Roadway delineator

Abstract

A directional roadway delineator includes an elongate, tubular body having a frontal impact face and a rearward face. The tubular body has a lower section disposable at least partially below a surface of the roadway to secure the delineator below the roadway surface. The tubular body includes an upper section, extending upwardly from the lower section to provide a marker above the roadway surface. A pair of longitudinal slits are formed through opposite sides of the tubular body between the frontal face and rearward face in the lower section of the body to allow the delineator to: elastically flex rearwardly in response to a force applied to the frontal impact face; and return to a substantially vertical orientation upon removal of the applied force.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to roadway delineators. More particularly, the present invention relates to self-erecting roadway delineators capable of independently returning to an operable position after being deflected by a force. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Upright roadway delineators have been used for some time to delineate sections of concern in vehicle traffic flow areas. Upright delineators typically extend above a ground surface and include a reflective marker to increase visibility of the delineator. Roadway delineators are often installed at the edges of highways to delineate the outer edge of the highway, or are installed between lanes of the highway to indicate division between the lanes. Delineators are also installed in parking areas and other general traffic areas to delineate areas in which vehicle traffic is to be restricted, i.e., to direct vehicles away from parking-restricted areas, o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a roadway delineator that can self-erect after multiple vehicle collisions; can be manufactured at limited cost; and can be installed and removed with minimal effort and cost.

Problems solved by technology

As such, roadway delineators are often placed immediately adjacent to areas in which vehicles are operated, and the delineators are often subject to contact by or collision with the vehicles.

This is desirable for a number of reasons, including safety considerations, as damaged vehicles may become more difficult to operate safely.

Also, of course, damaged vehicles must generally be repaired at often considerable expense.

Due to these considerations, many contractors and municipalities will only allow installation of roadway delineators that are capable of returning to an operable condition after multiple vehicle collisions.

Despite these attempts, however, conventional self-erecting delineators remain problematic in that the delineators can be overly expensive to produce and can be sufficiently difficult to install and maintain as to greatly add to the costs of using the delineators.

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