Retractable cylindrical security marker

Abstract

A telescoping cylindrical safety marker is provided. The telescoping cylindrical safety marker includes a base having a middle portion defining an upper planar surface and two opposing edges; a first end portion rotatably attached at one end to one of the opposing edges; and a second end portion rotatably attached at one end to the other of the opposing edges, and a vertical riser having a lower riser having a lower end attached to the first end portion and the second end portion, the lower riser having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction along an interior surface thereof; and at least one upper riser positioned concentrically within the lower riser, the upper riser having a protrusion positioned on an exterior surface thereof, the protrusion mateable with the slot and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for alerting motorists to the presence of a disabled vehicle or construction area. Each year hundreds of motorists are killed or injured alongside the road. Many of these accidents could have been avoided if oncoming motorists had been warned of the presence of these disabled vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various traffic warning devices are known and are described in the following US patents: 7571693, 6508195, 6681715, 2954005, 3496904, 4006702, 4197807, 425650, 2762327, 3132624, 3520235, 4462145, 4466376 and 5287822.

[0003] For many years there have been many attempts to provide a traffic cone that is collapsible or foldable. Designs span across different diameters and tapers of sleeves that interlock and form a conical marker when extended: see for example US patents 2954005 and 3496904. These devices require many independent risers to provide the appropriate height of the traffic control device while achieving a compact storage. These risers add cost and reduce the stability of the unit. Furthermore, the multiple layers add to the manufacturing cost of the unit when applied with a retro-reflective sheeting that complies with nationally recognised traffic device design standards. Furthermore, the fewer the number of risers used to construct the device, the less efficient the storage.

[0004] Another variation of this concept is found in US patent 2762327, where the device is inflatable and attached to a solid base, filled with air when ready for use. Other designs employ coils or springs as a means of displaying the traffic control device, some of which are described in the following US patents: 4006702, 4256050, 4197807, 4256050 and 5305705. The requirement for coils and springs has an economic disadvantage in material costs and requires an additional cloth or plastic to be covered over the spring or coil, which requires the use of a flexible reflective material, which adds to the cost compared to a standard retro-reflective sheeting.

[0005] Other designs have used springs and flexible membranes, such as described in US patent 3132624, along with a two-piece central support member. US patent 3520235 describes a device that requires assembly before use and employs a two-piece central support pole. The present invention eliminates the need for any assembly before implementation, which can be problematic in an emergency situation.

[0006] In other designs, such as the three-sided and four-sided panel sector members in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,466,376 and 4,462,145, respectively, are used to form upright three-sided and four-sided triangles. These devices have the disadvantage of not having a separate base for support in high wind conditions, and require a large surface area for storage. They also require complex installation, which can also be problematic in emergency situations.

[0007] Despite this being recognized as a traffic safety issue for many years, there are still many unnecessary injury and death incidents occurring each year. The following disclosure addresses these and many other problems that exist in prior art safety marker designs. SUMMARY

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention addresses at least the above-mentioned problems that exist in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a telescoping cylindrical safety marker.

[0009] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a telescoping cylindrical safety marker, comprising: a base, comprising: a middle portion defining an upper planar surface and two opposite edges; a first end portion rotatably attached at one end to one of the opposite edges of the middle portion; and a second end portion rotatably attached at one end to the other of the opposite edges of the middle portion, wherein the base has a closed configuration when the end portions are folded close to the middle portion, and wherein the base has an open configuration when the end portions are folded away from the middle portion, and a vertical riser, comprising: a lower riser having a lower end attached to the first end portion and the second end portion, the lower riser having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction along an interior surface thereof; and at least one upper riser positioned concentrically within the lower riser, the upper riser having a protrusion positioned on an exterior surface thereof, the protrusion being mateable with the slot and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot, wherein each riser is cylindrical, wherein the risers are movable perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vertical riser between a flattened configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the risers are movable along the longitudinal axis of the vertical riser between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

