GB2090625A - Hazard warning marker - Google Patents

Abstract

A marker for use as a road cone or as a buoy comprises a rigid base 1 and a rotationally moulded generally conical bellows-like inflatable portion 2. The base includes an upwardly open channel 6 to contain ballast. surrounding the generally conical portion. A lid 14 may be provided for closing the channel. When the generally conical portion 2 is deflated it collapses into a recess 12 in the base. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hazard warning markers The invention relates to hazard warning markers which can be placed on a road for traffic control or to indicate an obstacle to oncoming traffic.

The invention provides a hazard warning marker comprising a rigid base containing or adapted to contain ballast, and an inflatable portion joined to the base and which, when inflated, assumes an upstanding generally conical shape.

The marker can be stored and transported with the generally conical portion deflated so that it only takes up a small amount of space. The use of a rigid base may provide the marker with a high degree of stability so that, in use, it is not easily overturned or moved by the wind.

The base preferably includes an upwardly open endless channel for the ballast, which surrounds the inflatable portion. The channel may be filled with any suitable ballast which is to hand such as water or earth. A lid member may be provided for closing the channel.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the base includes a recess into which the inflatable portion can be packed when deflated, thus providing a degree of protection for the inflatable portion during storage and transport. The inflatable portion is preferably joined to the base around the periphery of the recess and the wall of the inflatable portion is preferably convoluted to form annular ridges enabling the inflatable portion to collapse in a bellows-like manner into the recess when it is deflated.

There is preferably an opening at the apex of the generally conical inflatable portion, provided with a closure member, for inflation and deflation.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical section through a hazard warning marker.

The marker comprises an injection moulded rigid plastics base 1 and an inflatable portion 2 of generally conical shape.

The base comprises a disc-shaped bottom wall 3, and upstanding co-axial inner and outer cylindrical walls, 4 and 5, which define between them an upwardly open channel 6. The inflatable portion 2 is rotationally moulded of polyvinyl chloride and has a wall thickness of about 0.04 inch (1 mm). The wall of this inflatable portion is convoluted to form annular ridges 7 with intervening waists 8. The apex of the conical portion 2 is provided with an opening 9 in which is inserted a stopper 10. The lower margin 11 of the conical portion is stuck to the upper inside edge of the inner cylindrical wall 4 by a suitable adhesive, to form an air-tight joint.

When the marker is not in use, the bellows-like construction of the generally conical portion 2 allows it to collapse into the recess 12 formed by the space within the inner cylindrical wall 4. in this way the marker occupies a considerably reduced storage space and the flexible bellows-like portion tends to be protected against damage.

When the marker is to be used, the flexible portion is pulled up and inflated by blowing air through the opening 9, either by mouth or by a suitable pump. The channel 6 is filled with ballast such as sand, earth, water, aggregate or such like, to weight down the marker.

A lid 14 is optionally provided for the channel 6.

The lid is injection moulded from plastics and comprises an annular top wall 1 5 with depending co-axial cylindrical inner and outer ribs 1 6 and 17.

These ribs fit tightly between the inner and outer walls 4 and 5 to hold the lid in place. Alternatively the lid may be a snap-fit or it could be held in place by screws.

As well as being used as a hazard warning for road traffic the marker could be used for many other purposes such as to mark out a race track or indicate a warning on a frozen pond, to name but a few. The marker may also float on water enabling it to be used as a marker buoy.

As an alternative to use of an adhesive, the inflatable portion 2 could be fixed to the base by engagement with flanges or tabs provided on the base, or even on the lid. The inflatable portion could be provided with a bottom wall integral with the conical side walls, so avoiding the need to provide an air-tight seal with the base.

1. A hazard warning marker comprising a rigid base containing or adapted to contain ballast, and an inflatable portion joined to the base and which, when inflated, assumes an upstanding generally conical shape.

2. A warning marker according to claim 1, in which the base includes an upwardly open endless channel for the ballast, which surrounds the inflatable portion.

3. A warning marker according to claim 1 or 2, including a lid member for closing the channel.

4. A warning marker according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the base includes a recess into which the inflatable portion can be packed when deflated.

5. A warning marker according to claim 4, in which the inflatable portion is joined to the base around the periphery of the recess.

6. A warning marker according to any preceding claim, in which the wall of the inflatable portion is convoluted to form annular ridges.

