DELINEATOR WING WHIP ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to delineators, warning cones, barrels, cable stands, and channelizers for directing and warning traffic and specifically relates to assemblies that may increase the visibility of such devices.

BACKGROUND

Delineators, warning cones, barrels, cable stands, and channelizers are used worldwide to direct and warn vehicle operators and pedestrians. At airports, these devices are often used to delineate paths across the tarmac and at terminals to keep aircraft in “safe zones” that keep aircraft from colliding with structures, vehicles, and personnel on the ground surface. At other locations with large vehicles, such as mines and construction zones, similar safe paths are defined by these warning devices. Service vehicles may be parked or moved with respect to the location of the delineators to avoid unwanted contact with large vehicles that may be unable to easily see the vehicles or other obstacles that are on the surface below.

However, conventional warning devices have limited effectiveness for large vehicles. Delineators and cones, for example, are often too short for pilots or drivers to see and accurately judge their vehicle's proximity to them. Contact between the vehicle and the warning devices may damage the vehicle and/or destroy the warning device. Also, if a pilot or driver moves his or her vehicle out of a safe zone, there is a risk that the vehicle will collide with other vehicles and structures that would otherwise be safely separated from large vehicle traffic. Damage to vehicles and structures can be extremely expensive and time consuming to fix, so such incidents should be prevented with great caution. As a result, there is a need for improvements in delineators and other warning devices.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a signaling delineator assembly. The assembly may comprise a delineator having a base portion and a top portion, with the base portion being configured to stand on a level surface and the top portion comprising at least one aperture. The assembly may also include an adapter bracket extending through the at least one aperture, with the adapter bracket comprising at least one pole connection portion and with the adapter bracket having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may contact a first side of the at least one aperture and the second portion may contact a second side of the at least one aperture. The assembly may also include at least one signaling pole connected to the at least one pole connection portion and extending away from the adapter bracket.

The first and second sides of the at least one aperture may be positioned opposite each other on the at least one aperture. The first and second portions of the adapter bracket may conform to a plurality of surfaces of the top portion of the delineator, with the plurality of surfaces being adjacent to the at least one aperture. The top portion may comprise a handgrip portion, wherein the handgrip portion has a handhold opening extending through it, and wherein the at least one aperture includes the handhold opening. In some embodiments, the at least one aperture may extend through the handgrip portion adjacent to the handhold opening.

In some embodiments, the adapter bracket is removable from the top portion of the delineator. The at least one aperture may comprise a plurality of apertures extending through the top portion and the adapter bracket may extend through the plurality of apertures. The adapter bracket may comprise a stabilizer portion contacting opposite inner surfaces of the at least one aperture. The delineator may comprise at least one of a cone, a barrel, or a channelizer. The adapter bracket may be secured to the top portion of the delineator by a single fastener and the adapter bracket may cup or conform to the first side of the at least one aperture in at least three directions. The at least one signaling pole may extend from the adapter bracket parallel to a longitudinal axis of the delineator. In some configurations, at least one of the at least one pole connection portion and the at least one signaling pole may extend through the at least one aperture of the top portion.

The at least one aperture may extend through a first surface and a second surface, with the first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions, wherein the at least one signaling pole may comprise a plurality of signaling poles and a first pole of the plurality of signaling poles is positioned external to the first surface and a second pole of the plurality of signaling poles is positioned external to the second surface. The first pole may extend away from the first surface and the second pole may extend away from the second surface.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of constructing a signaling delineator assembly is provided. The method may include providing a delineator, an adapter bracket, and a signaling pole, with the delineator having a top portion and with the top portion having at least one aperture. The method may further include inserting the adapter bracket through the at least one aperture with the adapter bracket contacting at least two opposite sides of the at least one aperture and connecting the signaling pole to a pole connection portion of the adapter bracket.

In this method, the top portion of the delineator may be a handle and the at least one aperture may be a handgrip opening through the handle. The method may further comprise removably attaching the adapter bracket to the top portion. Inserting the adapter bracket may further comprise cupping at least one of the at least two opposite sides of the at least one aperture with the adapter bracket. Connecting the signaling pole to the pole connection portion may further comprise connecting the signaling pole to a pole connection portion positioned within or extending through the at least one aperture.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify one or more preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the present description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of this disclosure. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a delineator assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a detailed view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is another detailed view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a detailed view of another embodiment of a delineator assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is another detailed view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a delineator assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a delineator assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the delineator assembly of FIG. 7.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to delineator assemblies that may be used to signal and warn drivers and pilots of large vehicles by adapting conventional delineators to be taller and otherwise more visible by attaching elongated poles. In an example embodiment, a delineator assembly may include a delineator having a base portion and a top portion. The base portion may be configured to stand on or be attached to a level surface or ground surface and the top portion may comprise at least one aperture. In some arrangements, the base portion may be configured to attach to a stand or base apparatus extending around the base portion. An adapter bracket may extend through the aperture and may have at least one pole connection portion. A first portion of the bracket may contact a first side of the aperture and a second portion of the bracket may contact a second side of the aperture. The first and second sides may be internal surfaces of the aperture or may be surfaces adjacent to the aperture that are external to the aperture (e.g., surfaces around the periphery of the aperture or adjacent to a perimeter of the aperture). A least one signaling pole may also be part of the assembly by being connected to the at least one pole connection portion and by extending away from the adapter bracket. The signaling pole may have a flag, light, reflective surface, or other signaling device attached thereto to improve the pole's visibility.

As used herein, a “delineator” may be used to generally refer to a delineator post, warning cone, barrel, cable stand, sign, and/or channelizer for directing and warning traffic. Thus, delineators may have various shapes and sizes and are not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures.

A “signaling pole” may be defined herein as generally referring to an elongated pole or tube. A signaling pole may be configured to attach to a flag, light, or other signaling device. A signaling pole may be rigid or made of a flexible material. In some embodiments, the signaling pole may be a resiliently flexible whip member. A flexible signaling pole may reduce damage to the pole and/or a colliding vehicle when they come into contact with each other.

An adapter bracket of the present disclosure may be configured to attach to conventional delineators. For example, conventional delineators may have top portions with a handle or other vertically-extending member having an aperture extending through it. The handle aperture may be sized to receive a handler's fingers as a grip. For example, the grip may receive two to four fingers of the hand in a grasping or carrying position. This aperture may therefore be referred to as a handhold opening in a handgrip portion of the delineator. The adapter bracket may be attached to the outer surfaces of the top portion in and around the handle aperture without otherwise damaging or altering the top portion of the delineator. The bracket may be retained in position relative to the delineator by mechanical interference provided by surfaces of the bracket in contact with the delineator.

In some embodiments, an aperture in the top portion may be configured to receive bolts or other fasteners and may not be configured as a handhold or grip aperture. Some embodiments have both a grip aperture that may be used as a handhold and at least one additional, separate aperture for a fastener. Thus, the adapter bracket may have bolts or other fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, etc.) extending through areas at the top portion of the delineator. The bolts may extend through the aperture or through bolt holes in the delineator that are positioned proximate and adjacent to the handhold aperture. The bolt holes may be part of the conventional delineator or may be formed into to the top portion (e.g., by drilling or cutting) to install the bracket while constructing the delineator assembly.

The adapter brackets described herein may be used to increase the visibility of existing delineators and may allow users to limit costs of upgrading the effectiveness of their delineators. The adapter brackets may also be attachable to multiple different types of delineators that may be used for different purposes. Additionally, different adapter brackets may be used for different purposes with the same delineator, such as adapter brackets that can support one or a plurality of poles and indicator devices.

The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.

Referring now to the figures in detail, FIG. 1 shows a side view of a delineator assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The delineator assembly 100 may comprise a delineator 102, an adapter bracket 104, and a pole 106. The delineator 102 may comprise a bottom end 108 and a top end 110. The bottom end 108 may comprise a widened base 112. In some embodiments, the bottom end 108 may be connectable to a post, a stand, a vehicle, a sign, or other support apparatus. The delineator 102 may be colored or otherwise configured to improve visibility, such as by having reflective portions 114 and an elongated central portion 116. The top end 110 may comprise a handgrip 118 where the adapter bracket 104 is attached.

The pole 106 may comprise a first end 120 connected to the adapter bracket 104 and a second end 122 extending away therefrom. The first end 120 may have a threaded connection with the adapter bracket 104. In some embodiments, the first end 120 may be connected to the adapter bracket 104 using a mechanical interference, by being inserted into the adapter bracket 104, or by another method known in the art. The second end 122 of the pole 106 may comprise a signaling device 124 such as, for example, a light or flag. In some embodiments, a signaling device 124 that is a light may comprise a battery, solar charger, or another power source to provide power for the light.

