Patent US4234265A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4234265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light transmitting roadway marker
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-02-28
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1997-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A roadway lane marker has a translucent body to receive light from a vehicle's headlights on its back window, the light being transmitted through the marker body to illuminate its front face. A plurality of such markers, implanted at spaced intervals along edges of roadway lanes, will delineate to a driver looking back from a vehicle entering a roadway at night from a merging side road or ramp, the lane in which a vehicle generally behind him is approaching.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Otis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:47
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/553
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A roadway marking system to delineate the lane in which a first vehicle is travelling at night comprising a series of light transmitting roadway markers attached at spaced intervals along the surface of a roadway, the illuminated front face of at least one of said light transmitting roadway markers adapted to be visible to the driver of a second vehicle generally ahead of said first vehicle, looking back toward said first vehicle to determine the lane in which said first vehicle is travelling, said light transmitting roadway markers each comprising: a. a body fabricated of transparent material having a back window at one end to receive light from the headlights of said first vehicle travelling in a lane of said roadway; and, b. a light scattering front face at its other, opposite end illuminated by the light received on said back window and transmitted through said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A roadway marking system to delineate the lane in which a first vehicle is travelling at night comprising a series of light transmitting roadway markers attached at spaced intervals along the surface of a roadway, the illuminated front face of at least one of said light transmitting roadway markers adapted to be visible to the driver of a second vehicle generally ahead of said first vehicle, looking back toward said first vehicle to determine the lane in which said first vehicle is travelling, said light transmitting roadway markers each comprising: a. a body fabricated of transparent material having a back window at one end to receive light from the headlights of said first vehicle travelling in a lane of said roadway; and, b. a light scattering front face at its other, opposite end illuminated by the light received on said back window and transmitted through said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A roadway marking system according to claim 1 in which said series of roadway markers is attached to at least one side edge of a lane of said roadway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A roadway marking system according to claim 1 in which said series of light transmitting roadway markers are attached at spaced intervals along the surface of a roadway approaching the junction of said roadway with a merging side road.
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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) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |