Replaceable reflective warning post

Abstract

A replaceable warning post designed to give drivers an early visual warning to possible road hazards without becoming a hazard itself. It consists of a PVC plastic sleeve that is placed into the ground with concrete to support it. Above ground there is a polyethylene warning post with two 3″ reflective areas designed for different warning hazards. If the warning post is hit it will collapse and cause little or no damage to vehicles. Once the warning post is damaged it can easily be replaced by cutting upper post and pulling spring pin. PVC plastic sleeve will remain in the ground and new warning post can be installed. Once in place warning post cannot be removed from outside force because of interlocking spring pin.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to early warning signs for safe traffic control and to alert drivers of roadside hazards. When properly placed this reflective post can give drivers of motorized vehicles an advantage of caution in relation to some form of hazard ahead. This early warning system can give drivers time to react to unforeseen dangers. These reflective posts are especially useful in low light and no light areas of roads, parking lots, etc. Unlike wood or metal warning posts which need high maintenance and cause extensive damage to vehicles or injury to occupants this device is made of plastic and when hit by a moving vehicle will collapse and cause little or no damage to the vehicle or occupants. Not only is the maintenance free upper post both durable and strong but also it can easily be replaced by cutting the upper post and pulling the interlocking spring pin. This unique feature will save time and money on replacement of new tubes. No need to dig a new hole or pour new concrete. Bottom base sleeve remains in the ground and a new upper post is inserted in the position of the previous damaged post. The warning post itself is made in a variety of different solid colors and needs no maintenance. Also it comes in different lengths and the reflective areas are color coded for different road hazards.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device is an effective low cost way to deliver a visual early warning sign to drivers of motorized vehicles that there are dangerous conditions ahead. If struck by a vehicle the post will collapse and cause little or no damage to the vehicle or occupants. Upper reflective post can easily be replaced by cutting the tube and pulling interlocking spring pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a completely assembled unit.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a completely assembled unit.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the base sleeve with drain holes taken from FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the upper post taken from FIG. 2

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the two reflective areas taken from FIG. 2

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the interlocking spring pin taken from FIG. 2

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the assembly with interlocking spring pin mechanism inside taken from FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is a cross section detail of the base sleeve, partial upper post and interlocking spring pin taken from FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a completely assembled unit consisting of but not limited to a round tubular base sleeve 11 made of PVC plastic. This base sleeve 11 is open on top to receive upper post 13 components and closed on the bottom with four drain holes. The base sleeve 11 also has two holes on opposite sides designed to receive interlocking spring pin 12. The upper post 13 is also round and tubular in length. Upper post 13 outside diameter is smaller then the base sleeves 11 inside diameter, which enables the upper post 13 to slide into the base sleeve 11. Once the upper post 13 is placed into base sleeve 11 there is an interlocking spring pin 12 which goes through the upper post 13 and into designed holes in the base sleeve 11. This locking mechanism once in place will prevent any outside force from separating upper post 13 from base sleeve 11. Upper post 13 is made of polyethylene plastic and comes in solid OSHA recognized colors. Atop the upper post 13 are two 3″ reflective tape areas 14 and 15 separated by a 3″ space. These reflective tape areas 14 and 15 are affixed to upper post with masking glue.

Referring to FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a completely assembled unit consisting of but not limited to all references made in the above FIG. 1 description.

Referring to FIG. 3 is a partial view of the base sleeve 11 unassembled from upper post 13 showing four drain holes in the bottom and one of two opposite interlocking spring pin 12 holes.

Referring to FIG. 4 is a partial view of the upper post 13 unassembled from the base sleeve 11 and interlocking spring pin 12.

Referring to FIG. 5 is a partial view of the two reflective areas 14 and 15 unassembled from upper post 13.

Referring to FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interlocking spring pin 12 being made of plastic unassembled from the inside of the upper post 13. Interlocking spring pin 12 is a free and moveable device which attaches upper post 13 to base sleeve into a locking position.

Referring to FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the assembly showing the relationship between the interlocking spring pin 12 and the base sleeve 11 and the upper post 13.

Referring to FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the assembly being that of the base sleeve 11 working in conjunction with the interlocking spring pin 12 and partial upper post 13 as a complete assembly in a locked position.

Claims

1. In combination An upper post made of plastic material, which is round and tubular in length with the top portion closed, working in conjunction with a base sleeve, which is made of plastic material and is round and tubular in length with the bottom portion partially closed. Said base sleeve has four holes in the lower portion for drainage and also two holes in opposite sides to receive interlocking spring pin mechanism. Said upper post and said base sleeve are connected by means of a said interlocking spring pin which is made of plastic. When said upper post, which is vertical and above grade level is placed inside base sleeve, which is vertical and below grade level the said interlocking spring pin mechanism will lock all components together to become a completely assembled unit. Said unit can be disassembled by means of the said interlocking spring pin. Said base sleeve can remain secure below grade by other means while the said upper post and said interlocking spring pin can be removed. Once removed said components can be reassembled by sliding said upper post into said base sleeve until an alignment of connecting holes cause all components to lock in place becoming a completely assembled unit.

2. Said upper post is made with OSHA recognized solid high visibility colors. The above portion of the said upper post contains two 3″ wide reflective tape areas separated by a 3″ space.

3. Said upper post is destructible and replaceable.

4. Said reflective tape is attached to said upper post by means of masking glue and comes in a verity of OSHA recognized warning hazard colors.