Abstract:
A lighted traffic channelization device for diverting traffic around hazards or construction areas in the dark. The lighted traffic channelization device includes a conically shaped barrel assembly having a base unit and a selectively couplable top section. The top section incorporates a battery-operated handle member which flashes sequentially when automatically activated by a photoelectric device when it becomes dark.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to traffic controls and more particularly pertains to a new lighted traffic channelization device for diverting traffic around hazards or construction areas in the dark. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of traffic controls is known in the prior art. More specifically, traffic controls heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,798; U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,791; U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,190; U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,599; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,172; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 277,739. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new lighted traffic channelization device. The inventive device includes a conically shaped barrel assembly having a base unit and a selectively couplable top section. The top section incorporates a battery-operated handle member which flashes sequentially when automatically activated by a photoelectric device when it becomes dark. 
     In these respects, the lighted traffic channelization device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of diverting traffic around hazards or construction areas in the dark. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of traffic controls now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new lighted traffic channelization device construction wherein the same can be utilized for diverting traffic around hazards or construction areas in the dark. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the traffic controls mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new lighted traffic channelization device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art traffic controls, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a conically shaped barrel assembly having a base unit and a selectively couplable top section. The top section incorporates a battery-operated handle member which flashes sequentially when automatically activated by a photoelectric device when it becomes dark. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the traffic controls mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new lighted traffic channelization device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art traffic controls, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such lighted traffic channelization device economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device for diverting traffic around hazards or construction areas in the dark. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device which includes a conically shaped barrel assembly having a base unit and a selectively couplable top section. The top section incorporates a battery-operated handle member which flashes sequentially when automatically activated by a photoelectric device when it becomes dark. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device that provides a self-contained, automatic lighted indicator of the presence of the barrel during hours of darkness. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new lighted traffic channelization device that is easier to handle and take up less storage area. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in-which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new lighted traffic channelization device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the top section of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the top section of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the stackability of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new lighted traffic channelization device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the lighted traffic channelization device  10  generally comprises a barrel assembly  12 . The barrel assembly  12  includes a base unit  14 . The base unit  14  has a substantially conical shaped cross-section such that the base unit  14  is designed for resting on a support surface. 
     The barrel assembly  12  includes a top section  16 . A coupling portion  18  of the top section  16  is threadably couplable to an upper end of the base unit  14  thereby forming the barrel assembly  12 . 
     The top section  16  includes a handle member  20 . The handle member  20  is positioned on an upper surface  22  of the top section  16 . The handle member  20  is designed for gripping onto by a hand of a user, thereby allowing the user to carry the barrel assembly  12  when the top section  16  and the base unit  14  are coupled. 
     The handle member  20  of the top section  16  includes a light source  24 . The light source  24  is located in a grip portion  26  of the handle member  20 . The light source  24  is designed for sequentially emitting light thereby allowing drivers to see the barrel assembly  12  in the dark. 
     The base unit  14  of the barrel assembly  12  has a flange portion  28 . The flange portion  28  is positioned proximate a lower end  30  of the base unit  14 . The flange portion  28  is designed for maintaining the base unit  14  in an upright position. 
     The barrel assembly  12  comprises a durable lightweight material  32  such that the barrel assembly  12  is designed for being utilized in a rugged environment. 
     The grip portion  26  of the handle member  20  comprises a semi-transparent material  34  such that light from the light source  24  is emitted outwardly. 
     The grip portion  26  is designed to conform to the hand of a user thereby allowing the user to grasp onto the barrel assembly  12 . 
     The top section  16  of the barrel assembly  12  includes a battery  36 . The battery  36  is positioned inside the top section  16 . The battery  36  is designed for providing power to the light source  24 . 
     The top section  16  of the barrel assembly  12  includes a photoelectric device  38 . The photoelectric device  38  is located on a side surface  40  of the top section  16 . The photoelectric device  38  is operationally coupled to the battery  36  and the light source  24  such that the photoelectric device  38  is designed for switching on the light source  24  when a lack of sunlight is present, thereby allowing the light source  24  to automatically emit light when it is dark out. 
     The top section  16  of the barrel assembly  12  includes a cover member  42 . The cover member  42  is located on a bottom surface  44  of the top section  16 . The cover member  42  has a plurality of fastening members  46 . The fastening members  46  are designed for selectively coupling the cover member  42  to the bottom surface  44  of the top section  16 . The cover member  42  is designed for accessing the battery  36 , the photoelectric device  38 , and the light source  24 . 
     The base unit  14  of the barrel assembly  12  is substantially hollow such that the barrel assemblies are stackable. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.