Yielding Patents (Class 404/10)
  • Patent number: 6386135
    Abstract: A freestanding cylindrical indicator of the present invention comprises a cylindrical indicating body and a supporter for holding the indicating body in an upright position. The indicating body has a fitting portion and the supporter has an inserting portion for joining with the fitting portion. Joining the inserting portion of the supporter with the fitting portion of the indicating body enables to fit the indicating body into the supporter. The freestanding cylindrical indicator is set up for, for example, being placed on a road to separate the passage of vehicles or pedestrians or being used as a medium to indicate various types of announcements, advertisements and messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Wanbishi Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Reiji Oshima
  • Patent number: 6375385
    Abstract: A flexible support is constructed by mechanically laminating a plurality of relatively wide, thin, elongate flexible members together. The members are preferably formed of spring steel, and each individually is quite flexible due to the thin configuration. Preferably, each of the members is curved about its longitudinal axis to provide additional rigidity. The members are used to support traffic delineators, road signs, and/or other objects as desired, with the strength and resiliency required being adjusted by adjusting the number of individual members comprising each laminated support. The flexibility may be further adjusted by placement of one or more tension adjusters at one or more points along the length of the laminated support, with the attachments for the tension adjusters also being used to secure the laminations together. The fasteners used may be installed through holes formed through the support, or may pass laterally about the sides or edges of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6343821
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for protecting a truck or stationary structure from damage resulting from impact of an object such as a vehicle including a fame mountable to a truck or stationary structure, a bumper having an impact-receiving face adapted to receive an impact from an object in a crash, a movable displacement structure coupled to the frame and interposed between the frame and the bumper and having a first position in which the bumper is relatively distant from the frame and a second position in which the bumper is relatively proximate to the frame, and an energy dissipation system coupled to the displacement structure for dissipating the impact energy of the object into the bumper which causes the displacement structure to be moved from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 6338311
    Abstract: A telescopic roadblock comprises a base and a cone on the base. The cone is of telescopic structure defined by a plurality of inter-linked concentric hard conical sleeves having the same height and decreasing diameters with two adjacent hard conical sleeves being connected together by a soft material, whereby the cone can be easily compressed up to the same height as a hard conical sleeve. The hard conical sleeve with the smallest diameter is set on the topmost end. The outer surface of the cone is coated with reflectorizing material. The roadblock is small, convenient, eye-catching and easy to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Hoi Kwok Ho
  • Patent number: 6301831
    Abstract: A safety barrier positionable across a path for deterring rolling objects from passing beyond the barrier includes an elongate hollow member having open lateral ends. The elongate hollow member includes a base for positioning on a surface and an upwardly extending wall having an arcuate concave surface for hindering rolling objects from passing beyond the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: John P. Cundy, James E. Malczewski
  • Patent number: 6293727
    Abstract: An energy absorbing system with one or more energy absorbing assemblies is provided to reduce or eliminate the severity of a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a roadside hazard. The energy absorbing system may be installed adjacent to a roadside hazard such as the end of a concrete barrier facing oncoming traffic. The energy absorbing system preferably includes at least one energy absorbing element. A sled assembly is also provided with a cutter plate such that a collision by the motor vehicle with one end of the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate tearing or ripping the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the motor vehicle collision. The configuration and number of energy absorbing assemblies and the configuration and number of energy absorbing elements may be varied depending upon the intended application for the resulting energy absorbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Exodyne Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Albritton
  • Publication number: 20010013596
    Abstract: To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave the roadway, a guardrail system includes a guardrail terminal and a guardrail. The guardrail terminal includes cutting means positioned to cut said guardrail as guardrail moves within said guardrail terminal and the guardrail terminal moves with respect to the guardrail to cut the guardrail when impacted by a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: DEAN L. SICKING, BRIAN G. PFEIFER
  • Patent number: 6267529
    Abstract: A traffic post (41,51) comprises a longitudinally extending upper post section (2), a longitudinally extending lower post section (4) adapted to be driven into a support base, and a longitudinally extending elastically flexible unitary coupling member (43,53) fastened to the upper and lower post sections (2,4). The coupling member is fastened to the upper and lower post sections with a front face thereof abutting a rear face of each of the upper and lower post sections. The coupling member has a width greater than a depth thereof so as to enable deflection in a fore and aft direction perpendicular to the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Boydan Joseph Mudryk, Garry David Campbell
  • Patent number: 6247424
    Abstract: A traffic-control warning cone includes a hollow cone at bottom end of which a proper area extends outwards and is formed as flat bottom, then extending outwards and upwards with a certain height and formed as a circular border. A heavy body is mounted on the flat bottom so that the whole body won't be toppled and be kept in an upright state no matter how it is placed so that the present invention won't be toppled, ensures the warning effect and enhances the convenience in using.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Wen-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 6244571
    Abstract: A crash attenuation apparatus for use with a guardrail system having rail posts and rail elements. An impact head has a buffer nose section and a rail post breaking beam system. The post breaking beam system has upper and lower breaking beams attached to the head. A guide tube is attached to the side of the head. A strut member extends from a first attachment point on the rail element to a second point downstream. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head breaks the first rail post, before impacting the strut and buckling the rail element downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Safety by Design, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking
  • Patent number: 6241419
    Abstract: An automatic speed sensitive speed bump having a base plate, a front plate hingedly connected to the base plate, and a torsion spring that biases the front plate upwardly. A rear plate is hingedly connected at its upper end to the front plate. The lower end of the rear plate is beveled and rests on a friction plate, which is hingedly connected at one end to the base plate and is biased upwardly at its other end by a friction plate spring. A strike plate having a reverse beveled end is connected to the base plate. When a vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed, the force of the tires on the front plate causes the rear plate to be driven downwardly rapidly enough and with enough force to depress the friction plate downwardly against the friction plate spring as the lower beveled end of the rear plate is received in the reverse beveled end of the strike plate, which prevents any further rearward movement of the rear plate and therefore locks the speed bump in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Michael L. Bond
  • Patent number: 6203079
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for protecting a truck or stationary structure from damage resulting from impact of an object such as a vehicle including a frame mountable to a truck or stationary structure, a bumper having an impact-receiving face adapted to receive an impact from an object in a crash, a movable displacement structure coupled to the frame and interposed between the frame and the bumper and having a first position in which the bumper is relatively distant from the frame and a second position in which the bumper is relatively proximate to the frame, and an energy dissipation system coupled to the displacement structure for dissipating the impact energy of the object into the bumper which causes said displacement structure to be moved from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 6186699
    Abstract: A safety delineator is provided which includes a conical body portion to which is attached one or more vertical panels. The delineators may be stacked without removing the vertical panels, since each vertical panel is particularly designed to warp around the conical body portion to which it is attached as another vertical delineator slides over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Billy E. Wehring
  • Patent number: 6176642
    Abstract: A slalom gate comprises a pair of upright gate posts, a flag panel having two side edges and an upper edge, the side edges defining sleeve-like elements receiving the gate posts whereby the flat panel is held between the gate posts, two clamping devices affixing the upper edge of the flag to the gate posts, at least one of the clamping devices being separate from the flag panel, and an elongated rubber-elastic traction member connecting the flag panel at least at one of the gate posts to the separate clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Hinterholzer
  • Patent number: 6158919
    Abstract: A marker post having a breachable coating for providing a visual indication of the presence of an object, with the marker post comprised of glass fibers supported in a resin containing a secondary pigment to provide an internal color to the marker post, and with the breachable coating containing an ultraviolet blocking agent, with the breachable coating having a principle pigment of a color that is the same or substantially the same color as the secondary pigment in the resin so that in the event the breachable coating having the principle color pigment is breached, the underlying secondary pigment in the resin will be visible through the breached coating so that a viewer observing the marker post from a distance will see the marker post as one color even though two distinct surfaces of the marker post are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Scott D. Landes
  • Patent number: 6149339