[0010] A telescoping cylindrical safety marker is also provided, comprising a base comprising a lower portion consisting of a flat bottom portion; first and second end portions, each end portion having a bottom without a top, two short sides and one long side, the short side of the first base support foldable around the middle portion in a first position, the short side of the second base support foldable around the middle portion in a second position; at least two lower hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers having a plurality of rotatable connections between the at least two lower hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers and the first and second end portions of the base support; and at least two upper hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers extendable from the at least two lower hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers, said risers cooperating and connected to each other by a series of protrusions and slots, allowing vertical movement between consecutive vertical cylindrical risers, a squeeze on the slots of the vertical cylindrical risers preventing consecutive risers from being pulled past each other, wherein when the two end portions of the base support are in an unfolded open position, the at least two hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers are held in an extended position due to the pulling force of the base support on the at least two lower hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers through said connections, and when the end portions of the base support are in a folded closed position, the at least two hollow vertical cylindrical risers of foldable risers are held in a folded position due to the pushing force of the base support on the at least two hollow vertical cylindrical risers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a closed and retracted position;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open and retracted position;

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open and extended position;

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a closed and retracted position;

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base support of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open position;

[0017] Figure 6is a top view of a base support of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open position;

[0018] Figure 7 is a side view of a base support of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open position;

[0019] Figure 8 is a side view of a base support of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a closed position;

[0020] Figure 9 is a front view of a base support of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open position;

[0021] Figure 10 is a top view of an upper riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 11 is a front view of an upper riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 12 is a side view of an upper riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 13 is a top view of an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 14 is a front view of an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 15 is a side view of an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 16 is a top view of a lower riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 17 is a front view of a lower riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 18 is a side view of a lower riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a vertical riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a retracted position;

[0031] Figure 20is a perspective view of a vertical riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an extended position;

[0032] Figure 21 is a perspective view of a vertical riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an extended position having an air flow aperture;

[0033] Figure 22 is a top view of a lower riser and an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of a lower riser and an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an extended position;

[0035] Figure 24 is a side view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open and retracted position;

[0036] Figure 25 is a front view of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in an open and extended position;

[0037] Figure 26 is a top view of an upper riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a folded position;

[0038] Figure 27 is a top view of an intermediate riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a folded position; and

[0039] Figure 28 is a top view of a lower riser of a telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure in a folded position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, although the same or like parts are shown in different drawings, they are designed by the same reference numerals as much as possible. In the following description, known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it can make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear.

[0041] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein the various elements of the present application will be given numerical designations. In its current form, the present application is comprised of a plurality of distinct elements. These elements when combined as described herein will allow one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present application.

[0042] Current methods of raising the awareness of motorists include signal lights, solid plastic cones, and foldable or spring cones. The telescoping cylindrical safety marker according to the present disclosure is designed to eliminate the difficulties encountered with the current use of existing road safety devices.

[0043] Roadside traffic lights have inherent drawbacks: they only operate for a given period and cannot be reused. Furthermore, they are typically only a few inches above the road surface, which can make operation difficult. Solid plastic cones are easy to place along the road, but unless they are properly weighted, they can shift in strong winds. Additionally, the larger the cone, the more storage space is required. This is a disadvantage, especially in small passenger vehicles, thus reducing their appeal.

[0044] In recent years, various foldable or spring-loaded cones have appeared on the market. Furthermore, compared to designs that require a spring, such as those in U.S. Patent No. 5,305,705, the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 is completely independent and requires no additional locking mechanism during storage. This reduction in storage space significantly increases the appeal of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100, especially in emergency response vehicles where space is extremely valuable.

[0045] U.S. Patent Nos. 6,508,195 and 7,571,693 teach the use of a rotating base support with an attached telescopic arm. When rotated about the central portion of the base support, the end member of the base support moves from a closed position to an open position.

[0046] U.S. Patent No. 7,571,693 also describes the use of flexible hinges on vertical risers, which are described as rectangular or trapezoidal with open top and bottom edges. The vertical risers are designed to interlock and feature flexible hinges that extend their entire length. U.S. Patent No. 7,571,693 also describes the use of a single telescopic arm attached to the middle portion of a base support and secured to an upper link fixed to the upper vertical riser. Thus, when the telescopic arm is extended using a handle, the vertical riser is lifted via the link between the upper vertical riser and the telescopic arm.

[0047] U.S. Patent No. 7,571,693 describes the use of a separate telescopic arm as a means of deploying a series of vertical risers when the risers are in the retracted position. This is partly necessary because the inner portions of the continuous risers are not aligned flush with each other in a tapered vertical manner. Therefore, when a series of vertical risers is raised from the retracted position to the deployed position without the telescopic arm and associated linkage, there is a degree of instability and wobbling between the continuous risers. If the taper on the risers is steep enough, the device may not function properly without the telescopic arm.

[0048] The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 eliminates the need for a retractable arm and associated upper linkage as taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,571,693, because the vertical riser is cylindrical.

[0049] In the retractable cylindrical safety marker according to this disclosure, the vertical riser is a cylinder with a flexible hinge and includes a series of internal slots and external protrusions that allow a series of vertical risers to extend or retract without the need for a separate retractable arm and a linkage associated with the upper riser. The riser is described herein as cylindrical, but may have cross-sectional shapes such as circular, elliptical, rhomboid, square, rectangular, etc.

[0050] Furthermore, the retractable cylindrical safety marker of this disclosure teaches the use of a series of flexible connectors designed to be fixed to a series of protruding protrusions on a base support, allowing a flexible range of movement between the lower riser and the base support when the base support changes from an open position to a closed position.

[0051] U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693 teaches a combination of a lower linkage and a ball-and-socket type as a means of opening the vertical riser via its flexible hinge when the base support is moved from the closed position to the open position. The retractable cylindrical safety marker according to this disclosure eliminates the need for these mechanisms without sacrificing any functional purpose.

[0052] The retractable cylindrical safety marker is designed to be easy to unfold, compact to store, windproof, and affordable.

[0053] Figure 1 The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this application is shown in the closed and retracted position, and a base support 1 with two end portions 4 is shown. Figure 2 The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this application is shown in the open and retracted positions, with a base support 1 and a lower vertical riser 30 also shown. Figure 3 A retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this application is shown in its open and extended configuration, including a base support 1 and a lower riser 30, an intermediate riser 20, and an upper riser 10 in their fully extended positions. The base support 1 is configured as an openable and closable housing, and provides internal space when in the closed position.

[0054] The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 includes a base support 1. The base support 1 operates in a manner similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,508,195 and U.S. Patent No. 7,571,693, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] In the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 of this application, the base 1 consists of three parts: a middle part 2 and two end parts 4. The middle part 2 is connected to the two end parts 4 by a flexible member. Each of the two end parts 4 of the base support 1 includes at least one vertically projecting protrusion 6; more than one protrusion 6 can be used for normal operation.

[0056] The base support 1 is designed to provide the necessary weight to ensure that the device will not shift under reasonable wind loads. The two end portions 4 of the base support 1 include vertically projecting protrusions 6. The end portions 4 are primarily rectangular boxes, with the top and one side open. The two end portions 4 of the base support 1 are secured to the intermediate portion 2 by a series of flexible members 3. The flexible members 3 allow the two base supports 4 to rotate from a horizontal position to a vertical position adjacent to each other. Each of the two end portions 4 of the base support 1 includes a handle 5.

[0057] The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 also includes a vertical riser 200 functionally similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693. The vertical riser 200 of this disclosure includes an upper riser 10, one or more intermediate risers 20, and a lower riser 30. The lower riser 30 is connected to two end portions 4 of a base support 1 via a series of flexible connectors 33 attached to vertically projecting protrusions 6 at the two end portions 4 of the base support 1. Each riser 10 / 20 / 30 is cylindrical.

[0058] As disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693, a series of vertical risers 10 / 20 / 30 are designed with a series of hinges 11 / 21 / 31 that extend the entire vertical length of a single riser component. Similar to U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693, this design allows the vertical riser 200 to change shape under pressure, i.e., to flatten along its vertical length. Figures 26-28 A series of vertical risers 10 / 20 / 30 are shown stretched along their vertical length.

[0059] Figure 4 The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this application is shown in the closed and retracted position, with a base support 1 and a handle 5 located on the end portion 4 of the base support 1 shown. (Reference) Figure 5 The base support 1 in the open position shows an end portion 4, a handle 5, a middle portion 2, and a pair of flexible members 3 abutting the end portion 4 and the middle portion 2. Furthermore, each end portion 4 of the base support 1 has at least one protruding member 6 that is perpendicular to the end portion 4 of the base support 1 when the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 is in the open position. Figure 6This is a top view of the base support 1 in the open position, showing the intermediate support 2, the flexible member 3 that connects the intermediate portion 2 to the end portion 4, the end portion 4, the handle 5 fixed to each end portion 4, and a series of protruding members 6 fixed to the end portion 4.

[0060] In the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this disclosure, the upper riser 10 includes two protrusions 13 positioned along the top edge of the upper riser 10, which are designed to function as handles when the riser is extended from a retracted position to an extended position. Although two protrusions 13 are shown, one or more protrusions may be included to serve as handles.

[0061] The upper riser 10 includes one or more protrusions 12 located on the lower part of the upper riser 10 on the cylindrical outer surface.

[0062] The upper riser includes a series of hinges 11 extending the entire vertical length of the upper riser 10. This allows the upper riser 10 to be folded into its folded or flattened configuration.

[0063] A series of intermediate risers 20 includes a series of hinges 21 extending the entire vertical length of the intermediate risers 20. This allows each intermediate riser 20 to fold into its folded or flattened configuration.

[0064] Similar to the upper riser 10, each of the intermediate risers 20 includes one or more protrusions 22 on the lower portion of the riser located on the cylindrical outer surface. A series of intermediate risers 20 also includes one or more vertical slots 23 located on the cylindrical inner surface. These slots 23 extend along the vertical length of the inner surface. The purpose of the vertical slots 23 on the intermediate risers 20 is to receive the protrusions 12 of the upper riser 10 in a manner that secures the two elements together, while allowing the two risers to move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. This combination also allows the upper riser 10 to extend vertically by pulling upward on the protrusions 13 on its upper portion.

[0065] The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this disclosure also teaches the use of more than one intermediate riser 20. Each successive intermediate riser 20 has a slightly larger diameter than the previous one, allowing multiple intermediate risers 20 to be connected to smaller diameter risers fitted within successive larger diameter intermediate risers 20.

[0066] The retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 according to this disclosure also includes a lower riser 30 having a series of hinges 31 extending the entire vertical length of a single riser component. The lower riser 30 includes a series of vertical slots 32 located on the inner surface of the cylinder. These slots 32 extend along the vertical length of the surface. The purpose of the vertical slots 32 on the lower riser 30 is to receive a protrusion 22 of an intermediate riser 20 in a manner that secures two components together. On each intermediate riser 20 and lower riser 30, a corresponding slot 23 / 32 has a cap 24 / 34 at its upper limit, which prevents consecutive risers from being pulled past each other when the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 is fully extended. The lower riser 30 also includes a series of flexible connectors 33 designed to be secured to a series of protruding protrusions 6 on the two end portions 4 of the base support 1.

[0067] Figure 7 This is a side view of the base support 1 in the open position, showing the middle portion 2, the flexible member 3 that connects the middle portion 2 to the end portion 4, the end portion 4, and the handle 5 that is fixed to the end portion 4. Figure 8 This is a side view of the base support 1 in the closed position, showing the position of the handle 5. Figure 9 This is a front view of the base support 1 in the open position, showing the position of the handle 5.

[0068] Figure 10 This is a top view of the upper riser 10, showing the positions of the upper riser flexible hinge 11, protrusion 12, and upper handle 13. Figure 11 This is a front view of the upper riser 10, showing the positions of the upper riser flexible hinge 11, the upper riser protrusion 12, and the upper handle 13. Figure 12 This is a front view of the upper riser 10, showing the positions of the upper riser flexible hinge 11, the upper riser protrusion 12, and the upper handle 13.

