U.S. patent application number 12/451699 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for manufactured road marker for pedestiran crossing and all kinds of roadways.
Invention is credited to Roberto Caroli, Bruno Walpot.
Application Number | 20100104361 12/451699 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39734144 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100104361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walpot; Bruno ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
MANUFACTURED ROAD MARKER FOR PEDESTIRAN CROSSING AND ALL KINDS OF
ROADWAYS
Abstract
The invention relates to road markers for pedestrian crossings
and roadways. A plurality of frame structures consisting of rods
are connected by cross members, said frame structures being close
to each other lengthwise and crosswise in order to obtain
manufactured-items made up of a plurality of solid color
porcelainized stoneware blocks, said blocks being further slidable
inside the above mentioned frame structures employing said rods as
guide members.
Inventors: |
Walpot; Bruno; (Fabbrico,
IT) ; Caroli; Roberto; (Casalgrande (RE) Frazione
Veggia, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN WASSON & GITLER, P.C;CRYSTAL CENTER 2, SUITE 522
2461 SOUTH CLARK STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22202-3843
US
|
Family ID: |
39734144 |
Appl. No.: |
12/451699 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
May 27, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2008/004187 |
371 Date: |
November 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 5/223 20130101;
E01F 9/578 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/13 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/06 20060101
E01F009/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2007 |
IT |
MO2007A000185 |
Claims
1. A road marker for pedestrian crossing areas and roadways
consisting of a plurality of blocks close to each other, wherein
said marker comprises: a plurality of frame structures, each
consisting of guide means tightly secured to one or more cross
members; said frame structures being adapted to be fixed onto a
layer of cement cast on the ground; a plurality of solid blocks,
each of said blocks being securable to the frame structures and
being slidable inside said frame structures following the guide
means.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein the frame
structures are made of metal or hard plastic.
6. (canceled)
7. The road marker according to claim 20, wherein each block has a
lower portion and an upper portion adapted to be flush with the
road surface, both said portions having their width smaller than
the gap between the two pairs of rods of the frame structure; a
central portion having its height smaller than the gap between the
two rods making up each of the two pairs of rods and having its
width greater than the distance between the above mentioned two
pair of rods and smaller than the gap between the two short
vertical sides of each cross member.
8. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein each block is made
of ceramics or glass paste, resins, cements and its by-products or
powders from processings such as, for example, smoothing and
milling processes.
9. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein in a plan view,
the upper portion of each block has a square configuration, said
configuration ensuring the best performance of the surface itself
in terms of traffic.
10. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein in a plan view,
the upper portion of each block has a configuration of any
shape.
11. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion
surface of each block adapted to contact tires or to be the walking
surface is smooth finished.
12. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion
surface of each block adapted to contact tires or to be the walking
surface has knurled finishing or a slantwise raised pattern; said
knurling and said slantwise raised pattern can show either a
parallel trend or be mutually angled.
13. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein on the bottom of
the lower part of each block there is a plurality of grooves
parallel, angled or perpendicular to each other.
14. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
reinforcing rods is tightly secured onto the long horizontal side
of each cross member being part of the frame structure.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein during the laying
operation, the frame structures (1) are located in place either one
by one or side by side lengthwise or sideways so as to leave a
hollow space at least one centimeter thick between said frame
structures.
18. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein in order to make
pedestrian crossings, a plurality of groups of structures filled in
with blocks is provided; each of said group of structures being
made up of four frame structures lined up sideways and tightly
secured to each other by welded seams in coincidence with the short
vertical sides mutually touching.
19. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein said guide means
consist of a couple of rods tightly secured to said cross
members.
20. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein said guide means
consist of two pairs of rods tightly secured to said cross
members.
21. The road marker according to claim 19, wherein the rods of each
frame structure are parallel to each other.
22. The road marker according to claim 20, wherein the rods of each
frame structure are parallel to each other.
23. The road marker according to claim 19, wherein the cross
members, to which the rods are tightly secured, are U-shaped having
their opening facing said rods when the frame structures are
installed.
24. The road marker according to claim 20, wherein the cross
members, to which the rods are tightly secured, are U-shaped having
their opening facing said rods when the frame structures are
installed.
25. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein the frame
structures comprise a plurality of said cross members.
26. The road marker according to claim 25, wherein each frame
structure is provided with a stop member tightly secured to the
last cross member 3.
27. The road marker according to claim 1, wherein each block is
made of porcelainized stoneware.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to a manufactured road marker
for pedestrian crossings and all kinds of roadways.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As for pedestrian crossings, on the surfaces of the roads
involved, sections parallel to each other, generally, but not
exclusively white striped, alternating with road bed areas, are
created.
[0003] This solution is adopted worldwide.
