Description

PORTABLE TRAFFIC SIGN

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a portable traffic sign apparatus, and in particular to a portable traffic sign apparatus with various traffic guides and alarm messages which can be easily exchanged depending on its demand and can be folded based on a simple operation of a support leg unit along with excellent portability and mobility. Since the light emitted by means of a lighting unit is surface-emitted through a light guide plate, a visibility and recognition performance of an exchanged traffic sign apparatus can be enhanced. Background Art

[2] Generally, when an emergency situation such as an accident on streets, an emergency road construction, various security check or something occurs, various guide signs are used for informing drivers of the above situations in a needed place for thereby obtaining a safety drive.

[3] However, in the conventional art, when a specific situation occurs, it is required to install a sign plate having a message which corresponds to the situation, so many sign plates with various messages depending on situations are needed so as to cope with various situations. In the conventional art, a plurality of upright indication signs are always needed while having various messages. So, portability and storages are not easy, and it is not easy to hold such upright sign plates, and not easy to move. Since almost conventional upright sign plates are made in upright types simply having guide messages, it is almost impossible to recognize such guide messages in night or middle night, so their inherent functions as guide sign plates can not be obtained. Since a desired message cannot be well recognized on streets or in construction sites, an accident occurrence possibility increases. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic sign apparatus which overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional art.

[5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic sign apparatus in which a traffic sign plate with various traffic guide and alarm texts can be easily exchanged depending on a certain situation.

[6] It is further another object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic sign apparatus in which a support leg unit can be easily folded or unfolded for thereby enhancing a portability and mobility, and when a support leg unit is folded, a support

leg unit might be used as a handle held by a hand for thereby conveniently using.

[7] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic sign apparatus which makes it possible to increase a visibility and recognition performance of a traffic sign plate in night or middle night since the light emitted from a lighting unit can be surface-emitted through a light guide plate, so it is possible to prevent a safety accident. Technical Solution

[8] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a portable traffic sign apparatus which comprises a frame which includes a slot formed on its upper side for inserting a sign plate, a front frame having an opening in its front side, and a rear frame which is engaged with the front frame for thereby forming a space in its interior; a support leg unit which is rotatably engaged to the rear frame for thereby supporting the frame in a back side; and a lighting means which is installed in a space of the interior of the frame for emitting light toward the opening of the front frame, whereby the sign plate having a specific traffic guide message can be exchanged through the slot depending on an installation place.

Advantageous Effects

[9] It should be appreciated that the present invention has the following advantages.

[10] First, a traffic sign plate with various traffic guides and alarm messages can be freely exchanged depending on a certain circumference. It is not needed to prepare a plurality of upright sign plates with various traffic guides and alarm messages, so it is not needed to prepare a plurality of upright sign plates with various messages, and only the corresponding sign plate can be exchanged depending on a situation.

[11] Second, a support leg unit can be easily folded or unfolded for thereby enhancing a portability and mobility, and when a support leg unit is folded, a support leg unit might be used as a handle held by a hand for thereby conveniently using the same.

[12] Third, the present invention makes it possible to increase a visibility and recognition performance of a traffic sign plate in night or middle night since the light emitted from a lighting unit can be surface-emitted through a light guide plate, so it is possible to prevent a safety accident. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[14] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a method for exchanging a sign plate having various traffic guide messages in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[15] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a support leg unit for

supporting a frame in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to the present invention.

[16] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a folding method of a support leg unit in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[17] Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating an inner structure of a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[18] A portable traffic sign apparatus comprises a frame which includes a slot formed on its upper side for inserting a sign plate, a front frame having an opening in its front side, and a rear frame which is engaged with the front frame for thereby forming a space in its interior; a support leg unit which is rotatably engaged to the rear frame for thereby supporting the frame in a back side; and a lighting means which is installed in a space of the interior of the frame for emitting light toward the opening of the front frame, so the sign plate having a specific traffic guide message can be exchanged through the slot depending on an installation place. Mode for the Invention

[19] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[20] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a method for exchanging a sign plate having various traffic guide messages in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[21] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame 10 including a front frame 10a formed of a slot 12 for inserting a sign plate 1 and an opening 11 formed in a front side, and a rear frame 10b engaged with the front frame 10a for thereby forming a certain space in the interior, a support leg unit 20 which is rotatably engaged at the rear frame 10b for supporting the frame 10 in its back side, and a lighting unit 30 which is installed in the space of the frame for emitting light toward the opening 11 of the front frame 10a.

[22] Here, the frame 10 is formed of the front frame 10a and the rear frame 10b. The front frame 10a includes a slot 12 formed on its upper side for inserting the sign plate 1, and an opening 11 formed in its front side. The rear frame 10b is engaged with the front frame 10a for thereby forming a certain accommodation space in its interior. The lighting unit 30 is installed in the accommodation space for thereby emitting light toward the opening 11 of the front frame 10a. The sign plate inserted through the slot 12 is exposed to the outside for thereby emitting light through the opening 11.

[23] According to the present invention, when a certain emergency situation occurs such as a post-accident procedure on the road, an emergency construction or various checking situations, the sign plate having a certain traffic guide message determined depending on the situation and place can be exchanged through the slot 12. When exchanging the same, the sign plate inserted through the slot 12 emits light with the help of the lighting unit 20, so it is exposed in the forward direction through the opening 1 of the front frame 10a.

[24] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a support leg unit for supporting a frame in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a folding method of a support leg unit in a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[25] As shown in Figure 3, the support leg unit 20 is rotatably engaged to the rear frame

10b for thereby supporting the frame 10 in a backward direction, so the whole frame structure maintains an upright state.

[26] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support leg unit 20 is formed in a T shape, and when the support leg unit 20 contacts with the back surface of the rear frame 10b, the horizontal portion 22 of the upper side of the T shaped support leg unit works as a handle. In this case, at least one magnet 16 is provided on the upper side of the rear frame 10b at the potion contacting when the support leg unit 20 is folded and contacted with the rear frame 10b. Consequently, the support leg unit 20 keeps being attached to the rear frame 10b by means of the magnetic force of the magnet 16. So, the user can move the portable traffic sign apparatus while holding the horizontal portion 22 of the upper side of the support

[27] As shown in Figure 3, the rear frame 10b is equipped with an accommodation part 14 protruded for accommodating a vertical part 21 of the T shaped support leg unit 20. The accommodation part 14 includes a pair of plate materials arranged as being opposite to each other for thereby forming an accommodation groove therein. When the T shaped support leg unit 20 is folded toward the rear frame 10b, the vertical part 21 is accommodated in the accommodation groove.

[28] As shown in Figure 3, a cylinder 24, which extends and contracts depending of the folding state of the support leg unit, is further provided in the interior of the vertical part 21 of the T shaped support leg unit 20. Preferably, the cylinder 24 included a cylinder rod 26 which extends or contracts by means of a hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure. One side of the cylinder 24 is engaged in the interior of the vertical part of the T shaped support leg unit 20. One end of the cylinder rod 26 is engaged to the accommodation part 14. As shown in Figure 4, when the support leg unit 20 is folded, as the cylinder 24 and the cylinder rod 26 engaged with the cylinder

are extended or contracted, it is possible to fold the support leg unit 20 with small force.

[29] In more detail, when folding the support leg unit 20, as the cylinder rod 26 is contracted into the cylinder 24, and the support leg unit 20 is folded in the accommodation part 14 of the rear frame 10b, so it is finally attached to the rear frame 10b by means of the magnetic force of the magnet 16 provided on the upper side of the rear frame 10b. When the support leg unit 20 is unfolded so as to use the portable traffic sign apparatus according to the present invention, the worker separates the support leg unit 20 from the rear frame 10b with a force strong enough to overcome the magnetic force of the magnet 16, so the cylinder rod 26 extend from the cylinder 24, and the support leg unit 20 is unfolded.

[30] The support leg unit 20 is constituted so that it can be folded or unfolded with a simple operation and a small force, so it is possible to enhance a portability, mobility and efficiency as compared to other products.

[31] Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating an inner structure of a portable traffic sign apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[32] As shown in Figure 5, the lighting unit 30 is installed in an accommodation space between the front frame 10a and the rear frame 10b for thereby emitting light toward the open portion of the front frame 10a, so the messages indicated on the sign plate 1 inserted into the slot 12 emits light toward the opened portion.

[33] As shown in Figure 5, the lighting unit 30 includes a light guide plate 32 for surface- emitting light from its lateral cross section side, a bracket 34 which is arranged in a longitudinal direction from a lateral side of the light guide plate 32 for forming an accommodation space in the interior, and a LED light emitting module 36 formed as a plurality of LEDs are continuously arranged on a PCB substrate, with the LED light emitting module being inserted into the accommodation space of the bracket. When the LED light emitting module 36 emits light, the light is outputted in the direction of the lateral cross section of the light guide plate 32 for thereby allowing the whole portions of the light guide plate 32 to emit light, so the light guide plate 32 lights the entire surfaces of the sign plate inserted through the slot. A driver can easily recognize a safety message from a distance by largely enhancing a visual or recognition performance of the traffic sign apparatus in the night or in the middle night. Preferably, a reflection sheet 38 might be provided on a back surface of the light guide plate 32. It is provided for preventing the light emitted from a lateral cross section surface of the light guide plate 32 from being distributed in a back surface direction or from being dispersed.

[34] As shown in Figure 5, a battery 40 for supplying an electric power to the LED and a control panel 42 for controlling the light emission of the LED are provided in a lower

inner side of the frame 10. It is preferred to provide the battery 40 for an efficient portability. It is obvious that a common power can be used for supplying the electric power.

[35] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[36] It should be appreciated that the present invention has the following advantages.

[37] First, a traffic sign plate with various traffic guides and alarm messages can be freely exchanged depending on a certain circumference. It is not needed to prepare a plurality of upright sign plates with various traffic guides and alarm messages, so it is not needed to prepare a plurality of upright sign plates with various messages, and only the corresponding sign plate can be exchanged depending on a situation.

[38] Second, a support leg unit can be easily folded or unfolded for thereby enhancing a portability and mobility, and when a support leg unit is folded, a support leg unit might be used as a handle held by a hand for thereby conveniently using the same.

[39] Third, the present invention makes it possible to increase a visibility and recognition performance of a traffic sign plate in night or middle night since the light emitted from a lighting unit can be surface-emitted through a light guide plate, so it is possible to prevent a safety accident.