[0069] Figure 13 This is a top view of the intermediate riser 20, showing the positions of the intermediate riser flexible hinge 21, the intermediate riser protrusion 22, the intermediate riser slot 23, and the cap 24 on the slot 23 of the intermediate riser 20. Figure 14 This is a front view of the intermediate riser 20, showing the positions of the intermediate riser flexible hinge 21 and the intermediate riser protrusion 22. Figure 15 This is a side view of the intermediate riser 20, showing the positions of the intermediate riser flexible hinge 21 and the intermediate riser protrusion 22.

[0070] Figure 16 This is a top view of the lower riser 30, showing the positions of the lower riser flexible hinge 31, the lower riser slot 32, the cap 34 on the slot 32 of the lower riser 30, and the lower riser flexible connector 33. Figure 17This is a front view of the lower riser 30, showing the positions of the lower riser flexible hinge 31 and the lower riser flexible connector 33. Figure 18 This is a side view of the lower riser 30, showing the positions of the lower riser flexible hinge 31 and the lower riser flexible connector 33.

[0071] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of a series of vertical risers 200 in the retracted position, showing the positions of the upper riser 10, upper handle 13, middle riser 20, lower riser 30, lower riser flexible hinge 31, and lower riser flexible connector 33. Figure 20 This is a perspective view of a series of vertical risers 200 in the unfolded position, showing the positions of the upper riser 10, upper riser flexible hinge 11, upper handle 13, middle riser 20, middle riser flexible hinge 21, lower riser 30, lower riser flexible hinge 31 and lower riser flexible connector 33.

[0072] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of a series of vertical risers 200 in an extended configuration, showing that the vertical risers include airflow holes. One or more vertical risers 10 / 20 / 30 may be perforated to allow wind to pass through the risers 10 / 20 / 30, thereby preventing the wind from exerting undesirable forces on the vertical risers 10 / 20 / 30 and tipping over the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100.

[0073] Figure 22 This is a top view showing the connection between the upper riser 10 and the intermediate riser 20 when the vertical riser of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 is assembled. As shown, the connection is achieved by inserting the protrusion of the lower riser 12 into the slot of the intermediate riser 23. This view shows the position of the protrusion of the lower riser 12 inserted into the slot of the intermediate riser 23, below the position of the cap 24. Figure 23 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the upper riser 10 and the intermediate riser 20 when the vertical riser of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 is assembled. As shown, the connection is achieved by inserting the protrusion 12 of the intermediate riser 20 into the slot 23 of the intermediate riser 20. When extended, the intermediate riser 20 is held in place by a cap 24 on the slot 23 of the intermediate riser 20, which prevents the upper riser 10 from being pulled past the intermediate riser 20. Various shapes and dimensions of the protrusion 12 and the slot 23 are possible.

[0074] Figure 24 This is a side view of the retractable cylindrical safety marker according to this application in the open and retracted positions, showing the upper riser 10, upper handle 13, middle riser 20, lower riser 30, lower riser flexible hinge 31, base support 1, middle portion 2 of base support 1, flexible member 3 abutting the middle portion 2 to the end portion 4, and handle 5 on the end portion 4 of base support 1.

[0075] Figure 25 This is a side view of the retractable cylindrical safety marker according to this application in the open and extended position, showing the upper riser 10, upper handle 13, middle riser 20, lower riser 30, lower riser flexible hinge 31, base support 1, middle portion 2 of base support 1, flexible member 3 abutting the middle portion 2 to the end portion 4, and handle 5 on the end portion 4 of base support 1.

[0076] Figure 26 This is a top view of the upper riser 10 of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 in the folded or flattened position according to this disclosure, showing the positions of the upper riser flexible hinge 11, the protrusion 12 and the upper handle 13. Figure 27 This is a top view of the intermediate riser 20 of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 in the folded or flattened position according to the present disclosure, showing the positions of the intermediate riser flexible hinge 21, the intermediate riser protrusion 22, the intermediate riser slot 23, and the cap 24 on the slot 23 of the intermediate riser 20. Figure 28 The top view of the lower riser 30 of the retractable cylindrical safety marker 100 in the folded or flattened position according to this disclosure shows the positions of the lower riser flexible hinge 31, the lower riser slot 32, the cap 34 on the slot 32 of the lower riser 30, and the lower riser flexible connector 33.

