Patents Assigned to Traffix Devices, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12234614
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime, Jack H. Kulp
  • Patent number: 12234615
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime, Jack H. Kulp
  • Patent number: 12139084
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator is adapted for deployment on a vehicle, and includes a cartridge portion having at least one energy absorbing module, as well as a backup system having a backup frame, which is adapted to attach the cartridge portion to the vehicle. The backup system includes an actuator configured to pivot the cartridge portion between a deployed orientation and a stored orientation about a pivot axis disposed on a lower half of the backup system. The backup system further includes a lockout frame member having a contact surface on one end thereof, the lockout frame member being actuatable between a deployed orientation wherein the contact surface engages a portion of the backup frame to support the backup frame against vehicular impact forces and a stowed orientation wherein the contact surface is not engaged with the backup frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Ryan Selvius
  • Patent number: 12125363
    Abstract: An impact tracking system includes a sensor module that mounts to a fixed crash attenuator, sign, guardrail, or other roadway devices installed along a roadway. When the crash attenuator or other asset is impacted by an errant vehicle, the impact tracker, comprising a sensor system, senses and captures the impact data and sends an alert message to a remote receiver. The receiver may comprise known data receiving means, such as computers or phone systems, which may receive emails, text messages, photos, and the like in real or near real time. Received data may be analyzed, stored, and/or re-transmitted to additional receivers, which may include road authorities, such as transportation departments responsible for inspecting and repairing the impact attenuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Brent M. Kulp, Arthur Koroghlian, Bob L. Wielenga
  • Patent number: 12018444
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator system for deployment in front of a structure includes a rail and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the rail. Each of the plurality of diaphragms moves along the rail, so that when a front end of the crash attenuator system receives an impact force from a vehicle, a first one of the diaphragms moves rearwardly along the rail and impacts a second one of the diaphragms so that both the first and second diaphragms move further rearwardly along the rail, this process continuing with additional ones of the diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated. A tearing member on the crash attenuator system engages material forming a side or fender panel of the crash attenuator system, the tearing member tearing material forming the side panel to attenuate the impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignees: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC., NUTECH VENTURES
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Scott Kenneth Rosenbaugh, Ronald Keith Faller, Robert W. Bielenberg, Jennifer Dawn Rasmussen, Cody Stolle, Karla Ann Lechtenberg, Brock David Schroder, Wyatt Gregory Fallet
  • Patent number: 11773546
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime, Jack H. Kulp
  • Patent number: 11699339
    Abstract: An impact tracking system includes a sensor module that mounts to a fixed crash attenuator, sign, guardrail, or other roadway devices installed along a roadway. When the crash attenuator or other asset is impacted by an errant vehicle, the impact tracker, comprising a sensor system, senses and captures the impact data and sends an alert message to a remote receiver. The receiver may comprise known data receiving means, such as computers or phone systems, which may receive emails, text messages, photos, and the like in real or near real time. Received data may be analyzed, stored, and/or re-transmitted to additional receivers, which may include road authorities, such as transportation departments responsible for inspecting and repairing the impact attenuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Brent M. Kulp, Arthur Koroghlian, Bob L. Wielenga
  • Patent number: 11648897
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator is adapted for deployment on a vehicle, and includes a cartridge portion having at least one energy absorbing module, as well as a backup system having a backup frame, which is adapted to attach the cartridge portion to the vehicle. The backup system includes an actuator configured to pivot the cartridge portion between a deployed orientation and a stored orientation about a pivot axis disposed on a lower half of the backup system. The backup system further includes a lockout frame member having a contact surface on one end thereof, the lockout frame member being actuatable between a deployed orientation wherein the contact surface engages a portion of the backup frame to support the backup frame against vehicular impact forces and a stowed orientation wherein the contact surface is not engaged with the backup frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, iNC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Ryan Selvius
  • Patent number: 11535993
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime, Jack H. Kulp
  • Patent number: 11414822
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime, Jack H. Kulp
  • Patent number: 11417191
