Patent Publication Number: US-6901879-B2

Title: Reflective warning and informational member for traffic sign posts

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/626,762, filed Jul. 27, 2000, now abandoned, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/245,268, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,379. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of traffic sign posts and in particular to a reflective and/or fluorescent member securable within the C-shaped channel of existing sign posts to provide additional reflective safety warning and to extend the life of the sign function and in a second embodiment, a reflective and/or fluorescent member and mounting member which mates with the C-shaped section of the existing sign post so as to provide the same additional safety reflection and also information. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Traffic sign posts are encountered every day by motorists regardless of the length of their journey. The sign posts are positioned on the sides of the highway or road and at intersections and support signs which advise motorists of the actions they should take, e.g. STOP, YIELD, ONE WAY, TURN, etc., and as delineators to identify the road shoulders. The traffic signs mounted on the traffic sign posts are also color coded and reflective. Stop signs are red, informational signs are black and white, and warning signs are yellow. 
     The traffic sign posts themselves have been standardized over the years and are generally C-shaped in cross section having opposing outstanding flanges. A plurality of apertures are positioned in the rear face of the traffic sign post and the traffic signs themselves are mounted by means of a threaded fastener passing through the sign which is juxtaposed against the flanges, the fastener extending through apertures in the rear face and secured. 
     These standardized traffic sign posts can be found on every street and road in a community and in most instances their sole purpose is to support the traffic sign itself. One problem encountered with traffic signs is that as a result of their exposure to sunlight and in particular, the UV light from the sun, the color and reflectivity of the signs decreases over time such that the warranty offered by companies which manufacture the signs is limited often to less than seven years. One object of the present invention is to provide an additional reflective capability to the traffic sign post which can extend the useful life of the traffic sign as a warning device. 
     Additionally the existing traffic sign post is one dimensional in that it serves one mission, that of supporting the traffic sign when in fact because of their placement and frequency, they could impart additional information. In the second embodiment of Applicant&#39;s invention, a mounting member is utilized, the cross section of which is such that it would mate within the C-shaped cross section of the traffic sign post and present a vertical support of varying widths and lengths on the sign post for receipt of the reflective and/or fluorescent member so as to provide additional warning reflectivity and which could also have messages positioned thereon of a safety, directional, or commercial nature. 
     In either embodiment, the reflective character of the traffic sign would be enhanced by the fact that a reflector and/or fluorescent member which would be color coded to the type of sign, would be vertically aligned and secured to the traffic sign post so as to better gain the visual attention of the motorist. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel reflective and/or fluorescent member securable to existing traffic sign posts which reflective member enhances the warning capability intended to be given to the motorist by the traffic sign. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel reflective and/or fluorescent member which in a first embodiment, will extend the life of the traffic sign in that the reflective member will be positioned on the traffic sign post such that it is partially shielded from sunlight yet visible to a motorist. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel reflective and/or fluorescent member and mounting member which mounting member has a cross section such that it can mate within the C-shaped traffic sign post and present a vertical face for receipt of a member having a reflective capability and/or an informational capability. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel reflective member and mounting member which can be easily mated to existing traffic sign posts without any modifications to the existing traffic sign post. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A reflective and/or fluorescent member mountable to a traffic sign post to augment the warning capability of the traffic sign mounted on the traffic sign post, the reflective and/or fluorescent member in a first embodiment is mounted in the recessed C-channel of the traffic sign post and is partially shielded from the sun during the day and thereby extends the life of the traffic sign which fades from the action of UV sunlight, and in a second embodiment, the reflective and/or fluorescent member is mounted on the face of a mounting member, the mounting member having a cross section such that it mates with the C-shaped channel of the traffic sign post, the edges of the mounting member being flanged outwardly and the reflective and/or fluorescent member may also include information of a safety, directional or commercial nature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects of the present invention will become evident, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the reflective member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a first embodiment of a reflective member of the present invention positioned on a traffic sign post; 
         FIG. 3  is a top exploded view of a second embodiment utilizing a mounting member for installation of a reflective member on a traffic sign post; 
         FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the mounting member for the installation of reflective member on the traffic sign post; 
         FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the reflector member in conjunction with the mounting member of FIG.  4 . 