    Abstract: A foldable road marker is formed of a pair of panels each having a central stem portion integrally connected with side panel portions. The panels each having an elongated slot with the stem portion and slots being coaxial. Each stem portion is fitted within the slot of the opposite panel for interconnecting the panels. The panels are pivotable relative to each other into a position in which they are transverse to each other or, alternatively, into a folded position in which they are generally parallel and closely overlap to each other for storage. Guide members are formed in the slots of each of the panels for slideably fitting within vertically arranged guide channels formed in the stem portions of their opposite panel for guiding the assembly of, and the positions of, the panels relative to each other. Detents are provided for holding the panels in their transverse position for marker use or, alternatively, in their folded, parallel storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: James Sinclair Salloum, Wilburn Alden White, David Alden White, Edward Cullin Smith, John Quinn Nelson
  • Patent number: 6149340
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for self-righting a signpost after it has been tipped over comprising a plate for connecting to the signpost and a complementary tray secured to the ground. Most of the apparatus is located below ground out of harm's way. The tray has upturned peripheral edges within which the plate resides. A chain is connected to the plate, extends through a hole in the tray and into the bore of a pipe for connecting to the bottom of a compression spring. When the signpost and plate tip, the plate rotates within the tray, displacing the chain and compressing the spring. Preferably a lip extending over the edge of the plate causes the plate to ride up the edge of the tray, increasing the chain's displacement. The increased tension in the chain urges the plate and signpost to right themselves. The plate and tray are complementary and square shape so that the square sides engage during tipping and prevent rotation of the signpost's orientation when it returns to the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas J. Pateman
  • Patent number: 6142882
    Abstract: A device used to plug an opening into and locate a receptacle in an anchor to a base employed on a playing field. The device has an elastic body that has a shape sufficiently large to extend across the opening of the receptacle. A flexible indicator is connected to the body and indicates the location of the body. The body is made from an elastomeric material capable of being deformed to insert a portion of the body through the opening into the receptacle and expands to form a plug across the opening to prevent access of dirt into the receptacle. The flexible indicator has a length sufficient to extend from the body and for a sufficient distance to be observed when the body is mounted with the receptacle and is sufficiently flexible to be deflected during ground care operations of the playing field and be visible after such ground care operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: James H. Anglea
  • Patent number: 6113307
    Abstract: A highway delineator device comprising an elongate tube having a bottom end, a top end, an inside surface, and an outside surface, and configured for use as a highway delineator. The bottom end of the tube comprises means for connecting the tube to a base support in such a manner that the tube is in a vertical configuration, and the top end of the tube having at least three different cross-sections comprising (i) a top cross-section flattened together with opposing inside surfaces sealed together to fully close the top end of the tube and having opposing outside surface in parallel relationship for receiving a top edge of reflective material without curvature, (ii) an intermediate cross-section having an elongate gap extending between the opposing inside surfaces, said outside surfaces along the gap being slightly arcuate to provide a flattened surface for receiving a lower section of reflective material with moderate curvature, and (iii) a lower cross-section having a circular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Carsonite International
    Inventors: Ernest Joyner, III, Patrick J. Ladolcetta
  • Patent number: 6109820
    Abstract: A flexible marker assembly and base for traffic control markers or other purposes. The flexible marker assembly includes a substantially vertical flat marker mounted in a receptacle in a base. A first and second longitudinal arcuate surface is provided on a first and second side of the marker for supporting the flexible marker when the marker is bent, as may occur when the marker is impacted by a vehicle. The flat marker is inserted within a receptacle and is secured to the base by an anchor plate, which is either inserted within the receptacle or positioned below the base to engage the marker. The longitudinal arcuate surfaces have channels formed therein to allow access to fasteners, which connect the marker to an anchor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Flexstake, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Hughes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6099203
    Abstract: A marker post formed of a resilient materiel which is normally bendable without breaking, with the resilient material arranged in a triangular cross shape with internal webs therein to impart sufficient rigidity to the marker post to enable the marker post to be driven into most soils with the internal webs coacting to provide a restoring force to enable the marker post under many field conditions to return to a normally straight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Scott D. Landes
  • Patent number: 6095716
    Abstract: A safety delineator is provided which includes a conical body portion to which is attached one or more vertical panels. A new and improved handle feature permits easy and comfortable full hand gripping of the delineator and also prevents sticking and jammning together of a plurality of the delineators when they are stacked. The delineators may be stacked without removing the vertical panels, since each vertical panel is particularly designed to wrap around the conical body portion to which it is attached as another vertical delineator slides over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Billy E. Wehring
  • Patent number: 6068233
