US5698259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for forming a guideline on a road surface
Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
•
Filing: 1995-10-26
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Granted: 1997-12-16
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Expires: 2015-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A metal detector and distance sensor for a motor vehicle. A departure of the motor vehicle from a correct path indicated by one or two metal lines covered with paint in the road is signaled. The metals lines are formed by projecting a jet of metal in the gaseous state at high speed onto the road surface. A covering of paint is then formed over the metal line on the road surface. A turbine supplied by an air compressor projects the jet of metal in the gaseous state from a vehicle or a trailer having a metal supply device and a painting device thereon. A display indicates the direction of departure from the correct path and the distance separating the motor vehicle from a preceding vehicle. Alarm signals can be emitted upon the departure.
Inventors
- 👤 Luigi Collinucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:27
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0287; G05D1/0289; B; B05; B05B; B05B7/00; B05B7/16; B05B7/22; B05B7/222; B05B7/224; B05B9/00; B05B9/03; B05B9/04; B05B9/06; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/26; B60K35/265; B60K35/28; B60K35/65; B60K35/654; B60K35/80; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; C; C23; C23C; C23C4/00; C23C4/12; C23C4/131; C23C4/18; E; E01; E01C; E01C23/00; E01C23/16; E01C23/20; E01C23/206; E01F; E01F11/00; E01F9/00; E01F9/30; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0238; G05D1/024; G05D1/0259; G05D1/0261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A process for forming on a road surface at least one guide line which contains metal detectable by a metal detector, comprising the steps of: fusing metal in an arc torch and producing a jet of vaporized metal; accelerating the jet of vaporized metal by compressed air; further accelerating the jet of vaporized metal in a turbine; projecting the resulting jet of vaporized metal onto a road surface to form a metal coating on a portion of the road surface; and covering the metal on the road surface with paint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for forming on a road surface at least one guide line which contains metal detectable by a metal detector, comprising the steps of: fusing metal in an arc torch and producing a jet of vaporized metal; accelerating the jet of vaporized metal by compressed air; further accelerating the jet of vaporized metal in a turbine; projecting the resulting jet of vaporized metal onto a road surface to form a metal coating on a portion of the road surface; and covering the metal on the road surface with paint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of accelerating the jet of vaporized metal in a turbine accelerates the metal to an almost supersonic velocity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process as defined in claim 2 comprising the further step of mounting a device in an automotive vehicle or trailer to perform the steps of fusing metal, accelerating the jet of vaporized metal by compressed air and a turbine, projecting the resulting jet of metal onto a road surface, and covering said metal with paint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process as defined in claim 2, wherein the metal is fused to form vaporized metal containing gaseous metal vapor entrained in air, wherein the step of accelerating the jet of vaporized metal in a turbine accelerates the metal to an almost supersonic velocity, and wherein the metal is zinc or aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the jet of metal is projected onto the road surface at an almost supersonic velocity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process as defined in claim 5 comprising the further step of mounting a device in an automotive vehicle or trailer to perform the steps of fusing metal, accelerating the jet of vaporized metal by compressed air and a turbine, projecting the resulting jet of metal onto a road surface, and covering said metal with paint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process as defined in claim 5, wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process as defined in claim 5, wherein the metal is zinc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process as defined in claim 1 comprising the further step of mounting a device in an automotive vehicle or trailer to perform the steps of fusing metal, accelerating the jet of vaporized metal by air compressed air and turine, projecting the resulting jet of metal onto a road surface, and covering said metal with paint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as defined in claim 9, wherein the metal is aluminum and the arc torch is an electric arc torch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as defined in claim 9, wherein the metal is zinc and the arc torch is an electric arc torch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal is zinc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal is fused to form vaporized metal containing gaseous metal vapor entrained in air and wherein the step of accelerating the jet of vaporized metal in a turbine accelerates the metal to an almost supersonic velocity.
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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) | 2000-12-15 | 2001-06-16 | 2001-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-15 | 2005-06-16 | 2005-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-15 | 2009-06-16 | 2009-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |