CONE ATTACHMENT DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Traffic cones are often used to safely redirect pedestrian or vehicle traffic in work zones or emergency situations. Traffic cones are traditionally constructed from materials that are designed to withstand adverse weather or traffic conditions. Traffic cones may be used for road construction, traffic control, and the like. Traffic cones may also be used for other purposes such as sports and recreational uses.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

These and other limitations are overcome by embodiments of the disclosure which relate to systems and methods for a traffic cone attachment system.

A traffic cone attachment system may include a top disc positioned against an opening in a top of a traffic cone. The traffic cone attachment system may include a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction. The traffic cone attachment system may include a washer disposed around the shaft and positioned on an opposite side of the opening from the top disc. The traffic cone attachment system may include a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between the opening and the star lock.

A traffic cone attachment device may be coupled to the traffic cone attachment system. The traffic cone attachment device may include an emergency light, a lightbar, a floodlight, or a video or audio recording device. A traffic cone system may include a plurality of traffic cones, each traffic cone of the plurality including a traffic cone attachment system and a traffic cone attachment device.

In some embodiments, a top surface of the shaft may be level with a top plane of the opening in the top of the traffic cone. In these and other embodiments, the top disc may be made of a magnetic material. Additionally or alternatively, the top disc may be patterned such that a traffic cone attachment device including a corresponding pattern may be mechanically coupled to the top surface of the top disc.

In some embodiments, the shaft may include a first portion of the shaft and a second portion of the shaft. The first portion of the shaft may extend in a direction above the opening in the top of the traffic cone, and the second portion of the shaft may extend in a direction below the opening in the top of the traffic cone. In some embodiments, the first portion of the shaft and/or a top surface of the first portion of the shaft may be made of a magnetic material. Additionally or alternatively, the top surface of the first portion of the shaft be patterned such that a traffic cone attachment device including a corresponding pattern may be mechanically coupled to the top surface of the first portion of the shaft. In some embodiments, a lateral surface of the first portion of the shaft may be threaded or grooved, and a lateral surface of the second portion of the shaft may be threaded or grooved. In these and other embodiments, a traffic cone attachment device may be coupled to the shaft by interfacing with the threaded or grooved lateral surface of the first portion of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the washer may include a binding feature protruding from a surface of the washer toward the opening in the top of the traffic cone. In some embodiments, the top disc may include a binding feature protruding from a surface of the top disc toward the opening in the top of the traffic cone.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a cutaway view of an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the example embodiment of the traffic cone attachment system illustrated in FIG. 1A in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a cutaway view of an example embodiment of the traffic cone attachment system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a top view of an example top washer as illustrated in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E is a side view of an example shaft as illustrated in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the example embodiment of the traffic cone attachment system illustrated in FIG. 1A including a traffic cone attachment device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the example embodiment of the traffic cone attachment system illustrated in FIG. 1C including a traffic cone attachment device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of types of traffic cones consistent with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate examples of traffic cone attachment systems consistent with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to traffic cone attachments, systems, and methods. A traffic cone may be made of a thermoplastic, rubber, composite, or other flexible or semi-flexible material. The traffic cone may include an opening at a top and/or a bottom of the traffic cone such that the traffic cone encloses a volume defined by the traffic cone and includes a vertical axis between the opening at the bottom of the traffic cone and the opening at the top of the traffic cone. The opening at the top of the traffic cone may have a smaller radius than the opening at the bottom of the traffic cone.

Depending on a purpose for which a given traffic cone may be used, it may be desirable to place and/or attach an object to the top of the given traffic cone. For example, placing a sign on top of the given traffic cone may provide information for people passing by the given traffic cone. As another example, using traffic cones at night may be difficult because the traffic cones become less visible, so attaching light-emitting devices to the tops of the traffic cones may improve visibility. However, placing and/or attaching an object to the top of a traffic cone may be difficult. The traffic cone may deform due to the weight of the object. Positioning of the object on top of the traffic cone may be difficult because of the open vertical axis between the opening at the top of the traffic cone and the opening at the bottom of the traffic cone. A lack of fastening for the object may cause the object to be dislodged from the traffic cone by environmental factors such as weather conditions, vehicular impact to the traffic cone, etc.

Disclosed traffic cone attachment systems and/or methods may provide a more stable connection between an object and/or device and the top of a traffic cone. More particularly, the disclosed traffic cone attachment system may include securing a shaft and/or a top disc through the opening at the top of the traffic cone. A traffic cone attachment device may be secured to the shaft and/or the top disc such that alignment and/or positioning of the traffic cone attachment device may be enhanced. These and additional advantages are explained in more detail below.

The present disclosure is directed toward a traffic cone attachment system. The principles of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to traffic cones per se. It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, the traffic cone attachment disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection with other types of devices.

Additionally, to assist in the description of the traffic cone attachment, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure can be located in a variety of desired positions, including various angles, sideways and even upside down. A detailed description of the traffic cone attachment now follows.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the traffic cone attachment system 100 may include a traffic cone 110 having an opening 115 at the top of the traffic cone 110, a screw 120, a top disc 130, a washer 140, a star lock 150, and a shaft 160. The top disc 130 may include an opening in the center of the top disc 130. The top disc 130 may be positioned on top of the traffic cone 110 such that the opening in the top disc 130 is aligned with the opening 115. From within the traffic cone 110, the washer 140 may be positioned flush against the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110, with the shaft 160 through the middle of the washer 140 and/or the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110. An opening of the washer 140 may be aligned with the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 such that the shaft 160 may be placed through both the opening 115 and the opening of the washer 140. Additionally or alternatively, the opening of the washer 140 may be aligned with the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 and the opening of the top disc 130 such that the shaft 160 may extend through the middle of the washer 140, the opening 115, and/or the opening of the top disc 130. The screw 120 may pass through the opening 115, the top disc 130, and the traffic cone 110 and screw into the shaft 160. In these and other embodiments, the screw 120 may fixedly couple the screw 120, the top disc 130, and/or the shaft 160 such that the screw 120, the top disc 130, and/or the shaft 160 may functionally act as a single body. The star lock 150 may be disposed along the shaft 160 and flush against the washer 140 to secure positioning of the washer 140 against the traffic cone 110. Additionally or alternatively, the star lock 150 may generate a compressive force against the washer 140 to facilitate the washer 140 remaining securely against the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110.

An example traffic cone attachment system 100 may include the shaft 160 being a component removable from the top disc 130 such that the shaft may coupled with, extend through, or otherwise be associated with the top disc 130. In these and other embodiments, when installing the traffic cone attachment system 100, the shaft 160 may be inserted through the top disc 130, and the screw 120 may be threaded to couple the top disc 130 and the shaft 160 to function as a single body. The shaft 160 may then be inserted through the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 such that the top disc 130 may be seated against a top surface of the traffic cone 110 on the outside, top surface. The washer 140 may then be slid from within the traffic cone 110 along the shaft 160 and against the traffic cone 110 such that the washer is positioned below the opening 115 in an interior of the traffic cone and flush against the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110. The star lock 150 may be slid along the shaft 160 to lock the washer 140 against the traffic cone 110 in the interior of the traffic cone 110, generating a compressive force between the top disc 130 against the traffic cone 110 on an exterior of the traffic cone 110 and the washer 140 against the traffic cone 110 on an interior of the traffic cone 110. In these and other embodiments, the example traffic cone attachment system 100 may include the top disc 130 secured flush against the outside, top surface of the traffic cone 110 proximate the opening 115 via the washer 140 positioned flush against the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110 proximate the opening 115, and the star lock 150 positioned flush against the washer 140 in the interior of the traffic cone 110 to maintain the traffic cone attachment system in place.

In some embodiments, the screw 120 may have a threaded body such that substantially an entire length of the screw 120 may be a single thread section. Additionally or alternatively, the screw 120 may be threaded along part of the length of the screw such that the length of the screw 120 includes a threaded section and a shank section. The screw 120 may enter the top disc 130 from above the opening 115 and screw into the shaft 160 from the exterior of the traffic cone 110. Stated another way, a head of the screw 120 may be tapered such that the top surface of the head of the screw is flush or approximately flush with the top surface of the top disc 130 when screwed into the top disc. In some embodiments, the top disc 130 and the shaft 160 may be assembled and connected by the screw 120 before the shaft is positioned on the traffic cone 110 and/or through the opening 115. In these and other embodiments, the top disc 130 and the shaft 160 connected by the screw 120 may be an assembly that may be installed on any given traffic cone including an opening such as the traffic cone 110 including the opening 115. For example, the traffic cone attachment system 100 may be installed as an after-market attachment to an existing cone or set of cones.

The top disc 130 may secure the shaft 160 such that securing the shaft 160 reduces and/or prevents rotation and/or vertical movement of the shaft 160. In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may include a gripping mechanism such as the gripping mechanisms illustrated in FIG. 5B. The gripping mechanism may prevent the assembly including the top disc 130 and the shaft 160 from spinning when an attachment is being mounted or dismounted from the assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the gripping mechanism may provide a more secure connection of the traffic cone attachment system 100 to the traffic cone 110. In some embodiments, the opening of the top disc 130 may be sized such that a screw, such as the screw 120, may be screwed through the top disc 130 and into the shaft 160. Additionally or alternatively, the opening of the top disc 130 may be sized such that a shaft, such as the shaft 160, may extend through the top disc 130 and into the opening 115. In some embodiments, the opening of the top disc 130 may be circular or substantially circular. The opening of the given top disc may correspond to a shaft with a substantially circular base that includes two square flanges at opposite ends of the circular base. Additionally or alternatively, a shape of the shaft may have a substantially polygonal base such that the shaft may be a rectangular prism, a hexagonal prism, an octagonal prism, etc. and a shape of the opening of the top disc may have a corresponding shape.

In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may not include an opening resulting in the top disc 130 having a flat or a substantially flat top surface. In these and other embodiments, the top surface of the top disc 130 may include an indented surface that may be a female component such that a male-component attachment device may be fitted into the indented surface. Additionally or alternatively, the top surface of the top disc 130 may include a protruding surface that may be a male component such that a female-component attachment device may be fitted over the protruding surface. In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may be magnetic or made of a material or metal to which magnets are attracted. Additionally or alternatively, the top disc 130 may be made of a material such as an injection molded plastic, composite, or any other strong flexible or semi-flexible material.

The washer 140 may secure the screw and/or the shaft 160 extending through the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 in place. Additionally or alternatively, the washer 140 may distribute a load of the shaft 160 and/or the screw 120, reduce vibrations experienced by the assembly, and/or prevent wearing down of parts of the assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the washer 140 may correct a size of the opening 115 to create a better fit for the screw 120 and/or the shaft 160. In some embodiments, the washer 140 may be sized such that the washer 140 fits below an opening of a standard thirty six inch traffic cone on an interior of the standard thirty six inch traffic cone. In these and other embodiments, the washer 140 may be sized such that the edge of the washer 140 interfaces with an inner wall of the traffic cone 110 as shown in FIG. 1 when the washer 140 is positioned flush against the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110. While one example size of cone is provided, it will be appreciated that any size cone is contemplated and the size of the washer 140 and/or star lock 150 may be sized to accommodate any of a variety of sizes and dimensions of cones, including different sizes of openings of the cones. In some embodiments, a kit of the traffic cone attachment system 100 may be provided with multiple sizes of the washer 140 such that cones of any size may be accommodated, such as six inch to thirty six inch cones, although any size cone and/or opening of the cone is contemplated.

In some circumstances, a surface of the opening 115 on the interior of the traffic cone 110 may not have a flat surface. For example, the surface of the opening 115 on the interior of the traffic cone 110 may have a concave topography. The washer 140 may be a curved washer in which one or both sides of the washer 140 include a curved topography to improve interfacing of the washer 140 against the surface of the opening 115 on the interior of the traffic cone 110.

The star lock 150 may include an opening such that the screw 120, the washer 140, and/or the shaft 160 may be secured in place by the star lock 150. The screw 120 and/or the shaft 160 may be secured in place by disposing the star lock 150 around a length of the screw 120 and/or a length of the shaft 160. In some embodiments, the star lock 150 may be positioned around the length of the screw 120 and/or the length of the shaft 160 below the washer 140 such that the washer 140 is disposed between the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 and the star lock 150. By pressing the star lock 150 along the length of the shaft 160, the star lock 150 may facilitate a compressive force against the cone 110 proximate the opening 115 between the top disc 130 and the washer 140, effectively locking the traffic cone attachment system 100 in place atop the traffic cone 110.

In some embodiments, the star lock 150 may have a circular outer edge and flanges which are biased in one direction such that the star lock 150 may be easier to put onto the shaft 160 than it is to remove from the shaft 160. In these and other embodiments, the flanges may be positioned to face away from or toward the opening. For example, the flanges may be biased in a direction away from the top disc 130 such that the flanges are partially displaced when pushed in a first direction along the shaft 160 toward the top disc 130 but must be displaced further in a second direction to remove the star lock 150 from the shaft 160. Any number and/or style of flanges may be included in the star lock, and any degree of bias of the flanges is contemplated within the present disclosure. While described as a star lock 150, it will be appreciated that the star lock 150 may be replaced with or include any type of a retaining or locking washer, disc, ring, nut, etc. Additionally, the star 150 lock may be replaced by any other locking mechanism, such as a rod through a hole in the shaft, etc.

The shaft 160 may provide a foundation upon which the top disc 130 and/or an attachment may be mounted on the traffic cone 110. In some embodiment, the shaft may have threads or grooves to better lock the star lock 150 into place. In these and other embodiments, the grooves may include a series of discrete circumferential grooves such that spinning of the star lock 150 within a given groove does not move the star lock 150 along the length of the shaft 160. In some embodiments, if threaded, the star lock 150 may be replaced with a nut or other threaded locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may be without grooves at all, or may include a single lip or groove, or a limited number of grooves. In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may include grooves along the majority of or even the entire length. In these and other embodiments, the length of the shaft 160 may be slanted between the grooves, such that pushing the star lock 150 along the shaft 160 has a ratcheting or one-way locking mechanism such that it is easier to push the star lock 150 along the shaft 160 in one direction (e.g., toward the traffic cone) and significantly harder the other way (e.g., away from the traffic cone). In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may be made of metal, plastic, or any other hard material sufficient to hold the washer 140 against the traffic cone 110 via the star lock 150. In some embodiments, a top of the shaft 160 may be level with a top of the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 when the shaft 160 is positioned in the opening 115. In these and other embodiments, the top disc 130 may be positioned on top of the shaft 160 and fixed in place by the screw 120. In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may taper towards the top disc 130 and/or may broaden towards the top disc 130.

In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may include a curved surface at the bottom end of the shaft 160 (e.g., the end opposite the top disc 130) to facilitate attachment of a magnetic light of other magnetic device to the bottom of the shaft 160. For example, after installing the traffic cone attachment system 100 atop the traffic cone 110, a light with a magnet may be attached to the shaft via the attractive force between the magnet of the light and the shaft 160. The curved surface may facilitate retention of the connection between the magnet of the light and the shaft 160.

FIG. 1C illustrates another example of a traffic cone top attachment system 100c. The mounting system 100c may include a variation in the shaft 160 such that the shaft 160c may include an upper portion 161 and a lower portion 162. The upper portion 161 of the shaft 160c may have a larger diameter than the lower portion 162 of the shaft 160. For example, the upper portion may extend circumferentially beyond the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110. Additionally or alternatively, the upper portion 161 may extend beyond an opening 137 (as illustrated in FIG. 1D) of a handled washer 135. Additionally or alternatively, the upper portion 161 may have a flat or a rounded end. The lower portion 162 may be positioned in the opening 115 such that a top of the lower portion 162 may be approximately level with the top of the opening 115 when the shaft 160c is positioned in the opening 115. The upper portion 161 may protrude above the opening 115 and/or a handled washer 135. In these and other embodiments, the lower portion 162 may have threads or grooves such that the lower portion 162 may facilitate locking the star lock 150 into place. In these and other embodiments, the upper portion 161 may have threads or grooves such that a device may be positioned over and secured on and/or over the upper portion 161 of the shaft 160c. Additionally or alternatively, a top surface of the upper portion 161 may include an indented surface or a protruding surface such that the device may be connected to the shaft 160c by the indented surface or the protruding surface as described in relation to the indented surface and protruding surface of the handled washer 135. In some embodiments, the handled washer 135 may operate in a similar manner as the top disc 130 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. All or portions of the upper portion 161 and/or the lower portion 162 of the shaft 160c may be magnetic or made of a material or metal to which magnets are attracted.

In some embodiments, the top portion 161 may include key shafts 163 (such as the key shafts 163a and 163b illustrated in FIG. 1E) which may extend down and through slots 139 (such as the slots 139a and 139b illustrated in FIG. 1D) in the handled washer 135. For example, the lower portion 162 may be inserted through the handled washer 135 and the key shafts 163 may be aligned with and inserted through the slots 139. An inside washer and/or star lock 150 may be pressed along the lower portion 162 and against an inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110 to create a compressive force between a bottom surface of the handled washer 135 and the inside washer and/or the star lock 150. In these and other embodiments, after fixedly coupling the cone top attachment system 100c to the top of the traffic cone 110, the handle of the handled washer 135 and/or the key shafts 163 interfacing with the slots 139 may facilitate the screwing on or off of attachment devices. For example, the handle of the handled washer 135 may be grasped in one hand while threading the attachment device onto the upper portion 161. Additionally or alternatively, the interface between the key shafts 163 and the slots 139 may keep the upper portion 161 in place (e.g., rotational fixed) relative to the handled washer 135 as the attachment device is threaded onto the upper portion 161.

In some embodiments, the handled washer 135 may be threaded such that the handled washer 135 may be rotated along the threads of the upper portion 161 to progress down and ultimately against the traffic cone 110 while the star lock 150 may be pressed along the grooves of the lower portion 162 to lock the upper portion 161 and the lower portion 162 relative to the traffic cone 110. In some embodiments, the handle of the handled washer 135 may be used to facilitate rotating the handled washer 135 into place and/or the upper portion 161 of the shaft 160c into place. In some embodiments, the handled washer 135 may be tightened most of the way down, the star lock 150 may be pressed tightly into place, and then the handled washer 135 may be further tightened to lock the system 100c into place.

FIG. 1D is a top view of the handled washer 135 as illustrated in FIG. 1C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the handled washer 135 may include an opening 137 that includes one or more slots 139, such as the slots 139a and 139b. In some embodiments, the handle may follow a similar angle or trajectory relative to a top surface of the handled washer as that of the side of the traffic cone 110 relative to the top of the traffic cone 110.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the shaft 160c as illustrated in FIG. 1C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the shaft 160c may include the key shafts 163a and 163b that are shaped and positioned to interface with the slots 139. In these and other embodiments, there may be the same number or a different number of slots 139 and/or key shafts 163.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic cone top attachment systems 100/100c without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment systems 100/100c may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 200 in which a traffic cone attachment device 280 is attached to a top disc 230 consistent with the present disclosure. As described in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the traffic cone attachment system 200 may include a traffic cone 210 having an opening 215, a screw 220, the top disc 230, a washer 240, a star lock 250, and/or a shaft 260. In some embodiments, the traffic cone attachment system 200 may include a magnet 270 positioned on top of a top surface of the top disc 230. The magnet 270 may have a cubic, cylindrical, etc. geometry so that the magnet 270 has at least two surfaces that are flat or substantially flat such as a bottom magnetic surface and a top magnetic surface. The bottom magnetic surface may be flat or substantially flat such that the magnet 270 may be positioned flush against the top surface of the top disc 230. The top magnetic surface may be flat or substantially flat such that the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be positioned flush against the top magnetic surface of the magnet 270. Additionally or alternatively, the top disc 230 may operate as the magnet 270 and the magnet 270 may be removed.

The traffic cone attachment device 280 may include any device which a user may want to attach to a traffic cone. For example, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may include a light-emitting device such as an emergency light, a lightbar, a floodlight, etc. As additional or alternative examples, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be a traffic sign, a loudspeaker, an audio or video recording device (e.g., a GOPRO® camera), etc. The traffic cone attachment device 280 may include a bottom surface that may be magnetically coupled to the top surface of the magnet 270 and/or the top disc 230. In some embodiments, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be secured on top of the traffic cone 210 by positioning the traffic cone attachment device 280 on top of the top magnetic surface of the magnet 270. Additionally or alternatively, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may include a bottom magnetic surface such that the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be positioned directly on the top surface of the top disc 230. In some embodiments, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may include a female portion with a magnet disposed therein that is sized to correspond to the top disc 230 and/or the magnet 270 such that the magnetic forces may attach the traffic cone attachment device 280 atop the traffic cone 210 while the edges of the female portion may prevent lateral movement of the traffic cone attachment device 280. In some embodiments, the magnet 270 may be a component of and/or otherwise associated with the traffic cone attachment device 280.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic cone attachment system 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment system 200 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 300 in which a traffic cone attachment device 380 is attached to a shaft 360 consistent with the present disclosure. As described in relation to FIG. 1C, the traffic cone attachment system 300 may include a traffic cone 310 having an opening 315, a threaded washer 335, a star lock 350, and a shaft 360, the shaft including a lower portion 362 and an upper portion 361. In some embodiments, the upper portion 361 and/or the lower portion 362 of the shaft 360 may include threads and/or grooves as described above in relation to the shaft 160 in FIG. 1C. In these and other embodiments, a traffic cone attachment device 380 may include a lower connecting portion 380a and an upper portion 380b. The upper portion 361 may include any of the devices as described above coupled to the lower connecting portion 380a. The lower connecting portion 380a may be attached to the traffic cone attachment system 300 by placing the lower connecting portion 380a over the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360. In some embodiments, the lower connecting portion 380a may be coupled to the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360 by placing the lower connecting portion 380a over the threaded and/or grooved upper portion 360b of the shaft 360. For example, the lower connection portion 380a may include a female threaded portion to interface with and the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360. Additionally or alternatively, the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360 and the lower connecting portion 380a may be magnetic such that the lower connecting portion 380a may be coupled to the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360 by positioning the lower connecting portion 380a flush against the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic cone attachment system 300 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment system 300 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of types of traffic cones 410 and 420 consistent with the present disclosure. For example, the traffic cone attachment of the present disclosure may be shaped and sized such that it may interface with a traffic cone 410 in the U.S. as well as a traffic cone 420 used in Europe. For example, the traffic cone 420 includes a channel at the top of the traffic cone 420 which may prevent other traffic cone attachment mechanisms from working, but the traffic cone attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may be compatible with such a traffic cone. The various components such as the top disc, washer, star lock, etc. may be sized to accommodate different cone sizes such as the cones 410 and/or 420. While two example sizes and dimensions are provided, it will be appreciated that any size and/or dimension are contemplated for a cone or cone-like device with an opening at the top thereof.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate example embodiments of traffic cone attachment systems 500a-d including examples of binding features. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D, one or both of the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540 may include a binding feature. The binding feature may enhance traction between a traffic cone 510 and the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540. Such a binding feature may include a texture or protrusion that may interface with the traffic cone 510 to bind the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540 more tightly to the traffic cone 510. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D, any combination of the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540 may or may not include a binding feature and may include any variation of or the same binding feature. In some embodiments, the binding feature may include a series of spikes, barbs, hooks, bumps, tabs, or a combination thereof. In these and other embodiments, the binding feature may include a rough texture.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 500a in which a washer 540 is attached to a top of the traffic cone 510 from an interior of the traffic cone 510. An opening of the washer 540 may align with an opening 515 of the traffic cone 510. A secureness of an interface between the washer 540 and the traffic cone 510 may be enhanced by including the binding feature at the interface between the washer 540 and the traffic cone 510. For example, a given binding feature may be a series of spikes originating from the washer 540 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the spikes interface with a surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 500b in which the washer 540 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510 and a top disc 530 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from an exterior of the traffic cone 510. The opening of the washer 540 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510, and an opening of the top disc 530 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510 and the opening of the washer 540. For example, a given binding feature may be a first series of spikes originating from the washer 540 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the first series of spikes interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510. The given binding feature may further include a second series of spikes originating from the top disc 530 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the second series of spikes interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 500c in which a washer 545 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510. An opening of the washer 545 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510. For example, a given binding feature may be a series of bumps originating from the washer 545 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that the bumps interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5D illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachment system 500d in which the washer 540 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510 and a top disc 535 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from the exterior of the traffic cone 510. The opening of the washer 540 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510, and an opening of the top disc 535 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510 and the opening of the washer 540. For example, a given binding feature may be a series of spikes originating from the washer 540 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the spikes interface with a surface of the traffic cone 510. The given binding feature may further include a series of bumps originating from the top disc 530 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that series of bumps interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic cone attachment systems 500a-d without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment systems 500a-d may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this disclosure.

The various features illustrated in the drawings may be, but are not necessarily, drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the present disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or all operations of a particular method.

Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” among others).

Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.

Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides.

All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosure are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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