Port-a-Bump Road Construction Safety Device

Abstract

A system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for a portable speed bump comprising:
 a set of center elements having a length and a width,
 the set of center elements having a first end center element and a second end center element, wherein the first end center element and the second end center element are located at opposite ends of the length of the set of center elements, 
 wherein a dividing line separates each center element in the set of center elements from a neighboring center element, 
   a set of side elements,
 wherein the set of side elements comprises a first set of side elements and a second set of side elements, the first set of side elements and the second set of side elements being located at opposite sides of the width of the set of center elements; and 
   a series of connecting rods,
 wherein the series of connecting rods couple the first set of side elements, the set of center elements, and the second set of side elements into a single structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of independent  claim 1 , wherein:
 each side element of the set of side elements is positioned to be centered with each of the dividing lines between each of the center elements.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of independent  claim 1 , wherein:
 each center element has a reflective surface.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the reflective surfaces have at least a first color and a second color, such that each center element has a different reflective surface color from the neighboring center element.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of independent  claim 1 , wherein:
 each side element has a reflective front surface.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the reflective front surfaces have at least a first color and a second color, such that each side element has a different reflective front surface color from the neighboring center element.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of independent  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end center element further comprises a first series of connecting elements and the second end center element further comprises a second series of connecting elements,
 such that each of the first and second series of connecting elements can be connected to a second apparatus to produce a longer single structure. 
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the connection elements comprise thru-holes; and   wherein a connecting device may be engaged through the thru-hole to a corresponding thru-hole in the second apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the connecting device is one of a hook and a clamp.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of independent  claim 1 , wherein:
 a profile view of the set of center elements and the set of side elements has an overall shape,
 the overall shape sloping up at a level of a roadway at the first set of side elements, reaching a maximum height and remaining flat at the center elements, and sloping down to the level of the roadway at the second set of side elements. 
   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for a portable speed bump carrier comprising:
 a support wheel located at a first side of the apparatus;   a shaft connected to the support wheel;   a center drum that rotates about the shaft,
 the center drum configured such that a length of portable speed bump elements can be wound around the center drum; and 
   a crank engage to the shaft,
 the crank located at a second side of the apparatus, 
 the second side being opposite from the first side, 
 wherein rotating the crank in a first direction causes the length of speed bump element to wind onto the center drum, and 
 wherein rotating the crank in a second direction causes the length of speed bump element to unwind from the center drum. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of independent  claim 11 , wherein:
 the crank is one of a manual handle, an electric motor, a gasoline powered internal combustion engine, and a diesel powered internal combustion engine.