FIGS. 2A-2B show detailed perspective views of opposite sides of the delineator assembly 100 where the adapter bracket 104 is located. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of that portion of the delineator assembly 100. The top end 110 of the delineator 102 may include a top surface 126 from which the handgrip 118 extends. The handgrip 118 may be integrated into the top surface 126, as shown, or may be attachable to and detachable from the top surface 126 and/or delineator 102 in general. In some embodiments, the handgrip 118 may form an arch across the top surface 126.

The top surface 126 may also comprise a first sloped surface 128 and a second sloped surface 130 adjacent to the handgrip 118 and on opposing sides of an aperture 132 through the handgrip 118. The first and second sloped surfaces 128, 130 may alternatively be referred to as contoured top surfaces of the delineator 102 or reinforcement surfaces of the handgrip 118. The handgrip 118 may comprise a first side surface 134 (FIG. 2A) and a second side surface 136 (FIG. 2B) that face away from each other and define a periphery around the aperture 132 that the adapter bracket 104 may contact. These side surfaces 134, 136 extend around at least part of the perimeter of the aperture 132.

The aperture 132 may include a first internal end surface 138, a second internal end surface 140, a first internal side surface 142, and a second internal side surface 144. The first and second internal end surfaces 138, 140 may face each other on the inside of the aperture 132 between the first and second side surfaces 134, 136. Similarly, the first and second internal side surfaces 142, 144 may face each other inside the aperture 132 between the first and second side surfaces 134, 136. These surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 may transition into each other by being connected to transition surfaces (e.g., 145 in FIG. 2B). In some embodiments, the transition surfaces are curved, smooth, and/or lofted between the other internal surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144.

The internal surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 of the aperture 132 may be defined by the direction they generally face (e.g., surface 138 faces generally downward and surface 140 faces generally upward), or they may be defined by their orientation relative to each other (e.g., surface 138 faces generally toward surface 140). In an embodiment where the aperture 132 is circular, the four surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 may be defined as four quadrants of the aperture 132 of the circle. Collectively, these surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 may define the inside of the aperture 132 that the adapter bracket 104 may contact. The adapter bracket 104 may contact one, two, three, or four of these surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144, depending on its construction. By contacting multiple surfaces, the bracket 104 may be more securely held on the handgrip 118 upon construction of the delineator assembly 100. The handgrip 118 may also include an outer surface 146 having at least three sides (e.g., two facing generally laterally and one facing generally vertically upward from the arch shape).

The adapter bracket 104 may comprise a first end 148 and a second end 150. At least one pole connection portion 152 may extend from the adapter bracket 104 between the first and second ends 148, 150, and it may comprise a feature (e.g., a hole or post) configured to provide attachment of the first end 120 of the pole 106 to the pole connection portion 152. In the figures, the pole connection portion 152 is attachable to a pole 106 by fastening the pole 106 to a hole 153 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the pole connection portion 152 extends laterally from a vertical portion 154 of the adapter bracket 104 so that when the pole 106 is attached, the pole 106 will extend vertically upward from the adapter bracket 104 and the delineator 102. The pole 106 may therefore extend parallel to the vertical portion 154 of the adapter bracket 104. The vertical portion 154 may be used to define a longitudinal axis of the adapter bracket 104 that extends along the length of the vertical portion 154.

The first end 148 of the adapter bracket 104 may comprise a lower contact portion 156 connected to two angled portions 158. The lower contact portion 156 may be configured to contact the second internal end surface 140 of the aperture 132, and the angled portions 158 may contact the first and second sloped surfaces 128, 130. Contact between the lower contact portion 156 and the second internal end surface 140 may prevent vertically downward movement of the adapter bracket 104 relative to the aperture 132, and contact between the angled portions 158 and the first and second sloped surfaces 128, 130 may prevent lateral movement of the adapter bracket 104 through the aperture 132 and tilting or rotation of the adapter bracket 104 relative to at least one plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the adapter bracket 104. The angled portions 158 may be configured with angles relative to the lower contact portion 156 that correspond with the angles between the second internal end surface 140 and the sloped surfaces 128, 130. Thus, the lower contact portion 156 and angled portions 158 may follow the contour of the surface of the top end 110 of the delineator 102 within the aperture 132 and adjacent to the aperture 132. The lower contact portion 156 and angled portions 158 may be referred to as “cupping” that contour or as restraining the adapter bracket 104 in at least three directions of translation (e.g., vertically and two directions horizontally) and at least one direction of rotation (e.g., through the aperture 132) when the adapter bracket 104 is installed in the aperture 132.