[0077] like Figures 26-28 As shown, each riser 10 / 20 / 30 is shown in its flattened configuration. When the flexible connector 33 of the lower riser is attached to the protrusion 6 and the base is in its closed configuration, the riser 10 / 20 / 30 is forced into its flattened configuration, as... Figures 26-28 As shown. Hinges 11 / 21 / 31 provide flexibility for each corresponding riser 10 / 20 / 30 to move between the flattened and unfolded configurations.

[0078] To deploy the retractable cylindrical safety marker, the user simply rotates the end portion 4 of the base support 1 around the middle portion 2, entering an open and locked position perpendicular to the series of vertical risers 200. This unfolds the risers into their extended configuration, where the protrusions 6 apply tension to the connectors 33. After the base support 1 is in the open position, the user lifts the upper handle 13, which raises the series of intermediate risers 20 and the upper riser 10 to an extended and locked position, created by friction between the protrusions and their respective slots. The retractable cylindrical safety marker is now ready for use.

[0079] Flexible hinges 11 / 21 / 31 are configured to allow riser 200 to move from its flattened configuration to its unfolded configuration. When end portion 4 folds around intermediate portion 2, end portion 4 provides a flattening force on riser 200, which in turn causes riser 200 to enter its flattened configuration. When end portion 4 folds out from intermediate portion 2, tension is applied to protrusion 6 and connector 33, which in turn causes riser 200 to enter its unfolded configuration.

[0080] In addition, reflective decals can be attached to vertical risers to comply with traffic control device standards. The actual number of vertical risers used depends on the application.

[0081] When comparing the retractable cylindrical safety marker using a cylindrical riser with the trapezoidal or conical riser outlined in Patent No. 7571693, the retractable cylindrical safety marker uses significantly fewer parts to achieve full deployment, primarily eliminating the need for a retractable arm with an upper linkage. Furthermore, the introduction of a series of vertically projecting protrusions at the base support end and a series of flexible connectors on the lower riser eliminates the need for a lower linkage and ball-and-socket method for securing the vertical riser to the base support, thereby improving the manufacturing and assembly process.

[0082] While the design outlined in U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693 is an effective means of using tapered or trapezoidal risers, these shapes are not suitable for the telescopic cylindrical safety marker 100. In any riser shape with a tapered vertical edge, such as a tapered or trapezoidal riser, the tapering exists between the folded sections when the riser is folded. This tapering precludes the use of external protrusions and internal slots on the lower, middle, and upper risers as taught in this application, because the aforementioned sliding action would not function as designed. As taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,751,693, when the telescopic arm is raised to the open position, the tapered edge of the riser is effectively held in place by the overlap of material between the successive risers. The telescopic cylindrical safety marker 100 eliminates the need for a telescopic arm and associated upper linkage.

[0083] The retractable cylindrical safety marker is designed for easy placement in emergency situations. The retractable cylindrical safety marker according to this application offers improvements over previous designs in terms of required storage space, the absence of any locking mechanisms, the ability to use lower-cost reflective decals, and is completely self-contained, requiring no assembly before implementation.

[0084] The retractable cylindrical safety marker is designed to provide drivers with early warning of disabled vehicles and / or construction zones. The device is designed to withstand reasonable wind conditions using a base support with two end sections and a central section, along with a series of retractable vertical cylindrical risers. Each retractable vertical cylindrical riser is designed to interlock with successive vertical cylindrical risers when assembled via a series of protrusions and slots on the inside and outside of the individual riser. Extrusions on the slots of the vertical cylindrical risers prevent the successive risers from being pulled past each other. This allows the series of vertical cylindrical risers to easily extend to a height conforming to traffic engineering design standards during operation and to remain compact when stored.

