Barrier and/or modular cone

• US 6,119,621 A
• Filed: 04/14/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barbara Johnson
• Original Assignee: Barbara Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfield, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, R. Alexander
• Application Number:
  US09/291,291
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 116/63 C, 116/63 R, 116/63 P, 404/9, 404/10, 40/603, 40/605, 40/606, 40/610, 40/612, 256/1, 256/13.1
• US Class Current: 116/63.00C
• 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 13/028 Flexible barrier members, e.g. cords; Means for rendering same conspicuous; Adapted supports, e.g. with storage reel
• 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 9/70 Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular cone. The modular cone includes a tubular member and a selectively collapsible base member coupled to the tubular member, wherein the base member may be selectively collapsed and stored within the tubular member. In addition, different embodiments of the modular cone include reflective surfaces, a self-storing barrier tape, and various caps such as a strobe.

Claims

1. A modular cone, comprising:

a tubular member having an open first end shaped and dimensioned for receipt of a selectively collapsible base member;

the selectively collapsible base member being coupled to the tubular member for selective movement between a stored position in which the base member is stored within the tubular member and a use position in which the base member is retrieved from within the tubular member, the base member including at least three stays resiliently biased outwardly to form a pyramid shape, a fabric cover on the three stays for limiting outward movement of the at least three stays;

the first end of the tubular member including a retaining member shaped and dimensioned to engage a ring member secured at a top of the base member such that the interaction between the retaining member and the ring member prevents the complete withdrawal of the base member from the tubular member while permitting movement of the base member between its said stored position and its said use position.

2. The modular cone according to claim 1, further including a barrier tape.

3. The modular cone according to claim 1, further including a strobe light.

4. The modular cone according to claim 1, further including a sound port.

5. The modular cone according to claim 1, further including a transmitter.

6. The modular cone according claim 1, wherein the three stays are covered with said fabric cover.

7. The modular cone according to claim 1, wherein the base member includes a reflective member.

8. A portable barrier, comprising:

a plurality of modular cones, wherein each modular cone comprises;

a tubular member having an open first end shaped and dimensioned for receipt of a selectively collapsible base member;

the selectively collapsible base member being coupled to the tubular member for selective movement between a stored position in which the base member is stored within the tubular member and a use position in which the base member is retrieved from within the tubular member, the base member including at least three stays resiliently biased outwardly to form a pyramid shape, wherein the base member is shaped and dimensioned to be selectively collapsed and stored within the tubular member, a fabric cover on the three stays for limiting outward movement of the at least three stays;

the first end of the tubular member including a retaining member shaped and dimensioned to engage a ring member secured at a top of the base member such that the interaction between the retaining member and the ring member prevents the complete withdrawal of the base member from the tubular member while permitting movement of the base member between its said stored position and its said use position; and

a barrier member associated with each tubular member for selectively coupling the plurality of modular cones to create an effective barrier.

9. The portable barrier according to claim 8, wherein the three stays are covered with said fabric cover.

10. The portable barrier according to claim 8, wherein the base member includes a reflective member.

11. The portable barrier according to claim 8, wherein the barrier member is a barrier tape stored within the tubular member.

12. The portable barrier according to claim 11, wherein the barrier tape includes a free end including means for attachment to an adjacent modular cone.

13. The portable barrier according to claim 12, wherein the means for attachment is a hook member.

14. The portable barrier according to claim 13, wherein the modular cone includes a recess for receiving the hook member.