US20170175348A1 - Delineator wing whip assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Signaling delineator assemblies and methods are disclosed. One example delineator assembly includes a delineator that has a base portion and a top portion, with the base portion being configured to stand on a level surface, and with the top portion having at least one aperture. An adapter bracket extends through the aperture and comprises at least one pole connection portion and a first portion and a second portion. The first portion contacts a first side of the at least one aperture and the second portion contacts a second side of the at least one aperture. A signaling pole is connected to the at least one pole connection portion and extends away from the adapter bracket. The delineator assembly adapts conventional delineators to have increased height and visibility so that they are more visible to tall vehicles such as tractors and aircraft.

Description

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 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 2B is another detailed view of the delineator assembly ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the delineator assembly ofFIG. 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 ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the delineator assembly ofFIG. 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 ofFIG. 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 adelineator assembly100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thedelineator assembly100 may comprise adelineator102, anadapter bracket104, and apole106. Thedelineator102 may comprise abottom end108 and atop end110. Thebottom end108 may comprise a widenedbase112. In some embodiments, thebottom end108 may be connectable to a post, a stand, a vehicle, a sign, or other support apparatus. Thedelineator102 may be colored or otherwise configured to improve visibility, such as by havingreflective portions114 and an elongatedcentral portion116. Thetop end110 may comprise ahandgrip118 where theadapter bracket104 is attached.
• Thepole106 may comprise afirst end120 connected to theadapter bracket104 and asecond end122 extending away therefrom. Thefirst end120 may have a threaded connection with theadapter bracket104. In some embodiments, thefirst end120 may be connected to theadapter bracket104 using a mechanical interference, by being inserted into theadapter bracket104, or by another method known in the art. Thesecond end122 of thepole106 may comprise asignaling device124 such as, for example, a light or flag. In some embodiments, asignaling device124 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 thedelineator assembly100 where theadapter bracket104 is located.FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of that portion of thedelineator assembly100. Thetop end110 of thedelineator102 may include atop surface126 from which thehandgrip118 extends. Thehandgrip118 may be integrated into thetop surface126, as shown, or may be attachable to and detachable from thetop surface126 and/ordelineator102 in general. In some embodiments, thehandgrip118 may form an arch across thetop surface126.
• Thetop surface126 may also comprise a firstsloped surface128 and a secondsloped surface130 adjacent to thehandgrip118 and on opposing sides of anaperture132 through thehandgrip118. The first and secondsloped surfaces128,130 may alternatively be referred to as contoured top surfaces of thedelineator102 or reinforcement surfaces of thehandgrip118. Thehandgrip118 may comprise a first side surface134 (FIG. 2A) and a second side surface136 (FIG. 2B) that face away from each other and define a periphery around theaperture132 that theadapter bracket104 may contact. These side surfaces134,136 extend around at least part of the perimeter of theaperture132.
• Theaperture132 may include a firstinternal end surface138, a secondinternal end surface140, a firstinternal side surface142, and a secondinternal side surface144. The first and second internal end surfaces138,140 may face each other on the inside of theaperture132 between the first and second side surfaces134,136. Similarly, the first and second internal side surfaces142,144 may face each other inside theaperture132 between the first and second side surfaces134,136. Thesesurfaces138,140,142,144 may transition into each other by being connected to transition surfaces (e.g.,145 inFIG. 2B). In some embodiments, the transition surfaces are curved, smooth, and/or lofted between the otherinternal surfaces138,140,142,144.
• Theinternal surfaces138,140,142,144 of theaperture132 may be defined by the direction they generally face (e.g.,surface138 faces generally downward andsurface140 faces generally upward), or they may be defined by their orientation relative to each other (e.g.,surface138 faces generally toward surface140). In an embodiment where theaperture132 is circular, the foursurfaces138,140,142,144 may be defined as four quadrants of theaperture132 of the circle. Collectively, thesesurfaces138,140,142,144 may define the inside of theaperture132 that theadapter bracket104 may contact. Theadapter bracket104 may contact one, two, three, or four of thesesurfaces138,140,142,144, depending on its construction. By contacting multiple surfaces, thebracket104 may be more securely held on thehandgrip118 upon construction of thedelineator assembly100. Thehandgrip118 may also include anouter surface146 having at least three sides (e.g., two facing generally laterally and one facing generally vertically upward from the arch shape).
