U.S. patent application number 11/405292 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for traffic ballast system.
Invention is credited to Joe Dvoracek.
Application Number | 20070241255 11/405292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38603949 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070241255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dvoracek; Joe |
October 18, 2007 |
Traffic ballast system
Abstract
A traffic ballast system has a base of a non-rigid, resilient,
shock absorbing material, the base providing a top surface and a
spaced apart bottom surface. At least one strut aperture extends
through the top surface. A receiver plate of a rigid structural
material is engaged with the base below the top surface. At least
one vertical strut supporting at least one sign has a lower end
engaged within the at least one strut aperture, and further rigidly
engaged with the receiver plate.
Inventors: |
Dvoracek; Joe; (Varney
Burbank, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP
2424 S.E. BRISTOL, SUITE 300
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
38603949 |
Appl. No.: |
11/405292 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 15/0056 20130101;
E01F 9/692 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/00 20060101
A47B091/00 |
Claims
1. A traffic ballast system comprising: a base of a non-rigid,
resilient, shock absorbing material, the base providing a top
surface and a spaced apart bottom surface; at least one strut
aperture extending through the top surface; a receiver plate of a
rigid structural material engaged with the base below the top
surface; at least one vertical strut supporting at least one sign
thereon, a lower end of the at least one strut engaged within the
at least one strut aperture, and further rigidly engaged with the
receiver plate.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises plural
surface protrusions extending upwardly from the top surface; the
protrusions each functional as a recess in the bottom surface such
that like said bases may be nested one above the next with the
protrusions of one inserted within the recesses of the next.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the protrusions are each
positioned in one of four corners of the base.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strut aperture
comprise two spaced apart holes and the at least one vertical strut
comprises two vertical struts; and wherein the at least one sign is
mounted between the two struts.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the base further provides at least
one elongate hole between the top and bottom surfaces, the at least
one hole positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of the base, the
elongate hole sized for accepting a hand for gripping the base
about the peripheral edge.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver plate provides at
least one tube integral therewith, the at least one tube of a rigid
structural material and positioned so as to extend upwardly within
at least one of the strut apertures.
7. The system of claim 6 further comprising at least one tubular
adaptor engaged within the at least one receiver plate tube thereby
modifying at least one of the size and shape of the at least one
receiver plate tube.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one tubular adaptor
is comprised of plural strips arranged in side-by-side
juxtaposition, and separated by margins having a wall thickness
less than the strips, the strips thereby formable into a tube by
folding each of the strips on one of the margins.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one tubular adaptor
provides flanges positioned at, at least one end thereof such that
with the at least one tubular adaptor inserted into the at least
one receiver plate tube, the flanges are able to grip a bottom
surface of the receiver plate.
10. A traffic ballast system comprising: a horizontally oriented,
unitary integral base having a top surface, a plurality of vertical
standards engaged with and extending through the to surface into
the base; the standards comprising a plurality of mutually distinct
cross-sectional sizes and shapes.
11. A traffic ballast comprising: a horizontally oriented, unitary,
integral base having a top surface with a plurality of holes
therein; the holes configured for receiving a plurality of mutually
distinct sizes and shapes of vertical standards for extending
upwardly from the base; at least two of the plurality of holes
being spaced apart and of identical configuration.
Description
FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to road signs and more
particularly to a traffic sign system with interchangeable elements
able to be adapted to various configurations.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37
CFR 1.97 AND 1.98
[0002] Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. D406,543 describes a traffic
channelizer design. Bent et al., U.S. Pat. No. D412,131 describes a
traffic channelizing system design. Alt, U.S. Pat. No. D419,901
describes a safety marking pylon design. Abrams, U.S. Pat. No.
3,380,428 describes a traffic guide post means comprising a post
member and a base member of mutually interfitting relationship.
Lyons et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,118 describes a signal device
combining a fluorescent or phosphorescent light tube and a weighted
base designed to be thrown or dropped from a vehicle as a warning
marker. The light tube is preferably of the chemically actuated
type and the base preferably has four resilient legs serving to
ensure that the device will assume an upright position when
dropped. Beard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,334 describes a traffic marker
including an upright cone-shaped member and a base. Two orifices
are provided on the upper end of the cone-shaped member and on
opposite sides thereof A bracket is provided having an interior
portion and an exterior portion. The bracket is operable to be
inserted through the orifice such that the distal end of the
interior portion contacts the interior surface of the cone-shaped
member at a point. An orifice is disposed in the interior member
through which a flag can be inserted. The flag is inserted through
the orifice on the opposite side of the cone-shaped member through
the orifice to contact the opposite sides of the interior surface
of the cone at a point. Thurston, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,791 describes
a stackable road delineator including an upright conical portion
with a detachable weighted base. The top conical end has a handle
graspable by the fingers of a human hand. Also, this end has a
conical hollow interior so that when it is stacked on top of
another similar delineator, the handle will freely fit within this
hollow interior to thus provide stackable delineators. Kulp et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,673 describes a safety delineator which
includes a conical body portion to which is attached one or more
vertical panels. A new and improved handle feature permits easy and
comfortable full hand gripping of the delineator and also prevents
sticking and jamming together of a plurality of the delineators
when they are stacked. The delineators may be stacked without
removing the vertical panels, since each vertical panel is
particularly designed to wrap around the conical body portion to
which it is attached as another vertical delineator slides over it.
Ahn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,262 describes a basally adhered,
self-recovering traffic lane delineator having a cylindrical post
made of flexible material, having the air outlet and inlet on the
center of its upper surface, and a supplementary support panel
placed and adhered underneath the post. The support panel supports
a lower part of the post and is adhered on the ground. Owing to its
small package volume, the delineator is easy to move and safeguard.
Bent et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,941 describes a traffic delineator
including a cylinder and a base. The base has a hole therethrough
to permit the cylinder to be inserted into the base and the base
then holds the cylinder down. A grip is formed in the center
section of the cylinder to increase ease of carrying the
delineator. The cylinder may also include a handle and means for
affixing traffic warning lights and flags. The base may include
means for holding removable ballast. The cylinder is formed by blow
molding. Eberle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,320 describes a free
standing display panel with a foldable floor sign including an
integrally formed handle portion and male and female hinge
projections. The male and female hinge projections snap together
into interlocking engagement with each other in response to
simultaneous axial compression. The male coupling member includes a
resilient finger portion and a latching head, and the female
coupling member includes a cylindrical collar having a latch pocket
and a radially stepped, inwardly projecting retainer. The resilient
finger portion is radially deflectable in response to sliding
engagement of the latching head against the retainer to permit the
latching head to clear the retainer and enter the latch pocket. The
display panels are stabilized in a spread-apart service position by
a locking arm that is pivotally coupled to the display panels for
folding movement within longitudinal slots formed along side edges
of the display panels. Two or more floor signs are linked together
by chains to provide a wide area barrier to entry.
[0003] Our prior art search, described above, teaches road
delineators with conical and wedge shaped bodies, disc shaped
bottom plates and flat panels mounted upright on the bodies,
stackable construction, and of molded plastic materials. However,
the prior art fails to teach a base with insertable upright for
holding a sign, wherein the base is made of a highly resilient
material and has an insert of a highly rigid structural material
for securing the inserted upright. The present disclosure
distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown
advantages as described in the following summary.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and
use which give rise to the objectives described below.
[0005] A road sign base is constructed of a high density,
resilient, shock absorbing material such as rubber. It provides a
top surface, a bottom surface and one or more strut apertures
between them. A receiver plate of a rigid structural material such
as structural grade polymer plastic is engaged with the base in
proximity to the bottom surface. One or more vertical struts are
received within apertures through the top surface for supporting a
sign. The base provides adequate weight to support the sign in high
winds while providing energy absorption should contact with moving
vehicles occur. The receiver plate provides rigid surfaces for
mechanical coupling with the struts. Struts of various shapes and
sizes are able to be engaged with the apertures using adaptors so
that the system is able to be adapted for various uses. A plurality
of the bases may be stacked, one on top of the next, each nestling
within the other, so that they may be transported without taking up
excessive storage space.
[0006] A primary objective inherent in the above described
apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by
the prior art.
