NZ209944A - Marker post with separable base - Google Patents

Description

209944 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 19S3 u .

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO. 209944 DATED: 23 October 1984 A MARKER POST WE, STABLE CAST PACIFIC LIMITED, a New Zealand Company of 8 Commerce Street, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following stateient:- t; i # This invention relates to a marker post or delineator such as a marker post which is suitable for marking or delineating a roadway, passageway and the like.

In the past, there has been a problem in providing marker posts or delineators which are stable in use yet are readily storable, transportable and are conveniently positionable on a surface such as a roadway and the like.

In particular, problems have been found in providing a marker post which is stable in high wind, slipstream wash and other conditions, yet is resistant to damage when struck by vehicles and the like and is highly visible.

Other aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

It is a further object of this invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a marker post incorporating an elongate upstand, said upstand being provided with an enlargement adjacent a lower end thereof, a base member engageable with at least a portion of said upstand, said projection engageable with said base to maintain said upstand in an upright condition on a supporting surface.

Other aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following description. Modifications are envisaged and may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 209944 3 The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled Referring to the drawings, the marker post as is generally indicated by arrow 1 is preferably formed in suitably weather resistant, durable material such as some plastics materials and the like, however, it is envisaged that in alternative forms of the invention the apparatus can be provided in other materials, such as metals, timber, ceramics, masonry and the like.

In this form of the invention, the marker post has an upstand 2 and a base portion 3, the upstand 2 and the base portion 3 being separable one from the other for convenient storage and transportation.

The upstand 2 is preferably formed in a resilient plastics tube preferably of highly visible colour such as luminescent orange, red or similar highly visible colour. Further, the upstand 2 is provided adjacent its upper end 2a thereof with a portion of reflectorised material 4, such as reflectorised adhesive tape. marker post manufactured according to this i nvent i on.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the marker post of Figure 1 showing the base portion raised from its normal position to expose the lower end of the upstand. 130CTI987 209944 Referring now to Figure 2, the lower end 2b of the upstand 2 is provided with an enlargement 5 projecting outwardly thereabout, the enlargement 5, in the preferred form of the invention being provided as a transversely outwardly directed flange formed for example by heat treating the end of the tube and subsequently moulding the end to form the flange. In alternative forms of the invention, for example where the upstand 2 is injection moulded, or formed in alternative material, the projection 5 can be alternatively formed, fabricated or attached by f i x i ng means.

The upstand 2 is provided in the preferred form in a substantially large diameter pipe, such as approximately 100 mm outside diameter pipe. This is non-essential to the invention, however represents the preferred construction at this stage of development.

The base portion 3 is in this form of the invention provided in a substantially weighty material, for example, in a plastics moulding. Preferably the plastics material is provided ballasted such as by the moulding in of ground or otherwise particulate metals, such as iron filings and the like, or alternatively, the base is made of inherently heavy materials such as some metals, rubber (ballasted or otherwise), masonry and the like.

In further forms, the base portion 3 is formed in resilient material such as rubber and the like and if required, is ballasted by the moulding-in of more dense materials or alternatively, by the attachment of a more dense material to the base portion 3, such as, by the attachment of a metal plate to the underside of the base portion, such as by fixing means, such as adhesives, bolts and the like.

In the preferred form of the invention, the base portion 3 is provided in a substantially resilient material, as is the upstand 2, so as to reduce the likelihood of damage to vehicles should they strike or run over the marker post 1 as a whole and so as to reduce the danger to pedestrians, road workers and the like from devices dislodged by being struck.

It will thus be appreciated that in the field the marker post 1 may be readily stored in a separated condition for example in racks whereby the upstand portions 2 can be readily stored, laid side by side, one on top of the other and the base portions 3 being stacked on edge one against the other in suitably recessed racks.

Whilst substantially round cross section base portion 3 and upstand 2 are described, in alternative forms of the invention, preferably alternative shapes can be provided and the racks be shaped so as to suit. In certain instances, an angular shape of upstand and base portion ■ay be preferable so as to increase the stackability and security when stacked of the base portions 3 and upstands 2 although again, this is in no way essential to the invention.

-Ct/l/iy The base portion J in this preferred form of the invention is preferably provided with a recess or aperture 6 therein, preferably substantially medially and of a size commensurate plus a working tolerance with an outside dimension of said upstand 2 so that said base portion 3 can be fitted over the end of the upstand 2 opposite the projection and drop down to sandwich the flange projection portion 5 between adjacent portions of the base 3 and the supporting surface.

In alternative forms of the invention, the base portion 3 is provided merely with a recess for example a slot extending inwardly from one side of the base portion within which the upstand 2 may engage, with the flange portion 5 positioned there-beneath, this assembly is suitable where the normally unflanged end of the upstand 3 is enlarged, carrying a sign and the like.

To erect and disassemble the apparatus of this invention the rack of cdmponents is mounted on a vehicle such as by hand or by forklift and the like and thereafter, the vehicle can be driven along the area to be marked by the marker post 1 of this invention. Workers can conveniently withdraw from the racks an upright 2 and a base portion 3 and fit the apertured base portion over the unflanged end of the upstand 2 and allow the base portion 3 to drop to the supporting surface to sandwich the flanged portion 5 between the supporting surface and portions of the base 3 adjacent the aperture to hold the upstand 2 in an upright condition.

Disassembly of the apparatus can be achieved in the substantially opposite manner and thus, it will be appreciated that a readily storable, mountable, de-mountable and transportable marker post is provided by this invention.

Thus by this invention there is provided an improved marker post for marking roadways, passageways and the like 209914 ■ 8 "

Claims (8)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A marker post incorporating a substantiaily tubuiar upstand, said upstand being provided with an enlargement adjacent a lower end thereof, and a base member, lower portions of said base member being engagable in a substantially loose fit about lower portions of said upstand to impart a gravity force onto an upper portion of said enlargement to maintain said upstand in contact with a supporting surface in a condition substantially to resist side loading.

2. A marker post as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate upstand has vision attraction means thereon.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the vision attraction means is in the form of a brightly coloured or ref1ectorised surface or part surface of said upstand.

4. A marker post as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the enlargement is at least one flange positioned adjacent the lower end of the upstand and wherein the base is recessed to fit about portions of said upstand adjacent said enlargement with at least a portion of said at least one flange sandwiched between said base portion and the supporting surface.

5. A marker post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said upstand is resilient.

6. A marker post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is resilient. 209D44

7.

8. A marker post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is ballasted. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is apertured in a size to engage the upstand, said enlargement being of a dimension larger than portions of said aperture so as to prevent passage of said enlargement through said aperture. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. STABLE CAST PACIFIC LIMITED BY THEIR ATTORNEYS BALDWIN, SON & CAREY 0227A