GB2324557A - Telescopic Cone - Google Patents

Abstract

A traffic cone is collapsible using interlocking sectional pieces for traffic safety, public safety and the like. The structure is secured using a moulded slit and ball method, up to 12 of these may be required on each section, enabling it to be deployed and collapsed with ease. The ball devices are positioned near the top of each section such that when deployed the base of the inner section 'sits' on the ball. When the cone is collapsed the sections fall into each other and drop either inside the base or on top of the base, depending on which base used. Each sectional piece would have a detachable bottom with drain hole. This enables the cone to be collapsed in an orderly fashion. A detachable cap may be used to secure sections, in base during transit and storage. There may be a hole with a bung in the base so that it can be filled with a weighty material.

Description

TRAFFTC CONE This invention relates to motorways, roads and highways, safety, emergency services, business and general public use. It is a three dimensional, collapsible free standing structure which may be put anywhere convenient.

Such cones are well known but suffer from the disadvantage of not being three dimensional and collapsible. The existing cones are either two dimensional flat collapsible with limited all-round visibility or three dimensional none collapsible which could cause problems with storage and transportation.

An object of this invention is to provide a traffic cone which allows all-round use with no limitations.

Accordingly, this invention is aimed at complying with all road safety regulations.

The cone is formed from as little as 2 sections and as many as 50 sections. The sizes and shapes could alter depending on the requirements of the purpose of use. The cone is a free-standing structure with a weighted or non-weighted base to be deployed by a pulling up motion and collapsed with downward pressure. There may be a hole and bung in the top of the base to enable it to be filled with a weighty material.

The method of holding up the structure when deployed is by arranging up to 12 strategically positioned fastenings around the inside top half of each section, including the base. The fastenings could be of various methods, this being the moulded ball and slit method. The moulded ball and slit method could take any shape, form or size.

Preferably the cones and bases are made of a flexible plastics material, or rubber material or a combination of these, preferably red or orange in colour. Two middle sections of the device are coloured with a fluorescent white material which may contain a combination of materials. The bases would be preferably coloured red, black, grey or brown.

All sections including the base section will have a detachable bottom with a drainage hole.

When the cone is in its collapsed state a detachable cap could be used to protect the sectional pieces when in transit or stored.

A preferred embodiment ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 showing a side view of the whole cone.

FIGURE 2 showing aerial view of the cone in its collapsed state.

FIGURE 3 showing one sectional piece of the cones body with the ball and slit locking device.

FIGURE 4 showing the bottom of the sectional piece with a drain hole in the middle.

FIGURE 5 showing a side view of the cone with its base and collar showing.

FIGURE 6 showing two sectional pieces in the interlocking position.

FIGURE 7 showing underneath the cones base.

FIGURE 8 showing the side view of a cone collapsed on a flat base.

As shown in figure 1 the traffic cone comprises of a round cone like structure, divided into a number of sectional pieces to be determined by the height of the cone.

As shown in figure 1 the two middle sections are covered or moulded in a fluorescent white material.

As shown in figure 1 the cone body is preferably coloured red or orange, with bases coloured preferably red, orange, black, grey, brown.

As shown in figure 1 the top section of the cone has a hole in it to enable it to be deployed using one finger. On larger cones it may be necessary to recess the top.

As shown in figure 3 the sectional pieces are held up into position by a U shaped slit with a moulded plastic ball in the middle. Up to 12 of these are needed on each section to support the next and can take any size, shape or form. When the sections are being pulled up the plastic moulded balls hold up the upper section as shown in figure 6. When the cone is pushed down on the plastic balls they give way & the sections collapse. figure 4 shows the removable bottom of a section which is needed to ensure that when the sections are collapsed the top ones do not fall through to the bottom prematurely causing a complete breakdown of the cones function. Every section bottom has a drain hole so that rain and water can escape. A cap similar to this (figure 4) could be used as a cover when the cone is in its collapsed state, see figure 2, to help in transportation or storage.

As shown in figure 7 the underneath of the base of the cone has a circular recess to enable cones to be stacked one on top of another.

The bases which are used to house the cones may vary due to requirements. The first base shown in figure 5 is moulded in two parts that are fastened together, fixing would be determined by the method of manufacture. The second base shown in figure 8 is mainly used for larger cones, and has a flat weighted base.

Referring to the drawings the cone comprises of a collapsible body sectional structure shown in figure 1 and two different types of bases, shown in figure 5 and figure 8. The sectional body structure is held together by sections which are fed through each other starting with the smallest sectional piece going into the next size up and so on right through to the last piece forming the height of the cone. The height of the cone determines the number of sections required.

Shown in figure 5 base number 1 is made up from two major parts that will be fastened together with moulding methods, screws, glue or any other method which is effective, and may come in various fonns and shapes. The two parts of the base are top and bottom, they will be preferably be made of rubber or plastics material. The top consists of a outer hollow shell with a raised open circular top, which makes up the first sectional piece of the body of the cone.

Base number 2 seen in figure 8 will preferably be made out of a rubber or plastics material and preferably made square but it may also come in many shapes forms and sizes.

The sizes of the cones may vary depending on the requirements and specifications of the job.

Claims (7)

Claims

1 A 3-D Collapsible cone comprising of a sectional telescopic free-standing cone mounted in or on a weighted bottom to be deployed with a pulling motion and collapsed with downward pressure.

2 A 3-D Collapsible cones claimed in claim 1 where the means of holding up the structure when deployed is by arranging up to 12 strategically positioned fastenings around the inside top half of each section including the base. The fastenings could be of various methods, this being the moulded ball and slit method. The ball and slits could take any shape, form or size.

3 A 3-D Collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 where the cone body is made up of as little as 2 or as many as 50 sections, conical or other shape, the amount of sections dependant on the height of the structure required.

4 A 3-D Collapsible cone as claimed in claim land claim 3 where in all sections will have a detachable bottom with drainage facility.

S A 3-D Collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1 where the base of the cone could be of any shape or dimensions.

6 A 3-D Collapsible cone as claimed in claim S a detachable cap may be used to protect the collapsed sections during transit and storage. This will be at the neck of the base.

7 A three dimensional collapsible cone substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 8 of the accompanied drawings.

7 A 3-D Collapsible cone as claimed in claim 5 the hollow base could contain a hole and bung to allow the cone to be weighted.

8 A 3-D Collapsible cone substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 8 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A three dimensional collapsible cone comprising a base and a plurality of sections which can be deployed with a pulling motion and collapsed with downward pressure, wherein each section has a removable bottom which prevents breakdown of the structure when the cone is being collapsed, and there is a drainage facility to allow water to drain through the cone.

2 A three dimensional collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1, where the means of holding up the structure when deployed is by using a ball and slit method, the said consisting of a plurality of supporting mechanisms which can take any shape, size or form, a row of balls and slits are placed near to the top of each conical sectional piece equally spaced around the circumference of the sectional pieces, excluding the top section, the balls are moulded and positioned on the inside of the slit area and contained inside each conical section and base section, excluding the top section, when the sections are fed through each other starting with the smallest going through to and including the base section and pulled up into a deployed position, the base of each section sits on top of the moulded balls of the following section, therefore supporting the telescopic, conical body, a plurality of ball and slits are required on each sectional piece, when the structure is pushed downwards the balls are "pushed" out of the way due to the movement created by the slit area enabling the sections to collapse.

3 A three dimensional collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1, where a detachable cap/cover would be used over the neck of the base to protect the collapsed structure during transit and storage.

4 A three dimensional collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1, where the hollow base has a hole with a bung to allow the cone to be weighted with a heavy material.

5 A three dimensional collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1, where the cone body is made up of a plurality of interlocking sections fed through the base, the number of sections dependant on the height ofthe structure required.

6 A three dimensional collapsible cone as claimed in claim 1, where the bottom of the base is recessed underneath to allow stacking.