[0007] Another objective is to provide a road sign base structure
that is highly resilient upon impact yet has a relatively high
weight density for temporary sign anchoring.
[0008] A further objective is to provide such a sign base that may
be adapted to receive a wide range of sign posts or struts having
different sizes and shapes.
[0009] A still further objective is to provide such a sign
structure and system that is highly portable and compact in storage
due to nesting features.
[0010] A primary objective inherent in the above described
apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by
the prior art.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus
and method of its use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0012] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one
of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such
drawing(s):
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base of the presently
described apparatus;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective separated view of a vertical panel,
base and a flasher lamp thereof;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elements of FIG. 2 shown
assembled;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of several bases shown stacked
with each one on top of, and engaged with, each next one below;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective separated view of the base with a
receiver plate;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 5
shown assembled;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective separated view of the base with
receiver plate and two alternative signs capable of being engaged
with the base; a "stop" sign able to be inserted directly, and a
"road work ahead" sign with an adaptor;
[0020] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the components of
FIG. 7 shown assembled;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the adaptor of FIG. 7 shown
in an unfolded state;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the adaptor of FIG. 10
shown in a folded state; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the adaptor shown
mounted within the receiver plate; the later shown in phantom
outline.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described
apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred,
best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the
following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may
be able to make alterations and modifications what is described
herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it
must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for
the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a
limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of
use.
[0025] The presently described apparatus is a traffic ballast
system for supporting signs, reflective surfaces and symbols for
directing and informing motor traffic. The apparatus is constructed
of a base 10 whose material makeup is preferably one of natural or
synthetic rubber but also can be constructed of any rubber-like
material such as a rubberized plastic. Generally, this material is
not rigid and therefore enables a supported sign to yield to
contact with a moving vehicle. The primary objective here is to
enable the base 10 to provide ballast in supporting temporarily
placed signs effectively in windy conditions. The base 10 provides
a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14 and a strut aperture 20,
whereby the word "aperture" as used herein may take the singular or
plural meaning. The aperture 20 extends into the base through the
top surface 12 and may or may not extend through the bottom surface
as shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] A receiver plate 50 is made of a rigid structural material
such as metal or hard plastic. Plate 50, shown in FIG. 5, is
engaged with the first base 10 using common fasteners as shown, and
is positioned in proximity or in contact with bottom surface 14
which is preferably recessed. In one embodiment the receiver plate
50 is embedded within the base. Tube 52, integral with plate 50
extends upwardly therefrom and is inserted into aperture 20. In
this manner, although base 10 is able to provide a highly resilient
surface to traffic vehicles, receiver plate 50, being an insert
into base 10 provides structural strength and rigidity. The
combination provides the best operational features of both
elements. It is noted that plate 50 provides recesses 54 on
opposing sides thereof and it will be shown below how these
recesses 54 play a functional part in the operation of the present
apparatus.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 vertical struts 30 and 30', which
are preferably metal or hard plastic tubes or rods of substantial
strength, support sign 36 and 36' respectively at their upper ends
32. Struts 30 or 30' engage tube 52 in base 10 at the lower end 34,
by which the strut 30 or 30' is held in a vertical orientation with
the sign 36 or 36' vertically spaced above the base 10 so as to be
visible to motorists.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the base 10 further comprises a set of
plural surface protrusions 18 extending upwardly from the top
surface 12 with preferably, one of these protrusions 18 located in
each of its four corners as shown. The surface protrusions 18 each
provide a hollow space 19 within and this hollow space or recess 19
is open to the bottom surface 14 of base 10. Therefore, plural
bases 10 may be stacked as shown in FIG. 4 with the upwardly
extending protrusions 18 of lower bases 10 inserted into recesses
19 in upper bases 10. To achieve this nesting of the bases 10, the
hollow recesses 19 are tapered so that one of the recesses 19 will
accept therewithin, a further surface protrusion 18 inserted into
it.
[0029] As previously stated, the strut aperture 20 may comprise
plural spaced apart apertures as shown in FIG. 1 where aperture 20
is flanked by two further holes 22, and the strut 30 may comprise
plural struts 30 which are referred to here as braces 38 as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each one of the braces 38 is preferably engagable
within one of the holes 22 in the base 10 as shown in FIG. 3. The
words "struts" and "braces" are used herein interchangeably.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the holes 22 preferably comprise two
holes 22 and the braces 38 preferably comprise two braces 38. The
sign 36 preferably is mounted between the two braces 38. The braces
38 may be joined by horizontal member 39 for rigidity and each of
the braces 38 preferably terminates at its lower end with a
mounting insert 39 and adjacent thereto a vertical, flexible
locking finger 39'. The locking finger provides a bulbous tip 39''
which, when the mounting insert 39 along with the locking finger
39' is inserted into hole 22, the bulbous tip 39'' contacts one of
the recesses 54 in plate 50. Because finger 39'' is flexible it is
able to flex to one side allowing the bulbous tip 39'' to move
downwardly past plate 50 and then flex back to the vertical. With
the tip 39'' in contact with a bottom surface 56 of plate 50, the
brace 38 is locked in place. Of course, the finger 39' may be
manually flexed to release the tip 39'' for removal of the brace 38
and the sign 36 from the base 10. As shown further in FIG. 2, the
braces 38 may be joined near their upper terminus by cross elements
for rigidity, and for holding a flashing lamp 60 of the type well
known in the prior art. Such a lamp 60 is preferably mounted using
common fasteners onto a flange 60' integral with one or more of the
cross elements as shown.
[0031] The strut 30 or 30' preferably engages the tube 52
tight-fittingly as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively. Also, a
tubular adaptor 40 may be engaged within the receiver plate tube 52
for accepting the strut 30 when strut 30 is undersized with respect
to tube 52 so as to create a more secure fit of the strut 30 within
the receiver plate tube 52 as shown in FIG. 12.
[0032] The tubular adaptor 40 is preferably comprised of plural
strips 42 which are arranged in side-by-side juxtaposition and
separated by margins 44; the margins 44 having a wall thickness
less than the strips 42 so as to permit folding as shown in FIG.
10. Such thinned sections are discussed in the literature and are
typically referred to as "living hinges." The strips 42 are
formable into a tubular shape by folding the strips 42 along
margins 44. A set of plural tabs 46 are preferably placed on one
edge of the tubular adaptor 40 and are positioned for being
interlocking with corresponding open grooves 46' located on an
opposing edge when these opposing edges are folded into contact
with each other as shown in FIG. 11. Flanges 48 are positioned at
both ends of tubular adaptor 40 such that with adaptor 40 inserted
into tube 52, the flanges 48 are able to grip a bottom surface of
plate 50 as best shown in FIG. 12.
[0033] The base 10 provides at least one elongate hole 16 between
the top 12 and bottom 14 surfaces and adjacent to a peripheral edge
11 as shown in FIG. 1. The elongate hole 16 is sized for accepting
a hand for gripping the first base 10 about the peripheral edge.
The combination of the peripheral edge of the first base 10 and
elongate hole 16 is conveniently used as a handle for carrying the
apparatus and for placing the instant apparatus on the ground when
setting-up a traffic sign.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 7 a further adaptor 40' may be used to
enable the mounting of a traffic sign on a strut 31' that has a
round outer surface rather than a square one. Adaptor 40' comprises
a block with a hole 41 therethrough, wherein the hole 41, at a
lower portion in the block is shaped to accept adaptor 40, while at
an upper portion within the block it is round and sized to accept
round strut 31'. In this manner, further adaptor 40' may have an
upper portion of hole 41 shaped to adapt tubular adaptor 40 for
accepting struts that have round, triangular, hexagonal and other
cross-sectional shapes.
[0035] The enablements described in detail above are considered
novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to
the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its
method of use and to the achievement of the above described
objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the
instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of
their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special
definition in this specification: structure, material or acts
beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an
element can be understood in the context of this specification as
including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as
being generic to all possible meanings supported by the
specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[0036] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described
herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements described and its various embodiments or that a single
element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[0037] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope
intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be lo obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[0038] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter
is what is intended to be patented.
* * * * *