Abstract:
A wind-resistant portable traffic screen assembly comprising a screen to visually occlude matter behind the screen for the purpose of preventing traffic jams and generally blocking accidents, crime scenes, and other distractions from public view. The traffic screen comprises a substantially vertical member having a hub for mounting the screen in a variety of positions to the vertical member. The hub has a plurality of slots for accepting ends of a cross member supporting the screen.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/532,158 filed Jun. 25, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/216,426 filed Aug. 24, 2011, entitled “Portable Height Adjustable Barrier for Screening Off the Source of Traffic Congestion,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally directed to a portable and wind-resistant barrier for visually screening areas from motorists to reduce “gawking” and resultant traffic congestion and related method. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vehicular traffic congestion often occurs as road use increases, such as during peak travel times. Such congestion is characterized by slower speeds, longer travel times, and often a sense of driver frustration. Causes of traffic congestion, or “traffic jams” may include, among other things, roadwork, detours, increased traffic volume such as during “rush hour”, and vehicle accidents. 
         [0004]    Regardless of cause, traffic congestion is often exacerbated due to drivers slowing down to observe vehicles on the side of the roadway. This “gawking” or “rubber-necking” typically occurs when drivers slow to observe car accidents, wreckage, and emergency response vehicles. Such gawking often magnifies traffic congestion. 
         [0005]    Besides merely extending driving times and inducing driver frustration, increased congestion due to gawking also creates costs related to non-productivity. Such delays are often responsible for lost business, job-related disciplinary action, and other personal losses. Inability to forecast travel times causes drivers to allocate more time to travel, additionally resulting in productivity losses. Increased wear and tear to vehicles is yet another cost incurred by those caught in traffic. Finally, longer commutes due to gawking harm the environment due to increased air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. 
         [0006]    While gawking continues to be a significant contributor to traffic congestion, very little has been done to alleviate this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic vision screen to prevent or reduce traffic gawking, thereby reducing a primary cause of vehicular traffic congestion. Such a screen should be adjustable, scalable, and wind-resistant. Moreover, such screen should be free-standing. 
         [0008]    The invention contemplates a wind-resistant portable traffic screen comprising a screen for the purpose of visually occluding one&#39;s view of matter behind the screen. A substantially vertical member holds the screen, and a fastener with the screen removably attaches the screen to the vertical member. The screen partially disengages from the vertical member upon exposure to a sufficient wind current. The purpose the disengaging screen is to reduce wind pressure exerted upon the screen and the vertical member. The screen re-engages the vertical member when the pressure from the wind current wanes. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the portable traffic screen, a first and second support tube each have a top and bottom end. First and second inner retractable support tube extensions extend out of the top end of the first support tube and the second support tube, respectively. A retractable tripod assembly attaches to the bottom end of each support tube, and is situated to maintain the support tubes in a substantially vertical and free-standing orientation when the tripod assembly is in an expanded state. Ballast in communication with the tripod provides stability to the tripod assembly. The foldable screen has an upper edge, opposing lower edge, a side edge, and an opposing side edge, wherein the screen is attachable substantially between the support tubes. 
         [0010]    Additionally, a magnet is in communication with each side edge of the screen, the magnet placed for removably attaching each side edge to a proximate support tube. The magnet is capable of partially disengaging the screen from the support tubes to relieve pressure exerted by a wind current. 
         [0011]    The portable traffic screen further comprises a second foldable screen having a second upper edge, second opposing lower edge, second side edge, and a second opposing side edge, wherein the second screen is attachable substantially between the support tubes. A second magnet is in communication with each second side edge of the second screen, the second magnet placed for removably attaching each second side edge to a proximate support tube. The second magnet is capable of partially disengaging the second screen from the support tubes to relieve pressure exerted by a wind current. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, a portable traffic screen comprises a first and second extendable support tube. Each tube has a top and bottom end and each tube has a ferrous region. A hub is attached to each support tube, each hub having a size and dimension to engage a crossmember. A retractable tripod assembly is attached to the bottom end of each support tube, and the tripod assembly is situated for maintaining the support tubes in a substantially vertical, free-standing, orientation when the tripod assembly is in an expanded state. A foldable screen is attachable between the support tubes. Additionally, a substantially rigid crossmember attaches proximate a top edge of the screen, the crossmember being attachable to each hub. 
         [0013]    A magnet is attached to a peripheral region of the screen, the magnet being positioned for removably attaching the peripheral region to the ferrous region of a proximate support tube. The magnet is capable of temporarily disengaging the screen from the support tubes to relieve pressure exerted upon the screen being created by a wind current. A cable attached between the screen and a support tube is present for limiting a distance the screen travels when the screen is temporarily disengaged from the support tube due to a wind current. 
         [0014]    The invention also contemplates a method of assembling the traffic screen comprising the steps of expanding the tripod assembly of each support tube; standing each support tube in a substantially vertical orientation; extending each support tube; attaching the crossmember to the hub of each support tube; and attaching the cable to at least one support tube. 
         [0015]    The method of assembling the traffic screen may also comprise the step of attaching a ballast proximate at least one tripod assembly and/or the step of adjusting the length of the cable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates side views of the assembly of  FIG. 1  having an adjustable tripod; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a weight skirt of the assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  in a used condition; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a clip of the assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective magnets embedded in a screen of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1  exposed to wind; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cable of the assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates a hub for attaching a screen to a vertical member of the assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0027]    The term “comprises” is used herein to mean that other ingredients, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. When reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the steps can be carried in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0028]    In this section, the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates the portable traffic screen assembly  100 . The assembly  100  is a wind-resistant portable screen that is free-standing, and easily deployed on the side of a road in order to visually block matter behind the assembly  100 . The assembly  100  comprises support tubes  200  which are vertical members that provide support to other structures of the assembly  100 . Supported by the support tubes  200  is at least one screen  300  that is used to visually block matter, such as an accident, from the view of nearby onlookers. The onlookers are typically vehicle drivers, vehicle passengers, bike riders, and pedestrians. 
       Support Tubes 
       [0030]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the support tubes  200  are members intended to be deployed in a substantially vertical orientation. The support tubes are preferably hollow to save weight, and also made of a lightweight material. In a preferred embodiment, the support tubes  200  are made of aluminum, but other materials such as metals, plastics, and composite materials are also contemplated. In a preferred embodiment, the support tubes  200  comprise an extendable/retractable inner support tube  210 . The inner support tube  210  is a size and dimension to nest within the support tube  200  and slidingly engage an inner surface of the support tube  200 . A lock collar  220  on the support tube  200  provides the mechanism to maintain the inner support tube  210  in an extended position. A user adjusts the lock collar  220  between a locked and unlocked state, so that when the lock collar is in an unlocked state, the inner support tube  210  slides freely within the support tube  200 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a tripod  230  is attached to the base of the support tube  200 . The tripod comprises at least three legs  232 . The tripod  230  is adjustable so that the legs  232  fold to be approximately parallel to the support tube  200  for storage and transportation. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention that includes a tripod comprising a telescoping leg  234 . When the support tube  200  is arranged to be self-standing on flat ground, the legs  232 ,  234  of the tripod  230  are substantially the same length. However, if the support tube  200  is arranged to be self-standing on uneven ground, the telescoping leg  234  of the tripod  230  is adjusted so that the support tube maintains an orientation that is substantially plumb. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , and now also referring to  FIG. 3 , a weight skirt  240  is placed over the legs  232 ,  234  of the tripod  230  to add stability-providing ballast to the assembly  100 . In one embodiment, the weight skirt  240  comprises at least one panel configured to form a substantially pyramidal cover that rests upon the legs  232 ,  234 . A hole  242  is defined by the configuration that allows the skirt  240  to fit over the support tube  200 , with the tube  200  projecting through the hole  242 . At least one weight is attached to the weight skirt  240  to provide mass to the skirt  240  for ballast. The weight skirt  240  is preferably substantially flexible so that it is easily folded for storage and transportation purposes. For use, the weight skirt is placed over the support tube  200  so that the tube  200  projects through the hole  242 , and the skirt  240  is further lowered and allowed to rest upon the tripod  230 . 
       Screen 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  also illustrates the screen  300 . The screen is made from natural or synthetic materials. For example, without limitation, the screen  300  can be made from at least one of plastic, nylon, aramid, acrylic, PTFE, fluoropolymer, spandex, olefin, Ingeo, carbon, cotton, hemp, and bamboo. In a preferred embodiment, the screen  300  is made from a durable water repellent material. 
         [0035]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , and turning also to  FIG. 4 , each screen  300  has an upper edge  302 , and opposing lower edge  304 , and opposing side edges  305 . As illustrated, each support tube  200  supports a plurality of screens  300 . 
