Traffic channeling devices

• US 5,234,280 A
• Filed: 03/30/1992
• Issued: 08/10/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Plastic Safety Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Plastic Safety Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Cowan, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P.
• Application Number:
  US07/860,179
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/9, 256/1, 256/13.1, 248/548, 248/910, 248/520, 40/606, 40/612
• US Class Current: 404/6
• 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: Y10S 248/91 Weighted base

Abstract

Traffic channeling device includes a deformable plastic drum and a rubber collar insertable over the drum to act as ballast for the drum. The rubber collar comprises a bead portion and an integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire. When the rubber collar is inserted over the drum, the rubber collar gives the drum a relatively low center of gravity and grips the ground over a relatively large surface area to resist tipping of the drum and eliminate walking of the drum on the ground.

Claims

1. A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said drum having a radially outwardly and axially downwardly tapering skirt portion adjacent a bottom edge of said drum for resisting pullout of said drum from said rubber collar means.

2. The traffic channeling device of claim 1 further comprising integral flange means extending radially outwardly from said skirt portion.

3. The traffic channeling device of claim 2 further comprising stiffening ribs integral with said skirt portion and said flange means.

4. The traffic channeling device of claim 3 wherein said stiffening ribs initially extend downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 25°

for a portion of their height and then downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 40°

for the remaining portion of their height.

5. The traffic channeling device of claim 3 wherein said skirt portion extends downwardly and outwardly adjacent said bottom edge of said drum at an angle of approximately 20°

.

6. The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said rubber collar means comprises a relatively rigid bead portion and a relatively non-rigid integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire.

7. The traffic channeling device of claim 6 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means has an inner periphery defining an opening through which said drum extends up to said skirt portion, and said side wall portion of said rubber collar means extends radially outwardly and axially downwardly from said bead portion for substantial flat engagement with a surface on which said drum is placed.

8. The traffic channeling device of claim 7 wherein said inner periphery of said bead portion has a diameter greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said drum adjacent an upper end of said skirt portion and less than the maximum transverse dimension of said skirt portion.

9. The traffic channeling device of claim 8 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means leaving said rubber collar means behind.

10. The traffic channeling device of claim 9 wherein said drum is made of a high or low density polyethylene.

11. The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said collar means has a loose fit on said drum to allow said drum to flex and vibrate under traffic and wind conditions without tipping over.

12. The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said drum is generally oval shape to minimizes rolling of said drum when tipped over.

13. The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said rubber collar means are adapted to be inserted over said drum in stacked relation to act as ballast for said drum.

14. The traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means insertable over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a bead portion and an integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire, said bead portion having an inner periphery defining an opening through which said drum extends, and said side wall portion extends radially outwardly and axially downwardly from said bead portion for substantial flat engagement with a surface on which said drum is placed.

15. The traffic channeling device of claim 14 further comprising means adjacent a bottom edge of said drum for resisting pullout of said drum from said rubber collar means, said drum being deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said behind.

16. The traffic channeling device of claim 15 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit on said drum to allow said drum to flex and vibrate under traffic and wind conditions without tipping over.

17. The traffic channeling device of claim 14 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means is thicker than said side wall portion and includes steel reinforcing, whereby said bead portion is heavier and more rigid than said side wall portion.

18. The traffic channeling device of claim 17 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means, said rubber collar means having a generally ramp-like shape making it easy for a vehicle to drive over said rubber collar means without causing damage to the vehicle after said drum has been dislodged from said rubber collar means upon impact.

19. The traffic channeling device of claim 17 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit over said drum, whereby in the event said drum should tip over, said rubber collar means will move up on said drum and said side wall portion will flatten but where said side wall portion contacts said surface, making it more difficult for said drum to roll.

26. The traffic channeling device of claim 14 wherein said drum includes a plurality of recessed surfaces to protect bands of reflective sheeting applied to one or more of said recessed surfaces against damage during stacking of said drums.

20. A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a relatively rigid bead portion and a relatively non-rigid integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire.

21. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means has an inner periphery defining an opening for insertion of said rubber collar means over said drum.

22. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 further comprising means for resisting pull out of said drum from said rubber collar means.

23. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit on said drum, whereby in the event said drum should tip over, said rubber collar means will move up on said drum and said side wall portion will flatten out where said side wall portion contacts said surface, making it more difficult for said drum to roll.

24. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is generally cylindrical in shape and has a multi-faceted flange extending radially outwardly from said skirt portion to minimize rolling of said drum when tipped over.

25. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is stepped radially inwardly at discrete intervals along the axial length of said drum from bottom to top to facilitate stacking of said drums.

27. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means includes steel reinforcing, whereby said bead portion is heavier and more rigid than said side wall portion.

28. The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means, said rubber collar means having a generally ramp-like shape making it easy for a vehicle to drive over said rubber collar means without causing damage to the vehicle after said drum has been dislodged from said rubber collar means upon impact.