Patent Application
20110083350
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A warning sign for use around hazardous sites such as hydrocarbon wells and production and processing equipment. In general, the sign includes a frame having a print receiving surface of sufficient size to display location, materials, and site identifying information. The frame is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis whereby, the size and shape of the sign and the location of the pivot axis are arranged to permit, the sign to pivot with wind currents to indicate wind direction to allow an approach to the equipment in a downwind direction from an upwind location. The pivot is designed so that the sign can be supported on a variety of shaped support posts. The sign also includes a wind speed indicator, which provides information regarding the relative danger from gas leaks at the equipment from hazardous materials.
These and other features and advantages of the present inventions will be more readily appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which an embodiment of the apparatus is illustrated.
The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate examples according to the current most-preferred embodiments of the present inventions. The drawings are only for illustrating a preferred and alternative example of the inventions and are not to be construed as limiting the inventions to only the illustrated and described example. The drawings include the following figures:
Leaks or discharges of toxic gasses at hazardous sites such as oil wells, processing equipment, pipeline pumping equipment, gas storage tanks, and the like present a potentially dangerous situation for personnel working in the area. For example, toxic natural gas can be colorless and odorless. Estimating wind direction and speed is inexact in determining danger levels and approaches.
Government regulations regarding hydrocarbon well heads require signs be present at the site identifying the particular well. In fields where numerous closely spaced wells are present, identifying a particular well requires approaching the sign to determine the identity of the well. These signs are fixed in place and require an approach facing the sign to read the identifying information. In some wind conditions the approach to the sign can be in a dangerous up wind direction.
As used herein, corrugated material includes corrugated paperboard or “cardboard” and at least two outer sheets called liners joined together by corrugated shaped sheets called fluting. For example, double wall corrugated material has three separate liners separated by two fluting sheets. The fluting sheet forms a plurality of elongated voids between the liners that extend across the corrugated material. Fluting direction, as used herein, refers to the direction parallel the extension of the voids formed by the fluting sheet.
As used herein, each of the words “comprise,” “has,” and “include” as well as all grammatical variations thereof are intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that do not exclude additional elements or steps. It should also be understood that, as used herein, “first,” “one,” “second,’ and “third” are arbitrarily assigned to structure or items and are merely intended to differentiate, as the case may be, and do not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the mere use of the term “first’ or “one” does not require that there be any “second,” and the mere use of the word “second” does not require that there be any “third,” etc. Up and down are used in reference to the top and bottom of the referenced drawing and may or may not necessarily refer to the actual directions.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein reference numbers are used to designate like or corresponding parts, there is illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the post 12 is vertically extending and has a cylindrical external surface, however, as discussed herein, the pivot assembly (not shown in
The sign board assembly 14 is illustrated as having two opposed rectangular shaped panel surfaces 16, however, it is envisioned that other surface shapes would be functional. The panel surfaces 16 are illustrated as being planar and of a size for receiving indicia providing identifying marking and warning information. In the illustrated embodiment, the rectangular shaped panel surfaces 16 are about 14 inches high and 32 inches wide.
As can be seen in the top plan view,
In the illustrated embodiment the pivot assembly and its vertical post 12 are eccentrically located closer to the converging end 18 than the diverging end 20 of the sign board 14. In
A wind speed warning indicator assembly 22 is mounted on the sign board 14. The indicator 22 comprises a wind plate 24 pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 26. Pivot shaft 26 is supported from the sign board 14 adjacent to the diverging end 20. The pivot axis, created by the shaft 26, generally extends horizontally. As shown in
Interior details of the sign assembly 10 are illustrated in
Details of the sign board pivot assembly 50 are illustrated in
An alternative embodiment of a sign board pivot assembly is illustrated in
When the sign has been installed at a hazardous site, such as a hydrocarbon well head, the sign will rotate to a position indicating the wind direction and speed. Personnel can approach the site from a direction facing the sign board panels 32. This direction is cross wind from the well and is relatively safe under most wind conditions. When close enough to read the indicia 48 on the panel, the individual can verify the identity of the site and whether hazardous materials are present. An approach from a downwind direction from an upwind location can then be made to the site to avoid hazardous leaks on the downwind side.
It is to be understood that numerous modifications, alterations, and changes can be made in the inventions without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims. It is the intention to cover all embodiments and forms of the inventions within the allowable scope of the claims.
