Transversely slotted delineator

Abstract

A traffic delineator comprises a tubular body having first and second ends, the first end being configured as a base or being adapted for affixing to a base. The delineator may also include a slotted region to enhance flexing of the tubular body in response to vehicle impacts. The slotted region may include slot(s) formed transversely in the tubular body. In some embodiments, the slot(s) may include one or more discrete slot, each of which may define a hinged section of the tubular body. In some embodiments, the slot(s) may include a continuous transverse slot having a helical configuration. In some cases, the slotted region may be disposed proximate the first end, and a second slotted region or other window region may be disposed elsewhere on the tubular body so as to expose a reflective sheet that may be applied to an inner core disposed within the tubular body.

1 . A delineator, comprising:
 a tubular body having a tube axis and opposed first and second ends, the first end being configured as a base or being adapted for affixing to a base; and   a first slotted region including at least one slot formed transversely in the tubular body, the first slotted region adapted to enhance flexing of the tubular body in response to a vehicle impact.   
     
     
         2 . The delineator of  claim 1 , wherein the first slotted region extends over a portion of the tubular body proximate the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The delineator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is hollow, the delineator further comprising:
 a first inner core disposed within the tubular body at the first slotted region, the first inner core composed of an elastic material.   
     
     
         4 . The delineator of  claim 3 , wherein the first inner core extends along only a fraction of the tubular body, the fraction being less than ½. 
     
     
         5 . The delineator of  claim 4 , wherein the fraction is less than ¼. 
     
     
         6 . The delineator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot comprises a first discrete transverse slot defining a first hinged section of the tubular body, the hinged section having a first pivot axis. 
     
     
         7 . The delineator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot comprises a plurality of discrete transverse slots that define a plurality of hinged sections of the tubular body, each hinged section having a pivot axis. 
     
     
         8 . The delineator of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of hinged sections comprises a first and second hinged section having first and second pivot axes respectively, and wherein the first and second pivot axes are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The delineator of  claim 7 , wherein the pivot axes for all of the discrete transverse slots are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The delineator of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of discrete transverse slots include at least a first and second transverse slot disposed on opposite transverse sides of the tubular body. 
     
     
         11 . The delineator of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of discrete transverse slots include transverse slots that alternate between a first transverse side and a second transverse side of the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . The delineator of  claim 7 , wherein the discrete transverse slots are each oriented at an angle of inclination α relative to a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         13 . The delineator of  claim 12 , wherein α is greater than zero degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The delineator of  claim 12 , wherein α is less than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The delineator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot comprises a first continuous transverse slot having a helical configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The delineator of  claim 15 , wherein the first continuous transverse slot defines a helix having at least 360 degrees of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The delineator of  claim 1 , further comprising a first retroreflective sheet mounted in or on the tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . The delineator of  claim 17 , wherein first retroreflective sheet is disposed on an outer surface of the tubular body. 
     
     
         19 . The delineator of  claim 17 , wherein the tubular body is hollow, the delineator further comprising:
 a second inner core disposed within the tubular body, the first retroreflective sheet being disposed on an outer surface of the second inner core.   
     
     
         20 . The delineator of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular body has a window region adapted to expose at least a portion of the first retroreflective sheet. 
     
     
         21 . The delineator of  claim 20 , wherein the window region comprises a second slotted region. 
     
     
         22 . The delineator of  claim 21 , wherein the first slotted region is disposed proximate the first end of the tubular body, and the second slotted region is disposed proximate the second end of the tubular body.