Signaling assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a signalling assembly comprising a pyramid-shaped main body (1) with at least three side faces (1a, 1b and 1c) and a base (1d) and at least one support joined by the base (1d) when inserted through a housing (2) of the base (1d) of the main body (1). Wherein the signalling assembly is used to signal and make a social problem visible. The signalling assembly (1) is characterised in that it is foldable and in that the three side faces (1a, 1b and 1c) are permanently connected by lateral edges of the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and a base (1d) permanently connected to at least one side face (1c) by means of at least one strip (7). Wherein at least one side face (1a) comprises a folding line (10) from the top vertex (V) to the midpoint (M) of the base of the side face (1a).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cone-type signalling assembly that helps to signal and raise awareness of a problem.State of the art

[0002] Nowadays, many people have pets that need to perform their physiological needs in public roads and public parks. However, this can sometimes generate an unhealthy problem if the owner of the pet does not pick up the pet's faeces. Due to this situation, there is a need for a product that helps to make society aware of the magnitude of the problem and other possible civic or uncivic problems that may arise from coexistence in society.

[0003] Signalling products or systems for signalling situations or dangers such as patent applications WO2009010609A1, CN109131068A and EP3599310A1 are currently known. On the one hand, patent application WO200901060609A1 describes a detachable polyhedron tetrahedron, i.e. a signalling product that converts a three-dimensional shape into a flat shape when not in use and vice versa without the use of adhesives. However, it is up to the user to know how to assemble and disassemble such a product. On the other hand, the patent application CN109131068A describes a system comprising four lateral warning signs that form a pyramidal structure after lifting and tensioning a tensioning cable connected to the surfaces of the structure. In this case, the formation and thus the use of the signalling product depends on an external element. Finally, patent application EP3599310A1 describes a pyramidal signalling object that can be folded by means of a folding line on one side. However, it does not describe a base or support, so it may be difficult for the user to attach it to the surface or to the object to be signalled.

[0004] GB2191527A is the closest prior art and discloses the features of the preamble of the independent claim.

[0005] Other foldable devices for different purposes are known from publications US4738041A, DE19850657A1, EP0352386A1, US5839590A and EP2799369A1. In particular, the publication US4738041A discloses a display board with a supporting pole itself supported by a polyhedral base. The polyhedral base comprises several panels attached to the side faces of the polyhedral base, the panels provided with slots and tabs to form the base face of the polyhedral base.

[0006] Therefore, it is an aim of the invention an improved signalling assembly, intuitively foldable and deployable, although not necessarily dismountable, which once folded it can be transported easily and without risk for the user and once deployed it remains correctly fixed to the ground. Furthermore, thanks to the signalling set, it is possible to quantify and have figures available to be able to assess the trends and / or severity of the situations or problems mentioned above.Brief description of the invention

[0007] The objective of the invention is a signalling assembly comprising a foldable main body with a pyramidal shape with at least three side faces and a base. In addition, the signalling assembly comprises at least a support capable of being attached to the base of the main body to be fixed to any type of ground or surface.

[0008] The invention is defined in the independent claim 1.

[0009] The main body of the signalling assembly is characterised in that the three side faces are permanently joined by the lateral edges of the side faces and the triangular base is permanently joined to at least one side face by at least a strip which is shorter in length than the edges of the base and the side face it joins.

[0010] On the one hand, the side faces not attached to the base comprise a recess towards the inside of the body, in a lower area located towards the vertex joining them, where the recesses create an inner projection on which the base lies when the main body is unfolded and assembled. In addition, at least one side face not attached to the base comprises a folding line from the upper vertex of the side face to the midpoint of the base to facilitate the folding of the main body. In this way, the signalling assembly is easily transportable, as the pyramidal main body becomes a partially flat body.

[0011] On the other hand, the base comprises a slightly curved surface in a central area with an angularly broken perimeter capable of fitting into the protrusions of the recesses of the adjoining side faces, so that the rigid base forces the face to unfold with the folding line and keeps it firm and the main body unfolded. The base also comprises a central housing of a certain diameter with at least two radial cuts of a diameter larger than the diameter of the housing, through which at least one support is inserted to hold the main body fixed to the ground where it is to be placed. The housing together with the radial cuts facilitates the insertion of the support into the base while at the same time blocking it from slipping out.

