Traffic Director Patents (Class 404/9)
  • Patent number: 7232275
    Abstract: A bollard comprising a series of at least two nested, inverted U-shaped forms of decreasing height set around a common vertical axis. Each U-shaped form has an upper transverse portion and two parallel, vertical legs extending from the upper transverse portion. The bollard further comprises at least one center joining plate located below the upper transverse portions of the forms and being substantially perpendicular to the forms, for joining the U-shaped forms together as a unit, the forms being fastened to the at least one center joining plate. The bollard can also include an anchor plate attached to the forms at or adjacent their bottom, for anchoring the forms to a support surface. The bollard can be used in a system comprising at least one other bollard and/or at least one site amenity (for example, seating, lighting, signage, a shelter, a trash can receptacle, and an ash urn), wherein the at least one site amenity is associated with the at least one other bollard, for example by being attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Secure Site Design, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald P. Skalka
  • Patent number: 7214000
    Abstract: An unobtrusive on-grade barrier. One embodiment comprises a concrete-lined trench over which a biased hinged plate is affixed to an end wall of the trench. The biased hinge holds the free end of the plate against a tab affixed to the other end wall, assuring the plate does not rise above grade. The plate is supported for vehicle passage by a sliding mechanism energized by an actuator controlled by a controller that may be automated or operated by security personnel. The barrier may be configured so that vehicles may approach from either end. Upon authorizing access to the driver, the vehicle is permitted to pass over the supported plate. If the driver is not authorized access, the support is slid out of the way and any vehicle attempting to pass slides into the trench. Embodiments may include means for clearing the trench of a trapped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Charles P. Marsh, Julie L. Webster, Gordon L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7198426
    Abstract: A prefabricated road median walls are mounted along a median line of a road to divide the road into two sections according to the direction of vehicles traveling on the road. The prefabricated road median wall includes a plurality of unit blocks manufactured by mixing rubber powder with a fire retardant material at a predetermined ratio and conducting a compression molding process. The unit blocks are stacked sequentially, with a plurality of support holes vertically formed through each of the plurality of unit blocks, so that the support holes of the unit blocks communicate with each other. The prefabricated road median wall further includes a locking means to couple the stacked unit blocks together, thus forming a median wall body; and a plurality of anchor posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Woo Jeon Green Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 7195420
    Abstract: A bollard having a plurality of parallel, vertical legs spaced apart from each other on the perimeter of a regular geometric shape. The minimum number and/or cross-section of the legs is governed by the need to avoid creating an entrapment area between adjacent legs. If an even number of legs is provided, they can be arranged in diametrically opposite pairs of decreasing height, the pairs of legs being joined at their tops to form a series of at least three nested, inverted substantially U-shaped forms of decreasing height set around a common vertical axis. The bollard also includes elements for joining the legs together as a unit, for example, a cylindrical center member having the common vertical axis of the legs as its longitudinal axis, a longitudinal rib joining each leg to the center member, and a plurality of horizontal ribs joining adjacent legs to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Secure Site Design, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald P. Skalka
  • Patent number: 7195419
    Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system spanning a roadway and including a net spanning the roadway, the net having a connecting member coupled to a top member, a middle member and a bottom member, and a mat arranged on the roadway, having a plurality of recesses to accommodate the net, when the net is in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Safety Response, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Gelfand
  • Patent number: 7195422
    Abstract: A recessed delinator base for disposition in grooves in a highway or traffic support surface has a body member with leg portions attached to the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The body has a circular notch formed therein to accept a traffic delineator knuckle assembly. Within the notch and extending upwardly from the bottom thereof are a plurality of spaced apart studs. Each stud has and enlarged head portion. At least one detent receiving hole is provided in the bottom of the notch for accepting a detent lock pin for securing the knuckle assembly from rotation once placed within the recessed circular notch in the base. The ramping or sloping legs urge a clearing implement to slide along the top-most portion of the body member thereby avoiding engagement with the knuckle attachment studs when the support surface is cleared or cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Impact Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Hannah
  • Patent number: 7186054
    Abstract: A ground anchor assembly for a guide post, the ground anchor assembly having a first part and a second part, the first part adapted to be pounded into the ground, the first part comprising a head portion and a tail portion, the tail portion being insertable into the ground, the head portion comprising a flat plate attached to one end of the tail portion, the flat plate comprising a pair of folded over tab members defining a slot, the second part comprising a first wall to which a road post can be attached and a second wall which comprises a tongue member and which can be inserted into the slot on the first part to attach the first part to the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Slider Guide Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Bryan Chambers
  • Patent number: 7182547
    Abstract: A bollard includes a bollard post having a lamp which includes a louver stack. The louver stack includes louvers spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bollard post. The bollard post is rectangular in cross section and the louver stack extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the bollard. There is a primary light source inwardly of the louver stack and a mechanism for providing light downwardly about the base end of the bollard post. One such mechanism includes an LED providing a light wash down the bollard post from beneath where that louver extends outwardly of the periphery of the bollard post. A second mechanism employs a top reflector above the primary light source to reflect light downwardly about the light source. Bottom reflector surfaces direct the light from the top reflector outwardly to louver reflectors located beneath the lowermost louver. Such reflectors can reflect light downwardly for light wash of the bollard post and an illumination about the base of the bollard post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leonhardt, Tori C. Poppenheimer, David Crookham, Nicole Skogg
  • Patent number: 7179016
    Abstract: A post for supporting a roadway sign comprises a hollow, continuous sleeve formed of thermoplastic resin. The sleeve has an interior surface and a continuous core disposed within the sleeve and generally coextensive with the interior surface of the sleeve. The core is formed at least partially of recycled crumb rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caminoverde II, L.L.P.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Riker
  • Patent number: 7175361
    Abstract: An inertial barrier system comprises 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. One of the two modules functions as a container, facing upwardly so that its volumetric capacity is available for filling by a particulate ballasting material. The lower module functions only as a pedestal for the support of the upper module. The upper module is advantageously fillable to different predetermined levels, so that the apparatus, comprising the joined lower and upper modules, is capable of functioning as differently weighted barrier systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Gertz
  • Patent number: 7168880
    Abstract: An impact attenuator system includes a hyperelastic member that comprises an energy absorbing material which behaves in a rate-independent hyperelastic manner so that its permanent set is minimized and the material can absorb tremendous amounts of impact energy while remaining fully recoverable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Jr., Charles R. Miele, Chuck A. Plaxico, Joseph R. Preston, Jay R. Sayre, W. Scott Versluis, Carl J. Serman, Kary L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7156576
    Abstract: Molded ribs are provided for use in connection with traffic channeling devices, such as drums, which employ external ballasting collars, such as molded rings or truck tire rings. The ribs are disposed at spaced intervals near the bottom of the external wall of the drum, for improving contact between the drum wall and the internal diameter of the ballasting collar, in order to eliminate undesirable separation of the drum and collar during ordinary use, and to prevent inadvertent rotation of the drum relative to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, David C. Gertz
  • Patent number: 7147400
    Abstract: The road-marking system is described for influencing a flow of traffic consisting of vehicles traveling over a roadway. The road-marking system comprises a plurality of road marking units. The road marking units are provided with at least one light source for emitting light in the direction of a driver of the vehicle In operation, the road-marking system generates a guidance light which seemingly moves along with the flow of traffic and is generated by suitably switching on and off the light source in the road marking units. According to the invention spectral characteristics of the light emitted by the guidance light is dependent on the angle under which the light is emitted, wherein the speed of the guidance light is independent of the flow of the traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desiree Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 7137754
    Abstract: A road-marking system has at least a first lighting module (4) provided in a road surface (1). The lighting module (4) is provided with a plurality of light emitting surfaces (14, 14?, . . . ). The lighting module (4) has connection means (7, 7) for providing electrical connection between the lighting module (4) and the electrical current supply conductor (6). Preferably, the current supply conductor (6) is provided in a duct (8) provided with an opening (8?) at the location of the lighting module (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desiree Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 7134804
