EP0075619A1 - Self-righting traffic marker - Google Patents

Self-righting traffic marker Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0075619A1
EP0075619A1 EP81304440A EP81304440A EP0075619A1 EP 0075619 A1 EP0075619 A1 EP 0075619A1 EP 81304440 A EP81304440 A EP 81304440A EP 81304440 A EP81304440 A EP 81304440A EP 0075619 A1 EP0075619 A1 EP 0075619A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
marker
base
weighted
rock
upright position
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP81304440A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gananath Wimalal Ediriwira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP81304440A priority Critical patent/EP0075619A1/en
Publication of EP0075619A1 publication Critical patent/EP0075619A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/627—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection self-righting after deflection or displacement
    • E01F9/629—Traffic guidance, warning or control posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/654—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection 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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/688—Free-standing bodies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to traffic markers and, more particularly, to self-righting traffic markers which return to their normal erect position after being knocked over.
  • One kind of portable marker or road sign currently in use is the coloured, e.g. red and white, traffic cone.
  • this cone has a number of disadvantages. For example, it is easily toppled over by passing vehicles; it can be blown away by the wind, the upper part of the cone becomes increasingly narrow so as to become less clearly visible and therefore less efficient as a warning sign; and the warning display area is small in proportion to the road space occupied by its base.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a simple but efficient portable traffic marker which reduces or eliminates at least some of the disadvantages associated with the traffic cone.
  • the present invention consists in a portable self-righting traffic marker comprising a generally rigid body having a base on which the marker can rock and including an outwardly flaring region merging with an integral upper part, said base being so weighted or adapted to be so weighted in use that the marker returns to its upright position by itself when it is knocked over.
  • the upper part of the marker is hollow, at least in part, and has an open top so that a plurality of markers can be stacked together.
  • the sides of the upper part of the marker may be provided with apertures to lower the wind resistance of the upper part and/or to allow rainwater collected withinthe upper part to drain out of the upper part.
  • a portable self-righting traffic marker comprises a body 1 of a light material, for example a plastics material such as polyvinylchloride or polyethylene, having a weighted base 2 and a comparatively lighter generally pyramid shaped upper part 3.
  • the outer surface 4 of the base 2 of the body may be sloped, curved, generally part-spherical, e.g. semi-spherical, or otherwise shaped so that the marker can rock thereon, and the bottom of the base is provided with a flat portion 5 which facilitates standing the marker on the ground in the upright position.
  • the base may be weighted in any convenient manner e.g. by pouring concrete or another heavy coherent material into the base, as represented by the shading 2a.
  • the base may comprise a separate compartment having a closable aperture 2b for example in the side of the base, via which sand, soil, water or other heavy material can be introduced into the base.
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of traffic marker comprising a body 1 which may be made of a similar material as the embodiment described above, and which has a weighted base 2 and a comparatively lighter upper part 3.
  • the outer surface 4 of the base 2 may be sloped, curved, generally part-spherical, e.g. semi-spherical, or otherwise shaped so that the marker can rock thereon.
  • the bottom of the base includes a recess 6, the peripheral edge of which provides a land 7 which facilitates standing the marker on the ground in the upright position.
  • the upper part 3 is generally rectangular in shape and increases in its lateral dimensions from the top of the base to the top of the upper part. Two of the opposing sides or walls of the upper part are slightly taller than the remaining two sides.
  • the upper part 3 is hollow and has an open top 8.
  • the sides of the upper part 3- may be provided with apertures or perforations 9 which lower the wind resistance of the upper part.
  • apertures 10 serving as rain vents may be provided in the sides of the upper part a short distance above the base through which rain water which has collected within the upper part can drain.
  • the upper part is so designed that a plurality of markers can be stacked together, i.e. with the lower part of each marker being insertable into the upper part of the adjacent marker via the open top 8.
  • the base may be weighted in a similar manner to the base of the embodiment described above. Further in this embodiment, where a separate base compartment is provided, the closable aperture 2b may be in the wall partitioning the base from the hollow upper part.
  • either embodiment of marker shown in the Figures may be of another shape, for example, the upper part and/or the opening in the top of the upper part may be square, round, triangular, hexagonal or of other polygonal shape in plan view.
  • the marker may also carry information or the like for road users or pedestrians.
  • the markers may bear warning stripes and/or indicate speed limits.
  • the markers may be provided with reflectors, cats-eyes, or warning lights.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

A portable self-righting traffic marker comprises a generally rigid body (1) having a base (2) on which the marker can rock and includes an outwardly flaring region (4) merging with an integral upper part (3). The base is so weighted that in use the marker returns to its upright position by itself when it is knocked over.

