US1966678A - Traffic marker - Google Patents

Description

y R. H. OSBRINK 1,966,678

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed Aug. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l PLE.E|

3! I6 27 1 L L 29 25 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND H. OSBRINK.

BY "MY ATTORNEY.

July 17, 1934. R H, 'SBR NK 1,966,678

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed Aug. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iT l 5i i g E i i 55 IT I I 38 4av l5 60 A J M '7 59 44 w 55 43 m VENTOR. 39 57 RHYMOND H. OSBR:NK.

ATTORNEY.

R. H. OSBRINK July 17, 1934.

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed Aug. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR. H 0.5 BR l N K- RAYMOND ATTORNEY Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES reserve FATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic markers.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved traflic marker having reflector signal means therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trafiic marker made of light weight metal which is suitably reenforced to provide strength.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for retaining reflector devices in position in traffic markers. A still further object of the invention is to provide a traffic marker which is made of metal which can be highly polished and will maintain a polish thereby eliminating the necessity of painting the marker.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a traffic marker embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the marker shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the marker.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a front view of a modified form of traffic marker.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the marker shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged section taken on line '7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a similar section taken on line 88 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of a modification of the traflic marker shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 1111 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a modification of the trafiic marker shown in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated a traflic marker embodying the features of my invention generally at 10. As shown the device 10 includes a body portion 12 which is preferably made of an aluminum alloy which will not corrode and the outer surface of which is preferably highly polished. The alloy I prefer to use consists of .06 parts copper; .20 parts zinc; 1.0 parts iron; .20 parts magnesium; 4.5 parts silicon; and the remainder aluminum.

The body 12 is annular in plan and includes an arcuate side wall 13 which may be a portion of a sphere, the center of which is below the base of the device. Integral with the walls 13, I provide a central inwardly extending boss 14 having extending downwardly therefrom a hub 15 which terminates flush with the base of the device. The hub 15 is provided with an aperture 16 which communicates with a recess 1'7 in the boss 14. A suitable bolt or the like is adapted to be positioned in the aperture 16 for securing the device 10 in position and the head of the bolt is adapted to be positioned in the recess 1'7. Surrounding the hub 15 and spaced therefrom I provide a downwardly extending flange 19 which is integral with the walls 13 and the lower end of which terminates flush with the base of the device.

Extending from the hub and the boss 14 outwardly to the flange 19 I provide a plurality of strengthening ribs 20, the lower ends of which preferably terminate short'of the base of the device. Extending from the flange. 19 outwardly to the walls 13, I provide a plurality of strengthening ribs 21 the lower ends of which are preferably flush with the base of the device.

In the side wall 13 adjacent the base of the device, I provide a recessed portion 22 which extends a portion of the distance around the periphery of the device. In this recessed portion I provide a plurality of apertures 23 in which refiector members 24 are adapted to be positioned. As shown the reflector members 24 include a metal base 25 having a reduced glass portion 26 extending therefrom. The reflectors 24 are positioned with the glass portion 26 thereof extending through the apertures 23 and the base 25 00 engaging the inner surface of the recessed portion as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

To retain the reflector members 24 in position I provide a holder member 27 which includes an arcuately shaped plate portion 28 having spaced legs 29 extending therefrom rearwardly. These legs may also extend downwardly as shown if desired. When the holder 2'7 is placed in position, the plate portion 28 thereof engages the rear surface of the bases 25 of the reflector members and the rear portions of the legs 29 engage the flange 19 and the bottoms of the legs 29 are preferably flush with the base of the device while the top of the plate 28 engages the bottoms of a plurality of ribs 30 which are provided above the recessed portion 22 between the flange l9 and the walls 13.

The plate portion 28 of the holder 27 is made of metal which is slightly flexible so it can flex 9 take Care of any irregularities in the distance the base of the reflectors extends rearwardly, thereby assuring a pressure on all of the reflector members.

Thus it will be seen that when the device 10 is secured in an operative position the holder 27 will retain the reflector members 24 in position.

The outer face of the recessed portion 22 such as indicated at 31 is preferably very highly polished to form a reflecting surface.

In Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, I have indicated a modified form of trafflc marker generally at 35. As shown the device 35 includes a body portion 36 which like the body of the device 10 is preferably made of an aluminum alloy which will not corrode and the outer surface of which is preferably highly polished. The body 36 Y is elongated in plan with rounded ends and is arcuate in cross section and includes side Walls 37 which form a hollow open bottomed shell.