         FIG. 6  is another embodiment of the reflector member in conjunction with the mounting member of FIG.  4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an alternate embodiment of the mounting member fabricated of plastic; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the installation of the mounting member of FIG.  5  and the reflective member to the traffic sign post. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a prospective illustration of a reflective and/or fluorescent member  10  (hereinafter collectively referred to as reflective) of the present invention which may be used in either embodiment of the invention as set forth hereafter. Reflective member  10  is comprised of a base member  12  formed of UV plastics such as high density polyethylene or metal such as aluminum. Base member  12  is generally elongate and defined by side walls  14  and  16 , end walls  18  and  20  and a lower surface  22  and upper surface  24 . Bonded to upper surface  24  is a reflective layer  26 . Reflective layer  26  can be comprised of a reflective thermoplastic material or a reflective metallic material. Preferably the reflective color of reflective layer  26  will be matched to the color of the traffic sign mounted on the traffic post. For instance, a yellow reflective layer  26  associated with a traffic post supporting a curve sign, a red reflective layer  26  associated with a traffic post supporting a stop sign. 
     The reflective member  10  would be fabricated of a desired standardized length and could easily be cut to the exact length required at the time of installation with installation by mechanical fasteners, i.e. pop rivets through apertures  28  formed through base  12  and reflective layer  26 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a traffic sign post  30  with reflective member  10  mounted therein. Sign post  30  is commonly referred to in the trade as a C-channel post in that it is defined by a rear wall  32 , and side walls  34  and  36  which emanate from rear wall  32  and diverge from each other defining a trapezoidal space  38 . Side walls  34  and  36  terminate with opposing flanges  40  and  42  which are in the same plane and define the front face of traffic sign post  30 . Rear wall  32  is formed with a plurality of spaced apart apertures along its entire vertical face. 
     In practice, the traffic sign (not shown) would be juxtaposed against the front face of traffic sign post  30  as defined by flanges  40  and  42  and a fastening means would extend through the traffic sign, through trapezoidal area  38  and through an aperture in the rear face  32  of traffic sign post  30 . 
     In the first embodiment of applicant&#39;s invention, applicant&#39;s reflective member  10  would be cut to the desired length for the particular traffic sign post in question. For instance, if one wished to have the reflective member  10  extend from the ground to a point proximate the lower edge of the traffic sign, the installer would cut the reflective member  10  to that length. At that point two or more apertures  28  would be punched into reflective member  10  for the receipt of a fastening means and reflective member  10  would be positioned within the trapezoidal area  38  against rear wall  32  such that the reflective layer  26  was positioned towards the front face of the traffic sign post  30  as defined by flanges  40  and  42 . A pop rivet or other suitable fastener  44  would be utilized to secure the reflective member  10  against the rear wall  32 . 
     In the first embodiment of the invention, the reflective member as mounted heretofore, extends the life the traffic sign by providing additional reflectivity and warning to the motorist without suffering the same rate of fading that the traffic sign encounters. This is achieved by the fact that the reflective member  10  is mounted against the rear wall  32  of traffic sign post  30  and therefore it is partially shielded from sunlight.  FIG. 2  illustrates a worst case scenario wherein the traffic sign post is positioned with the traffic sign on a direct southern exposure. In such a situation the traffic sign would be exposed to sunlight from sunrise until sunset. The reflective member  10  would be partially shielded from the sun by sidewalls  34  and  36 . The entire reflective member  10  would only be subjected to full sunlight during the mid hours of the day and on either side of the mid hours of the day only portions of the reflective member would be subject to direct sunlight, while in certain early hours of the day and late hours of the day, the reflective member  10  would be fully shielded. Since the reflective member  10  would not be subjected to the UV rays of the sun for the entire day such as would the traffic sign attached to the traffic sign post  30 , reflective member  10  can extend the warning capability of the traffic sign by supplementing the reflective capability of the traffic sign with a longer lasting reflective capability. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the worst case scenario where the traffic sign post and traffic sign are oriented in a southerly direction. The benefits of the reflective member would increase in those situations where the traffic sign posts where oriented in a different direction. 
     The second embodiment of applicant&#39;s reflective warning and information member would utilize a reflective member as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but would utilize a mounting member on which the reflective member  10  would be secured with the mounting member being secured to the traffic sign post  30 . The second embodiment provides for additional reflective capability and an information capability, however, since it is not recessed, the extended life of the traffic sign is not provided. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a first variation of the second embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a top view of traffic sign post  30  with a mounting member  50  secured thereto. The mounting member  50  is fabricated from aluminum, steel or other suitable metal as a one piece rolled form which when fabricated is defined by a front face  52 , side walls  54  and  56  and a rear face  58  formed with a crimp lock  60 . In roll forming mounting member  50 , front face  52  is formed with two opposing flanges  62  and  64  and side walls  54  and  56  are divergent from rear face  58  such that mounting member  50  substantially conforms to the trapezoidal area  38  defined by traffic sign post  30 . 
     In this configuration, the reflective member  10  would be affixed to the front face  52  of support member  50 . Further, in this configuration, the reflective member would be wider than that of the first embodiment and could if desired, have information of a safety, directional or commercial nature printed thereon. As is illustrated from  FIG. 3 , mounting member  50  would be positioned within the C-shaped channel of traffic sign post  30  and a threaded fastener  59  would be introduced through the rear face  32  of traffic sign post  30  and engage the rear face  58  of mounting member  50 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a second variation of the second embodiment of applicant&#39;s invention. This second variation is similar to the first variation with the exception that there is no front face formed on the mounting member. Mounting member  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  is elongate in nature and has a rear face  72 , side walls  74  and  76  which emanate from rear face  72  and diverge. Side walls  74  and  76  are bent to form opposing flanges  78  and  80  which extend outwardly in opposite directions from sidewall  74  and  76 . Flanges  78  and  80  are further bent or turned in so as to form opposing slots  82  and  84 . In this variation of the second embodiment, the mounting member  70  again conforms to the trapezoidal area  38  defined by traffic sign post  30  for insertion therein. Flanges  78  and  80  are juxtaposed against flanges  40  and  42  of traffic sign post  30 . In this configuration, the reflective member  10  is introduced onto mounting member  70  by sliding the reflective member side walls  14  and  16  downwardly within slots  82  and  84 . The installer would crimp slots  82  and  84  at the lower end of mounting member  70  to maintain reflective member  10  in position. In this version, reflective member  10  would again conform to the color of the traffic sign mounted on the traffic sign post  30  and could also include informational messages. This particular version of the second embodiment is particularly adaptable and useful when the local authority wishes to position informational messages which may be of a temporary nature, such as directions to an event or a temporary ban on parking. The mounting member of  FIG. 4  could be fabricated from steel, aluminum or a suitable thermoplastic-and reflective member  10  may have a substrate of metal, aluminum or thermoplastic with a reflective layer laminated thereon. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are top views of the mounting member  70  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Mounting member  70  in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is identical to that of FIG.  4 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6  the reflective member  10 A has a curved face and the reflective member  10 B as illustrated in  FIG. 6  has an angled face. Both reflective members  10 A and  10 B have a suitable substrate as identified with respect to reflective member  10  with a reflective layer adhered or laminated thereto as with reflective member  10 . The curved or angular cross section of reflective member  10 A or  10 B is a further safety feature, particularly at night or in low visibility situations. Vehicle headlights on automobiles are normally set at a height of between 18 and 24 inches from street level. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices states that traffic control signs shall be mounted at a height of at least five feet measured from the bottom of the traffic sign to the near edge of the pavement. The same manual provides that on expressways this minimum height is seven feet. Thus, the vehicle&#39;s headlights do not illuminate the planar sign face when the vehicle is near the sign. By forming a reflective member with a curved cross section such as reflective member  10 A or an angular cross section such as reflective member  10 B and color coding the reflective member there is provided additional warning to the motorist that a sign exists and that some action is required by the motorist. 
       FIG. 7  is an alternate version of a second embodiment of the mounting member of the present invention. The mounting member  90  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is constructed of an extruded thermoplastic. Mounting member  90  has a rear face  92 , side walls  94  and  96  which emanate from rear face  92  and diverge, terminating in front face  98 . Front face  98  has opposing flanges  100  and  102  which are in juxtaposition with flanges  40  and  42  of traffic sign post  30 . Mounting member  90  is fabricated of extruded thermo-plastic and is trapezoidal in cross sectional area such that it is receivable within trapezoidal area  38  as defined by traffic sign post  30 . A fastening means  91  would be introduced through rear face  32  of traffic sign post  30  and engage rear face  92  of mounting member  90  to maintain its position within the C-shaped channel and with flanges  100  and  102  being juxtaposed to flanges  40  and  42  of the traffic sign post. The reflective member  10  would be adhered or laminated to front face  98  and again in this embodiment, would include informational messages if desired. 
     In order to increase the structural integrity of mounting member  90 , particularly with respect to the fastening means  91 , mounting member  90  can be extruded so as to provide additional thickness in the form of a longitudinal rib  93  along rear face  92  for receipt of a fastening means in the form of a threaded fastener. 
       FIG. 8  is a prospective view illustrating mounting member  90  secured to traffic sign post  30 . In this embodiment the mounting member provides for an adhered or laminated reflective member  10  which also provides for an informational message. In the illustrations, the message is “Buckle Up” which might be appropriate in conjunction with a stop sign wherein the reflective member  10  would be red with the safety message in white letters. 
     Mounting member  90  can also be used as a stand alone delineator at the sides of driveways as a self-supporting member with reflector member to delineate the edge of the driveway. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood that many modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art; and that this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations thereof. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be only limited by the claims and the equivalents thereof.