The lower contact portion 156 and angled portions 158 may also be referred to as forming an “h” shape or “L” shape with the vertical portion 154 of the adapter bracket 104 due to their positioning relative to each other. In some embodiments, the angled portions 158 may extend at about a 90-degree angle downward from the lower contact portion 156, similar to the first end 248 of the adapter bracket 204 of FIGS. 4A-5, and the angled portions 158 may therefore be configured to come into contact with vertical surfaces adjacent to the aperture 132 next to and external to the second internal end surface 140. The lower contact portion 156 of the adapter bracket 104 may extend at about a 90-degree angle relative to the vertical portion 154 of the adapter bracket 104.

The first end 148 of the adapter bracket 104 may extend through the aperture 132 with protruding angled portions 158 on each side of the aperture 132. To position the adapter bracket 104 in the aperture 132, the first end 148 may be inserted partially through the aperture 132 with the adapter bracket 104 raised relative to its final resting position, then the adapter bracket 104 may be lowered into a position with the angled portions 158 contacting the sloped surfaces 128, 130. In this position, a lateral support member 160 on the adapter bracket 104 may be positioned within the aperture 132 as well.

The lateral support member 160 may contact the first and second internal side surfaces 142, 144 (as shown in FIG. 2B) and may thereby inhibit lateral rotation or translation of the adapter bracket 104 relative to the aperture 132. The lateral support member 160 may alternatively be referred to as a stabilizer portion. The adapter bracket 104 may contact the first and second internal end surfaces 138, 140 and may have space between the contact at the first and second internal end surfaces 138, 140 and the contact between the lateral support member 160 and the first and second internal side surfaces 142, 144. Thus, the adapter bracket 104 may have intermittent contact or only partial contact with the inner perimeter of the aperture 132. This contact may alternatively be defined as contact with side and/or end surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 of the aperture 132 without contact against transition surfaces 145 that lie between the side and/or end surfaces.

A securing bracket 162 may be attached to the second end 150 of the adapter bracket 104 to keep the adapter bracket 104 from moving vertically upward. The securing bracket 162 may be secured to the vertical portion 154 of the adapter bracket 104 through a bolt slot 164 (see FIGS. 2A, 3) in the vertical portion 154. The bolt slot 164 may be elongated relative to the diameter of a fastener 166 used to connect the securing bracket 162 and the adapter bracket 104 to each other so that the vertical position of the securing bracket 162 may be adjusted or may slide vertically before being tightened into place. The securing bracket 162 ma comprise a plurality of bends or a zig-zag shape that conforms to at least one side surface 134, 136 of the handgrip 118 and at least one internal end surface 138, 140 of the aperture 132. With the securing bracket 162 in place, the second end 150 of the adapter bracket 104 and securing bracket 162 may together form a cup or hook shape that contacts the first and second side surfaces 134, 136 and the first internal end surface 138. Thus, the adapter bracket 104 may be prevented from moving in at least three directions of translation by the second end 150 and securing bracket 162. The adapter bracket 104 may also be prevented from tilting or rotating within a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the aperture 132 is formed.

After installation in the aperture 132, the adapter bracket 104 may be immobilized relative to the delineator 102. Contact between multiple surfaces of the bracket 104 and the delineator 102 may hold the adapter bracket 104 in place so that the weight and/or movement of the pole 106 does not cause the bracket 104 to come loose, tilt, or fall out of the aperture 132. The adapter bracket 104 may also not require any holes to be formed penetrating the delineator 102 and may therefore be fully removable from the delineator 102 without damaging or destroying the top end 110.

FIGS. 4A-5 show another embodiment of a delineator assembly 200 according to the present disclosure. The delineator assembly 200 may comprise a delineator 202, an adapter bracket 204, and a pole 206. FIGS. 4A-4B show detailed perspective views of opposite sides of the delineator assembly 200 where the adapter bracket 204 is located. FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of that portion of the delineator assembly 200. The delineator 202 may comprise a top end 210. The delineator 202 may be colored or otherwise configured to improve visibility, such as by having reflective portions and an elongated central portion. The top end 210 may comprise a handgrip 218 where the adapter bracket 204 is attached.

