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US4129397A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Road surface marking prefabricated tape material, having retroreflective composite elements associated thereto

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-11-09
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Granted: 1978-12-12
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Expires: 1997-11-09
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Abstract

Abstract A prefabricated road surface marking tape material consisting of a factory prefabricated and assembled structure comprising a tape component and a plurality of retroreflective sheltered elements bulging above said tape, spacedly distributed lengthwise of the tape, and secured thereon in a such position that the light emitted by headlamps of a vehicle travelling on the road in the direction of the tape and impinging on said reflective means comprised in each element, will be retroreflected in form of a relatively narrow beam of light precisely directed towards the driver of the vehicle, for improved nighttime visibility of the sign.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ludwig Eigenmann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 20:50
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/506; E01F9/512; E01F9/576; E01F9/578; G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 150 words
A prefabricated road-surface marking tape, comprising a tape adapted to be placed on and secured to a road surface to form a traffic aid thereon; a plurality of reflectors spaced lengthwise of and upwardly projecting from an upper face of said tape, each of said reflectors comprising a casing having a generally planar base portion of a first width and having a bottom face juxtaposed with said upper face, and a receiver portion of a smaller second width projecting upwardly from said base portion, and an optically reflective element mounted and sheltered in said receiver portion and operative for retroreflecting a relatively narrow beam of light lengthwise of said tape in one direction when impinged by vehicle-emitted light rays travelling in the opposite direction; and means including a plurality of recesses in said bottom face and accommodating portions of said tape therein, for fixedly anchoring said reflectors to said tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 150 words
A prefabricated road-surface marking tape, comprising a tape adapted to be placed on and secured to a road surface to form a traffic aid thereon; a plurality of reflectors spaced lengthwise of and upwardly projecting from an upper face of said tape, each of said reflectors comprising a casing having a generally planar base portion of a first width and having a bottom face juxtaposed with said upper face, and a receiver portion of a smaller second width projecting upwardly from said base portion, and an optically reflective element mounted and sheltered in said receiver portion and operative for retroreflecting a relatively narrow beam of light lengthwise of said tape in one direction when impinged by vehicle-emitted light rays travelling in the opposite direction; and means including a plurality of recesses in said bottom face and accommodating portions of said tape therein, for fixedly anchoring said reflectors to said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 56 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 1, said reflective elements being fixedly positioned for retroreflecting a defined beam of light in a direction generally longitudinal of the tape and forming a very small angle with the road surface, when impinged by light rays forming essentially same angle and having an essentially corresponding but opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 2, said reflective element comprising a prism of transparent material having an essentially planar major face positioned for light impingement and a retroreflective rear face arranged for retroreflecting essentially the entire impinging light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 1, wherein said reflectors project from 5 to 15 mm above the upper face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 1, wherein said base portion has undercut forming edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 1, wherein said reflectors comprise components made of a high resistance polymeric resinous substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 6, said casings being made of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or of a polycarbonate resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
The road surface marking tape of claim 6, said reflective elements being made of transparent methylmethacrylate resin or of a polycarbonate resin.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-12-11 1982-06-12 1982-12-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-12-11 1986-06-12 1986-12-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-12-11 1990-06-12 1990-12-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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