GB2199400A - Road cones - Google Patents

Road cones Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2199400A
GB2199400A GB08724053A GB8724053A GB2199400A GB 2199400 A GB2199400 A GB 2199400A GB 08724053 A GB08724053 A GB 08724053A GB 8724053 A GB8724053 A GB 8724053A GB 2199400 A GB2199400 A GB 2199400A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
road cone
bulb
light
flashing
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08724053A
Other versions
GB8724053D0 (en
GB2199400B (en
Inventor
Timothy John Kirker
Michael Harvey Coney
John Edwin Robert Coney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GLOWCONE Ltd
Original Assignee
GLOWCONE Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GLOWCONE Ltd filed Critical GLOWCONE Ltd
Publication of GB8724053D0 publication Critical patent/GB8724053D0/en
Publication of GB2199400A publication Critical patent/GB2199400A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2199400B publication Critical patent/GB2199400B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/615—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings illuminated
    • E01F9/617—Illuminated or wired-up posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures for traffic guidance, warning or control
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/654—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection in the form of three-dimensional bodies, e.g. cones; capable of assuming three-dimensional form, e.g. by inflation or erection to form a geometric body
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/688—Free-standing bodies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2111/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2111/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F21W2111/02—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 for roads, paths or the like

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

A road cone arranged for improved visibility comprises a hollow base (10) and a light housing (14), the light housing including a continuous source of illumination (22) for the interior of the base (10) and an external flashing light (24). The light housing (14) is attached to the base (10) by means of a projection (16) engaging in an opening (12) at the upper end of the cone, the projection (16) including a clear lens for the continuous light (22).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ROAD CONES This invention relates to road cones which are commonly used to mark off those sections of a carriageway which are not to be used and are also used to designate the portions of the carriageway which are to be used.
In order to make the cones visible at night or in conditions of poor visibility, flashing lights are sometimes attached to some or all of the cones in use. To a driver approaching a coned off portion of the carriageway at night the scene can be very confusing since the flashing lights are not synchronised in any way and it can be quite difficult to see where the carriageway in use is positioned.
The present invention seeks to provide a road cone which as well as having a flashing light can also be illuminated so that at night or in poor visibility conditions the cones can be seen easily, thereby enabling the driver to follow the designated carriageway.
Accordingly the present invention provides a road cone having a hollow base and a means of internal illumination and means for providing an external flashing light. Preferably, the cone can be illuminated internally on a continuous basis.
The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows one form of road cone according to the present invention.
Referring to the drawing there is shown a road cone 10 of a similar form, material and colouring to the conventional type of road cone but having an opening 12 at the apex of the cone. A light housing 14 is fixed to the top of the cone by means of a translucent projection 16 which passes through the opening 12.
The light housing 14 comprises a plastic body 18 containing batteries 20 which can be of the rechargeable type, a bulb 22 which is arranged to give a continuous light and a Xenon flash bulb 24, the operation of which is effected by an electronic control means 26. One end of the plastic body 18 is closed off by an amber Fresnel lens 26 which surrounds the flash bulb 24. The bulb 22 is enclosed by a clear lens 28 which consists of or comprises part of the projection 16.
If the batteries 20 are of the rechargeable type, a charging unit (not shown) can be attached, for example to the base of the cone 12. Also, the Xenon flashing bulb can be replaced by a Quartz Halogen flashing bulb with a suitable electronic drive unit.
At night time or in conditions of poor visibility the bulb 22 continuously illuminates the interior of the road cone which is preferably provided with a phosphorescent material and the bulb 24 is flashing continuously. The driver will then be presented with lines of internally illuminated cones which will clearly indicate the carriageway to be followed and the flashing light 24 will provide both an early warning prior to the driver approaching the coned off carriageway and a continuous reminder whilst the designated carriageway is being used that care and attention should continue to be exercised.
It may not be necessary for all of the cones to be provided with one of the light units 14 and in some cases it may be sufficient for some of the cones to be internally illuminated only. Also some of the cones need not have any means of illumination. The cone 10 can be provided with drainage holes in the base to allow any rain water which has collected in the cone to drain away.
The electronic control means 26 can be timed to operate sequentially or in unison to give the road user a clear indication of the carriageway to be used. Also the flash bulb 24 can have two light levels so that a brighter light can be given in daylight. This can be achieved by using a twin element bulb or two bulbs.

