CZ20011589A3 - Traffic element with illumination and transparent plastic component and a rib therefor with illumination means - Google Patents

Abstract

Traffic element with illumination, at least comprising an element body (15) having a transparent plastic component (3) which comprises illumination means (4) encapsulated by the plastic of the component, which transparent plastic component (3) is fabricated by casting a preferably resilient multicomponent plastic in a closed mould. Examples of traffic elements are kerbs, traffic island elements, roundabout elements, a road surface etc. Traffic elements according to the invention are experienced as light-emitting elements.

Description

Traffic orientation panel with lighting and transparent element and rib for this panel

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting orientation component comprising a body with a transparent plastic element comprising a lighting means encapsulated in the plastic of the element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a panel for conveying orientation is described in EP-A-0 658 655. The panel is, for example, a curb in which a plastic element is inserted. The plastic element comprises a tubular aluminum sheet housing having a bottom slightly protruding upwardly from the walls of the housing. Lighting elements in the form of an electroluminescent diode are embedded in the bottom, and the tubular housing is filled with plastic containing light refracting particles. Similarly, the space below the bottom may be filled.

A substantial disadvantage of such a plastic element is that its shape is considerably limited. The element may be made of particulate plastic, cast into a tray over electroluminescent diodes. This means that its illuminating surface, which is in contact with the environment, is always flat. In practice, however, there are a number of traffic orientation panels having considerably different shapes, which therefore cannot be provided with such lighting means, or can be provided with only more smaller such means. In addition, casting plastic into an open tray is an unreliable and unrepeatable process since air bubbles and irregularities can easily be poured into the tray. The state of the art therefore does not permit the reliable and reproducible production of electroluminescent trans-parent parental plastic elements with various shapes and design capable of being incorporated into traffic orientation components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above drawbacks and also to provide a generally improved component for conveying orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a lighting orientation panel comprising at least a panel body with a transparent plastic element comprising lighting means encapsulated in its plastic, the principle being that the transparent plastic element is made by casting a multi-component plastic in a closed mold.

For purposes of the invention, casting may include both standard injection molding and extrusion (by extruding a batch of encapsulating material into the mold cavities by means of an auxiliary pressure chamber). Vacuum casting of the multicomponent mass is preferably used. The casting of the multi-component mass has the advantage that, due to the low processing temperature, the plastic elements produced by this process may contain elements that are sensitive to high temperatures, such as electroluminescent LEDs and light-conducting plastic cables.

The traffic orientation panel and therefore its plastic element are often exposed to aging and in particular to yellowing by sunlight. The multicomponent casting material is therefore preferably selected from polyurethane and biosynthetic systems, thereby ensuring sustained transparency, since these materials do not substantially yellow or otherwise become opaque.

Traffic orientation components shall be able to withstand frequent loads and distortions by traffic, for example by passing cars. The multi-component plastic used must therefore be permanently flexible and rigid. Conventional clear multicomponent plastics are usually either hard and brittle, or are flexible due to the fact that they contain plasticizers which, however, decompose under the influence of sunlight, thereby losing elasticity. The clear multi-component plastic is therefore preferably a flexible multi-component plastic.

By using casting processes in a closed mold, it is possible to impart to the plastic element virtually any shape in a reliable and reproducible manner, without thereby limiting it. The conveying orientation element according to the invention can therefore have any shape.

Preferably, the plastic element comprises reinforcement to increase strength and loadability. In particular, the reinforcement preferably comprises one or more nonwoven fabrics of polyester.

In particular, the panel body comprises a recess in which at least a part of the transparent plastic element is received. It is also possible for the transparent plastic element to be supported on the panel body.

Preferably, the outer surface of the transparent plastic member is adapted substantially to the outer shape of the panel body.

In current traffic, passive traffic routing is often used in the form of white lines for example.

on top of the vehicle for marking lanes, but instructions are also displayed on the road. Possible applications are lane markings, horizontal markings for lane entry (get-in lane box) and speed instructions. There are also different types of approach indicators, such as lines or embossed ridges on the road surface. Obstacles in operation such as curbs, islets, etc. contain either passive warning indicators in the form of colored lines and warning signs or large lighting equipment.

A major drawback of passive traffic routing is that it must always be illuminated by external light sources. This can lead to poor visibility. Even during the day it is possible that in bad weather, when the sun is low, it rains, approaching dusk, there is snow or snow falling on the road, the fog, etc., visibility is very limited.

An important advantage of the traffic orientation panel according to the invention is that it is perceived by the observer participating in the operation as radiating light and therefore always remains clearly visible.

Preferably, the portion of the exterior surface of the transparent plastic element that is in contact with the panel body and / or the portion of the surface of the panel body that is in contact with the transparent plastic element comprises a light-absorbing material. For example, an adhesive layer or other adhesive layer may be used to which the light-absorbing material is added. The presence of the light-absorbing material has the advantage that if the lighting means has been switched off, the panel becomes substantially invisible to the traffic orientation. In other words, when • · · · · · · · · ·

The transparent plastic element is switched off, adopting the color of the light-absorbing material, especially the black material.

This embodiment is particularly important if the traffic orientation element is a road surface. If the pavement surface comprises various transparent plastic elements that serve to mark the splitting on the pavement surface, for example for both a two-lane and a three-lane road, it is important that unused transparent plastic elements are invisible to the road user.

Preferably, the portion of the exterior surface of the transparent plastic element that is in contact with the body of the panel and / or the portion of the surface of the body that is in contact with the transparent plastic element comprises a light-reflective material which is optionally colored. one or more lighting means are stored. For example, an adhesive layer or other adhesive layer which is provided with a dye or optionally colored light-reflecting substances may also be used in this case.

As will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, a choice is made, for example, of the color impression to be given to the transparent plastic element, giving the impression that there is no point-to-point illumination by electroluminescent diodes because the whole element is uniformly illuminated.

It is also possible to impart a specific color to a transparent plastic element by a suitable plastic or by coloring the plastic in a suitable manner. Except colored plastic or use

It is also possible to use a luminescent, phosphorescent or fluorescent material or elements.

It goes without saying that the transparent plastic element should have connecting means for connecting the illumination means to the power source for driving the illumination means. The term energy source means both an electrical source and a light source in the case of light-conducting cables.

For example, the connection means may comprise suitable connection terminals.

An electrical source of this type may also be co-molded into a plastic element, for example if solar cells with an accumulator battery are used. This rechargeable battery is recharged by sunlight during the day and charges the lighting in the evening.

It is also possible to combine electrically charged lighting means with light-conducting cables.

Advantageously, the panel body is provided with continuous grooves intended to accommodate a guide for connecting the lighting means to the power source. Possible power supply solutions include, for example, commonly used connection terminals that can be connected to the power supply.

In a particular embodiment, the member body is provided with coupling means designed to connect one member body with the coupling means of another member body. These connection means may take the form of, for example, a tongue-and-groove joint, dovetail joint and the like.

Preferably, the connecting means also comprise connecting means for connecting the lighting means, so that the lighting means of the interconnected bodies of the parts can be supplied (illuminated) by an energy source via only one connection.

The traffic orientation element according to the invention is in no way limited and can be selected, for example, from a curb, a road island, a roundabout, a corner block, a triangle of preference in traffic etc. In particular, the traffic orientation element is a road surface or its part. The traffic orientation panel according to the invention provides particular advantages when used as a pavement surface, for example for delimiting it, indicating direction, permitted speed data and the like.

In the case of a pavement surface, it is preferable that the panel body (pavement surface) comprises one or more electrical power conductors, and that the transparent plastic element comprises connecting terminals that can interact with the conductors. This type of connection will be explained in more detail in the description with reference to the drawings. It is thus possible for the electrical supply conductors to be laid first in the roadway and for the plastic element to be electrically connected thereto in a simple manner.

In particular, in this embodiment, the electrical supply conductors are electrical cables insulated by an insulating sheath, and the fasteners comprise sharp connection clips.

8 of an electrically conductive material that perforates the insulating sheath of the electrical conductors to induce electrical contact. This embodiment will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

The lighting means in the traffic orientation panel according to the invention comprise, in a particular embodiment, one or more substantially flat lighting elements. The flat lighting elements have the advantage that the transparent plastic element according to the invention can be made very thin. These elements may be encapsulated in the mold during the casting process. Prior to the casting process, the illumination means may be introduced into a corresponding suitably shaped mold cavity.

For example, the illumination elements are selected from electroluminescent LEDs, electrically excited foil-emitting film portions, and preferably from light-guiding cables or elements illuminated by light-guiding cables. According to the invention, therefore, the illumination means may be electrically excited from the outer transparent plastic element, although the illumination means may also be in the form of means that are irradiated by an external light source. The last case concerns, for example, fiber optic cables. It is also possible to combine the two systems, i.e., the lighting means in the transparent plastic part excited by an electrical source placed outside the transparent plastic element, the lighting element itself then constituting a light source for light-conducting cables or the like present in the transparent plastic element.

• 0 * 0 · 0 · 0 · 0 · 0

-90 ♦ 000,000 0 * 00 00 0 0 0 · **

The term light-guide cables refers inter alia to fiber-optic cables made of quartz fibers or glass fibers. Preferably, however, plastic fiber optic cables are used which combine their high light efficiency and low absorption with low cost. For example, the light guide cables may be selected from PMMA or polyamide cables.

Preferably, the illumination means comprises light-guiding cables that can be illuminated, wherein the ends of the light-guiding light-output cables which are designed to emit light are located within the outer contour of the transparent plastic element. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for the road surface and will be explained in more detail below in the description of the figures.

Reference may be made in this connection to FR-A-2,686,104 which discloses a traffic orientation panel comprising light conducting cables. However, this solution does not concern a transparent component for transport orientation and, moreover, the output ends of the light guide cables extend beyond the surface of the plastic element, which means that they can be easily damaged or soiled. This has considerable negative effects on the efficiency of the light-conducting cables.

Advantageously, the transparent plastic element has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. It can thus be fixed simply by means of a groove introduced into a panel for conveying orientation, for example a road surface, with the vertical leg of the T-profile being mounted in the groove. The top, which in this case lies on the panel for transport orientation, is preferably provided with a bevel on the periphery towards the panel. In particular, there is a groove in the conveyor panel.

-10 • Φ · Φ φ Φ

The orientation orientation is shaped such that the load that is exerted on the traffic orientation panel, for example by a vehicle, does not substantially propagate in the groove, so that it can accommodate sensitive electronics for lighting means such as power supply or light source.

The T-shaped cross-section ensures that the transparent plastic element cannot be displaced in the transverse direction in the transport orientation panel. Longitudinal displacement can be appropriately and reliably avoided by providing a transparent plastic element with ribs locally. In particular, such ribs are partially embedded in the transparent plastic element and partly outside the element. In order to secure such a plastic element in the transport orientation panel, it is desirable to provide not only a longitudinal groove, but also a plurality of transverse recesses for receiving said ribs. This embodiment will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Preferably, the traffic orientation panel has positioning means for light guide cables near the outlet end of the light guide cables. This has the advantage that when the transparent plastic element is made by casting in a closed mold, the positioning means can keep the light guide cables in position. For example, these rib positioning means are projections with openings into which the ends of the light guide cables can be fastened. It will be appreciated that in the case of casting in a closed mold, the light guide cables will be suitably positioned.

In a preferred embodiment, the traffic orientation panel according to the invention comprises a transparent plastic element in the vicinity of the

«99 ·· 99 9999 99 • 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 · 9 9 9 9 9 • 9 9 • 9 9 9 99 9 99 9 • 9 99

The bones of the exit end of the light-guide elements are one or more optical elements which are preferably formed of the same material as the transparent plastic element. These optical elements are not subject to any particular constraints, but may be selected from lenses, prisms and scattering elements.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the LED assembly in the transparent plastic element comprises a plurality of electroluminescent LEDs for illuminating light-guide cables. This is made possible by the fact that all light guide cables in the traffic orientation panel are routed to this assembly. This provides the advantage that such an LED assembly can be replaceably housed in the member after manufacture of the transparent plastic member and can be similarly easily replaced in the event of damage or other defects.