[0012] In consequence, an easily and intuitively folding and unfolding signalling set is provided for the transport and fixing on different terrains.Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The details of the invention are shown in the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the main body of the signalling assembly of the invention deployed. Figure 2 shows a top view of the main body of the signalling assembly of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a lower view of the main body of the signalling assembly of the invention when deployed and assembled. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the main body of the signalling assembly of the invention when folded. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the adhesive support of the signalling assembly of the invention. Figure 6 shows a view of another embodiment of the punch holder of the signalling assembly of the invention. Figure 7 shows a detail sectional view of the location of the supports of Figures 5 and 6 in the main body of Figure 1. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] Figures 1 to 4 show a foldable main body (1) which, together with at least one support (3, 4) as shown in Figures 5 and 6, forms a signalling assembly which is the subject-matter of the invention.

[0015] The main body (1) comprises an ergonomic, foldable and self-assembling shape manufactured by thermoforming. Preferably the shape of the main body (1) is pyramidal with at least three side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and a base (1d) with rounded edges and vertices to prevent users from hurting themselves. Wherein a side face (1a) comprises a folding line (10) from the top vertex (V) of the face (1a) to the midpoint (M) of the base of the side face (1a) to facilitate the folding of the main body (1) as shown in Figure 4, i.e. when the side face (1a) is folded inwards along the folding line (10), the side faces (1b, 1c) that do not comprise the folding line (10) are joined by the inner surface.

[0016] The main body (1) is characterised in that it comprises at least three side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) which are permanently joined by lateral edges of the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and a triangular base (1d) is permanently joined to at least one side face (1c) by at least one strip (7) as shown in figures 1 to 4.

[0017] Additionally, as shown in Figure 1, the base (1d) comprises a slightly curved surface with an angularly broken perimeter (6) to fit into protruding portions (5a) inside the adjoining side faces (1a, 1b) and to keep the side face (1a) with the folding line (10) rigid as shown in Figure 3, when the main body (1) is unfolded and assembled. This is because, the side faces (1a, 1b) not attached to the base (1d) comprise a recess (5) in a lower area located towards the vertex that joins them, generating the protruding portion (5a) inside for the support of the base (1d), providing rigidity and stability to the main body (1).

[0018] Preferably, the base (1d) is joined by two strips (7, 7a) that are parallel and comprise a length shorter than the edges of the base (1d) and the side face (1c) joined by them. Where, on the one hand, the strip (7) is wider or comprises a greater height greater than the strip (7a), because the strip (7) is intended to fold inwards to allow the main body (1) to be unfolded and the base (1d) to be inserted inside the main body (1). In other words, when the main body (1) is in unfolded and assembled form, the strips (7, 7a) slightly folded inwards comprise a height that added to the height of the triangle of the base (1d) is equal to the height of the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) as shown in Figure 3. For this purpose, the perimeter (6) must be broken in order to engage the protruding portions (5a) and facilitate the unfolding as mentioned above. On the other hand, the strip (7a) is narrower than the strip (7) because it facilitates full folding in order to embrace the thickness of the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) when folded as shown in Figure 4.

[0019] Figure 4 also shows that when the main body (1) is folded, the strips (7, 7a) embrace the folded side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and the base (1d) is positioned parallel to the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c). In this way, the signalling assembly can be easily transported due to the limited space it occupies when folded, as the three-dimensional pyramidal main body (1) becomes a partially flat triangular body.

[0020] As mentioned above and as can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, the base (1d) comprises a slightly curved surface that is convex when the main body (1) is deployed and that is concave when the main body is assembled, so as to facilitate support on the ground surface. So that the central area of the surface of the base (1d) is closer to the ground. The base (1d) also comprises a central recessed housing (2), i.e. extending towards the interior of the main body (1) and comprising a certain diameter with at least two radial cuts (2a) of a diameter greater than the diameter of the housing (2) making it possible to fix the main body (1) on any ground by means of the introduction of at least one support (3, 4) as shown in Figures 5 and 6, as shown in Figure 7 in more detail.

[0021] Additionally, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the base (1d) also comprises an opening (9) from side to side of a free vertex (9a) further away from the joint with the main body (1), to insert the upper vertex (V) after folding and to facilitate the locking of the folding of the main body (1) as shown in Figure 4. The free vertex (9a) of the base (1d) also comprises protruding tabs (8) at the sides of the vertex (9a) to be grasped by the user and to facilitate the unlocking of the folding of the main body (1).

[0022] Additionally, all the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and the base (1d) comprise rounded edges, so that once the main body (1) is folded, there are no sharp edges that could put the user at risk.

[0023] As mentioned above, the main body (1) once deployed has the capacity to accommodate through the housing (2) of the base (1d) at least one support (3, 4), where the support (3, 4) will depend on the type of surface. The support (3) is suitable for hard surfaces and the support (4) for soft surfaces.

[0024] The support (3) is shown in Figure 5, where it can be seen that the support (3) comprises a flat base (3a) with an adhesive layer (3b) on a lower face to adhere to the ground. On the flat base (3a) there is a rod (3c) with a mushroom-shaped stop (3d) at an upper end. By mushroom-shaped, it is understood that the stop (3d) comprises a base with a diameter wider than that the rod (3c) and tapers to a flat apex of the stop (3d) with a diameter equal to that of the housing (2), thus facilitating the insertion of the support (3) into the housing (2). Furthermore, the diameter of the base of the stop (3d) is larger than the diameter of the housing (2) of the base (1d) of the main body (1), so that thanks to the radial cuts (2a) of the housing (2) the stop (3d) is able to be inserted into the main body (1) and remain locked on the housing (2) as shown in Figure 7. More specifically, Figure 7 shows in greater detail how this introduction of the supports (3, 4) into the housing (2) of the base (1d) is carried out, where it can be seen how the stop (3d) is introduced through the housing (2) with the help of the radial cuts (2a) to subsequently become locked inside the main body (1) as the base of the stop (3d) is larger than the diameter of the housing (2).

[0025] The support (4) however, is a punch as shown in Figure 6 in order to be nailed into soft ground. The support (4) comprises a longitudinal body (4a) with a star-shaped geometry and two ends (4b, 4c). On the one hand, the longitudinal body (4a) comprises grooves that start at the end (4b) and alternate between those that reach and those that approach the end (4c) ending in a point, so that this geometry facilitates driving into soft ground. On the other hand, the proximal end (4c) comprises a narrowing and a stop (4d) in the shape of a mushroom as seen in the stop (3d) of the support (3), so that it fits into the housing (2) of the base (1d) of the main body (1).

[0026] Optionally, the signalling assembly is made entirely of compostable bioplastic materials, in an environmentally friendly way. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the side faces (1a, 1b and 1c) comprise a perimeter (6) with a red perimeter to improve the visibility of the product, inside which information associated with the cause to be signalled or to raise awareness in society can be included.

Claims

1. A signalling assembly comprising a main body (1) with a pyramidal shape with at least three side faces (1a, 1b, 1c), a base (1d) and at least a support (3, 4) joined by the base (1d) of the main body (1), wherein a side face (1a) comprises a folding line (10) from an upper vertex (V) of the side face (1a) to a midpoint (M) of the base of the side face (1a), wherein: - the side faces (1a, 1b and 1c) are permanently joined by lateral edges of the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and the base (1d) is permanently joined to at least the base of one side face (1c) by at least a strip (7), characterised in that - the side faces (1a, 1b) not attached to the base (1d) comprise a lower recess (5) towards the inside of the body (1) and a protruding portion (5a) at the inside formed by the recess (5), and wherein - the base (1d) comprises a slightly curved surface with a perimeter (6) angularly broken to fit into the inner protruding portion (5a) of the side faces (1a, 1b), wherein the base (1d) lies on the protruding portions (5a) when the main body (1) is assembled, and wherein - the base (1d) comprises a central housing (2) with at least two radial cuts (2a) of a diameter larger than the housing (2), through which at least one support (3, 4) is inserted.

2. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the base (1d) is joined by at least two strips (7, 7a) which are parallel and whose length is shorter than the edges of the base (1d) and the side face (1c) joined by them.

3. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the base (1d) comprises an opening (9) from side to side of a free vertex (9a) further away from the junction with the main body (1).

4. Signalling assembly, according to claim 3, wherein the free vertex (9a) of the base (1d) comprises protruding tabs (8) at each side of the free vertex (9a) to facilitate the unlocking of the folding of the main body (1).

5. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the support (3) comprises a flat base (3a) with an adhesive layer (3b) to adhere to the ground and a rod (3c) on the flat base (3a), wherein the rod (3c) comprises a mushroom-shaped stop (3d) at an upper end, wherein the stop (3d) comprises a base diameter greater than the diameter of the housing (2) of the base (1d) and tapers to a flat apex with a diameter equal to the housing (2) of the main body (1).

6. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the support (4) comprises a longitudinal body (4a) with a star-shaped geometry and two ends (4b, 4c), wherein the distal end (4b) ends with a ridged and stepped tip to be nailed into a soft ground and the proximal end (4c) comprises a narrow portion and a mushroom-shaped stop (4d), wherein the stop (4d) comprises a base diameter greater than the diameter of the housing (2) of the base (1d) and tapers to a flat apex with a diameter equal to the housing (2) of the main body (1).

7. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c) and the base (1d) comprise edges that are all rounded.

8. Signalling assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the main body (1) is manufactured by thermoforming and from a bio compostable material.

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