An improvement in traffic cones

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improvement in traffic cones used to demarcate and warn specific areas for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. The improvement is characterized by: an upper body (1) made of flexible PVC and comprising at least one female portion (1.1); a lower body (2) made of rigid PVC and comprising at least one male portion (2.1); and at least one reflective glass bead (3) and RFID tag (4) fixed onto the lower body (2).

Description

[0001] AN IMPROVEMENT IN TRAFFIC CONES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an improvement in traffic cones used to demarcate specific areas and provide warnings in order to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Traffic cones are widely used safety devices, typically employed during road works, accidents, or temporary traffic arrangements to guide drivers and pedestrians. Manufactured from durable plastic or rubber materials, these cones are usually bright orange or yellow in color and carry reflective strips, making them visible even at night or under low-visibility conditions. They are produced in different sizes and shapes, and their portability provides ease of use.

[0006] Traffic cones are widely applied in various traffic arrangements, parking areas, sporting events, and emergency situations, playing a critical role in safety and traffic flow management.

[0007] However, current traffic cones face challenges in balancing weight and flexibility. Cones requiring higher weights (5 kg and above) often fail to achieve both flexibility and stability. This problem stems from their typical single-piece design. Additionally, existing cones do not provide any solutions against theft or loss, since unlike delineators, they are not fixed to the ground but only placed on surfaces. As a result, unwanted incidents such as theft, displacement by strong winds, or being dragged away by passing vehicles are observed.

[0008] Another drawback of current cones is insufficient reflectivity, which makes them difficult to detect at night, potentially leading to accidents. Furthermore, cones made of low- quality materials are prone to breaking or deforming, requiring frequent replacement and leadingto financial burden.

[0009] Prior Art References:

[0010] • Utility Model Application TR201716601 discloses a traffic cone integrated with V2V and V2X systems, wherein a communication system (e.g., V2V modem) embedded in the body of the cone activates during use. • Patent Application EP1273710A1 discloses a reflector cone including a base plate with an outwardly projecting anti-tipping edge.

[0011] Although these inventions represent known cones in the art, they fail to address issues of vandalism prevention, sufficient illumination, durability, and stabilization. Thus, there remains a need for a novel technology capable of overcoming the above disadvantages.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention eliminates the weight-flexibility balance problem of conventional traffic cones. In particular, the invention ensures that cones requiring higher weights (5 kg and above) do not suffer from stability or flexibility problems. This technical problem has been solved by producing the upper body and lower body as two separate parts.

[0014] Another advantage of the invention is secure usage against theft and loss. By incorporating an RFID tag, each cone is assigned a unique identity. This enables tracking of ownership, stock entries and exits, and facilitates management. The RFID technology prevents loss ortheft and adds a security layer against vandalism, thereby extending the service life of the cone and providing operational efficiency in logistics.

[0015] A further advantage of the invention is enhanced visibility in darkness. Glass-bead reflectors, functioning as cat’s eyes, are embedded at the center of each side of the base. Even if the cone body is damaged or reflective material loses effectiveness over time, the base design reflects incoming light, ensuring continuous visibility and improved road safety.

[0016] The invention also provides an optimal center of gravity, ensuring superior stability. The cone has been designed in accordance with BAST stability tests and meets stability requirements defined in EN 13422 and MUTCD standards. This ensures reliable performance under harsh conditions, keeping the cone upright and stable in road and construction sites.

[0017] The invention further offers reduced cost and a robust structure compared to prior art.

[0018] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures to facilitate understanding, without limiting the scope of the claims:

[0020] • Figure 1: General perspective view of the system.

[0021] • Figure 2: Front view of the system.

[0022] • Figure 3: Perspective view of the system. • Figure 4: Perspective and detailed view of the system.

[0023] • Figure 5: Front and detailed view of the system.

[0024] • Figure 6: Cross-sectional front view of the system.

[0025] Explanation of References

[0026] 1. Upper body

[0027] 1.1. Female portion

[0028] 2. Lower body

[0029] 2.1 . Male portion

[0030] 3. Reflective glass bead

[0031] 4. RFID tag

[0032] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] The invention consists essentially of:

[0034] • an upper body (1),

[0035] • a lower body (2),

[0036] • at least one reflective glass bead (3), and

[0037] • an RFID tag (4).

[0038] The lower portion of the upper body (1) includes at least one female portion (1 .1). The lower body (2) comprises at least one male portion (2.1). The upper body (1 ) and lower body (2) are produced separately and then assembled. The upper body (1 ) is made of flexible PVC, while the lower body (2) is made of rigid PVC.

[0039] An RFID tag (4) is embedded in the lower body (2). Reflective glass beads (3) are arranged preferably on all four sides of the lower body (2), but at least one bead is included in any case. Additional plasticizers may be added to the flexible PVC of the upper body (1 ) to enhance elasticity, whereas rigid PVC of the lower body (2) is free of plasticizers, providing durability.

[0040] The invention is designed in compliance with BAST stability tests and meets EN 13422 and MUTCD stability requirements. The connection between the upper body (1) and the lower body (2) through male and female portions ensures stable assembly. In the invention, a three-layered joint design is used at the connection of upper and lower parts. These three contact points strengthen the connection, providing enhanced durability.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An improvement in a traffic cone used to demarcate and warn specific areas for ensuring the safety of drivers and pedestrians, characterized by:- an upper body (1) made of flexible PVC and comprising at least one female portion (1.1 ),- a lower body (2) made of rigid PVC and comprising at least one male portion(2.1), and- at least one reflective glass bead (3) and RFID tag (4) fixed onto the lower body (2).

2. The traffic cone according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the female portion(1.1) is configured to engage with the male portion (2.1 ).

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