Patents by Inventor Robert L. Keech

Robert L. Keech 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).

  • Publication number: 20030123930
    Abstract: A method for making a magnetic pavement marker having an array of magnetic pavement elements arranged in a predefined pattern interconnected by a carrier web. After the array of magnetic pavement elements is applied to the pavement surface, the portion of the carrier web surrounding the magnetic pavement elements is removed or allowed to substantially deteriorate and dissipate, leaving an array of discrete, magnetic pavement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory F. Jacobs, Robert L. Keech, Sithya S. Khieu, Howard R. Tolliver, Thomas R. Borden
  • Patent number: 6468678
    Abstract: Magnetic, conformable articles for use with traffic bearing surfaces are disclosed which comprise an organic binder having magnetic particles distributed therein. The articles may be employed in intelligent vehicle guidance systems, and in systems to guide other mobile objects such as farm animals, pets, or visually impaired pedestrians. Methods of making the articles and methods of using the systems to control and/or guide a mobile object using the magnetic field generated from the articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dahlin, Gregory F. Jacobs, David M. Hopstock, Robert L. Keech, Richard E. Fayling, Richard G. Newell, Claud M. Lacey, Bernard A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5853846
    Abstract: A conformable magnetic article for underlayment beneath a traffic-bearing surface which sends a magnetic signal to a sensor traveling over the traffic-bearing structure. The magnetic article comprises at least one conformable magnetic layer comprising a binder and a sufficient amount of magnetic particles dispersed within the binder to provide a magnetic signal through the traffic-bearing structure to a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Clark, Thomas J. Dahlin, Richard E. Fayling, Bernard A. Gonzalez, David M. Hopstock, Gregory F. Jacobs, Robert L. Keech
  • Patent number: 5593246
    Abstract: A pavement marking 10 includes a base sheet 12, a barrier layer 30, a layer 32 of bonding material, a multitude of optical elements 34, and skid-resistant particles 36. The base sheet 12 contains rubber and fillers and has a number of protuberances 14 projecting from its front side 28. Valleys 16 are disposed between the protuberances 14. The barrier layer 30 is disposed on the front side 28 at least in valleys 16 and preferably over protuberances 14. The layer 32 of bonding material is disposed predominantly on protuberances 14 and in this position secures the optical elements 34 and skid-resistant particles 36 to the protuberances 14 but not to the valleys 16. The coverage of the front side 28 of base sheet 12 with barrier layer 30 and bonding material 32 prevents the fillers in the base sheet 12 from becoming present on the top surface of the pavement marking 10 and thereby preserves the intended color of the marking 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hedblom, Kathleen A. Hachey, Robert L. Keech