Device to prevent rolling and rebounding of dropped flares

Abstract

To provide a preventive tool that prevents a flare dropped on a road from rolling or bouncing back and prevents the flare from adhering to a tire even if it comes into contact with a following vehicle. [Solution] A rectangular bag with an opening at one end is filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water, and the opening and the opposite edge are overlapped and welded together to seal the bag. The bag is comprised of a roughly cylindrical body 2 with a hollow section formed inside for inserting a flare. A binding band 7 is arranged around the body's periphery and has a band for fastening the body and a fastening part 8 for preventing the band from loosening. With a flare 10 inserted, the body is fastened with the binding band. This device allows workers to install flares in the correct position without having to step onto the lane when installing temporary tapers. It also allows flares to be installed in the correct position when dropping them from a work vehicle while driving to install them outside the outer lane line.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a device for preventing rollover and rebound of dropped flares. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, lit flares have been placed on highways to notify vehicles traveling on them that emergency traffic restrictions have been put in place due to traffic accidents, construction work, etc., allowing for safe and smooth guidance of vehicles, such as for lane changes.

[0003] For example, a simple guide belt called a temporary taper is set up with lit flares placed around 100m before the start of the traffic restriction zone. On roads with heavy traffic at night, lit flares are dropped by a driving work vehicle and placed outside the outer lane of the road.

[0004] When installing temporary tapers, workers must go onto the traffic lane to install flares, which could result in secondary accidents such as personal injury.

[0005] Additionally, when installing flares by dropping them from a moving work vehicle, there is a risk that the flares may roll or bounce off the road and come into contact with following vehicles, or fly under an overpass, causing a secondary disaster.

[0006] For this reason, measures have been taken such as having workers place flares without going onto the traffic lane and preventing flares from rolling or bouncing off.

[0007] As a measure to prevent flares from rolling, for example, the following techniques have been disclosed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-084363 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-111071

[0009] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for a flare roll-preventing material. This invention prevents flares from rolling on the road by using a flexible and adhesive styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer as the base part attached to the flare.

[0010] Patent Document 2 discloses an invention for an emergency stop indicator installation device, and describes a modified version of this device in which the emergency stop indicator (smoke grenade) is wrapped in an adhesive gel-like substance, and then wrapped in an outer film that breaks upon impact.When this invention is dropped onto the road, the outer film breaks upon impact, and the adhesive strength of the gel-like substance that emerges secures the emergency stop indicator (smoke grenade) to the road surface, preventing the emergency stop indicator (smoke grenade) from rolling away. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the base portion is run over by a following vehicle, the flexibility and adhesiveness of the base portion can cause it to adhere to the tire grooves and engulf the flare.

[0012] In the modified example of the invention described in Patent Document 2, if a following vehicle comes into contact with an emergency stop indicator (smoke grenade) and gel-like substance that have fallen onto the road, the gel-like substance may adhere to the grooves of the tires, causing the vehicle to be engulfed along with the emergency stop indicator (smoke grenade).

[0013] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a device to prevent dropped flares from rolling or bouncing back, which can prevent the flares from sticking to the tires of a following vehicle even if they come into contact with the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to the present invention is as follows: a rectangular bag having an opening at one end filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water, the opening and the edge opposite the opening overlapping and welding to seal the opening, and a roughly cylindrical body having a hollow portion formed inside for inserting a flare; a binding band having a band disposed along the outer periphery of the main body to fasten the main body, and a fixing portion to fix the band so that it does not loosen; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this invention, the dropped flare can be prevented from rolling or bouncing off, and even if it comes into contact with a following vehicle, it can be prevented from sticking to the tire.

[0016] In addition, according to the present invention, when performing work such as installing a temporary taper, the worker can install the flare in the appropriate position without having to go onto the lane.

[0017] In addition, according to the present invention, flares can be placed in the correct position even when dropped by a work vehicle while moving and placed outside the outer lane of the roadway. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded view of the main body of the device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rolling and rebound prevention device for a dropped flare according to the present invention is attached to the flare; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a temporary taper is installed on a road. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] The present invention is not limited to the following description, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device 1 for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a main body 2 of the device 1 for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare comprises a substantially cylindrical main body 2 having a hollow portion 6, and a binding band 7.

[0022] The main body 2 is a rectangular bag 3 with an opening 4 at one end, which is filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water, and then the opening 4 and the edge 5 opposite it are overlapped and welded together to seal the aqueous solution inside so that it does not leak out.The main body 2 is an approximately cylindrical body with a hollow part 6 formed inside, into which a flare 10 can be inserted.

[0023] Flares 10 are road work flares that are dropped onto the road, and include, for example, emergency safety flares with a diameter of 22 mm and road work signal flares with a diameter of 32 mm. The burning time for emergency safety flares is about 5 minutes, while the burning time for road work signal flares is about 5 to 15 minutes, with the burning time for road work signal flares generally being longer.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the bag 3 is a rectangular bag with an opening 4 at one end, has a non-sticky surface, and is made from materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylidene chloride, or other environmentally friendly natural or recycled materials that are not dangerous or harmful.

[0025] It is desirable that the bag 3 is resistant to tearing when dropped onto the road. It is also desirable that the bag melts without leaving any residue when the flare 10 burns. If the burning time of the flare 10 is short, the aqueous solution inside may not evaporate completely and may leave a residue, so it is better for the bag to be small.

[0026] The bag 3 is filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water. For example, this aqueous solution can be prepared by dissolving a water-based thickener as an additive in water as a solvent, and adjusting the viscosity of the aqueous thickener to be higher than water. By doing so, even if the main body 2 is torn or a small hole is created by the impact of being dropped on the road, the aqueous solution inside is less likely to leak than if it were water. Note that the viscosity of this aqueous solution may be adjusted to be thick like water.

[0027] Aqueous thickeners are water-soluble polymers that increase the viscosity of liquids through thickening action, and examples of water-soluble semi-synthetic polymers that can be used include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and other water-soluble synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic acid derivatives, and water-soluble natural polymers such as gelatin, starch, agar, carrageenan, guar gum, and pectin.

[0028] It is desirable that this aqueous solution uses water as a solvent. Furthermore, it is desirable that it evaporates upon combustion of the flare 10 and does not leave any residue. Furthermore, it is desirable that this aqueous solution be treated with antiseptic and antifungal agents. Furthermore, it is desirable that it is not dangerous or harmful.

[0029] The binding band 7 is a band for fastening the main body 2 with the flare 10 inserted in the hollow portion 6. The binding band 7 has a fixing portion 8 for securing the band so that it does not loosen, and the binding band 7 is arranged along the outer periphery of the main body 2, and the band end 9 is passed through the fixing portion 8 and pulled to fasten the main body 2. Note that by leaving the band end 9 protruding from the fixing portion 8, it can be used as a stopper to prevent the flare 10 from rolling.

[0030] The binding band 7 is made of a non-stretchable material, such as nylon. It is also desirable that the binding band 7 is made of a material that does not ignite or leave residue when the flare 10 burns.

[0031] Therefore, with this technical configuration, the kinetic energy of the flare 10 dropped onto the road is reduced due to the viscosity and fluidity of the aqueous solution filled in the main body 2, thereby slowing the rolling of the flare 10 on the road.

[0032] In addition, the impact of the falling flare 10 dropped onto the road is reduced by the viscosity and fluidity of the aqueous solution filled in the main body 2, so that the flare 10 can be prevented from bouncing up on the road.

[0033] Furthermore, the surface of the main body 2 itself is not sticky, so that even if it is run over by a following vehicle, it is difficult for it to adhere to the tire.

[0034] Furthermore, the main body 2 is filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water, so even if the main body 2 is torn or a small hole is created by the impact of being dropped on the road, the aqueous solution inside is less likely to leak than if it were water.

[0035] Furthermore, since the body 2 is fastened with the binding band 7 while the flare 10 is inserted, the flare 10 can be prevented from coming off due to shock caused by dropping it onto the road.

[0036] Furthermore, by having the band end 9 of the binding band 7 protrude from the fixing part 8, the flare 10 can be prevented from rolling on the road.

[0037] Next, the procedure for installing the device 1 for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to the present invention will be described.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rolling and rebound prevention device 1 for a dropping flare is attached to a flare 10. As shown in FIG.

[0039] First, the tip of the flare 10 is inserted into the hollow portion 6, and then the main body 2 is moved to a position about halfway down the flare 10.

[0040] Next, with the binding band 7 arranged along the outer periphery of the main body 2, the band end 9 is passed through the fixing portion 8 and slowly pulled, and the main body 2 is tightened to complete the installation.

[0041] Therefore, according to this attachment procedure, it is possible to prevent the flare 10 from coming off the main body 2 due to an impact such as dropping it onto the road.

[0042] Also, it is very easy to attach to the flare 10.

[0043] Next, a procedure for installing a temporary taper 22 on a road using a flare 10 equipped with a rolling and rebound prevention device 1 for dropped flares according to the present invention will be described.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the temporary taper 22 is installed on the road.

[0045] First, a device 1 for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare is attached to a flare 10, and the lit flare 10 is thrown into the lane 20 from the outside of the outer lane markings 24 at a point about 100 m before the start of the traffic restriction zone 21. The flare 10 thrown into the lane 20 is prevented from rolling or rebounding on the road, and can be placed at the target position.

[0046] Next, flares 10 are thrown into a section of, for example, about 40 m at intervals of about 10 m, and are arranged so as to be able to guide vehicles, for example, for lane changes, and the installation of the temporary taper 22 is completed.

[0047] Therefore, by using the rolling and rebound prevention device 1 for dropped flares in this manner, the worker can install the flares 10 in the correct position without having to go onto the lane 20 when installing the temporary taper 22.

[0048] In addition, the installation work of the temporary taper 22 may be carried out by dropping the flares 10 from a moving work vehicle.

[0049] As described above in detail, the present invention can prevent the flare 10 from rolling or bouncing off on the road, and can also prevent the flare 10 from sticking to the tire of a following vehicle if it comes into contact with the vehicle.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when performing work such as installing the temporary taper 22, the worker can install the flare 10 in the appropriate position without having to go onto the lane 20.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the flares 10 can be placed in the proper position even when dropped by a work vehicle while moving and placed outside the outer lane of the roadway.

[0052] In addition, the present invention is not limited to emergency safety flares, but may also be used for road work signal flares.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to flares 10 with a burning time of 5 minutes, but may also be used for flares 10 with a burning time of 15 minutes.

[0054] This device may also be used in conjunction with other anti-roll devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Devices to prevent rolling and rebounding of dropped flares 2 Main unit 3 bags 4 Openings 5 Edge facing the opening 6 Hollow part 7 Cable ties 8 Fixed part 9 Band End 10 Flares 11 Flare hole 20 lanes 21 Traffic Restrictions 22 Temporary taper 23 Roadside strip 24 Outside lane

Claims

1. a rectangular bag having an opening at one end filled with an aqueous solution adjusted to have a higher viscosity than water, the opening and the edge opposite the opening overlapping and welding to seal the opening, and a roughly cylindrical body having a hollow portion formed inside for inserting a flare; a binding band having a band disposed along the outer periphery of the main body to fasten the main body, and a fixing portion to fix the band so that it does not loosen; A device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare, comprising:

2. The main body is filled with an aqueous solution prepared by dissolving a water-based thickener as an additive in water as a solvent, and the viscosity of the aqueous thickener is adjusted to be higher than that of water.

2. The device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to claim 1.

3. The band end of the binding band protrudes from the fixing portion, 3. A device for preventing rolling and rebounding of a dropped flare according to claim 1 or 2.

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