Metal-capped traffic surface adapter

Abstract

A metal-capped device in the form of a traffic surface adapter is disclosed, the device being arranged to be positioned on a localised area of a (pedestrian or vehicular) traffic surface 31 for the purpose of adapting (i.e., modifying) the characteristics of the surface. The device in one of its possible forms comprises a tactile marker having a plastics material first portion 20 incorporating a head 21 that is arranged in use to sit on the traffic surface. A depending projection 22 is formed integrally with the head and is arranged in use to locate within a recess 30 in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ. Two or more spaced-apart apertures 26 are formed in the head, and a metal cap 27 is provided to overfit the head. The metal cap has depending tabs 37 that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures 26 in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive to the head.

1 . A metal-capped device arranged for positioning on a traffic surface and comprising:
 a) a plastics material first portion having a head that is arranged in use to sit on the traffic surface, a depending projection that is arranged in use to locate within a recess in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ, and at least two spaced-apart apertures formed in the head, and   b) a metal cap that is shaped and sized to overfit the head, the metal cap having depending tabs that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive.   
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metal cap is formed from pressed metal. 
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the metal cap is formed over at least a part of its surface area with a plurality of protuberances. 
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein an apex of each of the protuberances is apertured. 
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a pressed metal ring is provided to overfit a peripheral portion of the head of the first portion of the device. 
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the ring is held in place by the metal cap. 
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the ring is formed from the same metal as the metal cap. 
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the ring is formed from a metal that is different from that from which the cap is formed. 
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  any one wherein the depending projection comprises a stem that is formed integrally with the head of the first portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a drilled hole. 
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the depending projection comprises a cruciform-shaped projection that is formed integrally with the head of the first portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a similarly-shaped sawn recess. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the depending projection comprises a strip that is formed integrally with the head portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a sawn groove in the traffic surface. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein a plurality of the heads is located at spaced intervals along the length of the strip. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the head and the metal cap are circular. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each of the heads and associated metal caps are circular. 
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the head and the metal cap have an elongate form. 
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the ring has an elongate form. 
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a retaining device is provided to locate within the recess into which the depending projection is in use positioned, to assist in retaining the depending projection. 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein a second portion is provided to assist in retaining the depending projection, the second portion comprising a bush that has an outside diameter that is sized to be a press fit into a hole that, in use, is drilled into the traffic surface and an inside dimension that is arranged to receive and effect an interference fit on the stem of the first portion.