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US4466376A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Traffic cone

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-29
•
Granted: 1984-08-21
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Expires: 2002-09-29
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Abstract

Abstract A foldable traffic warning cone utilizes a first panel of generally fan shape having triangular faces joined at adjacent sides along face folding lines. The first panel has opposite free sides which interconnect to fold the first panel into an upright polygon. The triangular faces of the first panel have bottom ends with extending flaps which cooperate with a second panel having a number of sides commensurate to the number of faces on the first panel and which forms a base for the first panel. The second panel has wings extending outwardly from each of the sides and which are foldable to provide a wall extending about the base. The wings also trap the flaps and thereby connect the upright polygon and the base together. The warning cone can be selectively folded and unfolded for use and storage.

Inventors

  • 👤 Homer D. Wells

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 01:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q7/00; B60Q7/005; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/654; E01F9/688

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 231 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape and having four triangular faces joined at adjacent sides along respective face fold lines; (b) said first panel having a first free side and a second free side including a flap whereby said flap engages said first free side to fold said first panel into an upright, four sided pyramid; (c) said first panel having an apex end and a bottom end with said bottom end having fold lines with slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to the longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; and (d) a second panel of generally rectangular shape and comprising a base joinable with said pyramid; said second panel having four outwardly extending wings, each including a plurality of parallel fold lines and an outer wing flap portion with a tab; at least some of said wings respectively having arms protruding laterally therefrom; (e) said second panel having a central portion with central arms swingable upwardly therefrom to expose a central opening and fit within said pyramid and connect thereto; (f) said wings being foldable along said parallel fold lines to trap said bottom flaps therein and form upright walls with said tabs received in said slots and with opposite end openings receiving said wing arms and connecting said walls together, thereby securing said base to said pyramid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 231 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape and having four triangular faces joined at adjacent sides along respective face fold lines; (b) said first panel having a first free side and a second free side including a flap whereby said flap engages said first free side to fold said first panel into an upright, four sided pyramid; (c) said first panel having an apex end and a bottom end with said bottom end having fold lines with slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to the longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; and (d) a second panel of generally rectangular shape and comprising a base joinable with said pyramid; said second panel having four outwardly extending wings, each including a plurality of parallel fold lines and an outer wing flap portion with a tab; at least some of said wings respectively having arms protruding laterally therefrom; (e) said second panel having a central portion with central arms swingable upwardly therefrom to expose a central opening and fit within said pyramid and connect thereto; (f) said wings being foldable along said parallel fold lines to trap said bottom flaps therein and form upright walls with said tabs received in said slots and with opposite end openings receiving said wing arms and connecting said walls together, thereby securing said base to said pyramid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 216 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape having a plurality of faces thereon; (i) said faces being joined at adjacent sides along face fold lines; (ii) said first panel having opposite free sides including means for interconnection whereby said first panel is foldable into an upright polygonal pyramid; (iii) said first panel having a bottom end, said bottom end having fold lines and slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; (b) a second panel having a number of sides commensurate to the number of faces on said first panel and comprising a base joinable with said polygonal pyramid; (i) said second panel having wings extending outwardly from each of said sides; (ii) said wings having outer edges including tabs; said tabs being insertable into said first panel bottom end slots; (iii) said first panel being joined to said second panel during use by folding said wings providing a wall extending about said pyramid, trapping said first panel flaps under said folded wings and inserting said wing tabs into said first panel slots; and (iv) said wall forming a well surrounding a bottom end of said pyramid; said well being adapted to receive weighting materials for weighting down said cone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 216 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape having a plurality of faces thereon; (i) said faces being joined at adjacent sides along face fold lines; (ii) said first panel having opposite free sides including means for interconnection whereby said first panel is foldable into an upright polygonal pyramid; (iii) said first panel having a bottom end, said bottom end having fold lines and slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; (b) a second panel having a number of sides commensurate to the number of faces on said first panel and comprising a base joinable with said polygonal pyramid; (i) said second panel having wings extending outwardly from each of said sides; (ii) said wings having outer edges including tabs; said tabs being insertable into said first panel bottom end slots; (iii) said first panel being joined to said second panel during use by folding said wings providing a wall extending about said pyramid, trapping said first panel flaps under said folded wings and inserting said wing tabs into said first panel slots; and (iv) said wall forming a well surrounding a bottom end of said pyramid; said well being adapted to receive weighting materials for weighting down said cone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The traffic warning cone set forth in claim 2 wherein: (a) said first panel includes four faces; (b) said second panel is generally rectangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 266 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape and having a plurality of faces joined at adjacent sides along respective face fold lines; (b) said first panel having a first free side and a second free side including a flap whereby said flap engages said first free side to fold said first panel into an upright, polygonal pyramid; (c) said first panel having an apex end and a bottom end with said bottom end having fold lines with slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; (b) a second panel having a number of sides commensurate to the number of faces on said first panel and comprising a base joinable with said pyramid; said second panel having outwardly extending wings, each including a plurality of parallel fold lines and on outer wing flap portion with a tab; at least some of said wings respectively having arms protruding laterally therefrom; (e) said second panel having a central portion with central arms swingable upwardly therefrom to expose a central opening and fit within said pyramid and connect thereto; (f) said wings being foldable along said parallel fold lines to trap said bottom flaps therein and to form upright walls with said tabs received in said slots and with end openings receiving said wing arms and connecting said walls together, thereby securing said base to said pyramid; and (i) said wall forming a well surrounding a bottom end of said pyramid; said well being adapted to receive weighting materials for weighting down said cone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 266 words
A foldable traffic warning cone comprising: (a) a first panel of generally fan shape and having a plurality of faces joined at adjacent sides along respective face fold lines; (b) said first panel having a first free side and a second free side including a flap whereby said flap engages said first free side to fold said first panel into an upright, polygonal pyramid; (c) said first panel having an apex end and a bottom end with said bottom end having fold lines with slots therein, said fold lines extending normally to longitudinal axes of said faces, thereby forming bottom flaps; (b) a second panel having a number of sides commensurate to the number of faces on said first panel and comprising a base joinable with said pyramid; said second panel having outwardly extending wings, each including a plurality of parallel fold lines and on outer wing flap portion with a tab; at least some of said wings respectively having arms protruding laterally therefrom; (e) said second panel having a central portion with central arms swingable upwardly therefrom to expose a central opening and fit within said pyramid and connect thereto; (f) said wings being foldable along said parallel fold lines to trap said bottom flaps therein and to form upright walls with said tabs received in said slots and with end openings receiving said wing arms and connecting said walls together, thereby securing said base to said pyramid; and (i) said wall forming a well surrounding a bottom end of said pyramid; said well being adapted to receive weighting materials for weighting down said cone.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-08-21 1988-02-20 1988-08-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-08-21 1992-02-20 1992-08-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-08-21 1996-02-20 1996-08-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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