Lighting of the light-conducting cables can also be performed in a different way than by means of an LED assembly in a transparent plastic element. The light guide cables may be illuminated by a light source located outside the panel for traffic orientation. In the case of inexpensive light-conducting cables, this has the advantage that the transparent element can be replaced simply and inexpensively without having to replace more expensive light sources.

Preferably, the light guide cables for this purpose are connected to a first connector for connection to a light source. The light source may be selected from a variety of different light sources. Preferably, however, the light source comprises an LED assembly that is disposed in a second connector suitable for coupling to the first connector.

For example, the connectors used may have the shape of suitably shaped plugs, wherein the light guide cables terminate in one plug and the light source is in the other plug or is connected to the light source. The plug in which the light-guide cables terminate can optionally be integrated in the plastic element.

It will be appreciated that the installation of light guide cables can be performed in a number of ways. Preferably, however, the light guide cables are in positions such that the light that leaves them during use forms an angle of about 20 ° with the road surface at this point. This is particularly advantageous because at such an angle the road user can very well perceive the illumination and therefore the transparent plastic element.

The invention further provides a transparent plastic element comprising lighting means encapsulated in the plastic of the element, made by casting a multi-component plastic in a closed mold, for use in a traffic orientation panel according to the invention.

The transparent plastic element of the invention may be embedded in the recess in the panel body, but may also be embedded on the panel body, for example by gluing.

The invention further provides a rib for use in the transparent plastic member of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail in the following description of Example 13-

1a, 1b and 1c show several possible components for the transport orientation according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a section along line II / II of Fig. 1a, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a curb comprising a transparent plastic element according to Figs. Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c show different stages during the construction of a road surface comprising a transparent plastic element according to the invention; Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the road surface as a traffic orientation component comprising a transparent plastic element; Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a detail of the transparent plastic element according to Fig. 5, Fig. 8 an enlarged detail in cross-section of Fig. 5, Fig. 9 a schematic diagram of a rib according to the invention; 6, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a traffic orientation element according to the invention comprising light guide cables and a light source outside the traffic orientation panel; Example of a connector combination for connecting light guide cables to a light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a panel for marking a roundabout, Fig. 1b a perspective view for marking a road edge and Fig. 1c a perspective view of an island block in a roadway. The traffic orientation panels are generally referred to as panels 1 and comprise a recess 2 into which a plastic part 2 containing light emitting means in the form of electroluminescent diodes 4 is inserted. As can be seen from these figures, the outer surface of the transparent plastic element is adapted for traffic orientation. Fig. 1a clearly shows the coupling means in the form of a protrusion 6 on one side and the corresponding shaped form and λ λ

hinders 7 on the other side. These connecting elements may likewise be provided with suitable connecting members for electrically connecting the electroluminescent LEDs in one of the panels to the other panel.

The transparent plastic elements are generally made by vacuum casting from a multi-component plastic, in particular a flexible multi-component plastic.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transport orientation of Fig. 1a on a reduced scale. Here, the individual elements of the panel are visible, as well as the channel 8, which serves to accommodate the line 9 for connecting the electroluminescent diodes 4 to the external power source.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a curb from which it can be seen that the transparent plastic element containing the electroluminescent diodes has a curved shape.

In the preceding figures, the transparent plastic element is in each case housed in a recess in the panel body. While this is found to be advantageous, it is not necessary. The plastic element may also be fastened to the panel body.

Fig. 4a shows a first step of making a pavement surface using very open asphalt concrete. Electrically insulated cables 11 are provided on top of the base 10, which will form the bottom of the recess, for electrical connection by means of connection terminals 12 in a transparent plastic element 13 for driving the electroluminescent diodes 14 present in the plastic element 13.

