US5059061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Truck mounted pavement marking applicator
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1990-06-14
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-06-14
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically applying pavement marking tape to roadway surfaces using a self-propelled vehicle. Tapes can be applied in continuous stripes or intermittent stripes of variable spacing or length while the vehicle is in motion. Methods are also disclosed for changing rolls of tapes while the vehicle is in motion, and thereby reducing stopping times for splicing. The tape application mechanism can be enclosed within the vehicle so that the operator is protected from traffic hazards.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich F. Stenemann
- 👤 Louis F. Keller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:22
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C23/00; E01C23/16; E01C23/18; E01C23/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-making tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel mounted to one side of the vehicle for supporting the vehicle; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle and aligned with said rear wheel so that the pavement marking tape is driven against the roadway by the rear wheel during forward motion of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-making tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel mounted to one side of the vehicle for supporting the vehicle; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle and aligned with said rear wheel so that the pavement marking tape is driven against the roadway by the rear wheel during forward motion of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality, said means comprising a set of guides defining a variable length pathway for tape; a first accumulator roller mounted on a first guide of the set; a second accumulator roller mounted on a second guide of the set in spacial relationship with and movable relative to the first accumulator roller to define at least a portion of the variable length pathway; and mean for moving the second guide to alter the length of the pathway defined by the guides; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality, said means comprising a set of guides defining a variable length pathway for tape; a first accumulator roller mounted on a first guide of the set; a second accumulator roller mounted on a second guide of the set in spacial relationship with and movable relative to the first accumulator roller to define at least a portion of the variable length pathway; and mean for moving the second guide to alter the length of the pathway defined by the guides; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: means for releasing a variable length of tape from the means for accumulating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for releasing a variable length of tape includes a cutting means the speed of which is variable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of the mandrels of the plurality is provided with pneumatically operated brakes for controlling rotation of the tape rolls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the deposition mechanism comprises a guide roller forming a nip with the roadway surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the deposition mechanism further includes pneumatic blowing means to urge a free end of a tape into the nip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the deposition mechanism is movable about a first generally longitudinally arranged axis and a second transversely arranged axis to enable the guide roller to track the roadway surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for moving the guide is a pneumatic piston.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the self-propelled steerable vehicle includes a rear dual wheel and further comprising a second device similar to said first device having a nip aligned in front of the rear dual wheel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel supporting the vehicle; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape each of said mandrels having pneumatically operated disc brakes, for controlling rotation of tape rolls; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality; controls for the disc brakes comprising a cam driven variable pressure regulator the output of which depends upon the length of tape in the means for accumulating; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle and aligned with said rear wheel so that the pavement marking tape is driven against the roadway by the rear wheel during forward motion of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising: a self-propelled steerable vehicle having a rear wheel supporting the vehicle; a first device carried by the vehicle, the first device including: a plurality of feed mandrels mounted on the device for rotatably supporting and dispensing rolls of tape each of said mandrels having pneumatically operated disc brakes, for controlling rotation of tape rolls; means for accumulating a variable length of tape from one of the mandrels of the plurality; controls for the disc brakes comprising a cam driven variable pressure regulator the output of which depends upon the length of tape in the means for accumulating; and a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent the roadway surface preceding the rear wheel of the vehicle and aligned with said rear wheel so that the pavement marking tape is driven against the roadway by the rear wheel during forward motion of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved method for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising the steps: providing a self-propelled vehicle having a wheel supporting the vehicle on the roadway surface and carrying a first device comprising a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent a portion of the roadway surface preceding the wheel; and depositing tape upon the roadway surface; wherein the improvement comprises tamping the deposited tape with the wheel of the vehicle mounted to one side thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved method for applying pavement-marking tape to a roadway surface comprising the steps: providing a self-propelled vehicle having a wheel supporting the vehicle on the roadway surface and carrying a first device comprising a tape deposition mechanism situated adjacent a portion of the roadway surface preceding the wheel; and depositing tape upon the roadway surface; wherein the improvement comprises tamping the deposited tape with the wheel of the vehicle mounted to one side thereof.
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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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |