U.S. patent application number 16/258253 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-01 for snowplowable pavement marker.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harry E. Lowe. Invention is credited to Harry E. Lowe.
Application Number | 20190234032 16/258253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65411948 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190234032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lowe; Harry E. |
August 1, 2019 |
Snowplowable Pavement Marker
Abstract
Disclosed are improved snowplowable pavement markers held
fixedly to a roadway by adhesive. The markers include a holder and
at least one transversely arranged reflector to retroreflect
incident light from headlights of approaching vehicles. The holders
have a pocket for supporting the reflector. One or more through
openings having angled sides are defined in the bottom of the
pocket so that when the marker is installed in an adhesive bed on
the pavement, adhesive flows into contact with the holder and the
bottom of the reflector to simultaneously affix both to the
pavement. Reflectors may be replaced by simply chiseling an old
reflector out of the holder pocket to create a flat bottom surface
in the pocket to which a bead of mastic adhesive is applied and a
new reflector is subsequently installed. This new marker
construction applies to both raised and recessed snowplowable
pavement markers.
Inventors: |
Lowe; Harry E.; (Schaumburg,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lowe; Harry E. |
Schaumburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65411948 |
Appl. No.: |
16/258253 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62622918 |
Jan 28, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/578 20160201;
E01F 9/512 20160201; E01F 9/553 20160201; E01F 11/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/553 20060101
E01F009/553; E01F 9/576 20060101 E01F009/576; E01F 11/00 20060101
E01F011/00 |
Claims
1. A reflective pavement marker to be held fixedly to a roadway by
adhesive, the marker comprising: a reflector for reflecting
incident light; a holder having upwardly-extending walls forming an
upwardly-opening pocket; the reflector being at least partially
seated within the pocket; the holder having an opening with sides
extending from the bottom of the holder to the pocket; and, whereby
adhesive extending through the opening holds the reflector within
the holder.
2. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the sides of
the opening at least partially extend upwardly and radially outward
from the bottom of the holder.
3. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the holder has
a shoulder with an upwardly-facing horizontal surface outward of
the opening underlying the reflector seated within the pocket.
4. The reflective pavement marker of claim 3 further including a
vent in the shoulder providing air relief past the reflector seated
within the pocket.
5. The reflective pavement marker of claim 3 wherein the shoulder
is intermediate the top and bottom of the holder and the sides of
the opening below the shoulder extend upwardly and radially outward
from the bottom of the holder.
6. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the reflector
is generally rectangular and wherein the walls of the holder
include laterally-spaced end walls and axially-spaced side walls
around the pocket generally corresponding to the shape and size of
the reflector such that the reflector may be seated at least
partially in the pocket.
7. The reflective pavement marker of claim 6 wherein the holder has
a shoulder with an upwardly-facing horizontal surface outward of
the opening underlying the reflector seated within the pocket.
8. The reflective pavement marker of claim 7 further including a
vent in the shoulder providing air relief past the reflector seated
within the pocket.
9. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the holder is
comprised of metal and includes a pair of laterally-spaced,
longitudinal keels and a cross member connecting the keels forming
at least a portion of the pocket.
10. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the holder is
comprised of plastic and wherein the walls of the holder include a
pair of axially-spaced end walls and a pair of laterally-spaced
side walls forming at least a portion of the pocket.
11. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the reflector
and the holder are non-integral separate components of the marker
and adhesive applied to the roadway passing through the opening
holds the reflector within the holder and fixes both the holder and
the reflector to the roadway.
12. A method of fixing the reflective pavement marker of claim 1 to
a roadway, the method comprising: creating a cavity in a roadway of
a dimension allowing the marker to be at least partially seated
therein; at least partially filling the cavity with adhesive; and,
positioning the marker at least partially in the cavity in contact
with the adhesive such that the adhesive passes through the opening
and flows into bonding contact with the holder and with the
reflector.
13. A reflective pavement marker to be held fixedly to a roadway by
adhesive, the marker comprising: a reflector for reflecting
incident light; a holder having upwardly-extending walls forming an
upwardly-opening pocket; the reflector being at least partially
seated within the pocket; the holder having an opening with sides
extending from the bottom of the holder to the pocket; the sides of
the opening at least partially extending upwardly and radially
outward; the holder having a shoulder with an upwardly-facing
horizontal surface outward of the opening underlying the reflector
seated within the pocket; a vent in the shoulder providing air
relief past the reflector seated within the pocket; and, whereby
adhesive extending through the opening holds the reflector within
the holder.
14. The reflective pavement marker of claim 12 wherein the holder
is comprised of metal and includes a pair of laterally-spaced,
longitudinal keels and a cross member connecting the keels forming
at least a portion of the pocket.
15. The reflective pavement marker of claim 11 wherein the holder
is comprised of plastic and wherein the walls of the holder include
a pair of axially-spaced end walls and a pair of laterally-spaced
side walls forming at least a portion of the pocket.
16. The reflective pavement marker of claim 1 wherein the reflector
and the holder are non-integral separate components of the marker
and adhesive applied to the roadway passing through the opening
holds the reflector within the holder and fixes both the holder and
the reflector to the roadway.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/622,918 filed 28 Jan. 2018
(Jan. 28, 2018), the disclosures of which are herein incorporated
by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to reflectors and, more
particularly, to snowplowable pavement markers.
Background Art
[0003] Pavement markers provide visible delineation of center
lines, edge lines, turning lanes, ramps, and the like. Pavement
markers must withstand damage from vehicle traffic, snowplows, and
sundry environmental factors. Presently, two types of snowplowable
pavement markers are generally being used, namely, raised markers
and recessed markers.
[0004] A typical raised marker utilizes a heavy iron casting
embedded within a pavement cutout. The casting has raised laterally
spaced inclined longitudinal keels or rails, and a reflector held
between and at a lower height than the rails. While the casting is
embedded in the pavement, both the rails and reflector protrude
slightly above the pavement surface. Raised markers have been used
extensively in snow-belt states, as the rails effectively guide the
snowplow up and over the reflector. However, many raised marker
castings are often dislodged from the pavement, which then
potentially become heavy projectiles capable of causing both
vehicle damage and personal injury. In fact, some states have
already demanded increased inspection of raised markers and/or
their removal.
[0005] Recessed markers, which are being increasingly specified in
highway construction, are mounted below the pavement surface in
long narrow line-of-sight grooves that allow vehicle headlight rays
to illuminate the reflector. Recessed markers typically have
reflector assemblies that are held in plastic holders. The plastic
holders are positioned in the grooves and fixed to the roadway
pavement by epoxy or other suitable adhesive.
[0006] Raised snowplowable markers using cast iron metal holders,
introduced commercially in 1976, were the forerunner of present day
designs. Then and now, the reflector predominantly used in raised
and recessed snowplowable markers has an integral butyl rubber pad
coated with pressure sensitive adhesive as its bottom surface.
[0007] In general, use of the reflector's butyl pad alone for
adherence to the reflector holder was long ago (circa 1980) found
insufficient and an additional mastic type adhesive was applied to
the metal holder, and more recently, to the recessed plastic
holder.
[0008] In particular, even with the additional use of mastic type
secondary adhesive, the bond between the reflector and the iron
holder is tenuous. In a 2 to 4 year period, water penetration under
the butyl-type pad causes continuing interfacial rusting and
subsequent release of the reflector from the holder. The iron
holder disclosed herein illustrates a solution to these problems by
providing a tough, non-rusting, structural adhesive surface in the
holder for initial and future bonding of the reflector to the
holder.
[0009] With roadway exposure, reflectors and the holders in which
they are mounted can become detached from roadway pavement. This
may be because of weather, environmental conditions and frequent
vehicle impacts. As a result, reflectors and/or holders
periodically require replacement.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more
of the problems as set forth above.
[0011] It is one object of the present invention to provide a
roadway marker that is easy to install, replace and is durable.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
roadway marker that is effective, strong and inexpensive.
[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to reduce
material cost, reduce manufacturing complexities, and eliminate
unnecessary components.
[0014] It is an object to provide a marker that is fixed to a
roadway with adhesive comprising a holder and a reflector wherein
the holder has a bottom through opening permitting adhesive to
directly adhere the holder and reflector to the roadway.
[0015] It is also an object to provide a marker wherein the holder
opening has angled internal walls so that the adhesive functions to
positively secure the holder to the roadway.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the holder is a metal casting
with spaced keels and a central connecting portion defining a
pocket sized and configured to receive a reflector within the
pocket and having an opening through the bottom of the pocket.
[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, the holder is a thin,
rectangular, plastic container having a pocket sized and configured
to receive a reflector within the pocket and having an opening
through the bottom of the pocket.
[0018] In one aspect of the invention, a roadway marker has a
reflector and a holder with an opening formed in the bottom
permitting epoxy or other adhesive to flow into the interior of the
holder and into contact with the reflector.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention, the opening is
circumscribed by a tapered wall so that epoxy or other adhesive can
flow onto the taper and positively lock the holder and reflector
down to the pavement.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the invention, the holder opening
is dimensionally smaller than the pocket to define a shoulder for
supporting the reflector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The details of construction and operation of the invention
are more fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof and in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout.
[0022] In the drawings:
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art marker
having a metal holder with a closed pocket and a reflector;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
of a marker having a metal holder with a bottom opening and a
reflector;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the metal holder shown in FIG.
2;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the metal
holder taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of a marker having a plastic holder with a bottom
opening and a reflector;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the plastic holder shown in
FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the plastic
holder taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the plastic
holder taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the marker
shown in FIG. 2 and a portion of roadway in which it is installed
taken along one side of the metal holder;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the marker
shown in FIG. 2 and a portion of roadway in which it is installed
taken through the center of the metal holder; and,
[0033] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the marker
shown in FIG. 5 and a portion of roadway in which it is installed
taken through the center of the plastic holder.
[0034] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be
described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated.
[0036] In FIG. 1, a prior art raised roadway marker, generally
designated 30, is seen to be comprised of a metal holder, generally
designated 31, and a reflector, generally designated 32. The holder
31, which may be integrally formed as a metal casting, typically
iron, is bilaterally symmetrical and includes a pair of
longitudinally-extending, laterally-spaced rails, or keels 34,
connected by a supporting cross member 35.
[0037] Each keel 34 has an outer side wall 37, an inner side wall
38, a top wall 39, and a stepped convex bottom wall 40. The top
wall 39 includes a flat top surface 41, forward and rearward ramp
surfaces 42 and 43, and forward and rearward inclined surfaces 44
and 45 adjacent the keel ends 46 and 47. A pair of positioning tabs
48, or projecting sponsons, extend outward from the outer side wall
37 at the top of tapering grooves 49.
[0038] The cross member 35 has a relatively flat top surface 50 and
an arcuate bottom surface (not shown). Formed in the top surface 50
is a downwardly-extending, generally rectangularly shaped pocket 55
having a planar floor 56 that extends laterally into the side walls
38.
[0039] The reflector 32 comprises a plastic body 70 and one or more
retroreflective lenses 71. The reflector body 70 has an attached
butyl elastomeric adhesive pad 73 at the bottom, trapezoidal high
lateral end walls 74, and low axial walls 75 defining recesses in
which the retroreflective lenses 71 are mounted.
[0040] The angularly-mounted retroreflective lenses 71 typically
include a flat lens 77 on the exposed obverse face sealing a series
of cells each having an array of microprismatic cube elements, or
triple mirror corner reflectors, internally disposed along the
reverse face. Reflector assemblies of the type described here are
commercially available from Ennis-Flint, Inc. of Thomasville, N.C.,
and from 3M Company's Traffic Safety and Security Division of St.
Paul, Minn.,
[0041] In FIGS. 2-4, an improved raised roadway marker, generally
designated 30, is seen to be comprised of a metal holder, generally
designated 131, and a reflector 32. The reflector 32 is of the type
described above.
[0042] The holder 131 may be integrally formed as a single metal
casting approximately 10 inches long, 1.9 inches high, and 5.75
inches wide. The casting, which is typically made of iron and is
bilaterally symmetrical, includes a pair of
longitudinally-extending, laterally-spaced rails, or keels 134,
connected by a transverse supporting cross member 135. Each keel
134 has an outer side wall 137, an inner side wall 138, a top wall
139 and a stepped convex bottom wall 140. The top wall 139 includes
a flat top surface 141, forward and rearward ramp surfaces 142 and
143, and forward and rearward inclined surfaces 144 and 145
adjacent the keel ends 146 and 147. A pair of positioning tabs 148
extend outward from the outer side wall 137 at the top of tapering
grooves 149.
[0043] The cross member 135 has a relatively flat top surface 150
and an arcuate bottom surface 151. Extending vertically into the
cross member 135 between the top and bottom surfaces 150 and 151 is
a generally rectangular pocket 155 with a through opening 156
circumscribed by the slanting faces of the inwardly projecting
internal walls 157. The internal walls 157 define an internal
shoulder 158 having an upwardly-facing horizontal surface
transverse to the internal walls 157 that supports the bottom edges
of the reflector 32 when it is located within the pocket 155. The
sides of the opening 156 slant upwardly and radially outward such
that the opening 156 has a cross-sectional area at its top end that
is dimensionally larger than the cross-sectional area at its bottom
end. An air vent 159 is formed along the top edge of the internal
wall 157 at each side thereof. Additional vents may be formed
around any side surface of the internal shoulder. The pocket 155
defining the shoulder 158 and opening 156 may extend laterally into
the keel 134 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0044] As seen in FIG. 2, the reflector 32 is located within the
pocket 155 with the bottom edges of the reflector 32 located on the
shoulder 158. The reflector 32 is of the type described above and
comprises a plastic body 70 and one or more retroreflective lenses
71. The reflector body 70 has an attached butyl elastomeric
adhesive pad 73, trapezoidal high lateral end walls 74, and low
axial walls 75 defining recessed transverse faces on which the
retroreflective lenses 71 are mounted.
[0045] The retroreflective lenses 71 are mounted within the
reflector 32 so that the lens face 77 is tilted about 30.degree.
relative to the bottom surface. While an angle of 30.degree.
relative to the roadway is preferred, this may be modified up to
plus 20.degree.. The retroreflective lenses 71 may be colored
white, yellow, red, blue or green. In some installations, where the
marker 130 is to be seen from opposite directions, two
retroreflective lenses 71 are used. Herein, a reflector refers to
an assembly of one or more retroreflective lenses and a
retroreflector refers to an assembly of one or more smaller
elements that reflect light back in the direction of incident
light.
[0046] The reflector 32 described hereabove formed separately from
the holder is approximately 2 inches long and 4 inches wide and is
made of polycarbonate ("PC"). The adhesive coated elastomeric pad
73 is permanently factory bonded to the bottom of the reflector 32
to temporarily affix it to the holder 131 before installation of
the marker 130 in the roadway.
[0047] As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the marker 130 is shown
positioned in a section of pavement 180. To install the marker 130,
an arcuate cavity 181 having an H-shaped cross-section is cut into
the pavement 180. The laterally-spaced sections of the groove 181a
are cut to a depth sufficient to receive the keels 134, while the
middle section 181b is cut to a shallower depth sufficient to
receive the cross member 135. Typically, this is done with a 3-part
circular diamond blade arrangement. The blades for the narrow cuts
have a diameter of 20 inches and the wider cut inner blades have a
diameter of 18 inches, the large-diameter cut being about 1.5-2.0
inches deep.
[0048] Adhesive 185 is poured into the cavity 181 and the marker
130 is set into place. The marker 130 is pressed into the cavity
181 until the positioning tabs 148 rest on the adjacent uncut
pavement surface with the keel 134 positioned just above the cavity
bottom (FIG. 9). The adhesive 185 flows around the keel ends (FIG.
10), against the keels 134 and the arcuate bottom of the cross
member 135, and through the pocket opening 156 into contact with
the bottom of the reflector 32. The marker 130 will thereby be
securely held therein when the adhesive 185 cures.
[0049] In FIGS. 5-8, a recessed roadway marker, generally
designated 230, is shown and is seen to include a plastic holder,
generally designated 231, and a reflector 32 of the type previously
described above. The reflector holder 231, which might be of
unitary construction, has an upwardly facing recess, or pocket 233,
defined by a peripheral shoulder 234 with a horizontal
upwardly-facing surface 235, a pair of axially-spaced short end
walls 236 and 237, and a pair of laterally-spaced, transverse,
elevated side walls 238 and 239. Positioning tabs 241 and 242
project outwardly from the upper portion of the side walls 238 and
239. The tabs 241 and 242 might be narrower at the top of the side
wall 238 and 239 to easily break away without dislocation of the
marker 230. Holder anchoring means or tabs 244 project outwardly
away from the lower portions of the axial end walls 236 and 237
outside the pocket 233. The anchoring means 244 may be comprised of
many separate spaced apart projections extending off the holder 231
as shown or may be a single projecting flange extending across the
entire width of each axial end wall.
[0050] Defined through the bottom 248 is a rectangular through
opening 250. The top of the opening 250 is dimensionally larger
than the bottom of the opening 250 so that the slanting faces of
the internal side wall 251 of the opening 250 are angled
approximately 20.degree. relative to vertical. A cutout is formed
in the shoulder 234 at the lateral sides to create shallow air
relief vents 255. It is understood that a plurality of openings may
be substituted for a single opening and openings may be of
differing size and have side surfaces of differing angles.
[0051] As seen in FIG. 11, the recessed marker 230 is shown
positioned in a section of pavement 280. To install the marker 230,
a long line-of-sight groove 281 is cut longitudinally in the
pavement 280 starting at zero depth where the groove 281 begins and
ends and extending progressively to a deepest medial portion 281a,
such as where the one or more markers might be secured. The
line-of-sight groove 281 may have a length of 9 feet or longer. At
the point where the marker or markers 230 will be located, a
deeper, shorter secondary groove, or cavity 281b, is cut
sufficiently deep to mount the marker 230 therein allowing the
marker 230 to have a top clearance below the adjacent uncut
pavement surface. The arcuate secondary groove 281b is slightly
wider than the width of the holder 231.
[0052] An epoxy adhesive 285 or other adhesive (hereinafter the
term "adhesive" shall mean to include any effective or suitable
adhesive) is poured into the secondary groove 281b and the marker
230 is set into place. The marker 230 is pressed into the concave
secondary groove 281b until the positioning tabs 241 and 242 rest
on the adjacent uncut pavement surface 280. This accurately locates
the marker 230 vertically relative to the pavement surface. The
adhesive 285 flows around and over the anchoring tabs 244 and also
up through the pocket opening 250 and tapered internal side walls
251 of the holder 231 into contact with the bottom of the reflector
32. The reflector 32 will then be securely held therein when the
adhesive 285 cures and bonds to the butyl pad.
[0053] It is noted that the adhesive is a structural or engineering
adhesive that includes epoxies, polyesters, polyurethanes,
acrylics, and the like.
[0054] Note that when installed, the high side walls 238 and 239
are situated below the level of the pavement where they will not be
impacted by vehicular traffic or snowplows. Similarly, the low
axially-spaced end walls 236 and 237 are at a level relative to the
bottom of the reflective lenses 71 or such that the axially-spaced
end walls 236 and 237 do not block the line-of-sight from vehicles
to the reflective lenses 71.
[0055] Whenever a reflector as disclosed herein needs to be
replaced because it is worn or broken, it can be chiseled or pried
out of the holder. After the pocket surface is cleaned or otherwise
prepared by removing residual adhesive and other contaminants, new
adhesive is applied and a new reflector is pressed down into the
adhesive forcing it to flow onto all surfaces and around corners
and edges to bond the reflector to the holder.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0056] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be observed
that the various elements of the invention may be in any number of
combinations, and that all of the combinations are not enumerated
here. It will be understood that no limitation with respect to the
specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be
inferred. While specific embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one
can modify the materials, dimensions and particulars of the
embodiments without straying from the inventive concept.
[0057] Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can
be obtained from a study of the drawings and the foregoing
disclosure.
[0058] It should be understood that the terms "top," "bottom,"
"forward," "rear," "rearward," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer,"
"side," "lateral," "end," "height," "width," "length,"
"horizontal," "vertical," and similar terms as used herein, have
reference only to the structure shown in the drawings and are
utilized only to facilitate describing the invention. The terms and
expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description
and not of limitation.
[0059] As used herein, the term "within" shall mean "to be
partially or completely inside of"; the term "axial" refers to a
direction that is longitudinal and substantially straight; the term
"transverse" refers to a direction other than the axial direction
(e.g., orthogonal or nonorthogonal).
* * * * *