Safety traffic controller station

A portable safety traffic controller station is provided having a base unit having a rear base support, a front base support, and at least one transverse brace joining the rear base support and the front base support; a seat secured to a seat mounting frame, the seat mounting frame secured to the base unit; a rotationally movable sign pole supported by the base unit; a shading pole releasably mounted to the base unit; and means for shading releasably secured to the shading pole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of traffic control devices, and more particularly to portable, collapsible traffic control stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A traffic safety operator or “flagperson” is routinely dispatched at roadway construction sites or other situations demanding management of traffic flow in a restricted area. The flagperson, while standing, most often operates a pole, typically having a sign mounted thereon, bearing STOP and SLOW directives. The flagperson may also be expected to manually direct traffic with hand flags, and verbally provide additional information to motorists. The flagperson is typically adorned with a bright colored, reflective safety vest as the only means for ensuring visibility to oncoming motorists.

The flagperson's job demands that he or she be alert, since mistakes can lead to injury to motorists or highway construction workers otherwise concentrating on their tasks. However, the flagperson must continually fight fatigue and discomfort resulting from long hours of standing, in possibly hot temperatures typically generated by slow moving traffic and mid-day sunlight bearing down on highway pavement, as well as the distraction of inclement weather. The rigors of traffic signaling may unnecessarily preclude physically challenged individuals from participating in this line of work.

Remote controlled traffic devices have been proposed to replace a human flagperson, but have not gained wide acceptance. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,052,067 and 5,422,638. Such devices take away the experience and instant decision-making capabilities of a human flagperson necessary to manage ever-changing traffic situations. Further, motorists often request information from flagpersons, or the flagperson is required to communicate additionally important information that the sign alone cannot, such as alternate traffic routes.

There is therefore a need for a traffic control device that keeps the human at the site, in direct communication with the traffic management situation and with motorists; that provides comfort to a flagperson enabling long hours of alert flagging while minimizing fatigue; that enables physically challenged individuals or those with disabilities to work as flagpersons; provides additional safety by offering increased visibility to the worker that would otherwise be too bulky and impractical to wear; and that is collapsible and portable for ease of transport from one worksite to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a traffic control safety device exhibiting these required characteristics. A portable safety traffic controller station of the invention comprises a base unit having a rear base support, a front base support, and at least one transverse brace joining the rear base support and the front base support; a seat secured to a seat mounting frame, the seat mounting frame secured to the base unit; a rotationally movable sign pole supported by the base unit; a shading pole releasably mounted to the base unit; and means for shading releasably secured to the shading pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a safety traffic controller station1has a base unit2having a rear base support3and front base support5joined to a transverse brace4. The base unit2is preferably made from a lightweight, but mechanically strong material appropriate for ease of portability and the physical environment expected at construction sites. A preferred material is square hollow aluminum stock, such as a 2″×2″ sizing.

In a preferred embodiment, transverse brace4is bolted to the rear base support3and front base-support5for ease of disassembly. The transverse brace is preferably made from hollow aluminum stock, and, for example, may have a 3″×1″ sizing. The transverse brace4may be preferably bolted to rear and front base supports3,5by use of, for example, hollow bolts utilizing nylon flat washers and upper and lower locking nuts (all not shown). Alternatively, additional transverse brace supports may join the rear and front base supports. Wheels may optionally be secured to the base unit2. As further shown in the Figures, safety lighting elements60, such as strobe lights approved for highway traffic control deployment, are affixed to the base unit2. Wiring for the lights may run internally through the hollow base unit members,3,4and5. Rubber end caps, for example, may be affixed to open ends of the rear and front base supports, as well as the transverse brace.

The transverse brace4has a first end6and a second end7. At positions on the transverse brace4adjacent first end6and second end7, cylindrical hollow mounts41of aluminum (or other appropriate material) are secured to the transverse brace (preferably by welding), extend upwardly, and are adapted to receive a sign pole8and a shading pole9. The sign pole8and shading pole9are preferably cylindrical and of a diameter slightly smaller than the mounts41affixed to the transverse brace4, so as to enable the sign pole8and shading pole9to be received within the mounts and remain rotatably mounted to the base unit2. The shading pole9, in particular, may be further secured, if desired, to the mount41by a locking pin through the shading pole9and the mount to prevent movement.

Alternatively, the sign pole8or the shading pole9may, instead of being received in a mount41, be placed over a stud affixed to the base unit2, the stud having a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the sign pole or shading pole that permits the poles placed thereon to be rotatable about the stud.

The sign pole8is preferably made of a lightweight hollow material, such as PVC tubing, and is preferably a unitary structure, but may be secured in sections if desired. A sign11is affixed to the sign pole8at a top end10. The sign11is preferably releasably mounted to the sign pole8by, for example, bolts and wing nuts to promote easy disassembly and sign changes. Sign11is preferably reversible, and may communicate the conventional traffic management directives “STOP” on a first side, and “SLOW” on the opposing side. Other signs may be employed communicating different messages appropriate for the specific traffic situation.

The sign pole8is preferably completely rotatable within the mount41upon which it is received so that traffic warnings communicated by the sign can be quickly changed by the operator. The sign pole8may further be adorned with additional conspicuity safety indicia, such as iridescent paint, reflective striping, or lighting. Alternatively, the sign pole8could be identically rotatably mounted to the front base support5.

As noted, the shading pole9is supported within an upwardly extending mount41positioned on the base unit2, preferably at a position on the transverse brace4opposite the positioning of the sign pole8(shown inFIGS. 1 and 2at a position adjacent to a first end6). As noted, the mount is preferably made of hollow aluminum welded to the base unit2. The shading pole9is preferably made from hollow PVC or similar material. The shading pole9may be a unitary structure, but preferably comprises a primary shading base pole12actually positioned within the mount, and a height adjustment pole13secured to the primary shading base pole12, preferably by a locking pin mechanism exemplified by a cotter hitch pin or metal locking spring (not shown). The height adjustment pole13may telescopically engage the primary shading base pole12, and have a plurality of holes drilled therein to accommodate different extensions of the height adjustment pole13rising from the primary shading base pole12.

At an end of the height adjustment pole13opposite the end secured to the primary shading base pole12, a conventional umbrella14may be releasably secured to the height adjustment pole13. An opened umbrella14may be employed to provide shade to the operator, as well as relief from precipitation. The umbrella14and/or shading pole9may further be adorned with additional conspicuity safety indicia, such as iridescent paint, reflective stripings, or lights.

The umbrella pole9may instead be releasably secured to the rear base support3if desired. The umbrella14may be replaced with alternative shading means, such as a canopy or awning.

Additionally, a clear vinyl enclosure (not shown) may be positioned or draped over the safety traffic controller station in lieu of an umbrella for additional protection from inclement weather. Such an embodiment may additionally be outfitted with a heating or cooling means, such as an electric heater or a fan.

A seat mounting frame20preferably comprises two rear seat legs21,22and a front seat leg23, all releasably secured to the base unit2, and supporting a seat24. The seat mounting frame is preferably made of hollow steel tubing, but is not limited to that material. In a preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, rear seat leg21has a first end25and a second end26. The first end25of the rear seat leg21is received over an upwardly protruding stud of solid aluminum (not shown) on the rear base support3, and is releasably secured thereto by, for example, a locking pin. A front seat leg23has a first end27and a second end28. The first end27of the front seat leg23is received over an upwardly protruding stud of solid aluminum (not shown) on the transverse brace4, and is releasably secured thereto by a locking pin, for example. A seat24is adjustably secured to the front seat leg23at the second end28of the front seat leg23.

The seat24is preferably secured to a seat height adjusting pole30, preferably made from hollow aluminum tubing, which is telescopically received, and slidable within, the hollow front seat leg23at its second end28. By virtue of holes drilled through the seat height adjusting pole30, the preferred height of the seat24may be determined and the seat24releasably secured to the seat height adjusting pole30via a steel spring locking pin, for example.

A rear seat leg22has a first end31and a second end32. In a manner similar for that of rear leg21, rear leg22is releasably secured by a locking pin to rear base support3by being received over an outwardly protruding stud (not shown) on the rear base support3at the first end31of the rear seat leg22.

The front seat leg23is adapted to receive the second end26of the rear seat leg21and the second end32of the rear seat leg22at a position29on the front seat leg23, wherein two hollow standards (not shown) preferably made of hollow steel tubing are welded to the front seat leg23at an angle sufficient to accommodate the rear seat legs21,22. The second ends26and32of the rear seat legs21and22, respectively, are slidably placed over the standards and the rear seat legs21,22are releasably secured to the front seat leg23by, for example, a locking pin exemplified by a cotter hitch pin. In this manner, the seat mounting frame20is completely collapsible for ease of disassembly and portability.

In a preferred embodiment, blind posts33and34are respectively affixed to rear seat legs21and22. Blind posts33and34are adapted to receive hand flags35, which are slidably inserted into blind posts33,34. In this manner, hand flags35may be quickly accessed by the operator to, for example, direct traffic. Hand flags35can be easily stored in the blind posts33,34when not in use.

A power means40, such as a battery pack, is preferably mounted to the seat mounting frame20. A typical battery may be a 12 V, 5 Ah rechargeable sealed lead acid battery. The power means40are preferably housed within a battery case42made from, for example, plastic having a steel frame. The battery case42may additionally house a toggle switch for lighting elements affixed to the safety traffic controller station and wiring plug-in components for the system. The battery may be connected to a male 4-way plug, for example, that in turn connects to a female 4-way plug having cords running through the hollow aluminum stock of the of the base support to the lighting elements60. The male-female connection is preferably outside of the battery case42.

FIG. 3depicts how a flagperson may utilize a safety traffic controller station of the invention. As shown in phantom, a flagperson may support his weight by leaning on the seat while managing the rotatable sign pole, and having simultaneous access to the hand flags.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.