Description

  • The present invention relates to traffic markers and, more particularly, to self-righting traffic markers which return to their normal erect position after being knocked over.
  • One kind of portable marker or road sign currently in use is the coloured, e.g. red and white, traffic cone. However, this cone has a number of disadvantages. For example, it is easily toppled over by passing vehicles; it can be blown away by the wind, the upper part of the cone becomes increasingly narrow so as to become less clearly visible and therefore less efficient as a warning sign; and the warning display area is small in proportion to the road space occupied by its base.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a simple but efficient portable traffic marker which reduces or eliminates at least some of the disadvantages associated with the traffic cone.
  • The present invention consists in a portable self-righting traffic marker comprising a generally rigid body having a base on which the marker can rock and including an outwardly flaring region merging with an integral upper part, said base being so weighted or adapted to be so weighted in use that the marker returns to its upright position by itself when it is knocked over.
  • Conveniently, the upper part of the marker is hollow, at least in part, and has an open top so that a plurality of markers can be stacked together. Further, the sides of the upper part of the marker may be provided with apertures to lower the wind resistance of the upper part and/or to allow rainwater collected withinthe upper part to drain out of the upper part.
  • In order that the invention may be more readily understood, as well as the objects and advantages thereof, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which;
    • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of traffic marker according to the invention, and
    • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment.
  • Referring to Figure 1, a portable self-righting traffic marker comprises a body 1 of a light material, for example a plastics material such as polyvinylchloride or polyethylene, having a weighted base 2 and a comparatively lighter generally pyramid shaped upper part 3. The outer surface 4 of the base 2 of the body may be sloped, curved, generally part-spherical, e.g. semi-spherical, or otherwise shaped so that the marker can rock thereon, and the bottom of the base is provided with a flat portion 5 which facilitates standing the marker on the ground in the upright position.
  • The base may be weighted in any convenient manner e.g. by pouring concrete or another heavy coherent material into the base, as represented by the shading 2a. Alternatively, the base may comprise a separate compartment having a closable aperture 2b for example in the side of the base, via which sand, soil, water or other heavy material can be introduced into the base.
  • In use, when the marker is knocked over the weight and shape of the base allow the marker to rock on the base and return to its upright position as shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of traffic marker comprising a body 1 which may be made of a similar material as the embodiment described above, and which has a weighted base 2 and a comparatively lighter upper part 3. Again the outer surface 4 of the base 2 may be sloped, curved, generally part-spherical, e.g. semi-spherical, or otherwise shaped so that the marker can rock thereon. The bottom of the base includes a recess 6, the peripheral edge of which provides a land 7 which facilitates standing the marker on the ground in the upright position.
  • The upper part 3 is generally rectangular in shape and increases in its lateral dimensions from the top of the base to the top of the upper part. Two of the opposing sides or walls of the upper part are slightly taller than the remaining two sides. The upper part 3 is hollow and has an open top 8. The sides of the upper part 3-may be provided with apertures or perforations 9 which lower the wind resistance of the upper part. In addition, apertures 10 serving as rain vents may be provided in the sides of the upper part a short distance above the base through which rain water which has collected within the upper part can drain.
  • In this embodiment, the upper part is so designed that a plurality of markers can be stacked together, i.e. with the lower part of each marker being insertable into the upper part of the adjacent marker via the open top 8.
  • The base may be weighted in a similar manner to the base of the embodiment described above. Further in this embodiment, where a separate base compartment is provided, the closable aperture 2b may be in the wall partitioning the base from the hollow upper part.
  • Again, when the marker is toppled over it returns to its upright position by virtue of the weight and shape of the base on which the marker can rock.
  • It will be appreciated that either embodiment of marker shown in the Figures may be of another shape, for example, the upper part and/or the opening in the top of the upper part may be square, round, triangular, hexagonal or of other polygonal shape in plan view.
  • The marker may also carry information or the like for road users or pedestrians. For example, the markers may bear warning stripes and/or indicate speed limits. Alternatively, or in addition, the markers may be provided with reflectors, cats-eyes, or warning lights.

