US4939512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular, non-metallic, hard shell, predimensioned, preformed and sealed induction loop vehicle detection system and method of installation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-13
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Granted: 1990-07-03
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Expires: 2007-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An induction loop vehicle detection system and method of making and installing such a system are disclosed wherein the conduit sections containing the induction loop are preformed and prewired integrally with all interconnects by using removable expansion joints to assemble sections of prewired and sealed conduit in any desired configuration. The expansion joints can be removed after assembly to enable the induction loop to be folded down for shipment. The expansion joints also enable longitudinal displacement of the induction loop conduit due to thermal differential expansion during installation and during extreme changes in temperature over the lifetime of the system, thereby preserving the integrity of the roadway and fault free operation of the induction loop. The wires forming the induction loop are completely sealed within the conduit with an asphalt rubber material thereby precluding any moisture penetration. The induction loop vehicle detector is installed by a method of dry routing of pavement which eliminates labor intensive slurry clean-up. The conduit is sealed in the routed slot in a roadway with a pressure withstanding asphalt rubber material which tenaciously adheres to the side surfaces of the routed slot.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Dennison
- 👤 Douglas B. MacDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:42
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an introduction loop vehicle detector for installation in a vehicular roadway a modular, predimensioned, sealed induction loop vehicle detector assembly comprising: a plurality of flexible conduit sections housing a conductor and forming a predetermined loop placeable in the bed of a roadway; a plurality of couplings joining said conduit sections, said couplings being axially slidable with respect to said conduit sections during and after installation of said assemlbly in sid roadway to enable longitudianal displacement of said conduit sections relative to said couplings to accommodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway; and a flexible sealant completely filling said conduit sections to thereby surround and seal said conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an introduction loop vehicle detector for installation in a vehicular roadway a modular, predimensioned, sealed induction loop vehicle detector assembly comprising: a plurality of flexible conduit sections housing a conductor and forming a predetermined loop placeable in the bed of a roadway; a plurality of couplings joining said conduit sections, said couplings being axially slidable with respect to said conduit sections during and after installation of said assemlbly in sid roadway to enable longitudianal displacement of said conduit sections relative to said couplings to accommodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway; and a flexible sealant completely filling said conduit sections to thereby surround and seal said conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A modular, predimensioned induction loop assembly as in claim 1 wherein said couplings are slidable over the ends of said conduit sections after assembly of the same together but prior to installation of said assembly in said roadway to thereby enable said predetermined loop to be folded down for ease of carrying and field assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A modular, predimensioned induction loop vehicle detector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said flexible conduit sections consist of polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A modular, predimensioned induction loop vehicle detector assembly as in claim 1 wherein said flexible conduit sections consist of a pressure resistant, non-conductive material such as polyvinylchloride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A modular, predimensioned induction loop assembly as in claim 1 wherein said conductor is sealably surrounded along its entire length with a non-conductive material such as asphalt rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A modular, predimensioned induction loop assembly according to claim 1 including a plurality of induction loops which are integrally joined through said couplings and said loops are marked to facilitate modular assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
In ao induction loop vehicle deteotor assembly to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said assembly having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductior surrounding sealant, a coupling for joining sections of the conduit comprising: a body defining a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said bore being sized to slidably receive at each end thereof, an end section of conduit to be joined; and said longitudinal bore having a central region intermediate of the end sections of said bore enabling longitudinal displacement of said end sections of conduit relative to said central region during and after installation of said assembly in said roadway to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector assembly and said roadway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
In ao induction loop vehicle deteotor assembly to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said assembly having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductior surrounding sealant, a coupling for joining sections of the conduit comprising: a body defining a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said bore being sized to slidably receive at each end thereof, an end section of conduit to be joined; and said longitudinal bore having a central region intermediate of the end sections of said bore enabling longitudinal displacement of said end sections of conduit relative to said central region during and after installation of said assembly in said roadway to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector assembly and said roadway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A coupling according to claim 7 wherein said internal diameter of said bore is slightly greater than the external diameter of said conduit such that said conduit ends are slideably removable from said couplling to thereby enable said loop shaped conduit to be folded down for ease of carrying.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an induction loop vehicle detector to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said detector having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductor surrounding sealant, a coupling for joining sections of the conduit comprising: a body defining a first bore of said assembly extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis of said body slidably receiving the ends of conduit during and after installation, to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway sections in said roadway and said body further defining a second bore having one end for slidably receiving an end section of conduit and having a second end intersecting said first bore intermediate of the ends of said first bore and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof wherein the intersection of said first and second bores defines a receptacle for joining end sections of conduit and for enabling longitudinal displacement of said end sections within said receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an induction loop vehicle detector to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said detector having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductor surrounding sealant, a coupling for joining sections of the conduit comprising: a body defining a first bore of said assembly extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis of said body slidably receiving the ends of conduit during and after installation, to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway sections in said roadway and said body further defining a second bore having one end for slidably receiving an end section of conduit and having a second end intersecting said first bore intermediate of the ends of said first bore and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof wherein the intersection of said first and second bores defines a receptacle for joining end sections of conduit and for enabling longitudinal displacement of said end sections within said receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coupling according to claim 9 wherein said body is further comprised of two complementary halves snapped together to thereby enable quick assembly and disassembly of said body without adhesive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an introduction loop vehicle detector to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said detector having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductor surrounding filler, a coupling for joining sections of conduit comprising: a fitting defining a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough sized to receive at each end thereof, a conductior extending from end sections of conduit to be joined, said passageway being filled with a conductor surrounding filler; a sleeve having a first end slidably receiving an end of said fitting and having a second end sized to receive an end section of conduit, wherein said sleeve enables longitudinal displacement of said conduit and said conductor therein during and after installation, to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway; and means for slidably and matingly engaging said first end of said sleeve with said end of said fitting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an introduction loop vehicle detector to be installed in a vehicular roadway, said detector having a conductor extending in a loop shaped conduit filled with a conductor surrounding filler, a coupling for joining sections of conduit comprising: a fitting defining a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough sized to receive at each end thereof, a conductior extending from end sections of conduit to be joined, said passageway being filled with a conductor surrounding filler; a sleeve having a first end slidably receiving an end of said fitting and having a second end sized to receive an end section of conduit, wherein said sleeve enables longitudinal displacement of said conduit and said conductor therein during and after installation, to accomodate relative dimensional changes between said loop detector and said roadway; and means for slidably and matingly engaging said first end of said sleeve with said end of said fitting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A coupling as in claim 11 further comprising a second sleeve having means for matingly engaging a second end of said fitting at one end thereof and slideably receiving a second conduit at it other end, the interior of said second sleeve providing a space enabling the longitudinal displacement of said conduit and said conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A coupling as in claim 11 or 12 wherein said means for matingly engaging said sleeve with said fitting comprises a series of complementary ridges and recesses located on the exterior surface of said fitting end and on the interior surface of said sleeve, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A coupling as in claim 11 wherein said fitting comprises a T fitting having an end portion defining a second passageway transversely intersecting said first passageway and having an interior region sized to receive a section of a conductor extending from an additional conduit section to be joined; and an additonal sleeve having one end for engageably receiving said T fitting end portion defining said transverse passageway and having a second end for receiving said additional section of conduit, said interior of said additional sleeve defining a space enabling the longitudinal displacement of said additional conduit section and said conductor.
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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) | 1993-07-02 | 1994-01-01 | 1994-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-02 | 1998-01-01 | 1998-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-02 | 2002-01-01 | 2002-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |