EXPANDABLE TRAFFIC CONE
An expandable traffic cone that can be opened and expanded to create a barrier or barricade, lessening the number of cones needed for any situation. The expandable traffic cone is split vertically with a first and second half, joined together by clamps, that when undone, allow the first and second half to be separated horizontally to expose a set of pivoting arms that create a barricade when the cone halves are separated. Arm extensions are also provided to expand the width of the barricade.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Serial No. 61/397,960 (“the '960 application”) filed Jun. 18, 2010. The '960 application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to traffic cones used to mark traffic lanes in various situations where vehicles must be redirected around hazards or other emergency conditions. Likewise these cones can be used to mark the perimeter of an area that requires temporary restricted access such as an accident or crime scene. More particularly, the present invention relates to a traffic cone that can be expanded to serve the function of a barricade, thereby lessening the number of cones needed for a particular situation and eliminating the need for safety tape or other perimeter defining devices.
The traffic cone is a familiar item seen often on roadways to mark traffic lanes, and alert and redirect drivers around construction or accidents. However, the conventional traffic cone has a limited function and does not provide a true barricade against pedestrian traffic or individuals that might walk upon a crime scene or into a dangerous area. The conventional traffic cone is essentially a visual safety device and nothing more. The line created by the placement of safety cones creates a virtual or imaginary boundary but not a physical boundary. Previous inventions have sought to overcome this by incorporation safety tape roll dispensers at the top or apex of a traffic cone with the intention of running tape from one cone to another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the limitations of the simple traffic cone and previous attempts to expand its use by providing an improved expandable traffic cone. The inventive expandable traffic cone has a top or apex end and a bottom end and is essentially split vertically into a first half with right and left vertical surfaces and a second half with right and left vertical surfaces with a plurality of clamps holding the first half to the second half along the respective vertical surfaces of the first half and the second half, the right vertical surface of the first half abutting the left vertical surface of the second half, and the left vertical surface of the first half abutting the right vertical surface of the second half. The exterior surface of both the first half and the second half will be light reflective for safety reasons. This light reflective surface could be a coating or an adhesive wrap.
When the clamps are disengaged, the first half and the second half are pulled apart in a horizontal direction revealing pivoting arms with a first arm hinged at or near the top of the first half and a second arm hinged at or near the top of the second half. Both of the pivoting arms have an upper end and a lower end with the upper end of each arm being the end hinged at or near the top of the respective half. The lower end of the first arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of the second arm. The length of the pivoting arms or the distance between the upper end and the lower end would be less than the height of the inventive expandable traffic cone, thereby being fully encased and sealed within the first and second halves when closed and clamped together.
When the first half and the second half are fully separated, the first and second arms will rise to a horizontal position creating a barrier or barricade between the separated halves. A spring loaded push button lock will snap into a suitable aperture to lock the first and second arms in their horizontal position.
In a further embodiment, the first and second arms can be fitted with an extended arm feature with a first arm extension and a second arm extension encased in their respective arms such that the first and second half can be horizontally extended further thereby increasing the length of the barrier or barricade and requiring fewer cones for any situation. Both the first arm extension and second arm extension will be provided with extension push button locks allowing the user to select the amount of extension needed. The first and second arms will be provided with lock apertures for snap engagement of the extension push button locks on their respective arm extensions. It is further understood that the exterior surfaces of the arms and arm extensions will be light reflective in a manner similar to that of the safety cone itself
In
In
Also shown in
In
Claims
1. An expandable traffic cone with a top end and a bottom end, with an reflective exterior surface, said cone vertically split to define a first half and a second half with each half having a top end and a bottom end, a right vertical surface and a left vertical surface with the right vertical surface of the first half abutting the left vertical surface of the second half and the right vertical surface of the second half abutting the left vertical surface of the first half with a plurality of clamps to hold the first half to the second half at their respective vertical surfaces.
2. The expandable traffic cone of claim 1 where the first half and second half encase a first pivoting arm and a second pivoting arm each having an upper end and a lower end with the upper end of the first pivoting arm pivotally connected- at the top end of the first half and the upper end of the second pivoting arm pivotally connected a the top end of the second half, the lower end of the first pivoting arm being pivotally connected to the lower end of the second pivoting arm at a pivoting joint and said pivoting joint fitted with a pivoting arm lock.
3. The expandable traffic cone of claim 2 where the upper end of the first pivoting arm is pivotally connected at the top end of the first half by a removable pivot pin, and the upper end of the second pivoting arm is pivotally connected a the top end of the second half by a removable pivot pin, allowing removal of both the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm from the expandable traffic cone.
4. The expandable traffic cone of claim 2 where the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm each encase an arm extension with extension locks.
5. The expandable traffic cone of claim 3 where the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm each encase an arm extension with extension locks.
6. The expandable traffic cone of claim 4 where the first pivoting arm and second pivoting arm each has a reflective exterior surface.
7. The expandable traffic cone of claim 5 where each arm extension has a reflective exterior surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 22, 2011
Inventor: DEON R. BUTLER (New Orleans, LA)
Application Number: 13/162,299
International Classification: E01F 9/012 (20060101);