EP1653430B1 - Support structure for variable message signs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a support device for variable message signs, with the help of relatively heavy mechanical and electronic units can be attached to ceilings.

Such support devices are known since the introduction of mechanical or electro-optical variable message traffic signs and traffic control systems at the latest. Usually, such support devices are arranged vertically on associated masts or bridge pillars or laterally on tunnel walls, so that the road users can recognize the signal transmitter located in the support device already from far away.

In the EP 0 917 703 B1 an optical display device is disclosed which provides significant dimensional advantages by aligning the support device substantially parallel to a given direction of movement of an observer and forming the display panel from a plurality of spaced apart display segments sequentially arranged in the direction of movement of the character to be displayed; wherein the display segments are arranged substantially parallel to the surface normal of the display device receiving support device or inclined at less than 45 ° relative to the surface normal. With this design, a very low height of the support frame is sufficient, since visually due to the direction of obliquely from below the impression of a contiguous display surface is created.

In such display devices, the support frame has hitherto mostly been firmly mounted on the tunnel ceiling, which brings considerable problems with initial installation, with necessary repairs and with the replacement of individual display segments.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a support device, in particular for variable message signs, which can be easily installed in any spatial arrangement, in the repairs of the signal generator or their replacement by a single fitter can be made without tools in a simple manner.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, a variable traffic sign support apparatus is provided which comprises a first flat support frame attachable to a ceiling of a tunnel parallel thereto, further comprising a second flat support frame adapted to receive signalers, the second support frame being attached to a first End of the support device via first connecting means is pivotally connected to the first support frame and at a second end via second connecting means releasably lockable on the first support frame.

Due to the two-part construction of the support device and the pivotable arrangement and the easily detachable connection of the two support frames, a construction has been created in which a first installation is essentially limited to the attachment of the first support frame, while the addition of the second support frame is extremely simple and Thus, by a single fitter can be performed. Likewise, repair or replacement work is possible without removing the entire device from its place, since in a suspended state of the second support frame either signal generator can be repaired and replaced or the entire second support frame can be easily replaced.

A particularly advantageous form of the pivotal connection is given when the first connecting means comprise two hooks which are arranged on the second support frame, and two bolt-shaped portions which are arranged on the first support frame, wherein the hooks can engage around the bolt-shaped portions pivotally. For a connection is created, which is easily solvable and yet ensure both in the suspended state of the second support frame and in the engaged state (operating state) a secure connection.

In order to obtain a slight inclination of the second carrier frame in the first carrier frame in the locked position, which is advantageous in terms of optical detectability of the signal generator, the second connecting means at least one, preferably two bracket on the second support frame, and at least one movable latching device on the first Support frame for fixing the bracket.

Advantageously, the bracket in the region of its upper end on a bolt which is insertable into at least one slot formed in the first support frame, wherein a first pivotable locking device for fixing the strap prevents the bolt after its introduction into the slot on the exit. Thus, it is ensured in a simple manner upon removal of all other locking devices that the second support frame from the locked to the hanging position arrives.

This is achieved in a particularly simple manner if the first latching device is designed as a spring-assisted locking hook which has a substantially V-shaped recess into which the bolt can be inserted simultaneously during its movement into the slot, the web of the V-shaped recess serving as a support surface suitable for the bolt.

The bracket preferably has at its upper end a head having a tapered front end into which a first and a second edge of the head open. Due to this configuration, it is easily possible to provide an easy-to-use second locking device which cooperates with the two edges.

This is preferably achieved if, as a second latching device, a roller which is movable at an angle to the vertical is used, which is acted upon by the first edge of the head during insertion of the bracket and thus is lifted obliquely.

In a preferred embodiment, a leaf spring is disposed between the roller and a cross rail of the first support frame, which presses the roller down, whereby the roller is pressed into its locking position and unlocking of the second support frame due to vibrations is prevented.

When the second support frame is in the fully inserted position, the roller again moves obliquely downward and, in the operating state of the support device, reaches the lower end point of its movement range where the second edge of the head of the bracket rests on it.

In the sense of a suitable kinematics, the second edge preferably extends in the western direction at 45 ° to the vertical.

The anchoring and guiding of the roller on the first support frame is preferably carried out in that the roller is integrated at its ends via two bolts, which are guided in two substantially at 45 ° to the vertical extending slots in the first support frame.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung im herabhängenden Zustand des zweiten Trägerrahmens;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße lösbare Schwenkverbindung zwischen erstem und zweitem Trägerrahmen;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform des zweiten Verschlussmittels zum lösbaren Arretieren des zweiten Trägerrahmens im ersten Trägerrahmen in einer noch nicht eingerasteten Stellung; und

Fig. 4

zeigt die Ansicht aus Fig. 3 in einer eingerasteten Stellung.

Further details, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

shows a device according to the invention in the suspended state of the second support frame;

Fig. 2

shows a detachable pivotal connection according to the invention between the first and second support frame;

Fig. 3

shows an inventive embodiment of the second closure means for releasably locking the second support frame in the first support frame in a not yet engaged position; and

Fig. 4

shows the view Fig. 3 in a locked position.

In Fig. 1 an embodiment of the support device 1 according to the invention is shown. The support device 1 is composed of a first support frame 3 and a second support frame 5. The first support frame 3 can be fastened permanently to its base by means of conventional fastening means, the invention being particularly suitable for ceilings of tunnels, etc., although the use of the support device 1 according to the invention is also conceivable in any other arbitrary spatial arrangement. The first support frame 3 usually has two at a certain distance from each other arranged angle rails 7, which are connected by corresponding cross rails. The resulting outer frame can be supplemented by a rear wall 11, although this is not required. The angle rails 7 and the cross rails 9 together form a receiving space, in which the second support frame 5 can be inserted. The second support frame 5 is similar in shape to the first support frame 3, being suitable for receiving rotary mechanical or electro-optical signalers 13 or similar units. In the present case, the signalers 13 shown are lamellar arranged sections of a variable traffic sign, the are either designed as mechanically movable prism-shaped elements or are equipped with a plurality of luminous points, so that they represent an optical luminous sign in the entirety.

The first and the second support frame 3, 5 are pivotally connected in the illustrated suspended state of the second support frame 5 via first connecting means 15.

Fig. 2 shows a section of the support device 1 with the first connecting means 15. The connecting means 15 are therefore composed of two arranged on the longitudinal sides of the second support frame 5 hooks 17 and two bolt-shaped portions 19 which are arranged on the first support frame 3 together. The hooks 17 are shaped so that they engage around the bolt-shaped portions 19 so deep that the connection remains in the direction of the opening of the hook 17 even with slight pivoting movements. Pivoting movements carried out in the direction of the closed side of the hook 17 are possible beyond the horizontal without loss of connection occurring. Due to this connection, the two support frames 3, 5 both easily connected to each other and also be released from each other and provide a pivotal connection, the overall but still ensures a very safe handling of the support device 1 at hanging down the second support frame 5.

In Fig. 3 the opposite end of the support device 1 is shown in a section, wherein second connecting means 21 for locking the second support frame 5 on the first support frame 3 are shown in detail. The second connecting means 21 initially have at least one bracket 23 attached to the second support frame 5, which can also be designed as a swivel bracket. The bracket 23 has an essentially angled shape, wherein the longer leg 25 extends upward and the shorter leg 27 extends substantially horizontally and is rotatably or fixedly secured to the second support frame 5 at its end. The longer leg 25 has at its end a head 29 which has a tapered front end 31 into which a first, upper edge 33 and a second, lower edge 35 open. The lower edge 35 is substantially straight and approximately 45 ° oblique to the vertical, while the upper edge 33 may have a rounded shape.

In the region of the head 29, an outwardly projecting pin 37 is also arranged. This bolt 37 extends during insertion of the second support frame 5 in the first Support frame 3 in a slot 39 which is formed in a vertical angle leg of the first support frame 3 and extends substantially perpendicular thereto. To lock the bracket 23, a first latching device 41 and a second latching device 43 are arranged on the first support frame 3. Each of the two devices 41, 43 taken alone would be sufficient for a releasable locking of the second support frame 5 on the first support frame 3, however, resulting from the combined connection of the two mechanisms additional advantages in the operation and safety aspects.

The first latching device 41 is designed as a spring-supported pawl 45, which has a substantially V-shaped and tilted by 90 ° recess 47. Upon the insertion of the pin 37 into the slot 39, the pin 37 is simultaneously inserted into the recess 47, and the pawl 45 makes a lateral compensating movement in accordance with the tilted V-shape of the recess 47. Once the bolt 37 has exceeded the top of the "V", it is prevented by the return that the spring-assisted pawl 45 swings back to its original position and the bolt 37 through the web 49 of the V-shaped recess 47 on a further downward movement is prevented. The web 49 preferably has a horizontal edge, so that the bolt 37 can rest on it safely.

As a second latching device 43 may be provided extending in the transverse direction of the first support frame 3 movable roller 51, which is integrated at its outer ends via two bolts 53 which are guided in two slots 55 in the first support frame 3. The elongated holes 55 extend at about 45 ° to the vertical, so that an obliquely guided upward and downward movement of the roller 51 is made possible.

When inserting the second support frame 5 in the first support frame 3, the pin 37 of the bracket 23 is guided in the slot 39, and thus also makes the head 29 of the bracket 23 a defined upward movement. In this upward movement, the upper edge 33 of the head 29 comes into contact with the roller 51 and pushes it along the slots 55 laterally obliquely upward until the front tip end 31 of the head 29 is above the height of the longitudinal axis of the roller 51. The roller 51 then slides back into the slots 55 obliquely down to the initial state, and when the fitter releases the second support frame 5, the sloping lower edge 35 of the head 29 from above on the roller 51 from and is through this at a downward movement prevented.

In this in Fig. 4 illustrated latched state, the bracket 23 is in a higher position than in the locked state with respect to the pawl 45. Thus, the release of the second support frame 5 from the first support frame 3 can be done in a particularly simple manner that the fitter the roller 51 obliquely above pushes, whereby the pointed end 31 of the bracket 23 is released and the bracket 23 thus falls down until the pin 37 is stopped by the web 49 of the pawl 45. From this position, it is easy to completely unlock by pressing the pawl 45, the bracket 23 and the second support frame 5 in the hanging position according to Fig. 1 to move. In this position, repairs or replacement work can be carried out particularly easily.

The double locking device 41, 43 thus serves in addition to greater safety also for easy and safe lifting of the locking connection between the second support frame 5 and the first support frame 3. To prevent the unlocking of the second support frame 5 by vibration and also the sliding down the roller 51 in the slots 55, in addition, a leaf spring (not shown) between the roller 51 and the corresponding cross rail 9 of the first support frame 3 may be arranged, which presses the roller 51 down.

It is clear that the principle according to the invention can also be realized with deviating geometrical configurations. So z. B. other connecting means between roller 51 and the first support frame 3 are selected, and also the geometric configuration of the pawl 45 and the bracket 23 is not set to the illustrated embodiment.

With the support device according to the invention, it is thus possible without great effort in any spatial orientation to allow easy installation and repair and a quick replacement of parts.

Claims (11)

1. Supporting device for variable message signs featuring a first flat supporting frame (3) that is suitable for attaching to the ceiling of a tunnel running parallel to the latter and furthermore a second flat supporting frame (5) which serves for the inclusion of a majority of mechanical or electro-optical signalling devices (13), wherein the second supporting frame (5), at the end of the first supporting device, is connectable with a pivot to the first supporting frame (3) via the first connection means (15) and is releasably connected to a second connection means (21) on the first supporting frame (3).
2. Supporting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first connection means (15) features two hooks (17) which are positioned on the second supporting frame (5) and two bolt-shaped sections (19) which are positioned on the first supporting frame (3) wherein the hooks (17) can pivotably encompass the bolt-shaped sections (19).
3. Supporting device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second connection means (21) particularly features two brackets (23) on the second supporting frame (5) and at least one movable locking device (41, 43) on the first supporting frame (3) to lock the bracket (23) in position.
4. Supporting device according to claim 3, characterised in that, the bracket (23) features a bolt (37) in its upper end which is inserted into at least one drilled slot (39) in the first supporting frame (3) wherein a first pivotable locking device (41) for fixing the bracket (23) prevents the bolt (37) from moving out of place after its insertion into the slot (39).
5. Supporting device according to claim 4, characterised in that, the first locking device (41) is designed as a spring-mounted ratchet brace (45) which features a substantial v-shaped notch (47) into which the bolt (37) can be simultaneously inserted whilst moving into the slot (39), wherein a land (49) from the v-shaped notch (47) is appropriate as a supporting surface for the bolt (37).
6. Supporting device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that, on its upper end the bracket (23) features a head (29) with a pointed front end (31) into which the first and second edges (33, 35) of the head (29) lead.
7. Supporting device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that, a second locking device (43) which features a bevel for a vertically movable pulley (51), is impinged on by the first edge (33) of the head (29) when inserting the bracket (23) and is therefore diagonally raised.
8. Supporting device according to claim 7 characterised in that, a laminated spring which pushes down the pulley (51) is placed between the pulley (51) and a cross rail (9) from the first supporting device (3).
9. Supporting device according to claim 7 and 8, characterised in that, when the supporting device is in operating condition the pulley (51) is situated at the lower end point of its movement area and the second edge (35) of the head (29) of the bracket (23) rests on it.
10. Supporting device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that, the second edge (35) is vertically extended below 45 degrees in essence.
11. Supporting device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that, two bolts (53) which are inserted into two vertically running oblong holes (55) essentially below 45 degrees at the ends of the pulley (51) are integrated into the first supporting device (3).

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