[0001] The subject of the invention is a road boundary marker in which the reflector support
extends laterally towards the roadway, in such a way as to allow the said reflector,
which always stays on the edge of the road, maximum visibility.
[0002] The road boundary markers currently in use are, on the whole, constituted by straight,
narrow stakes that are hollow, somewhat flat, and are made of plastic material.
[0003] The lower part of the said stakes is tapered so that they can be inserted into the
ground.
[0004] The reflector of the said boundary markers is fitted in the centre at the top of
the stakes.
[0005] Boundary markers of this type, once set up, are destined to be hidden in a short
space of time because of the natural growth of weeds at the side of the road where
they are inserted.
[0006] It thus ensues that periodical operations of clearing the side of the road are necessary.
[0007] With the said clearing operations, the area close to the boundary marker has to be
finished off by hand since when using cutter bars or rotary blades it is somewhat
difficult to clear the base of the boundary marker, and the risk exists of damaging
the said marker.
[0008] In addition to the foregoing, known boundary markers-are not set up very stably,
and as time goes by they can easily adopt undesirable inclined positions, or even
drop on to the ground.
[0009] The object of the invention is to overcome the problems outlined above and, in particular,
to make available a road boundary marker that is constructed in such a way that the
reflector be supported, with respect to the vertical structure of the marker, like
a flag.
[0010] In this way, the reflector becomes more visible with respect to the side of the road,
and mechanical operations for clearing the side of the road in the area underneath
the reflector are possible without one having to resort to manual intervention.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to make available a road boundary marker so constructed
as to guarantee its being stable with the passing of time, though maintaining all
the characteristics required for the said device of lightness and of being easily
knocked down in the case of impact.
[0012] The said objects are attained with the road boundary marker forming the subject of
the invention, which is substantially characterized by the fact that the reflector
support extends laterally with respect to the vertical support structure of the boundary
marker and that the latter is preferably formed by a number of parts that can be fitted
vertically together through dovetail type joints, of which the part forming the base
of the marker is of a hypogeum plinth conformation and is provided with an aperture
in the centre as well as at least one horizontal base tab that protrudes laterally
with respect to the vertical support structure of the marker.
[0013] Advantageously, according to the invention, the reflector support of the marker is
preferably constituted by a horizontal arm that extends laterally to the body of the
marker in the region of the upper extremity thereof, the length of which is such as
to allow the refracting area to be perfectly visible, as well as to facilitate to
the full the mechanical operations connected with the clearing of the side of the
road.
[0014] The characteristics of the invention will now be described better with reference
to the one figure on the accompanying drawing which shows the boundary marker in a
lateral perspective view and in accordance with one preferred but not sole form of
embodiment.
[0015] With reference to the said figure, the boundary marker (1), which is preferably a
shockproof polystyrene moulding of high density and strength, has vertical and horizontal
reinforcing ribs, (3) and (4), respectively, that guarantee its being of the maximum
robustness.
[0016] The reflector (2) is mounted, in a known fashion, in the region of the terminal part
of a support (1d) that is connected to the upper part of the vertical support structure
of the marker, or else, as in the case illustrated, is made in one piece therewith.
The said support is virtually formed by an arm that extends horizontally and laterally
to the said structure.
[0017] The reflector (2) can be made of plastic material with which the chromatic refraction
of the light is the maximum possible.
[0018] The boundary marker (1) is,; according to the preferred form of embodiment illustrated,
made in three moulded parts of shockproof polystyrene.
[0019] It comprises a base part (1a), a centre part (1b) and a third part (1c) that comprises
the support (1d) of the reflector (2). The base part (1a) is destined to be inserted
into the ground totally or in part and it has a flared plinth of hypogeum type that
widens towards the lower part thereof.
[0020] The base (1a) has, furthermore, an aperture (5) placed in the centre and is provided
at the bottom with at least one horizontal tab; the said aperture and tab make possible
the stable incorporation of the boundary marker in the ground so as to prevent it
from adopting, as time goes by, undesired inclined positions or from being easily
removed abusively.
[0021] In accordance with what is shown in the drawing, the three parts (1a, 1b and 1c)
can be placed together and be united vertically by means of dovetails (7) which, in
addition to ensuring excellent firmness, allow any one single part that has been tampered
with or has been rendered inefficient, to be quickly and easily replaced without one
having to resort to the substitution of the complete boundary marker.
1. Road boundary marker provided with at least one reflector (2), characterized by
the fact that the support (1d) of the reflector (2) extends laterally with respect
to the vertical support structure of the boundary marker.
2. Road boundary marker according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is
formed by a number of parts (1a, 1b andlc) that can be fitted vertically together
through dovetails (7), of which the part forming the base of the marker is of a hypogeum
plinth cbnformation and is provided with an aperture (5) in the centre, as well as
with at least one horizontal base tab (6) that protrudes laterally with respect to
the vertical support structure of the boundary marker (1).