    Abstract: A multi-section support post for a reflective, roadway delineator that collapses upon impact at a replaceable joint. A ground stake and a sign stake are joined together with hardwood blocks that are separated with a material having a large coefficient of friction. The blocks are secured with a pivot bolt to recessed channels at the stakes. An intervening layer of tarpaper is compressed between the blocks. The sign stake collapses at the joint upon impact, such as from a snowplow. A reflective roadway delineator rotates about a pivot bolt or axle that projects from the sign stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Helen M. Green
  • Patent number: 6062766
    Abstract: A raised pavement marker includes a reflector assembly that is resiliently supported by a membrane, that in turn is supported by a frame. The reflector assembly includes a skirt that overlaps the membrane, thereby allowing large-area reflectors and low-angle ramp surfaces. A vent is formed between the skirt and the membrane, and this vent is resistant to clogging. Locating elements are placed on the frame of the pavement marker to assist in proper installation of the marker in a recess of a roadway, such that all portions of the frame are positioned below the surface of the roadway. Indentations allow the installer to gauge the level of adhesive in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Quixote Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Fleury, Jeffery S. Held, Robert D. Giese, Richard R. Figlewicz
  • Patent number: 6053658
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved roadway information display apparatus wherein scrap tire particles are molded to form a support base and opposed lengths of elastomeric material of corded ply construction are fastened to the support base so as to provide a flexibly hinged connection for a vertically extending information display board. For improved visibility, the display board may be highlighted by photo-cell operated LEDs, powered by a solar panel charged battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Henry C. Gibson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6050742
    Abstract: A raised pavement marker includes a rigid reflector assembly that supports two retroreflectors. The reflector assembly is resiliently mounted over a base by a resilient membrane, which is secured to the base at its outer edge. When a vehicle contacts the reflector housing, downward forces supplied by the vehicle to the reflector housing deform the membrane, which allows the reflector housing to move downwardly to pavement level. After the vehicle has passed, the resilience of the membrane restores the reflector assembly to its raised position. Methods for installing and removing the pavement marker are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Held, Robert D. Giese
  • Patent number: 6022003
    Abstract: To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave the roadway, a guardrail system includes a guardrail terminal and a guardrail. The guardrail terminal includes cutting means positioned to cut said guardrail as guardrail moves within said guardrail terminal and the guardrail terminal moves with respect to the guardrail to cut the guardrail when impacted by a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Dean L. Sicking, Brian G. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 6019543
    Abstract: A foot for a traffic beacon, serving as routing device for road traffic, is proposed. At its lower end, the traffic beacon is coupled detachably with the foot. The traffic beacon, at least in its lower part, consists of a soft, elastic material and, at its lower edge, has a laterally protruding flange, which engages appropriately shaped recesses in the foot. These recesses are formed by clamping jaws, which can be bolted to a foot plate and, in each case, have a horizontal, inwardly protruding cross member. Nubs, protruding at the underside of the clamping jaws, press into the soft elastic material of the flange when the screws are tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Wilhelm Junker
  • Patent number: 6017602
    Abstract: A device for use as a meter pit or a traffic barrel, having double-walled construction in which one wall is a substantially smooth inner wall and a second outer wall is a corrugated wall, wherein the corrugated wall may be a singular wall extending from one end of the inner wall to the other end of the inner wall or a plurality of exterior walls attached sequentially at various points to the inner wall, the exterior corrugated walls may be linked to one another by a series of smooth walls. The corrugated wall has small, individual corrugations with the individual corrugations including a pair of trough walls and a crest, the small size of the individual corrugations making the device light-weight and impact resistant. The drum device is extruded and contains a polyolefin mixture, which preferably contains recycled and virgin polyethylene materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Stephen W. Baker, Douglas A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6010277
    Abstract: A variable speed bump apparatus comprising a pivoting ramp element hinged at one end, at least one piston and cylinder assembly supporting the pivoting ramp element and a first flow control valve and wherein the first flow control valve is operative to control the response of the pivoting ramp element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Aaron Follman
  • Patent number: 5993105
    Abstract: A safety marker includes an hollow frusto-conical body; a base having an bowl-shaped main portion and a resiliently flexible skirt for yieldably stabilizing the marker against tipping relative to a supportive surface, the body being connected in upstanding relation to an inner portion of the base and concentric therewith, the base being formed to clear the cone defined by the inside surface of the body, the bowl being sufficiently large relative to the body and the base being weighted sufficiently that the marker is self-righting, the skirt being sufficiently flexible to be deflected against the bowl for preserving the self-righting capability of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Steven R. Chan
  • Patent number: 5957425
    Abstract: A breakaway safety sign support post for obtaining predictable and reliable separation of an upper post section from a lower post section anchored in a substrate, when the post is struck by a vehicle. In a specific construction, the lower post section is adapted to be imbedded in the ground, with an upper end projecting a predetermined limited distance above the surface of the ground. The upper, post section is secured in overlapping, parallel relationship with the lower post section and is secured thereto with frangible fasteners to define a breakaway joint. The post sections each have a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape, including a longitudinal center web with a plurality of holes spaced uniformly along its length, and outwardly divergent side walls at opposite sides of the web, terminating in laterally outwardly projecting flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Marion Steel Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Conway, Frederick Mauer, IV
  • Patent number: 5927896
    Abstract: An inertial barrier system is provided which is comprised of inertial barriers formed of two modules, each of them being differently sized and being adapted to stack one upon the other. An interlocking geometry on each of the mating ends of modules assists in obtaining a secure stacking arrangement, and also assists in varying the volumetric capacity of each of the two modules. Thus, when the smaller of the two modules is the upper module, facing upwardly so that its volumetric capacity is available for filling by a particulate ballasting material, a lighter weight barrier is obtained. On the other hand, when the two modules are inverted, and the larger one is the upper module, its greater volumetric capacity ensures that, once filled by the ballasting material, a heavier barrier will result. Advantageously, each module is sized to ensure a barrier of the proper weight when it is placed in the position of the upper module and is properly filled by a worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: David C. Gertz
  • Patent number: 5908262
    Abstract: A basally adhered, self-recovering traffic lane delineator has a cylindrical post made of flexible material, having the air outlet and inlet on the center of its upper surface, and a supplementary support panel placed and adhered underneath the post. The support panel supports a lower part of the post and is adhered on the ground. Owing to its small package volume, the delineator is easy to move and safeguard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Eui Sig Ahn
  • Patent number: 5895170
    Abstract: A flexible, raised snowplowable pavement marker having a top portion that readily deforms downwardly into a base portion when impacted by vehicular traffic or a snowplow blade. Markers installed in a cavity bored in pavement are anchored in place with grouts or alternatively within an annular ring mounting device. The marker body may be black in color to take advantage of solar activity in improving marker performance and longevity and may be vented to atmosphere to facilitate the downward deflection of the top portion of the pavement marker. A retroreflective sheeting is affixed to the marker so that the marker is highly visible to motor vehicle drivers at nighttime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David C. Chambers, Robin G. Pitman
  • Patent number: 5888016
    Abstract: A traffic collar cone has a delineator having a reflection sheet attached on its upper part. A plug is placed under the sheet having an air inlet and outlet extending upwardly and downwardly therethrough. A conical body member is provided, having in its upper end wall an insertion hole in which the plug is mounted. A support panel is provided at the bottom of the body and cone collars are attached on the outer surface of the body member, with vertical spacing between them. The traffic collar cone is made of flexible material and designed to recover its original shape after being impacted, so that injury to collar cone is eliminated or minimized. The support panel can be adhered onto a roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Eui Sig Ahn
  • Patent number: 5879103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to markers manufactured from skis. In accordance with the invention, the structure of a ski is modified to enable its use as an object which may be driven into soil or snow to designate the presence of underground objects, to delineate or identify a border or as a post for signage or fencing. The process of the invention relates to the modification of a ski by treating or removing the existing outer surfaces of a ski and providing new outer surfaces to the ski which may include graphics or notices specific to its new use. In order to inhibit the removal of a marker from soil or snow after placement, the marker may be provided with a barb system on its underground portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Bob Baillie
  • Patent number: 5876020
    Abstract: A guardrail for a road or highway includes spaced uprights or posts on which are mounted deformable spacers which carry a longitudinal rail. The rail is formed by two wave shaped strips mounted together in a FIG. 8 profile by fastening ribs positioned in the open areas of the FIG. 8. The spacer has a straight lower portion that extends diagonally upward from the upright to the rail, a center portion fastened to the rail, and an upper portion curved to meet the upright. The spacer deforms to lift the rail upon impact. Additional tubular rails are provided on the uprights above the rail height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Autostrada del Brennero S.P.A.
    Inventor: Vittorio Giavotto
  • Patent number: 5873674
    Abstract: A roadway safety warning system and method of making same utilizing various ones of marking assemblies applied to a roadway surface to provide a warning system. The marking assemblies means includes 1) chevron marking assembly; 2) diagonal marking assembly; 3) perpendicular marking assembly; and 4) chevron and perpendicular marking assembly. The various marking means can have various embodiments thereof with 1) the chevron marking assembly being of a V-shape; 2) the diagonal marking assembly extended at an angle to a direction of travel; 3) the perpendicular marking assembly extended perpendicular to the direction of travel; and 4) the chevron and perpendicular marking assembly being a portion of both of a combination of the chevron marking assembly and the perpendicular marking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Barney K. Hohl
  • Patent number: 5809733
    Abstract: A rotating guard rail assembly formed preferably of steel tubing and sheathed in a polymerized material such as plastic. The assembly generally comprises a vertical stanchion sheathed in plastic and having a rotating jacket assembly mounted about the exterior of the stanchion. The jacket is free to rotate about the stanchion, thereby acting as a cornering or pivoting device to redirect a moving object upon impact of the guard rail assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Venegas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5791812
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preventing the penetration of vehicles by narrow objects such as guardrail ends or portions of a guardrail end treatment during a collision. In one embodiment, portions of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal are adapted for improved operation during impacts by attachment of a penetration guard. The penetration guard may also be affixed to other guardrail end treatments or even other suitable highway objects to create an improved safety apparatus. The penetration guard includes a frame and is affixed to the impact head of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal. The frame is greatly collapsible when impacted from a substantially end-on direction. However, when impacted from a direction other than substantially end-on, the frame is substantially non-collapsible and maintains its integrity. The frame includes an outer housing which defines a central opening. The housing is preferably formed of a unitary outer of sheet metal which surrounds the central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Don L. Ivey
  • Patent number: 5788405
    Abstract: A vertical highway marker is provided having a mounting base, a marker post and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket secures the marker post to the mounting base. The highway marker includes a flexible region which bends so that the marker post will rotate relative to the mounting base when the marker post is impacted by a vehicle. The mounting base is a low-profile, square rubber pad which may be driven over by a vehicle without disturbing the driver's control of the vehicle. A resilient member is disposed proximate to the flexible region of the highway marker for bending with and stiffening the flexible region. Blocking members extend on forward and rearward sides of the resilient member and the flexible region for limiting a range of bending over which the resilient member bends with the flexible region, such that the stresses within the resilient member are not substantially greater than the yield strength of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Lucy Caroline Beard
    Inventor: James Richard Beard
  • Patent number: 5779389
    Abstract: An impactor for a movable, deformable barrier, simulating an automobile, comprising an upright, solid backing support, a plurality of energy absorbing impact segments protruding from the support, each segment having an outer impact face and each comprising a plurality of layers of honeycomb having different crush strength characterized by increasing crush strength of successive layers from the outer impact face to the support, the layers being separated by and secured to perforate plates therebetween allowing air flow from a crushing layer to the succeeding layers when the layers are successively crushed and each impact segment having a thin vent layer of noncrushing slotted honeycomb adjacent the support for discharge of air from all of the segments as they are successively crushed. The layers in each segment are of essentially the same width and height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Plascore, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Niemerski
  • Patent number: 5775833
    Abstract: A breakaway highway delineator including a base member for resting on a roadway or other generally horizontal surface and a base member which is connected to the panel member. In a preferred embodiment, the panel member is moveable between a first, generally horizontal orientation and a second, generally vertical orientation. The base member has a cavity/receiving slot configured to hold part of the panel member when the panel member is disposed generally horizontally. The base member also interacts to hold the panel member generally vertical when the panel member is properly positioned within the base member so as (i) to prevent the panel member from being tipped over by gusts of wind and drafts created by trucks and other vehicles passing by the delineator, and (ii) to release the panel member when forcefully impacted, allowing the panel member to be pulled from the base member to minimize damage to vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Rotational Molding of Utah
    Inventor: David Little
  • Patent number: 5749189
    Abstract: A post device, which is yieldable when hit by a vehicle, comprises a post with a base having at least three spaced-apart fixtures fixedly attached thereto, and a foundation with a fixing device supporting at least three spaced-apart rods, which are arranged to cooperate with the fixtures, thereby securing the post to the foundation. The fixtures are arranged on the outside of the base and embrace the associated rods and are each provided with a through opening or slot which is oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the post. Stop devices each engage an associated rod and an upper portion of an associated fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Dekont Teknik AB
    Inventor: Dan Oberg
  • Patent number: 5749673
    Abstract: A safety delineator is provided which includes a conical body portion to which is attached one or more vertical panels. A new and improved handle feature permits easy and comfortable full hand gripping of the delineator and also prevents sticking and jamming together of a plurality of the delineators when they are stacked. The delineators may be stacked without removing the vertical panels, since each vertical panel is particularly designed to wrap around the conical body portion to which it is attached as another vertical delineator slides over it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Traffix Devices
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Billy E. Wehring
  • Patent number: 5713694
    Abstract: A resilient and flexible base for a two-piece traffic channelizer is provided that does not require external ballasting to stabilize the channelizer against wind forces and vacuum forces created by passing vehicles and minor impacts from a vehicle. The base is formed of a hardenable liquid resin such that the base is resilient and flexible after curing and has a specific gravity greater than about 1.25. The base further includes at least one flexible footpad for generating a restoring moment when the channelizer is subjected to a tipping force, such as a minor impact. The composition of the liquid resin includes at least one off-grade polyvinylchloride (PVC) resin, a plasticizer and a specific gravity increasing agent. A method is also provided for forming the base by slush molding at least a portion of the hardenable liquid resin adjacent the interior surface of a molding cavity. The base formed by the disclosed method is also self-lubricating and resistant to chemical degradation and extreme temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Radiator Specialty Company
    Inventors: Albert F. Monda, Milton Darrell Hinnant
  • Patent number: 5703577
    Abstract: A self-erecting control device is provided with a base member and a bracket assembly attached to the base member for receiving a movable sign support member. The movable sign support member is vertically movable and rotatable with the bracket. That is, in one position the sign support member is stationary in an upright position and in a second position, the movable sign support member is rotatable into a storage position. A flexing device, such as a spring, is mounted to the movable sign support member and a sign wherein upon impact the sign device yields in response to the impact and the coil spring returns or self-erects the sign to its original upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: James R. Carter
  • Patent number: 5678950
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with producing a visual guiding effect for guide walls which are difficult to see particularly at dusk and in the dark. According to the invention, the guide arrangement comprises a holder which is to be mounted on the guide wall and is provided with a retaining arm, which is elastically resilient at least in the horizontal direction, and a guide member which is mounted on the retaining arm by a coupling device and is provided on at least one side with a guide face which is clearly visible even in conditions of poor visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Wilhelm Junker
  • Patent number: 5676350
    Abstract: A portable barrier system including a portable post support device having a base member with a handle and an attachment mechanism for supporting a post, the post in turn supporting a barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventors: George Galli, Leo Parrillo