[0004] It is to be noted that these pedestrian crossings can be
simply made by coloring the road bed or by using, for example,
porphyry or marble blocks, of different colors.
[0005] The solutions adopted so far have many drawbacks.
[0006] A first drawback is represented by the poor visibility soon
reached by paints, particularly the white paint, due to oily
solutions, and above all, to rubber tire deposits. The first
drawback becomes even more pronounced in bad weather when, on the
road bed, slippery with rain, pedestrian crossings become hardly
visible.
[0007] A second drawback is specifically related to pedestrian
crossings made of porphyry or marble blocks. With heavy traffic and
particularly with heavy loads, marble blocks break up and, in any
case, either marble and porphyry blocks are likely to be removed
from their respective seats, thus creating craters in the pavement.
The foregoing drawbacks give birth to a further problem represented
by law suits and damage claims for accidents due both to poor
visibility of the pedestrian crossing and to the presence of
potholes.
[0008] Another problem, once again related to pedestrian crossings
whose strips are made up of porphyry and marble blocks, is
represented by the long time required for the laying of the blocks,
which results in high total costs.
[0009] Some of the above mentioned drawbacks, particularly the
removal of the blocks and their high laying or installation cost,
apply to manufactured items suitable for creating special roadways,
such as squares and cycle paths. Though free from problems
connected to heavy loads, they have to conform to aesthetic
requirements together with safety standards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above
mentioned drawbacks.
[0011] In particular, the device for making manufactured-items,
such as road markers for pedestrian crossing areas and roadways of
the type consisting of a plurality of blocks close to each other,
which is the object of the present invention, is characterized in
that the road marker combines: [0012] a plurality of frame
structures, each consisting of two pairs of rods tightly secured to
a plurality of cross members; said frame structures being adapted
to be fixed onto a layer of cement cast on the ground; [0013] a
plurality of solid color porcelainized stoneware blocks, each of
said blocks being securable to the frame structures following the
guide provided by the two pairs of rods.
[0014] This and other features will be better understood from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which is
to be intended in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a block fitting the frame structure;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the frame structure coupled
to a block;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a block having a smooth upper surface;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a block having a knurled upper surface;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross section of said second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows the block and the frame structure of the second
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a block of the above mentioned second
embodiment having a smooth upper surface; and
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a block of the above mentioned second
embodiment having a knurled upper surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, number 1 refers to a frame
structure made of metal consisting of two pairs of rods 2 parallel
to each other and tightly secured to each other by a plurality of
cross members 3; number 4 refers to a stop member tightly secured
to the last cross member 3 of the frame structure 1; number 5
refers to a plurality of reinforcing rods; number 10 refers to a
block being slidable inside the frame structure 1 following the
guide given by the two pairs of rods 2.
[0024] The term "a pair of rods" 2 means two rods placed on the
same short vertical slide 3a of each cross member 3. Each of said
cross members is U-shaped, with its opening upwards, that is
towards the aforementioned rods 2; the securing points between rods
2 and the cross members 3 are located in coincidence with both the
short vertical sides 3a of each of the aforementioned cross
members. The stop member 4 is tightly secured to the last cross
member 3 in coincidence with the short vertical side portions 3a
between the two pairs of rods 2.
[0025] Said stop member 4 performs the function of stopping the
sliding of the first block 10 inserted into the frame structure
1.
[0026] A plurality of reinforcing rods 5 is tightly secured onto
the long horizontal side 3b of each cross member 3; these rods make
the frame structure 1 more stable and prevent the mutual
displacement of the cross members 3. The above mentioned plurality
of reinforcing rods 5 may be omitted without affecting the
performance of the present invention.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the solid color porcelainized stoneware
block 10 has a lower portion 7, an upper portion 8, and a central
portion 9.
[0028] In a plan view, portions 7, 8 and 9 have a square
configuration.
[0029] At the bottom of the lower portion 7 is a plurality of
grooves 6, parallel, angled or perpendicular to each other, in
order to provide a better grip between the above mentioned block 10
and the cement layer cast during the laying operation.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, each block 10 is shaped in such a way
that: [0031] the height of the central portion 9 is smaller than
the gap between the two rods 2 making up each of the two pairs;
[0032] the width of the central portion 9 is greater than the
distance between the two pairs of rods 2 and lower than the gap
between the two short vertical sides 3a of each cross member 3;
[0033] both lower portion 7 and upper portion 8 width is smaller
than the gap between the two pairs of rods 2 of the frame structure
1.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface of the upper portion 8
of each block 10 has a smooth finishing but, as shown in FIG. 4, it
might also be irregularly knurled or it might show a slantwise
raised pattern. The blocks 10 could be of any color, even making
use of fluorescent pigments.
[0035] FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present
invention and specifically: [0036] FIG. 5 is a cross section of
said second embodiment of the present invention; [0037] FIG. 6
shows the block and the frame structure of the second embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a block of the above mentioned second
embodiment having a smooth upper surface; and [0039] FIG. 8 shows a
block of the above mentioned second embodiment having a knurled
upper surface.
[0040] Said second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-8, is different
from the preferred one, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, being
characterized as follows: [0041] in the second embodiment the frame
structure is made up of two rods 2 parallel to each other and
tightly secured to a plurality of cross members 3 in coincidence
with the short vertical sides 3a of each said cross member, as
shown in FIG. 5; [0042] in the second embodiment of the present
invention each block 10 is shaped as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and
8 where the height of the central portion 9 is greater than the
thickness of the rods 2 and its width is smaller than the gap
between the two rods 2; moreover the width of both the upper
portion 8 and the lower portion 7 is greater than the distance
between the two rods 2.
[0043] As for the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 described
above, the second embodiment provides the upper portion surface 8
to be smooth finished, as shown in FIG. 7, or irregularly knurled,
as shown in FIG. 8 or having an irregular slantwise raised pattern.
Now with reference to the figures the operation of the present
invention will be described.
[0044] The setting up of an area to be covered with blocks 10
requires the following steps: [0045] first, each frame structure 1,
necessary to create the manufactured item, will be filled with the
blocks 10 making said blocks slide along the rods until the first
block so fitted in hits the stop element 4; each frame structure
will thus be filled in with the blocks inserted one after the
other, each hitting the previous one. [0046] once the road surface
to be covered with blocks 10 has been prepared at a depth slightly
greater than the thickness of the device object of the present
invention, it will be covered with a cement casting, either a
cement grout or in solid phase, and the frame structures provided
with the blocks, when ready, will be supported thereby.
[0047] During the laying or installation operation, the frame
structure 1, including the blocks 10, can be located in place
either one by one or side by side lengthwise, or sideways, so as to
leave a hollow space at least one centimeter thick among the above
mentioned frame structures. Obviously the number of the frame
structures, filed in with blocks used in the laying step will vary
depending on the extent of the manufactured item to create.
[0048] While assembling the plurality of the aforementioned
structures and blocks 10, great attention is to be paid to
correctly alternate colors, for example in the case of pedestrian
crossings.
[0049] After laying the frame structures 1 complete with blocks 10,
if the gaps between one block and the other and the hollow spaces
between the single frame structures show portions left uncovered by
the upwards flux of the casting, a further casting will have to be
provided in order to clog up said portions.
[0050] For pedestrian crossings, a plurality of groups of
structures 11, filled in with blocks 10, suitably arranged on the
road bed, is needed to create the pedestrian crossing.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, each group of structures 11 is made up
of four frame structures 1 lined up sideways and tightly secured to
each other by welded seams on the short vertical sides 3a mutually
touching.
[0052] A first advantage of the present invention is that
pedestrian crossings and street furniture areas can be quickly set
up.
[0053] A second advantage is that the colors used for the blocks
prove to be fast, even in severe situations of wear, as
porcelainized stoneware is solid color which results in good long
lasting visibility. In this connection, it is worth noticing that
porcelainized stoneware reconditions through smoothing.
[0054] A further advantage is offered by the device strength due to
several factors; the frame structures provided inside the device,
the material each block is made of, and the fact that the device,
as a whole, is blocked by the upwardly flowing cement casting which
will cover all the joints between the blocks and the hollow spaces
existing between the frame structures.
[0055] A further relevant advantage is that the frame structures,
making up the road marker which is the object of the present
invention, employs easy and inexpensive manufacturing methods. Also
the laying or installing step of the present invention can be
easily and quickly performed.
[0056] Although the description clearly refers to porcelainized
stoneware blocks, the road marker of the present invention proves
quite effective even when the blocks are made of not stonewared
ceramics, glass paste, resins, cement and its by-products, powders
from processings such as milling and smoothing processes, for
example.
[0057] The description simply mentions that the blocks are made of
solid color porcelainized stoneware; obviously the blocks can be
obtained by drawing or extruding, and either dry or plastic
pressing.
[0058] Once again the description specifically refers to the fact
that the frame structures are made of metal, but it is clear that
the device may be fully effective even using frame structures made
of hard plastics. The description specifically mentions frame
structures consisting of rods parallel to each other tightly
secured to a plurality of U-shaped cross members. However it is
clear that the road marker of the present invention works
efficiently even if said plurality of cross elements is replaced
with a simple U-shaped metal sheet, which it might be perforated,
or with a U-shaped wire net.
[0059] Other modifications and revisions may occur to the skilled
artisan. Consequently, the appended claims should be literally
construed in a manner consistent with applicant's inventive
efforts, and should not be limited to their literal terms.
* * * * *