         [0036]    A screen  300  comprises a rigid crossmember  306  that is attachable between support tubes  200 . In one embodiment, the screen  300  is configured to create a void wherein the crossmember  306  fits. The screen also defines a cutout  308  to allow exposure of the crossmember  306  for ease of handling and access to the crossmember  306 . The crossmember  306  is made of a substantially rigid material such as metal, polymer, plastic, or composite. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates a center clip  310  that attaches to the crossmember  306  of a (upper) screen  300  positioned below a like (lower) screen  300 . The clip  310  is attached to a center cable  312 . The center cable  312  is also attached to the (upper) screen  300  positioned above the like (lower) screen  300 . The length of the center cable  312  is adjustable, allowing the lower edge  304  of the (upper) screen  300  to move away from the crossmember  306  of the (lower) screen  300  an amount constrained by the length for which the center cable  312  is adjusted. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates a magnet  314  that is located with the screen  300 . Preferably, at least one magnet  314  is located proximate the side edge  305 . The magnet  314  is either attached to the outside of the screen  300  or installed inside the screen  300 . The support tube  200  comprises a ferrous region that engages the screen  300  and magnet  314 . In an alternative embodiment, the magnet  314  is a ferrous material, and the ferrous region of the support tube  200  is magnetic. The purpose of the magnet  314  is to hold the screen  300  attached to the support tube  200 . In another embodiment, both the support tube  200  and screen  300  comprise attracting magnetic regions. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in the case of exposure of the assembly  100  to wind (W), the wind (W) exerts a pressure on the assembly  100 , risking toppling the assembly  100  over. The magnets  314  attach the screen  300  to the support tube, but when the pressure upon the screen  300  exerted by the wind (W) exceeds that required to keep the magnets  314  (and therefore screen  300 ) engaged to the support tube  200 , the screen  300  releases from the support tube  200  relieving the wind pressure on the assembly  100 . In this case, when the wind pressure lessens, the screen  300  side edge  305  returns nearer the support tube  200  and the magnets  314  reattach to the support tube  200 . 
         [0040]    In an alternative embodiment, a hook and loop fastener is used to releasably attach the screen  300  to the support tube  200 . Hook and loop fastener may be used alone, or in conjunction with the magnets  314 . 
         [0041]    As illustrated by  FIG. 8 , one embodiment of the assembly  100  comprises a cabled fastener  316  attached to the support tube  200  and also proximate the side edge  305  of the screen  300  to limit the distance the screen  300  travels when pressure upon the screen  300  is exerted by the wind (W). The cabled fastener  316  comprises a static or elastic cable such as rope or elastic bands. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the cabled fastener  316  is a bungee ball tie. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the crossmember  306  spans between, and attaches to, adjacent support tubes  200 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a hub  202  that is attached to a support tube  200  for engaging the crossmember  306 . The hub  202  has a body with a circular center aperture  212  which encircles the support tube  200 . The hub has a top surface  214 , a bottom surface  216 , and six slots  204 . The slots  204  extend coaxially with the center aperture  212 . The slots  204  are spaced  60  degrees apart radially about the center opening  211  and extend from the top surface  214  of the body to the bottom surface  216 . Each support tube  200  has at least one hub  202 , and preferably has a hub situated proximate the middle of the support tube  200  and another situated proximate the top of the support tube  200 . Additionally, each crossmember  306  comprises a swivel pin  318 . The swivel pins are of a size and dimension to securely mate to the slots  204 , providing an attachment point between the crossmembers  306  and support tubes  200 . The slots  204  are arranged radially about the support tube  200  so that multiple assembly  100  configurations are possible.  FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration wherein screens  300  are arranged in a substantially linear fashion with respect to each other. 
       Method 
       [0043]    The invention contemplates a method of assembling the traffic screen assembly  100  described herein. In particular, the steps included in the method are expanding the tripod  230  of each support tube  200  so that the support tube has a base on which it can stand. This is followed by standing each support tube  200  in a substantially vertical orientation. In embodiments of the invention with an extendable support tube  200 , the support tubes  200  are extended. To mount the screens  300 , crossmembers  306  are attached to the hub  202  of each support tube  200 , and each cable  316  is attached to a proximate support tube  200 . The length of the cable  316  is adjusted based on wind conditions. Additionally, ballast typically in the form of a weight skirt  240  is attached proximate at least one tripod  230 . 
         [0044]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.