7. A warning marker according to any preceding claim, in which there is an opening at the apex of the generally conical inflatable portion, provided with a closure member.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Hazard warning markers The invention relates to hazard warning markers which can be placed on a road for traffic control or to indicate an obstacle to oncoming traffic. The invention provides a hazard warning marker comprising a rigid base containing or adapted to contain ballast, and an inflatable portion joined to the base and which, when inflated, assumes an upstanding generally conical shape. The marker can be stored and transported with the generally conical portion deflated so that it only takes up a small amount of space. The use of a rigid base may provide the marker with a high degree of stability so that, in use, it is not easily overturned or moved by the wind. The base preferably includes an upwardly open endless channel for the ballast, which surrounds the inflatable portion. The channel may be filled with any suitable ballast which is to hand such as water or earth. A lid member may be provided for closing the channel. In a particularly preferred embodiment the base includes a recess into which the inflatable portion can be packed when deflated, thus providing a degree of protection for the inflatable portion during storage and transport. The inflatable portion is preferably joined to the base around the periphery of the recess and the wall of the inflatable portion is preferably convoluted to form annular ridges enabling the inflatable portion to collapse in a bellows-like manner into the recess when it is deflated. There is preferably an opening at the apex of the generally conical inflatable portion, provided with a closure member, for inflation and deflation. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical section through a hazard warning marker. The marker comprises an injection moulded rigid plastics base 1 and an inflatable portion 2 of generally conical shape. The base comprises a disc-shaped bottom wall 3, and upstanding co-axial inner and outer cylindrical walls, 4 and 5, which define between them an upwardly open channel 6. The inflatable portion 2 is rotationally moulded of polyvinyl chloride and has a wall thickness of about 0.04 inch (1 mm). The wall of this inflatable portion is convoluted to form annular ridges 7 with intervening waists 8. The apex of the conical portion 2 is provided with an opening 9 in which is inserted a stopper 10. The lower margin 11 of the conical portion is stuck to the upper inside edge of the inner cylindrical wall 4 by a suitable adhesive, to form an air-tight joint. When the marker is not in use, the bellows-like construction of the generally conical portion 2 allows it to collapse into the recess 12 formed by the space within the inner cylindrical wall 4. in this way the marker occupies a considerably reduced storage space and the flexible bellows-like portion tends to be protected against damage. When the marker is to be used, the flexible portion is pulled up and inflated by blowing air through the opening 9, either by mouth or by a suitable pump. The channel 6 is filled with ballast such as sand, earth, water, aggregate or such like, to weight down the marker. A lid 14 is optionally provided for the channel 6. The lid is injection moulded from plastics and comprises an annular top wall 1 5 with depending co-axial cylindrical inner and outer ribs 1 6 and 17. These ribs fit tightly between the inner and outer walls 4 and 5 to hold the lid in place. Alternatively the lid may be a snap-fit or it could be held in place by screws. As well as being used as a hazard warning for road traffic the marker could be used for many other purposes such as to mark out a race track or indicate a warning on a frozen pond, to name but a few. The marker may also float on water enabling it to be used as a marker buoy. As an alternative to use of an adhesive, the inflatable portion 2 could be fixed to the base by engagement with flanges or tabs provided on the base, or even on the lid. The inflatable portion could be provided with a bottom wall integral with the conical side walls, so avoiding the need to provide an air-tight seal with the base. CLAIMS

1. A hazard warning marker comprising a rigid base containing or adapted to contain ballast, and an inflatable portion joined to the base and which, when inflated, assumes an upstanding generally conical shape.

2. A warning marker according to claim 1, in which the base includes an upwardly open endless channel for the ballast, which surrounds the inflatable portion.

3. A warning marker according to claim 1 or 2, including a lid member for closing the channel.

4. A warning marker according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the base includes a recess into which the inflatable portion can be packed when deflated.

5. A warning marker according to claim 4, in which the inflatable portion is joined to the base around the periphery of the recess.

6. A warning marker according to any preceding claim, in which the wall of the inflatable portion is convoluted to form annular ridges.

7. A warning marker according to any preceding claim, in which there is an opening at the apex of the generally conical inflatable portion, provided with a closure member.

8. A warning marker according to any preceding claim, in which the inflatable portion is formed from plastics by rotational moulding.

9. A hazard warning marker which is substantialiy as described with reference to the drawing.