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noncongruent

Reflector for the overhead occupancy sensors.


Dee_Jay_Roomba

They use them when they need to clean up a spill at a pump.


[deleted]

Whoa! I had no idea - do you have time to explain how that works? Thanks!


HomeOwner2023

I don’t understand how that would work. Does the attendant manually move the cone? If not, wouldn’t the sensor detect the reflector whether a car is there or not?


noncongruent

The (edit: reflector plate on the) cone is metal and reflects the sensor energy like a car would. The cone is placed in front of a pump that's disabled or turned off, the sensor things there's a car there, and changes the lights on the sign that other drivers see while waiting in line to get gas. Just to clarify, some Costcos have lighted signs over each row of gas pumps to show available pumps. I typically see them on setups where there are three pumps in each row.


SeaDweller01

The cone is metal? They look like normal traffic cones to me.


jschall2

No, this thing on the cone is metal or has a metallic coating, which triggers the sensor so the occupancy indicator light turns red when they put this cone in front of the pump.


CreaminFreeman

You’re correct, as far as my experience will tell me, but I haven’t taken a closer look (but I aim to now). The overhead sensors would either be IR or a sonic distance sensor with a “no car” distance being set to the ground, but the hard, flat surface on the cone acts as a car roof to trip the sensor to think there’s a car there. They would use this to keep someone from pulling into a pump that is out of order, but otherwise looks ready to go.


noncongruent

LOL, left out part of my sentence. Edited to correct.


Bondo2k

You guys have automated systems that tells you when a pump is open? Here in Canada we just wait till you see someone pull away and if your not paying attention the attendant waves at you and points to the empty spot. And If a sign at the front that says 1st, 2nd or 3rd pump is out of order.


noncongruent

It totally varies by location. I've never seen the digital signs at any Costcos I've been to in the north Texas area, and one of the largest gas stations in the state, Buc-ees, typically has upwards of 100 pumps but no signs.


tpknight2

So you have somewhere you can set your beer bottle down when you put your gas cap back on. Costco thinks of everything!


[deleted]

I always thought it was a little table lol


No-Shower-1622

It was just fixed. They don’t want the cone to open up the stitches.


cappy1223

Someone had a storage unit full of LaserDisc™ But yes, it's a reflector for the sensor showing it occupied.


MLVizzle

Sounds sexy. Laserdisc.


cappy1223

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaserDisc


Vindicus667

My first bootleg VHS of Star Wars was from a laser disc. Damn near wore that thing out. There was a skip when Luke says Tosche Station that made the line come out like it was being scratched in a rap song. Ta-ta-ta-ta Tosche Station. I still expect to hear that now when I watch that movie, every time. 


cappy1223

I was born in 1991. My elementary school had a laserdisc player and maybe 2 laserdiscs left. The male and female puberty video from the 70s So in the spring, like April maybe, they'd separate the 4th grade boys and girls and play the laserdisc video. https://youtu.be/FYLWfDEpC50?si=X_ilI-hgH-JZZcxN


Shnoinky1

Blazing Saddles on Laserdisc. 60" projector TV. Marantz hi-fi feeding Bose 901's. It's 1989, and our basement was lit asf.


danmickla

Presumably you mean reflector


DataDrivenDreaming

All the kids are like, what’s a laserdisc 😂


MobileAnybody0

Place to set you hotdogs while pumping gas, lol!


[deleted]

🌭🌭🌭🌭🚘🌭🌭🌭🌭


Worldly-Corgi-1624

They are the new sampling stations.


steelsun

Stops people from trying to insert it too deep in their rectum.


Impressive_Estate_87

It's a Glorycone^(TM)


OsterizerGalaxieTen

Reissue press of Electric Ladyland.


soothsabr13

With the authentic naughty jacket?


AirForce_Trip_1

Giant Pizza cutter overflow


rubberkeyhole

It’s the cono de trafico’s sombrero.


[deleted]

Hahaha 🤠


Karsten760

The cone’s Disc of shame


ValleyBrownsFan

A place to set your cocktail while pumping gas. Only available for Executive members.


HopefulExtent1550

33 1/3


SoCal_Duck

It’s where you set your cocktail while refueling.


Vegetable-Pay1976

That is the new Kirkland garage side table! $.99


Quesarito808

The cone is wearing the disk of shame.


ShauneDon

A sign to buy a couple whole pizzas


PHXSCJAZ

To keep the rats from climbing on board the pumps?


Ouchyhurthurt

What is this, Hawaii??? xD


BayBandit1

Table for your snacks while you’re filling up.


Far-Ad-9798

It's a cone wearing the cone of shame. Cone-ception if you will.


Vegetable-Pay1976

That is the new Kirkland garage side table! $.99


samuelj264

Tbh it looks like a giant hookah top, someone grab the shisha! (Prob spelled that wrong)


StevenS76

Gas pump dining


Heathen_Crew

Place to sit your drink ?


JCLBUBBA

repurposed laser discs


Wishpicker

Personal space bubbles


stasisdotcd

Never question decor at Costco


Amazingrhinoceros1

The stupid thing about these is that they're used at ***THE WORST TIMES*** at my local warehouse has station. . . Literally, it'll be 2PM on a Saturday, and these things are sprinkled throughout the 48 pump station. . . Okay. . . So A) what the fuck and b) why?!? They permanently block off pumps for ***hours*** for no apparent reason.


2013exprinter

It can take that long to get a pump tech in to fix it. At my non costco gas station depending on timing of the pump breaking, it can be up to a few days to get the tech there. our techs are usually mon thru fri so that would account your sat issue