Title:

Traffic-warning device

United States Patent Application 20040146348

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

A traffic-warning device used on a lateral of a roadblock such as traffic island, traffic-segregation land or traffic fence etc. The traffic-warning device is formed with a 3-dimentional protrusion having a reflecting portion reflecting light beamed from vehicles to guide drivers. The traffic-warning device is easily to be replaced when damaged.

Inventors:

Tai, Liang-ching (Kaohsiung Hsien, TW)

Application Number:

10/350023

Publication Date:

07/29/2004

Filing Date:

01/24/2003

Export Citation:

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Primary Class:

404/9

International Classes:

E01F9/669; (IPC1-7): E01F9/00

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20040146348

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Primary Examiner:

ADDIE, RAYMOND W

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

BACON & THOMAS, PLLC (ALEXANDRIA, VA, US)

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A traffic-warning device comprising a protrusion mounted on a lateral of a roadblock, and the protrusion is provided with a reflector which has a reflecting portion to reflect light.

2. A traffic-warning device comprising a 3-dimensional reflector protruded on a lateral of a roadblock, and the reflector has a reflecting portion to reflect light.

3. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflector and the roadblock are formed as a singular member.

4. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the roadblock is provided with at least one slot and the reflector has at least one edge inserting into the slot.

5. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the edge of the reflector is flexible to be deformed and recovered.

6. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector is made of reflective material mixed with raw material.

7. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflector is made of reflective material mixed with raw material.

8. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflecting portion is formed by sticking a reflective sticker or printing reflective material on a surface of the reflector.

9. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflecting portion is formed by sticking a reflective sticker or printing reflective material on a surface of the reflector.

10. A traffic-warning device comprising: a base adapted to secure on a lateral of a roadblock; a reflector adapted to secure on the base and including a reflecting portion.

11. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the reflector is secured on the base by fitting manner.

12. The traffic-warning device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the reflector is secured on the base with positioning elements.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention is related to a traffic-warning device, and more particularly, to a traffic-warning device applied to a lateral of a roadblock such as traffic island, traffic-segregation land or traffic fence etc. The traffic-warning device is related to an article of a 3-dimentional protrusion adapted to reflect light beamed from vehicles to guide drivers and to be replaced easily when damaged.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a light-reflective protrusion 91 conventionally used in a traffic-segregation line on road is disclosed. Referring to FIG. 2, a lane-segregating block 92 is disclosed. Both of the reflecting protrusions 91 and the lane segregating blocks 92 are nailed on the road to reflect light beamed from vehicles as a guide clearly indicating following lanes. The reflecting effect of the conventional light-reflective protrusion 91 and lane-segregating block 92 nailed on the road may be weakened due to vehicles running over for a long time and dust or mud covering thereon. However, the light-reflective protrusion 91 and the lane-segregating block 92 are only used in lane segregation on road, but not preferably applied to traffic island, traffic-segregation land or traffic fence. In addition, reflecting paint should be painted on lateral of the traffic island, traffic-segregation land or traffic fence. Since reflecting paint must be painted on a flat surface, reflecting effect thereof is poor.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 3, a lane-indicating seat 93 is disclosed. The lane-indicating seat 93 is mounted on top of traffic island, traffic-segregation land, traffic fence and roadside wall to reflect light from vehicles. Far from running over by vehicles and covering by mud, the lane-indicating seat 93 can reflect or retract light beamed from vehicle. Since the lane-indicating seat 93 is disposed on top of the traffic island, traffic-segregation land, traffic fence and roadside wall, it may be covered by flowers and plants and cannot be functioned adequate. Furthermore, it is more inconvenient for maintaining or cutting flowers and plants with obstruction and attention of hitting and damaging the lane-indicating seat 93. Moreover, a reflecting direction of the lane-indicating seat is included with an angle to a running direction of road and thus a blind area is existed at crossroad that the lane-indicating seat is ineffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a traffic-warning device comprising a 3-dimensional protrusion mounted on traffic island, traffic-segregation land, traffic fence and roadside wall to perform reflecting effect.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a traffic-warning device comprising a 3-dimensional protrusion mounted on traffic island, traffic-segregation land, traffic fence and roadside wall and can easily be replaced.

[0008] The invention comprises a reflector formed as a 3-dimensional protrusion. The reflector is provided with a reflecting portion to reflect light.

[0009] The invention can be best understood by the detailed description about the preferred embodiment accompanied by the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional light-reflective protrusion;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional lane-segregating block;

[0012] FIG. 3 is schematic view of a conventional lane-indicating seat;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 9 is the cross-sectional view taken along the 9-9 line in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, the first preferred embodiment of the invention is a protrusion 11 mounted on a roadblock 1 such as a traffic island, a traffic-segregation land, a traffic fence or a roadside wall. The roadblock 1 can be made of plastic, metal or concrete. The protrusion 11 is provided with a reflector 2 on its outer surface. The reflector 2 can be made of a reflective material painted on the outer surface of the protrusion 11 or a printed sticker bonded on the surface of the protrusion 11. Consequently, a reflecting portion 21 is formed on the reflector 2.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment of the invention comprises reflectors 4, 4′ embedded in a roadblock 3 when it is molded in manufacturing process. Caves 31 are formed on the lateral surface of the roadblock 3 to partially receive the reflectors 4, 4′, which can be partially protruded therefrom.

[0021] The reflectors 4, 4′ are made of transparent or opaque material. In manufacturing operation, reflecting portions 41, 41′ are formed by mixing reflective material such as fluorescence material with raw material of the reflector 4, 4′ or sticking a reflecting sticker or printing reflecting ink or paint on the reflectors 4, 4′. The reflectors 4, 4′ may be formed with various shapes, such as column member or polyhedron member, which can be embedded in the caves 31 firmly with same configurations and perform reflecting effects. Therefore, when light beamed from vehicles shining on the reflectors 4, 4′, drivers can recognize lane boundaries very clearly and thus drive safely. In particular, when the roadblock 3 is placed as a signpost at a corner of a crossroad (a traffic island) or a turning point, vehicles running from any direction on road can be warned and guided.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the third preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a reflector 5 inserted and secured on the roadblock 3. In this embodiment, the reflector 5 is easily mounted and also replaced when damaged.

[0023] Slots 31 are formed on the lateral surface of the roadblock 3. The reflector 5 is also made of transparent or opaque material and provided with a reflecting portion 51. In manufacturing operation, reflecting portions 51 are formed by mixing reflective material such as fluorescence material into raw material of reflector 5 or sticking a reflecting sticker or printing reflecting ink or paint. The reflector 5 has two edges 52 so that it can easily be inserted into the slots 31 on the roadblock 3. The edges 52 are preferably flexible to be deformed and recovered. The reflector 5 can be secured in the slots 31 if it is taken without any purposely destruction. The two edges 52 may be bonded in the slots 31 with adhesives as well if desired. Therefore, the reflector 5 is easily to be replaced when destroyed.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 7, the forth preferred embodiment of the invention is mainly applied to the roadblock 1 without slots or caves. A base 6 is mounted on the roadblock 1 and a reflector 7 is mounted on the base 6.

[0025] The base 6 can be secured on the lateral surface of the roadblock 1. In this embodiment, the base 6 is secured by positioning elements 61 such as nails. The base 6 is provided with an assembling portion 62 for assembling with the reflector 7.

[0026] The reflector 7 is also provided with a reflecting portion 71 having reflective light source with which forming an assembling portion 72. The assembling portion 72 is engaged with the assembling portion 62 of the base 6 by means of fitting manner. Alternatively, the reflector 7 is secured on the base 6 with positioning elements 73 such as nails.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, the reflector 7 is secured on the base 6 by engagement of the assembling portion 62, 72 in advance and then fixed by the positioning elements 73. Thus the reflector 7 is firmly fixed on the base 6 in such as to assemble and replace easily when damaged.

[0028] The traffic-warning device of the invention is a 3-dimensional protrusion mounted on the traffic island, traffic-segregation land, traffic fence and roadside wall. Therefore, the traffic-warning device can avoid being covered by plants and thus boundaries of lanes and road are become clearer. Drivers riding in vehicles running from any directions can recognize lane boundaries and avoid run into any blind area. Furthermore, the traffic-warning device is easily to be replaced when damaged.

[0029] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover the disclosed embodiment, those alternatives, which have been discussed above, and all equivalents thereto.

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