Tactile blocks for visually impaired people

Abstract

To provide a block for guiding the visually impaired capable of stably exhibiting anti-slip performance enabling pedestrians to safely walk and run in wet conditions.SOLUTION: A sheet-like guide block 1 for the visually impaired that is laid on a road surface and guides the walking position and walking direction of a visually impaired person, includes: a sheet-like body 2 being square in the plan view and having linear protrusions 21 arranged side by side on the upper surface; a plurality of semi-spherical small projections 3, 3... projecting from the surface of the body 2; and a satin finish surface 4 having a plurality of convex patterns 40, 40... formed on the surfaces of the body 2 and the small projections 3 and being smaller than the small projections 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to technology for guiding blocks for visually impaired persons, and more specifically, to sheet-like guiding blocks for visually impaired persons that are laid on road surfaces to guide the visually impaired persons as to their walking position and direction. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the configuration of guiding blocks for visually impaired persons, which guide or warn visually impaired persons to assist them in walking, has been publicly known, and specifically, the blocks are composed of a main body part that is rectangular in plan view and has dot-like or linear protrusions arranged in parallel on its surface, and are used by being laid on road surfaces, floor surfaces, etc. Proposed guiding blocks for visually impaired persons include those in which the main body part is formed in a block shape using concrete, ceramic, etc., and those in which the main body part is formed in a sheet shape using rubber, synthetic resin, etc.

[0003] This kind of visually impaired guiding blocks are mainly installed on road surfaces outdoors, so they are required to have the same level of walkability and safety as general sidewalk pavement. In particular, visually impaired guiding blocks must have anti-slip properties to prevent general pedestrians such as visually impaired people and elderly people, as well as cyclists, from falling, especially in wet conditions such as during rain or when water is being sprinkled, and to enable them to walk and ride safely.

[0004] As a conventional block for guiding visually impaired persons, for example, a block for guiding visually impaired persons (Braille tile) made of synthetic resin with an uneven pattern formed on the surface of the main body by sandblasting has been proposed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. With this configuration, it is true that the uneven pattern formed directly on the surface of the main body can increase the slip resistance (BPN value), and it can be expected to have a certain degree of slip resistance.

[0005] However, the block for guiding visually impaired persons disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is formed using a molding die (master model) in which blast particles are sprayed at high speed onto the cavity surface of the die to create an uneven shape, so that the shape of the uneven pattern is uneven and depending on the material and size of the blast particles, the desired protruding shape is not obtained. In addition, the height of the uneven pattern on the main body surface (reference surface) is small and extremely minute, so that it is not possible to stably exhibit anti-slip performance that allows pedestrians and the like to walk or run safely in wet conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-33832 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to blocks for guiding visually impaired persons, and aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide blocks for guiding visually impaired persons that can stably exhibit anti-slip performance even in wet conditions, allowing pedestrians and others to walk and run safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0009] That is, in claim 1, the sheet-like block for guiding visually impaired persons is laid on the road surface to guide the visually impaired persons as to their walking position and direction, and comprises a sheet-like main body portion which is rectangular in plan view and has dot-like or linear protrusions arranged in a row on its upper surface, a plurality of hemispherical micro-protrusions protruding from the surface of the main body portion, and a matte surface formed on the surface of the main body portion and the micro-protrusions and having a plurality of convex patterns even smaller than the micro-protrusions.

[0010] In claim 2, the minute protrusions have a height from the reference plane of the main body that is greater than the height of the convex pattern of the matte surface, and is 0.2 to 0.7 mm.

[0011] In claim 3, the minute protrusions are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the matte surface has a height of 0.01 to 0.3 mm from the upper end position of the recesses of the protruding pattern.

[0013] In claim 5, the matte surface is formed so that the upper end position of the recess is constant. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The effect of the present invention is to stably exhibit anti-slip performance that enables pedestrians and the like to walk and run safely even in wet conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of a visually impaired guiding block according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the small protrusions and matte surface formed on the surface of the main body. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the small protrusions and the matte surface. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged photograph of the small protrusions and matte surface formed on the surface of the main body. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of another embodiment of a guiding block for visually impaired people. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the block 1 for guiding visually impaired people in this embodiment is configured as a sheet-like member that is laid on the road surface to guide visually impaired people in their walking position and direction, and specifically, it is configured of a sheet-like main body 2 that is rectangular in plan view (in this embodiment, a square in plan view of 300 mm x 300 mm), a plurality of small protrusions 3 protruding from the surface of the main body 2, and a matte finish 4 formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 and the small protrusions 3.

[0018] The main body 2 is configured as a guide block in accordance with JIS T 9251 (regulations concerning the shape, dimensions and arrangement of protrusions on guiding blocks for visually impaired persons), and is composed of a sheet-like member 20 formed in a quadrangle in a plan view, and a plurality of linear protrusions 21...21... arranged side by side on the upper surface of the sheet-like member 20. In the main body 2 of this embodiment, the protrusions 21 are formed in the shape of a long plate (rod) with a half-dome shape in a cross section, and a plurality (four pieces) of them are arranged side by side and spaced at equal intervals from each other.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the microprotrusions 3 are hemispherical protrusions formed on the surface of the main body 2 (the sheet-like member 20 and the protrusions 21), and the multiple microprotrusions 3·3··· are arranged at a predetermined distance D (see Figure 3). The microprotrusions 3 are shaped as part of a sphere, and do not necessarily have half the volume of a sphere, as long as they are formed to include part of a sphere. The microprotrusions 3 in this embodiment have an outer circumferential surface that is circular in plan view, and are shaped so that the diameter increases vertically downward.

[0020] The microprotrusions 3 are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view over the entire surface of the main body 2, with adjacent microprotrusions 3 spaced a predetermined distance D from each other, and in this embodiment, as an example, the microprotrusions 3 are arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern in plan view. The arrangement of the microprotrusions 3 is not particularly limited, and may be any of an oblique lattice pattern, a square lattice pattern, a rectangular lattice pattern, and a parallelepiped lattice pattern, for example.

[0021] The size of the micro-protrusions 3 is such that the planar width R (see FIG. 3) is 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and the height H1 (see FIG. 5) from the reference plane L of the surface of the main body 2 is constant at 0.2 to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm. The height H1 of the micro-protrusions 3 is the vertical length from the reference plane L (horizontal plane) of the main body 2 to the top of the micro-protrusions 3. If the micro-protrusions 3 are too small, they cannot exhibit stable anti-slip performance, whereas if they are too large, the aesthetic appearance (design) of the visually impaired guiding block 1 is poor, and dust is likely to accumulate and dirt is likely to adhere, resulting in poor maintainability.

[0022] The micro-projections 3 are arranged so that the distance D between the nearest micro-projections 3 is 0.5 to 3.0 mm. In the case of the micro-projections 3 that satisfy the above-mentioned size specifications, the surface of the main body 2 is covered with a unit area (1 cm 2 It is preferable that 10 to 40 microprotrusions 3 are arranged per unit area. If the number of microprotrusions 3 per unit area is small, stable anti-slip performance cannot be exhibited, whereas if the number is large, dust tends to remain and dirt tends to adhere, resulting in poor maintainability.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the matte surface 4 is formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 (the sheet-like member 20 and the protrusions 21) and the micro-protrusions 3, and is configured to have a plurality of matte convex patterns 40·40··· that are even smaller than the above-mentioned micro-protrusions 3. The protrusions 40 are a collection of minute protrusions that have no directionality, and recesses 41 are formed between the protrusions 40. As described later, the matte surface 4 in this embodiment is formed so that the upper end position of the recesses 41 (reference plane L of the main body 2 in this embodiment) is constant during the manufacturing process of the block 1 for guiding visually impaired persons by using a molding die in which a predetermined recessed shape corresponding to the matte surface 4 is formed in the cavity surface by an etching method.

[0024] The matte finish 4 is formed over the entire surfaces of the main body 2 and the micro-protrusions 3, continuously not only on the main body 2 but also on the surfaces of the micro-protrusions 3 protruding from the surface of the main body 2. In other words, the surface of the block 1 for guiding visually impaired persons in this embodiment is covered with the matte finish 4, and a plurality of convex patterns 40·40·· are formed along the horizontal plane of the main body 2 (sheet-like member 20 and protrusions 21) and the surface of the micro-protrusions 3.

[0025] The size of the convex pattern 40 is formed so that the amount of protrusion from the surface of the main body 2 and the fine protrusions 3 is equal to or less than the amount of protrusion of the fine protrusions 3 from the surface of the main body 2, and the height H2 (see FIG. 6) from the upper end position of the recess 41 (reference plane L of the main body 2 in this embodiment) is at least smaller than the height H1 of the fine protrusions 3 (H1>H2), preferably 0.01 to 0.3 mm, and more preferably 0.02 to 0.2 mm. The height H2 of the convex pattern 40 is the vertical length from the upper end position of the recess 41 to the top of the convex pattern 40. If the convex pattern 40 is too small, the anti-slip properties of the fine protrusions 3 cannot be improved, and on the other hand, if it is too large, dust is likely to remain or dirt is likely to adhere, resulting in poor maintenance.

