Traffic Delineator with Signaling Device

Abstract

A delineator includes a signaling device module for use on a portable delineator for use on roadways or the like. The module includes a signal producing member such as a light or reflector and a housing for supporting the signal producing member. The housing has an exterior surface and defines an interior cavity. The interior cavity can house a portable power source, such as a battery or photovoltaic cell for the light if required. The module further includes a retainer secured to the housing, the retainer including a connecting leg and a retaining leg. The retainer can move from a first position in close proximity to or in contact with the exterior surface of the housing to a second position away from the exterior surface of the housing so that when the retainer is disposed in the second position, a length of material, such as flexible tape, can be placed between the retaining leg of the retainer and the exterior surface of the housing. When the retainer is in the first position, the material is captively held between the exterior surface of the housing and the retaining leg. The retainer cooperates with one or more other retainers on one or more other portable delineators to form a continuous physical border between the delineators when the material is disposed in the retainers from one delineator to the next.

1 . A signaling device module for use on a delineator for use on roadways or the like, comprising:
 a signal producing member;   a housing for supporting said signal producing member, the housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity;   a retainer secured to said housing, said retainer comprising a connecting leg and a retaining leg, said retainer being operative to move from a first position in close proximity to the exterior surface of said housing to a second position away from said exterior surface of said housing;   and wherein when said retainer is disposed in said second position, a material can be placed between said retaining leg of said retainer and said exterior surface of said housing and when said retainer is in said first position, the material is captively held between the exterior surface of said housing and said retaining leg.   
   
   
       2 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer further includes a retaining barb configured to captively and releaseably engage the material in said retainer. 
   
   
       3 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is formed from a synthetic polymeric material integrally formed on said housing, such that said connecting leg forms a living hinge between said retaining leg and an exterior surface of said housing. 
   
   
       4 . The module as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the retainer is formed from a synthetic polymeric material integrally formed on said housing, such that said connecting leg is preloaded toward said housing. 
   
   
       5 . The module as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the retaining leg is disposed vertically across the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The module as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the retaining leg includes a plurality of retaining barbs for engaging the material. 
   
   
       7 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer is operative to cooperate with one or more other retainers on one or more other portable delineators to form a continuous physical border between the delineators when the material is disposed in said retainers. 
   
   
       8 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a pair of retainers disposed on opposite sides of said housing. 
   
   
       9 . The module as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of retainers disposed at predetermined positions around the perimeter of said housing. 
   
   
       10 . The module as claimed in  claim 9 , further including a fastener for securing said module to said delineator. 
   
   
       11 . A light module for use on a portable delineator for use on roadways or the like, comprising:
 a light member;   a housing for supporting said light member, the housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity for receiving a power supply for said light member;   a retainer flexibly secured to said housing, said retainer comprising a connecting leg, a retaining leg and a retaining barb, said retainer being operative to move from a first position in contact with the exterior surface of said housing to a second position away from said exterior surface of said housing;   and wherein when said retainer is disposed in said second position, a material can be placed between said retaining leg of said retainer and said exterior surface of said housing and when said retainer is in said first position, the material is captively held between the exterior surface of said housing and said retaining leg.   
   
   
       12 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the retainer is formed from a synthetic polymeric material is integrally formed on said housing, such that said connecting leg forms a living hinge between said retaining leg and an exterior surface of said housing. 
   
   
       13 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the retaining leg is disposed vertically across the housing. 
   
   
       14 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the retaining leg includes a plurality of retaining barbs for engaging the material. 
   
   
       15 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said retainer is operative to cooperate with one or more other retainers on one or more other portable delineators to form a continuous physical border between the delineators when the material is disposed in said retainers. 
   
   
       16 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11 , further including a pair of retainers disposed on opposite sides of said housing. 
   
   
       17 . The light module as claimed in  claim 11 , further including a plurality of retainers disposed at predetermined positions around the perimeter of said housing. 
   
   
       18 . A method of making a light module for use on a portable delineator for use on roadways or the like, comprising the steps of:
 providing a light member;   forming a housing for supporting said light member, the housing having a base portion and a top portion, said base portion and said top portion defining an open interior cavity;   securing the light member to the housing; and   securing a retainer on either of said top or said base portion of said housing with said retainer having a connecting leg, a retaining leg and a retaining barb, wherein said connecting leg forms a living hinge between said retaining leg and an exterior surface of said housing such that said retainer is operative to move from a first position in close proximity to or in contact with the exterior surface of said housing to a second position away from said exterior surface of said housing.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of forming a housing includes the step of molding the housing from a synthetic polymeric material. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of molding a retainer integrally into the housing.