Positioned adjacent the outer edges of the body I provide a plurality of recessed portions 38 in the bottoms ofwhich I provide apertures 39 in which bolts or other suitable means are adapted to be positioned for securing the device 35 man operative position.

Spaced from the front of the device 35, I provide a longitudinally extending strengtheningrib 40 which is integral with the walls 37 and the bottom of which'is flush with the base of the device.

Extending rearwardly at an angle to the rib 40 and joining the'walls 37 at the curved ends I provide ribs 41,'the bottoms of which are flush with the base of the device.

Spaced on each side of the center of the device in the front face thereof I provide a recessed portion 42 which is similar to the recessed portion 22 of the device 10. The rear surfaces of therecessed portions 42 are spaced from the rib 40 as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

Positioned between the recessed portions 42, I provide a; boss 43 which'joins the rib 40 and includes a portion :44 which is flush with the base of the device. In the boss 43, I provide arecess 45 which communicates with an aperture 46 which extends through the rib-40.

Spaced on each side of the aperture 46 and extending rearwardly from the ribs 40 and joining the 'rearwall 37,-I-provide ribs 47 whose lower edges are flush with the base of the device.

Spaced from the rib 40 tothe rear thereof I provide a rib 48 which joins: the ribs 47' and the bottom of which is flush with the base of the device.

Positioned intermediate: the rib 40 and the rib 48, 1 provide a rib 49 which extends downwardly to a point on a plane with the axis of the aperture 46 and includes an arcuate recessed portion 50 which has a radius corresponding to the radius of the aperture46.

Adapted to'be positioned in the aperture 46, I provide a=reflector member 51 which includes a metal shell'52 having an annular groove 53 therein adjacent the'rear end and an enlarged rim 54 adjacent the front from which a glass lens 55 projects. The shelleportion 52 of the reflector 51 is positioned in the aperture 46 and in the recess 50 of the rib 40 and the rear end of the-shell engages the rib 48.

To retain the reflector 51 in position I provide a holder member 57 which includes atransverse plate 58 and side legs 59 which are tapered from the front to the rear. The holder 57 is of a height equal to the distance from the base of the device to' the lower'end'of the rib 49 and includes an arcuate recess 60 similar to the recess 50 of the rib 49. When the holder 57 is placed in an operative position the arcuate surface of the recess 60 engages the face of the groove 53 in the reflector shell 52, the plate portion 58 engages the ribs 47 and the legs 59 engage the rib 40, and the bottom of the holder is flush with the base of the device. Thus it will be seen that the holder legs 59 pull the reflector back in place and tighten the shoulder reflector against the rib 40.

In the recessed portions 42, I provide a plurality of apertures 61 in which reflector members 62 are adapted to be positioned. As shown the reflector members 62 are similar to the reflector members 24 of the device 10 and include a metal base 63 having a reduced glass portion 64 extending therefrom. The reflectors 62 are positioned in position with the glass portion thereof extending through the apertures 61 and the base 63 engaging the inner surface of the recessed portion 42.

To retain the reflector members 62 in position, I provide holder members 65, one for each group of reflectors. As shown each holder 65 includes a plate portion 66 having spaced legs 67 extending therefrom rearwardly and downwardly. The legs 67 and the front face of the plate portion 66 of the holder members 65 are tapered from the bottom front rearwardly similar to the legs 59 of the holder member 5'7.

When the holder members 65 are placed in position the plate portions 66 thereof engage the rear surfaces of the base 63 of the reflectors 62 and the rear portions of the legs 67 engage the rib 40 and the bottoms of the legs are flush with the base of the device while the tops of the plates 66-engage the bottoms of a plurality of ribs 68 which are provided above the recessed portion 42 between the rib 40 and the front wall.

The plate portions 66 of the holder members 65 like the plate portion 28 of the holder 27 in the device 10 are slightly flexible so that they may flex to take care of any irregularities in the distance the bases of the reflectors extend rearwardly, thereby assuring a pressure on all of the reflector members. Thus it will be seen that when the device 35 is secured in an operative position the holder members will retain the reflector members 62 in position.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11, I have indicated a modified form' of the devicelO generally at 70. As shown the device 70 is similar to the device 10 and the parts thereof are similarly numbered except that in place of the recessed portion 22, I provide an elongated aperture 71 in the wall of the device 70. Engaging the inner surface of the walls 13 adjacent the aperture 71, I provide a member 72 which has a concave outer face whose outer edges match with the edges of the aperture 71 wherefrom from the exterior the device 70 appears similar to the device 10. As shown the member 72 is provided with an apertured lug- 73 adjacent each end which are secured to the body 12by bolts 74. The member 72 is provided with a plurality of apertures 75 in which the glass portions of the reflectors 26 are positioned and the reflectors 26 are retained in position bythe holder member 27 in the same manner as in the device 10.