• Theadapter bracket104 may comprise afirst end148 and asecond end150. At least onepole connection portion152 may extend from theadapter bracket104 between the first and second ends148,150, and it may comprise a feature (e.g., a hole or post) configured to provide attachment of thefirst end120 of thepole106 to thepole connection portion152. In the figures, thepole connection portion152 is attachable to apole106 by fastening thepole106 to a hole153 (seeFIG. 3). In some embodiments, thepole connection portion152 extends laterally from avertical portion154 of theadapter bracket104 so that when thepole106 is attached, thepole106 will extend vertically upward from theadapter bracket104 and thedelineator102. Thepole106 may therefore extend parallel to thevertical portion154 of theadapter bracket104. Thevertical portion154 may be used to define a longitudinal axis of theadapter bracket104 that extends along the length of thevertical portion154.
• Thefirst end148 of theadapter bracket104 may comprise alower contact portion156 connected to twoangled portions158. Thelower contact portion156 may be configured to contact the secondinternal end surface140 of theaperture132, and theangled portions158 may contact the first and secondsloped surfaces128,130. Contact between thelower contact portion156 and the secondinternal end surface140 may prevent vertically downward movement of theadapter bracket104 relative to theaperture132, and contact between theangled portions158 and the first and secondsloped surfaces128,130 may prevent lateral movement of theadapter bracket104 through theaperture132 and tilting or rotation of theadapter bracket104 relative to at least one plane extending through the longitudinal axis of theadapter bracket104. Theangled portions158 may be configured with angles relative to thelower contact portion156 that correspond with the angles between the secondinternal end surface140 and thesloped surfaces128,130. Thus, thelower contact portion156 andangled portions158 may follow the contour of the surface of thetop end110 of thedelineator102 within theaperture132 and adjacent to theaperture132. Thelower contact portion156 andangled portions158 may be referred to as “cupping” that contour or as restraining theadapter bracket104 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 aperture132) when theadapter bracket104 is installed in theaperture132.
• Thelower contact portion156 andangled portions158 may also be referred to as forming an “h” shape or “L” shape with thevertical portion154 of theadapter bracket104 due to their positioning relative to each other. In some embodiments, theangled portions158 may extend at about a 90-degree angle downward from thelower contact portion156, similar to thefirst end248 of theadapter bracket204 ofFIGS. 4A-5, and theangled portions158 may therefore be configured to come into contact with vertical surfaces adjacent to theaperture132 next to and external to the secondinternal end surface140. Thelower contact portion156 of theadapter bracket104 may extend at about a 90-degree angle relative to thevertical portion154 of theadapter bracket104.
• Thefirst end148 of theadapter bracket104 may extend through theaperture132 with protrudingangled portions158 on each side of theaperture132. To position theadapter bracket104 in theaperture132, thefirst end148 may be inserted partially through theaperture132 with theadapter bracket104 raised relative to its final resting position, then theadapter bracket104 may be lowered into a position with theangled portions158 contacting thesloped surfaces128,130. In this position, alateral support member160 on theadapter bracket104 may be positioned within theaperture132 as well.
• Thelateral support member160 may contact the first and second internal side surfaces142,144 (as shown inFIG. 2B) and may thereby inhibit lateral rotation or translation of theadapter bracket104 relative to theaperture132. Thelateral support member160 may alternatively be referred to as a stabilizer portion. Theadapter bracket104 may contact the first and second internal end surfaces138,140 and may have space between the contact at the first and second internal end surfaces138,140 and the contact between thelateral support member160 and the first and second internal side surfaces142,144. Thus, theadapter bracket104 may have intermittent contact or only partial contact with the inner perimeter of theaperture132. This contact may alternatively be defined as contact with side and/or endsurfaces138,140,142,144 of theaperture132 without contact against transition surfaces145 that lie between the side and/or end surfaces.
• A securingbracket162 may be attached to thesecond end150 of theadapter bracket104 to keep theadapter bracket104 from moving vertically upward. The securingbracket162 may be secured to thevertical portion154 of theadapter bracket104 through a bolt slot164 (seeFIGS. 2A, 3) in thevertical portion154. Thebolt slot164 may be elongated relative to the diameter of afastener166 used to connect the securingbracket162 and theadapter bracket104 to each other so that the vertical position of the securingbracket162 may be adjusted or may slide vertically before being tightened into place. The securingbracket162 ma comprise a plurality of bends or a zig-zag shape that conforms to at least oneside surface134,136 of thehandgrip118 and at least oneinternal end surface138,140 of theaperture132. With the securingbracket162 in place, thesecond end150 of theadapter bracket104 and securingbracket162 may together form a cup or hook shape that contacts the first and second side surfaces134,136 and the firstinternal end surface138. Thus, theadapter bracket104 may be prevented from moving in at least three directions of translation by thesecond end150 and securingbracket162. Theadapter bracket104 may also be prevented from tilting or rotating within a plane perpendicular to the plane in which theaperture132 is formed.
• After installation in theaperture132, theadapter bracket104 may be immobilized relative to thedelineator102. Contact between multiple surfaces of thebracket104 and thedelineator102 may hold theadapter bracket104 in place so that the weight and/or movement of thepole106 does not cause thebracket104 to come loose, tilt, or fall out of theaperture132. Theadapter bracket104 may also not require any holes to be formed penetrating thedelineator102 and may therefore be fully removable from thedelineator102 without damaging or destroying thetop end110.
• FIGS. 4A-5 show another embodiment of adelineator assembly200 according to the present disclosure. Thedelineator assembly200 may comprise adelineator202, anadapter bracket204, and apole206.FIGS. 4A-4B show detailed perspective views of opposite sides of thedelineator assembly200 where theadapter bracket204 is located.FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of that portion of thedelineator assembly200. Thedelineator202 may comprise atop end210. Thedelineator202 may be colored or otherwise configured to improve visibility, such as by having reflective portions and an elongated central portion. Thetop end210 may comprise ahandgrip218 where theadapter bracket204 is attached.
• Thepole206 may comprise afirst end220 connected to theadapter bracket204 and a second end extending away therefrom. Thefirst end220 may have a threaded connection with theadapter bracket204. In some embodiments, thefirst end220 may be connected to theadapter bracket204 using a mechanical interference, by being inserted into the adapter bracket204 (or vice versa), or by another method known in the art. The second end of thepole206 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.
• Thetop end210 of thedelineator202 may include atop surface226 from which thehandgrip218 extends. Thehandgrip218 may be integrated into thetop surface226. In some embodiments, thehandgrip218 may form an arch across thetop surface226. Thehandgrip218 may also be described as forming an eye or loop at the top of thedelineator202.
• Thetop surface226 may connect to afirst contact surface228 and asecond contact surface230 adjacent to thehandgrip218 and on opposing sides of anaperture232 through thehandgrip218. Thehandgrip218 may also comprise a first side surface234 (FIG. 4A) and a second side surface236 (FIG. 4B) that face away from each other and define a periphery around theaperture232 that theadapter bracket204 may contact.
• Theaperture232 may include a firstinternal end surface238, a secondinternal end surface240, a firstinternal side surface242, and a secondinternal side surface244. The first and second internal end surfaces238,240 may face each other on the inside of theaperture232 between the first and second side surfaces234,236. Similarly, the first and second internal side surfaces242,244 may face each other inside theaperture232 between the first and second side surfaces234,236. Thesesurfaces238,240,242,244 may transition into each other with transition surfaces (e.g.,245 inFIG. 4B). Therefore, thesesurfaces238,240,242,244 may be defined by the direction they generally face (e.g.,surface238 faces generally downward andsurface240 faces generally upward) or may be defined by their orientation relative to each other (e.g.,surface238 faces generally toward surface240). In an embodiment where theaperture232 is circular, the foursurfaces238,240,242,244 may be defined as four quadrants of theaperture232 of the circle. Collectively, thesesurfaces238,240,242,244 may define the inside of theaperture232 that theadapter bracket204 may contact. Thehandgrip218 may also include anouter surface246 having at least three sides (i.e., two facing generally laterally and one facing generally vertically). By contacting multiple surfaces, thebracket204 may be more securely held on thehandgrip218 upon construction of thedelineator assembly200.
• Theadapter bracket204 may comprise afirst end248 and asecond end250. At least onepole connection portion252 may extend from theadapter bracket204 between the first and second ends248,250. Thepole connection portion252 may comprise a feature253 (e.g., a hole or post; seeFIG. 5) configured to provide attachment of thefirst end220 of thepole206 to thepole connection portion252. In some embodiments, thepole connection portion252 extends laterally from avertical portion254 of theadapter bracket204 so that when thepole206 is attached, thepole206 will extend vertically upward from theadapter bracket204 and thedelineator202. Thepole206 may therefore extend parallel to thevertical portion254 of theadapter bracket204. Thepole connection portion252 may also or alternatively extend through theaperture232.
• Thefirst end248 of theadapter bracket204 may comprise alower contact portion256 connected to twovertical contact portions258. Thelower contact portion256 may be configured to contact the secondinternal end surface240 of theaperture232, and thevertical contact portions258 may contact the first and second contact surfaces228,230, respectively. Contact between thelower contact portion256 and the secondinternal end surface240 may prevent vertical downward movement of theadapter bracket204 relative to theaperture232, and contact between thevertical contact portions258 and the first and second contact surfaces228,230 may prevent lateral movement of theadapter bracket204 through theaperture232. Thevertical contact portions258 may be configured with angles relative to thelower contact portion256 that correspond with the angles between the secondinternal end surface240 and the contact surfaces228,230. Thus, thelower contact portion256 andvertical contact portions258 may follow the contour of thetop end210 of thedelineator202 within theaperture232 and laterally adjacent thereto. Thelower contact portion256 andvertical contact portions258 may be referred to as “cupping” that contour or as restraining theadapter bracket204 in at least three directions (e.g., vertically and two directions horizontally) when theadapter bracket204 is installed in theaperture232.
• Thelower contact portion256 andvertical contact portions258 may also be referred to as forming an “h” shape or “L” shape with thevertical portion254 of theadapter bracket204 due to their positioning relative to each other. Thelower contact portion256 of theadapter bracket204 may extend at about a 90-degree angle relative to thevertical portion254 of theadapter bracket204.
• Thefirst end248 of theadapter bracket204 may extend through theaperture232 withvertical contact portions258 on each side of theaperture232. To position theadapter bracket204 in theaperture232, thefirst end248 may be inserted partially through theaperture232 with theadapter bracket204 raised relative to its final resting position, then theadapter bracket204 may be lowered into a position with thevertical contact portions258 contacting the contact surfaces228,230. Afirst fastener260 may be positioned through thevertical contact portions258 and afirst fastener aperture261 in thetop portion210 of thedelineator202. SeeFIG. 5.
• Asecond fastener262 may be positioned through thesecond end250 of theadapter bracket204 to keep theadapter bracket204 from moving vertically upward. Thesecond fastener262 may be secured to thevertical portion254 of theadapter bracket204 through a bolt slot264 (seeFIGS. 4A, 5) and may be secured to thetop portion210 of thedelineator202 through a second fastener aperture263 (seeFIG. 5). Thebolt slot264 is elongated relative to the diameter of thesecond fastener262 so that the vertical position of thesecond fastener262 may be adjusted or may slide vertically before being tightened into place. With thesecond fastener262 in place, thesecond end250 of theadapter bracket204 may be immobilized due to contact between thesecond fastener262 and thesecond fastener aperture263. Thus, theadapter bracket204 may be prevented from moving in at least three directions by thesecond end250 andsecond fastener262.Nuts265 may be attached to the ends of the first andsecond fasteners260,262 that keep the first andsecond fasteners260,262 from withdrawing from theapertures261,263. The first andsecond fasteners260,262 may be defined as being part of theadapter bracket204, so when theadapter bracket204 is fully attached to thetop end210, theadapter bracket204 may be described as extending through a plurality of apertures (e.g.,232,261,263) in thetop end210.
• After installation in theaperture232, theadapter bracket204 may be immobilized relative to thedelineator202. Contact between multiple surfaces of thebracket204 and thedelineator202 holds theadapter bracket204 in place so that the weight and/or movement of thepole206 does not cause thebracket204 to come loose, tilt, or fall out of theaperture232. The first andsecond fastener apertures261,263 may be drilled, cut, or otherwise specially formed through thetop portion210 of thedelineator202 to facilitate construction of theassembly200, or theapertures261,263 may be pre-formed or molded in thetop portion210. Similarly, arecess266 in thesecond side surface236 may be milled (or otherwise specially formed) in thetop portion210, or it may be pre-formed or molded therein.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of theassembly200 ofFIGS. 4A-5 with acover270 installed over theadapter bracket204 andtop end210 of thedelineator202. Thecover270 may protect theadapter bracket204 from weather and/or tampering. Thus, thefasteners260,262 may be more secure when thecover270 is used. The outer surfaces of thecover270 may also be used to improve visibility of theassembly200, 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 adelineator assembly300 according to the present disclosure. The delineator assembly includes adelineator302, anadapter bracket304, and a plurality ofpoles306. Thedelineator302 in this example embodiment is identical todelineator202, and only the top end of thedelineator302 is shown. Thepoles306 are similar topole206, and also comprise aflag307 and light324. In this embodiment, theadapter bracket304 may comprise a plurality ofpole connection portions352,353 to which the bottom ends320 of thepoles306 are attachable.Pole connection portion352 may be identical topole connection portion252.Pole connection portion352 may also, however, include an angled end that allows apole306 to be connected to thepole connection portion352 at an angle relative to the vertical direction. SeeFIG. 7.Pole connection portion353 extends through theaperture332 formed in thedelineator302 so that one of thepoles306 may be positioned on an opposite side of theaperture332 from theother pole306 and the rest of theadapter bracket304. Thispole connection portion353 may also have an angled end to allow thepole306 to extend at an angle relative to the vertical direction.Pole connection portion353 may alternatively only extend partially into or through theaperture332, so thepole306 may extend partially into or through theaperture332 to connect to thepole connection portion353. Thepoles306 may be described as extending away from opposite-facing surfaces of thetop end310 of thedelineator302, such assurfaces234,236 ofdelineator202.
• 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.”

