Mounted Adjacent Roadway Patents (Class 359/552)
  • Patent number: 9709774
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging lens, including: a first lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a second lens having negative (?) power and being concave toward an image side; a third lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a fourth lens having positive (+) power and being convex toward the image side; and a fifth lens having negative (?) power and being concave toward the image side, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens are sequentially disposed from an object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Joo Jo
  • Publication number: 20140307318
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a reflector wrap on a highway cable barrier. The device solves a limitation currently found with the cable system—visibility. The cable barrier reflector wrap is comprised of a support structure to support a reflective object, the structure having an open end and a slit or aperture longitudinal to the structure; a reflective surface structure; and a manner to secure the reflective surface structure to the support structure whereby the cable barrier reflective device is connected to items including a cable barrier system, sign posts, fences and other barrier structures to improve and enhance the reflectivity and improve the visibility of the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: J. Brent Burton
  • Publication number: 20140293421
    Abstract: A three-sided reflected is formed to include a front and two adjacent sides that are sized to encompass a sign post. This three-sided reflector is then attached to the sign post so that the front faces in the same direction as a front of the sign post. A highly visible material having a bright or fluorescent color and optionally including retro reflectors is disposed on each of the outer surfaces of the front and the two adjacent sides of the reflector so that incident light is reflected back toward a driver of a vehicle that is approaching the front or either side of the sign post. The reflected light greatly increases the visual perception of the sign post by a driver of the vehicle so that it much less likely that the driver will strike the sign post with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Zumar Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Brandes
  • Patent number: 8162492
    Abstract: A foldable delineator comprises: a fixing plate (100) installed at a guardrail or a protective wall and having one or more first hinge coupling portions (110) formed by bending corners thereof; a pivotal plate (200) at which a reflective panel fixing frame (30) to which a reflective panel (10) is coupled by means of a bolt is installed, the pivotal plate (200) having one or more hinge coupling portions (210) coupled to the first hinge coupling portions (110) by means of a hinge (20) and formed by bending corners of the pivotal plate (200), one or more bending preventing bosses (220) protruding along a lengthwise direction of the pivotal plate (200) on one surface of the pivotal plate (200), and one or more bending preventing portions (230) formed by bending lengthwise edges of the pivotal plate (200) toward the protrusion direction of the bending preventing bosses (220); a stopper (120) for limiting the pivoting movement of the pivotal plate (200) to a range of 90 degrees with the pivotal plate (200) being co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: I AN C&S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam-Ho Cho
  • Publication number: 20110134527
    Abstract: A foldable delineator comprises: a fixing plate (100) installed at a guardrail or a protective wall and having one or more first hinge coupling portions (110) formed by bending corners thereof; a pivotal plate (200) at which a reflective panel fixing frame (30) to which a reflective panel (10) is coupled by means of a bolt is installed, the pivotal plate (200) having one or more hinge coupling portions (210) coupled to the first hinge coupling portions (110) by means of a hinge (20) and formed by bending corners of the pivotal plate (200), one or more bending preventing bosses (220) protruding along a lengthwise direction of the pivotal plate (200) on one surface of the pivotal plate (200), and one or more bending preventing portions (230) formed by bending lengthwise edges of the pivotal plate (200) toward the protrusion direction of the bending preventing bosses (220); a stopper (120) for limiting the pivoting movement of the pivotal plate (200) to a range of 90 degrees with the pivotal plate (200) being co
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: I AN C&S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nam-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 7850317
    Abstract: A guardrail block includes an attachable support for signage, such as a reflector. The reflector may be mountable on the support, and the support may be integrated with a base or may be separate and attached to the base. For example, a support may be snap fit into the base and the base can be slip fitted into recessed channels formed in elongated extensions extending from a top surface of the guardrail block. The guardrail block may be made of a synthetic foam material, the support and base may be die injection molded, and the reflector may be reflective tape adhered to a surface of the support, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: BWW Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackburn, Robert Williams, Scott Woss
  • Publication number: 20100118401
    Abstract: A guardrail block includes an attachable support for signage, such as a reflector. The reflector may be mountable on the support, and the support may be integrated with a base or may be separate and attached to the base. For example, a support may be snap fit into the base and the base can be slip fitted into recessed channels formed in elongated extensions extending from a top surface of the guardrail block. The guardrail block may be made of a synthetic foam material, the support and base may be die injection molded, and the reflector may be reflective tape adhered to a surface of the support, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: BWW Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackburn, Robert Williams, Scott Woss
  • Patent number: 6558010
    Abstract: An attaching part of a reflecting mirror is fixed to a guardrail of a road. A solar cell device of a solar-powered light emitter accumulates electricity produce by sunlight of the daytime, and a light emitting diode emits light at nighttime. When a front panel is irradiated with light from a headlight of an automobile running at nighttime, the light is reflected off a diamond cut of a rear surface, in particular, then the light is reflected off the surface of an inner panel on which reflecting surface work is made, and the reflected light is irregularly reflected by the diamond cut surface, thereby functioning as a driving sign in combination with the emitted light from the light emitting diode. Dirt adhered to the front surface of the front panel peels off because of a self purification effect of titanium oxide on the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Takaroku Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6558011
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective marker such as is used to delineate the location of a road, driveway or parking area. A reflective marker according to the invention includes a support post and a head fastened to the support post. The head includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are spanned by a generally cylindrical shell portion, which is preferably multi-faceted. Means are disposed on the shell portion for reflecting incident light directed thereat over a 360° range. Preferably, the reflective means comprises reflective tape having a width of from about 1.5 to about 3.5 inches. In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, the head is constructed of a polymeric material, and the support post is constructed of fiberglass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Technology House, LTD
    Inventor: Raymond J. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20020063960
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective marker such as is used to delineate the location of a road, driveway or parking area. A reflective marker according to the invention includes a support post and a head fastened to the support post. The head includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are spanned by a generally cylindrical shell portion, which is preferably multi-faceted. Means are disposed on the shell portion for reflecting incident light directed thereat over a 360° range. Preferably, the reflective means comprises reflective tape having a width of from about 1.5 to about 3.5 inches. In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, the head is constructed of a polymeric material, and the support post is constructed of fiberglass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: The Technology House, LTD
    Inventor: Raymond J. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20020060844
    Abstract: A zoom lens is disclosed comprising, from front to rear, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit of negative refractive power, a fifth lens unit of positive refractive power and a sixth lens unit of negative refractive power, wherein, during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the air separations between the i-th and (i+1)st lens units are made to vary properly and the ratio of the focal length of the fourth lens unit to the longest focal length of the entire system is made to have a proper value. In particular, a zoom lens is disclosed wherein the second lens unit is made to decenter to stabilize the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Shingo Hayakawa, Kazuhiko Momoki
  • Patent number: 6367936
    Abstract: A movable body detecting device and a road-curve mirror with a radio wave reflection plate for allowing a reception side movable body present at a position where the movable body is hidden from a transmission side movable body to accurately receive movable body detecting radio waves transmitted from the transmission side movable body by making use of a road-curve mirror. A radio wave reflection plate for reflecting radio waves, being transmitted from one movable body A and received by another movable body B so that the reception side movable body detects the presence of the transmission side movable body, is mounted in a road-curve mirror provided on such a road to assist an individual in navigating an intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumitsu Kushida
  • Patent number: 6361174
    Abstract: A highway traffic warning reflector comprises a conventional collapsible shopping bag having highly reflective outer surfaces and support means for maintaining the bag upright when opened and placed with its bottom on the ground adjacent a roadway. The support means includes a rigid rod and weight formed with an opening to receive one end of the rod, and a loop formed adjacent a corner of the bag near its upper open end. To set up the reflector, the bag is opened from its collapsed state, the weight placed in a corner at the bottom of the bag and the rod inserted through the loop and into the opening in the weight. In lieu of a separate rod, stiffening means may be incorporated in the bag structure. One or more support means may be used to maintain the reflective bag upright adjacent a roadway in fall view of oncoming vehicles against wind and turbulence caused by passing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Leon Perlsweig
