Drop-over base for traffic delineation device

• US 6,019,542 A
• Filed: 01/23/1998
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• 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): LISEHORA, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US09/012,684
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/9, 404/10, 256/1, 256/13.1, 116/63 P, 116/63 C
• US Class Current: 404/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/02 free-standing; portable, e.g. for guarding open manholes E01F9/688 takes precedence; Portable signs or signals specially adapted for fitting to portable barriers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/70 Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices

Abstract

A D-shaped base fits tightly over a barrel to add ballast to the barrel. The base is perimeter weighted to increase resistance to tipping of the barrel. The interior circumference is designed to fit tightly on the barrel. The outer circumference includes a flat portion to resist rolling of the barrel if tipped over. As a result, if the barrel is tipped over, the base stays tightly fitted to the barrel, but if an automobile collides with the barrel, the base releases to reduce the possibility of damage to the automobile or barrel or base.

Claims

1. A traffic delineation apparatus comprising:

a deformable stackable hollow plastic barrel having a top, a bottom, a predetermined height and circumference, and at least one flat outer surface formed in at least the bottom of the barrel, the bottom of the barrel forming an opening and having a radially inwardly extending lip about the circumference of the barrel, the bottom further forming an expanded diameter ledge; and

a toroidal, detachable, low profile, self-ballasting, unitary molded base having a vertical opening therethrough, the base having dimensions and being adapted to receive the barrel through the opening and make a tight fit thereto, the base including;

an upper portion that forms a tapered outer radial surface and an inner radial surface having a predetermined molded shape with a radially inwardly directed tapered lip to engage with the ledge and at least one flat interior surface to fit snugly around substantially the entire circumference of the bottom of the barrel and thereby create a tight fit between the barrel and base when the base is dropped down unto the barrel; and

a ground engaging radially outwardly extending lower portion having a relatively larger cross-sectional area compared to the upper portion and to the cross-sectional area of the barrel, the lower portion having an inner radial ground engaging ring and an outer radial ground engaging ring and forming a series of recessed cusps circumferentially distributed about the base between the inner ring and the outer ring to reduce the weight of the base and to provide perimeter weighting to the base;

whereby the relatively larger cross-sectional area of the lower portion extends significantly circumferentially outwardly beyond the upper portion and the barrel around the entire circumference of the barrel when the base is placed unto the barrel.

2. The traffic delineation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is molded from pure plastic.

3. The traffic delineation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is molded from recycled plastic.

4. The traffic delineation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is molded from plastic filled with inorganic materials.

5. The traffic delineation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is molded from plastic filled with chopped fiberglass.

6. A generally toroidal, detachable, low profile, self-ballasting, unitary molded base having a vertical opening adapted to receive a barrel having at least one flat outer surface therethrough, the base having dimensions and being adapted to receive the barrel through the opening and make a tight fit thereto, the base comprising:

a tapered outer radial surface;

an inner radial surface having a predetermined molded shape with a radially inwardly directed tapered lip to engage with the barrel and at least one flat interior surface to fit snugly around substantially the entire circumference of the barrel and thereby create a tight fit between the barrel and base when the base is dropped down unto the barrel; and

a radially outwardly extending ground engaging portion having a relatively larger cross-sectional area compared to the cross-sectional area of the barrel, the ground engaging portion having an inner radial ground engaging ring and an outer radial ground engaging ring and forming a series of recessed cusps circumferentially distributed about the base between the inner ring and the outer ring.

7. The base of claim 6 further comprising a means for creating suction between the base and a road surface when downward pressure is applied to the base.

8. The base of claim 6 wherein the base is molded from pure plastic.

9. The base of claim 6 wherein the base is molded from recycled plastic.

10. The base of claim 6 wherein the base is molded from plastic filled with inorganic materials.

11. The base of claim 6 wherein the base is molded from plastic filled with chopped fiberglass.