Attenuated Lane Marker Type Patents (Class 404/12)
  • Patent number: 11859356
    Abstract: A modular system of light strips is configured for use on a roadway surface. The light strips are configured to withstand vehicular traffic driving over the light strips. The light strips have a rigid, durable housing protecting a series of LEDs within the housing. LED lenses direct light from the LEDs through the sidewall of the housing at vehicular traffic on the roadway. The channel is filled with a protective material, such as a polymer resin that protects the LEDs and power supply. The modular system includes a power source or can connect to a power grid. The modular system can include a sensor to activate the system and/or to control the light brightness Preferably the light strips connect together or can be substituted for one another to be interchangeable and easily carried, moved, installed and disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Evolutionary Markings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Linville, Douglas Baker
  • Patent number: 11124933
    Abstract: The disclosed pavement marking system provides information about the arrangement of the pavement marking to a sensor on a vehicle for to identify a particular lane on a roadway. The pavement marking system comprises a sensor placed on a vehicle and at least a first pavement marking and a second pavement marking, wherein each of the first pavement marking a second pavement marking comprising different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Thomas P. Hedblom
  • Patent number: 11110695
    Abstract: A marking tape for application on pavement which comprises a core layer and an adhesive layer outside the core layer. The core layer is formed of a combination of a conforming layer of a thermoplastic material, a marking layer of a cross-linked material, and a fibrous layer. The conforming layer and the marking layer are contiguous and/or directly interconnected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jean Le Normand, Volker Boehme, Michael R. Jost, Dirk Kolowrot, Sabine Henning
  • Patent number: 11047098
    Abstract: A road marker and an installation for a roadway extending along a longitudinal axis and having a roadway upper surface. The road marker includes a housing containing an energy source and a light source to be powered by the energy source and configured to emit light along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: David E Lambert
  • Patent number: 10909844
    Abstract: A computer-implemented dynamic road stretch dividing method, the method comprising: determining a current lane distribution of partitions of a road stretch; calculating a new lane distribution of the road stretch to ameliorate traffic based on a pragmatic factor; changing an alignment of the partitions of the current lane distribution to obtain the new lane distribution; and updating the pragmatic factor based on at least one of an external policy and a constraint input by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuntal Dey, Rakesh Rameshrao Pimplikar, Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh, Biplav Srivastava
  • Patent number: 10890462
    Abstract: There is provided a system, method, and a computer program product that, when implemented, provides a user a notification about one or more road conditions. The system may include one or more sensors that may be configured to detect the presence and absence of one or more road markings, and a processing unit in operable communication with the one or more sensors configured to receive and process a plurality of sensor readings provided by the one or more sensors. A display in operable communication with the processing unit may be configured to display audio, visual, and audiovisual notification messages to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PRINCESS SUMAYA UNIVERSITY FOR TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yazan Ahmad Alqudah, Belal Hussein Mohammad Sababha
  • Patent number: 10605681
    Abstract: A pressure sensor and its use for visually determining whether a preselected pressure threshold has been achieved, for example during high pressure processing treatment of a foodstuff. The pressure sensor includes a contained color-changing system having a dye, a developer, and a solvent; upon achievement of the preselected pressure threshold, the dye and the developer interact, resulting in a visible color change. Further, the visible color change can be retained upon a decrease in pressure and upon an increase in temperature, thereby effectively recording the achievement of the preselected pressure threshold during the high pressure processing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Chromatic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruizheng Wang, Timothy J. Owen, Lyle D. Small
  • Patent number: 10480138
    Abstract: A road marker and an installation for a roadway extending along a longitudinal axis and having a roadway upper surface. The road marker includes a housing containing an energy source and a light source to be powered by the energy source and configured to emit light along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: David E. Lambert
  • Patent number: 9747575
    Abstract: A system and method optimizes throughput of tracked assets as work-in-progress (WIP) within a monitored environment such as a manufacturing establishment with off-line processing areas. A plurality of assets such as vehicles have a tag transmitter associated therewith and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal that includes data relating to the identification of the asset to which the tag transmitter is associated. A real-time location system (RTLS) infrastructure tracks the location of the plurality of assets to various containment, staging, and processing task areas within the monitored environment as WIP. A processor is operative with the RTLS infrastructure for determining an asset input rate into WIP at an origin to the WIP for optimizing asset flow rate as WIP through different containment, staging, and processing areas within the monitored environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Sandeep Jain, Nadia Onorati, David Phillips
  • Patent number: 9697732
    Abstract: A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilize simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SOLAR BRIGHT LIMITED
    Inventors: Patrick John Martin, Paul Senior
  • Patent number: 9644332
    Abstract: A combination traffic barrier and roadway repair system for use on a traffic way, such as a roadway, runway, taxiway or the like, includes an elongated base and an elongated rectangular slab. The base configured to support the rectangular slab in a vertical orientation when used as a barrier. The rectangular slab being detachable from said base and configured to be placed flush with a traffic way surface, thereby forming a portion of the traffic way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9631780
    Abstract: A thoroughfare lighting device comprising a housing configured to be attached to a thoroughfare surface, a plurality of LEDs configured to selectively illuminate individual lanes of the thoroughfare surface, the plurality of LEDs comprising a first set of LEDs configured to emit a generally white light and a second set of LEDs configured to emit colored light that is operable to selectively emit light so as to illuminate individual lanes of the thoroughfare surface, a driver circuit configured to operate the second set of LEDs to emit a colored light indicating the condition of a first lane of the thoroughfare surface, and an optic carried by the housing and positioned in optical communication with the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Oostdyk, Addy S. Widjaja, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Ran Zhou, James Lynn Schellack
  • Patent number: 9534150
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates to a new temporary, reusable, retroreflective, raised pavement marker design. The pavement marker utilizes a water soluble, adhesive embedded in a fibrous base material for application to the pavement. This temporary adhesion method allows the pavement marker to be reused after removal from the pavement. The semispherical shape of the marker provides increased lateral stability. The recesses on the top surface of the marker protect the retroreflective microspheres from loss of retrorefectivity from vehicular abrasion. The round shape also allows the marker to be used to form arrows and other pavement markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Roger Young
  • Patent number: 9255670
    Abstract: A thoroughfare lighting device may include a housing configured to be attached to a thoroughfare surface, having a top surface, a proximal face, a distal face, and first and second opposing sidewalls, a driver circuit, a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically coupled to the driver circuit comprising a first set of LEDs configured to emit a generally white light, and a second set of LEDs configured to emit colored light that is observable by an observer. The lighting device may also include an optic carried by the housing and positioned in optical communication with the plurality of LEDs. The color of light emitted by the second set of LEDs may be selectable to indicate a condition of the thoroughfare in a direction of travel of the observer. Additionally, the first sidewall may taper in a direction of the distal face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Oostdyk, Addy S. Widjaja, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Ran Zhou, James Lynn Schellack
  • Patent number: 9129181
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring objects senses, by an electromagnetic sensor, ambient electromagnetic radiation including at least a particular frequency band reflected from a marker on the object. Data is transmitted about the ambient electromagnetic radiation to a tracking system including at least one memory system and a processor having at least one processor. The processor system determines data representing the marker, the data representing the marker being derived from the data about the ambient electromagnetic radiation. The processor system also determines a location of the object based on the data representing the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Vaidhi Nathan, Anoo Nathan
  • Patent number: 9033612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ADA compliant detectable warning or guidance tile for pedestrian platforms, walkways, and sidewalks and the like having a detectable warning surface containing raised truncated domes detectable by the visually impaired in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities and being provided with one or more additional means on the top surface of the tile to provide visual or tactile information to sighted and visually impaired pedestrians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Astra Capital Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth Szekely, William Crookes
  • Patent number: 8985893
    Abstract: A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilize simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Solar Bright Limited
    Inventors: Patrick John Martin, Paul Senior
  • Patent number: 8950971
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes preformed pre-bonded thermoplastic sections comprising smaller articles where the articles and sections have planar top surfaces and planar bottom surfaces that are coplanar to each other. There is also an adhesive backing layer on the coplanar bottom surfaces so that the adhesive backing layer bridges and bonds coplanar bottom surfaces to form unified pre-bonded thermoplastic signage thereby preventing dislodging or separation of the signage during handling, movement, and/or transportation before or during application of the pre-bonded signage. The articles when properly sequenced, matched, and combined, together makeup the sections such that when the sections are also sequenced and matched the sections combine to form thermoplastic signage with a final pattern wherein the planar top surfaces include sequential features necessary to visibly aid in quick assembly of one or more unified thermoplastic signages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W Greer, Vagn K Askjaer
