Road structure – process – or apparatus – Traffic director – Attenuated lane marker type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-01
2002-07-02
Shackelford, H. (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Traffic director
Attenuated lane marker type
C116S06300T
Reexamination Certificate
active
06413010
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to traffic control devices and, more specifically, to traffic direction control devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Traffic Directional Mat, is a 4′×5′×⅝″ black rubber mat with a ¼″ indented 3′×4′ arrow painted with white reflective paint. It is designed to be placed on the roadway concatenated in large numbers in the lane of travel to provide a clear path indicating the direction the traffic is to follow. These mats can be used either independently or in conjunction with traffic safety cones to provide clearer traffic direction information to the motorist of all cultural and educational backgrounds. The problem with using a multiplicity of traffic cones as the sole traffic direction control method is that they don't always indicate clearly the correct path for the redirection of traffic. This is due, in part, to the often less-then-perfect ambient light conditions as well as to the nature of the device itself which presents an obstacle to travel rather than a directional indication. Using traffic cones in conjunction with Directional Mats, however, gives the motorist a complete traffic direction information picture, with the mats clearly indicating the path and the cones indicating the lateral boundaries of the path. The internationally recognized arrow symbol is also easily understood by motorist of all backgrounds. The Traffic Directional Mat is durable, easy to clean, portable and easy to maintain (the indented arrow can be repainted with reflective paint).
It increases highway safety and lowers liability exposure which makes the Directional Mat a perfect compliment to any traffic control inventory.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other traffic controls devices designed for controlling the flow of traffic. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,617 issued to Judy Chen on Mar. 14, 1995.
Another patent was issued to Peter Hedgewick on Oct. 29, 1991 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,114. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,383 was issued to Hartwell F. Tucker on Oct. 30, 1973 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 30, 1948 to W. A. Phillips as U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,764.
Another patent was issued to W. S Rockwell on Dec. 29, 1936 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,872. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,809 was issued to J. R. O'Brien on Apr. 20, 1926.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,617
Inventor: Judy Chen
Issued: Mar. 14, 1995
A reflective road sign made of a transparent tempered glass consisted of a cylindrical base, and a dome connected above the cylindrical base, the cylindrical base having a peripheral outside wall coated with an inner layer of light-permeable color covering, an outer layer of corrosion resisting coating, and an intermediate layer of reflective metal coating between the inner layer of light permeable color covering and the outer layer of corrosion resisting coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,114
Inventor: Peter Hedgewick
Issued: Oct. 29, 1991
A reflective pavement marker of the type having a shell-like housing of synthetic resin or other moldable material with a reflective end wall of light transmitting material with a filler of epoxy or other potting material. The reflective end wall is formed with retro-directive reflective elements of cube corner type. The end wall is dished so that light rays reflect from the array of cube corner reflective elements and converge to enhance the candlepower of the reflective light. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,383
Inventor: Hartwell F. Tucker
Issued: Oct. 30, 1973
An automobile driving lane or roadbed marker device for attachment to a roadbed has a configuration which indicates to the driver of the automobile the proper direction of movement in a traffic lane, while defining the boundaries of the traffic lane. The marker device has a low-profile elongated three-dimensional body the bottom surface of which is flat and which tapers in width from about 4 to 8 inches at one end to one to 2 inches at the other end. The top surface of the body is divided into facets or angularly disposed surfaces which themselves reflect light, or on which separate reflective units are formed or attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,764
Inventor: W. A. Phillips
Issued: Mar. 30, 1948
In a device for use in applying a traffic control marking to the soft upper surface of a highway, a carrier composed of a compressible material provided with a series of spaced openings extending entirely through the carrier and arranged to depict the desired traffic control marking, and individual hard element in and substantially filling each of said carrier openings, and a frangible sheet closing the ends of said openings for retaining said elements therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,872
Inventor: Walter S. Rockwell
Issued: Dec. 29, 1936
A sign including a flexible open mesh backing adapted to be embedded in self-hardening plastic material, the interstices of the backing being of a size as to permit the plastic material to pass therethrough, and wire of rod-like form defining the outline of a symbol secured to said area as to project a sufficient distance from the adjacent face of the backing to provide a form for retaining self-hardening plastic material of a different color than that in which the backing is adapted to be embedded.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 1,581,809
Inventor: James Raymond O'Brien
Issued: Apr. 20, 1926
A road marker embodying a block like body portion, the upper surface thereof being substantially flat, and an anchor plate upon which the block rests, the lower face of the block and the said plate being secured together, the said plate projecting beyond the block to form flanges continuous throughout the length of the respective adjacent upright surfaces of the block, said block being adapted to be embedded in the pavement so that the pavement will rest upon the said flanges and thereby anchor the block for yielding movement with the pavement, the top of the said block being normally flush with the upper surface of the adjacent portion of the pavement.
While these traffic control devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses a traffic directional mat which is expected to be made of black, rubber-like material. The mat is a relatively thin, generally rectangular body which is designed to be placed on a roadway in a pre-selected pattern or line in order to indicate the direction of travel for the traffic. The mat has an indented arrow, which arrow may be painted in reflective paint so as to be clearly visible to the driver of a vehicle. The mats are expected to be about 4′×5′ being about ⅝ inch thick having a 3′×4′ arrow with about a ¼ inch indention.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide an unambiguous traffic directional control device that will be completely understandable to motorists of all backgrounds.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an unambiguous traffic directional control device that will be completely understandable to motorists of all backgrounds and that can be used independently or in conjunction with other devices to enhance the effectiveness of traffic directional control.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an unambiguous traffic directional control device that will be completely understandable to motorists of all backgrounds, can be used independently or in conjunction with other devices to enhance the effectiveness of traffic directional control and that is clearly visible under all ambient light conditions.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an unambiguous traffic directional control device that will be completely understandable to motorists of all backgrounds, can be used independently or in conjuncti
Hartmann Gary S.
Kroll Michael I.
Shackelford H.
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