MODULAR TRAVEL WARNING STRIP SYSTEM AND METHODS

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. Advantageously, a plurality of metallic cables are molded into the molded rubber segment and extend along substantially the entire length thereof. One of the metallic cables extends into each of the male protrusions. The cables are preferably formed of corrosion-resistant steel, and preferably are joined together to form a cable mat. The mat is molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.

Description

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. 120 of parent U.S. application Ser. No. 14/216,299, entitled Modular Travel Warning Strip System and Methods, filed on Mar. 17, 2014 and presently pending, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/789,396, entitled Modular Travel Warning Strip System and Methods, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. Both prior applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Warning or, more popularly, rumble strips are well known in the highway industry, particularly for high speed highway applications in order to provide an easily detectable noise and vibration, when driven over. They are typically used to warn approaching drivers of a hazard ahead, such as a toll booth, the end of a freeway, a sharp curve, or the like. Permanent rumble strips are placed in the pavement of the roadway for such permanent hazards as are described above. In other circumstances, where the hazard is temporary, such as a construction zone, vehicular accident, checkpoint, or the like, temporary rumble strips may be useful. Such a temporary rumble strip system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,087 to Mettler et al., which patent is herein expressly incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein is a portable rumble or warning strip system which has a number of advantages compared to prior art systems of the type. One such advantage is that the system can be produced at a significantly lower cost, because of improved molding techniques and the ability to utilize recycled and lower cost rubber materials. This advantage, of course, affords a significant environmental benefit compared to prior art products molded of relatively expensive polyurethane. Other advantages include greater ease of assembly and disassembly, availability in a variety of colors, a carrying handle for ease of transport, stacking lugs for easy stackability of multiple modules, jigsaw style connections for maximum assembly options, and lengthwise metallic cables to offer stability and additional weight.

More particularly, there is provided 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 comprises 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. Each male protrusion is located along the width of the segment so that it aligns with a widthwise location of a corresponding female receptacle on the opposing end of the segment. Accordingly, two of the segments may be joined end-to-end in a flush manner by engaging each of the male protrusions on each of the two adjoining segment ends with aligned female receptacles on the other of the two adjoining segment ends.

A handle is preferably formed in the segment, the handle comprising an opening through the thickness of the segment, open on both the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and large enough to accommodate a gloved adult hand.

Each of the opposing lengthwise sides comprise ramps, wherein the top surface of the segment slopes downwardly to the outside edge thereof so that the edge of the segment has a smaller thickness than a center portion of the segment. In one embodiment, the ramps are sloped downwardly at an angle of approximately 15 degrees.

Adjacent ones of the segments may be adjoined in an offset relationship by engaging a male protrusion on one end of a first segment into a non-aligned female receptacle on the adjoining end of a second segment, wherein after the engagement, the respective segments are joined in a flush manner, but with offset respective widths, so that a length of the two joined segments is substantially exactly twice the length of a single segment, but a width of the two joined segments is substantially greater than the width of a single one of the segments. In practice, the width of the two joined segments is at least about a third greater than the width of one of the segments. In one particular embodiment, wherein the width of a single segment is about 12 inches, the width of the two joined segments is about five inches greater than the width of one of the segments.

At least one stacking lug may be disposed on the top surface of the segment, and a corresponding stacking recess for flushly receiving a stacking lug may be disposed on the bottom surface of the segment.

The segment is typically molded of rubber. In some embodiments, it may be molded in a sandwich construction, comprising a top layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, a bottom layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, and a middle core layer of black vulcanizable rubber.

Advantageously, the system further comprises a plurality of metallic cables molded into the segment and extending along substantially the entire length thereof. One of the cables extends into each of the male protrusions to provide support and stiffness to ensure a secure engagement with the adjoining segment. The cables are preferably formed of corrosion-resistant steel. Additionally, the cables are joined together to form a cable mat. The mat is molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided 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. Advantageously, a plurality of metallic cables are molded into the molded rubber segment and extend along substantially the entire length thereof. One of the metallic cables extends into each of the male protrusions. The cables are preferably formed of corrosion-resistant steel, and preferably are joined together to form a cable mat. The mat is molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.

Adjacent ones of the segments may be adjoined in an offset relationship by engaging a male protrusion on one end of a first segment into a non-aligned female receptacle on the adjoining end of a second segment, wherein after the engagement the respective segments are joined in a flush manner, but with offset respective widths. Thus, a length of the two joined segments is substantially exactly twice the length of a single segment, but a width of the two joined segments is substantially greater than the width of a single one of the segments. In practice, the width of the two joined segments is at least about a third greater than the width of one of the segments. In one particular embodiment, wherein the width of a single segment is about 12 inches, the width of the two joined segments is about five inches greater than the width of one of the segments.

The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a modular warning strip segment constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein hidden lines are shown in order to reveal the internal construction of the segment;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a steel cable mat which forms a part of the inventive warning strip segment apart from the molded segment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the inventive modular warning strip segment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view similar to FIG. 4, of the modular warning segment as it is shown in FIG. 2, with hidden lines shown for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the warning segment of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the warning segment of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 8 illustrates three modular warning segments of the invention which have been joined together in end-to-end fashion;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating another option for joining the modular warning segments of the invention together in an offset relationship;

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the modular warning segments of the invention which have been constructed in a sandwich fashion for the purpose of having multiple colors;

FIG. 11 is another view of a modular warning segment of the present invention having a sandwich construction;

FIG. 12 is yet another view of a modular warning segment of the present invention having a sandwich construction; and

FIG. 13 is still another view of a modular warning segment of the present invention having a sandwich construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 a modular warning strip segment or traffic control bump 10 having a first end 12 and a second end 14, wherein each end comprises male protrusions 16 and female receptacles 18 adapted for joining adjacent opposed ends of similar segments 10 for the purpose of configuring a desired warning strip configuration. The segment 10 is comprised of rubber. The rubber may be, preferably, recycled rubber. Generally, the color of the material forming the segment is black, but other colors may be utilized, such as orange and white, and variations, such as using yellow portions along each lengthwise side, are within the scope of the invention. A handle 20 is formed in the segment for convenient transport. The handle 20 is preferably large enough to accommodate a gloved hand. Male stacking lugs 22, with corresponding female recesses (not shown) in the underside surface of the segment 10, may be formed on each end, if desired, but are not required. Also, of course, the location of the stacking lugs and corresponding female recesses along the top and bottom surfaces of the segment 10 may vary as desired. Each lengthwise side of the segment 10 comprises a downwardly ramped portion 24, to a thinner profile compared to the full thickness of the center portion of the segment, to assist traversal over the segments. The bidirectional ramp feature eliminates the issue of orientation of the segment on the roadway. In the illustrated embodiments, the ramps 24 are sloped at an angle of approximately 15 degrees, though that angle may be varied if desired. Advantageously, the jigsaw ends of each segment may also function as a handle if desired.

In one particular embodiment, the full thickness of each segment is about 1½ inches, and each segment 10 is about 46 to 46½ inches in length. The width of each segment is about 12 inches in some embodiments and about 13 inches in others. Other embodiments may employ varying thicknesses, such as about 1 inch or about 0.75 inches. Each segment may weigh between about 24 and 40 lb. Joining three segments 10 together, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, will create a warning strip which covers approximately the width of one typical roadway travel lane of 11 to 12 feet. The dimensions discussed throughout this application are representative only—variations are possible and even desirable, depending upon particular application.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate a unique alternative sandwich construction for the segments 10 of the present invention, to permit production of segments 10 in multiple colors. The segment 10 is made as a sandwich. As shown in FIG. 11, a thin layer 25a of colored vulcanizable rubber is laid into a mold, after which a layer 25b of inexpensive black vulcanizable rubber is laid on top of the first layer. Then, a second thin layer 25c of colored vulcanizable rubber is laid on top of the black layer. This sandwich is then pressed and vulcanized into a finished part. Externally, the finished part has the appearance of a solid colored part, which the exception of the parting line 26 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. An advantage of this approach is that the part is much less expensive to produce, as the black core rubber is much less expensive. The core rubber does not need to be U.V. stabilized, or have other expensive additives, as it is inside the protective shell of the colored outer layers.

As noted above, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two exemplary approaches for deploying the modular warning segments 10 to create a rumble or warning strip assembly 28 or 30, respectively. In FIG. 8, the assembly 28 is merely three segments 10 joined end-to-end using the respective male protrusions 16 and female receptacles 18, respectively, wherein male protrusions 16 on one end of a segment 10 are inserted into corresponding female receptacles on the opposing end of an adjacent segment 10, the female receptacles 18 being open, so that the engagement of the male protrusions 16 into corresponding female receptacles 18 is in the fashion of the joining together of jigsaw puzzle pieces. Accordingly, a flush engagement of the opposing segment ends is created, as shown. On the other hand, FIG. 9 illustrates one example of the versatility of the inventive system, in that the segments 10 are designed for offset joinder as well, in either offset direction, because any male protrusion 16 is adapted for flush engagement with any female receptacle 18. This versatility allows for the creation of warning strip assemblies having a great number of different orientations, thereby maximizing the functionality of the inventive system. As shown in FIG. 9, by offsetting the connections between adjacent segments 10, a warning strip assembly 30 has a total width of approximately 22 inches in the illustrated example, rather than the width of warning strip assembly 28, which is limited to the width of a single segment 10, or about 12 inches in the illustrated embodiment. In other words, each segment 10 is offset about 5 inches relative to adjacent segments, when joined in the illustrated offset manner. However, the total length of the assembly remains the same as for the FIG. 8 assembly 28—approximately 11 ft, 2½ inches in one representative embodiment.

Although the inventive segments 10 may simply be comprised of molded rubber, preferably recycled rubber, or of a sandwich construction, as shown in FIGS. 10-13, a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. Applicant has discovered that it is particularly beneficial to mold the segment 10 to include a plurality of metallic cables 32 running lengthwise within the segment. As shown in FIG. 3, these cables 32 may be formed as a single cable mat 34, preferably formed of corrosion-resistant steel cables 32, though the cable material may be varied depending upon application. The mat 34 is molded together with a molded rubber segment 36, such as vulcanized rubber, to form the segment 10 shown in FIG. 2.

Notably, as shown, some of the cables 32a forming the cable mat 34 have an extended length so that they extend into the male protrusions 16 on both ends of the segment 10, once the cable mat 34 is molded into the rubber mat 36.

Advantageously, the steel cables 32, 32a running lengthwise along the segments 10 provide added weight for each segment 10, which allows for the use of less rubber to make the segment, thereby saving cost and bulk. More significantly, the cables function to substantially stiffen and strengthen the projections 16 to significantly improve the connection between adjacent segments 10, as well as strengthening the ramps 24 on each side of the segment.

Accordingly, although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A modular highway warning strip system comprising:

a first 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;

a second 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;

at least one of the first and second ends of the first modular warning strip segment being configured to engage one of the first and second ends of the second modular warning strip segment, so that the first and second modular warning strip segments are joined to one another to form at least a portion of the modular highway warning strip system;

the first modular warning strip segment being comprised of a first color and the second modular warning strip segment being comprised of a second color which is different than the first color.

22. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 21, and further comprising a handle formed in each of said first and second modular warning strip segments, the handle comprising an opening through the thickness of the segment, open on both the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and large enough to accommodate a gloved adult hand.

23. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 21, and further comprising at least one stacking lug on the top surface of each of the first and second segments, and a corresponding stacking recess for flushly receiving a stacking lug on the bottom surface of each of the first and second segments.

24. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second segments is molded in a sandwich construction, comprising a top layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, a bottom layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, and a middle core layer of black vulcanizable rubber.

25. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 21, and further comprising a plurality of metallic cables molded into each of the first and second segments and extending along substantially the entire length thereof.

26. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 25, wherein the cables are formed of corrosion-resistant steel.

27. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in claim 25, wherein the cables are joined together to form a cable mat, said mat being molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.