U.S. patent application number 11/728021 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for pavement marker, kit and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Flint Trading, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hans-Peder Hansen, Toni Ogemark.
Application Number | 20080232903 11/728021 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39774864 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080232903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogemark; Toni ; et
al. |
September 25, 2008 |
Pavement marker, kit and method
Abstract
A kit containing thermoplastic pavement markers for convenience
in transportation and application at a jobsite. The pavement
markers have light colored projections on the upper surface to
deflect water and reflect light for ease in viewing during rain,
darkness and other adverse conditions. The method describes the
application of the pavement markers on a road or other substrate
for strong adhesion to asphalt and concrete.
Inventors: |
Ogemark; Toni; (Malmo,
SE) ; Hansen; Hans-Peder; (Rudkobing, DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALTER L. BEAVERS
326 SOUTH EUGENE STREET
GREENSBORO
NC
27401
US
|
Assignee: |
Flint Trading, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39774864 |
Appl. No.: |
11/728021 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/14 ;
404/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/512 20160201;
E01F 9/553 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/14 ;
404/12 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/06 20060101
E01F009/06 |
Claims
1. A pavement marker comprising: a planar base, a plurality of
projections, said projections adhered to said planar base.
2. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said projections are tear
drop shaped.
3. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said planar base
comprises a thermoplastic material.
4. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said planar base and said
projections are integrally formed.
5. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said planar base has a
smooth flat bottom surface.
6. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said projections extend
above the top of said planar base.
7. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said projections are
retroreflective.
8. The pavement marker of claim 1 wherein said base has a lower
softening point than said projections.
9. A method of applying a pavement marker to a substrate comprising
the steps of: a) selecting a pavement marker having a base with a
plurality of tear drop projections thereon; b) heating the pavement
marker to soften the base; and c) adhering the pavement marker to
the substrate.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein heating the pavement marker
comprises the step of heating the pavement marker with a heat
torch.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein adhering the pavement marker
comprises the step of adhering the pavement marker by gravitational
forces.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of sealing
the substrate with a coating before adhering the pavement
marker.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein adhering the pavement marker
comprises the step of adhering the pavement marker to an asphalt
substrate.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein adhering the pavement marker
comprises the step of adhering the pavement marker to a concrete
substrate.
15. A kit comprising a container, a plurality of polymeric pavement
markers, said pavement markers each comprising a base, a plurality
of projections, said projections affixed to said base, said
pavement markers positioned within said container.
16. The kit of claim 15 wherein said container comprises a box.
17. The kit of claim 15 wherein said projections are
retroreflective.
18. The kit of claim 15 wherein said projections are tear drop
shaped.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention herein pertains to pavement markers and
particularly pertains to pavement markers formed of thermoplastic
materials with reflective properties which are packaged in kits for
application on substrates such as roads, parking lots, walkways and
the like for direction, visibility and safety purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years state highway and transportation
departments, businesses, municipalities and others have sought
methods of improving the visibility and safety of drivers during
dark, wet and other unfavorable weather conditions to prevent
accidents and injuries resulting therefrom. As assistance to
drivers of vehicles during dark and wet road conditions, it is
common to mark the roads and streets with reflective thermoplastic
tear drop like shapes on the edges of a roadway using special
ridden or walk behind machinery whereby a light colored semi-liquid
(Awet@) thermoplastic material is directly applied to asphalt or
concrete surfaces. It is also standard practice to treat and seal
the cracks and fissures in concrete prior to applying a plastic
topping. Nevertheless, conventional machinery which applies Awet
reflective@ thermoplastic materials are expensive to purchase,
operate and maintain. Such machinery as sold by Hofmann GMBH of
Rellingen, Germany and others. Experienced personnel must operate
the machinery which again adds to the cost of the marking.
Required, regular maintenance of such machinery whether of the
ridden or walk behind type is expensive and small municipalities
and departments often do not have the funds available for such
expenses. In addition, contractors applying Awet reflective@
markings at shopping centers, parking lots and the like do not want
to make a large investment in specialized machinery that is
infrequently used.
[0003] Other road markings in the past have included relatively
thin, reflective tapes made of polymeric material, pigments and
glass beads, as sold by 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minn. under the
trademark: STAMARK.TM.. The reflective tapes have limited
durability and as force is applied over time through Awear and
tear@ such as vehicles passing over, braking or turning, the Abond@
of the marking can fail and eventually come up entirely from the
substrate.
[0004] Thus with the disadvantages of conventional road and street
marking methods for wet reflective thermoplastic pavement markings,
the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to
provide a kit containing a plurality of pavement markers which can
be easily opened and the pavement markers applied to a substrate
with standard tools and equipment by relatively unskilled
workers.
[0005] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a thermoplastic pavement marker which includes a flat planar base
having a series of reflective tear drop projections on the top
surface thereof.
[0006] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a thermoplastic pavement marker having quick (storm water)
draining tear drop projections which are light in color and highly
reflective.
[0007] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide an efficient method for applying the thermoplastic pavement
markers from the kit in a quick and efficient manner.
[0008] It is still a further objective of the present invention to
provide a thermoplastic pavement marker having quick draining
reflective tear drop or other shaped projections such as in a
Asplatter pattern@ which can be manufactured in a variety of
sizes.
[0009] Various other objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a
more detailed description is set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing
a kit containing a plurality of preformed thermoplastic pavement
markers for easy application on a road, street or other location.
The pavement markers preferably include three (3) dimensional tear
drop shaped reflective projections along the top surface of a
planar base having a lower softening point then the projections.
The pavement markers are first removed from the kit, positioned on
a substrate, heated along the top surface with a standard propane
blow torch such as a Flint 2000EX heat gun, manufactured by Flint
Trading, Inc. of Thomasville, N.C. The heated, softened
thermoplastic pavement marker is then by gravitational forces as it
cools and hardens adhered to, for example the edge of an asphalt
roadway which has been previously swept clean to remove any dirt
and debris for strong adherency. The tear drop projections
preferably have a light colored or white surface and are embedded
with reflective shards such as small glass particles or beads to
quickly shed water and remain highly visible when struck by vehicle
lights in heavy rain storms, darkness and other adverse conditions.
The pavement markers are applied individually or end-to-end as
needed to mark a section of a road, highway, parking lot, walkway
or other substrate as desired. Relatively unskilled personnel can
apply the markers and create a pattern without expensive,
specialized machinery or special training. On concrete surfaces the
preferred application method utilizes a standard concrete sealer
that is first applied to the concrete to close any cracks or
fissures to ensure proper bonding of the heated thermoplastic
pavement marker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of the pavement marker as
described herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the pavement marker
as seen in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom plan view of the pavement marker as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 demonstrates a front end elevational view of the
pavement marker as shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 5 pictures a rear end elevational view of the pavement
marker as shown in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a kit comprising a box shown open with
the pavement markers exploded therefrom;
[0017] FIG. 7 features a typical fragmented two lane road with the
pavement markers partially applied along one edge;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of one pavement marker in a
side elevational view on the road as seen in FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically various steps in the
application of the pavement markers along one edge of a two lane
road shown fragmented;
[0020] FIG. 10 shows in top view another embodiment of the
invention with projections having a random splatter pattern;
and
[0021] FIG. 11 depicts the pavement marker of FIG. 10 in a side
elevational view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND OPERATION OF
THE INVENTION
[0022] For a better understanding of the invention and its
operation, turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 show preferred
pavement marker 10 in various views. Pavement marker 10 is formed
from a conventional thermoplastic material as used for other
standard pavement markers and has an overall thickness of
approximately 0.10 inches (0.254 cm) to approximately 0.25 inches
(0.635 cm), a length of three (3) feet (91.4 cm) and a width of
twelve (12) inches (30.5 cm) although various sizes can be made to
accommodate specific applications. Pavement marker 10 can be made
for example two (2) feet (61 cm) to three (3) feet (91.4 cm) in
length and four to twenty-four (4-24) inches (10-61 cm) in width.
Pavement marker 10 can also be made in roll form with a typical
length of thirty (30) feet (9.15 m). The thickness of 0.10 inches
(0.254 cm) to 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) can also vary as required with
the exact size dependent on the particular needs of the user.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, pavement marker 10 includes a series of
three (3) dimensional tear drop projections 11 which are arranged
staggered in four (4) columns and four (4) rows on the top surface
of base 12 to provide spacing therebetween. The exact number of
columns and rows will depend on the overall dimensions of the
particular marker size selected to allow efficient drainage of
water therefrom during storms. Projections 11 have a flat top
surface and are formed of a color equivalent to or lighter than
base 12, preferably white or yellow and may contain or be formed
with a layer of glass beads 13 therein to improve retroreflective
properties such as by standard molding techniques.
[0024] Base 12 has a flat, smooth bottom surface 14 as shown in
FIG. 3 and is of an equivalent color to projections 11. Rain or
other water quickly drains from tear drop projections 11 due to
their raised posture and the spacing therebetween as seen in FIGS.
1 and 7 and allows drivers and others easy visibility of pavement
markers 10 such as when headlights strike glass beads 13 of
projections 11 at night, during adverse weather conditions or
during other periods of low visibility. It is preferable that
projections 11 be thicker than base 12 and have a higher softening
point. Projection 11 is preferably 1.5 to 2 times thicker than base
12, it being understood that the thickness or ratio can vary.
[0025] Projections 11 are preferably integrally formed during
molding with base 12 using conventional procedures. Pavement
markers 10 are then cut to a specific size and packed for example,
in cardboard boxes such as cardboard box 16 shown in FIG. 6. Four
(4) such pavement markers 10 will be packaged in each box 16 to
form kit 20 for ease in handling, transportation, storage and use,
although other sizes and numbers of markers can also be packaged in
kit form as desired.
[0026] The preferred method of applying pavement markers 10 is
described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Here, workmen receive
a selected kit such as preferred kit 20 at a jobsite such as at
road 30 seen in FIG. 7. Road 30 has two (2) traffic lanes and is
formed of asphalt and includes top surface 32 having typical
centerline 31. Kit 20 is opened and one pavement marker 10 is
removed and positioned on top surface 32. A typical propane torch
such as torch 40 shown in FIG. 9 is activated (lit) and pavement
marker 10 is heated till soft and pliable. Projections 11 when
formed of a higher softening point thermoplastic than base 12 tend
not to distort during heating and application to the road surface
or other substrate. Once softened, pavement marker 10 is then
adhered by gravity forces to the pre-cleaned and swept substrate
such as top surface 32 (FIG. 9), as shown for example along the
edge to allow drivers to easily determine the edge of road 30
clearly in dark and/or wet conditions. Additional pavement markers
10 are applied in the same manner in abutting relation as shown in
FIG. 7 to form a marking along the entire road edge length as
required.
[0027] Should road 30 consist of a concrete substrate, then
standard concrete sealer 33 as shown in FIG. 9 is first brushed or
otherwise applied with brush 34 to the intended area for placement
of marker 10. Sealer 33 may be any of a series of conventional
polymeric sealers which will fill and close the cracks and fissures
in the concrete substrate. Once the sealer has dried or cured
pavement marker 10 is positioned and heated as hereinbefore
described to soften base 12 and marker 10 is adhered by
gravitational forces atop the sealed concrete substrate. Additional
markers 10 are likewise applied for the specified length
required.
[0028] While FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 demonstrate the application of
pavement markers 10 only along one edge of a conventional two (2)
lane road 30, both edges and center line 31 would normally be
identically marked. Other uses and applications are likewise
anticipated such as transverse stop lines, turn arrows, word
messages, etc. The markings can also be used on parking lots,
walkways and the like as desired.
[0029] In an alternate embodiment seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 pavement
marker 40 is shown having projections 41 with a Arandom@
appearance. Projections 41 are about two (2) times the height of
base 42 and also contain reflective glass beads 13 as earlier
described for pavement marker 10. Projections 41 are likewise
formed of a thermoplastic material having a softening point higher
than the softening point of base 42 for convenience in adhering
pavement marker 40 to a substrate.
[0030] The illustrations and examples provided herein are for
explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *