High-density, low profile traffic channelizer base

• US 5,451,118 A
• Filed: 11/23/1994
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flex-O-Lite Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flex-O-Lite Inc.
• Inventors: Wilkins, David M., Huntington, George K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): LISEHORA, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US08/344,355
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/9, 404/10, 404/12, 404/13, 256/13.1, D10/109, 40/612, 116/63 P, 116/63 C, 220/603, 248/910
• 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

Abstract

An improved two-piece, detachable traffic device features a high-density, low-profile solid base. The base is, preferably, made of a molded unitary composition made of recycled rubber products, such as, spent motor vehicle tires. Further, it is molded such that it can be stacked for ease of storage with similar bases. The combined high-density and low profile aspects of the base cooperate to ensure both that the base remains stationary during use and can easily be traveled over by a vehicle without damage resulting to the base or the vehicle.

Claims

1. A low profile self-ballasting base for traffic control barrels comprising a dense, compact, resilient platform, the base being at least partially formed of recycled rubber from automobile tires, the base having an upper barrel engaging pedestal portion and a lower surface for contacting a roadway, the pedestal portion having peripheral means for releasably engaging a complementary shaped traffic barrel, the releasably engaging means being releasable on impact of a motor vehicle with the barrel, the lower surface of the base having a peripheral ground engaging portion, the ground engaging portion having an inner periphery thereof, the lower surface of the base having a plurality of voids therein, the voids terminating at the inner periphery of the ground engaging portion and extending inwardly therefrom, the lower surface of the base further having a plurality of radially extending webs thereon, the webs separating adjacent voids in the lower surface of the base, the webs terminating at the inner periphery of the ground engaging portion and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the webs and voids cooperating to provide weight reduction and strength to the base, the base being sufficiently heavy that additional ballast is not required and the base is substantially self-ballasting when combined with a traffic channelizer barrel.

2. The base of claim 1 wherein the base weighs between about 30 and 50 pounds.

3. The base of claim 1 wherein the base has a central aperture extending therethrough, the central aperture having means for receiving and supporting a traffic delineator therein.

4. The base of claim 3 wherein the voids are circumferentially distributed around the central aperture.

5. A low profile self-ballasting base for traffic control barrels comprising a dense, compact, resilient platform, the base being at least partially formed of recycled rubber from automobile tires, the base weighing between about 30 and 50 pounds, the base having an upper barrel engaging pedestal portion and a lower surface for contacting a roadway, the pedestal portion having peripheral means for releasably engaging a complementary shaped traffic barrel, the engaging means being releasable on impact of a motor vehicle with the barrel, the base having a central aperture extending therethrough, the base having a boss extending around the central aperture, the central aperture having means for receiving and supporting a traffic delineator therein, the lower surface of the base having a plurality of voids therein, the voids being circumferentially distributed around the central aperture, the lower surface further having a plurality of radially extending webs therein, the webs extending radially from the boss around the central aperture, the webs separating adjacent voids, the webs and voids cooperating to provide weight reduction and strength to the base, the base being sufficiently heavy that additional ballast is not required and the base is substantially self-ballasting when combined with a traffic channelizer barrel.

6. A low-profile self-ballasting base for traffic control barrels comprising a dense, compact, resilient platform, the base being at least partially formed of recycled rubber from automobile tires, the base having upper barrel engaging pedestal portion and a lower surface for contacting a roadway, the pedestal portion having peripheral means for releasably engaging a complementary shaped traffic barrel, the engaging means being releasable on impact of a motor vehicle with the barrel, the base having a central aperture extending therethrough, the base having a boss extending around the central aperture, the central aperture having means for receiving and supporting a traffic delineator therein, the lower surface of the base having a plurality of voids therein, the voids being circumferentially distributed around the central aperture, the lower surface further having a plurality of radially extending webs therein, the webs extending radially from the boss around the central aperture, the webs separating adjacent voids, the webs and voids cooperating to provide weight reduction and strength to the base, the base being sufficiently heavy that additional ballast is not required and the base is substantially self-ballasting when combined with a traffic channelizer barrel.