Patents by Inventor Michael E. Flader

Michael E. Flader has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6558069
    Abstract: A pavement marker having improved daytime visibility comprises a transparent fluorescent top portion having smooth flat parallel top and bottom surfaces with a front edge therebetween and air interfacing most of the bottom surface. Light received by the smooth flat top surface of the top portion is directed internally through the top portion and emitted from the front edge, to provide a visible signal to drivers of oncoming vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Flader, Dennis Couzin, Robert M. Pricone
  • Patent number: 6511256
    Abstract: A pavement marker having improved daytime visibility comprises a transparent fluorescent top portion having a top surface and a front edge. Light received by the top surface of the top portion results in light being directed internally through the top portion and emitted from the front edge, thereby providing a daytime signal to drivers of oncoming vehicles. In an alternative embodiment, the top portion can comprise a polymer having in its backbone moieties that either absorb U.V. light or that are capable of undergoing rearrangement to moieties that absorb U.V. light, to provide greater fluorescent durability. The polymer can be present either within the fluorescent top portion or as a U.V. light screening layer on top of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Flader, Dennis I. Couzin, Robert M. Pricone, Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20010028824
    Abstract: A snowplowable pavement marker includes a frame member having primary spaced keel members with ramp surfaces which have upwardly inclined contours beginning at a forward end portion of each keel member and extending at a first acute angle, then transitions to a second portion having a second acute angle which is greater than the first angle. Further, the frame member includes an auxiliary keel member having ramp surfaces disposed between the primary keel members and having the same contour as the primary ramp surfaces. The auxiliary keel member ramp surfaces extend inwardly of the frame member to a point proximate the marker's reflector and serve to prevent damage by a snowplow blade set at a wide angle to the direction of blade travel. Advantageously, the contour of ramp surfaces permits a higher frame member installation above the pavement and allows for greater exposure of the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 1999
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: MICHAEL E. FLADER, ANISH A. DESAI, JACOB E. STEELE, STEPHEN M. BEDNARZ
  • Patent number: 6234712
    Abstract: A snowplowable pavement marker includes a frame member having primary spaced keel members with ramp surfaces which have upwardly inclined contours beginning at a forward end portion of each keel member and extending at a first acute angle, then transitioning to a second portion having a second acute angle which is greater than the first angle. Further, the frame member includes an auxiliary keel member having ramp surfaces disposed between the primary keel members and having the same contour as the primary ramp surfaces. The auxiliary keel member ramp surfaces extend inwardly of the frame member to a point proximate the marker's reflector and serve to prevent damage by a snowplow blade set at a wide angle to the direction of blade travel. Advantageously, the contour of ramp surfaces permits a higher frame member installation above the pavement and allows for greater exposure of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Flader, Anish A. Desai, Jacob E. Steele, Stephen M. Bednarz
  • Patent number: 6102612
    Abstract: A pavement marker comprising a base member and a signal device for sending a light signal to a driver of an oncoming vehicle further includes a longitudinally extending tire directing hood member that directs tire contact away from the upper edge, upper portion, and upper generally corner portions of the signal device front face, while allowing tire contact with the lower portion of the signal device front face. The signal device front face is at a predetermined recess depth in said pavement marker, and is at a predetermined angle with respect to the roadway surface. The marker can be either a snowplowable marker or a sun country marker. The signal device optionally can be mounted on a base member by a mechanical interlock. Optional drainage channels can be provided in the base member to allow drainage of fluid from in front of the lower portion of the signal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Stimsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Pricone, Anthony J. Montalbano, Liviu A. Coman, Michael E. Flader, Loren M. Lundtveit, Edward V. Nick, Sidney A. Heenan, deceased, by Ronald A. Sandler, executor, Jeffrey Tidaback
  • Patent number: 5403115
    Abstract: A potted shell style pavement marker reinforced with fiberglass in the form of a mat of fiberglass strands located near the bottom of the marker or in the form of chopped fiberglass strands distributed throughout the fill material. The mat provides support against torsional or bending stresses near the bottom of the marker. The chopped strands in the fill material provide three-dimensional support throughout the height and depth of the fill in the interior of the housing. Both means of support are expected to reduce the number of cracks that develop in the fill, to prevent the expansion of any cracks which do develop, to prevent premature disintegration of the marker, and to increase average marker life. The supporting mat and the chopped fiberglass strands can be used together in a single marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Stimsonite Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Flader