A STACKABLE AND HAND TRANSPORTABLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DEVICE

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to devices that provide a visual alert to persons for a variety of purposes, such as traffic management devices in the form of signals and indicators and often in the form of cones, and, more specifically to such devices constructed to be stackable and having structure for carrying a plurality thereof.

Background Art

[0002] The present invention generally relates to traffic management devices. Traffic management devices in the form of cones, commonly-known as parking cones, traffic cones, orange cones, etc., are well-known. These cones are typically portable and temporarily placed in a location as a visual alert to people who may be either or both pedestrians or vehicle operators. In this manner, cones are used to mark indoor and outdoor traffic hazards in various situations where vehicles or pedestrians must be redirected around emergency conditions.

[0003] Likewise these devices can be used to mark the perimeter of an area that requires temporary restricted access such as an accident or crime scene, or otherwise to loosely define areas such as an area for a specific use like an athletic field. As used herein and above, the term 'traffic management device' and variants thereof refers to all varieties and uses commonly understood for the above-referenced 'cones,' each of these terms being used for convenience herein.

[0004] Stacking cones is well-known as it lessens the amount of time that a worker has to spend carrying multiple devices and creates a safer way of transporting multiple and stacked devices to work-site near highway traffic. Cones rarely sit in a clean environment, typically being used on roads and highways and dirty floors, and carrying cones by their bases results in transferring the dirt to the carrier.

[0005] One traffic management device that is a familiar item seen often on roadways is the traffic cone used to mark traffic lanes, and alert and redirect drivers around construction or accidents. However, this traffic management device has no integrated means for grasping and carrying a plurality of stacked devices from a storage area to a work-site.

Summary of Invention

[0006] The present invention overcomes the limitations of traffic management devices by providing an improved traffic management device incorporating integrated carrying means whereby a worker can grasp and carry a plurality of stacked devices and, in preferred forms, do so using a single hand. The present invention relates to a traffic management device that can be stacked, stored and carried in a space-efficient manner. The present invention includes a handhold for carrying the cones in a portion at a distance from the base such that, by not having to grasp the bottom of the traffic management device, the worker is able to maintain hand hygiene.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention the traffic management device is a traffic cone.

[0008] The traffic management device is furnished with at least one cut-out creating a handhold while at the same time not diminishing the visually attentive qualities, such as reflective qualities, of the traffic management that make it an effective traffic hazard signal.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the traffic management device is furnished with two cut-outs creating a suitcase handle-like carrying means.

[0010] The devices can be stacked, typically about six tall, and still maintain the single hand grasping and handle means. The interior of the device behind the cut-outs may be light reflective for safety reasons so that the absence of exterior surface area caused by the cut-outs does not diminish the effectiveness of the traffic management device as a safety device.

[0011] The invention defines a traffic management device comprising a body generally defining an exterior surface and an interior space. A base supports the body and is disposed as to support the device on a surface when in use. The device further comprises a handhold formed in the body for grasping and carrying it. The handhold includes at least a first opening in the body extending from the exterior surface to the interior space and configured for receiving a hand there through for grasping the device. In a preferred embodiment the handhold includes a pair of openings. According to the invention, an interior space is defined by an interior surface of the body which has at least a portion visible through the handhold being finished so as not to diminish the alert characteristic of the device to a visual observer. The base includes a portion extending laterally outward from the body. The device and handhold are configured to permit a plurality of devices to be stacked such that the exterior body surface of an inferior-positioned of the plurality of devices is receivable within the interior space of a superior-positioned plurality of devices and at least a portion of the handhold of one device may be overlapped with the handhold of a second device to permit grasping of the devices simultaneously thereby. The registration structure includes interior structure disposed on the interior surface and exterior structure disposed on the exterior surface such that the interior structure of a superior-positioned device cooperates with the exterior structure of an inferior-positioned device. Preferably, the registration structure includes a slot and a groove cooperatively engageable to align the devices in the predetermined orientation with at least a portion of the openings being overlapping.

[0012] The device may further include a registration structure permitting the inferior-positioned device to be received by the superior-positioned device in a predetermined orientation thereto. The predetermined orientation including the handholds of the devices may be at least partially overlapping. The plurality of devices that can be stacked may be up to six.

[0013] At least a portion of the body may be generally conical and at least a portion of the body exterior surface may be reflective. As well, at least a portion of the body interior surface may be finished in manner consistent with the body exterior surface. The base and body may be configured so that the center of mass of the device is located within the base. The handhold may be generally rectangular having four sides. At least a portion of the handhold sides may be configured for protecting a carrier grasping the device thereat.

[0014] The device may further include a frame securable with the handhold for grasping each handhold thereat.

[0015] The main advantage of the invention is that it permits multiple stacked traffic management devices to be carried from a storage area to a work-site in an efficient and safe manner using a single hand. There is no need to use a carrier or a caddy to move a plurality of stacked devices.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of Drawings

[0018] 

Figure 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a stacked configuration.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the embodiment of Figure 2 in a stacked configuration.

Figure 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of the registration structure of one embodiment of the invention.

Best Mode

[0019] Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated one embodiment of the traffic management device of the present invention in the form of a traffic cone 100. However, there are other shapes of stackable and hand transportable traffic management devices to which this invention applies. At least a portion of the traffic management device may be conical.

[0020] The traffic management device 100 is shown comprising a hollow truncated conical body 102 having an exterior surface 114 and an interior space 103. The conical body 102 has a truncated apex 104 and a base 106. The base includes a portion 107 that extends outwards from the body 102. The base 106 may be weighted to ensure stability in wind and the centre of gravity (CoG) 111 of the device is within the base. The base supports the body and is disposed to support the device on a surface when in use.

[0021] The truncated apex 104 and the base 106 of the device 100 are open to permit stacking of one device on top of the other. The body 102 is fabricated from a light-weight and flexible material so that when struck by a moving vehicle the conical body 102 can collapse or crush and then regain its original shape without doing damage to the vehicle or becoming a dangerous flying projectile. Materials can range from waterproofed paper to suitable thermoplastics such as PVC to recycled materials. The exterior surface 114 of the body 102 is coated with brightly colored and reflective paints and/or symbols in accordance with Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation or analogous regulatory bodies of different countries.

[0022] Still referring to Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment of the traffic management device 100 comprises at least a first opening 120. The at least first opening 120 creates a handhold for grasping and carrying the device. The at least first opening 120 in the body 102 extends from the exterior surface 114 to the interior space 103 and is configured to receive a hand there through for grasping the device. The handhold opening 120 is generally rectangular permitting a hand to enter the opening 120 and grasp the device by one of the four sides 126 to 132. Each of the sides of the opening 120 can be treated so as not to present a potential cutting surface for the worker's hand. Treatment may include a rubber or leather surround (partially shown at 121) fixed to each of the sides 126 to 132.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2 in another embodiment of the invention the traffic management device 200 comprises a pair of openings 220 and 222.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in each of the devices 100 and 200 illustrated each of the bodies 102 and 202 have an interior space 103 and 203 defined by an interior surface 105 and 205 of the bodies 102 and 202 respectively. The interior surfaces 105 and 205 have at least a portion thereof visible through the handhold openings 120, 220 and 222. Therefore, these visible portions of the interior surfaces of the bodies will be finished in a manner similar to the exterior surfaces 114 and 214 so as not to diminish the alert characteristics of the device to a visual observer.

[0025] Referring back to Figure 1, the sides 126 to 132 of the handhold opening 120 may be structurally reinforced to facilitate carriage of the traffic management device by hand. A hand-grasping or carrying frame 123 can be inserted into the rectangle to facilitate hand grasping without cutting the hand and to reinforce the load bearing area of the cut out. The frame 123 engages all sides of the rectangle. The frame 123 can also be adjustable lengthwise so that it can fit and secure to stacked configurations of devices wherein the handhold is diminished by the overlapping devices. This is shown in Figure 4 item 423.

[0026] Still referring to Figure 1, the worker can carry the single device right-side-up by inserting a single hand or even a pair of fingers to support the device from the side 132 of the handhold cutout120. Alternatively, the worker can carry the single device upside-down by supporting the device from side 128 of the handhold. Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention permits the worker to carry the device by a single hand in a convenient and safe hand-hold as represented by the rectangular cut out rather than by attempting to grasp the conical top of the device.

[0027] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown the device of Figure 1 100 in a stacked configuration. In Figure 4, four devices 100A to 100D are in a stacked configuration but up to six of the devices can be stacked. The handhold openings 120A to 120D of the four stacked devices are disposed over each other as the devices are stacked. This creates a diminished opening 120A which the carrier can use to lift and carry the stacked configuration of devices. Advantageously the adjustable reinforcing frame 423 shown installed within reduced opening 120A can be used by the carrier to carry the stacked configuration without injury to the hand.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4, the devices illustrated include a base 106 and stacked bases 106 A to 106 D respectively which further include a portion 107 and stacked portions 107A to 107D [107A to 107C not illustrated] extending laterally outward from the body of each device. As shown in Figure 4, the devices 100A to 100D and the handholds 120A to 120D are configured to permit a plurality of the devices to be stacked such that the exterior body surface [114A not illustrated] of an inferior positioned device [100A] of the plurality of stacked devices [100A to 100D] is receivable within the interior space [103B - not illustrated] of a superior positioned device [100B] of the plurality of stacked devices. At least a portion of the handhold [120A] may be overlapped with the handhold [120B] of a second device [100B] to permit grasping of the stacked devices simultaneously.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 a registration structure 140 and 140D respectively permits the inferior positioned device 100A to be received by the superior positioned device 100B in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation includes the handholds 120A and 120B of each of the respective devices being at least partially overlapping.

[0030] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 the registration structure 140 includes an interior structure 129 disposed on the interior surface 105 of a superior positioned device cooperating with an exterior structure 127 disposed on the exterior surface 114 of an inferior positioned device. The exterior structure may be a slot and the interior structure may be a groove cooperatively engaging to align the devices in the predetermined orientation with at least of the openings 120A to 120D being overlapping. A frame 423 [Figure 4] may be securable within the handhold for grasping each handhold of the stacked devices.

[0031] Referring to Figure 5, there is a shown further detail of one embodiment of a registration structure for a cone shaped traffic management device 500 which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. In the embodiment illustrated the device has a first opening 502 and a second opening 504. Between the two cut outs is a carrying member 506. The registration structure is located between the two openings and on the carrying member and comprises a slot 508 formed on the exterior side of a single device 510 and a groove 512 on the opposite side such that one of either the slot or groove of one device 510 registers with a groove or slot of a second device 514 so that a plurality of devices may be easily oriented in a stacked configuration by the worker so that that all of the cut outs 502 and 504 of the stacked configuration are aligned and carrier can grasp the carrying member 506 with a single hand.

[0032] When placing one device on top another device, the worker need only rotate the device by hand to feel the inside groove/slot structure of the top placed device engage in registration with the corresponding groove/slot structure of the bottom disposed device and then drop the device into place. As can be seen by reference to Figure 4, a number of devices can be stacked and still provide for a grasping cut out 120 large enough for a hand to fit.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention 200. In this embodiment the traffic management device comprises a hollow truncated conical body 202 having a truncated apex 204 and a base 206. The base has a portion 207 extending out from the body. The base 206 may be weighted to ensure stability in wind and the centre of gravity (CoG) 211 of the device is located in the base. The apex 204 and the base 203 are open. The body of the device is fabricated and coated in the same manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 1. There is a first opening 220 and a second adjacent, identical and parallel opening 222. The openings 220 and 222 are separated by a carrying handle 224. The handle member may be reinforced on the interior surface thereof to facilitate carriage by hand. The openings are illustrated as elongated cigar shaped openings but they can have other shapes as well that facilitate hand grasping. Each of the sides and the tops and bottoms of the cut outs can be treated in a similar manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 1 as described above so as not to present a potential cutting surface for the carrier's hand. As well, a hand-grasping or carrying frame 221 and 223 similar to the embodiment describes with respect to Figure 1 can be inserted into each of the cut outs to facilitate hand grasping without cutting the carrier's hand. Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention permits the worker to carry the device like a valise or suitcase using a single hand in a convenient and safe hand-hold.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 2 and Figure 3, there is shown in Figure 3 the device of Figure 2 (200) in a stacked configuration. In Figure 3, four devices 200A to 200D are in a stacked configuration. The cut outs 220A to 220D and 222A to 222D and the handle members 224A to 224D of the four devices are disposed over each other as the devices are stacked. There is a registration structure 240 disposed into at least one side of the inside body surface 205 of each device 200 so that the devices can be easily oriented by the worker in a proper stacked configuration such that all of the cut outs are aligned as illustrated. The registration structure comprises an interior structure 229 and an exterior 227 structure. The registration structure operates in the same manner as described with respect to Figures 5 so that one of either the slot or groove of a superior first device registers with a groove or slot of an inferior second device so that a plurality of devices may be easily oriented in a stacked configuration by the worker so that that all of the openings are aligned as shown in Figure 3.

[0035] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A traffic management device (100, 200, 500) comprising:

a body (102, 202) generally defining an exterior surface (114) and an interior space (103);

a base (106, 206) supporting the body (102, 202) including a portion extending laterally outward from the body (102, 202) and disposed as to support the device (100, 200, 500) on a surface when in use; and

a handhold being formed in the body (102, 202) including at least a first opening (120) in the body (102, 202), the opening extending from the exterior surface (114) to the interior space (103) and being configured for receiving a hand there through for grasping and carrying the device (100, 200, 500)

wherein the device (100, 200, 500) and handhold are configured to permit a plurality of said devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) to be stacked such that the exterior body surface of an inferior-positioned of said plurality of devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) is receivable within the interior space of a superior-positioned said plurality of devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D); and
wherein the devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) are stackable in a predetermined orientation with at least a portion of the openings (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) of said devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) being overlapping to permit grasping of said plurality of said devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) simultaneously thereby;
the device (100, 200, 500) further including a registration structure (140) that includes an interior structure (129) disposed on an interior surface (105) of the device (100, 200, 500) and an exterior structure (127) disposed on the exterior surface (114) of the device (100, 200, 500) such that the interior structure (105) of a superior-positioned device cooperates with the exterior structure (127) of an inferior-positioned device, to assist in bringing the devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) into said predetermined orientation during stacking.

2. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 1 wherein the handhold includes a pair of openings (220, 222, 502, 504).

3. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 1 wherein the interior space (103) is defined by the interior surface (105) and the interior surface (105) has at least a portion visible through the handhold, the portion visible being finished so as not to diminish the alert characteristics of the device (100, 200, 500) to a visual observer.

4. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 1 wherein the registration structure (140) comprises a slot (508) and a groove (512) cooperatively engageable one with the other.

5. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 4 wherein said plurality of said devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) includes six devices (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D).

6. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the body (102, 202) is generally conical.

7. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the body exterior surface (114) is reflective, at least a portion of the body interior surface (105) is finished in manner consistent with the body exterior surface (114), the base (106, 206) and body (102, 202) are configured so that the center of mass of the device (100, 200, 500) is located within the base (106, 206), the opening (120) is generally rectangular having four sides, and at least a portion of the opening (120) sides is configured for protecting a carrier grasping the device (100, 200, 500) thereat.

8. The device (100, 200, 500) of claim 7 further including a frame securable with the opening (120) for grasping each opening (120) thereat.

Ansprüche

1. Verkehrsverwaltungsvorrichtung (100, 200, 500), umfassend:

einen Körper (102, 202), der im Allgemeinen eine äußere Oberfläche (114) und einen inneren Raum (103) definiert;

eine Basis (106, 206), die den Körper (102, 202) abstützt, der einen Abschnitt aufweist, der sich lateral nach außen von dem Körper (102, 202) erstreckt und angeordnet ist, um die Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) bei Gebrauch auf einer Oberfläche abzustützen; und einen Handgriff, der in dem Körper (102, 202) ausgebildet ist und mindestens eine Öffnung (120) in dem Körper (102, 202) aufweist, wobei sich die Öffnung von der äußeren Oberfläche (114) zum inneren Raum (103) erstreckt und zum Aufnehmen einer Hand dadurch zum Ergreifen und Tragen der Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) konfiguriert ist,

wobei die Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) und der Haltegriff konfiguriert sind, um mehreren solchen Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) zu ermöglichen, gestapelt zu werden, sodass die äußere Körperoberfläche einer darunter positionierten der mehreren Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) innerhalb des inneren Raums einer darüber positionierten der mehreren Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) aufgenommen werden kann; und

wobei die Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) in einer vorbestimmten Ausrichtung mit mindestens einem Abschnitt der Öffnungen (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) gestapelt werden können, wobei sich die Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) überschneiden, um das Ergreifen von mehreren der Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) gleichzeitig zu ermöglichen;

wobei die Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) ferner eine Registrierungsstruktur (140) aufweist, die eine innere Struktur (129) aufweist, die auf einer inneren Oberfläche (105) der Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) angeordnet ist, und eine äußere Struktur (127), die auf der äußeren Oberfläche (114) der Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) angeordnet ist, sodass die innere Struktur (105) einer darüber positionierten Vorrichtung mit der äußeren Struktur (127) einer darunter positionierten Vorrichtung zusammenwirkt, um die Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) in die vorbestimmte Ausrichtung während des Stapelns zu bringen.

2. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Handgriff ein Paar Öffnungen (220, 222, 502, 504) aufweist.

3. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der innere Raum (103) durch die innere Oberfläche (105) definiert wird und die innere Oberfläche (105) mindestens einen Abschnitt aufweist, der durch den Handgriff sichtbar ist, wobei der sichtbare Abschnitt derart abgeschlossen ist, dass die Warnhinweise der Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) für einen visuellen Betrachter nicht schlechter sichtbar sind.

4. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Registrierungsstruktur (140) einen Schlitz (508) und eine Nut (512) umfasst, die zusammenwirkend miteinander in Eingriff gebracht werden können.

5. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die mehreren Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) sechs Vorrichtungen (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) umfassen.

6. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt des Körpers (102, 202) im Allgemeinen kegelförmig ist.

7. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt der äußeren Körperoberfläche (114) reflektierend ist, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt der inneren Körperoberfläche (105) übereinstimmend mit der äußeren Körperoberfläche (114) abgeschlossen ist, wobei die Basis (106, 206) und der Körper (102, 202) derart konfiguriert sind, dass sich die Massenmitte der Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) innerhalb der Basis (106, 206) befindet, wobei die Öffnung (120) im Allgemeinen rechteckig ist und vier Seiten aufweist, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt der Öffnungsseiten (120) zum Schützen eines Trägers konfiguriert ist, der die Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) daran ergreift.

8. Vorrichtung (100, 200, 500) nach Anspruch 7, ferner aufweisend einen Rahmen, der an der Öffnung (120) zum Ergreifen jeder Öffnung (120) daran gesichert werden kann.

Revendications

1. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) de gestion de la circulation, comprenant :

un corps (102, 202) délimitant dans l'ensemble une surface extérieure (114) et un espace intérieur (103) ;

une base (106, 206) supportant le corps (102, 202), comprenant une partie s'étendant latéralement à l'extérieur du corps (102, 202) et disposé de façon à soutenir le dispositif (100, 200, 500) sur une surface quand il est utilisé ; et

une poignée formée dans le corps (102, 202) et comprenant au moins une première ouverture (120) dans le corps (102, 202), l'ouverture s'étendant de la surface extérieure (114) vers l'espace intérieur (103) et étant configurée pour recevoir une main à travers elle afin qu'on puisse saisir et transporter le dispositif (100, 200, 500),

dans lequel le dispositif (100, 200, 500) et la poignée sont configurés pour permettre d'empiler une pluralité desdits dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) de telle sorte que la surface extérieure de corps d'un dispositif en position inférieure de ladite pluralité de dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) peut se loger à l'intérieur de l'espace intérieur d'un dispositif en position supérieure de ladite pluralité de dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) ; et
dans lequel les dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) peuvent être empilés suivant une orientation prédéterminée, au moins une partie des ouvertures (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) desdits dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) se chevauchant pour permettre de saisir simultanément ladite pluralité desdits dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) par lesdites ouvertures,
le dispositif (100, 200, 500) comprenant en outre une structure de repérage (140) qui comprend une structure intérieure (129) disposée sur la surface intérieure (105) du dispositif (100, 200, 500) et une structure extérieure (127) disposée sur la surface extérieure (114) du dispositif (100, 200, 500) de telle sorte que la structure intérieure (105) d'un dispositif en position supérieure coopère avec la structure extérieure (127) d'un dispositif en position inférieure, afin d'aider à amener les dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) dans ladite orientation prédéterminée pendant l'empilage.

2. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la poignée comprend une paire d'ouvertures (220, 222, 502, 504).

3. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'espace intérieur (103) est délimité par la surface intérieure (105) et la surface intérieure (105) comporte au moins une partie visible à travers la poignée, la partie visible ayant finition propre à ne pas diminuer les caractéristiques d'alerte du dispositif (100, 200, 500) pour un observateur visuel.

4. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la structure de repérage (140) comprend une fente (508) et une rainure (512) pouvant se loger l'une dans l'autre pour coopérer.

5. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite pluralité desdits dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) comprend six dispositifs (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D).

6. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une partie du corps (102, 202) est dans l'ensemble conique.

7. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une partie de la surface extérieure (114) de corps est réfléchissante, au moins une partie de la surface intérieure (105) de corps a une finition compatible avec la surface extérieure (114) de corps, la base (106, 206) et le corps (102, 202) sont configurés de façon à ce que le centre de gravité du dispositif (100, 200, 500) se situe à l'intérieur de la base (106, 206), l'ouverture (120) est dans l'ensemble rectangulaire avec quatre côtés, et au moins une partie des côtés de l'ouverture (120) est configurée pour protéger un porteur saisissant le dispositif (100, 200, 500) à cet endroit.

8. Dispositif (100, 200, 500) selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre un cadre pouvant être solidement fixé à l'ouverture (120) pour qu'on puisse saisir chaque ouverture (120) à cet endroit.

Drawing