IP Library Granted Patent US 11,401,669
Granted Patent B2
US 11,401,669 · App. 16/168,696 · Granted Aug 2, 2022

Traffic sign mountable on a traffic cone

Inventors: Jack H. Kulp (Dana Point, CA); Geoffrey B. Maus (Mission Viejo, CA); Brent M. Kulp (San Clemente, CA); Felipe Almanza (San Clemente, CA); Christopher Jaime (San Clemente, CA)
Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
E01F9/658E01F9/654E01F9/688
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,401,669
App. No.
16/168,696
Granted
Aug 2, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sign system snaps for displaying informational or warning information to passing motorists or pedestrians is designed to be snapped on and interferingly engaged with the top end of a traffic marker or cone.

Claims (35)

1. A sign system for displaying warning or informational messages, comprising:

a sign portion having an outer frame defining a panel on which may be displayed an informational or warning message;

a mounting post extending downwardly from a bottom portion of the outer frame, and integrally joined to the bottom portion of the outer frame, for securing the sign portion to a top end of a traffic marker; and

a plurality of protrusions disposed about a periphery of the mounting post, which are adapted to engage a portion of a marker body side wall on the traffic marker for securing the sign portion to the traffic marker, wherein the plurality of protrusions are adapted to create a secure interfering fit between the mounting post and the traffic marker when the plurality of protrusions engage the marker body side wall.

2. The sign system as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of brace members integrally connecting the outer frame to the mounting post, the brace members each having a mounting aperture disposed therein.

3. The sign system as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising a handle molded into a top portion of the outer frame.

4. The sign system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sign portion comprises molded plastic.

5. The sign system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the molded plastic comprises low density polyethylene.

6. The sign system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mounting post comprises a lower opening.

7. The sign system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the lower opening of the mounting post is adapted to slide over the top end of the traffic marker to secure the sign portion to the traffic marker.

8. The sign system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the mounting post has a circumferential periphery defining the lower opening, and is generally conically shaped such that the mounting post has a greater diameter at its lower end than at an upper end thereof, the plurality of protrusions extending about the circumferential periphery of the mounting post and protruding inwardly from the circumferential periphery, the inwardly protruding protrusions interferingly engaging with the side marker body wall at the top end of the traffic marker as the mounting post is slid downwardly over the traffic marker to secure the sign portion in place on the traffic marker.

9. The sign system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mounting post comprises a tapered plug, having a greater diameter at an upper end and a lesser diameter at a lower end thereof.

10. The sign system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a plurality of spaced circumferential teeth disposed about the tapered plug, and the tapered plug is conic.

11. The sign system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the spaced circumferential teeth comprise circumferential angled teeth.

12. The sign system as recited in claim 10 , and further comprising a flattened portion disposed across a plurality of the spaced circumferential teeth, the flattened portion enhancing a secure interfering fit between the tapered plug and the traffic marker.

13. The sign system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the flattened portion comprises a plurality of flattened portions.

14. The sign system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the plurality of flattened portions extend through a height of 2-10 teeth and around a circumference of the tapered plug of 10-45 degrees.

15. A sign system for displaying warning or informational messages, comprising:

a sign portion having an outer frame defining a panel on which may be displayed an informational or warning message;

a traffic marker having a top end and a marker body side wall;

a mounting post integrally joined to and extending downwardly from a bottom portion of the outer frame which secures the sign portion to the top end of the traffic marker; and

a plurality of protrusions disposed about a periphery of the mounting post, which engage a portion of the vertically disposed marker body wall and secure the sign portion to the traffic marker, the plurality of protrusions creating a secure interfering fit between the mounting post and the traffic marker when the plurality of protrusions engage the marker body side wall.

16. The sign system as recited in claim 15 , and further comprising a plurality of brace members integrally connecting the outer frame to the mounting post, the brace members each having a mounting aperture disposed therein.

17. The sign system as recited in claim 15 , and further comprising a handle molded into a top portion of the outer frame.

18. The sign system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the sign portion comprises molded plastic.

19. The sign system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the molded plastic comprises low density polyethylene.

20. The sign system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the mounting post comprises a lower opening.

21. The sign system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the lower opening of the mounting post is slid over the top end of the traffic marker to secure the sign portion to the traffic marker.

22. The sign system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the mounting post has a circumferential periphery defining the lower opening, and is generally conically shaped such that the mounting post has a greater diameter at its lower end than at an upper end thereof, the plurality of protrusions extending about the circumferential periphery of the mounting post and protruding inwardly from the circumferential periphery, the inwardly protruding protrusions interferingly engaging with the side marker body wall at the top end of the traffic marker as the mounting post is slid downwardly over the traffic marker to secure the sign portion in place on the traffic marker.

23. The sign system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the mounting post comprises a tapered plug, having a greater diameter at an upper end and a lesser diameter at a lower end thereof.

24. The sign system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a plurality of spaced circumferential teeth disposed about the tapered plug, and the tapered plug is conic.

25. The sign system as recited in claim 24 , wherein the spaced circumferential teeth comprise circumferential angled teeth.

26. The sign system as recited in claim 24 , and further comprising a flattened portion disposed across a plurality of the spaced circumferential teeth, the flattened portion enhancing a secure interfering fit between the tapered plug and the traffic marker.

27. The sign system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the flattened portion comprises a plurality of flattened portions.

28. The sign system as recited in claim 27 , wherein the plurality of flattened portions extend through a height of 2-10 teeth and around a circumference of the tapered plug of 10-45 degrees.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 8, 2021
From: KULP, JACK H.; MAUS, GEOFFREY B.; KULP, BRENT M.; ALMANZA, FELIPE; JAIME, CHRISTOPHER A.
To: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 055524/0711 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62649311 · Mar 28, 2018
Provisional Application 62575654 · Oct 23, 2017
Related Publication 20190119869A1 · Apr 25, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,249,255