U.S. patent application number 11/835775 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for retro-reflective pavement markers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pac-Tec, Inc.. Invention is credited to Douglas Forrer, Peter Hedgewick.
Application Number | 20080038058 11/835775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39050955 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080038058 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forrer; Douglas ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
Retro-Reflective Pavement Markers
Abstract
Disclosed is a protector for a retro-reflective road marker
mounted in a road that includes a top portion that has a generally
flat region where the retro-reflective road marker can be mounted
and a bottom portion oppositely disposed from the top portion. The
protector is made from a moldable polymer and the top portion is
operable to protect the road reflector from motor vehicle tires
passing thereover and the bottom portion of the protector has a
bottom arcuate surface that defines an arc extending from the top
portion.
Inventors: |
Forrer; Douglas; (Heath,
OH) ; Hedgewick; Peter; (Jackson, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Assignee: |
Pac-Tec, Inc.
Newark
OH
|
Family ID: |
39050955 |
Appl. No.: |
11/835775 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60821709 |
Aug 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/553 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/014 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/015 20060101
E01F009/015 |
Claims
1. A protector for a road reflector mounted in a road, said
protector comprising: a body having a top portion and a bottom
portion, said top portion having a generally flat region; and a
road reflector mounted on said generally flat region of said top
portion; said top portion also having a structure extending above
said generally flat region where said road marker is mounted, said
structure operable to protect said road reflector from motor
vehicle tires passing over said road reflector; said bottom portion
oppositely disposed from said top portion and mounted in a road;
said top portion and said bottom portion made from moldable
polymer.
2. The protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure is a
pair of spaced apart side rails parallel to a longitudinal axis of
said protector, said side rails extending above said bottom
portion.
3. The protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said pair
of spaced apart side rails has a flange extending in a generally
outward direction from said longitudinal axis, said flanges
operable to support said protector on a top surface of the
road.
4. The protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said top portion
has a center portion extending between said rails, said center
portion having a pair of upper surfaces extending transversely
between said rails and inclined downwardly toward a mounting
surface.
5. The protector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said road reflector
is mounted onto said mounting surface.
6. The protector as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said pair
of upper surfaces has a center ramp aligned on said longitudinal
axis.
7. The protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bottom portion
has a bottom arcuate surface, said bottom arcuate surface defining
an arc extending from said top portion, said arc having a height
between a bottom surface of said flange and said arc surface.
8. The protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bottom arcuate
surface has a cavity extending from said bottom surface towards
said top portion.
9. The protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cavity extends
generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
10. The protector as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cavity
extending generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis has a
depth, said depth divided by said height of said arc defining a
ratio ranging between 0.2 and 0.8.
11. The protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cavity is
generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.
12. The protector as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cavity
extends from said bottom surface towards said top portion directly
under said center ramp.
13. The protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bottom
portion has an aperture extending from a sidewall of said bottom
portion in a generally inward direction towards said longitudinal
axis.
14. A protector for a road reflector mounted in a road, said
protector comprising: a body having a top portion and a bottom
portion, said top portion having a generally flat region; and a
road reflector mounted on said generally flat region of said top
portion; said top portion also having a pair of flanges extending
in a generally outward direction from said protector and a
structure extending above said generally flat region where said
road marker is mounted, said flanges operable to support said
protector on a top surface of the road and said structure operable
to protect said road reflector from motor vehicle tires passing
over said road reflector and; said bottom portion oppositely
disposed from said top portion and mounted in a road, said bottom
portion having a bottom arcuate surface; said bottom arcuate
surface defining an arc extending from said top portion, said arc
having a height between a bottom surface of said flange and said
arc surface; said top portion and said bottom portion made from
moldable polymer.
15. The protector as claimed in claim 14, wherein said structure
has a pair of spaced apart side rails parallel to a longitudinal
axis of said protector and extending above said bottom portion,
said pair of flanges extending from said pair of side rails.
16. The protector as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of said pair
of spaced apart side rails has one of said pair of flanges
extending in a generally outward direction from said longitudinal
axis.
17. The protector as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said pair
of upper surfaces has a center ramp aligned on said longitudinal
axis.
18. The protector as claimed in claim 14, wherein said bottom
arcuate surface has a cavity extending from said bottom surface
towards said top portion.
19. The protector as claimed in claim 18, wherein said cavity
extends generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
20. A protector for a road reflector mounted in a road, said
protector comprising: a body having a top portion and a bottom
portion oppositely disposed from said top portion; said top portion
having a pair of spaced apart side rails parallel to a longitudinal
axis of said protector and extending above said bottom portion,
said pair of side rails each having a flange extending in a
generally outward direction from said protector and operable to
support said protector on a top surface of the road; said top
portion also having a center portion extending between said side
rails, said center portion having a pair of upper surfaces
extending transversely between said side rails and inclined
downwardly toward a mounting surface; and a reflector mounted on
said mounting surface; said pair of upper surfaces each having a
center ramp aligned on said longitudinal axis and extending in a
generally upward direction from said upper surface; said bottom
portion having a bottom arcuate surface defining an arc extending
from said top portion, said arc having a height between a bottom
surface of said flange and said arc surface, said bottom arcuate
surface having a cavity extending from said bottom surface towards
said top portion; said top portion and said bottom portion made
from moldable polymer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/821,709, filed Aug. 8, 2006, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a retro-reflective
marker for mounting to roads. More specifically, the invention
relates to a plastic protector for retro-reflective markers mounted
to roads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In many regions, plastic retro-reflective road markers are
mounted to the road surface to delineate the lanes.
Retro-reflective markers mounted directly onto or into the road
surface are damaged by the passing of motor vehicle tires over the
markers. In particular, heavy motor vehicles such as
trailer-hauling trucks can cause significant damage and shorten the
useable lifetime of retro-reflective road markers placed on the
highway.
[0004] Additionally, it has been difficult to accurately position
plastic retro-reflective road markers with respect to the road
surface. If the retro-reflective marker is placed too low within
the pavement surface, the lens is obscured and there is
insufficient light reflected from the lens to delineate the lane.
In contrast, if the retro-reflective marker extends too far above
the road surface, it can become a hazard for vehicles passing over
it and suffers premature damage due to tires passing over it.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to have a protector for
retro-reflective road markers which properly provides protection
for the marker from damage by motor vehicle tires and can be
accurately positioned with respect to the road surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Disclosed is a protector for a retro-reflective road marker
that includes a top portion with a generally flat region where the
retro-reflective road marker can be mounted and a bottom portion
oppositely disposed from the top portion. The protector is made
from a moldable polymer and the top portion is operable to protect
the road reflector from motor vehicle tires passing thereover.
[0007] The top portion of the protector has a pair of spaced apart
side ramps that are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the
protector, the side ramps extending above the bottom portion. The
side ramps can each have a flange that extends in a generally
outward direction from the longitudinal axis and can support the
protector on a top surface of the road when the bottom portion is
located within a recess in the pavement. The top portion also has a
center portion that extends between the spaced apart side ramps,
the center portion having a pair of upper surfaces that extend
transversely between the side ramps and are inclined downwardly
toward a mounting surface. The retro-reflective road marker can be
mounted onto the mounting surface. The upper surfaces can include a
center ramp that is aligned on the longitudinal axis of the
protector.
[0008] The bottom portion of the protector has a bottom arcuate
surface that defines an arc when viewed from the side. The bottom
arcuate surface extends from the top portion and the arc has a
height dimension defined between a bottom surface of the flange and
the outermost point of the bottom arcuate surface spaced apart from
the bottom surface of the flange. The bottom arcuate surface can
include a cavity that extends from the bottom surface towards the
top portion. In some instances, the cavity extends generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the protector and has a
depth, the depth divided by the height of the arc defining a ratio
ranging between 0.2 and 0.8. In other instances, the cavity is
generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and extends from the
bottom arcuate surface towards the top portion and is directly
under one of the center ramps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the section 5-5
shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The present invention includes a plastic protector for a
retro-reflective road marker. As such, the present invention has
utility as an article that provides protection to road markers
placed on the highway to delineate the lanes.
[0015] The protector for the retro-reflective road marker is a
moldable plastic body of material that includes a top portion and a
bottom portion. In some instances, the protector is made from a
moldable polymer. The moldable polymer can be a hard, durable
material such as polycarbonate. The top portion has a flat surface
whereupon the retro-reflective road marker can be mounted and at
least two side rails that extend above the retro-reflective road
marker mounted onto the flat surface. In some instances, a center
ramp can be included between the two side rails, the side rails
and/or center ramp affording protection of the retro-reflective
road marker from motor vehicle tires passing thereover. The
protector can also include a bottom portion that has a bottom
arcuate surface in the shape of an arc when viewed from the side.
The bottom arcuate surface extends from the top portion. The bottom
portion can include at least one cavity that extends from the
bottom arcuate surface towards the top portion. The at least one
cavity can extend in a direction that is generally perpendicular to
a longitudinal axis of the protector or in a direction that is
generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The cavities afford
for reduced weight, reduced cross-sectional thickness and increased
bottom surface area of the protector.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a low profile protector for a
retro-reflective road marker is shown generally at reference
numeral 10. The protector 10 includes a top portion 100 and a
bottom portion 200. The top portion is operable for a reflector R
to be mounted thereto.
[0017] The top portion 100 can include a pair of side rails 112
which are spaced apart from each other. Between the side rails 112
is a center portion 150. The center portion 150 includes a pair of
upper surfaces 152 that extend transversely between the side rails
112 and are inclined downwardly toward a mounting surface 156. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the retro-reflective road marker R can be
mounted to the mounting surface 156. The pair of upper surfaces 152
can also include a slot 154 which affords for the removal of the
road reflector R from the protector 10 by use of an instrument that
fits at least partially within the slot 154 and applies leverage to
the reflector R. For example, a screwdriver can be used to remove
the reflector R from the protector 10 by placing the head of the
screwdriver (not shown) within the slot 154 and prying up and/or
against the reflector R.
[0018] Each of the upper surfaces 152 can include a center ramp
162. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the center ramp has a side wall 163
that extends above the upper surface 152. It is appreciated that
the pair of side rails 112 and the pair of center ramps 162 extend
above the bottom portion 200 to a height such that the reflector R
when mounted on the mounting surface 156 is protected by items
rolling thereover. In some instances, the height of the center
ramps 162 is equal to the height of a plane extending across top
surfaces 114 of the pair of side rails 112. In other instances, the
height of the center ramps is not equal to the height of the plane
extending across top surfaces 114 and is less than or greater than
this height.
[0019] The pair of side rails 112 include a side wall 113 which
extends in a generally upward direction from the bottom portion 200
to the top surface 114. In some instances, the top surface 114 is
an arcuate surface that increases in height from an end proximate
to an edge 156 of the center portion 150 to the mounting surface
156. In this manner, a pair of low profile protective surfaces is
provided for the protection of the reflector R.
[0020] The pair of side rails 112 can include a flange 122 that
extends in a generally outward direction from a longitudinal axis
110 of the protector 10. Each of the flanges 122 extends beyond the
bottom portion 200 and has a bottom surface 123. The bottom surface
123 is a generally flat surface and affords for support of the
protector 10 on a pavement surface when the bottom portion 200 of
the protector 10 has been placed within a cavity or recess produced
within the pavement to accept the protector 10. The use of a recess
in the pavement that accepts the bottom portion 200 but is not wide
enough for the flanges 122 to fit within affords for accurate and
proper placement of the protector 10 with the retro-reflective road
marker mounted thereon with respect to lanes of the road.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of the
bottom portion 200 is shown. The bottom portion 200 can include a
side surface 220 extending to a bottom arcuate surface 210, the
bottom arcuate surface 210 having the shape of an arc when viewed
from the side as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In addition, the bottom
arcuate surface 210 can have a height dimension h defined by the
maximum distance of the bottom surface 210 spaced apart from the
bottom surface 123 of the flange 122. In some instances the arc
shape has a radius in is between 61/2 inches and 8 inches. In other
instances, the arc shape has a radius between 71/2 inches and 73/4
inches. In still other instances, the arc shape has a radius equal
generally to 7 15/32 inches.
[0022] The bottom portion 200 can include at least one cavity 222
and/or cavity 242. The cavity 222 extends in a generally
perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 110
of the protector 10. The cavity 242 extends in a generally parallel
direction with the longitudinal axis 110. Both the cavity 222 and
the cavity 242 extend from the bottom arcuate surface 210 towards
the top portion 100. The cavity 222 and/or cavity 242 afford for an
increased surface area of the bottom portion 200. In addition, the
cavity 222 and/or cavity 242 afford for a reduction in the average
cross-sectional thickness of the protector 10. The increased
surface area of the bottom portion 200 that is provided by the
cavity 222 and/or cavity 242 affords for increased area that
adhesive used to hold the protector 10 within a recess in the
pavement surface can adhere to.
[0023] In some instances, the cavity 222 and/or cavity 242 are
included to afford a relatively consistent thickness of the
protector 10 in order to decrease shrinkage and/or warpage during
manufacture of the protector 10. As such, the design of a protector
for a retro-reflective road marker can use cavities such as those
shown in the figures to obtain a generally uniform thickness of the
protector in order to reduce shrinkage and/or warpage during the
molding process and thereby improve the consistency and/or quality
of the product. In addition, a reduction in the average
cross-sectional thickness of the protector 10 reduces expansion and
contraction of the protector during temperature changes and affords
for an increase in the useful lifetime of the retro-reflective road
marker R mounted to the mounting surface 156. It is appreciated
that the retro-reflective road marker R can be mounted to the
protector 10 using any method, device or mechanism known to those
skilled on the art, illustratively including adhesives, ultrasonic
welding, nuts and bolts, screws and the like.
[0024] The cavity 222 has a depth d measured from the arcuate
bottom surface 210 to the region of the cavity that is closest to
the top portion 100, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In some instances,
the depth d of the cavity 222 divided by the height h of the bottom
portion 200 defines a ratio that ranges between 0.1 and 0.9. In
other instances, the ratio d/h ranges from 0.2 to 0.8. In still
other instances, the ratio d/h ranges between 0.25 and 0.5. It is
appreciated that if more than one cavity is present, the depth of
one cavity can be different than the depth of another cavity. It is
also appreciated that the depth within a single cavity can
vary.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the protector 10
has a bottom portion 200 with a plurality of cavities 222 and a
pair of cavities 242. The cavities 242 extend from the bottom
arcuate surface 210 towards the top portion 100 directly under the
center ramps 162 on the top portion 100. In this manner, weight
reduction and overall thickness of the protector 10 is afforded.
Although not required, the protector 10 can include other features
such as apertures 212, apertures 261 and slots 262. The apertures
212, 261 and slots 262 afford for increased weight reduction of the
protector 10 and for additional surface area and structures for
adhesive to bind the protector 10 to the highway. The aperture 212
extends from the bottom arcuate surface 210 towards the top portion
100 and the aperture 261 and slot 262 extend in a generally inward
direction from the side surface 220 towards the longitudinal axis
110. In some instances, the aperture 261 has a diameter between 1/8
inch and 1/2 inch, inclusive, and a depth between 1/16 inch and 1/2
inch, inclusive. In other instances, the aperture 261 has a
diameter of 1/4 inch and depth of 1/8 inch.
[0026] As is known to those skilled in the art, a recess can be
produced in a pavement surface that affords for the bottom portion
200 to fit at least partially within and allows for the flanges 122
to accurately and consistently place the protector 10 relative to
the pavement surface. Within such a recess in the pavement, it is
common to place an adhesive before positioning the protector
therein. Thus the protector 10 is placed on top of and in contact
with adhesive that is within the recess in the pavement surface and
the adhesive binds to the bottom portion 200. Therefore, an
increase in surface area, notches, and slots afford for improved
adherence of the protector 10. In particular, structural features
such as the aperture 261, when at least partially filled with
adhesive, act as anchor or grasping regions for the adhesive and
thereby improve the ability of the protector 10 to be held in place
on and/or within the road for extended time periods. A stud 260 can
also be provided within one of the cavities 222. In some instances,
the stud 260 can have a rough or threaded surface in order to
increase the surface area and thus increase the adherence of the
bottom portion 200 to a highway.
[0027] In this manner, a low profile protector for a
retro-reflector road marker is provided. The foregoing drawings,
discussion and description are illustrative of specific embodiments
of the present invention, but they are not meant to be limitations
upon the practice thereof. Numerous modifications and variations of
the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art
in view of the teaching presented herein. It is the following
claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *