapted to also operate as a stiffening and restraining element for the coupling means associated with said traffic signs. Within the scope of the above mentioned task, a main object of the present invention is to provide an improved section member which affords the possibility of easily and quickly coupling the traffic sign to its supporting post. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved section member which is very simple construction wise and very reliable in operation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned task and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an improved section member, according to the characterizing features of Claim 1, for making the frames of traffic signs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the improved section member according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which has been illustrated, by way of a merely indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings; where: Figure 1 shows a slanted cross-sectional view of the section member according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a traffic sign restrained by the subject section member and affixed to a supporting post; Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a front view and a rear view of a round shape traffic sign, framed by means of the subject section member; Figure 5 is a front view illustrating a triangular shape traffic sign, coupled to the subject section member; and Figure 6 is a top view of a traffic sign mounted on a supporting post. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the improved section member, for making the frames of traffic signs according to the invention has been indicated overally at the reference number 1 and is made, at least preferably, or an aluminium alloy, or anodized aluminium, and is provided with a downwardly bent leg 2 defining a U-shaped seat indicated at 3; this seat 3, on the other hand, can also be defined by two parallel legs cantilever extending from the main body of the section member. The section member, moreover, is provided with a C-or channel shaped seat 4, the opening 5 of which extends perpendicularly with respect to the opening of the above mentioned U-shaped seat. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the U-shaped seat is so designed and sized as to receive, with a suitable restraining force, the edge portion of a traffic sign 6. The mentioned channel seat 4, in turn, is so designed and arranged as to receive and slidingly restrain the head 7 of a screw, the stem 8 of which projects from the opening 5. It should be moreover pointed out that the head portion of said screw may advantageously have a rectangular shape, thereby it can be engaged through the mentioned opening so as to be restrained in said channel seat by rotating said screw through 90°. According to the invention, the section member 1 is a single piece so bent and shaped as to be firmly locked about the overall perimeter of the traffic sign, which, accordingly, can not disengage from the seat 3. As shown, in the channel seat 4 there are slidingly engaged the head portions of two or more screw pairs 8, for coupling the section member, and hence the traffic sign, on the supporting post 9 which, in turn, is suitably anchored to the ground. More precisely, this coupling is made by using brackets 10 which encompass the supporting post and are locked, on screw pairs, by means of corresponding nuts 11. Thus, owing to the fact that the screws are able to slide along the channel seat, the affixing of the traffic sign on its post is made in an easy and quick way. Moreover, owing to this provision, it will be possible to double the attaching points by intermediate cross-members, so as to further improve the stiffness of a traffic sign. From the above disclosure and the observation of the Figures of the accompanying drawings, will be self evident the great functionality and use facility characterizing the improved section member for making frames for traffic signs according to the present invention.

Claims: A single-piece flexible section member (1) adapted for making the frame of a traffic sign (6) and for simultaneously supporting said sign on a supporting post, comprising a first U-shaped seat (3), adapted to be removably engaged with the periphery of a sheet metal material forming said traffic sign, characterized in that said section member further comprises a second C-shaped seat (4), adapted to slidingly receive the head (7) of at least a restraining screw provided for engaging with a nut for removably coupling said sign to a supporting post, said C-shaped seat (4) defining an opening (5) extending perpendicularly with respect to the opening of said U-shaped seat. A section member, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said in said C-shaped seat there are slidingly engaged the head portions of two or more screw pairs adapted to removably connect said section member and the traffic sign encompassed thereby on a supporting post. A section member, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it is adapted to be removably coupled to said traffic sign by brackets encompassing said supporting post and locked on screw pairs by means of corresponding nuts.

Inventors: GASPARINI, CESARE
Applicants: GASPARINI, CESARE
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G09F7
IPC codes: G09F7