Delineator Bed, Delineator Base Assembly and Method for Delineator Attachment

Abstract

A delineator bed, delineator bed assembly and method of construction including a groove or strip cut into an existing road surface. The strip is formed at any location desired to repair existing delineator installations, or be provided at the time of initial roadway construction. The location of the delineator bed may be adjacent a curb, or for permanent highway pattern requirements, or between lanes. Once the strip is formed, several methods of attaching a delineator base assembly to an attachment within the delineator bed are provided, such as an embedded rail member, rail members or other fasteners, either of metal or other polymer/fiberglass/composite materials, preferably material used to secure the attachment within the bed is stronger than the current or existing road surface material.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A delineator bed assembly for use within or adjacent a road surface comprising, a rail member of a metal material or composite polymer material including an attachment or attachments with a delineator base assembly supporting secure engagement with a delineator post. 
     
     
         2 . The delineator bed assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail member is embedded within reinforced concrete, adhesive material or an expansion joint, and has a higher tensile strength than the adjacent road surface. 
     
     
         3 . The delineator bed assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the rail member and any attachments of the delineator bed assembly are positioned approximately flush or level with an adjacent road surface. 
     
     
         4 . The delineator bed assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the rail member and any attachments of the delineator bed assembly are positioned slightly above or slightly below an adjacent road surface. 
     
     
         5 . The delineator bed assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment or attachments with the delineator base assembly include breakaway features to enable unintended removal of the delineator post during an accident without damage to the rail member or to the attachment or attachments. 
     
     
         6 . A method for construction of a delineator bed supporting a delineator post adjacent a road surface comprising the steps of:
 forming an elongate groove of a desired length and depth within a road surface where a delineator post is desired for directing vehicle traffic;   providing a rail member and any attachments from a material having a higher tensile strength than a tensile strength of a material in a road surface adjacent the delineator bed   securing the rail member having an attachment or attachments for mounting a delineator base assembly within the elongate groove; and   mounting a delineator base assembly to the attachment within the rail member;   attaching a delineator post to the delineator base assembly for directing vehicle traffic.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of: securing the rail member by embedding within reinforced concrete with a top surface of the rail member and an adjacent road surface approximately level with each other. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of: providing the delineator base assembly with breakaway features to permit dislodging of the delineator post from the delineator base assembly while avoiding damage to the rail member and attachments.