[0026] Known methods can be used for processing the micro-projections 3 and matte surface 4, and representative processing methods include a sandblasting method using blast particles and an etching method using a solvent. In the visually impaired person guiding block 1 of this embodiment, the main body 2, the micro-projections 3, and the matte surface 4 are integrally formed, so an etching method is preferably used, and it becomes possible to simultaneously process the micro-projections 3 and matte surface 4 as an uneven pattern caused by etching on a wide area or curved surface of the main body 2 and the micro-projections 3.

[0027] The material for the block 1 for guiding visually impaired persons is at least one or more selected from the group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, and thermoplastic resin as the main raw material, and the main body 2, micro-protrusions 3, and matte surface 4 are integrally molded by injection molding or the like.

[0028] Examples of rubber that can be used include diene rubbers such as natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), and chloroprene rubber (CR); olefin rubbers such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-butene rubber (EBM), chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSM), and acrylic rubber (ACM, ANM); epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO); silicone rubber (Q); fluororubber; and urethane rubber. These rubbers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0029] Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer that can be used include styrene-based elastomers (TPS), olefin-based elastomers (TPO), polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers (TPVC), polyester-based elastomers (TPEE), urethane-based elastomers (TPU), polyamide-based elastomers (TPA, TPAE), etc. These thermoplastic elastomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0030] Examples of thermoplastic resins include polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), polystyrene resin (PS), polyethylene resin (PE), polypropylene resin (PP), polycarbonate resin (PC), polyamide resin (PA), etc. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] Among the above-mentioned main raw materials, particularly preferred ones include styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), styrene-based elastomer (TPS), urethane-based elastomer (TPU), olefin-based elastomer (TPO), polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS).

[0032] In addition to the above-mentioned main raw materials, various additives such as lubricants, carbon black, silica, titanium dioxide, various pigments, clay, zinc oxide, stearic acid, accelerators, vulcanizing agents, sulfur, stabilizers, deterioration inhibitors, processing aids, tackifiers, plasticizers, waxes, vulcanization accelerators, and extender oils may be added as appropriate.

[0033] As a manufacturing method of the visually impaired guiding block 1, a known method such as injection molding can be adopted as long as it is a method capable of molding the micro-projections 3 and matte surface 4 on the surface of the main body 2. For example, a mold designed to mold the main body 2 of a predetermined shape and dimensions is used to form a molding mold in which a predetermined concave shape corresponding to the micro-projections 3 and matte surface 4 is formed on the cavity surface by etching or the like, and after a release agent is appropriately applied or a coating process is performed on the cavity surface, the material of the main body 2, which is blended to satisfy the physical properties required for a sheet-like guiding block, is suitably injected into the molding mold, whereby the visually impaired guiding block 1 in which the main body 2, the micro-projections 3, and the matte surface 4 are integrally molded can be easily obtained.

[0034] As an example, to manufacture a visually impaired guiding block 1 having the micro-protrusions 3 and matte surface 4 with the specifications (size and arrangement) shown in Table 1, a molding die in which a predetermined concave shape corresponding to the micro-protrusions 3 and matte surface 4 was formed in advance by etching on the cavity surface of the die was used, and a rubber composition containing EPDM as the main raw material and various other additives in a predetermined ratio was injection molded under conditions of an injection temperature of 60 to 90°C, a die temperature of 150 to 180°C, an injection time of 5 to 40 seconds, and a vulcanization time of 180 to 360 seconds, and a visually impaired guiding block 1 with the surface shape shown in Figure 6 was successfully obtained.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] In order to confirm the anti-slip performance of the blocks 1 for guiding visually impaired persons obtained above, the slip resistance value (BPN value) in a wet state was measured using a rubber slider of 6.35 mm × 25.4 mm × 31.75 mm using a British portable skid resistance tester in accordance with ASTM E 303. The slip resistance value was 64 BPN, confirming that the blocks 1 for guiding visually impaired persons of this embodiment have excellent slip resistance.

[0037] As described above, the visually impaired guiding block 1 of this embodiment is a sheet-like block 1 that is laid on the road surface to guide visually impaired people in the walking position and direction, and comprises a sheet-like main body 2 that is square in plan view and has linear protrusions 21 arranged in a row on its upper surface, a plurality of hemispherical micro-protrusions 3·3··· protruding from the surface of the main body 2, and a matte finish 4 that has a plurality of convex patterns 40·40··· formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 and the micro-protrusions 3 and is even smaller than the micro-protrusions 3.Therefore, it is able to stably exhibit anti-slip performance that allows pedestrians and the like to walk and run safely even in wet conditions.

[0038] In other words, the block for guiding visually impaired persons 1 in this embodiment is provided with a plurality of hemispherical micro-protrusions 3·3·· protruding from the surface of the main body 2, and a matte finish 4 having a plurality of convex patterns 40·40·· that are even smaller than the micro-protrusions 3, which is formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 and the micro-protrusions 3. Therefore, the micro-protrusions 3 increase the slip resistance (BPN value) of the surface of the main body 2, thereby achieving anti-slip properties in wet conditions, while the matte finish 4 formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 and the micro-protrusions 3 improves the anti-slip properties provided by the micro-protrusions 3. This in turn prevents general pedestrians such as visually impaired people and the elderly, as well as riding bicycles, from easily falling over, and provides a stable anti-slip performance that allows safe walking and riding.

[0039] In particular, the visually impaired guiding block 1 of this embodiment has a height H1 from the reference plane L of the main body 2 which is greater than the height H2 of the convex pattern 40 on the matte finish 4, being 0.2 to 0.7 mm, and therefore exhibits stable anti-slip performance while having an excellent aesthetic appearance (design) and reducing the accumulation of dust and the adhesion of dirt.

[0040] In addition, since the height H2 of the matte surface 4 of the present embodiment from the upper end position of the recesses 41 of the convex pattern 40 is 0.01 to 0.3 mm, the slip resistance can be effectively improved while also reducing the accumulation of dust and the adhesion of dirt.

[0041] Furthermore, in the matte surface 4 of this embodiment, the upper end positions of the recesses 41 are formed at constant positions, so that accumulation of dust and adhesion of dirt can be effectively reduced, and deterioration of maintainability can be prevented.

[0042] The configuration of the visually impaired guiding block 1 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.

[0043] That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the visually impaired guiding block 1, the micro-protrusions 3 are formed over the entire surface of the main body 2, but the arrangement of the micro-protrusions 3 is not limited to this, and may be formed, for example, only on a part of the sheet-like member 20 and the protrusions 21 of the main body 2. The same applies to the configuration of the matte surface 4, which may be formed only on a part of the surface of the main body 2 and the micro-protrusions 3.

[0044] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the block 1 for guiding visually impaired people, the small protrusions 3 are configured such that the shape of the outer surface is circular in a plan view and the diameter increases as it extends vertically downward. However, the shape of the small protrusions 3 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a hemispherical protrusion that includes a portion of a sphere, and the shape of the outer surface is circular in a plan view and the diameter decreases or extends at the same diameter as it extends vertically downward from the middle.

[0045] In addition, in the embodiment of the guiding block 1 for visually impaired persons described above, it is configured as a guiding block having a plurality of linear protrusions 21·21·· on the main body 2, but the shape of the guiding block 1 for visually impaired persons is not limited to this as long as it is configured in accordance with JIS T 9251 (regulations regarding the shape, dimensions and arrangement of protrusions of guiding blocks for visually impaired persons, etc.), and for example, it may be configured as a warning block in which a plurality of cylindrical dot-like protrusions 21·21·· with an approximately trapezoidal cross-section are provided on the main body 2, as in another embodiment of the guiding block 1 for visually impaired persons shown in Figure 7.

[0046] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the block 1 for guiding visually impaired people, the main body 2 is formed into a square shape of 300 mm x 300 mm when viewed in plan, but such main body 2 (sheet-like member 20) may be formed into any shape as long as it is formed into a quadrangle when viewed in plan, for example, into a rectangle of 300 mm x 600 mm when viewed in plan. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Tactile blocks for visually impaired people 2 Main unit 3 Microprotrusions 4 Pear surface 20 Sheet-like member 21 Protrusion 40 Convex pattern 41 Recess

Claims

1. A sheet-like guide block for visually impaired people that is laid on the road surface to guide the visually impaired people in the walking position and direction. A sheet-like main body having a rectangular shape in a plan view and having dot-like or linear protrusions arranged side by side on an upper surface thereof; A plurality of hemispherical small protrusions protruding from the surface of the main body; a matte surface having a plurality of convex patterns smaller than the microprotrusions formed on the surfaces of the main body and the microprotrusions; A guiding block for visually impaired persons, comprising:

2. 2. The visually impaired guiding block according to claim 1, wherein the height of the minute protrusions from the reference plane of the main body is greater than the height of the convex pattern of the matte surface, and is 0.2 to 0.7 mm.

3. 3. The visually impaired guiding block according to claim 1, wherein the small protrusions are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view.

4. 4. The visually impaired guiding block according to claim 1, wherein the matte surface has a height of 0.01 to 0.3 mm from the upper end position of the recesses of the convex pattern.

5. 5. The visually impaired guiding block according to claim 1, wherein the matte surface is formed so that the upper end positions of the recesses are uniform.

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