US3820718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traffic marking system
Assignee: California Department Of Public Works
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Filing: 1972-12-20
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1992-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A traffic marking system is provided wherein a material is applied in a heated condition to a roadway, the heat being developed by a novel system of agitation. The invention permits a plurality of layers of material to be applied in a single pass. The invention also provides for imbedding reflective beads in the material.
Inventors
- 👤 H Ammon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:46
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C23/00; E01C23/16; E01C23/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A machine for applying marking lines to a road surface and the like, comprising: a tank containing a marking material which becomes fluidized upon the application of heat thereto and which quickly dries and solidifies after it is heated and then cooled; heater means for heating and fluidizing said marking material, said heater means including a casing with an inlet and an outlet, a rotary vane means in thE casing to subject material in the casing to extreme agitation and thus heat the material by conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy; means connected with the vane means to rotate the vane means; conduit means connected to the tank and to the heater inlet to convey material to be heated to the heater; high pressure pump means connected to the heater outlet; marking material applying nozzle means adjacent said pump means; conduit means connected to the pump means and to the nozzle means so that the heated material is pumped at high pressure to the nozzle means for application of the heated material to a road surface and the like; and return conduit means connected with the nozzle means and with the heater means for return to the heater means of heated material not applied through the nozzle means, only the fluid in the heater means, pump means, nozzle means and conduit means being heated, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in start up time and substantially increasing the efficiency and safety of the machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A machine for applying marking lines to a road surface and the like, comprising: a tank containing a marking material which becomes fluidized upon the application of heat thereto and which quickly dries and solidifies after it is heated and then cooled; heater means for heating and fluidizing said marking material, said heater means including a casing with an inlet and an outlet, a rotary vane means in thE casing to subject material in the casing to extreme agitation and thus heat the material by conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy; means connected with the vane means to rotate the vane means; conduit means connected to the tank and to the heater inlet to convey material to be heated to the heater; high pressure pump means connected to the heater outlet; marking material applying nozzle means adjacent said pump means; conduit means connected to the pump means and to the nozzle means so that the heated material is pumped at high pressure to the nozzle means for application of the heated material to a road surface and the like; and return conduit means connected with the nozzle means and with the heater means for return to the heater means of heated material not applied through the nozzle means, only the fluid in the heater means, pump means, nozzle means and conduit means being heated, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in start up time and substantially increasing the efficiency and safety of the machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as in claim 1, wherein said nozzle means comprise spray guns, and a plurality of spray guns are supported on a support arm, said spray guns connected in tandem with respect to one another to apply multiple layers of said marking material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A machine as in claim 2, wherein said machine includes means for depositing reflective beads on said marking material applied to a surface, said means including a container of said reflective beads, conduit means connected with said container and with at least one of said spray guns, and means to cause said beads to flow through said conduit means and said at least one spray gun.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A machine as in claim 3, wherein there are five spray guns, said high pressure pump means connected with three of said spray guns and said container of beads connected with two of said spray guns, said spray guns arranged so that a first layer of marking material is applied to the surface and a second layer of marking material is applied thereover, a first layer of beads is applied over said second layer of marking material, a third layer of marking material is applied over said first layer of beads, and a second layer of beads is applied over said third layer of marking material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine as in claim 1, wherein fixed vanes are in said casing to direct the marking material moved by said rotary vane means outwardly at a speed approximating the tip speed of the rotary vane means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as in claim 1, wherein a heat sensor is secured on said heater means to sense the temperature of the heated marking material, a servo system connected with said heat sensor and with said vane rotating means to regulate the speed of rotation of said vane means dependent upon the temperature of the heated marking material and thus maintain the temperature of the heated marking material substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as in claim 2, wherein each of said spray guns includes a plenum chamber, and a conduit connected serially with the plenum chambers of the plurality of spray guns to circulate the heated marking material to and through the plenum chambers for application of a part of the marking material to a surface to be marked and return to the heater means of any marking material not applied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A machine as in claim 2, wherein said support arm includes a pivotally mounted portion, said spray guns carried by said pivotally mounted portion and movable with said pivotally mounted portion to a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as in claim 1, wherein is included a vehicle, said machine carried by said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |