Traffic bollard

Abstract

This invention relates to traffic bollards. Previously, traffic bollards where difficult to see when toppled. Embodiments of the present invention use a base joined to a body. The base further comprises: a base upper surface, a base lower surface and a base side surface. The body further comprises a body inner surface and a body outer surface. A first plurality of reflectors is arranged on the base upper surface. A second plurality of reflectors is arranged on the body inner surface. The toppled traffic bollard can be located with the first plurality of reflectors and the second plurality of reflectors.

Description

TRAFFIC BOLLARDTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiments herein relate generally to safety cones and bollards.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A traffic bollard generally has a base connected to a cone. Details on the manufacturing of traffic bollards are in U.S. Patent 9,347,190 which is incorporated by reference.

[0003] As used in this application a traffic bollard is a device for directing traffic that can include a traffic cone, a traffic delineator, a traffic tube, a traffic barrel, and a traffic drum.

[0004] Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, a user could not see a safety cone or bollard unless it was upright. This caused the upturned safety cone or bollard to become a hazard. Embodiments of the invention solve these problems.DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A traffic bollard assembly is configured to assist a user in locating a toppled traffic bollard. The traffic bollard assembly further comprises a base joined to a body. The base further comprises a base upper surface, a base lower surface and a base side surface. The body further comprises a body inner surface and a body outer surface. A first plurality of reflectors is arranged on the base upper surface. A second plurality of reflectors is arranged on the body inner surface. The toppled traffic bollard can be located with the first plurality of reflectors and the second plurality of reflectors.

[0006] In some embodiments, the body is a cone. The body can also be a barrel.

[0007] In some embodiments, a reflective ring is arranged on the base lower surface. In some embodiments, a third plurality of reflectors is arranged on the base side surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 5 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 6 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 7 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 8 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 9 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 10 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 11 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 12 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 13 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 14 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 15 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 16 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 17 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 18 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 19 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 20 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 21 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 22 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 23 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032] Figure 24 shows a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention.BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0033] By way of example, and referring to Figure 1, traffic bollard 10 comprises base 12 joined to cone 14. Base 12 further comprises at least one rounded comer 16. The atleast one rounded comer 16 is scraped downward through a first foot 18 creating a cavity to accommodate a reflective panel 20.

[0034] Turning to Figure 2, near a second foot 22 a user can install a reflective panel assembly 24 further comprising a first reflective panel 26 on a top side 28 of the base 12 joined to a second reflective panel 30 on a bottom side 32 of the base 12 with a bolt 34 and nut 36. A smaller reflective material panel 38 can be attached with a screw 40.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the rounded comer 16 can be attached to a top side foot 42 and a bottom side foot 44 with the bolt 34 and the nut 36. The topside foot 42 and the bottom side foot 44 can be made from reflective material. Additionally, Figure 4 shows that the bottom side foot 44 can further comprise a hollowed portion 46 which can be filled with reflective material. A top side sticker 48 and a bottom side sticker 50 can provide additional reflective material with an adhesive.

[0036] Figure 5 and 6 show a reflective panel 52 that is joined to a third comer 54 of the base 12. Turning to Figures 7-9 and 13-15 the reflective panel can be part of a reflective bracket assembly 56 that can be attached to a edge of the base 12. The reflective bracket assembly 56 further comprises a first bracket 58 that is proximate a second bracket 60. The first bracket 56 further comprise a first bracket leg 62 joined to a first bracket foot 64. The first bracket foot 64 comprises a plurality of first bracket attachment openings 66. The first bracket leg is joined to a first bracket reflective panel 68.

[0037] The second bracket 58 further comprise a second bracket leg 72 joined to a second bracket foot 74. The second bracket foot 74 comprises a plurality of second bracket attachment openings 76. The second bracket leg is joined to a second bracket reflective panel 78.

[0038] As shown in Figures 10-12, a disc 80 can be attached to a grid pattern 82 on the base 12. This can be done by drilling a threaded cavity 84 into the grid pattern 82 and then inserting a screw 86 through the disc 80 and into the threaded cavity 84.

[0039] As used in this application a “reflective material” encompass either a totally reflective reflector, a partially reflective reflector, as well as a partially light transmissive reflector, with or without apertures or openings in the reflector itself, where the reflector is capable of radiating light through or out of the reflector in all directions, including both laterally and upwardly. Reflective material can include luminescent material, that is, material which emits light. This includes photoluminescent material, that is luminescent material wherein the light emission is initiate by photoexitation. Reflective material can also include reflective paint,that is paint that contains thousands of little glass spheres, designed to reflect lots of light, even at night.

[0040] Turning to Figure 16, a traffic bollard 110 further comprises a base 112 j oined to a cone 114. A bottom surface 116 on the cone 114 is j oined to a plurality of reflective panels 118. The plurality of reflective panels 118 extend below the cone 114 and below the base 112.

[0041] In Figure 17, the base 112 is shown with a plurality of integrated handles 120. The integrated handles 120 can be used to transport the traffic bollard 110. In Figure 18, the base 112 further comprises a reflective ring 122 around an opening 124 where the cone 114 is attached.

[0042] In Figure 19, an inlaid reflective ring 125 is set about one quarter inch into the base 112. In Figure 20, the base 112 has a unique shape with a first extension 126 and a second extension 128 extending from a central elliptical portion 130.

[0043] Figure 21 and 22 shows a traffic bollard 110 further comprising a base 112 joined to a cone 114. Here, the cone 114 has an inner surface 132 and an outer surface 134. The inner surface 132 further comprises a plurality of reflective panels 135. A side surface 136 on the base 112 is attached to a base side reflector 138.

[0044] In Figures 23 and 24, a traffic bollard 210 further comprises a base 212 joined to a barrel 214. The base 212 further comprises a base upper surface 216 and a base lower surface 218. The barrel 214 further comprises a barrel inner surface 220 and a barrel outer surface 222. The base upper surface 216 is joined to a first plurality of reflectors 224. The barrel inner surface 218 is joined to a second plurality of reflectors 226.

[0045] In some embodiments, these attachments are on the base of a cone. This can include recessed, flush, raised, top, bottom, and sides of base of the cone or be on the cone itself.

[0046] As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0047] As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

[0048] As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

[0049] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and nonpatent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

[0050] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0051] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, 6. In particular, any use of “step of’ in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, 6.

[0052] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0053] Embodiments of the disclosed invention are useful for identifying a toppled traffic bollard.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A traffic bollard assembly, configured to assist a user in locating a toppled traffic bollard; the traffic bollard assembly further comprising: a base joined to a body; wherein the base further comprises: a base upper surface, a base lower surface and a base side surface; wherein the body further comprises a body inner surface and a body outer surface; a first plurality of reflectors, arranged on the base upper surface; a second plurality of reflectors arranged on the body inner surface; wherein the toppled traffic bollard can be located with the first plurality of reflectors and the second plurality of reflectors.

2. The traffic bollard assembly of Claim 1, wherein the body is a cone.

3. The traffic bollard assembly of Claim 1, wherein the body is a barrel.

4. The traffic bollard assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a reflective ring, arranged on the base lower surface.

5. The traffic bollard assembly of Claim 4, further comprising a third plurality of reflectors arranged on the base side surface.6