U.S. patent application number 11/363068 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for detectable warning plate.
This patent application is currently assigned to East Jordan Iron Works, Inc.. Invention is credited to Scott B. Beal, Kormna M. Holt, Jeremy Johnson, Todd C. Loviska, Brian J. Rachwnz, John H. Snydor, Lea M. Veldboom, Dennis E. Webb.
Application Number | 20070201949 11/363068 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38444183 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070201949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Veldboom; Lea M. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Detectable warning plate
Abstract
A detectable warning plate having integrally cast lugs. The lugs
may extend from the undersurface of the plate so that they can be
entrapped within concrete during installation. The plate may define
a vent hole through the plate above each lug to permit air to
escape from beneath the dome plate during installation. The plate
may include one or more integral support ribs that extend
downwardly from the plate. The support ribs may extend around the
plate near the periphery. The lugs may be extensions of the support
ribs.
Inventors: |
Veldboom; Lea M.; (East
Jordan, MI) ; Snydor; John H.; (Boyne City, MI)
; Holt; Kormna M.; (East Jordan, MI) ; Webb;
Dennis E.; (East Jordan, MI) ; Johnson; Jeremy;
(East Jordan, MI) ; Loviska; Todd C.; (East
Jordan, MI) ; Rachwnz; Brian J.; (East Jordan,
MI) ; Beal; Scott B.; (East Jordan, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER
111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
East Jordan Iron Works,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38444183 |
Appl. No.: |
11/363068 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 11/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/019 |
International
Class: |
E01C 11/24 20060101
E01C011/24 |
Claims
1. A warning plate to be embedded in concrete comprising: a main
body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said main body
including a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from said
top surface; a plurality of lugs extending downwardly from said
bottom surface, each of said lugs defining a through-hole of
sufficient size to permit free flow of concrete through said
through-hole of each of said lugs; and wherein said main body
defines at least one vent hole extending through said main body
from said top surface to said bottom surface adjacent to each lug,
whereby air is free to vent from beneath said plate during
installation of said plate in concrete.
2. The plate of claim 1 wherein said plurality of lugs includes at
least two lugs.
3. The plate of claim 2 further including a support rib extending
downwardly from said bottom surface.
4. The plate of claim 2 further including a support rib extending
downwardly from said bottom surface, said support rib extending
near a periphery of the plate.
5. The plate of claim 4 wherein at least one of said lugs extends
downwardly from said support ribs.
6. The plate of claim 1 wherein each of said vent holes is in
substantial vertical alignment with a corresponding one of said
through-holes.
7. The plate of claim 1 wherein said protrusions are of uniform
shape and are regularly spaced over said top surface of said main
body; and wherein each of said protrusions includes a planar top
surface, said planar top surface of each of said protrusions being
textured.
8. A detectable warning plate comprising: a main cast body having a
top surface and a bottom surface, said main cast body including a
plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from said top surface;
at least one lug integrally cast with said main cast body extending
downwardly from said bottom surface, said lug having an interlock
segment spaced from said bottom surface a sufficient distance to
permit free flow of concrete between said interlock segment and
said bottom surface; and at least one support rib integrally cast
with said main cast body extending across a portion of said main
cast body, said support rib extending downwardly from said bottom
surface.
9. The plate of claim 8 wherein said support rib extends
substantially around the plate near a peripheral edge of the
plate.
10. The plate of claim 9 wherein said lug extends from said support
rib, whereby said lug is supported at least in part by said support
rib.
11. The plate of claim 10 wherein said main cast body defines at
least one vent hole extending through said main cast body from said
top surface to said bottom surface adjacent in substantial vertical
alignment with said lug, whereby air is free to escape from beneath
said plate during installation of said plate in concrete.
12. The plate of claim 11 further defined as including at least two
lugs extending downwardly from said bottom surface, each of said
lugs extending from said support rib.
13. The plate of claim 12 wherein said lugs are disposed on
opposite sides of the plate.
14. The plate of claim 13 wherein each of said lugs is generally
C-shaped having a pair of opposed ends extending from opposite ends
of said interlock segment and being joined to said main cast body,
whereby each of said lugs defines a central through-hole through
which wet concrete may flow.
15. A cast detectable warning plate to be embedded in concrete
comprising: a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface,
said main body including a plurality of protrusions extending
upwardly from said top surface, said protrusion being regularly
space and of uniform size and shape, said main body including a
support rib extending downwardly from said bottom surface, said
support rib being integrally formed with said main body; a
plurality of lugs extending downwardly from said bottom surface,
said lugs being integrally formed with said main body, each of said
lugs defining a through-hole of sufficient size to permit free flow
of wet concrete through said through-hole; wherein said main body
defines at least one vent hole extending through said main body
from said top surface to said bottom surface adjacent to each
through-hole, whereby air is free to escape from beneath said plate
during installation of said plate in concrete.
16. The plate of claim 15 wherein said support rib extends along at
least a portion of a periphery of said main body.
17. The plate of claim 16 wherein each of said lugs extends from
said support rib.
18. The plate of claim 16 wherein each of said lugs is generally
C-shaped having an interlock section and a pair of ends extending
from opposite ends of said interlock section, said opposite ends
being integrally joined with said main body.
19. The plate of claim 18 wherein each of said protrusions includes
a top planar surface.
20. The plate of claim 19 wherein each of said top planar surfaces
is textured to provide improved traction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to municipal/construction
castings and more particularly to detectable warning plates.
[0002] Detectable warning plates are widely used as a tactile
warning for the blind in sidewalks, walkways and other similar
structures. Typically, detectable warning plates are embedded in
the sidewalk and have an upper surface with an arrangement of
regularly-spaced protrusions in the shape of truncated domes. The
size, shape and arrangements of protrusions are specified in the
ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Detectable Warnings. These
specifications are intended to provide uniform warnings that can be
readily detected by the blind. In some applications, the prescribed
pattern of protrusions is formed directly in the concrete.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to manufacture protrusions in
concrete that are uniform and of consistently high quality. Further
concrete protrusions are highly susceptible to wear and other
damage.
[0003] Accordingly, a variety of detectable warning products have
been developed to be embedded in concrete and provide the
prescribed pattern of protrusions. Detectable warning plates are
manufactured from materials ranging from plastic to iron.
Experience has revealed that detectable warning products
manufactured from plastics, composites and other relatively light
materials are more susceptible to wear and more prone to damage
from snow plows and other maintenance equipment. Further,
conventional detectable warning products of essentially all types
can be susceptible to separation from the concrete in which they
are embedded. For example, external forces, such as a snow plow,
may break the detectable warning plate away from the concrete.
Further, the expansion and contraction associated with temperature
changes can also cause a detectable warning plate to separate from
the concrete. Conventional detectable warning plates have been
provided with interlocking structures on their undersurface. It
can, however, be difficult to get the concrete to adequately flow
around the interlocking structure and these conventional efforts
have met with only limited success.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a long felt and unmet need for a
detectable warning product that is durable, easily installed,
remains embedded and does not warp during installation or use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present
invention wherein a detectable warning plate is provided with
integral locking lugs. In one embodiment, the plate includes two
lugs arranged in a regular pattern on the bottom of the plate. In
this embodiment, each lug may extend downwardly from the
undersurface of the plate and may be somewhat C-shaped. The lugs
are spaced a sufficient distance from the undersurface of the plate
to readily permit the flow of concrete around the lug. The plate
may be cast from iron and may include lugs that are formed integral
with the plate during casting.
[0006] In one embodiment, the plate may define a vent hole
extending vertically through the plate above each lug. The vent
holes permit air to escape from beneath the plate during
installation as concrete flows in around the lugs.
[0007] In another embodiment, the plate includes support ribs to
strengthen the plate and, among other things, reduce the
possibility of warping or other deformation during manufacture. In
one embodiment, the support ribs extend from the undersurface of
the plate and extend around the plate near its periphery. In
another embodiment, the support ribs are arranged in an X-shaped
configuration with its intersection located at the approximate
center of the plate. In these embodiments, the lugs may be
extensions of the support rib.
[0008] If desired, the upper surface of the detectable warning
plate may be textured to improve traction. The design and
configuration of the texture may vary from application to
application. For example, this texture may extend over all or a
portion of each truncated dome-like protrusion, and/or over the
surfaces between the protrusions.
[0009] The present invention provides a detectable warning plate
that is durable and easy to install. The lugs provide an integral
structure that can be embedded within concrete to provide a durable
and lasting attachment. The broad spacing of the lugs permits wet
concrete to easily flow around the lugs to interlock the plate and
the concrete. The vent holes facilitate installation by permitting
air trapped within the lugs to escape as the wet concrete flows
around the lugs. Otherwise, air pockets trapped under the plate
might have a significant adverse impact on the interlock between
the plate and the concrete. The integral support ribs dramatically
reduce the risk of warping during manufacture and may provide
additional structure for the lugs.
[0010] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference
to the detailed description of the current embodiment and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a detectable warning
plate according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the detectable
warning plate.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the detectable warning
plate embedded in a sidewalk.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the detectable
warning plate.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
detectable warning plate showing a single protrusion.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the detectable warning
plate.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the detectable warning
plate shortly after being embedded in wet concrete.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the
detectable warning plate after the wet concrete has filled in
around the lugs.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first alternative
detectable warning plate.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the first alternative
detectable warning plate.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the first alternative
detectable warning plate.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the first alternative
detectable warning plate taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a top view showing a plurality of the first
alternative detectable warning plates installed at a curb.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a second alternative
detectable warning plate.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a third alternative
detectable warning plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0026] A detectable warning plate in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is
generally designated 10. The detectable warning plate 10 generally
includes a main body 12 and a plurality of lugs 14a-d that extend
from the undersurface of the plate 10. As perhaps best shown in
FIG. 3, the detectable warning plate 10 may be installed in
sidewalks S, walkways and other similar structures to signal the
end of the sidewalk to the blind. During installation, the lugs
14a-d are embedded in wet concrete to lock the plate 10 in place
within the concrete. If desired, a plurality of detectable warning
plates 10 may be installed adjacent to each other to provide a
warning area of the desired size.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the detectable warning
plate 10 generally includes a main body 12 and a plurality of lugs
14a-d. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 12 is a
generally rectangular plate. However, its shape may vary from
application to application as desired. For example, the main body
12 may be round, oval, square or irregular in shape. The dimensions
of the plate 10 may also vary from application to application
depending largely on the structural requirements and the
environment in which the plate 10 is to be installed. The main body
12 generally includes an upper surface 16 and a lower surface 18.
In the illustrated embodiment, an arrangement of protrusions 30
extend upwardly from the upper surface 16 of the main body 12 in
compliance with applicable ADA Accessibility Guidelines for
Detectable Warnings. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the
plate 10 showing a single protrusion 30. As shown, each protrusion
30 is shaped as a truncated spherical dome having a planar top
surface 32. The upper surface 16 of the plate 10 may alternatively
include protrusions of other sizes, shapes and arrangements. The
upper surface 16 may optionally be textured to provide improved
traction. Given the practical difficulties of showing the texture
in all Figs., the texture is shown only in FIG. 5. In the
illustrated embodiment, the planar portions of the upper surface 16
of the plate 10 and the planar top surface 32 of each protrusion 30
may be textured (See FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, the curved
surfaces of protrusions 30 in the illustrated embodiment are not
textured. The plate 10 may include essentially any pattern of
texturing, but in the illustrated embodiment, the texturing
includes a plurality of regularly spaced diamond-shaped elements
31.
[0028] The plate 10 may optionally include support ribs. In the
illustrated embodiment, support ribs 20a-b extend from the lower
surface 18 of the main body 12 (See FIGS. 2 and 6). The support
ribs 20a-b of this embodiment are arranged in a generally X-shaped
configuration. As shown, the support ribs 20a-b may extend along
imaginary lines interconnecting opposite comers of the rectangular
shaped main body 12. In this embodiment, the two support ribs 20a-b
intersect at the approximate center of the main body 12. The
precise size of the support ribs 20a-b may vary from application to
application depending in large part on the specific characteristics
of the main body 12. For example, the depth and width of the
support ribs 20a-b will typically be selected to provide sufficient
strength to prevent warping of the plate 10 during manufacture. The
number, size, shape and configuration of the support ribs may vary
from application to application, as desired.
[0029] As noted above, the plate 10 includes lugs 14a-d that extend
from the undersurface of the main body 12. The lugs 14a-d may be
integrally formed with the plate 10 or may be separately
manufactured and attached to the plate 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, the plate 10 includes four lugs 14a-d extending from
and in alignment with the support ribs 20a-b. The lugs 14a-d may
alternatively be separate from the support ribs 20a-b. As shown,
the lugs 14a-d of this embodiment are generally C-shaped, each
having an interlock section 34 and opposite end sections 36 and 38.
The end sections 36 and 38 are joined to the lower surface 18 of
the main body 12. The interlock section 34 of each lug 14a-d is
spaced a sufficient distance away from the main body 12 to allow
the free flow of concrete around the lugs 14a-d during installation
in wet concrete. In the illustrated embodiment, each lug is spaced
approximately 33 mm from the lower surface 18. The number, size,
shape, arrangement and configuration of the lugs may vary from
application to application depending in large part on the
characteristics of the main body 12, the characteristics of the
concrete (or other foundation in which the plate 10 is to be
embedded) and the desired strength of the bond between the plate 10
and the foundation.
[0030] The main body 12 may define a plurality of vent holes 40a-d
that permit air to vent from beneath the plate 10 during
installation as concrete flows around the lugs 14a-d. In the
illustrated embodiment, a single vent hole 40a-d is defined
vertically through the main body 12 in alignment with the
approximate center of each lug 14a-d. As a result, the illustrated
embodiment includes four vent holes 40a-d. The number, size, shape
and location of the vent holes 40a-d may vary from application to
application as desired. For example, two or more vent holes may be
defined at each lug. By increasing the number of vent holes, the
size of each vent hole may be decreased.
[0031] The detectable warning plate 10 may be installed in wet
concrete using conventional techniques and apparatus. For example,
the plate 10 may be placed in wet concrete as the sidewalk or other
infrastructure is being formed. The plate 10 is placed in the
concrete after the concrete has been poured and before the concrete
has cured to the point where it has lost the ability to flow. The
plate 10 will typically be installed so that the planar upper
surface 16 of the plate 10 is aligned with the top surface of the
surrounding concrete. The plate 10 is positioned with the lugs
14a-d pushed down into the wet concrete. When placed in wet
concrete, the inherent flowing nature of the wet concrete will
cause the concrete to flow around the lugs 14a-d (See FIG. 7). As
the concrete flows around the lugs, air trapped under the plate 10
is free to vent from beneath the plate 10 through the vent holes
40a-d. In this way, the vent holes 40a-d prevent air from being
trapped beneath the plate 10, thereby permitting the concrete to
completely entrapment of the lugs within the concrete (See FIG.
8).
[0032] The present invention may be manufactured using any of a
variety of conventional manufacturing techniques. For example, the
detectable warning plate 10 may be manufactured using conventional
cast iron manufacturing techniques and apparatus. In the
illustrated embodiment, the plate 10 is cast as a one-piece
component having integral support ribs 20 and integral lugs 12a-d.
Although plate 10 is manufactured from iron, it may alternatively
be manufactured from other materials as appropriate for the
specific application.
[0033] A detectable warning plate 110 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-13. In this
embodiment, the plate 110 includes a slight taper and a slight
curve so that a plurality of plates may be positioned adjacent to
one another to form a curved warning zone. For example, FIG. 13
shows four detectable warning plates 110 mounted adjacent to one
another in an exemplary sidewalk application. The amount of taper
or curve in each plate may vary from application to application as
desired. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the wider curved
edge 111 of the plate follows an 187/8 inch radius of curvature and
it takes 20 plates to complete a full 90 degree turn. As shown in
FIGS. 9 and 11, the plate 110 includes a main body 112 having an
upper surface 116 and a lower surface 18. A plurality of
protrusions 130 extend from the upper surface 116 in a regular
pattern. In this case, the protrusions 130 are truncated spherical
domes as described above in connection with plate 10. A plurality
of lugs 114a-b extend from the undersurface of the plate 110. In
the embodiment of FIGS. 9-13, the plate 11--includes two lugs 114a
and 114b located adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the plate
110. The number, size, location and configuration of the lugs 1
14a-b may vary from application to application as desired. The
plate 110 also includes a support rib with segments 120a-d that
extend from the lower surface 18 of the plate 110 (See FIG. 12). In
this embodiment, the support rib segments 120a-d extend around the
plate 110 adjacent to the periphery of the plate 110. As perhaps
best shown in FIG. 12, the lugs 114a-b are integral with the
support rib segments 120a-d. The number, size, shape and
configuration of the support rib and support rib segments 120a-d
may vary from application to application. The plate 110 defines a
plurality of vent holes 140a-b--one vent hole 140a or 140b in
alignment with each lug 114a-b. The vent holes 140a-b are of
sufficient size to permit air to escape from beneath the plate 110
as concrete flows into the space between the lower surface 118 and
the lugs 114a-b. The plate 110 may also include one or more
additional vent holes that permit air to vent from beneath the
plate 110 during installation. For example, plate 110 includes a
vent hole 141 that facilitates venting of air from within the
boundary of the support rib segments 120a-d.
[0034] Detectable warning plates 210, 310 and 410 in accordance
with three additional alternative embodiments of the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, respectively. These
three alternative embodiments illustrated different plate shapes
and lug configurations. FIG. 14 illustrates a generally square
plate 210 having a peripheral support rib with segments 220a-d and
two lugs 214a-b. The lugs 214a-b are integral with the support ribs
segments 220a-d. The plate 210 defines a first pair of vent holes
240a-b in alignment with the lugs 214a-b and a second pair of vent
holes 241a-b disposed inside the boundary of the support rib
segments 220a-d. Although not shown, the upper surface of the plate
210 may include a plurality of protrusions, such as the truncated
spherical domes described above. FIG. 15 illustrates a rectangular
plate 310 having a peripheral support ribs with segments 320a-d and
two lugs 314a-b. The lugs 314a-b are integral with the support rib
segments 320a-d, and are disposed toward opposite ends of the plate
310. The plate 310 defines a first pair of vent holes 340a-b in
alignment with the lugs 314a-b and a second pair of vent holes
341a-b disposed inside the boundary of the support rib segments
320a-d. Although not shown, the upper surface of the plate 310 may
include a plurality of protrusions, such as the truncated spherical
domes described above. Finally, FIG. 16 illustrates a rectangular
plate 410 that is quite similar to plate 310. Plate 410 includes a
peripheral support rib with segments 420a-d and two lugs 414a-b.
The lugs 414a-b are integral with the support rib segments 420a-d,
and are disposed toward opposite ends of the plate 410. The plate
410 defines a first pair of vent holes 440a-b in alignment with the
lugs 414a-b and a second pair of vent holes 441a-b disposed inside
the boundary of the support rib segments 420a-d. Although not
shown, the upper surface of the plate 410 may include a plurality
of protrusions, such as the truncated spherical domes described
above. The embodiments of FIGS. 14-16 are illustrated to provide
examples of alternative embodiments of the present invention, and
not to provide limitations on the scope of the invention. Each of
these embodiments may include any of the variations described above
in connection with plate 10 and plate 110.
[0035] The above description is that of the current embodiment of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular,
for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or "said," is not
to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
* * * * *