Patent Application
20060174526
The present invention relates to a cover for use on an elongated member, for example a sign post, and in particular, to a cover that is easily installed and removed and provides instructional indicia to a passerby.
Signs, including lane markers, often include a post that elevates the sign or marker for greater visibility by a passerby. Often, however, the signs or markers can be difficult to see, for example at night or in inclement weather. In these conditions, it can be desirable to increase the visibility of the post to advise the passerby of the presence of the sign, marker and/or post.
One solution is to wrap the post with a reflective stripe, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,607. Such stripes however, typically are not sufficiently rigid such that they have a helical shape before or after the application of the stripe. Rather, the stripes are in the form of a tape, which must be carefully wound around the post. Accordingly, the application of the stripes can be very time consuming. Moreover, over time, the stripes can stretch and sag, thereby diminishing the advisory value of the stripes.
In another solution, shown for example in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0124448A1, a reflective cover member is formed of a pliable panel that is adapted to conform to the signpost or the like. However, the cover member is not otherwise secured to the post, and can be displaced.
Briefly stated, in one preferred embodiment described below, a cover for use on an elongated member includes a strip having a helical configuration, an inner surface and an outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface includes informational indicia, while the inner surface is adapted to grip the elongated member. The strip has sufficient rigidity such that the strip maintains the helical configuration when the strip is in a freestanding configuration.
In another aspect, a method of installing the cover on the elongated member includes wrapping the strip around the elongated member with the inner surface thereof gripping the elongated member.
In one embodiment, the strip defines an application length of the cover relative to the post and the strip defines a slit formed between edges of the strip along the helical configuration. The slit has a width. The method includes adjusting the width of at least a portion of the slit between at least a first and second width and thereby adjusting the application length of the cover relative to the post between at least a first and second application length.
In yet another aspect, a cover for use on a post includes a longitudinally extending, resilient channel having opposite first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface includes informational indicia. The inner surface is adapted to grip the post. In one embodiment, the channel includes a tab portion adapted to engage the post.
In another aspect, a panel is connected to a channel. In various embodiments, the panel can be made separately from the channel, or formed integrally therewith, for example as a pair of collars with the panel extending therebetween.
In yet another aspect, an apparatus for making a cover for use on an elongated member includes a jig having an interior, a first open end shaped to receive a tube, an opposite second open end and a slot formed in a portion thereof between the first and second open ends. The slot is open to the interior. A slitting member extends through the slot into the interior.
The various covers, and the methods of installation, provide significant advantages over other post covers. For example, the helically configured cover can be easily installed simply by quickly wrapping the strip around the post, for example by hand and without the need for any tools. The cover adapts to the shape of the post and can be quickly installed on a wide variety of posts having different shapes and sizes. Moreover, the resilient material grips the post without the need for additional fasteners. In addition, the width of the slit can be easily adjusted to vary the overall application length of the cover such that the cover can be used to cover various lengths of post. The installation can be performed quickly and easily without the need for any tools.
With respect to the cover having a channel configuration, the tab member can be quickly engaged with the post, again without any tools, thereby allowing for a quick and easy installation of the cover. The tab member maintains the vertical and rotational location of the cover relative to the post.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The presently preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The strip 8 is preferably made of a resilient, flexible material, such as a plastic. In various embodiments, the strip can be made for example and without limitation from a durable linear low density co-extruded polyethylene with UV inhibitors, a urethane/polyurethane material, thermoplastic materials, elastomeric materials, rubber, and/or various combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the strip is made of metal, such as spring steel, aluminum, etc. In one embodiment, the strip is formed by making a helical or spiral cut in one of a Dura-Post® delineator, a RubberTough® delineator, or a Safe-Hit® delineator, all of which are available from the Safe-Hit® line of products offered by Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., the assignee of the present application.
For example, as shown in
During manufacture, the operator rotates and translates a tube, preferably configured with a reflective coating, through the jig while penetrating the slot and tube with a slitting member, such as a rotary saw blade.
Referring to
A drive gear assembly 218 is mounted on one end of the stand and includes a pair of driven gears 220, 222 coupled to the drive shaft and tube holder respectively. One or more drive gears mesh with the driven gears and rotate the driven gears and tube holder, preferably at the same rotational speed. A power source, such as a motor 224 (for example and without limitation) or hand crank turned by a user, is connected to the drive gear assembly to rotate the driven gears, and the drive shaft and tube holder.
A cutter 204 includes a slitting member 226 and a support structure 228. In one embodiment, the slitting member is configured as a fixed blade, such as an industrial utility knife blade or a heated style blade. Preferably, the blade is oriented at an oblique angle (i.e., neither parallel nor perpendicular) relative to the first and second longitudinal axis. A blade pressure bar 230 maintains engagement between the slitting member and the tube. The bar 230 includes a longitudinal slot or groove 252, which is engaged by a tongue 260 extending from the support structure. It should be understood that the bar could be configured with a ridge and the support member with a groove. The bar has one or more guide members 254 or pins that are disposed in a curved track 258 formed in an end plate member of the stand, shown as the cradle 214. A tightening or clamping member 256 is engaged with the stand to hold the bar in a particular desired orientation. In this way, the bar 230 can be rotated in the track 258 to apply more or less pressure on the tube 216 with the slitting member 226 while the tongue/groove engagement prevents the blade from rotating with the drive shaft 202. In other embodiments, the slitting member is a rotating blade, such as a rotary saw blade. The support structure is configured with a follower member, constructed for example as a pin that extends radially inward therefrom. The follower member disposed in and engages the groove 210 in the drive shaft.
In operation, the tube 216 is mounted on the tube holder 212. The power source 224 is actuated to drive the gear assembly 218 and rotate the drive shaft 202 and the tube holder 212 as the slitting member 226 engages the tube 216. As the drive shaft is rotated, the cutter 204 translates along the drive shaft 202 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 206 as the follower is moved in the groove 210. In this way, the tube 216 is rotated relative to the cutter 204, and the cutter is translated relative to the tube 216, such that a helical cut 240 or slit is formed in the tube. In one embodiment, the spiral cut 240 formed in the tube has the same pitch as the spiral groove 210 on the drive shaft.
Referring to
The strip 8 can be wrapped around any configuration elongated member or post, including for example and without limitations U-channel (shown in
While the strip 8 is resilient and flexible, it also has sufficient rigidity such that the strip maintains its helical configuration when in a freestanding configuration, which means the strip is not engaged with any post or other internal or external object. In this way, the strip maintains a substantially helical/cylindrical shape (or other preformed shape) even when not engaged with the post and when positioned in either a substantially vertical or horizontal orientation. This shape memory allows the strip to be easily applied to the post without the need for additional fasteners. Of course, the strip can be further secured to the post with fasteners, such as screws, adhesives, or with integrally formed tabs as explained below.
Once the strip 8 is applied to the post, or while it is being applied, the slit 14 or gap between adjacent edges 10, 12 of the strip can widened to extend the overall length of the cover 2, defined as the application length L of the cover, which is measured between the first and second ends of the cover. For example, as shown in
In one embodiment, shown in
Referring to
In this embodiment, the channel 22 fits around the post 16 by flexing the resilient material and enlarging the slit, for example by moving opposing edges defining the slit from an open position, wherein the channel can be fitted around the post, to a gripping position, by letting the channel spring or snap back and engage the post with the inner surface. The cover can be installed without the need for any tools. An inner surface 34 of the channel grips the post 16, regardless of its shape, configuration or size, while an outer surface faces a passerby. In one preferred embodiment, a portion of the channel forms a tab member 40 that is inserted through an opening 38 formed in the post, as shown for example in
The overall length of the cover 20 can vary depending on the post to be covered. For example and without limitation, the cover can have a length of between about (and including) one foot to about 6 feet, with various lengths provided at six (6) inch to one-foot increments. The outer surface of the channel is preferably curved or rounded. However, the face of the channel that will be facing an oncoming passerby, such as a vehicle, can be flattened or widened so as to provide a greater surface area, covered for example with indicia as explained below, exposed to the passerby. In one embodiment, the channel extends around the post, and can provide indicia on all sides thereof, for example from 270° to 360°.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
In yet another embodiment, shown in
The cover can be made by forming a longitudinal slit 126 in a tube, and then by making cross direction cuts 128 substantially non-parallel to a longitudinal axis 142, for example substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (although other angles would also work). For example, the tube can be cut at a first and second cut along a cross direction approximately 80-90% of the tube depth, or around the diameter of the tube. The panel portion 124, which is initially curved, can then be substantially flattened, meaning that it may have some curvature, but less curvature than the tube from which it is cut. The panel portion 124 provides a face 144 for instructional indicia 140, while the collars, which can also include indicia 140, can also provide indicia around the entire post. In one embodiment, reflective sheeting is wrapped around the outer surface of the channel members or collars. It should be understood that the longitudinal slit can be made first, and then the cross-direction cuts, or vice versa the tube can be cut in the cross direction and the longitudinal slit then formed. The integral, one-piece cover, including the collars and panel, provides a simple, inexpensive, easy to install (no hardware) cover and sign with instructional indicia. Moreover, the panel is robust, flexible and resilient, meaning that it cannot be dented or bent, which thereby reduces maintenance and replacement costs. Moreover, when made from plastic, the material is corrosion resistant.
In any of the embodiments, shown in
As shown in
The outer surface 6, 36, 132, 144 can be formed by a reflective sheeting, for example and without limitation, ASTM Types III (high intensity), V (regular and abrasion resistant), VII (Diamond Grade LDP (long distance performance) or fluorescent LDP)), and/or IX (Diamond Grade VIP (visual impact performance)), or combinations thereof. For example, various suitable reflective sheeting materials are available from 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division, St. Paul, Minn. The reflective coating can be applied by painting or by adhesive application of the reflective sheeting. The reflective material can be formed along only a vertical portion of the cover (e.g., 3 or 5 inches wide), or cover the entire outer surface.
Preferably, the reflective material or sheeting is applied to a plastic, such as the tube, that has been recently flame treated. Furthermore, the plastic tube preferably is flame treated and the reflective material is applied thereto prior to cutting the cover, for example by forming a longitudinal slit, a helical slit, and/or cross direction cuts. In one embodiment, the flame treating is performed in-line with the extrusion process that forms the plastic tube. The extruded tube passes through a flame ring at about 5 to 5.4 inches per second. In other embodiments, the exposure to the flame is about 1 second. The flame is fueled by natural gas. In one embodiment, the tip of the outer blue envelope of flame just touches the outer surface of the material being treated. In one embodiment, the air-to-gas ratio is between 11-12:1 for natural gas.
In one embodiment, the reflective material is applied on the same day as the flame treatment, and in other embodiments within three (3) days of the flame treating. In one embodiment, the tube is allowed to cool for at least 15 minutes prior to applying the reflective sheeting. If the allotted time has passed, the tube can be flame treated again prior to application of the reflective material.
In one procedure for applying the reflective sheeting, the minimum temperature is 60° F., with the plastic tube and reflective sheeting being allowed to reach the application temperature for at least four hours prior to application. The tube surface is cleaned prior to application (and flame treating if performed off-line or some time later after extrusion), for example with a isopropyl alcohol or 70% rubbing alcohol.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/657,874, filed Mar. 2, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/651,573, filed Feb. 10, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60657874 | Mar 2005 | US | |
| 60651573 | Feb 2005 | US |
