US5234280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traffic channeling devices
Assignee: Plastic Safety Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1992-03-30
•
Granted: 1993-08-10
•
Expires: 2012-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Traffic channeling device includes a deformable plastic drum and a rubber collar insertable over the drum to act as ballast for the drum. The rubber collar comprises a bead portion and an integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire. When the rubber collar is inserted over the drum, the rubber collar gives the drum a relatively low center of gravity and grips the ground over a relatively large surface area to resist tipping of the drum and eliminate walking of the drum on the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Cowan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:43
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/654; E01F9/688; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said drum having a radially outwardly and axially downwardly tapering skirt portion adjacent a bottom edge of said drum for resisting pullout of said drum from said rubber collar means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said drum having a radially outwardly and axially downwardly tapering skirt portion adjacent a bottom edge of said drum for resisting pullout of said drum from said rubber collar means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 1 further comprising integral flange means extending radially outwardly from said skirt portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 2 further comprising stiffening ribs integral with said skirt portion and said flange means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 3 wherein said stiffening ribs initially extend downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 25° for a portion of their height and then downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 40° for the remaining portion of their height.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 3 wherein said skirt portion extends downwardly and outwardly adjacent said bottom edge of said drum at an angle of approximately 20°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said rubber collar means comprises a relatively rigid bead portion and a relatively non-rigid integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 6 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means has an inner periphery defining an opening through which said drum extends up to said skirt portion, and said side wall portion of said rubber collar means extends radially outwardly and axially downwardly from said bead portion for substantial flat engagement with a surface on which said drum is placed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 7 wherein said inner periphery of said bead portion has a diameter greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said drum adjacent an upper end of said skirt portion and less than the maximum transverse dimension of said skirt portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 8 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means leaving said rubber collar means behind.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 9 wherein said drum is made of a high or low density polyethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said collar means has a loose fit on said drum to allow said drum to flex and vibrate under traffic and wind conditions without tipping over.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein said drum is generally oval shape to minimizes rolling of said drum when tipped over.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said rubber collar means are adapted to be inserted over said drum in stacked relation to act as ballast for said drum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
The traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means insertable over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a bead portion and an integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire, said bead portion having an inner periphery defining an opening through which said drum extends, and said side wall portion extends radially outwardly and axially downwardly from said bead portion for substantial flat engagement with a surface on which said drum is placed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
The traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means insertable over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a bead portion and an integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire, said bead portion having an inner periphery defining an opening through which said drum extends, and said side wall portion extends radially outwardly and axially downwardly from said bead portion for substantial flat engagement with a surface on which said drum is placed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 14 further comprising means adjacent a bottom edge of said drum for resisting pullout of said drum from said rubber collar means, said drum being deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said behind.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 15 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit on said drum to allow said drum to flex and vibrate under traffic and wind conditions without tipping over.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 14 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means is thicker than said side wall portion and includes steel reinforcing, whereby said bead portion is heavier and more rigid than said side wall portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 17 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means, said rubber collar means having a generally ramp-like shape making it easy for a vehicle to drive over said rubber collar means without causing damage to the vehicle after said drum has been dislodged from said rubber collar means upon impact.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 17 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit over said drum, whereby in the event said drum should tip over, said rubber collar means will move up on said drum and said side wall portion will flatten but where said side wall portion contacts said surface, making it more difficult for said drum to roll.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a relatively rigid bead portion and a relatively non-rigid integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A traffic channeling device comprising a deformable hollow plastic drum, and rubber collar means adapted to be inserted over said drum to act as ballast for said drum, said rubber collar means comprising a relatively rigid bead portion and a relatively non-rigid integral side wall portion of a recycled truck tire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means has an inner periphery defining an opening for insertion of said rubber collar means over said drum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 further comprising means for resisting pull out of said drum from said rubber collar means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
63 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said rubber collar means has a loose fit on said drum, whereby in the event said drum should tip over, said rubber collar means will move up on said drum and said side wall portion will flatten out where said side wall portion contacts said surface, making it more difficult for said drum to roll.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is generally cylindrical in shape and has a multi-faceted flange extending radially outwardly from said skirt portion to minimize rolling of said drum when tipped over.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is stepped radially inwardly at discrete intervals along the axial length of said drum from bottom to top to facilitate stacking of said drums.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 14 wherein said drum includes a plurality of recessed surfaces to protect bands of reflective sheeting applied to one or more of said recessed surfaces against damage during stacking of said drums.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said bead portion of said rubber collar means includes steel reinforcing, whereby said bead portion is heavier and more rigid than said side wall portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The traffic channeling device of claim 20 wherein said drum is deformable upon impact by a vehicle to cause said drum to become dislodged from said rubber collar means, said rubber collar means having a generally ramp-like shape making it easy for a vehicle to drive over said rubber collar means without causing damage to the vehicle after said drum has been dislodged from said rubber collar means upon impact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2957444A
Cited
US3451368A
Cited
US3475009A
Cited
US3848853A
Cited
US4157210A
Cited
US4312600A
Cited
GB2125863A
Cited
US4710053A
Cited
US5156486A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |