Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Title of Invention: A STACKABLE AND HAND TRANS-
PORTABLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DEVICE
Technical Field
Pi This invention relates to devices that provide a visual alert to
persons for a variety of
purposes, such as traffic management devices in the form of signals and
indicators and
often in the form of cones, and, more specifically to such devices constructed
to be
stackable and having structure for carrying a plurality thereof.
Background Art
[2] The present invention generally relates to traffic management devices.
Traffic
management devices in the form of cones, commonly-known as parking cones,
traffic
cones, orange cones, etc., are well-known. These cones are typically portable
and tem-
porarily placed in a location as a visual alert to people who may be either or
both
pedestrians or vehicle operators. In this manner, cones are used to mark
indoor and
outdoor traffic hazards in various situations where vehicles or pedestrians
must be
redirected around emergency conditions.
1131 Likewise these devices can be used to mark the perimeter of an area
that requires
temporary restricted access such as an accident or crime scene, or otherwise
to loosely
define areas such as an area for a specific use like an athletic field. As
used herein and
above, the term 'traffic management device' and variants thereof refers to all
varieties
and uses commonly understood for the above-referenced 'cones,' each of these
terms
being used for convenience herein.
[4] More particularly, the present invention relates to a traffic
management device that
can be stacked, stored and carried in a space-efficient manner. In detail, a
number of
features for cones present certain difficulties. Stacking cones is well-known
as it
lessens the amount of time that a worker has to spend carrying multiple
devices and
creates a safer way of transporting multiple and stacked devices to work-site
near
highway traffic. Cones rarely sit in a clean environment, typically being used
on roads
and highways and dirty floors, and carrying cones by their bases results in
transferring
the dirt to the carrier. In forms, the present invention includes a handhold
for carrying
the cones in a portion at a distance from the base such that, by not having to
grasp the
bottom of the traffic management device, the worker is able to maintain hand
hygiene.
1151 One traffic management device that is a familiar item seen often on
roadways is the
traffic cone used to mark traffic lanes, and alert and redirect drivers around
con-
struction or accidents. However, this traffic management device has no
integrated
means for grasping and carrying a plurality of stacked devices from a storage
area to a
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work-site.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[6]
Solution to Problem
Technical Solution
1171 The present invention overcomes the limitations of traffic management
devices by
providing an improved traffic management device incorporating integrated
carrying
means whereby a worker can grasp and carry a plurality of stacked devices and,
in
preferred forms, do so using a single hand.
1181 In one embodiment of the present invention the traffic management
device is a traffic
cone.
1191 The traffic management device is furnished with at least one cut-out
creating a
handhold while at the same time not diminishing the visually attentive
qualities, such
as reflective qualities, of the traffic management that make it an effective
traffic hazard
signal.
[10] In another embodiment of the invention, the traffic management device
is furnished
with two cut-outs creating a suitcase handle-like carrying means.
[11] The devices can be stacked, typically about six tall, and still
maintain the single hand
grasping and handle means. The interior of the device behind the cut-outs will
be light
reflective for safety reasons so that the absence of exterior surface area
caused by the
cut-outs does not diminish the effectiveness of the traffic management device
as a
safety device.
[12] One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a traffic
management device
comprising a body generally defining an exterior surface and an interior
space. A base
supports the body and is disposed as to support the device on a surface when
in use.
The device further comprises a handhold formed in the body for grasping and
carrying
it. The handhold includes at least a first opening in the body extending from
the
exterior surface to the interior space and configured for receiving a hand
there through
for grasping the device. In another preferred embodiment the handhold includes
a pair
of openings. The interior space is defined by an interior surface of the body
which has
at least a portion visible through the handhold being finished so as not to
diminish the
alert characteristics of the device to a visual observer. The base includes a
portion
extending laterally outward from the body. The device and handhold are
configured to
permit a plurality of devices to be stacked such that the exterior body
surface of an
inferior-positioned of the plurality of devices is receivable within the
interior space of
a superior-positioned plurality of devices and at least a portion of the
handhold of one
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device may be overlapped with the handhold of a second device to permit
grasping of
the devices simultaneously thereby.
[13] The device further includes a registration structure permitting the
inferior-positioned
device to be received by the superior-positioned device in a predetermined
orientation
thereto. The predetermined orientation including the handholds of the devices
are at
least partially overlapping. The plurality of devices that can be stacked is
up to six.
[14] At least a portion of the body is generally conical and at least a
portion of the body
exterior surface is reflective. As well, at least a portion of the body
interior surface is
finished in manner consistent with the body exterior surface. The base and
body are
configured so that the center of mass of the device is located within the
base. The
handhold is generally rectangular having four sides. At least a portion of the
handhold
sides is configured for protecting a carrier grasping the device thereat. The
registration
structure includes interior structure disposed on the interior surface and
exterior
structure disposed on the exterior surface such that the interior structure of
a superior-
positioned device cooperates with the exterior structure of an inferior-
positioned
device, the registration structure including a slot and a groove cooperatively
en-
gageable to align the devices in the predetermined orientation with at least a
portion of
the openings being overlapping.
[15] The device further includes a frame securable with the handhold for
grasping each
handhold thereat.
[16] The main advantage of the invention is that it permits multiple
stacked traffic
management devices to be carried from a storage area to a work-site in an
efficient and
safe manner using a single hand. There is no need to use a carrier or a caddy
to move a
plurality of stacked devices.
[17] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent in the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to
the ac-
companying drawings.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
Advantageous Effects
[18]
Brief Description of Drawings
Description of Drawings
[19] Figure 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of the invention.
[20] Figure 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of the invention.
[21] Figure 3 is a diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a stacked
configuration.
[22] Figure 4 is a diagram of the embodiment of Figure 2 in a stacked
configuration.
11231
Figure 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of the registration structure of one
em-
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bodiment of the invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Best Mode
[24] Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated one embodiment of the
traffic management
device of the present invention in the form of a traffic cone 100. However,
there are
other shapes of stackable and hand transportable traffic management devices to
which
this invention applies. At least a portion of the traffic management device
may be
conical.
[25] The traffic management device 100 is shown comprising a hollow
truncated conical
body 102 having an exterior surface 114 and an interior space 103. The conical
body
102 has a truncated apex 104 and a base 106. The base includes a portion 107
that
extends outwards from the body 102. The base 106 may be weighted to ensure
stability
in wind and the centre of gravity (CoG) 111 of the device is within the base.
The base
supports the body and is disposed to support the device on a surface when in
use.
[26] The truncated apex 104 and the base 106 of the device 100 are open to
permit
stacking of one device on top of the other. The body 102 is fabricated from a
light-
weight and flexible material so that when struck by a moving vehicle the cone
can
collapse or crush and then regain its original shape without doing damage to
the
vehicle or becoming a dangerous flying projectile. Materials can range from wa-
terproofed paper to suitable thermoplastics such as PVC to recycled materials.
The
exterior surface 114 of the body 102 is coated with brightly colored and
reflective
paints and/or symbols in accordance with Federal Highway Administration of the
U.S.
Department of Transportation or analogous regulatory bodies of different
countries.
[27] Still referring to Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment of the traffic
management
device 100 comprises at least a first opening 120. The at least first opening
creates a
handhold for grasping and carrying the device. The at least first opening 120
in the
body extends from the exterior surface 114 to the interior space 103 and is
configured
to receive a hand there through for grasping the device. The handhold opening
120 is
generally rectangular having permitting a hand to enter the opening 120 and
grasp the
device by one of the four sides 126 to 132. Each of the sides of the opening
can be
treated so as not to present a potential cutting surface for the worker's
hand. Treatment
may include a rubber or leather surround (partially shown at 121) fixed to
each of the
sides 126 to 132.
[28] Referring to Figure 2 and in another embodiment of the invention the
traffic
management device 200 comprises a pair of openings 220 and 222.
[29] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in each of the devices 100 and 200
illustrated each of
the bodies 102 and 202 have an interior space 103 and 203 defined by an
interior
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surface 105 and 205 of the bodies 102 and 202 respectively. The interior
surfaces 105
and 205 have at least a portion thereof visible through the handhold openings
120, 220
and 222. Therefore, these visible portions of the interior surfaces of the
bodies will be
finished in a manner similar to the exterior surfaces 114 and 214 so as not to
diminish
the alert characteristics of the device to a visual observer.
[30] Referring back to Figure 1, the sides 126 to 132 of the handhold
opening 120 may be
structurally reinforced to facilitate carriage of the traffic management
device by hand.
A hand-grasping or carrying frame 123 can be inserted into the rectangle to
facilitate
hand grasping without cutting the hand and to reinforce the load bearing area
of the cut
out. The frame 121 engages all sides of the rectangle. The frame can also be
adjustable
lengthwise so that it can fit and secure to stacked configurations of devices
wherein the
handhold is diminished by the overlapping devices. This is shown in Figure 4
item
423.
[31] Still referring to Figure 1, the worker can carry the single device
right-side-up by
inserting a single hand or even a pair of fingers to support the device from
the side 132
of the handhold cutout120. Alternatively, the worker can carry the single
device
upside-down by supporting the device from side 128 of the handhold.
Advantageously,
this embodiment of the invention permits the worker to carry the device by a
single
hand in a convenient and safe hand-hold as represented by the rectangular cut
out
rather than by attempting to grasp the conical top of the device.
[32] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown the device of Figure 1 100
in a stacked
configuration. In Figure 4, four devices 100A to 100D are in a stacked
configuration
but up to six of the devices can be stacked. The handhold openings 120A to
120D of
the four stacked devices are disposed over each other as the devices are
stacked. This
creates a diminished opening 120A which the carrier can use to lift and carry
the
stacked configuration of devices. Advantageously the adjustable reinforcing
frame 423
shown installed within reduced opening 120A can be used by the carrier to
carry the
stacked configuration without injury to the hand.
[33] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4, the devices illustrated include a
base 106 and
stacked bases 106 A to 106 D respectively which further include a portion 107
and
stacked portions 107A to 107D [107A to 107C not illustrated] extending
laterally
outward from the body of each device. As shown in Figure 4, the devices 100A
to
100D and the handholds 120A to 120D are configured to permit a plurality of
the
devices to be stacked such that the exterior body surface [114A not
illustrated] of an
inferior positioned device [100A] of the plurality of stacked devices [100A to
100D] is
receivable within the interior space [103B - not illustrated] of a superior
positioned
device [100B] of the plurality of stacked devices. At least a portion of the
handhold
[120A] may be overlapped with the handhold [120B] of a second device [100B] to
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permit grasping of the stacked devices simultaneously.
[34] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 a registration structure 140 and
140D respectively
permits the inferior positioned device 100A to be received by the superior
positioned
device 100B in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation
includes
the handholds 120A and 120B of each of the respective devices being at least
partially
overlapping.
[35] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 the registration structure 140
includes an interior
structure 129 disposed on the interior surface 105 of a superior positioned
device co-
operating with an exterior structure 127 disposed on the exterior surface 114
of an
inferior positioned device. The exterior structure may be a slot and the
interior
structure may be a groove cooperatively engaging to align the devices in the
prede-
termined orientation with at least of the openings 120A to 120D being
overlapping. A
frame 423 [Figure 41 may be securable within the handhold for grasping each
handhold
of the stacked devices.
[36] Referring to Figure 5, there is a shown further detail of one
embodiment of a reg-
istration structure for a cone shaped traffic management device 500 which is
similar to
the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. In the embodiment illustrated
the
device has a first opening 502 and a second opening 504. Between the two cut
outs is a
carrying member 506. The registration structure is located between the two
openings
and on the carrying member and comprises a slot 508 formed on the exterior
side of a
single device 510 and a groove 512 on the opposite side such that one of
either the slot
or groove of one device 510 registers with a groove or slot of a second device
514 so
that a plurality of devices may be easily oriented in a stacked configuration
by the
worker so that that all of the cut outs 502 and 504 of the stacked
configuration are
aligned and carrier can grasp the carrying member 506 with a single hand.
[37] When placing one device on top another device, the worker need only
rotate the
device by hand to feel the inside groove/slot structure of the top placed
device engage
in registration with the corresponding groove/slot structure of the bottom
disposed
device and then drop the device into place. As can be seen by reference to
Figure 4, a
number of devices can be stacked and still provide for a grasping cut out 120
large
enough for a hand to fit.
[38] Referring o Figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of the
invention 200. In
this embodiment the traffic management device comprises a hollow truncated
conical
body 202 having a truncated apex 204 and a base 206. The base has a portion
207
extending out from the body. The base 206 may be weighted to ensure stability
in wind
and the centre of gravity (CoG) 211 of the device is located in the base. The
apex 204
and the base 203 are open. The body of the device is fabricated and coated in
the same
manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 1. There is a first opening 220 and a
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second adjacent, identical and parallel opening 222. The openings 220 and 222
are
separated by a carrying handle 224. The handle member may be reinforced on the
interior surface thereof to facilitate carriage by hand. The openings are
illustrated as
elongated cigar shaped openings but they can have other shapes as well that
facilitate
hand grasping. Each of the sides and the tops and bottoms of the cut outs can
be treated
in a similar manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 1 as described above so
as not
to present a potential cutting surface for the carrier's hand. As well, a hand-
grasping or
carrying frame 221 and 223 similar to the embodiment describes with respect to
Figure
1 can be inserted into each of the cut outs to facilitate hand grasping
without cutting
the carrier's hand. Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention permits
the
worker to carry the device like a valise or suitcase using a single hand in a
convenient
and safe hand-hold.
[39] Referring now to Figure 2 and Figure 3, there is shown in Figure 3 the
device of
Figure 2 (200) in a stacked configuration. In Figure 3, four devices 200A to
200D are
in a stacked configuration. The cut outs 220A to 220D and 222A to 222D and the
handle members 224A to 224D of the four devices are disposed over each other
as the
devices are stacked. There is an registration structure 240 disposed into at
least one
side of the inside body surface 205 of each device 200 so that the devices can
be easily
oriented by the worker in a proper stacked configuration such that all of the
cut outs
are aligned as illustrated. The registration structure comprises an interior
structure 229
and an exterior 227 structure. The registration structure operates in the same
manner as
described with respect to Figures 5 so that one of either the slot or groove
of a superior
first device registers with a groove or slot of an inferior second device so
that a
plurality of devices may be easily oriented in a stacked configuration by the
worker so
that that all of the openings are aligned as shown in Figure 3.
[40] While the present invention has been described in connection with what
is considered
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this
invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements of
traffic management devices included within the spirit and scope of the
broadest inter-
pretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent
arrangements.
Mode for the Invention
Mode for Invention
[41]
Industrial Applicability
[42]
Sequence Listing Free Text
Sequence List Text
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[43]
