Cone attachment device

Abstract

A traffic cone attachment system may include a top disc positioned against an opening in a top of a traffic cone. The traffic cone attachment system may include a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction. A washer may be disposed around the shaft and positioned on an opposite side of the opening from the top disc. The traffic cone attachment system may include a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between the opening and the star lock. A traffic cone attachment device may be coupled to the traffic cone attachment system. A traffic cone system may include a plurality of traffic cones, each traffic cone of the plurality including a traffic cone attachment system and a traffic cone attachment device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A traffic cone attachment system comprising:
 a top disc positioned against an opening in a top of a traffic cone;   a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction;   a washer positioned on an opposite side of the opening in the top of the traffic cone from the top disc, the washer disposed around the shaft; and   a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between the opening in the top of the traffic cone and the star lock.   
     
     
         2 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising the traffic cone, the opening in the top of the traffic cone positioned below the top disc. 
     
     
         3 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a screw passing through the top disc and into the shaft, the screw when fully engaged being flush with the top disc. 
     
     
         4 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a first portion of the shaft and a second portion of the shaft, wherein:
 the first portion of the shaft extends in a direction above the opening in the top of the traffic cone; and   the second portion of the shaft extends in a direction below the opening in the top of the traffic cone.   
     
     
         5 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the shaft includes a plurality of discrete circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the washer includes a binding feature protruding from a surface of the washer toward a plane that includes the opening in the top of the traffic cone. 
     
     
         7 . The traffic cone attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the top disc includes a binding feature protruding from a surface of the top disc toward a plane that includes the opening in the top of the traffic cone. 
     
     
         8 . A traffic cone system, comprising:
 a plurality of traffic cones, each traffic cone of the plurality including a traffic cone attachment system comprising:   a top disc positioned above an opening in a top of a traffic cone;   a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction;   a washer positioned on an opposite side of the opening in the top of the traffic cone from the top disc, the washer disposed around the shaft; and   a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between the opening in the top of the traffic cone and the star lock; and   a traffic cone attachment device coupled to each traffic cone attachment system.   
     
     
         9 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein the cone attachment device includes an emergency light. 
     
     
         10 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein a top surface of the shaft is parallel with a top plane of the opening in the top of the traffic cone and the top disc is made of a magnetic material. 
     
     
         11 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft comprises a first portion of the shaft and a second portion of the shaft, wherein:
 the first portion of the shaft extends in a direction above the opening in the top of the traffic cone; and   the second portion of the shaft extends in a direction below the opening in the top of the traffic cone.   
     
     
         12 . The traffic cone system of  claim 11 , wherein an outer surface of the shaft includes a plurality of discrete circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein a top surface of the shaft is patterned such that a cone attachment device including a corresponding pattern may be coupled to the top surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein the washer includes a binding feature protruding from a surface of the washer toward the opening in the top of the traffic cone. 
     
     
         15 . The traffic cone system of  claim 8 , wherein the top disc includes a binding feature protruding from a surface of the top disc toward the opening in the top of the traffic cone. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 inserting a shaft through an opening of a traffic cone;   threading a threaded component to interface with a top part of the shaft;   pressing a star lock over a bottom of the shaft until the star lock is against a surface of the traffic cone at the opening; and   tightening the threaded component to lock the shaft relative to the opening of the traffic cone.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein threading a threaded component to interface with a top part of the shaft includes inserting a screw through a top disc and then into the top part of the shaft to be threaded into the shaft, locking the top disc below a head of the screw. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein after tightening the screw the head of the screw is flush with the top disc. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein threading a threaded component to interface with a top part of the shaft includes threading a threaded washer along threads on an outside of the top part of the shaft, the top part of the shaft extending above the traffic cone after tightening the threaded component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein an outer surface of a lower portion of the shaft includes a plurality of discrete circumferential grooves with which the star lock interfaces.