Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to a delineator pole, fixed or self-redressing, for use in marking boundaries, such as a pole used as part of a slalom gate and more particularly to a delineator pole which softens the impact of an object colliding with the pole.

Background Of The Invention

Many different types of delineator poles, used for such things as slalom gates, hazard markers, parking lot boundary markers, sign posts, or field markers, are known in the prior art. Delineating poles are often damaged or cause damage when a moving object comes into contact with the pole. Ski racing, for example, involves full contact between skiers travelling at high rates of speed and the slalom poles resulting in numerous contusions and facial injuries to the skier. Parking lot boundary marking poles, for example, are often struck by vehicles causing damage to both the pole and the vehicle.

Typical slalom poles are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,054,955; and 4,588,324 and a typical self-redress- ing slalom pole is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,599,012. A typical field marker is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,371,647, and a typical delineator pole is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,270,873.

None of these prior art delineator poles, how- ever, sufficiently reduces the impact resulting from a collision between the pole and a moving object such that injury to the pole and object is reduced, or minimized.

Thus, it is a problem in the prior art to reduce the damage to both a person or object and the delineator pole resulting when a moving object collides with the delineator pole.

It is also a problem in the prior art to pro¬ vide a delineator pole which riot only softens the impact

of a person or object colliding with it, but is also able to restore itself to an upright position after the colli¬ sion.

Summary Of The Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a delineating pole which softens the impact of a moving object, such as a skier, colliding with the delin¬ eator pole. It is a further object of the present invention to extend the integrity and longevity of the delineating pole.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a delineator pole which can restore itself to an upright position after being struck by an object.

Additional objects, advantages and novel fea¬ tures of the invention will be set forth in the descrip¬ tion which follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this description or prac- ticing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the appended claims.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the delineator pole of this invention may comprise a pole having a lower portion held in position by a support structure and an upper portion serving as a marker and wherein the pole is comprised of an inner rigid or semi-rigid tube formed from a first material extending from the lower portion of the pole to the upper portion of the pole, and a layer of impact absorbing material attached to and surrounding the inner tube to reduce the impact resulting from a collision between a moving object and the pole. - The layer of impact absorbing material may itself comprise the outer layer of the pole of the invention, or it may be covered by an additional aesthetically pleasing and durable outer

layer. In either case, advertising indicia may be applied to the outer layer.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo¬ rated in, and form a part of, the specification, illus¬ trate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the prin¬ ciples of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of the delineator pole of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of a self-redressing delinea¬ tor pole of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view of the delineator pole of the present invention in a support structure.

Detailed Description of The Preferred Embodiment

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is the delineator pole of the present invention. The delineator pole is indicated generally at 10. The delineator pole 10 has a lower portion 12 for insertion into the ground as shown at 11 in Fig. 1 or other support surface as shown at 30 in Fig. 4 and an upper portion 14 extending upwardly from the ground or support surface acting as a marker. While the lower portion 12 is shown having a conical shape, it is recognized it could be of any shape which would facilitate its insertion into the ground or other support surfaces. Fig. 2 shows the cross-section of the delinea¬ tor pole of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the delineator pole 10 is comprised of an inner rigid or semi-rigid tube 15. This inner tube 15 may be made out of natural or

synthetic materials, including fiberglass, composites, thermoplastics, metals, wood, bamboo, or rubber. A layer of cushioning material 17 surrounds the rigid or semi¬ rigid tube 15 to soften the impact of a moving object colliding with the pole 10. Layer 17 may be made out of natural or synthetic foam or other soft, impact-absorbent material. The resilience of the cushioning material is selected in accordance with the end use of the pole and the skill in the art. For example, a ski pole is used in cold temperatures, so the cushioning material will be resilient at these temperatures.

An optional outer layer 19 can be placed over layer 17. The outer layer 19 serves many purposes. The outer layer 19 can serve to protect the layer 17 and thereby extend the life of the layer 17. The outer layer 19 can also provide any desired finishing texture. In addition, using an outer skin 19 provides graphic oppor¬ tunities, i.e. colors, designs, logos, sponsors, or other indicia may be added to the pole. The outer skin 19 may be made out of a fabric, such as nylon, mylar or vinyl or a plastic sheet.

The cushioning layer 17 can be attached to the inner tube 15 by any known fastening means. Preferably, such means include fasteners, adhesives, velcro, heat welding, co-extrusion, or through integration of the outer skin. In addition, the outer layer 19 can. be attached to the cushioning layer by any known means such as a glue fastener.

The inner rigid or semi-rigid tube 15 provides pole 10 with the rigidity and reenforcement necessary for the pole to remain upright, while the cushioning layer 17 softens the impact of a moving object, such as a skier, bicycle, automobile, snowboarder, rollerblader, etc. , when colliding with the delineator pole. The delineator pole of the present invention can be fixed or self-redressing. Fig. 3 shows a self- redressing delineator pole as described in relation to Figs. l _r 2 and 4, also including a hinge 20. When it is

desired, such as in ski racing, for the pole to return to the upright position, the inner tube 15 and cushioning layer 17 provide sufficient flexibility and strength such that the delineator pole can re-right itself about the hinge 20.

Many benefits and advantages result from the novel combination of a rigid inner tube with a cushioning outer layer. Because of the resiliency and the impact absorbing nature of the cushioning layer, damage to both the pole and the object is reduced and the integrity and longevity of the pole is increased. In addition, the need for protective gear, such as arm and leg pads, bump¬ ers and head gear, is reduced.

The use of an outer layer also allows for graphic opportunities. The pole can easily and inexpen¬ sively be made a certain color, or covered with a certain logo or sponsor. In addition, the color, logo or sponsor can be easily and inexpensively changed or replaced. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for pur¬ poses of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and vari¬ ations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particu- lar use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention only be limited by the claims appended hereto.