    Abstract: An impact tracking system includes a sensor module that mounts to a fixed crash attenuator, sign, guardrail, or other roadway devices installed along a roadway. When the crash attenuator or other asset is impacted by an errant vehicle, the impact tracker, comprising a sensor system, senses and captures the impact data and sends an alert message to a remote receiver. The receiver may comprise known data receiving means, such as computers or phone systems, which may receive emails, text messages, photos, and the like in real or near real time. Received data may be analyzed, stored, and/or re-transmitted to additional receivers, which may include road authorities, such as transportation departments responsible for inspecting and repairing the impact attenuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Brent M. Kulp, Arthur Koroghlian, Bob L. Wielenga
  • Patent number: 11401669
    Abstract: A sign system snaps for displaying informational or warning information to passing motorists or pedestrians is designed to be snapped on and interferingly engaged with the top end of a traffic marker or cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Geoffrey B. Maus, Brent M. Kulp, Felipe Almanza, Christopher Jaime
  • Patent number: 11400884
    Abstract: Significant safety advantages are recognized for vehicle-mounted or attached crash attenuators, particularly in the form of structural improvements in the nature of a catch shelf which helps to prevent underride of an impacting vehicle, meaning that the impacting vehicle is less likely to release drop under the attenuator. When an impacting vehicle slides under the crash attenuator, there is an inability to take full advantage of the ride-down afforded by elements of the attenuator as they are crushed by the impact, thus potentially increasing damage to the impacting vehicle and injuries to its occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Jack H. Kulp, Felipe Almanza
  • Patent number: 11319682
    Abstract: An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Jeremy Smith
  • Patent number: 11247624
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator is adapted for deployment on a vehicle, and includes a cartridge portion having at least one energy absorbing module, as well as a backup system having a backup frame, which is adapted to attach the cartridge portion to the vehicle. The backup system includes an actuator configured to pivot the cartridge portion between a deployed orientation and a stored orientation about a pivot axis disposed on a lower half of the backup system. The backup system further includes a lockout frame member having a contact surface on one end thereof, the lockout frame member being actuatable between a deployed orientation wherein the contact surface engages a portion of the backup frame to support the backup frame against vehicular impact forces and a stowed orientation wherein the contact surface is not engaged with the backup frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Ryan Selvius
  • Patent number: 11060255
    Abstract: Molded plastic barrier segments, typically water or sand-ballasted, are engineered to be attached together, end-to-end, in a barrier array, with innovative features which result in low rotation between attached barrier segments. Such a low rotation barrier array will, upon impact by a vehicle, act as a re-directive barrier, rather than a capturing barrier, which is an important safety feature in some crash scenarios, particularly with respect to more recent safety specifications required by many governmental highway agencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime
  • Patent number: 11060251
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system which comprises a modular warning strip segment having first and second ends, a length extending between the first and second ends, two opposing lengthwise sides, a width extending between the opposing lengthwise sides of the segment, top and bottom surfaces, and a thickness. Each of the first and second ends comprise at least one male protrusion and at least one female receptacle, wherein the at least one male protrusion is configured to engage the at least one female receptacle for joining a plurality of the segments together end-to-end. A segmented metallic plate is disposed between upper and lower rubber layers, the segmented plate comprising a plurality of segments separated by slits comprising living hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Geoffrey B. Maus, Jeremy Smith
  • Patent number: 10822756
    Abstract: An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Jeremy Smith
  • Patent number: 10683625
    Abstract: Molded plastic barrier segments, typically water or sand-ballasted, are engineered to be attached together, end-to-end, in a barrier array, with innovative features which result in low rotation between attached barrier segments. Such a low rotation barrier array will, upon impact by a vehicle, act as a re-directive barrier, rather than a capturing barrier, which is an important safety feature in some crash scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: TrafFix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Christopher A. Jaime
  • Patent number: 10443197
    Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system which comprises a modular warning strip segment having first and second ends, a length extending between the first and second ends, two opposing lengthwise sides, a width extending between the opposing lengthwise sides of the segment, top and bottom surfaces, and a thickness. Each of the first and second ends comprise at least one male protrusion and at least one female receptacle, wherein the at least one male protrusion is configured to engage the at least one female receptacle for joining a plurality of the segments together end-to-end. A segmented metallic plate is disposed between upper and lower rubber layers, the segmented plate comprising a plurality of segments separated by slits comprising living hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Geoffrey B. Maus, Jeremy Smith