Unitary stabilizing base

• US 5,755,528 A
• Filed: 06/13/1996
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TrafFix Devices Inc.
• Original Assignee: TrafFix Devices Inc.
• Inventors: Kulp, Jack H., Bechtle, Samuel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graysay, Tamara L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US08/662,602
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/9, 256/1, 256/13.1, 116/63 P
• 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: E01F 9/692 Portable base members therefor

Abstract

A rubber stabilizing base includes a sidewall of a worn out steel belted radial tubeless truck tire. The sidewall is annularly shaped, with an inner edge and an outer edge. An intermediate portion of the rubber stabilizing base contacts the inner edge of the sidewall and joins the sidewall to the intermediate portion. A circumferential wall is connected to the intermediate portion. Both the intermediate portion and the circumferential wall are annular, and the circumferential wall includes at least one locking lip adapted to be engaged with the traffic channelizer drum to thereby connect the traffic channelizer drum to the unitary stabilizing base. An inner portion of the rubber stabilizing base has one or more steps disposed thereon. The steps are grippable by the hand of a user to facilitate easy movement of the rubber stabilizing base.

Claims

1. A unitary stabilizing base adapted for being connected to a traffic channelizer drum, comprising:

a side wall of a vehicle tire, the side wall having an inner edge and an outer edge, and further having a lower side for contacting a horizontal support surface and an upper side opposite the lower side;

an intermediate portion for contacting the inner edge of the side wall and for joining the side wall to the intermediate portion; and

a circumferential wall connected to the intermediate portion, the circumferential wall having at least one locking lip adapted to be engaged with the traffic channelizer drum to thereby connect the traffic channelizer drum to the unitary stabilizing base;

wherein the intermediate portion contacts both the lower side of the sidewall and the upper side of the sidewall.

2. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is annular in shape, the intermediate portion is generally annular in shape, and the circumferential wall is generally annular in shape.

3. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 2, wherein the side wall, the intermediate portion, and the circumferential wall are all generally concentric.

4. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion is molded around the lower side of the sidewall and the upper side of the sidewall.

5. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 4, wherein an adhesive is applied between the intermediate portion and the inner edge of the side wall, before the intermediate portion is molded around the lower side of the sidewall and the upper side of the sidewall.

6. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion and the circumferential wall are integrally molded together.

7. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion and the circumferential wall are integrally molded together of nonvulcanized reclaimed rubber.

8. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 7, further comprising a strengthening agent added to the intermediate portion and the circumferential wall during the molding of the intermediate portion and the circumferential wall.

9. A unitary stabilizing base for detachably holding a traffic channelizer drum above a horizontal support surface, comprising:

an outer portion adapted for contacting the horizontal support surface;

an intermediate portion connected to the outer portion and being disposed radially inwardly of the outer portion, the intermediate portion having an inner surface that defines an aperture in the intermediate portion; and

at least one step disposed on a first portion of the inner surface of the intermediate portion, the step being grippable by a hand of a user and forming a first diameter across the aperture that is smaller than a second diameter across the aperture of a second portion of the inner surface.

10. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 9, further comprising at least one locking lip, connected to the intermediate portion, the locking lip being adapted for engagement with an inner rim of the traffic channelizer drum to thereby connect the traffic channelizer drum to the unitary stabilizing base.

11. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 10, wherein the step comprises a curved surface.

12. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 9, further comprising an inner portion connected to the intermediate portion and being disposed radially inwardly of the intermediate portion, the inner portion having an inner surface that defines a drain aperture in the inner portion.

13. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 12, wherein the unitary stabilizing base is adapted for accommodating a ballast thereon, the ballast fitting over both the drain aperture and the inner portion.

14. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 13, wherein the inner portion is adapted for bending under a weight exerted by the ballast, the bending of the inner portion forming a recess around the drain aperture for accommodating the ballast.

15. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 14, wherein the recess around the drain aperture functions to center the ballast above the unitary stabilizing base.

16. The unitary stabilizing base according to claim 15, wherein the ballast comprises a sandbag.