[0085] The base support is designed to provide not only the necessary structural stability, but also to open and close the retractable vertical cylindrical riser, thus providing additional compactness.

[0086] The vertical cylindrical risers are designed with flexible hinges, allowing them to lie flat and unfold into a cylindrical shape when the base supports are rotated to the open position. This is achieved through multiple connections between the lower vertical cylindrical risers and the base.

[0087] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be limited to these embodiments, but should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A scalable safety tagger, comprising: The base includes: The middle section defines the upper planar surface and two opposing edges; The first end portion, which is rotatably attached at one end to one of the opposite edges of the middle portion; and The second end portion, which is rotatably attached at one end to the other of the opposite edges of the middle portion, Vertical risers include: A lower riser having a lower end portion attached to a first end portion and a second end portion, the lower riser having a slot extending longitudinally along its inner surface; and The upper riser is positioned inside the lower riser and has a protrusion located on its outer surface. This protrusion engages with a slot and is configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot. The riser can move perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical riser between the flattening structure and the unfolding structure, and The riser can move along the longitudinal axis of the vertical riser between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, and in the extended configuration, the riser is locked in place by friction between the protrusion and the slot. When the end portion folds near the middle portion, the base has a closing structure, and the riser moves into its flattening structure. When the end portion is folded away from the middle portion, the base has an open structure, and the riser moves into its unfolded structure.

2. The scalable safety marker according to claim 1, further comprising: A first handle is attached to the outer end of a first end portion, which is opposite to the end attached to the middle portion; as well as The second handle is attached to the outer end of the second end portion, which is opposite to the end attached to the middle portion.

3. The retractable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein, The lower and upper risers are made of perforated material to provide airflow through them.

4. The retractable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein, The upper riser includes a handle attached to its uppermost surface.

5. The retractable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein, Each riser has one of the following cross-sectional shapes: circular, elliptical, rhomboid, or a combination thereof.

6. The scalable safety marker of claim 1, further comprising: A slot cap, located at the upper end of the slot and configured to prevent the protrusion from leaving the upper end of the slot.

7. The retractable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein, The slot extends only along the inner surface of the lower riser in the longitudinal direction.

8. The scalable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein, Each riser includes a series of circumferentially arranged flexible hinges that extend along its entire longitudinal length and allow each riser to be folded or flattened.

9. The scalable safety marker of claim 1, further comprising: At least one intermediate riser located between a lower riser and an upper riser, each of the at least one intermediate riser having a protrusion on its outer surface and a slot extending longitudinally along its inner surface, the protrusion being able to engage with the slot of an adjacent riser and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot, the slot being able to engage with the protrusion of an adjacent riser and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot.

10. The retractable safety marker according to claim 9, wherein, The corresponding protrusions and slots of all the risers are circumferentially intersected relative to each other.

11. The scalable safety marker according to claim 1, wherein: The lower riser includes a second slot that extends longitudinally along its inner surface on the side of the lower riser opposite to the slot. The upper riser includes a second protrusion that engages with a second slot and is configured to allow the second protrusion to translate along the second slot.

12. The retractable safety marker of claim 11, comprising at least one intermediate riser having a pair of corresponding slots and protrusions, wherein the corresponding protrusions and slots of all the risers are circumferentially staggered relative to each other.

13. A scalable safety tagger, comprising: The housing has two side components that can be positioned between an open position and a closed position, each side component having a riser connection point; as well as The vertical riser located within the casing includes: The lower riser has a lower end that can be attached to a riser connection point on each side component of the housing, and the lower riser has a slot extending longitudinally along its inner surface. as well as An upper riser located within a lower riser has a protrusion on its outer surface that engages with a slot and is configured to allow translation along the slot. The riser can move perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the vertical riser between the flattening structure when the outer shell is closed and the unfolding structure when the outer shell is open. The riser can move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration along the longitudinal axis of the vertical riser, and in the extended configuration, the riser is locked in place by friction between the protrusion and the corresponding slot.

14. The retractable safety marker of claim 13, further comprising a first handle attached to the outer surface of the housing.

15. The scalable safety marker according to claim 13, wherein, The lower and upper risers are made of perforated material to provide airflow through them.

16. The scalable safety marker according to claim 13, wherein, The upper riser includes a handle attached to its uppermost surface.

17. The retractable safety marker according to claim 13, wherein, Each riser has one of the following cross-sectional shapes: circular, elliptical, rhomboid, or a combination thereof.

18. The scalable safety marker of claim 13, further comprising: At least one intermediate riser located between a lower riser and an upper riser, each of the at least one intermediate riser having a protrusion on its outer surface and a slot extending longitudinally along its inner surface, the protrusion being able to engage with the slot of an adjacent riser and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot, the slot being able to engage with the protrusion of an adjacent riser and configured to allow the protrusion to translate along the slot.

19. A scalable safety tagger, comprising: The lower part, consisting of a flat bottom section; Two end pieces, each end piece having a bottom without a top, two short sides and one long side, the short side of the first end piece can be folded around the middle piece of the base support in a first position, and the second end piece can be folded around the middle piece in a second position; Multiple foldable hollow vertical risers, each consisting of at least two foldable vertical risers, which cooperate with each other and are connected to each other by a series of protrusions and slots to allow vertical movement between consecutive vertical risers. Extrusion members on the slots of the vertical risers prevent consecutive risers from being pulled past each other, wherein each vertical riser has a folded position and an unfolded position. The lower riser of at least two foldable hollow vertical risers has multiple rotatable connections between the lower riser of the at least two foldable hollow vertical risers and the first and second end portions of the base support. as well as The upper riser consists of at least two foldable hollow vertical risers, which can extend from the lower risers of at least two foldable hollow vertical risers. The two ends of the base support are in the folded, open position. At least two foldable hollow vertical risers are held in the unfolded position by the tension at the two ends of the base support through the lower riser connected to the at least two foldable hollow vertical risers, and are locked in place by friction between the corresponding protrusions and slots. When the end portion of the base support is in the folded closed position, at least two foldable hollow vertical risers are held in the folded position due to the thrust of the end portion of the base support on at least two hollow vertical risers.

20. The retractable safety marker according to claim 19, wherein, The upper riser of the at least two vertical risers has a handle fixed to its top.

21. The retractable safety marker according to claim 19, wherein, At least two foldable hollow vertical cylindrical risers are designed with airflow holes.

22. A scalable safety tagger, comprising: The lower part, consisting of a flat bottom section; The first base support is foldable at its lower first edge, and the second base support is foldable at its lower second edge, with the second edge opposite to the first edge. Three interoperating vertical risers, Downpipe, The upper riser can extend from the lower riser, and The intermediate riser can extend from the lower riser, and the upper riser can extend from the intermediate riser. Each of the vertical risers has a folded state and an unfolded state, forming a volume region defined by the vertical riser; The outer surface of the upper vertical pipe contains a series of protrusions. The outer surface of the central vertical riser contains a series of protrusions. The inner surface of the central vertical riser contains a series of slots. The combination of the protrusion on the upper vertical riser and the slot on the middle vertical cylindrical riser allows the components to be connected in a manner that allows vertical movement between the two risers. The inner surface of the lower vertical riser contains a series of slots. The combination of the protrusion on the middle vertical riser and the slot on the lower vertical riser allows the components to be connected in a manner that allows vertical movement between the two risers. In the deployed state, the corresponding riser is locked in place by friction between the corresponding protrusion and the slot. An abutment, positioned in the slot of the vertical riser, prevents consecutive risers from being pulled past each other. The lower vertical tube includes a series of flexible connectors that allow the lower vertical tube to be secured to the end of the base support; The first and second ends of the base support can be folded around the vertical riser, and when the vertical riser is extended and in the folded state, it closes the vertical riser. The first and second ends of the base support are folded around the vertical riser, causing the vertical riser to switch between a folded state and an unfolded state.

23. The retractable safety marker according to claim 22, wherein, The upper part of the vertical riser has a handle fixed to its top.

24. The retractable safety marker according to claim 22, wherein, At least two of the vertical risers are designed with airflow holes.

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