If desired the lugs 73 and the bolts 74 may be omitted and the member 72 retained in an operative position merely by the holder member 27.

In Figs. 12 and 13, I have indicated a modified form of the device 35 generally at 80. As shown the device is similar to the device 35 and the parts thereof are similarly numbered except for the modified form of the recessed portions 42 and the boss 43. In the device 80, I provide an elongated aperture 81 in the front face of the device and adjacent the rear thereof I provide a member 82 which is shown as secured to the body 36 by a plurality of screws 83. As shown the member 82 includes spaced concave portions 84 and a central portion 85 which takes the place of the lower half of the boss 43 and includes a semicylindrical recess 86 which matches with a similar recess 87 in the boss 43. The reflector member 51 is positioned in the recesses 86 and 87 and retained in position by the holder 57 in the same manner as in the device 35.

In each of the concave portions 84, I provide a plurality of apertures 88 in which the glass portions of the reflectors 62 are positioned and the reflectors 62 are retained in position by the holders 65 in the same manner as in the device 35.

If desired the screws 83 may be omitted and the member 82 retained in an operative position merely by the holders 65.

Insteadof the reflectors 24 and 62, I may provide glass members which have no base'and may place back of the members 24 and 62 an elongated mirror which may be a reflecting surface on the front of the plates 28 or 66, so that the light passes through the lens members 24 and 62, strikes the reflector plates 28 or 66 and is reflected back.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved traffic marker which is simple in construction and highly efficient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a traflic marker, a hollow body having a recessed boss therein, and having an abutment member in the rear of said recess, a reflector member, said reflector member including a shell having an annular groove therein adjacent one end and having an enlarged rim adjacent the opposite end, said reflector being positioned in said boss recess, and a retaining member, said retaining member including a front portion engaging said body and a rear portion fitting said angular groove and engaging a wall of said groove to urge the end of said shell against the abutment member.

2. In a traffic marker, a hollow body portion, said body being elongated and including parallel front and rear portions with arcuate ends, top and sides, a rib, said rib being spaced from the front wall of said body and extending longitudinally thereof from end to end, said rib extending downwardly from said top and terminating adjacent to the bottom of said body, an angularly arranged rib adjacent each end of said body extending from said first rib rearwardly to the rear portion and extending downwardly and terminating adjacent to the bottom of the body, a boss, a pair of transverse ribs spaced one on each side of said boss and extending from said longitudinal rib rearwardly to the rear portion and extending downwardly to a point flush with the base of said device, an abutment rib, said abutment rib being parallel with said longitudinal rib and connecting said transverse ribs and being spaced at the rear of said longitudinal rib.

3. In a, traflic marker, a hollow elongated body portion including parallel front and rear portions with arcuate ends, top, and sides, a rib, said rib being spaced from the front wall of said body and extending longitudinally thereof from end to end, said rib extending from the top downwardly to a point flush with the base of said device, an angularly arranged rib adjacent each end of said body extending from said first rib rearwardly to the rear portion and extending downwardly to a point flush with the base of said device, a pair of spaced recessed portions in the front wall of said body, the rear walls of said recessed portions being spaced from said longitudinal rib, a boss on said body, said boss ex tending from the front wall to said longitudinal rib, there being a recess in said boss opening through the front of said body, there being a reduced aperture in said boss communicating" with said boss recess and extending through said longitudinal rib, a pair of transverse ribs spaced one at each side of said boss and extending from said longitudinal rib rearwardly to the rear portion and extending downwardly to a point flush with the base of said device, an abutment rib, said abutment rib being parallel with said longitudinal rib and connecting said transverse ribs and being spaced from the rear of said longitudinal rib, a reflector member, said reflector member including a shell positioned in said boss recess with said shell extending through said boss aperture and with the rear end thereof engaging said abutment rib and means to hold said reflector in position.

RAYMOND H. OSBRINK.

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