Traffic delineator

• US 6,014,941 A
• Filed: 02/29/1996
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bent Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Bent Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Bent, James A., Bent, Bruce C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HIRSHFELD, ANDREW HOWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/610,168
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 116/63 P, 116/63 C, 116/63 R, 404/6, 404/9-14, 40/602, 40/612, D10/109, D10/111-114, 256/13.1, 256/65, 256/66, 256/1, 403/192, 403/263, 403/194, 403/201, 182/228.4
• US Class Current: 116/63.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/688 Free-standing bodies

Abstract

A traffic delineator includes a cylinder and a base. The base has a hole therethrough to permit the cylinder to be inserted into the base and the base then holds the cylinder down. A grip is formed in the center section of the cylinder to increase ease of carrying the delineator. The cylinder may also include a handle and means for affixing traffic warning lights and flags. The base may include means for holding removable ballast. The cylinder is formed by blow molding.

Claims

1. A traffic delineator having a cylinder with a predetermined height and circumference and comprising an upper end, a lower end that flares into an outwardly extending flange, and a handle formed into the cylinder at a predetermined longitudinal position substantially at the center of gravity of the delineator when the delineator includes a base mounted on the outwardly extending flange, the handle comprising opposing angled interior walls that each form a vertex, said walls passing through the cylinder such that the vertex of each wall is generally directed towards the opposing vertex to facilitate gripping by a human hand.

2. The delineator of claim 1 further comprising an upper handle formed proximate the upper end.

3. The delineator of claim 1 wherein the handle forms a channel formed across the diameter of the cylinder.

4. The cylinder of claim 1 further comprising means for mounting a traffic warning light thereon.

5. A traffic delineator including a blow-molded integral unitary cylinder having a predetermined height, diameter and circumference, the cylinder comprising:

an upper end having a first handle formed therein;

a lower end that flares into an outwardly extending flange, the flange having a circumference greater than the circumference of the cylinder; and

a central section connecting the upper end and the lower end and having a second handle formed into the cylinder at a predetermined longitudinal position that is substantially at the center of gravity of the delineator when the delineator includes a base of a predetermined size mounted on the outwardly extending flange, said second handle comprising opposing angled interior walls that each form a vertex, said walls passing through the cylinder such that the vertex of each wall is generally directed towards the opposing vertex to facilitate gripping by a human hand.

6. The traffic delineator of claim 5, including the base, wherein the base has a generally planar bottom surface adapted to rest on a road surface and forms a central circular opening in a direction perpendicular to the base surface.

7. The traffic delineator of claim 6 further comprising means for adding ballast to the base.

8. The traffic delineator of claim 5 wherein the second handle comprises a channel formed across the diameter of the cylinder.

9. The traffic delineator of claim 5 further comprising means for mounting a traffic warning light.

10. A traffic delineator adapted to be placed on a road surface by a human hand, comprising:

a base having a generally planar bottom surface adapted to rest on the road surface and forming a central circular opening with a predetermined diameter in a direction perpendicular to the base surface; and

a blow-molded integral unitary cylinder having a predetermined height and circumference detachably disposed in the circular opening in the base and extending upwardly from the base, the cylinder having an exterior surface with a diameter less than the diameter of the circular opening in the base, the cylinder including;

an upper end having a handle formed therein and including means for mounting a traffic warning light thereon, the handle being sized so that it may pass through the circular opening in the base, the upper end comprising a means for mounting retroreflective sheeting thereon;

a lower end that flares into an outwardly extending flange, the flange having a radial diameter greater than the diameter of the circular opening in the base and engaging the base surface so that the cylinder is supported in an upright position by said base when the traffic delineator is placed on the road surface; and

a central section connecting the upper end and the lower end and having a second handle formed into the cylinder at a predetermined longitudinal position that is substantially at the center of gravity of the delineator when the base is dropped down over the cylinder, the second handle comprising opposing angled interior walls that each form a vertex, said walls passing through the cylinder such that the vertex of each wall is generally directed towards the opposing vertex to facilitate gripping by a human hand.

11. The traffic delineator of claim 10 wherein the second handle comprises a pair of opposing cavities formed in the exterior surface of the cylinder.

12. The traffic delineator of claim 10 further comprising means for adding ballast to the base.