US3879148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grazing light reflector for roadway pavement markers
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1974-03-19
•
Granted: 1975-04-22
•
Expires: 1994-03-19
Abstract
Abstract There is described a retro-reflecting device designed to be structurally associated to traffic delineating signs and markers formed by tapes or layers on roadway pavements. The device improves the nighttime visibility of the sign or marker, by retro-reflecting grazing light emitted by vehicles headlamps. The device consists of a reflector having a portion reflectorized by retro-reflecting beads, upwardly extending or bulging above the upper face of the sign or marker, for intercepting and reflecting grazing light rays, so connected to said upper face that it can be downwardly swung or pressed essentially in flush with said face as a vehicle travels thereover, and upwardly resiliently biased so that said portion self-returns in its said light intercepting position.
Inventors
- 👤 Ludwig Eigenmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:27
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/553; E01F9/565; E01F9/573; E01F9/576; E01F9/578
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retro-reflecting grazing light which impinges thereof and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component formed of a transparent fiber-reinforced resinous sheet and adapted to be bendable at its center, including a first flat portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second flat tab-like portion connected to and extending upwardly from said first portion and having an outer surface area when said component is bent at its center and having a lower edge, a resiliently pliable intermediate hinged portion located at said lower edge of said second portion and connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which at least a portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retroreflective means secured to at least part of said outer surface area of said second portion above said intermediate portion and being formed of at least one monolayer of transparent beads and a reflective sheet which back said beads so as to form a reflective surface when said transparent sheet component is bent at its center and encloses said beads and said sheet; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second portion a biasing force adapted to restore said second portion from said second position to said first position, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retro-reflecting grazing light which impinges thereof and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component formed of a transparent fiber-reinforced resinous sheet and adapted to be bendable at its center, including a first flat portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second flat tab-like portion connected to and extending upwardly from said first portion and having an outer surface area when said component is bent at its center and having a lower edge, a resiliently pliable intermediate hinged portion located at said lower edge of said second portion and connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which at least a portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retroreflective means secured to at least part of said outer surface area of said second portion above said intermediate portion and being formed of at least one monolayer of transparent beads and a reflective sheet which back said beads so as to form a reflective surface when said transparent sheet component is bent at its center and encloses said beads and said sheet; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second portion a biasing force adapted to restore said second portion from said second position to said first position, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retro-reflecting grazing light which impinges thereon and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper planar surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component including a first flat circular portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second portion formed of a substantially planar pliable sheet having an outer surface area including a circular portion concentric with said first flat circular portion, a pliable inTermediate portion connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which said circular portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retro-reflective means formed with a monolayer of reflectorized beads secured to at least a part of said outer surface area of said second sheet portion; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second sheet portion a biasing force including a compressible body located below said second sheet portion and operative to upwardly urge said outer surface area of said second sheet portion into a bulging configuration with sufficient strength so as to restore said second sheet portion from said second position to said first position after a vehicle has passed, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retro-reflecting grazing light which impinges thereon and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper planar surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component including a first flat circular portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second portion formed of a substantially planar pliable sheet having an outer surface area including a circular portion concentric with said first flat circular portion, a pliable inTermediate portion connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which said circular portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retro-reflective means formed with a monolayer of reflectorized beads secured to at least a part of said outer surface area of said second sheet portion; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second sheet portion a biasing force including a compressible body located below said second sheet portion and operative to upwardly urge said outer surface area of said second sheet portion into a bulging configuration with sufficient strength so as to restore said second sheet portion from said second position to said first position after a vehicle has passed, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retroreflecting grazing light which impinges thereon and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper planar surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component including a first flat circular portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second portion formed of a substantially planar pliable sheet having an outer surface area including a circular portion concentric with said first flat circular portion, a pliable inTermediate portion connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which said circular portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retro-reflective means formed with a monolayer of reflectorized beads secured to at least a part of said outer surface area of said second sheet portion; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second sheet portion a biasing force including a compressible body located below said second sheet portion and operative to upwardly urge said outer surface area of said second sheet portion into a bulging configuration with sufficient strength so as to restore said second sheet portion from said second position to said first position after a vehicle has passed, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a reflector for roadway pavement markers, particularly for traffic regulating signs and markers which are adapted for retroreflecting grazing light which impinges thereon and which are structurally associated with a layer superimposed on a roadway pavement which has an upper planar surface, a combination comprising a partially pliable component including a first flat circular portion juxtaposed on and firmly secured to the upper planar surface of the layer superimposed on the roadway, a second portion formed of a substantially planar pliable sheet having an outer surface area including a circular portion concentric with said first flat circular portion, a pliable inTermediate portion connecting said first portion to said second portion and operative to allow said second portion to assume with respect to said first portion a first position in which said circular portion of said outer surface area of said second portion is positioned to receive impinging grazing light and to assume a second position in which said outer surface area and said second portion are substantially coplanar with the upper planar surface of the layer on the roadway, and retro-reflective means formed with a monolayer of reflectorized beads secured to at least a part of said outer surface area of said second sheet portion; and resiliently deformable biasing means associated with said intermediate portion for applying to said second sheet portion a biasing force including a compressible body located below said second sheet portion and operative to upwardly urge said outer surface area of said second sheet portion into a bulging configuration with sufficient strength so as to restore said second sheet portion from said second position to said first position after a vehicle has passed, whereby said impinging grazing light is reflected when said second portion is in said first position and whereby the planarity of the roadway surface is not substantially affected when said second portion is in said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reflector of claim 2, wherein said component is formed of a fiber reinforced resinous sheeting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The reflector of claim 3, wherein said sheeting consists of a polyurethane resin impregnated network of polyamide fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reflector of claim 2, wherein said monolayer of beads is transparent and is backed by a reflectorizing surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |