Reflective Triangle For Highway Use Patents (Class 40/903)
  • Patent number: 8281509
    Abstract: A nautical navigation aid comprising a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities used to enhance the safety of nautical travelers on waterways in conditions where visibility is limited. The navigation aid sign has a first rigid sheet member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge, a second rigid sheet member having an upper surface and a lower surface extending outward from the peripheral edge of the first rigid sheet member at a predetermined angle to a predetermined length, thereby defining an angled collar of the first rigid sheet member sized and configured to redirect light waves emanating from a light source, and a luminescent layer. It is envisioned that an embodiment of the present invention might also include a means for retrofitting existing nautical navigation aids with a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Edwin Perez
  • Patent number: 7827717
    Abstract: A foldable traffic sign system comprises a relatively rigid sign panel and a plurality of folding lines disposed in the sign panel, for permitting ready folding of the sign panel into a substantially smaller configuration. In a preferred embodiment, at least one cut is disposed partially along a dimension of the sign panel, to further facilitate ready folding of the sign panel. One of the folding lines is disposed substantially horizontally across a center region of the sign panel, and at least one of the folding lines is disposed substantially vertically on the sign panel, and intersects with the horizontal folding line. The plurality of folding lines creates a plurality of sign sections, preferably six, defined by a combination of the folding lines and cuts in the sign panel. The sign system further comprises a folding sign stand, and a tote for containing both the sign panel and sign stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignees: Traffix Devices, Inc., TTB Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Guadalupe C. Garcia, Bob L. Wielenga
  • Patent number: 7820083
    Abstract: Reflective pellets (16) are formed by extrusion of reflective micro beads (26) in a thermoplastic (20), removal of the surface layer of the pellets so as to expose the reflective beads at the surface of the pellets and applying the reflective pellets to the base line (14) of the striping applied to a paved road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fortson-Peek Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 7437845
    Abstract: A foldable warning device is described. The warning device includes a container for storage therein, at least one panel attached to the container, and at least one fastener that is adapted to allow repeated engagement and disengagement of the panels to and from the container and each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Sunny en Liung Huang
  • Patent number: 6928951
    Abstract: A flexible foldable triangular warning device is provided. The warning device is made from at least one panel and can be moved between a compact or storage position and an expanded position in which the warning device can be made to be free standing. The device can comprise a single panel, in which case, the device includes a base which will enable the panel to be free standing or to be mounted to the window of a vehicle. The device can also comprise two, three, four, or more panels, in which case, the device will set up to form a triangular or rectangular pyramid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Sunny En Liung Huang
  • Patent number: 6857385
    Abstract: A road warning device includes a board having a lower housing, a casing rotatably secured to the housing with a shaft and rotatable into and out of a chamber of the housing. A plate is selectively and detachably attached to the casing and moveable in concert with the casing, and rotatable toward a folding position to engage with the board, and rotatable away from the board and toward a working position. The plate includes one or more reflective members and one or more light members for lighting purposes. The casing may include one or more weights to increase the weight of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Yi Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 6821573
    Abstract: A flexible laminate, comprising: the light-active second layer acts without external energizing to change the properties of incident light such that the light reflected by this layer has signaling properties; a first layer serving as carrier layer; a light-active second layer situated on an outer surface of this laminate; and a permanent magnetic third layer for releasable magnetic attachment of the laminate to a ferromagnetic surface. The laminate has the feature that the light-active second layer acts without external energizing to change the properties of incident light such that the light reflected by this layer has signaling properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Budev B.V.
    Inventor: Max G. Paping
  • Patent number: 6758567
    Abstract: A continuously formed, low profiled reflective pavement marker comprising a multiple, inclined, low profiled reflective portions, which are integrally connected by horizontally, positioned reflective sheeting. Each raised reflective portion integrally having multiple reflective cube corner elements within two defined inclined reflective faces. Each of the two opposite reflective faces are integrally supported by load carrying structural walls in a multi-directional manner, said load carrying structural walks define cell like areas within each inclined reflective face. A method of making said reflective marker is disclosed that includes the steps of sealing and coloring the lower portion of the reflective marking sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Adl Attar
  • Patent number: 6718670
    Abstract: A triangular warning sign for traffic safety having a structural shape of inner and outer equilateral triangles. The sign has a counterweighed supporting place which provides for stability. The sign can also be folded and stored in a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: S.G. New Technology Development Company Tianjin
    Inventor: Wencai Wang
  • Publication number: 20030196361
    Abstract: A triangular warning sign presents a structural shape of inner and outer equilateral triangles, the inner equilateral triangle is a fluorescent shining surface, and the outer equilateral triangle is a plastic optical light-reflecting surface. Said sign includes: a triangular frame (3); six plastic optical fully-reflecting strips (1) secured on the front and back faces of three edges of triangular frame (3) by ultrasonic welding; three fluorescent plates (2) inserted into the slots on the inner side of triangular frame (3) to form double-faced fluorescent shining surfaces of an inner triangle; a counterweighed supporting plate (6) positioned below the triangular frame (3); four supporting legs (9) hinged at the two ends of counterweighed supporting plate (6) respectively; a narrow positioning insert block (4) at the middle of counterweighed supporting plate (6) is inserted in a supporting legs fixed seat (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Wencai Wang
  • Patent number: 6543165
    Abstract: A folding traffic-warning device includes an enclosure and enclosure base define first and second ballast compartments, which may be filed with sand, liquid or other material to provide stability during use. A circuit and a battery holder are carried between the first and second ballast compartments. The circuit provides power to a plurality of LEDs carried by a stationary light bar and first and second folding light bars. The folding light bars may be moved between an operational position and a storage position. An axle passing through the enclosure has an upper end attached to the stationary light bar and a lower end attached to a stabilizer bar. In an in-use or operational position, the stabilize bar is oriented perpendicular to the enclosure. In a storage position, the stabilizer bar is oriented parallel to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Paul V Youseph, Michael D. Small
  • Patent number: 6535117
    Abstract: An improvement to the standard highway traffic warning triangles is presented which provides greater illumination and visibility for the traffic warning triangles. The new device includes an essentially flat frame having upper and lower sections. The lower section of the frame can be attached to the upper vertical flange of the base leg of the traffic triangle. This attaching is accomplished either by the use of inwardly biased lower legs, inwardly biased staggered teeth or clips. Once the illumination frame is attached to the lower leg of the safety triangle, an illumination light unit having both strobing and flashing battery powered mechanisms can be attached to the upper section of the frame. This attachment of the light is normally by the use of magnets, but the light can also be permanently bolted to the frame or attached by other methods. The improvement draws greater attention to the traffic safety warning triangle at greater distances and can be deployed 50 feet or more from the actual hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Bernell G. Haerer
  • Publication number: 20020095841
    Abstract: A folding traffic-warning device includes an enclosure and enclosure base define first and second ballast compartments, which may be filed with sand, liquid or other material to provide stability during use. A circuit and a battery holder are carried between the first and second ballast compartments. The circuit provides power to a plurality of LEDs carried by a stationary light bar and first and second folding light bars. The folding light bars may be moved between an operational position and a storage position. An axle passing through the enclosure has an upper end attached to the stationary light bar and a lower end attached to a stabilizer bar. In an in-use or operational position, the stabilize bar is oriented perpendicular to the enclosure. In a storage position, the stabilizer bar is oriented parallel to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Paul V. Youseph, Michael D. Small
  • Patent number: 6389720
    Abstract: A triangle road sign having a bottom rack, a left frame bar and a right frame bar respectively pivoted to two distal ends of the bottom rack and detachably coupled to each other to form a triangle rack with the bottom rack, a device for securing the triangle rack to the inside of a car, indicator lights respectively installed in the bottom rack, the left frame bar and the right frame bar and controlled to flash by a control switch at the bottom rack, a solar collector installed in the bottom rack to collect solar energy and to convert collected solar energy into electricity for the signal lights at the bottom rack, the left frame bar and the right frame bar, a battery box installed in the bottom rack and controlled by the control switch to provide the necessary working voltage to the signal lights, an alternating current adapter controlled by the control switch to convert alternating current power supply to direct current power supply for the signal lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Keng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6389721
    Abstract: A foldable safety sign includes a base and a sign member. The sign member can either be fold and slide when mounted on the base or detached from the base. Accordingly, the store length of the foldable safety sign is much shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Lai Yang
  • Patent number: 6276080
    Abstract: An improved auto emergency warning marker, designed to be hung on an automobile side window, is made of molded plastic and includes a reflective base member and two reflective side members which fold to a compact storage configuration when not in use, but which interlock to make a highly visible triangle. Integrally molded with the base member are a hook positioned proximate one end of the base member, which hook curves outward away from the base member to fit over the top of an automobile side window which has been cranked partially open and a pad holder with attached resilient pad positioned near the center of the base member which contacts the window exterior to support the marker thereon. The improved warning marker will remain solidly anchored on an automobile side window, once positioned there, even in the face of gusting wind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Satellite Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph P. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6178676
    Abstract: A warning device includes three components of an orange fluorescent material that carry reflectors of a red reflex reflective material. The components are pivotally connected to be operable to a compact folded condition. In an unfolded operative condition, an attachment structure secures a lower end portion of a first component to the upper edge of a vehicle window. The first component then extends outwardly at a sixty degree angle, a second component then extends horizontally outwardly from the lower end of the first component and the third component then extends inwardly and upwardly and at a sixty degree angle from the outer end of the second component to the upper end of the first component. The device then presents a triangularly shaped area having an outer border defined by the reflectors and an inner border defined by portions of the components. The attachment structure is sturdy and provides a reliable support of the device while being of a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Cortina Tool & Molding Co.
    Inventor: John Iver Lund
  • Patent number: 6086707
    Abstract: An identification document and a method of placing personalized data (variable text and color image) directly on the identification document having a data receiving page. The method includes the steps of: printing personalized data directly onto a silicone release coat of a release sheet; positioning the release sheet with the side containing fused toner adjacent to the adhesive of an adhesive side of a security laminate; passing the release sheet and the security laminate through a laminator to transfer the personalized data to the adhesive of the security laminate; removing the release sheet leaving the personalized data on the security laminate; and passing the security laminate and the data receiving page through a laminator to seal personalized data between the security laminate and the data receiving page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Waller
  • Patent number: 5453106
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an article providing a hard surface of oriented particles for abrasive or wear-resistant applications which includes a plurality of synthetic single crystals of diamond or cubic boron nitride, or like materials, oriented in a formation so that their corresponding crystallographic directions of maximum hardness, i.e., maximum abrasive resistance, are aligned, whereby the group of crystals, which form a working surface, exhibits a common direction of maximum hardness across the surface, and to a method of making such an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Ellis E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5337947
    Abstract: The reversible triangular box is a generally rectangular sheet divided into three rectangular sections, each containing a front and back face, by two major folds. Safety sign indicia is printed on one face while advertising indicia is printed on the other face. The minimal construction of the reversible triangular box includes two triangular side sections extending from the intermediate second section. Advertising indicia is printed on one face of each triangular side section and safety sign indicia is printed on the other face. A pair of complementary side locking tab and side locking slot combinations are utilized to removably couple or link a respective triangular side section to a first main box section. A minimal construction box has a first and a second handle portion, one of which extends from a top edge region of the first section and the other one extends from the top edge region of the third section. A retaining device holds the first and second handle panels together when they are juxtaposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Ezra D. Eskandry
  • Patent number: 5315777
    Abstract: A foldable emergency sign is provided, made up of a number of flat slats joined by flexible hinges. The slats are provided with warning indicia to alert passing motorists to the presence of a disabled vehicle. The slats are also provided with magnets for quick attachment and detachment from a vehicle. A support harness may be provided for attachment to irregularly shaped areas of a vehicle. The slats may be arranged in two columns with the triangular emergency sign defined over a number of the slats in both columns or the slats may be portions of the sidearms themselves of the triangular emergency sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: The Wise Child Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Fogelman
  • Patent number: 5303668
    Abstract: A self-stable, light weight, foldable and easily assembled road signaling device for disabled vehicle warning or the temporary channeling of traffic, comprising of a flexible warning panel and base. The polygonal panel and complimentary base are formed from the cut lines on an unitary flat sheet body. When the warning panel is folded upright, the base is formed from the remaining unit. Alternatively, the signaling device comprises of a flexible panel affixed to a flat light weight base. The panel is coated with fluorescent or reflective material. Shaped to reduce air drag and constructed of flexible material, in wind or turbulence, the whole warning panel will sway about the stationary base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew B. Huang
  • Patent number: 5195264
    Abstract: A warning and information sign comprising a warning triangle and an information sign carrier and having at one corner thereof a hanger hook enabling a mounting of the sign over the upper edge of any desired side window of the car, and which hanger hook is formed as a double hook comprising two U-shaped hook loops arranged with the openings thereof facing each other and which loops are integral over a web portion which is bent in an angle rearwardly from the openings of said loops such that the lower hook loop, which is not used as a hanger for the moment, is free from the side window of the car or provides a support thereagainst when the sign is hung by the opposite hook loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventors: Lars-Gunnar Johanson, Daniel Miles
  • Patent number: 4875028
    Abstract: A triangle for stalled or disabled vehicles, comprising an outer triangular portion which is red and reflective which is placed on a structure, an inner triangular portion which is yellow and which can be lit up by two light bulbs which are on the inside of the structure, a battery chamber, and a cigarette-lighter D.C. adapter which has a line connected to a lighting circuit and which when not in use can be placed in an adapter storage chamber which is part of the structure, with the line from the D.C. adapter to the lighting circuit winding automatically, with a D.C. adapter cord securement switch, with a lighting selection switch allowing for either continuous or blinking light, and magnets on the back and bottom faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: An-Chuan Chou
  • Patent number: 4759606
    Abstract: A reflector assembly for use on the road by a vehicle driver near his or her stopped vehicle comprising three reflective arms crossing and pivoted to each other at the middle, and bases pivotally connected to two of the arms at one end of each. When the assembly is erected, the crossing arms are spread apart angularly and the bases hold their respective arms extending up diagonally. Wing nuts at the pivots releasably clamp the arms and bases in this position. After loosening the wing nuts, the user can collapse the reflector assembly to a folded position in which the arms are aligned one behind the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Robert A. McDowell
  • Patent number: 4544586
    Abstract: Laminar structures useful as road signs, markers, informational signs and the like comprised of:(i) a modified thermoplastic polyester core structure; and(ii) a front light reflective layer disposed on and laminated to said core structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Molari, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4440104
    Abstract: An emergency warning device comprising a base, three arms extending upwardly from the base to define an equilateral triangle, one of the arms extending horizontally on the base and the other two arms extending upwardly. Each arm has reflective and fluorescent portions on opposed surfaces thereof. The fluorescent portions of said arms comprising spaced walls and each wall has at least one opening therethrough. The opening in one wall is staggered with respect to the opening in the other wall such that portions of one wall overlie the opening in the other wall and such that air striking the device flows in a sinuous path through the device reducing the drag on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Arthur F. Bleiweiss, Terence E. Base
  • Patent number: RE39594
    Abstract: A triangle road sign having a bottom rack, a left frame bar and a right frame bar respectively pivoted to two distal ends of the bottom rack and detachably coupled to each other to form a triangle rack with the bottom rack, a device for securing the triangle rack to the inside of a car, indicator lights respectively installed in the bottom rack, the left frame bar and the right frame bar and controlled to flash by a control switch at the bottom rack, a solar collector installed in the bottom rack to collect solar energy and to convert collected solar energy into electricity for the signal lights at the bottom rack, the left frame bar and the right frame bar, a battery box installed in the bottom rack and controlled by the control switch to provide the necessary working voltage to the signal lights, an alternating current adapter controlled by the control switch to convert alternating current power supply to direct current power supply for the signal lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Chin-Keng Hsieh