The pole 206 may comprise a first end 220 connected to the adapter bracket 204 and a second end extending away therefrom. The first end 220 may have a threaded connection with the adapter bracket 204. In some embodiments, the first end 220 may be connected to the adapter bracket 204 using a mechanical interference, by being inserted into the adapter bracket 204 (or vice versa), or by another method known in the art. The second end of the pole 206 may comprise a signaling device such as, for example, a light or flag. In some embodiments, a signaling device that is a light may comprise a battery, solar charger, or another power source to provide power for the light.

The top end 210 of the delineator 202 may include a top surface 226 from which the handgrip 218 extends. The handgrip 218 may be integrated into the top surface 226. In some embodiments, the handgrip 218 may form an arch across the top surface 226. The handgrip 218 may also be described as forming an eye or loop at the top of the delineator 202.

The top surface 226 may connect to a first contact surface 228 and a second contact surface 230 adjacent to the handgrip 218 and on opposing sides of an aperture 232 through the handgrip 218. The handgrip 218 may also comprise a first side surface 234 (FIG. 4A) and a second side surface 236 (FIG. 4B) that face away from each other and define a periphery around the aperture 232 that the adapter bracket 204 may contact.

The aperture 232 may include a first internal end surface 238, a second internal end surface 240, a first internal side surface 242, and a second internal side surface 244. The first and second internal end surfaces 238, 240 may face each other on the inside of the aperture 232 between the first and second side surfaces 234, 236. Similarly, the first and second internal side surfaces 242, 244 may face each other inside the aperture 232 between the first and second side surfaces 234, 236. These surfaces 238, 240, 242, 244 may transition into each other with transition surfaces (e.g., 245 in FIG. 4B). Therefore, these surfaces 238, 240, 242, 244 may be defined by the direction they generally face (e.g., surface 238 faces generally downward and surface 240 faces generally upward) or may be defined by their orientation relative to each other (e.g., surface 238 faces generally toward surface 240). In an embodiment where the aperture 232 is circular, the four surfaces 238, 240, 242, 244 may be defined as four quadrants of the aperture 232 of the circle. Collectively, these surfaces 238, 240, 242, 244 may define the inside of the aperture 232 that the adapter bracket 204 may contact. The handgrip 218 may also include an outer surface 246 having at least three sides (i.e., two facing generally laterally and one facing generally vertically). By contacting multiple surfaces, the bracket 204 may be more securely held on the handgrip 218 upon construction of the delineator assembly 200.

The adapter bracket 204 may comprise a first end 248 and a second end 250. At least one pole connection portion 252 may extend from the adapter bracket 204 between the first and second ends 248, 250. The pole connection portion 252 may comprise a feature 253 (e.g., a hole or post; see FIG. 5) configured to provide attachment of the first end 220 of the pole 206 to the pole connection portion 252. In some embodiments, the pole connection portion 252 extends laterally from a vertical portion 254 of the adapter bracket 204 so that when the pole 206 is attached, the pole 206 will extend vertically upward from the adapter bracket 204 and the delineator 202. The pole 206 may therefore extend parallel to the vertical portion 254 of the adapter bracket 204. The pole connection portion 252 may also or alternatively extend through the aperture 232.

The first end 248 of the adapter bracket 204 may comprise a lower contact portion 256 connected to two vertical contact portions 258. The lower contact portion 256 may be configured to contact the second internal end surface 240 of the aperture 232, and the vertical contact portions 258 may contact the first and second contact surfaces 228, 230, respectively. Contact between the lower contact portion 256 and the second internal end surface 240 may prevent vertical downward movement of the adapter bracket 204 relative to the aperture 232, and contact between the vertical contact portions 258 and the first and second contact surfaces 228, 230 may prevent lateral movement of the adapter bracket 204 through the aperture 232. The vertical contact portions 258 may be configured with angles relative to the lower contact portion 256 that correspond with the angles between the second internal end surface 240 and the contact surfaces 228, 230. Thus, the lower contact portion 256 and vertical contact portions 258 may follow the contour of the top end 210 of the delineator 202 within the aperture 232 and laterally adjacent thereto. The lower contact portion 256 and vertical contact portions 258 may be referred to as “cupping” that contour or as restraining the adapter bracket 204 in at least three directions (e.g., vertically and two directions horizontally) when the adapter bracket 204 is installed in the aperture 232.

The lower contact portion 256 and vertical contact portions 258 may also be referred to as forming an “h” shape or “L” shape with the vertical portion 254 of the adapter bracket 204 due to their positioning relative to each other. The lower contact portion 256 of the adapter bracket 204 may extend at about a 90-degree angle relative to the vertical portion 254 of the adapter bracket 204.

The first end 248 of the adapter bracket 204 may extend through the aperture 232 with vertical contact portions 258 on each side of the aperture 232. To position the adapter bracket 204 in the aperture 232, the first end 248 may be inserted partially through the aperture 232 with the adapter bracket 204 raised relative to its final resting position, then the adapter bracket 204 may be lowered into a position with the vertical contact portions 258 contacting the contact surfaces 228, 230. A first fastener 260 may be positioned through the vertical contact portions 258 and a first fastener aperture 261 in the top portion 210 of the delineator 202. See FIG. 5.

A second fastener 262 may be positioned through the second end 250 of the adapter bracket 204 to keep the adapter bracket 204 from moving vertically upward. The second fastener 262 may be secured to the vertical portion 254 of the adapter bracket 204 through a bolt slot 264 (see FIGS. 4A, 5) and may be secured to the top portion 210 of the delineator 202 through a second fastener aperture 263 (see FIG. 5). The bolt slot 264 is elongated relative to the diameter of the second fastener 262 so that the vertical position of the second fastener 262 may be adjusted or may slide vertically before being tightened into place. With the second fastener 262 in place, the second end 250 of the adapter bracket 204 may be immobilized due to contact between the second fastener 262 and the second fastener aperture 263. Thus, the adapter bracket 204 may be prevented from moving in at least three directions by the second end 250 and second fastener 262. Nuts 265 may be attached to the ends of the first and second fasteners 260, 262 that keep the first and second fasteners 260, 262 from withdrawing from the apertures 261, 263. The first and second fasteners 260, 262 may be defined as being part of the adapter bracket 204, so when the adapter bracket 204 is fully attached to the top end 210, the adapter bracket 204 may be described as extending through a plurality of apertures (e.g., 232, 261, 263) in the top end 210.

After installation in the aperture 232, the adapter bracket 204 may be immobilized relative to the delineator 202. Contact between multiple surfaces of the bracket 204 and the delineator 202 holds the adapter bracket 204 in place so that the weight and/or movement of the pole 206 does not cause the bracket 204 to come loose, tilt, or fall out of the aperture 232. The first and second fastener apertures 261, 263 may be drilled, cut, or otherwise specially formed through the top portion 210 of the delineator 202 to facilitate construction of the assembly 200, or the apertures 261, 263 may be pre-formed or molded in the top portion 210. Similarly, a recess 266 in the second side surface 236 may be milled (or otherwise specially formed) in the top portion 210, or it may be pre-formed or molded therein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembly 200 of FIGS. 4A-5 with a cover 270 installed over the adapter bracket 204 and top end 210 of the delineator 202. The cover 270 may protect the adapter bracket 204 from weather and/or tampering. Thus, the fasteners 260, 262 may be more secure when the cover 270 is used. The outer surfaces of the cover 270 may also be used to improve visibility of the assembly 200, such as by having a reflective coating, a high-visibility color, and/or letters and numbers visible thereon.

FIGS. 7-8 show yet another embodiment of a delineator assembly 300 according to the present disclosure. The delineator assembly includes a delineator 302, an adapter bracket 304, and a plurality of poles 306. The delineator 302 in this example embodiment is identical to delineator 202, and only the top end of the delineator 302 is shown. The poles 306 are similar to pole 206, and also comprise a flag 307 and light 324. In this embodiment, the adapter bracket 304 may comprise a plurality of pole connection portions 352, 353 to which the bottom ends 320 of the poles 306 are attachable. Pole connection portion 352 may be identical to pole connection portion 252. Pole connection portion 352 may also, however, include an angled end that allows a pole 306 to be connected to the pole connection portion 352 at an angle relative to the vertical direction. See FIG. 7. Pole connection portion 353 extends through the aperture 332 formed in the delineator 302 so that one of the poles 306 may be positioned on an opposite side of the aperture 332 from the other pole 306 and the rest of the adapter bracket 304. This pole connection portion 353 may also have an angled end to allow the pole 306 to extend at an angle relative to the vertical direction. Pole connection portion 353 may alternatively only extend partially into or through the aperture 332, so the pole 306 may extend partially into or through the aperture 332 to connect to the pole connection portion 353. The poles 306 may be described as extending away from opposite-facing surfaces of the top end 310 of the delineator 302, such as surfaces 234, 236 of delineator 202.

Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including:” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.”

DELINEATOR WING WHIP ASSEMBLY

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Abstract

Description

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