U.S. patent application number 11/859719 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for safety tile for pedestrian tactile detection.
Invention is credited to Hratch Paul Boghossian.
Application Number | 20080008526 11/859719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46329364 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080008526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boghossian; Hratch Paul |
January 10, 2008 |
Safety Tile for Pedestrian Tactile Detection
Abstract
A safety tile for embedding into a pedestrian-accessible
surface, and a method of its use, are disclosed. The safety tile
comprises a substantially planar tile member that includes an upper
surface, a lower surface, and at least one side surface. The upper
surface includes a plurality of projections extending upwardly
therefrom, and the lower surface may include a plurality of
downwardly projecting ribs. A plurality of anchor bolts are
included that traverse the tile member from the upper surface to
the lower surface through an aperture therein. Preferably the
projections are shaped and pattered so as to be compliant with the
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. The
rounded head of each anchor bolt is preferably shaped and patterned
similarly to each of the plurality of projections and positioned on
the upper surface so that the rounded head of each anchor bolt
takes the place of one projection in the pattern. In use, after the
tile is set into an uncured surface material, each anchor bolt is
tapped down into the uncured material to be captured thereby. The
rounded head of each anchor bolt may be unscrewed from its anchor
nut, in one embodiment, to facilitate removal of the tile from the
surface.
Inventors: |
Boghossian; Hratch Paul;
(Glendale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUICKPATENTS, INC.
32861 CALLE PERFECTO
SUITE A
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CA
92675
US
|
Family ID: |
46329364 |
Appl. No.: |
11/859719 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11306556 |
Jan 2, 2006 |
|
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11859719 |
Sep 21, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 5/00 20130101; A61H
3/066 20130101; E01C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/071 |
International
Class: |
E01C 11/00 20060101
E01C011/00 |
Claims
1. An safety tile for embedding in a pedestrian-accessible surface,
the safety tile comprising: a substantially planar tile member
comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side
surface, the upper surface including a plurality of projections
extending upward therefrom, the lower surface including a plurality
of downwardly projecting ribs, a plurality of anchor bolts each
comprising a threaded bolt member having a generally rounded head
and a threaded shaft, and an anchor nut, each anchor bolt
traversing the tile member from the upper surface to the lower
surface through an aperture therein; whereby as the safety tile is
embedded into the surface, air trapped below the tile is expelled
through each of the apertures of the safety tile such that the
upper surface of the safety tile is exposed and generally flush
with the surrounding pedestrian-accessible surface.
2. The safety tile of claim 1 wherein the plurality of projections
are shaped and patterned so as to be compliant with the Americans
with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
3. The safety tile of claim 2 wherein the rounded head is shaped
and patterned similarly to each of the plurality of projections,
and wherein each anchor bolt is positioned on the upper surface so
that the rounded head of each anchor bolt takes the place of one
projection in the pattern.
4. The safety tile of claim 1 wherein each anchor bolt further
includes a neck that, when forced into one of the apertures of the
safety tile, forms a substantially water tight seal therein.
5. The safety tile of claim 1 wherein the ribs form a plurality of
generally rectangular compartments on the lower surface.
6. The safety tile of claim 5 wherein one of the plurality of
anchor bolts is positioned at an approximately center location
within the each rectangular compartment.
7. The safety tile of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of
projections includes a non-slip surface detail protruding upwardly
therefrom.
8. The safety tile of claim 1 wherein the upper surface further
includes a non-slip abrasive coating.
9. The safety tile of claim 1 further including a protective layer
temporarily attached to the top surface thereof, whereby the
protective layer may be readily removed after the safety tile is
installed in the pedestrian-accessible surface.
10. An safety tile for embedding in a pedestrian-accessible
surface, the safety tile comprising: a substantially planar tile
member comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least
one side surface, the upper surface including a plurality of
projections extending upward therefrom, a plurality of anchor bolts
each comprising a threaded bolt member having a generally rounded
head, a threaded shaft, and a threaded asymmetric anchor nut, each
anchor bolt traversing the tile member from the upper surface to
the lower surface through an aperture therein, each threaded bolt
member removably threaded into the anchor nut; whereby as the
safety tile is embedded into the surface, air trapped below the
tile is expelled through each of the apertures of the safety tile
such that the upper surface of the safety tile is exposed and
generally flush with the surrounding pedestrian-accessible surface,
and whereby to remove the safety tile from the surface each
threaded bolt member is unscrewed from the anchor nut, the anchor
nut rotationally anchored within the surface.
11. The safety tile of claim 10 wherein the anchor nut is
asymmetric about its longitudinal axis.
12. The safety tile of claim 10 wherein the rounded head includes a
tool-engaging pattern, whereby a cooperating tool may be used to
facilitate rotation thereof to disengage the threaded shaft from
the anchor nut.
13. A method of embedding a safety tile in a surface, the surface
being formed of setting cement, concrete, or asphalt, comprising
the steps of: a.) providing a safety tile as recited in claim 1;
b.) instructing a user to position the safety tile above the
surface in a desired location; c.) instructing the user to a
downward force to the tile so that the tile becomes embedded into
the surface, air trapped under the safety tile being expelled
through the apertures of the safety tile, until the upper surface
is substantially flush with the surrounding surface and the
projections are exposed and raised above a plane of the surrounding
surface; and d.) instructing the user to tap each anchor bolt down
into the setting cement, concrete, or asphalt until the rounded
head contacts the upper surface, whereby setting cement, concrete
or asphalt under the tile will surround and capture the anchor nut
and anchor bolt as the cement, concrete or asphalt hardens.
14. A method of embedding a safety tile in a surface, the surface
being formed of setting cement, concrete, or asphalt, comprising
the steps of: a.) providing a safety tile as recited in claim 9;
b.) instructing a user to position the safety tile above the
surface in a desired location; c.) instructing the user to apply a
downward force to the tile so that the tile becomes embedded into
the surface, air trapped under the safety tile being expelled
through the apertures of the safety tile, until the upper surface
is substantially flush with the surrounding surface and the
projections are exposed and raised above a plane of the surrounding
surface; d.) instructing the user to tap each anchor bolt down into
the setting cement, concrete, or asphalt until the rounded head
contacts the upper surface, whereby setting cement, concrete or
asphalt under the tile will surround and capture the anchor nut and
anchor bolt as the cement, concrete or asphalt hardens; and e.)
instructing the user to remove the protective coating from the top
surface of the safety tile.
15. A method of removably embedding a safety tile in a surface, the
surface being formed of setting cement, concrete, or asphalt,
comprising the steps of: a.) providing a safety tile as recited in
claim 10; b.) instructing a user to position the safety tile above
the surface in a desired location; c.) instructing the user to a
downward force to the tile so that the tile becomes embedded into
the surface, air trapped under the safety tile being expelled
through the apertures of the safety tile, until the upper surface
is substantially flush with the surrounding surface and the
projections are exposed and raised above a plane of the surrounding
surface; d.) instructing the user to tap each anchor bolt down into
the setting cement, concrete, or asphalt until the rounded head
contacts the upper surface, whereby setting cement, concrete or
asphalt under the tile will surround and capture the anchor nut and
anchor bolt as the cement, concrete or asphalt hardens; and e.)
instructing the user that to remove the safety tile upon hardening
of the surface the user may unscrew each anchor bolt from each
anchor nut to lift the safety tile away from the surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/306,556, filed on Jan. 2, 2006, and
incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to embedded sidewalk tiles, and more
particularly to an embedded sidewalk tile for detection by visually
impaired pedestrians.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0004] The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that certain
walkway surfaces accessible by the public to be detected tactilely
by visually impaired persons. Such tactilely detectable surfaces
serve as warnings concerning hazards such as traffic crossings,
stairways, curb ramps, loading docks, stages and other elevated
platforms, and the like. As such, several prior art devices have
been devised for adding a tactilely detectable pattern in existing
pedestrian-accessible surfaces adjacent to potential hazards.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,835 on Jul. 7, 1998 to
Szekely, teaches an embedment tile for pedestrian platforms and
walkways. Such a device has the drawback, however, of air becoming
trapped under the tile during installation. Over time air under
such a tile causes a bottom surface of the tile to lift off of the
cement embedment material and bow undesirably.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,669 on Apr. 19, 1994, also to Szekely,
teaches a similar tile with, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a
concrete nail used to secure the tile to the surface. Such a tile
is designed for installation over an existing hardened surface. A
cap is fitted over the concrete nail, and is secured there by
adhesive. However, over extended use in the elements these caps
frequently become removed, exposing the nail head to pedestrians.
Further, over time such mechanical concrete nail can become loose,
particularly near transit thoroughfares where structural vibration
is common.
[0007] Another prior art device, taught in US Patent Application
2005/0066623 to Sippola and published on Mar. 31, 2005, includes a
plurality of V-shaped channels on a bottom surface thereof. Such
channels include through-holes that allow curing cement, or the
like, to flow therethrough and capture the tile upon curing.
Nevertheless, such a device still does not fully expel trapped air
from under the tile during installation, and such trapped pockets
of air, over time, cause the tile to buckle and bow undesirably.
Further, the V-shaped channels of such a device are optimally made
of stainless steel, which increases the cost of manufacturing such
a device.
[0008] In my previous application, of which this is a
Continuation-in-Part, the disclosed invention overcame these
drawbacks. However, such a device has the further drawback that the
safety tile, once set into the cement surface, cannot easily be
removed if the tile is damaged or worn.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive safety tile
that eliminates trapped air from underneath the tile during
installation. Such a needed device would be relatively inexpensive
to manufacture, easy to install, and would remain firmly in place
with no buckling or bowing of the top surface even after an
extended duration of exposure to weather elements. Such a needed
device could be fashioned in a variety of different shapes and
colors as needed, and would provide for protection against damage
during installation. Finally, such a needed device would be
relatively easily removed from the surface for replacement if worn
or damaged. The present invention accomplishes these
objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present device is a safety tile for embedding into a
pedestrian-accessible surface, such as a sidewalk or a train
platform. The safety tile comprises a substantially planar tile
member that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and at
least one side surface. The upper surface includes a plurality of
projections extending upwardly therefrom, while the lower surface
includes a plurality of downwardly projecting ribs. The downwardly
projecting ribs together form a plurality of generally rectangular
compartments on the lower surface.
[0011] A plurality of anchor bolts are included, each of which
comprises a threaded bolt member and an anchor nut. Each threaded
bolt member includes a generally rounded head and a threaded shaft.
Each anchor bolt traverses the tile member from the upper surface
to the lower surface through an aperture therein.
[0012] Preferably the projections are shaped and pattered so as to
be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines for pedestrian crossings into dangerous areas, such as
at roadway intersections, train platforms, and the like. Further,
the rounded head of each anchor bolt is preferably shaped and
patterned similarly to each of the plurality of projections.
Moreover, each anchor bolt is positioned on the upper surface so
that the rounded head of each anchor bolt takes the place of one
projection in the pattern.
[0013] In use, the surface is prepared with an unhardened concrete,
cement, asphalt, or other curable surface material. The safety tile
is positioned above the surface at a desired location, and downward
force is applied to the top surface of the safety tile. As the
safety tile becomes embedded in the surface material, air trapped
under the safety tile is expelled through the apertures such that
the surface material may fully expel the air and make firm contact
with the lower surface of the safety tile. Once the upper surface
is substantially flush with the surrounding surface, with the
projections exposed and raised above a plane of the surrounding
surface, each anchor bolt may be tapped or pounded down into the
uncured surface material. Each anchor bolt is forced down until the
rounded head makes contact with the upper surface of the safety
tile, such that the uncured surface material flows around the
anchor bolt and the threaded shaft to fully capture same. Upon
curing, the surface material firmly grips each anchor bolt, thereby
firmly holding the safety tile to the surface.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the tile member has no ribs. Each
anchor nut, in such an embodiment, is preferably asymmetric so that
it will not spin when embedded into the hardened surface. As such,
the rounded head may be rotated from above the upper surface of the
safety tile to unscrew the threaded shaft from the anchor nut below
the lower surface. Preferably the rounded head is similar in shape
to the projections, but has a tool-engaging pattern in the top
thereof so that a cooperating tool may be used to facilitate
unscrewing the threaded shaft from the anchor nut.
[0015] The present invention is an inexpensive safety tile that
fully expels trapped air from underneath the tile during
installation. The present invention is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture, easy to install, and remains firmly in place with no
buckling or bowing of the top surface even after an extended
duration of exposure to weather elements. The present device may be
easily fashioned in a variety of different shapes and colors as
needed, and provides for protection against damage during
installation. Further, the present device may be relatively easily
removed and replaced if the safety tile is damaged or worn. Other
features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a safety tile of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial top-plan view of the
invention, taken generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG.4;
[0021] FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the safety
tile as embedded into a pedestrian-accessible surface;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4, further illustrating an
anchor bolt of the invention in a raised position;
[0023] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the anchor
bolt of the invention in a lowered position;
[0024] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the anchor
bolt of the invention in a raised position as the safety tile is
pressed down into an uncured concrete, cement, or asphalt
material;
[0025] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention,
taken generally along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the anchor
bolt of the invention having been pounded into the uncured
concrete, cement, or asphalt material;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention, taken generally along lines 4-4 of
FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment
of FIG. 9, as embedded in a surface;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a partial exploded cross-sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 9, as removed from the surface subsequent to
installation therein; and
[0030] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a rounded head of an anchor
bolt of a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a safety tile 10 for embedding into a
pedestrian-accessible surface 20 (FIG. 5B), such as a sidewalk or a
train platform. The safety tile 10 comprises a substantially planar
tile member 30 that includes an upper surface 40, a lower surface
50, and at least one side surface 60. The upper surface 40 includes
a plurality of projections 70 extending upwardly therefrom, while
the lower surface 50 includes a plurality of downwardly projecting
ribs 80 (FIGS. 4, 5, and 8). The downwardly projecting ribs 80
together form a plurality of generally rectangular compartments 105
on the lower surface 50 (FIG. 8).
[0032] The tile 10 is preferably formed with a strong, rigid, and
durable material such as polymer concrete. Further, the tile 10 may
be dyed a bright color to contrast with dark surface materials such
as asphalt, or a dark color to contrast with light surface
materials such as concrete. As such, visually impaired persons may
more easily detect the presence of the tile 10. Further, the upper
surface 50 may include a non-slip abrasive coating 170 (FIGS. 5 and
6B).
[0033] A plurality of anchor bolts 90 are included, each of which
comprises a threaded bolt member 100 and an anchor nut 130. Each
threaded bolt member 100 includes a generally rounded head 110 and
a threaded shaft 120. Each anchor bolt 90 traverses the tile member
30 from the upper surface 40 to the lower surface 50 through an
aperture 140 therein (FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8). Each anchor bolt 90
further includes a neck 105 that, when forced into one of the
apertures 140 of the safety tile 10 forms a substantially water
tight seal therein. In the case where the neck 105 is hexagonal,
each aperture 140 is correspondingly hexagonal and sized so as to
create a snug fit with the neck 105. Alternately, the neck 105 may
be circular in cross-section, whereby the apertures 140 are each
similarly circular in shape.
[0034] The anchor nut 130 has a mating thread (not shown) for
threaded engagement with the threaded shaft 120. However,
preferably the anchor nut 130 may only be rotationally threaded to
the lower-most portion of the threaded shaft 120 and frictionally
locked thereto, so as to become rotationally fixed. Such a
rotationally fixed threaded bolt member 100 cannot easily become
disengaged from the anchor nut 130 over time and become loose.
[0035] Preferably the projections are shaped and pattered so as to
be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines for pedestrian crossings into dangerous areas, such as
at roadway intersections, train platforms, and the like. Further,
the rounded head 110 of each anchor bolt 90 is preferably shaped
and patterned similarly to each of the plurality of projections 70.
Moreover, each anchor bolt 90 is positioned on the upper surface 40
so that the rounded head 110 of each anchor bolt 90 takes the place
of one projection 70 in the pattern. One anchor bolt 90 is
preferably included in an approximate center position of each
rectangular compartment 150 of the lower side 50 of the safety tile
10 (FIG. 8).
[0036] Each projection 70 preferably includes a non-slip surface
detail 160 protruding upwardly therefrom, such as shown in FIGS. 3
and 5. Further, a protective vinyl coating 180 or other suitable
coating is applied to the safety tile 10 to protect the surface 50
and projections 70 from damage during installation (FIG. 6A). Once
installed, the protective coating 180 is removed from the tile
10.
[0037] In use, the surface 20 is prepared with an unhardened
concrete, cement, asphalt, or other curable surface material. The
safety tile 10 is positioned above the surface 20 at a desired
location, and downward force is applied to the top surface 40 of
the safety tile 10. As the safety tile 10 becomes embedded in the
surface material, air trapped under the safety tile is expelled
through the apertures 140 such that the surface material may fully
expel the air and make firm contact with the lower surface 50 of
the safety tile 10. Once the upper surface 40 is substantially
flush with the surrounding surface 20, with the projections 70
exposed and raised above a plane of the surrounding surface 20,
each anchor bolt 90 may be tapped or pounded down into the uncured
surface material. Each anchor bolt is forced down until the rounded
head 1 10 makes contact with the upper surface 40 of the safety
tile 10, such that the uncured surface material flows around the
anchor bolt 130 and the threaded shaft 120 to fully capture same.
Upon curing, the surface material firmly grips each anchor bolt 90,
thereby firmly holding the safety tile 10 to the surface 20.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the
tile member 30 has no ribs 80, and instead comprises the upper
surface 40, the lower surface 50, the at least one side surface 60,
and the plurality of projections 70 extending upwardly from the
upper surface 40 thereof. Each anchor bolt 90, in such an
embodiment, comprises the threaded bolt member 100 having the
generally rounded head 110, the threaded shaft 120, and the
threaded anchor nut 130. The anchor nut 130 is preferably
asymmetric so that it will not spin when embedded into the hardened
surface 20 (FIG. 9). As such, the rounded head 110 may be rotated
from above the upper surface 40 to unscrew the threaded shaft 120
from the anchor nut 130 below the lower surface 50. Preferably the
rounded head 110 is similar in shape to the projections 70, but has
a tool-engaging pattern 150 in the top thereof (FIG. 12) so that a
tool (not shown) may be used to facilitate unscrewing the threaded
shaft 120 from the anchor nut 130. Preferably the tool-engaging
pattern 150 is not common nor useful with common tools such as
Phillips-head or regular-head screwdrivers, allen wrenches, or the
like, making it difficult for anyone without such a tool to remove
the threaded shaft 120.
[0039] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the safety tile 10 as shown in
the drawings is generally rectangular. However, a safety tile 10
with a generally triangular, circular, or pie-shaped top-plan shape
could also be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. Further, a safety tile 10 with several straight sides 60
and one curved side (not shown) could also be made, such a tile 10
for placement near a rounded sidewalk curb, for example. Still
further, the exact pattern of projections 70 may be altered as
necessary, as may the exact positioning of the anchor bolts 90 on
the safety tile 10. Clearly, the tool-engaging pattern 150
illustrated in FIG. 12 is just one of many examples of suitable
tool-engaging patterns that could be used with the present
invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be
limited, except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *