US20020067951A1

US20020067951A1 - Reflective traffic barricade

Info

Publication number: US20020067951A1
Application number: US09/727,408
Authority: US
Inventors: John Paterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-01
Filing date: 2000-12-01
Publication date: 2002-06-06
Also published as: US6835023B1

Abstract

A reflective traffic barrricade for allowing vehicle drivers easier viewing of forward traffic by use of the reflective sides of the traffic barricade. The reflective traffic barrricade includes a blocking member. The blocking member comprises an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end. The top side has a width less than a width of the bottom side. A reflective means for generally reflecting an image is securely attached to and generally coats the front side and the back side of the elongate member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to traffic barricades and more particularly pertains to a new reflective traffic barrricade for allowing vehicle drivers easier viewing of forward traffic by use of the reflective sides of the traffic barricade.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of traffic barricades is known in the prior art. More specifically, traffic barricades heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,207; U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,132; U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,495; U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,214; U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,665; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 341,098; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,370.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new reflective traffic barrricade. The inventive device includes a blocking member. The blocking member comprises an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end. The top side has a width less than a width of the bottom side. A reflective means for generally reflecting an image is securely attached to and generally coats the front side and the back side of the elongate member.

In these respects, the reflective traffic barrricade according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing vehicle drivers easier viewing of forward traffic by use of the reflective sides of the traffic barricade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of traffic barricades now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new reflective traffic barrricade construction wherein the same can be utilized for allowing vehicle drivers easier viewing of forward traffic by use of the reflective sides of the traffic barricade.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the traffic barricades mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new reflective traffic barrricade which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art traffic barricades, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a blocking member. The blocking member comprises an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end. The top side has a width less than a width of the bottom side. A reflective means for generally reflecting an image is securely attached to and generally coats the front side and the back side of the elongate member.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the traffic barricades mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new reflective traffic barrricade which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art traffic barricades, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such reflective traffic barrricade economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade for allowing vehicle drivers easier viewing of forward traffic by use of the reflective sides of the traffic barricade.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade which includes a blocking member. The blocking member comprises an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end. The top side has a width less than a width of the bottom side. A reflective means for generally reflecting an image is securely attached to and generally coats the front side and the back side of the elongate member.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new reflective traffic barrricade that allows a person to see on coming or forward traffic by using the reflective barrier itself.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0024]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new reflective traffic barrricade according to the present invention. [0025]
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view taken along line [0026] 2-2 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention.[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new reflective traffic barrricade embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the [0029] reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the [0030] reflective traffic barrricade 10 generally comprises a blocking member 12. The blocking member comprises an elongate member having a top side 14, a front side 16, a back side 18, a bottom side 20, a first end 22 and a second end 24. A substantially vertical portion 17 is located adjacent to the bottom side 20 on both the front and back sides of the blocking member. The substantially vertical portions preferably have a height between 0.1 meters and 0.3 meters. The elongate member, or blocking member 12, has an inverted Y-shape taken transverse to a longitudinal cross-section of the elongate member such that a slot 26 extends upwardly into the bottom side 20. The front side 16 and the back side 18 each have a generally concave shaped surface. The elongate member 12 has length generally equal to 6 meters. The elongate member preferably has a height generally between 0.8 meters and 1.2 meters. The bottom side 20 of the elongate member has a width preferably between 0.6 meters and 0.8 meters, and the top side 14 has a width preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 meters. The elongate member 12 preferably comprises a substantially rigid material which is ideally concrete 28 though hollow plastic 30 materials are also envisioned. If plastic is used, the device is preferably filled with water and has a length of 2 meters. The device 10, if made from plastic, may also have an internal steel or other metal framework for added weight, strength and stability. Preferably, each of the first and second ends of the blocking member has a slot 40 therein. The slot 40 extends into the first 22 and second 24 ends and into the top side 14. When multiple blocking members are placed end to end, steel hollow sections or cement grout is positioned in the slot. The slots are preferably 100 mm wide, 50 mm deep and 600 mm high.
Ideally, the top side has a width of 262 mm and the bottom side a width of 600 mm. The device has a height equal to 1000 mm. A vertical line extending through the top side and through the bottom side defines a median. The arc of the front and back sides has a top portion extending downwardly 500 mm from the top side, and a bottom portion extending from the top portion downwardly 300 mm. The downward measurements are taken along the median. The top portion of the arcs extend inward toward the median such that 100 mm from the top side, the width of the device is 252.8 mm, 200 mm from the top side the width is 250 mm which is the narrowest part of the device. At 200 mm from the top side, the arc begins to start outward again. At 300 mm from the top side the width is 252.8 mm, at 400 mm the width is 262 mm and at 500 mm down along the median the width is 276 mm at which the bottom portion of the arc begins. The bottom arc has a greater curvature than the top arc, so that at 600 mm from the top side the width is equal to 306 mm, at 700 mm the width is equal to 388 mm, and at 800 mm from the top side the width is 525 mm. At the bottom of the bottom arc, the front and back sides are angled downward toward the bottom side to define the generally [0031] vertical portions 17.
To further explain the above, the top arc is formed by a first circle having a radius of 3500 mm. The first circle is tangent to a first line parallel to the median and 125 mm from the median. The first circle is tangent to the first line 200 mm from the top side. The top portion of the arc has a measurement generally equal to 0.143 radians, or 8.13 degrees. A second circle having a radius of 470 mm forms the bottom arc. The second circle is tangent to the first circle at a point 500 mm from the top side and 138 mm from the median where the radii of the first circle and the second circle coincide. The bottom portion of the arc has a measurement generally equal to 0.74 radians, or 42.4 degrees. The top arc smoothly transitions into the bottom arc. It should be noted that the top and bottom arcs are located on both sides of the device. [0032]
A reflective means [0033] 32 for generally reflecting an image is securely attached to and generally coats the front side 16 and the back side 18 of the elongate member. The reflective means 32 may be any conventional reflecting material capable of reflecting a true image and preferably comprises a conventional acrylic mirror 34 adhered to the front and back sides. Also envisioned is the used of reflective metal 36.
Also envisioned are blocking [0034] members 12 having only one curved side so that the blocking members may be used as bridge parapets. The size of the blocking members may be altered for the desired need.
In use, the [0035] elongate members 12 are placed end to end to block traffic as traditional blocking members are used for. The concave front 16 and back 18 sides provide an image of vehicles ahead of the blocking members. The reflective means 32 assist the driver of a vehicle in seeing forward traffic that might otherwise be blocked by traffic in front of the driver.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0036]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0037]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0038]

Claims

I claim:

1. A reflective traffic dividing device, said device comprising:

a blocking member, said blocking member comprising an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end, said top side having a width less than a width of said bottom side; and

a reflective means for generally reflecting an image, said reflective means being securely attached to and generally coating said front side and said back side of said elongate member.

2. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member further comprises:

said elongate member having an inverted Y-shape taken transverse to a longitudinal cross-section of said elongate member.

3. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member further comprises:

said front side and said back side each having a generally concave shaped surface.

4. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 3, longate member further comprises:

said elongate member having length generally equal to 6 meters, said elongate member having a height generally equal to 1 meter, said bottom side of said elongate member having a width generally equal to 0.6 meters, said top side having width generally equal to 0.26 meters.

5. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member further comprises:

said elongate member having length generally equal to 6 meters, said elongate member having a height generally equal to 1 meter, said bottom side of said elongate member having a width generally equal to 0.6 meters, said top side having a width generally equal to 0.26 meters.

6. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member has length generally equal to 2 meters.

7. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 6, longate member has a height generally equal to 1 meter, said bottom side of said elongate member having a width generally equal to 0.7 meters, said top side having a width generally equal to 0.25 meters.

8. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member further comprises:

said front side having a generally concave shaped surface and said back side being substantially vertical.

9. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 6, wherein said concave shape is defined as:

a line extending through said top and bottom sides and defining a median of said blocking member; and

an arc, said arc being divided into an upper portion and a bottom portion, said upper portion being defined by a first circle having a radius generally equal to 3500 mm, said first circle being tangent to a first line orientated parallel to and positioned 125 mm from said median, said first circle being tangent to said first line at a point generally equal to 200 mm from said top side, said bottom portion being defined by a second circle having a radius generally equal to 470 mm, said second circle being tangent to the first circle positioned 138 mm from the median at a point generally equal to 500 mm from said top side such that said upper portion and said lower portion are abutting at a point 500 mm from said top side.

10. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 1, wherein said reflective means comprises an acrylic mirror.

11. A reflective traffic dividing device, said device comprising:

a blocking member, said blocking member comprising an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end, said elongate member having an inverted Y-shape taken transverse to a longitudinal cross-section of said elongate member, said front side and said back side each having a generally concave shaped surface, said elongate member having length generally equal to 6 meters, said elongate member having a height generally equal to 1 meter, said bottom side of said elongate member having a width generally equal to 0.6 meters, said top side having a width generally equal to 0.26 meters, said elongate member comprising a substantially rigid material; and

a reflective means for generally reflecting an image, said reflective means being securely attached to and generally coating said front side and said back side of said elongate member, said reflective means comprising an acrylic mirror.

12. A reflective traffic dividing device, said device comprising:

a blocking member, said blocking member comprising an elongate member having a top side, a front side, a back side, a bottom side, a first end and a second end, said elongate member having an inverted Y-shape taken transverse to a longitudinal cross-section of said elongate member, said front side and said back side each having a generally concave shaped surface, said elongate member having length generally equal to 6 meters, said elongate member having a height generally equal to 1 meter, said bottom side of said elongate member having a width generally equal to 0.6 meters, said top side having a width generally equal to 0.262 meters, said elongate member comprising a substantially rigid material;

a line extending through said top and bottom sides and defining a median of said blocking member;

an arc, said arc being divided into an upper portion and a bottom portion, said upper portion being defined by a first circle having a radius generally equal to 3500 mm, said first circle being tangent to a first line orientated parallel to and positioned 125 mm from said median, said first circle being tangent to said first line at a point generally equal to 200 mm from said top side, said bottom portion being defined by a second circle having a radius generally equal to 470 mm, said second circle being tangent to the first circle positioned 138 mm from the median at a point generally equal to 500 mm from said top side such that said upper portion and said lower portion are abutting at a point 500 mm from said top side; and

13. The reflective traffic dividing device as in claim 10, wherein said device further comprises:

each of said front and back sides having a generally vertical portion extending between said bottom side and said arc, each of said generally vertical portions having a height between 0.1 meters and 0.3 meters.