Patents by Inventor Larry K. Stump

Larry K. Stump 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: 6703108
    Abstract: Retroreflective pavement marking material comprising on the top surface thereof an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a lower, substantially planar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chester A. Bacon, Jr., Louis C. Belisle, Larry K. Stump, Terry R. Bailey, T. Ian Bradshaw, Dale H. Haunschild, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6451408
    Abstract: A retroreflective article that exhibits suitable retroreflective luminance under dry and dynamic wet conditions. The article includes an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting that, under dry conditions, exhibits a coefficient of retroreflective luminance of about 40 (millicandela/m2)/lux as measured by ASTM D 4061-94 and, under dynamic wet conditions the sheeting increases in coefficient of retroreflective luminance. The article further includes a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a light transmissible bonding layer on the front, reflective surface of the retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dale H. Haunschild, John L. Ethen, Mark D. Zender, Robert A. Haenggi, Larry K. Stump
  • Publication number: 20020090492
    Abstract: A retroreflective article that exhibits suitable retroreflective luminance under dry and dynamic wet conditions. The article includes an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting that, under dry conditions, exhibits a coefficient of retroreflective luminance of about 40 (millicandela/m2)/lux as measured by ASTM D 4061-94 and, under dynamic wet conditions the sheeting increases in coefficient of retroreflective luminance. The article further includes a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a light transmissible bonding layer on the front, reflective surface of the retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: DALE H. HAUNSCHILD, JOHN L. ETHEN, MARK D. ZENDER, ROBERT A. HAENGGI, LARRY K. STUMP
  • Patent number: 6326053
    Abstract: Retroreflective article (10), e.g., in the form of a pavement marking, having raised, nonintegral protuberances (16) that exhibit good dry retroreflectivity and recover retroreflectivity quickly after exposure to water. The protuberance comprise a thermoplastic polymer body. Partially embedded in the protuberance are optical elements (14) which are in optical association with a light scattering agent. The protuberance is disposed on top of a conformable base sheet (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Larry K. Stump, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6303058
    Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michele H. Kelley, Terry Bailey, Bruce B. Wilson, John W. Frank, Dave G. Schueler, Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen, Naoki Nakayama, Larry K. Stump, Dale H. Haunschild
  • Patent number: 6127020
    Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective marking material is provided, the method has the steps of: (a) providing an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface and comprising a cover layer and a monolayer of retroreflective elements; (b) applying a conformance layer to the bottom surface of the retroreflective sheet; and (c) laminating a configuration member to the conformance layer thereby creating first portions and second portions in the sheet, the first portions being arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and the second portions being arranged in a lower, substantially planar position. A retroreflective article made by the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chester A. Bacon, Jr., Louis C. Belisle, deceased, Larry K. Stump, Terry R. Bailey, T. Ian Bradshaw, Dale H. Haunschild, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5981033
    Abstract: A pavement marking tape having a scrim, wherein the scrim is extensible to enable the tape to conform to irregularities in a road surface, and thereby bond more securely to that surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dale H. Haunschild, Neil A. Hodson, Warren J. Johnson, Terrence W. Miller, Larry K. Stump, James H. C. Harper, Roberta M. Collins Harper
  • Patent number: 5941655
    Abstract: Retroreflective article (10), e.g., in the form of a pavement marking, having raised, nonintegral protuberances (16) that exhibit good dry retroreflectivity and recover retroreflectivity quickly after exposure to water. The protuberances may comprise a thermoplastic polymer body and have at least two different portions. Partially embedded in the protuberances are different sets of optical elements (14) which are in optical association with a light scattering agent. The protuberances are disposed on top of a conformable base sheet (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory F. Jacobs, Larry K. Stump
  • Patent number: 5880885
    Abstract: Retroreflective article that provides effective retroreflective brightness at very high entrance angles as well as low entrance angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Terry R. Bailey, Louis C. Belisle, deceased, Larry K. Stump, Gregory F. Jacobs, David G. Schueler, Dale H. Haunschild
  • Patent number: 5835271
    Abstract: A retroreflective element that exhibits exceptional wet retroreflectivity, and a method of manufacturing the same. The retroreflective element includes an assembly having a multi-sided retroreflector and a clear thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the clear thermoplastic is at least partially thermally deformed to create a convex retroreflective dome for capturing high incident angle light rays. The retroreflective elements may be used in a pavement marking system, such as attached to pavement marking tape or deposited in pavement marking paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Larry K. Stump, Thomas V. Kusilek, David C. May, Terry R. Bailey, Louis C. Belisle
  • Patent number: 5750191
    Abstract: A process and retroreflective elements are provided. The process of preparing a retroreflective element includes the steps of (a) combining a bed of optical elements and one or more core elements comprising a thermoplastic material; and (b) agitating the combination of optical elements and core elements for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature to coat the optical elements onto the core elements to form retroreflective elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Hachey, Larry K. Stump, Terrance L. Beseup, Thomas V. Kusilek
  • Patent number: 5286682
    Abstract: A pavement marking that has yellow-tinted, retroreflective beads partially embedded in a bead-carrier medium. The bead-carrier medium contains 0.5 to 15 volume percent of a light-scattering agent that scatters white light. The pavement marking is able to retroreflect a distinct yellow color at nighttime without using yellow pigments that contain the potentially-toxic metals, cadmium, chromium, and lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregory F. Jacobs, James E. Lasch, Thomas P. Hedblom, Larry K. Stump