    Abstract: A bollard having a plurality of parallel, vertical legs spaced apart from each other on the perimeter of a regular geometric shape. The minimum number and/or cross-section of the legs is governed by the need to avoid creating an entrapment area between adjacent legs. If an even number of legs is provided, they can be arranged in diametrically opposite pairs of decreasing height, the pairs of legs being joined at their tops to form a series of at least three nested, inverted substantially U-shaped forms of decreasing height set around a common vertical axis. The bollard also includes elements for joining the legs together as a unit, for example, a cylindrical center member having the common vertical axis of the legs as its longitudinal axis, a longitudinal rib joining each leg to the center member, and a plurality of horizontal ribs joining adjacent legs to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Secure Site Design, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald P. Skalka
  • Patent number: 7111827
    Abstract: To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave a roadway, a guardrail system includes an energy-absorption system is provided. The energy-absorption system including a cutting mechanism positioned to cut a guardrail section upon impact by a vehicle to decelerate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kothmann Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean L. Sicking, Brian G. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7109885
    Abstract: A portable expandable screen for blocking passing motorists' and pedestrians' views of accidents on a roadway to prevent rubbernecking and promote traffic flow and increased highway safety. The portable expandable screen has a plurality of panels assembled in a telescoping manner like an accordion. Each panel has an outside surface, an inside surface, an inside edge, and a bottom end. A horizontal track is located on the inside surface at the bottom end of every panel. A small wheel is fixed to the inside edge at the bottom end of every panel, for allowing the small wheel of one panel to be fitted within the track of an adjacent panel. This allows the panels to slide inwardly and outwardly in a telescoping manner to block accidents from view on the roadways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Timothy Denlinger
  • Patent number: 7108446
    Abstract: A safety marker deployment system and method includes a plurality of safety markers removably associated with a motor vehicle in a laterally pre-positioned array substantially corresponding to a desired lateral position on a roadway. The safety markers can be removably disposed in an elongated container mountable to the motor vehicle. Each of a plurality of sequential ejectors is associated with one of the plurality of safety markers to sequentially deploy the safety markers, while the vehicle is moving, in a longitudinal configuration substantially corresponding to a desired longitudinal position on the roadway. The safety markers include a displaceable material disposed in a compliant compartment, and a visual indicator extending upwardly from the compliant compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Brent A. Clark
  • Patent number: 7104721
    Abstract: An operable barrier system for vehicles includes a turntable for use with a trafficable surface and at least one impact element disposed on the turntable. A drive system is provided to rotate the turntable along the trafficable surface between a first position to prevent passage by vehicles and a second position, approximately 90 degrees from the first position, to permit passage by vehicles. A method of providing an operable vehicle barrier for use with a roadway includes providing a turntable device having a top surface, mounting at least one impact element on the top surface, and providing a drive system capable of rotating the turntable device in a plane that can be driven across by vehicles from the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rock Twelve, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rogers, Alissa Bucher, Graeme Waitzkin, Jonathan J. Marvel, Richard Ramsey
  • Patent number: 7104720
    Abstract: A traffic noise barrier system includes a longitudinal barrier and a traffic noise barrier wall. The traffic noise barrier wall is supported by the longitudinal barrier and is spaced apart from a back surface of the longitudinal barrier in a direction away from the path of traffic. Transverse beams attach the longitudinal barrier to the noise barrier wall, and a structure may be placed across the transverse beams for catching debris. Each panel in the plurality of panels may be interconnected by a cable to an adjacent panel or an upstanding post, and each post may be interconnected by a cable and/or bar. The traffic noise barrier wall is preferably positioned at a distance greater than about 18 inches from a front surface of the longitudinal barrier, and more preferably is positioned at a distance greater than about 34 inches from the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: CYRO Industries
    Inventors: Eric C. Humphries, Stephen D. Barratt
  • Patent number: 7100903
    Abstract: An impact barrier system comprising a plurality of bow-shaped panels attached to a retaining wall in overlapping side-by-side relationship that, together with the configuration of the panels, provides a plurality of impact absorbing features that work together to absorb the impact of a vehicle and transfer the force of the impact across multiple panels. The panels are resilient and predisposed to assume their original configuration after the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Harold E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7098807
    Abstract: The present invention provides a traffic-signalling device suitable for providing information to oncoming traffic. The traffic-signalling device comprises a moveable member suitable for attachment to a support and a solar powered drive system. The moveable member is operative to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position the traffic-signalling device is operative to provide information to oncoming traffic. The solar-powered drive system is suitable for causing the moveable member to move between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: 9076-0935 Quebec Inc.
    Inventors: Marc-André Séguin, Richard Séguin, Sylvain Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7090429
    Abstract: A highway delineation marker fabricated of two thin, resilient, elongated panels, U-shaped in cross section, secured together open-face to open-face, capturing a foam core. The lower end of the rear panel is captured behind a tab on the front panel for ease of insertion and the front panel includes two or more outwardly projecting tabs for interaction with a mating insertion tool for placement of the delineator marker into a pilot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: William D. Humphrey, Vernon Larson
  • Patent number: 7090428
    Abstract: A safety protector for application on vertical posts (6) tied-down to the ground and that constitute corrugated sheet supports with safety rail barrier functions, establishing a separation between its lower edge and the ground, through which a person involved in an accident due to sliding over the asphalt may impact on the corresponding section of the vertical support post (6). The safety support is constituted by an extruded profile (1) that is assembled to be adapted as a cover on post (6), the latter having internal partitions (1) and re-thickened zones, as well as an internal sinuous profile to be adapted on corresponding post (6), externally providing impact areas for persons involved in accidents that reduces the violence and diminishes the impact force, efficiently damping the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Tecus Plasticos, S.L.
    Inventor: Luciano Hinojosa
  • Patent number: 7086805
    Abstract: An improved crash attenuator that uses a cable and shock arresting cylinder arrangement to control the rate at which a vehicle impacting the crash attenuator is decelerated to a safe stop is disclosed. The crash attenuator is comprised of a front section and a plurality of mobile sections with overlapping angular corrugated side panels. When the crash attenuator is impacted by a vehicle, the front section and mobile sections telescope down in response, and thus, are effectively longitudinally collapsed. For this purpose, the sections are slidably mounted on at least one guiderail that is attached to the ground. Positioned preferably between two guiderails is the cable and cylinder arrangement that exerts a force on the front section to resist the backward movement of the front section when struck by an impacting vehicle using a varying restraining force to control the rate at which an impacting vehicle is decelerated to safely stop the vehicle. The side panels can also be used in a guardrail configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: SCI Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Smith, Randy L. Warner, Kelly R. Strong
  • Patent number: 7077598
    Abstract: A bollard for mounting to a foundation includes a bollard post element having a cavity therein with a base plate integrally fixed about its periphery to the bollard post element at the cavity. The base plate includes anchor holes and threaded holes extending therethrough. Levelers having threaded shafts with pads on one end and drivers on the other engage the threaded holes. Threaded anchor shafts extendible through the anchor holes and fixable to the foundation for the bollard are drawn in tension by nuts on top of the based plate. This simultaneously places the levelers in compression. In installation, the highest point on the foundation beneath the periphery of the base plate is established and the levelers adjusted to extend the bollard vertically with the bollard extending from that highest point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leonhardt, Tori C. Poppenheimer, David Crookham
  • Patent number: 7077599
    Abstract: A roadway marker has a pair of ramps, each inclining upward from a base toward the other. A slot is located between the ramps. On end of the slot is closed, while the other end of the slot has a pair of tabs that partially close the slot, leaving a gap between them. A flexible marker strip protrudes upward from the ramps and has a lower portion extending into the slot. The marker strip having a thickness less than the gap to enable the marker strip to be inserted into the slot from an end of the slot. The lower end of the marker is bent and extends into a lateral leg of the slot to prevent upward movement of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Robert K. Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7073973
    Abstract: Pre-cast curbside access ramp and methods of making and installing the same. In a preferred embodiment, the pre-cast ramp is a quasi-trapezoidal member shaped to include an integrally formed curb portion, a trapezoidal central portion disposed behind the curb portion and a pair of generally triangular side portions disposed behind the curb portion and seamlessly transitioning from opposite sides of the central portion. The ramp is made using a forming apparatus comprising an inner form positioned within an outer form. The inner form, which is more shallow than the outer form, is filled with gravel. A steel grid is then positioned within the outer form and over the inner form. The outer form is then filled with concrete, which is then shaped, screeded, edged, grooved, troweled and allowed to harden within the outer form. When removed from the outer form, the bottom of the cast is provided with a weight-reducing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Edmund T. Kochling
  • Patent number: 7065923
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a security gate is disclosed which may comprise a drive mechanism arm having a first end and a second end, and including a security gate attachment member connected to the first end of the drive mechanism arm; a drive mechanism actuator operatively connected directly or indirectly to the drive mechanism arm and adapted to move the drive mechanism arm along a predefined path in relation to the actuator in response to operation of the actuator; and a release mechanism adapted to release the connection of the security gate attachment member to the first end of the drive mechanism arm in response to the application of a force to the security gate attachment member in a direction other than the force applied to the security gate attachment member by the drive mechanism arm in response to the operation of the actuator to move the security gate drive mechanism arm along the predefined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Parsadayan, Wayne C. Hom
  • Patent number: 7059798
    Abstract: A traffic channelizer device includes a deformable hollow plastic drum that may be ballasted by a drop over ballasting collar or by a base having an upper portion that may be releasably retained within the open bottom of the drum by a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly extending locking fingers adjacent the bottom edge of the drum that releasably engage a groove in the upper portion of the base. An intermittent stacking rim may be provided at the top of the drum to prevent overstacking of a plurality of such drums. Also the intermittent stacking rim may be used to prevent rotation of a portable sign assembly relative to the drum and keep the portable sign assembly from inadvertently sliding up off the drum top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Plastic Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Mettler, Gregory H. Brown
  • Patent number: 7056055
    Abstract: A traffic cone includes a cone-shaped body and a base. The cone-shaped body has a hole in the top and a connecting circumference formed in a lower end. The connecting circumference is provided with a large number of upright bars spaced apart equidistantly, and a through hole formed between every two neighboring bars. The base is formed in a mold that an already formed cone-shaped body is placed in advance before the base is formed so the base may be combined integral with the cone-shaped body after the base is finished. Then the base completely wraps around and hides the connecting circumference of the cone-shape body, with the through holes of the connecting circumference filled up totally by the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Wen-Nan Kuo
  • Patent number: 7052201
    Abstract: A safety bollard, post or stanchion to protect adjacent a vehicular area, each bollard, post or stanchion being so designed to provide a progressively increasing resistance to bending and/or deformation on impact by a vehicle, whereby the force of impact is progressively absorbed by the bollard, post or stanchion and deformation of the vehicle whereby the vehicle is progressively decelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Automotive Safety Engineering Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Gradimir Zivkovic
  • Patent number: 7040836
    Abstract: A barrier system for use with a trafficable surface that penetrates a boundary to control access by vehicles and to permit uncontrolled access by pedestrians. The system includes a turntable providing a surface that is rotatable generally in the plane of the trafficable surface. Impact elements are arranged along the surface in a pattern having a spacing configured to permit passage by pedestrians and to prevent passage of vehicles when the turntable is in a first position and to permit passage of vehicles when the turntable is rotated to a second position. The system controls vehicle traffic across the boundary by moving the turntable between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Rock Twelve Security Architecture
    Inventors: Robert M. Rogers, Alissa Bucher, Graeme Waitzkin, Jonathan J. Marvel, Richard Ramsey
  • Patent number: 7037031
    Abstract: An automatic barricade includes a trench across a road that is covered by a grate allowing vehicular traffic during normal dry weather. Inside the trench is a series of barricade elements, each of which includes a float. When rising water fills the trench to a predetermined level, each float rises and elevates the elements above the road. The barricade elements are sufficiently robust and intimidating to deter motorists from driving over them but are spaced apart to be light enough to be easily actuated by the float. The barricade elements are sufficiently close together that vehicles cannot pass between them. In another embodiment, a sensor is adjacent the trench to detect rising water and communicates with a motor connected to the barricade elements for raising them to a traffic blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Mark D. Haynie
  • Patent number: 7033103
    Abstract: A marking assembly for the marking of particular traffic situations and objects comprises a front row of viewing openings, which are separated from one another by view obstacles (5), at least one back row of view obstacles (6), which are provided at a distance from one another, the view obstacles (5) of the front row contrasting with respect to the view obstacles (6) of the back row. Distances between the viewing openings in the front row and distances between the view obstacles (6) of the back row are so small that a plurality of viewing openings in the front row and a plurality of view obstacles (6) of the back row lie within the field of view of the traffic participant. The field of view of the traffic participant at the same time offers a view, via the plurality of viewing openings in the front row, of an interference pattern of contrasting view obstacles (6), which are covered to a greater or lesser extent by the view obstacles (5) of the front row, of at least one of the back rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Marcel Peter Gort
  • Patent number: 7025525
    Abstract: A system for effecting merging of a first vehicle traveling in a first roadway with successive vehicles traveling in a second roadway, said system including: a sensor capable of detecting the movement of the successive vehicles in the second roadway; conversion means for determining from the detected movement when the distance between the successive vehicles permits merging; and a road-marking arrangement for producing a guidance light visible to at least the first vehicle and seemingly moving with the two successive vehicles, the light indicating when said merging is permitted. The dynamic road marking system enables higher traffic intensities on roadways and improved traffic safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desiree Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 7025526
    Abstract: A portable traffic control device having a housing, two generally parallel and independently rotatable shafts beyond extending the housing length, and a plurality of blades connected to each shaft. Each shaft rotates such that the blades on that shaft either protrude up through openings in the top of the housing or extend horizontally within the housing. When a shaft is rotated such that its blades protrude upward, the blades remain protruding and puncture the tires of vehicles driving over the housing in a first direction. The blades are pushed downward into the housing by contact with tires of vehicles driving over the housing in the opposite direction. Biasing means rotates that shaft pushing the blades up to their protruding position. The device is modular in that two or more devices may be detachably connected in series wherein all of the first shafts and all of the second shafts rotate in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: PMG, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Blair
  • Patent number: 7021237
    Abstract: A parking guide having both visual and auditory indicators to show a driver when a vehicle is properly positioned in a parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Gregory Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7021857
    Abstract: A dynamic road marking system for influencing a flow of traffic has a plurality of road marking units (3, 3?, 3?, . . . ) provided with a light source emitting light in the direction of a driver of a vehicle (6, 6?) traveling over a roadway (10). The road marking unit includes detection apparatus (2) for detecting the intensity of the flow of traffic, and conversion apparatus for converting the detected traffic intensity to a desired traffic intensity with a desired mutual distance between the vehicles (6, 6?) and/or a desired velocity of the vehicles (6, 6?). The road marking system generates a guidance light (1, 1?, . . . ) which seemingly moves along with the flow of traffic by suitably switching on and off the light source in the road marking units (3, 3?, 3?, . . . ). The flow of traffic moves along with the moving guidance light (1, 1?, . . . ). The speed of the guidance light (1, 1?, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desiree Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 7018129
    Abstract: A guardrail comprising a rail and an electronic display mounted on the rail. The display may be integrated with a bar code or RFID reader and a voice-recognition module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Herwin Inc.
    Inventor: Harry E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7018130
    Abstract: A corrugated side panel for use with crash attenuators and guard rails is provided with a plurality of angular corrugations including a plurality of flat ridges and flat grooves connected together by flat slanted middle sections. A portion of the trailing edge of each ridge is bent in toward the succeeding ridge so that a vehicle reverse impacting the crash attenuator does not get snagged by the trailing edge of the panel, but is at least partially redirected toward the roadway. Support gussets are selectively provided to reinforce the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: SCI Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Smith, Randy L Warner, Kelly R. Strong
  • Patent number: 7011470
    Abstract: A retractable speed bump helps control the speed of a vehicle traveling through a special speed zone such as a school zone or a road construction site. A housing is either buried in the roadway or is placed into a ramp that seats on top of the roadway, the housing having a retractable canister therein, which canister extends above the housing in response to the speed of a vehicle as detected by a speed sensor. The greater the speed of the vehicle, the greater the level of extension of the canister. The canister may have tire shredding spikes or explosive charges therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Orville Alan Breazeale, Gregory Mark Lee, Charles J. Cole
  • Patent number: 7001099
    Abstract: A barrier for the control of access of vehicles through a roadway, which uses stored mechanical energy to place the barrier in one of three states, one a blocking position and two non-blocking positions. The mechanical energy is derived from the weight of the vehicle as it passes over the apparatus. The activation of the barrier can be controlled by remote control at will, time-independent from the passing of the vehicle over the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Designated Parking Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Rittenhouse, Rudor M. Teich
  • Patent number: 6997638
    Abstract: A road block having an extensible bollard that is manually or electronically actuated by a powerful spring force for slow extension, and by both the spring and a power lift for rapid extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Perimeter Defense Technologies LPO
    Inventors: Clifford J. Hensley, Robert C. Herrin, David L. Stice, Robert L. Sims
  • Patent number: 6984088
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and positioning traffic barriers, where the positioning includes lift assemblies for lowering an elevator structure bearing the barrier from a raised position during transport to a lower position on the ground surface once the apparatus has been rolled to the desired position of the barrier. The apparatus pivots about a fixed member to swing in gate-like fashion during transport. Manual and automatic lift and driving assemblies are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Jules Krivoy
  • Patent number: 6981817
    Abstract: A base unit and a delineating device for delineating traffic. The traffic delineating device comprises a base unit and a body unit extending upwardly via a first aperture in the base unit. The base unit comprises a first surface having the first aperture and a second surface having a second aperture, and the surfaces are joined together around a substantial section of their perimeters via a side wall, and the side wall together with the first surface and the second surface limits and defines an interior sleeve of the base unit. The side wall has an opening for inserting ballast between the first and second surfaces into the sleeve, and the sleeve is of suitable size and shape to hold the ballast. The ballast consists normally of tread from vehicle tires. Preferably, at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a non-rounded portion, thereby preventing the base unit from rolling. The base unit can be easily assembled by local distributors utilizing local recyclables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Josef J. Braverman
  • Patent number: 6976803
    Abstract: A stationary board adapted to be set up in a medial strip between traffic lanes to block lights of oncoming vehicles in the medial strip and facilitate identification of the medial strip in nighttime driving or riding. This stationary board comprises a pair of plate members each composed of a molded component made of a transparent plastic material, and the plate members are coupled with one another at the respective marginal edges thereof to form an integrated assembly having a hollow space therein. Each of the plate members is formed with irregularities in its inner surface facing the hollow space of the assembly. A top member molded of a plastic material is attached to the top portion of the assembly in a fitting manner. The plastic material of the top member contains a luminous pigment capable of absorbing, storing and emitting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kyowa Electric and Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kashichi Hirota, Junji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6971329
    Abstract: A collapsible traffic control cone includes a lane marker for delineating lines of demarcation between lanes approved for traffic flow and areas where traffic is prohibited. When in use, the lane marker extends from a rotatable housing mounted on one of the cones and is releasably attached to an anchor on an adjacent cone. The lane marker is a flat, highly reflective web which lies flat on the roadway between the cones. In the event of a cone being tipped over from its base or when not in use, the lane marker retracts into its housing. A light responsive to oncoming traffic is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Robin Hardie Stewart
  • Patent number: 6962459
    Abstract: An improved crash attenuator that uses a cable and shock arresting cylinder arrangement to control the rate at which a vehicle impacting the crash attenuator is decelerated to a safe stop is disclosed. The crash attenuator is comprised of a front section and a plurality of mobile sections with overlapping angular corrugated side panels. When the crash attenuator is impacted by a vehicle, the front section and mobile sections telescope down in response, and thus, are effectively longitudinally collapsed. For this purpose, the sections are slidably mounted on at least one guiderail that is attached to the ground. Positioned preferably between two guiderails is the cable and cylinder arrangement that exerts a force on the front section to resist the backward movement of the front section when struck by an impacting vehicle using a varying restraining force to control the rate at which an impacting vehicle is decelerated to safely stop the vehicle. The side panels can also be used in a guardrail configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: SCI Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Smith, Randy L Warner, Kelly R. Strong
  • Patent number: RE39170
    Abstract: A security device (2) is described for protection access to and from a parking space by being suitable for secure mounting to the entrance/exit of the parking space at ground level comprising a barrier or sign (9) capable of movement between a raised position for preventing movement of a vehicle past the barrier (9) and a lowered position permitting the vehicle to be driven over the device (2), and arming pedal (4) which is depressed when the vehicle is driven over the device (2) to energize a driving means in the form of a torsion spring (78) which is connected via a control means including a cam (40) having two cam lobes (42,44) for effecting movement of a bar (60), to the barrier (9) by a suitable connection means, such as for example a slotted wheel (84) and pulley arrangement, so that operation of the control means causes lower or raising of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Harrison Wagner, David Stratton