Patent ID: 7249910
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: E01F

Abstract:
1. A delineator comprising: a post comprising a bottom portion and a stem extending longitudinally from said bottom portion along a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of said post is flexible, and wherein said post and said stem are integrally formed as a single unitary component from the same flexible material; and an anchor comprising a top and an elongated, longitudinally extending receptacle, wherein said stem is removably inserted in said receptacle; wherein at least a portion of said post is moveable in a lateral direction between an at-rest position and an impact position in response to an impact from a vehicle traveling at 45 mph, and wherein said stem is moveable in a longitudinal direction between at least a first position and a second position relative to said receptacle as said post is moved between said at-rest position and said impact position respectively, wherein a first portion of said length of said stem is disposed in said receptacle when said stem is in said first position and wherein a second portion of said length of said stem remains disposed in said receptacle when said stem is in said second position, wherein said first portion is greater than said second portion, and wherein said post is moveable in said longitudinal direction between said at-rest position and a non-deployed position, wherein said stem is moveable in said longitudinal direction between said first position and a third position relative to said receptacle as said post is moved between said at-rest position and said non-deployed position respectively, wherein an entirety of said length of said stem is removed from said receptacle when said stem is in said third position, and wherein said stem is freely moveable relative to said receptacle between said first and third positions free of any retention mechanism that would increase the force required to move the stem relative to the receptacle between said first and third positions, and wherein said post is freely rotatable about said longitudinal axis relative to said receptacle as said stem is moved between said first and third positions.