Road structure – process – or apparatus – Traffic director – Attenuated lane marker type
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-10
2001-03-13
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Traffic director
Attenuated lane marker type
C404S014000, C404S015000, C404S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200064
ABSTRACT:
I. Field of the Invention
This application relates to retro-reflective road markers for installation on pavement of a road.
II. Background of the Invention
Road markers having retro-reflective lenses are used on road surfaces to delineate lanes at night. The road markers reflect light from the headlights of an automobile at night to indicate where the lanes of a road are positioned. The markers typically have a trapezoidal cross-section with a rectangular bottom shape and have dimensions of approximately two inches by four inches and three-quarters of an inch high. The markers are mounted directly to the road with suitable materials such as bituminous or epoxy. However, in areas where the climate is hot and the road surface is formed of asphalt or the like, the road surface softens due to heat. In these conditions, the markers are frequently mashed into the pavement by trucks or heavy vehicles when the road surface softens. Additionally, the passage of the tires of the heavy vehicles over the reflectors frequently chips or damages the end corners of the markers. Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce a road marker in such a way that it can be easily installed without sinking into the road surface. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide protection for the ends of the reflectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a road marker having a collar for mounting a reflector to the surface of a road. The collar is in the form of a circular disk having a pair of diametrically opposed projections. The projections have a flat inner surface to receive a retro-reflector therebetween. The projections width and height are slightly greater than that of the road marker to protect the ends of the reflector from abrasion. Each projection has a rounded outer surface to facilitate the passing of tires over the marker. A recess may be provided for mounting the reflector to the collar. A series of shallow apertures are formed on the bottom surface for adherence of glue for mounting to the road surface.
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patent: 5681128 (1997-10-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 5857802 (1999-01-01), Richter
patent: 2401273 (1979-04-01), None
Gifford, Krass, Groh Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
Hartmann Gary S.
Lillis Eileen D.
Pac-Tec, Inc.
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