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A signaling delineator assembly, comprising:

a delineator having a base portion and a top portion, the base portion being configured to stand on a level surface, the top portion comprising at least one aperture;

an adapter bracket extending through the at least one aperture, the adapter bracket comprising at least one pole connection portion, the adapter bracket having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion contacting a first side of the at least one aperture and the second portion contacting a second side of the at least one aperture;

at least one signaling pole connected to the at least one pole connection portion and extending away from the adapter bracket.

2. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second sides of the at least one aperture are positioned opposite each other on the at least one aperture.

3. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the adapter bracket conform to a plurality of surfaces of the top portion of the delineator, the plurality of surfaces being adjacent to the at least one aperture.

4. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a handgrip portion, the handgrip portion having a handhold opening extending through the handgrip portion, wherein the at least one aperture includes the handhold opening.

5. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a handgrip portion, the handgrip portion having a handhold opening extending through the handgrip portion, wherein the at least one aperture extends through the handgrip portion adjacent to the handhold opening.

6. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter bracket is removable from the top portion of the delineator.

7. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures extending through the top portion and the adapter bracket extends through the plurality of apertures.

8. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter bracket comprises a stabilizer portion contacting opposite inner surfaces of the at least one aperture.

9. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the delineator comprises at least one of a cone, a barrel, or a channelizer.

10. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter bracket is secured to the top portion of the delineator by a single fastener.

11. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter bracket cups the first side of the at least one aperture in at least three directions.

12. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one signaling pole extends from the adapter bracket parallel to a longitudinal axis of the delineator.

13. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one pole connection portion and the at least one signaling pole extends through the at least one aperture of the top portion.

14. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one aperture extends through a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces facing in opposite directions, wherein the at least one signaling pole comprises a plurality of signaling poles, wherein 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.

15. The signaling delineator assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the first pole extends away from the first surface and the second pole extends away from the second surface.

16. A method of constructing a signaling delineator assembly, the method comprising:

providing a delineator, an adapter bracket, and a signaling pole, the delineator having a top portion, the top portion having at least one aperture;

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;

connecting the signaling pole to a pole connection portion of the adapter bracket.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the top portion of the delineator is a handle and the at least one aperture is a handgrip opening through the handle.

18. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising removably attaching the adapter bracket to the top portion.

19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein inserting the adapter bracket further comprises cupping at least one of the at least two opposite sides of the at least one aperture with the adapter bracket.

20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein connecting the signaling pole to the pole connection portion further comprises connecting the signaling pole to a pole connection portion positioned within or extending through the at least one aperture.

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