Claims (1)

  1. (1) A road cone comprising a hollow base and illuminating means mounted on the hollow base, the illuminating means including means for generating a flashing light and means for illuminating the interior of the base.
    (2) A road cone as claimed in claim 1 in which the flashing light means comprises a flash bulb and an electronic control means to control the flash bulb.
    (5) A road cone as claimed in claim 2 in which the flash bulb is a Xenon flash bulb.
    (4) A road cone as claimed in claim 2 in which the flash bulb is a Quartz Halogen flash bulb.
    (5) A road cone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the light housing includes a Fresnel lens in the region of the flashing bulb.
    (6) A road cone as claimed in claim 1 in which the interior illuminating means comprises a continuous electric light bulb.
    (7) A road cone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the illuminating means are powered by one or more batteries.
    (8) A road cone as claimed in claim 7 in which the or each battery is rechargeable and the road cone includes a battery charging unit.
    (9) A road cone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the light housing includes a translucent portion arranged to engage an opening in the base.
    (10) A road cone as claimed in claim 9 in which the base is conical and has an opening at its upper end arranged to receive the translucent portion of the light housing.
    (11) A road cone as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 in which the continuous electric light bulb is located in the said translucent portion.
    (12) A road cone as claimed in claim 2 in which the electronic control means is arranged to control the rate of flash of the flashing bulb.
    (13) A road cone as claimed in claim 12 in which the flashing bulb has two or more elements and the electronic control unit is arranged to switch one or more of said elements.
    (14) A road cone comprising a hollow base and a detachable closed light housing, the light housing including a flashing light bulb, a continuous light bulb, a power source for said bulbs and an electronic control for the flashing bulb, the housing having translucent portions in the regions of the bulbs.
    (15) A road cone as claimed in claim 12 in which the translucent portion of the housing in the region of the continuous light bulb is engageable with an opening in the upper end of the hollow base.
    (16) A road cone constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8724053A 1986-10-18 1987-10-14 Improvements in or relating to road cones Expired - Fee Related GB2199400B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB868625039A GB8625039D0 (en) 1986-10-18 1986-10-18 Road cones

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8724053D0 GB8724053D0 (en) 1987-11-18
GB2199400A true GB2199400A (en) 1988-07-06
GB2199400B GB2199400B (en) 1990-10-17

Family

ID=10605999

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB868625039A Pending GB8625039D0 (en) 1986-10-18 1986-10-18 Road cones
GB8724053A Expired - Fee Related GB2199400B (en) 1986-10-18 1987-10-14 Improvements in or relating to road cones

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB868625039A Pending GB8625039D0 (en) 1986-10-18 1986-10-18 Road cones

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8625039D0 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5577824A (en) * 1994-03-09 1996-11-26 Molex Incorporated Traffic cone-mounted warning lights
GB2393777A (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Kevin Walsh Hazard warning beacon
WO2006064267A1 (en) * 2004-12-18 2006-06-22 Home Communications Limited Illuminated barrier system, and illumination unit therefor
US20110220010A1 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 Klein Erik D Traffic cone insert that supports caution tape
FR2966475A1 (en) * 2010-10-26 2012-04-27 Cryzal Lighting module for traffic cone e.g. beaconing traffic cone, has light source arranged in traffic cone for lighting cone from interior and exterior, upper face arranged at level of opening, and lower face extended in cone
EP2634312A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-04 3M Innovative Properties Company A retroreflective traffic sign

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1242844A (en) * 1967-08-17 1971-08-11 Bernard Whitehead An improvement in or relating to road marker devices or the like
GB1272690A (en) * 1970-04-13 1972-05-03 Safety Products Company Signal lamps
GB1301084A (en) * 1969-01-11 1972-12-29 Bernard Whitehead Improvements in or relating to the illumination of road signs or road markings
GB1378954A (en) * 1971-03-03 1975-01-02 Fibco Inc Highway marker
GB1503574A (en) * 1976-05-04 1978-03-15 Swintex Warning lamp
GB2144532A (en) * 1983-06-07 1985-03-06 Michael Harvey Coney Hazard warning lamp

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1242844A (en) * 1967-08-17 1971-08-11 Bernard Whitehead An improvement in or relating to road marker devices or the like
GB1301084A (en) * 1969-01-11 1972-12-29 Bernard Whitehead Improvements in or relating to the illumination of road signs or road markings
GB1272690A (en) * 1970-04-13 1972-05-03 Safety Products Company Signal lamps
GB1378954A (en) * 1971-03-03 1975-01-02 Fibco Inc Highway marker
GB1503574A (en) * 1976-05-04 1978-03-15 Swintex Warning lamp
GB2144532A (en) * 1983-06-07 1985-03-06 Michael Harvey Coney Hazard warning lamp

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5577824A (en) * 1994-03-09 1996-11-26 Molex Incorporated Traffic cone-mounted warning lights
GB2393777A (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Kevin Walsh Hazard warning beacon
GB2393777B (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-09-15 Kevin Walsh Hazard light
WO2006064267A1 (en) * 2004-12-18 2006-06-22 Home Communications Limited Illuminated barrier system, and illumination unit therefor
US20110220010A1 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 Klein Erik D Traffic cone insert that supports caution tape
US8631755B2 (en) * 2010-03-12 2014-01-21 Erik D. Klein Traffic cone insert that supports caution tape
FR2966475A1 (en) * 2010-10-26 2012-04-27 Cryzal Lighting module for traffic cone e.g. beaconing traffic cone, has light source arranged in traffic cone for lighting cone from interior and exterior, upper face arranged at level of opening, and lower face extended in cone
EP2634312A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-04 3M Innovative Properties Company A retroreflective traffic sign

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8724053D0 (en) 1987-11-18
GB2199400B (en) 1990-10-17
GB8625039D0 (en) 1986-11-19

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19931014