  • Patent number: 8950095
    Abstract: A paving advertisement has an elongated flexible tape body with a base substrate layer. The base substrate layer has front and rear faces, the front face having at least one text message that conveys information. The base substrate layer includes a cold crack additive, such as polyvinyl chloride, thereby increasing its strength and flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ParkMarx Advertising, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory W. Gorman
  • Publication number: 20150003909
    Abstract: A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilise simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick John Martin, Paul Senior
  • Patent number: 8899776
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a housing configured to be attached to a thoroughfare surface. The housing may include a top surface, a proximal face, a distal face, and first and second sidewalls extending between the proximal face and the distal face. Circuitry may be carried by the housing. A first primary optic may be carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall to define a first optical chamber, and a first light source may be positioned within the first optical chamber and carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall. The first sidewall may have a first slanted section, and an axis of the first slanted section may skew to a longitudinal axis of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Oostdyk, Addy S. Widjaja, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Ran Zhou, James Lynn Schellack
  • Patent number: 8899775
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing attached to a thoroughfare surface. The housing may have a top surface, a proximal face, a distal face, and first and second opposing sidewalls extending between the proximal face and the distal face and extending downwardly from the top surface. The lighting device may further include a first primary optic that may be carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall that may define a first optical chamber. The lighting device may also further include a first light source that may be positioned within the first optical chamber and may be carried by the housing adjacent the first sidewall. The first sidewall may taper in a direction of the distal face. The first primary optic may be configured to direct light outward and in a direction of the taper in the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Robert R. Soler, Mark Andrew Oostdyk, Addy S. Widjaja, Ran Zhou, James Lynn Schellack
  • Publication number: 20140321911
    Abstract: A highway marking paint is provided formed from a waterborne latex paint and porous silica. The silica enables the paint to achieve sufficient viscosity to permit the application of a highway marking of at least 40 mil and preferably at least 120 mil. The highway marking paint can also include retroreflective glass beads. Optionally, the highway marking paint further includes an acrylic polymer emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Suruliappa Jeganathan, Chris Davies, Kevin Goforth
  • Patent number: 8840335
    Abstract: A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilize simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Solar Bright Limited
    Inventors: Patrick John Martin, Paul Senior
  • Publication number: 20140270941
    Abstract: A pavement marker includes a plastic base having an exposed upper surface, a reflector supported by the plastic base, and a metal rub rail coupled to the plastic base. The rub rail has an exposed rub surface positioned above the exposed upper surface of the plastic base. Methods of making and installing a pavement marker are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: JOHN D. INTAGLIATA
  • Patent number: 8734048
    Abstract: A passive elongated flexible roadway marking device attaches and conforms to a curved roadway median. The device includes an integrally formed plastic extruded spline and a protrusion having a D-shaped profile. Notches with stress relief vertices are provided in a flange of the spline to facilitate bending. Attachment holes are provided in each flange of the spline, in an alternating arrangement. Spaced apart retro-reflective tape strips are applied to the curved outer surface of the protrusion. A pressure sensitive adhesive on the bottom of the spline facilitate installation. A coupling connects several units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Wayne Driskell, Michael David Green
  • Patent number: 8636440
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention disclose an apparatus for increasing roadway traction. An exemplary apparatus includes a housing and a shaft that engages a first end of the housing. A piston is adapted to move axially along a length of housing and includes an upper portion and lower portion. The upper portion includes a raised surface and a mating portion situated between the raised surface and lower portion. The lower portion includes an interior cavity that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the shaft. A spring that biases the piston toward the first end of the housing. A toothed surface engaged with the piston and a bimetal thermostat with a mating toothed surface. The toothed surface engaged with the lower portion facilitates engagement with the mating toothed surface situated at the distal end of the bimetal thermostat when the temperature is above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Christopher J. Hardee, Randall C. Humes, Adam Roberts
  • Patent number: 8573882
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes preformed pre-bonded thermoplastic sections comprising smaller articles where the articles and sections have planar top surfaces and planar bottom surfaces that are coplanar to each other. There is also an adhesive backing layer on the coplanar bottom surfaces so that the adhesive backing layer bridges and bonds coplanar bottom surfaces to form unified pre-bonded thermoplastic signage thereby preventing dislodging or separation of the signage during handling, movement, and/or transportation before or during application of the pre-bonded signage. The articles when properly sequenced, matched, and combined, together makeup the sections such that when the sections are also sequenced and matched the sections combine to form thermoplastic signage with a final pattern wherein the planar top surfaces include sequential features necessary to visibly aid in quick assembly of one or more unified thermoplastic signages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Robert W. Greer, Vagn K. Askjaer
  • Publication number: 20130230354
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a multi-application apparatus may be configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The multi-application apparatus may include a sprayer configured to apply a profileable material to an area of a driving surface during a pass of the vehicle by the area to create a first marking. The multi-application apparatus may also include an applicator configured to apply the profileable material to at least a portion of the area of the driving surface during the same pass of the vehicle by the area to create a second marking. The second marking may have a more varied profile than the first marking. In various embodiments, the multi-application apparatus may include controls that enable independent control of various parameters during operation. In various embodiments, profileable material forming the second marking is at least partially fused with the profileable material forming the first marking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Price, Spencer L. Cantwell, Robert Busse
  • Patent number: 8517626
    Abstract: An embedded-type reflective road marker which includes a base and a reflector for reflecting light cast onto the marker. The reflector is detachably connected or secured, in use, to the base and received in a central depression. The detachable connection is achieved by a connector having a pair of resilient clips each with an outwardly extending projection arranged to releasably engage by a snap fit a recess or aperture in a respective facing side wall of the central depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Dudley, Daniel Rowntree, Robert Menear
  • Patent number: 8454188
    Abstract: An in-roadway warning light (IRWL) apparatus incorporates a dove prism in the light beam path to embed an air gap inside the IRWL signal head housing and ensure that light from the LEDs is projected in the desired direction, while simultaneously providing moisture protection for the LEDs and associated electronics in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Light Guard Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A Harrison, Dave Michaelson
  • Publication number: 20130011193
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a multi-application apparatus may be configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The multi-application apparatus may include a sprayer configured to apply a profileable material to an area of a driving surface during a pass of the vehicle by the area to create a first marking. The multi-application apparatus may also include an applicator configured to apply the profileable material to at least a portion of the area of the driving surface during the same pass of the vehicle by the area to create a second marking. The second marking may have a more varied profile than the first marking In various embodiments, the multi-application apparatus may include controls that enable independent control of various parameters during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Specialized Pavement Marking, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Price, Spencer L. Cantwell, Robert Busse
  • Patent number: 8292539
    Abstract: A retroreflective device securable to a highway by bonding thereto preferably with a viscous strip applied to the highway prior to solidifying cure of the strip includes a generally globular glass central member, a desirably pigmented adhesive layer over the central member and a plurality of peripheral globular glass members connected to the central member by the pigmented adhesive layer. A method for fabricating the retroreflective device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: StonCor Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Gelfant, John Mulowski, Kent Stough, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8240948
    Abstract: A pavement road marker is provided mounted to a road having a main shell or body having a top portion. The top portion of the body being generally planar and including a lens mounted thereon. The lens is mounted within the body so that the plane created by the lens is beneath the plane created by the planar surface of the body portion. The assembly further includes an inner cavity having a first surface and a first opening. The first opening is oppositely disposed from the top portion. The first surface of the inner cavity includes various structural elements such as protrusions, legs, or dimples. The protrusions, legs, and dimples increase surface area to improve adhesion of potting to the inner surface of the housing to fill the cavity of the housing. The legs having a lateral surface which extend on a plane normal to an outer surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Teknotraffic, Inc.
    Inventor: Damian Amaya
  • Patent number: 8152325
    Abstract: A reflective surface electric road flare designed to be positioned on a roadway and to emit light to alert oncoming drivers to a hazard on the roadway. The flare comprises a housing supporting a circuit. The circuit comprises an led light source, a power controller and a power supply. The power controller energizes the led light source with the power supply such that the led light source emits light according to its design specification. The emitted light is concentrated about the horizontal by a lens into a horizontal light beam visible throughout the azimuth. Concentrating the emitted light into a horizontal light beam increases its intensity as perceived by oncoming drivers located within the projected horizontal light beam. A portion of the horizontal light beam intersects a top surface of the road flare where it is reflected towards oncoming vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin F McDermott
  • Patent number: 8142100
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an animal crossing warning zone wherein a motorist is alerted that he or she is entering, passing through, and then exiting a section of roadway where wild animals, such as whitetail deer, have a tendency to cross the road. A method of applying the animal crossing warning zone onto, into or out of an upper surface of a roadway is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Harold Ralph Hanson
  • Publication number: 20120070227
    Abstract: A method of marking pavement includes applying a first layer of liquid tar to the pavement. The layer has a thickness of approximately between 0.01 inch and 0.1 inch, and a width of approximately between one inch and six inches. A layer of rubber is placed on top of and centered on the layer of tar. The layer of rubber has at least one vertically-oriented throughhole sized to allow liquid tar to flow therethrough. A second layer of liquid tar and reflective elements is applied on top of the layer of rubber sheet. Enough time is allowed to pass for the first and second layers of tar to cool and become solidified. Paper is adhered to a top surface of the second layer of tar and/or reflective elements. The paper and an adjacent portion of the pavement is painted over to thereby form a painted marking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: SEPEHR ASGARI
  • Publication number: 20110182662
    Abstract: A flexible marker post assembly having a base, first and second members of an elastomeric material secured to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second flexible members each having respective first and second side walls with a concave recess formed on each of the side walls, substantially rigid post mounted intermediate of an upper portion of the first and second flexible members with the post having a lower end secured to an upper portion of the first and second flexible members. The provision of concave recesses permits a better bending action when the post is struck at an angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Sylvain Audet
  • Publication number: 20110182663
    Abstract: A tactile marker that is formed at least predominantly from a plastics material and which comprises a head portion that is arranged to sit, in use, on a walkway surface and a depending stem that is formed integrally with the head portion and is arranged in use to locate as a press fit within a hole in the walkway. The depending stem is formed along at least a portion of its length with a plurality of barbs, and each barb has a generally annular land and a generally conical portion formed integrally with the land. The generally conical portion has a cross-section that reduces in diameter in a direction away from the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: AUSTACT PTY LTD
    Inventors: Brian Harward, Donovan Parker, Phillip Rozenboom
  • Patent number: 7980782
    Abstract: An integrated system for traffic safety (1), particularly in low visibility conditions, for use on a site (2) of a road, railway, airport, harbor or the like, which comprises road markings and/or signs (3). The system (1) comprises at least one light-emitting device (4) for generating at least one light beam (5). One feature of the invention is that it comprises means (6) for controlling the light-emitting device (4) to generate the beam (5). The device has such a predetermined relative position with respect to said site (2) as to selectively interact with the road markings and/or signs (3) and to make the beam (5) only visible to the drivers that drive over the site (2) in a predetermined drive direction, and not to those who drive in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Astron Fiamm Safety S.p.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Bleiner, Bruno Dessert-Vidalet
  • Patent number: 7970530
    Abstract: A system for reducing congestion on a roadway is provided. Selected lengths of selected normal lanes of a roadway are divided into two commuter lanes, distinctive lane markings identify the commuter lanes, and selected lengths of selected lanes are dynamically designated as either normal lanes or pairs of commuter lanes. In order to dynamically change lane configurations, a set of indicators can be provided as lane markers together with a control system to alter particular lane configurations between normal lanes and commuting lanes both cyclically according to a preprogrammed schedule and dynamically in response to sensed vehicle traffic volume, unusual events such as accidents, weather, and so on. A commuter vehicle is required for use on commuter lanes. A typical commuter vehicle weighs less than 650 lbs., has at least three wheels, an enclosed seating compartment, and a low center of gravity with at least one occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Shitalkumar V. Desai, Vipinchandra M. Desai
  • Publication number: 20110135386
    Abstract: Apparatus (2) for indicating the formation of ice on a road (4), which apparatus (2) comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices (6) for reflecting light from vehicles, a temperature sensor (8) for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice forms on the road, and a solar powered electricity providing device (10), and the apparatus (2) being such that: the road marker reflector devices (8) are of a first colour at temperatures above which the ice may form, and are of a second colour at temperatures below which the ice may form; the road marker reflector devices (6) change between the first and second colours in response to an electric current; and the road marker reflector devices (8) change from the first colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the first colour when the electric current is a non-continuous electric current, whereby a continuous electric current is not required to maintain the road marker reflector devices (6) in the first or second colour
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Amanjit Singh Sahota
  • Patent number: 7942603
    Abstract: A traffic control device includes a shell body and at least one receptacle located in the shell body. The receptacle includes a dilatant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110035140
    Abstract: A roadway system is described, consisting of enhance, smart pavement markers. These smart pavement markers contain elements such as motion sensors, solar cells, radio receiver/transmitters, active lighting and processing capability. These markers can be configured in many ways, including as vehicle speed sensors, and information display systems. Such pavement marker systems can be installed with little or no roadway infrastructure preparation and may be useful for traffic data collection, law enforcement, and vehicle safety applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: James Candy
  • Publication number: 20100322708
    Abstract: A light guide system for receiving and transporting ambient light by means of light guides, which system comprises at least one light collecting unit for receiving light and light transporting means to transport the received light to a location remote from the unit, is described wherein the said light collecting unit comprises a number of light guides, the light receiving ends of which are arranged in a two dimensional array of rows and columns whilst downstream these ends the light guides stepwise compose to a number of outgoing transport light guides, which number is substantially lower than the number of light receiving ends and which transport light guides constitute said light transport means. The system has a large light-collecting capability and can be made very compact and is especially very suitable for a road marking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ACTMA HOLCING B.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus Johannes Lebens, Franciscus Guillaume Peter Sools
  • Publication number: 20100316443
    Abstract: A plurality of biodegradable stakes for use as trail markers that are coated with a biodegradable coating comprised of an adhesive and a fluorescing compound for inserting into the ground such that the coated surface of the marker is exposed at various distances from each other such that the stakes glow when a source of ultra-violet light is present and thus form a route or trail by which a person can find their way to a point of interest even in low light conditions, while remaining unobtrusive so that one has difficulty seeing the stake without ultraviolet light and unless one is specifically looking for it thereby not detracting from the natural appearance of the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Andy Setzer, Randy Frye
  • Patent number: 7819606
    Abstract: A side guard for a roadway marker comprising an elongated rail member having a top and a bottom. A rooting pin extending from the bottom of the rail member. The rooting pin having a laterally open recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Obedzinski
  • Publication number: 20100189497
    Abstract: A stiffening element located within a flexible hinge on a roadway marker for increasing the stiffness of the hinge and resiliency of the roadway marker. The stiffening element provides more spring to return the roadway marker back to a substantially erect position after being deflected, for example, by a vehicle. The stiffening element can be a formed from a hard material such as PVC and can have the shape of a ball, cylinder, puck, oblong, or other suitable shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Robert K. Hughes, SR.
  • Patent number: 7753616
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and permanent pavement marker for coating or bonding or both coating and bonding a first underlying substrate, wherein a second layer comprises a polyurea epoxy curable composition of about 200 centipoise which is bonded to the first underlying substrate, wherein the curable composition second layer is further bonded to a third layer, wherein the third layer comprises an epoxy bonder paste in a range of 10,000 to 300,000 centipoise, and the third layer is further bonded to a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is a preformed thermoplastic marking tile that is applied over the third layer of epoxy bonder paste, thereby forming a the permanent pavement marking. The system and pavement marker may also include a thermoplastic adhesive applied between the epoxy bonder paste and the preformed thermoplastic marking tile such that the bonder paste acts as a water vapor barrier reducing the rate of water vapor transmission into the marking tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Robert F. Greer, Alexander F. Cady
  • Publication number: 20100172693
    Abstract: A delineator mounting system has a coupler for mating a delineator having a cylindrical tubular lower end in a curb-like mount having a cavity with square cross-sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Darrell Heald