Portable speed bump discs

Abstract

A portable speed bump disc which can be easily deployed and removed from the roadway to control the speed of traffic. The disc preferably does not require mechanical and or chemical attachment to the pavement, and a plurality of discs, when placed in a staggered array on the roadway, can improve the safety of crews working in flagging operations, traffic work zones, or other situations where daily installation and removal of roadway warning devices may be required. Each disc is relatively small and light in weight as compared to conventional elongated rumble strips or speed bumps, and can be handled and deployed by a single worker.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable speed bump disc for controlling the speed o traffic in work zones, the disc comprising a unitary body, the unitary body including:
 a) a top surface; and   b) a substantially circular base including an undersurface for engaging the pavement of a roadway, wherein the undersurface and the top surface are substantially flat or horizontal as the disc is viewed from the side, and wherein the unitary body is substantially convex in shape between the base and the top surface.   
     
     
         2 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a hollow portion at its center for stabilizing the disc during use. 
     
     
         3 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , wherein the undersurface includes a groove pattern for creating friction with the pavement and resisting movement of the disc along the roadway during use. 
     
     
         4 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , further including a thin, reflective sheet attached to the top surface to promote visual awareness. 
     
     
         5 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a side wall which rises from the flat base and then curves towards the flat top surface in a convex manner. 
     
     
         6 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , further including a handle incorporated into the unitary body for gripping, carrying, deploying, and retrieving the disc onto and off of the roadway. 
     
     
         7 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 1 , wherein the disc is one of a plurality of discs, and wherein the plurality of discs is deployed into the roadway in a staggered array. 
     
     
         8 . A portable speed bump disc for controlling the speed of traffic in work zones, the disc comprising:
 a) an upper portion having a substantially flat top surface for interfacing with the tires of passing vehicles; and   b) a substantially circular base having an undersurface for engaging the roadway, wherein the undersurface includes a hollow portion at its center for stabilizing the disc during use, wherein and the upper portion and the base are formed as a unitary body, and wherein the upper portion projects upward from the base in a convex manner.   
     
     
         9 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , further including a thin, reflective sheet attached to the top surface to promote visual awareness. 
     
     
         10 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , wherein the unitary body portion includes a side wall which rises from the base and then curves towards the flat top surface in a convex manner. 
     
     
         11 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , further including a handle incorporated into the unitary body for gripping, carrying, deploying, and retrieving the disc onto and off of the roadway. 
     
     
         12 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , wherein the undersurface includes a groove pattern for creating friction with the pavement and resisting movement of the disc along the roadway during use. 
     
     
         13 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , wherein the disc is one of a plurality of discs, and wherein the plurality of discs is deployed into the roadway in a staggered array. 
     
     
         14 . The portable speed bump disc of  claim 8 , wherein the disc does not require mechanical and/or chemical attachment to the pavement. 
     
     
         15 . A two-piece, portable speed bump disc for quickly deploying and removing from a roadway to control the speed of traffic, the disc comprising:
 a) an upper portion comprising a body, the body including:
 i) a top side for interfacing with passing vehicles; and 
 ii) an underside including a circular hollow and at least one cup; and 
   b) a lower portion reversibly connectable to the upper portion, the lower portion including a base, the base including;
 i) a substantially flat bottom surface for engaging the roadway; and 
 ii) a top surface, wherein the top surface of the base is reversibly connectable to the underside of the body, the top surface including:
 A) a circular raised section protecting upwardly from the base for insertion into the circular hollow, and 
 B) at least one peg projecting upwardly from the raised section or insertion into the at least one cup. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The two-piece, portable speed bump disc of  claim 15 , wherein the upper portion includes a side wall which rises from the lower portion and then curves towards the top side in a convex manner. 
     
     
         17 . The two-piece, portable speed bump disc of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom surface includes a groove pattern for resisting movement of the disc along the roadway during use. 
     
     
         18 . The two-piece, portable speed bump disc of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom surface includes a hollow portion at its center for stabilizing the disc as it sits on the roadway. 
     
     
         19 . The two-piece, portable speed bump disc of  claim 15 , wherein the disc is one of a plurality of discs, and wherein the plurality of discs is deployed into the roadway in a staggered array.