The connection terminals 12 have sharp edges 15 of an electrically conductive material, for example metal, which serve to perforate the insulating material of the insulated electrical cables to make contact with the conductor contained in the cables.

In Fig. 4a, an adhesive layer 16 for fastening the electroluminescent plastic element 13 to the base 10 is further shown. The plastic element 13 is provided with a temporary protection foil 17 which can be removed after laying the very open asphalt concrete 18.

Fig. 4b shows the situation after the protective film 17 has been removed. For clarity, the connection between the light-emitting diodes 14 and the connection terminal 12 is not shown in detail.

Fig. 4c shows a transparent plastic element 13 which has been placed in the formed recess 20 in the existing road surface 21 of very open asphalt concrete and fixed by the adhesive layer 22. In the figure, the electrical lead wires 23, which can be electrically connected to the luminous means in the same manner as described above, by means of suitable sharp connectors (not shown) are indicated. The transparent plastic element 13 is provided with a non-slip surface pattern 24. This prevents the transparent plastic element from becoming slippery in wet weather.

In both Figs. 4a and 4b and in Fig. 4c, the adhesive may be a black adhesive or, conversely, a colored adhesive. As discussed above, black glue has the advantage that the body of the plastic member is perceived as invisible if the lighting for

Means are not powered.

5 again shows a road surface 21 with a transparent plastic element 25 inserted therein having a substantially T-shaped cross-section. The transparent plastic element 25 is embedded in a groove 26 in the road surface 21 and is again fastened by means of adhesive 16. It is provided with a central a rib arranged in the transverse direction of the transparent plastic element, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG.

The transparent plastic element 25 comprises a plurality of rows 28 of protrusions 28 provided with lenticular elements 29 at the ends of the light guide cables 39. These protrusions are shown in greater detail in FIG. Such projections with lenticular elements may be directly co-molded during manufacture of the transparent plastic element in a closed mold.

Figure 6 shows the transparent plastic element 25 of Figure 5 in a perspective view. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 28 are in multiple rows containing each lens-like element

29, connected to the light guide cables 30.

7 shows a longitudinal section through a portion of the plastic element 25 of the projection 28 in which the light-guide cable is shown

30, terminating near the lens element 29. It is also clearly seen that the rib 27 is used to position the light guide cable during the manufacture of the transparent plastic element

Of course, the ribs may have any desired shape and in the first case serve to position the light guide cables 30 in the mold when the transparent plastic component is cast into the mold.

♦ · · · · ·

Preferably, the light guide cables 30 terminate at a short distance from the outer surface of the transparent plastic member

An optical element, preferably consisting of the same material as the transparent plastic element, may be disposed between the exit end of the light guide cables and the outer surface of the optical element. The angle α in the case of a transparent plastic element for the road surface is preferably 20 °.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged detail of the section of Fig. 5 showing the groove 26 into which the vertical arm of the transparent T-shaped plastic element 25 has been inserted. By means of the lead wires 32, the electroluminescent diodes can be connected in the same manner as described above in FIG. 4, with sharp-edge connection terminals 12, to electrical cables 11 which may have been laid in the groove 26 beforehand.

The transparent plastic element, for which the above figures have been shown, and which is designed for use in a road surface, therefore contains light conducting cables as illumination means, which can be illuminated by means of electroluminescent diodes in the transparent plastic element.

Alternatively, however, it is possible to illuminate by means of a light source placed in the plastic element. For example, the light guide cables may extend outside the transparent light guide cables to a connector that may be connected to a second connector that includes a light source.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a rib 27 provided with a

The steps 33 with holes 34 for accommodating the light-conducting cables 30 when the transparent plastic element is produced in a mold by casting. The advantage of using such ribs 27 is not only the positioning accuracy of the light guide cables in the manufacture of the transparent plastic element 25, but also the positioning accuracy when the transparent plastic element 25, as described with reference to the preceding figures, is embedded in the road surface or other traffic orientation element. .

The vertical cross-sectional arm of the transparent T-shaped transparent plastic member 25 provides very good stability against the possible lateral stresses to which the transparent plastic member may be subjected. Longitudinal stress is completely eliminated by the presence of ribs 27 which partially protrude from the material of the transparent plastic element 25. Thus, it is desirable not only to create a longitudinal groove for a vertical cross-sectional T-shaped leg before the transparent plastic element is deposited e.g. but also various transverse grooves for the ribs 27.

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the transparent plastic member 25 of Figure 5. The transparent plastic member 25 is provided with a replaceable LED assembly 35 which includes a plurality of electroluminescent diodes 31, all connected to one or more photoconductive cables 30. The advantage of using the LED assembly is that this assembly 35 can be mounted after manufacturing the transparent plastic member 25 and can be easily replaced in case of damage or defects.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the element for

1b but including light guide cables 30 terminating near the surface of the transparent plastic element 3 and capable of illuminating the traffic orientation element by scattering. The light-conducting cables 30 are all connected in a first connector, referred to as plug 36. This plug 36 may suitably be connected to a plug containing a light source.

An example of such a plug assembly is shown in FIG. The plug assembly comprises a first connector 37 and a second connector 38 which fit in shape. The first connector 37 is a plug that includes a housing 39 into which the light guide cables 30 enter. The second connector 38 comprises a plug having a housing 40 in which electroluminescent diodes 41 are received which can be powered by an electrical power cable 42. The housing 40 fits into bushings

39. The light-conducting cables 30 can thus be illuminated by electroluminescent LEDs 41, resulting in the illumination of the traffic orientation element as shown in Fig. 11. It will be appreciated that other lighting means may also be used in place of electroluminescent diodes.

Claims (19)

1. A traffic-oriented lighting component comprising at least a body of a component with a transparent plastic element comprising lighting means encapsulated in its plastic, characterized in that the transparent plastic element is made by casting a multi-component plastic in a closed mold. Transport orientation element according to claim 1, characterized in that the multi-component plastic is selected from polyurethane systems or clear bi-resin systems. Transport orientation element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multi-component plastic is a flexible multi-component plastic. Transport orientation element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plastic element comprises reinforcement. The traffic orientation panel according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement comprises one or more polyester nonwoven fabrics. Transport orientation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outer surface of the transparent plastic element is adapted substantially to the outer shape of the panel body. 7. Traffic orientation component according to any one of 9999 99 9 9 9 9 * 9 according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the traffic orientation element is a road surface (18, 21) or a part thereof. Traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the illumination means comprises light-guiding cables (30) which can be illuminated. 9. Traffic orientation panel according to claim 8, characterized in that the light-conducting cables are made of light-conducting plastic cables. Traffic orientation panel according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the ends of the light-guiding light-output cables (30), which are designed to emit light, are located within the outer contour of the transparent plastic element (25). Transport orientation element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transparent plastic element (25) has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. A traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that positioning elements for the light guide cables are located near the outlet end of the light guide cables. Traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the transparent plastic element comprises one or more optical elements for the output end of the light-guide cables. 14. A traffic orientation panel according to claim 13, wherein the optical elements present on the supply side of the exit end of the light guide cables are made of the same material as the transparent plastic element. Traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the LED assembly (35) in the transparent plastic element (25) comprises a plurality of electroluminescent LEDs (31) for illuminating light-conducting cables. Traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the light guide cables (30) can be illuminated by a light source (41) located outside the traffic orientation panel. Traffic orientation panel according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that, in the case where the traffic orientation panel is formed by a road surface or parts thereof, the light guide cables (30) are in positions such that the light is it leaves the application, forming an angle of about 20 ° with the respective road surface (25). A transparent plastic element comprising lighting means encapsulated in the plastic of the element, made by casting a multi-component plastic in a closed mold, for use in a transport orientation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 17. • · · · · · A rib intended for use in a transparent plastic member according to claim 18.