  • Patent number: 6305874
    Abstract: A first road marking unit with a first base plate is provided with a first light source, and a second road-marking unit with a second base plate is provided with a second light source. A view angle of 0.1≦&agr;≦8° is formed between an interconnecting line, which interconnects the first and the second light sources, and an intersecting line which intersects the interconnecting line. In a view section where the view angle is 0.1≦&agr;≦8°, light beams originating from the first and the second light sources demonstrate a uniform overlap in the view section at a distance a≧40 m from the first light source. Preferably, the distance d between the first light source and the second light source lies in the range from 10 ≦d≦25 cm. The first and the second base plate of the road-marking units are integrated so as to form a base module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Adrianus C. W. Custers, Pieter W. C. Provo Kluit, Jacob C. P. Den Dulk, Gabrielle J. B. M. Meekes, Wanda S. Kruijt, Lucas L. D. Van Der Poel, Franciscus G. P. Sools, Constance J. E. Saalberg-Seppen
  • Patent number: 6290362
    Abstract: A delineator easily recognized by the driver even when attached at a moderate curve of a road includes colorless transparent reflectors attached inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to an aluminum base and amber transparent reflectors attached inclined in the opposite direction. Each reflector has a reflex reflecting element, an optical axis of which is inclined in the same direction as the corresponding reflector. Thus light beams entering in a direction parallel to the surface on which the delineator is attached can also be reflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Cateye Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakade
  • Patent number: 6264334
    Abstract: A movable body detecting device and a road-curve mirror with a radio wave reflection plate for allowing a reception side movable body present at a position where the movable body is hidden from a transmission side movable body to accurately receive movable body detecting radio waves transmitted from the transmission side movable body by making use of a road-curve mirror. A radio wave reflection plate for reflecting radio waves, being transmitted from one movable body A and received by another movable body B so that the reception side movable body detects the presence of the transmission side movable body, is mounted in a road-curve mirror provided on such a road to assist an individual in navigating an intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumitsu Kushida
  • Patent number: 6168276
    Abstract: A road safety reflector assembly has a pair of oppositely disposed finger cradles with a hollow, reinforceable housing, which has one or two reflectors mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Weid
  • Patent number: 6084709
    Abstract: A delineator easily recognized by the driver even when attached at a moderate curve of a road includes colorless transparent reflectors attached inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to an aluminum base and amber transparent reflectors attached inclined in the opposite direction. Each reflector has a reflex reflecting element, an optical axis of which is inclined in the same direction as the corresponding reflector. Thus light beams entering in a direction parallel to the surface on which the delineator is attached can also be reflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Cateye Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakade
  • Patent number: 5822119
    Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting material comprising at least one retroreflective optical system (200, 300, 400) consisting of an entrance transmission optical element (201, 301) for receiving and focusing incident electromagnetic radiation from an irradiation source, and a reflective optical element (205, 405) for reflecting the incident electromagnetic radiation back toward the irradiation source; said reflective optical element being positioned in or near the effective focal point of the transmission optical element and the space between the optical elements optionally being constituted by a spacing material (202); wherein at least one of the optical elements (205, 301, 405) is a diffractive optical element, the reflective optical element (205, 405) for substantially all angles of incidence sends at least a part of the incident electromagnetic radiation back along the direction of the incoming chief ray (204), and the reflective optical element does not exclusively consist of a specular mirror type reflective op
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kell Erik Franke
    Inventors: Michael Rasmussen, Per Eld Ibsen, Jan Stensborg
  • Patent number: 5818640
    Abstract: This relates to a system for and method of illuminating a sign, so that drivers and observers may easily recognize and read the sign and billboard. The apparatus employs an external illumination source that is easy to inspect and maintain. The illumination source and the sign or billboard are separately installed from each other. Light emitted from the illumination source forms an incident angle (.theta.) in the range of 0.degree. to about 30.degree. at any point on the road sign. A road sign area of the sign is made of a retroreflective sheet having a wide observation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yoshio Watanabe, Toshitaka Nakajima, Muneo Momozawa, Satoshi Kakishita
  • Patent number: 5731766
    Abstract: A route guide system for making guidance of the traveling direction in the sight field of the driver during traveling. The road guide plate is provided in front of a turning point. This road guide plate emits light differing in flash timing according to the branching direction. The liquid crystal shutter is provided on the front glass of the vehicle equipped with the navigation system. When making road guidance, ON/OFF operation of the liquid crystal shutter is controlled by an MPU so that only the light of the light-emitting pattern corresponding to the traveling direction according to the traveling direction information of the turning point obtained from route searching toward the targeted location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Motoyuki Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 5731895
    Abstract: A reflective element mountable to a post comprises a body member having an internal keyway formed therein for sliding over the post. A bore is provided, preferably transversely through the body member, and is dimensioned to receive either a pin or a bolt which locks the element to the post. The body member in preferred form is cylindrical in shape. A reflective material such as in sheet form is wrapped around the outer surface of the body member. Thereby, the element is capable of reflecting light incident on its surface from 360 degrees around the element. The body of the element may be readily manufactured from a non-corroding plastic material as to provide years of service. By the construction of the element, it is also easily attached to a typical post used as a highway marker, such as a studded T-post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: CHS Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Owczarzak, William J. Cienkus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5703719
    Abstract: A reflector road sign including a reflector body made of a tempered glass having Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 content below 0.3%, a casing made to receive the reflector body, a solar lighting system installed in the reflector body, the solar lighting system including a LED (light emitting diode) lamp, a solar cell assembly, a rechargeable battery connected to the solar cell assembly, a control circuit connected to the rechargeable battery and the LED lamp and controlling the LED lamp to operate when the intensity of ambient light drops below a predetermined level, and a reflecting device mounted around the LED lamp to reflect light in desired directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Judy Chen
  • Patent number: 5320446
    Abstract: This invention describes the design and method of installation of wild animal highway warning reflectors. The reflector consists of a transparent plate having a flat light entrance surface and a backside reflection surface from which the reflected light is dispersed. The rear surface is comprised of many reflecting toric surfaces arranged vertically and horizontally side-by-side. The new design of the toric surfaces and the unique method of installing the reflectors provide complete reflected light coverage for all variations of roadside terrain to warn wild animals that wish to cross a highway at night. To an animal each reflector glitters with colored light. As a vehicle passes, animals see an unnatural, sequence of lights coming from a plurality of reflectors located along both sides of the highway. Installation of these warning reflectors adjacent to highways where wild animals frequently cross has led to a considerable reduction of the number of accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: John R. Strieter
  • Patent number: 5237449
    Abstract: A highway sign includes a reflective back surface and a biased lenticular lens front surface for reflecting light back in the direction of the original light source. The reflective back surface preferably comprises a plurality of corner cubic reflectors arranged in a regular matrix. The biased lenticular lens front surface comprises arcuate surfaces, or flat surfaces having arcuate indentations, separated by relatively flat surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the reflective surface and which form a saw-toothed pattern when seen in profile. Printing can be applied to the lens surface to form traffic control messages or indicia. The biased lenticular front surface diffuses the oncoming light, thus providing a uniform reflective surface. The reflective surface and biased lenticular lens system can be formed from a single integrated sheet of polycarbonate plastic or similar material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Nelson Optics Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan R. Nelson, Randall E. McCoy
  • Patent number: 5196961
    Abstract: A road sign includes: a rotor disk rotatably mounted on a frame having a retroreflective sheet formed on a first surface of the rotor disk capable of reflecting any incident light projecting onto the retroreflective sheet for forming a bright surface of said disk, and a light-absorptive surface formed on a second surface of the rotor disk opposite to the first surface capable of absorbing incoming lights projecting onto the light-absorptive surface for forming a dark surface of the disk, whereby upon a blowing of wind on the rotor disk, the disk will be rotated to subsequently orient the first bright surface frontwardly and then orient the second dark surface frontwardly, thereby causing a flashing operation for serving as an effective road sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Chih-Kuo Sun
  • Patent number: 5130848
    Abstract: A passive railroad crossing warning device has two input optical windows that receive light from the headlight of an oncoming locomotive. The light is redirected to an output optical window where a combiner causes it to exit at a predetermined angle to make it visible to motorists approaching the railroad crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Miller, Scott G. Theirl, Kenneth A. Aho