"Warning Bump" traffic safety device

• US 20050270179A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Kenneth Jr. Fulagar, Scott Allen Pfeiffer, Tim Sherman
• Original Assignee: Robert Kenneth Jr. Fulagar, Scott Allen Pfeiffer, Tim Sherman
• Inventors: Fulagar, Robert Kenneth Jr., Sherman, Tim, Pfeiffer, Scott Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,423,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/529 specially adapted for signalling by sound or vibrations, e.g. rumble strips; specially adapted for enforcing reduced speed, e.g. speed bumps
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/654 in the form of three-dimensional bodies, e.g. cones; capable of assuming three-dimensional form, e.g. by inflation or erection to form a geometric body
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/688 Free-standing bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles

Abstract

A Warning Bump traffic safety device comprised of a base which is inserted over traffic cones or barrels and a strip and extensions, generally trapezoidal in cross section, attached to the base which extends into the roadway which causes both an audible and sensory warning to motorists driving over these strips. This traffic safety device is typically deployed in construction work zones in the buffer and work areas to provide additional warnings to both drivers as they approach a construction work area and additional warnings to both drivers and construction workers if a driver encroaches into lateral buffer area in the work zone. These traffic safety devices also tend to stabilize the cones and barrels.

Claims

1. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) a base with an opening sized to permit said base to be fitted over or attached to a traffic safety device; and

,

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said base.

2. A traffic safety device as described in claim 1, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension, said warning bump to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said base.

3. A traffic safety device as described in claim 2, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

4. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) an anchor plate means to permit attachment to traffic barriers; and

,

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said anchor plate.

5. A traffic safety device as described in claim 4, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said anchor plate.

6. A traffic safety device as described in claim 4, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

7. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) a base with an opening sized to permit said base to be fitted over or attached to a traffic safety device;

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said base; and

c) said traffic safety device being colored with a safety color to enhance visibility.

8. A traffic safety device as described in claim 7, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said base.

9. A traffic safety device as described in claim 7, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

10. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) an anchor plate means to permit attachment to traffic barriers;

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said anchor plate; and

c) said traffic safety device being colored with a safety color to enhance visibility.

11. A traffic safety device as described in claim 10, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said anchor plate.

12. A traffic safety device as described in claim 11, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

13. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) a base with an opening sized to permit said base to be fitted over or attached to a traffic safety device;

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said base; and

c) said warning bump strip containing reflective strips or coatings on one or more upper surfaces to enhance visibility.

14. A traffic safety device as described in claim 13, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said base.

15. A traffic safety device as described in claim 14, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

16. A traffic safety device comprising:

a) an anchor plate means to permit attachment to traffic barriers;

b) a warning bump strip fixedly attached to said anchor plate; and

c) said warning bump strip containing reflective strips or coatings on one or more upper surfaces to enhance visibility.

17. A traffic safety device as described in claim 16, which is further contains means to removeably attach a warning bump extension to the end of said warning bump strip at the end opposite from the point of attachment of said warning bump strip to said anchor plate.

18. A traffic safety device as described in claim 17, which is further comprised of said traffic safety device in which a plurality of said warning bump extensions are removeably attached to each other to extend the length of said warning bump.

19. A means to enhance traffic safety which is comprised of the deployment of one or more warning bump traffic safety devices in one or more of the following areas in construction work zones;

advanced warning area, transition area, buffer area and/or work area to provide audible and sensory warnings to drivers.