Claims (10)

1. A portable self-righting traffic marker which is characterized by a generally rigid body (1) having a base (2) on which the marker can rock and including an outwardly flaring region (4) merging with an integral upper part (3), said base being so weighted or adapted to be so weighted in use that the marker returns to its upright position by itself when it is knocked over.
2. A marker as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (3) is hollow at least in part, and has an open top (8) so that a plurality of markers can be stacked together.
3. A marker as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sides of the upper part (3) are provided with apertures (9) or (10) to permit the wind resistance of the upper part to be lowered and/or to allow rainwater collected within the upper part to drain out of the upper part.
4. A marker as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (3) is of closed form.
5. A marker as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base is weighted with poured concrete or other coherent heavy material (2a).
6. A marker as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) is formed with a separate compartment having a closable aperture (2b) via which material to weight the base can be introduced into the base.
7. A marker as claimed in claim 6, as dependant on claim 2, characterized in that the aperture (2b) is provided in a wall partitioning the base (2) from the hollow upper part (3).
8. A marker as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the base (2) is provided with a flat portion (5) to facilitate standing the marker on the ground in the upright position.
9. A marker as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bottom of the base (2) is provided with a recess (6) the peripheral edge of which provides a land (7) for facilitating standing the marker on the ground.
10. A marker as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) is generally of part- sperical shape to enable the marker to rock thereon.
EP81304440A 1981-09-25 1981-09-25 Self-righting traffic marker Ceased EP0075619A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP81304440A EP0075619A1 (en) 1981-09-25 1981-09-25 Self-righting traffic marker

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP81304440A EP0075619A1 (en) 1981-09-25 1981-09-25 Self-righting traffic marker

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0075619A1 true EP0075619A1 (en) 1983-04-06

Family

ID=8188411

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81304440A Ceased EP0075619A1 (en) 1981-09-25 1981-09-25 Self-righting traffic marker

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0075619A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2580008A1 (en) * 1985-04-03 1986-10-10 Ionica Pierre Road marker
ES2219155A1 (en) * 2002-08-19 2004-11-16 Francisco J. Villar Cloquell Metastable signaling support, has compensating system recovering signal to original position after action of wind, and counterbalance made of different materials, where force is exerted on one end

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2002756A (en) * 1934-01-24 1935-05-28 Segelhorst George Marker
DE1701209U (en) * 1954-11-27 1955-06-23 Heinrich Brauch Fa WARNING BUOY FOR ROAD TRAFFIC.
US3386409A (en) * 1967-05-16 1968-06-04 Dietz Co R E Self-righting traffic cone
DE1801621A1 (en) * 1968-10-07 1970-05-27 Rausch Kg Maschf Broaching machine with two broaching needles operated at the same time
US3699913A (en) * 1971-06-03 1972-10-24 Willis T Sautbine Self-righting marker
DE7406843U (en) * 1974-11-14 Lauterbach W Street buoy

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7406843U (en) * 1974-11-14 Lauterbach W Street buoy
US2002756A (en) * 1934-01-24 1935-05-28 Segelhorst George Marker
DE1701209U (en) * 1954-11-27 1955-06-23 Heinrich Brauch Fa WARNING BUOY FOR ROAD TRAFFIC.
US3386409A (en) * 1967-05-16 1968-06-04 Dietz Co R E Self-righting traffic cone
DE1801621A1 (en) * 1968-10-07 1970-05-27 Rausch Kg Maschf Broaching machine with two broaching needles operated at the same time
US3699913A (en) * 1971-06-03 1972-10-24 Willis T Sautbine Self-righting marker

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2580008A1 (en) * 1985-04-03 1986-10-10 Ionica Pierre Road marker
ES2219155A1 (en) * 2002-08-19 2004-11-16 Francisco J. Villar Cloquell Metastable signaling support, has compensating system recovering signal to original position after action of wind, and counterbalance made of different materials, where force is exerted on one end

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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AK Designated contracting states

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17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19831005

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

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18R Application refused

Effective date: 19860126