US20170022676A1 - Luminescent raised road marker - Google Patents
Luminescent raised road marker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170022676A1 US20170022676A1 US15/142,855 US201615142855A US2017022676A1 US 20170022676 A1 US20170022676 A1 US 20170022676A1 US 201615142855 A US201615142855 A US 201615142855A US 2017022676 A1 US2017022676 A1 US 2017022676A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- raised road
- road marker
- raised
- rare earth
- main body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
- E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
- E01F9/553—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
- E01F9/559—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members illuminated
Definitions
- the present invention relates to raised road markers and, more particularly, to a raised road marker that is at least partially formed of one or more rare earth materials to provide luminescent qualities in dark or near dark environments.
- Raised road markers also referred to as raised pavement markers, are used as safety devices on roads to indicate lanes separation of opposing traffic lanes, location of fire hydrants, access for emergency vehicles, closed traffic areas or wrong direction of vehicle travel (i.e., “Do Not Enter” or “Wrong Way”).
- Other names for raised road markers include road studs, road cubes, road turtles or simply reflectors.
- Raised road markers are typically molded of a durable plastic material and commonly have two angled edges facing drivers approaching from opposite directions. These angled edges or angled side faces are commonly fitted with reflector strips to enhance visibility of the raised pavement markers, particularly and night.
- the reflectors may be of various colors to indicate such things as proper direction of travel or closed traffic areas.
- the opposite angled faces of raised road markers may be fitted with a white or yellow reflector on one side to indicate proper direction of travel and a red reflector on the opposite angled face to indicate “Wrong Way” direction of travel.
- raised road markers At night, visibility of raised road markers largely depends on use of headlights from approaching vehicles. In some instances, particularly for lane dividers, raised road markers may not always be clearly visible at night. Accordingly, there is a definite need for a raised road marker that is formed at least partially of a luminescent material that enhances the visibility of the raised road marker in dark conditions.
- the present invention is directed to a raised road marker that is formed at least partially of a luminescent material that emits a glowing light during dark and dim light conditions.
- the luminescent material is comprised of one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time.
- the present invention proposes to provide one or more inserts formed of rare earth materials within raised road markers to enhance visibility at night. This may include an insert that fits to the top of the raised road marker and forms the top surface of the raised road marker, which may be either flat or rounded, such as a dome shape.
- the one or more inserts may also be provided on opposite front and rear faces of the raised road markers.
- the rare earth materials may be applied by coating surfaces of the molded raised road marker.
- the entire raised road marker may be molded of one or more rare earth materials.
- the rare earth elements and composite materials used in the raised road marker of the present invention include, but are not limited to, photoluminescent materials such as aluminate photoluminescent pigment, silicate photoluminescent pigment and nitrides photoluminescent pigment.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a raised road marker, shown in cross-sectional, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the raised road marker of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment thereof.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the raised road marker of the present invention, wherein an insert is formed for receipt within a dove tail shaped transverse slot so that the insert, formed of one or more rare earth materials, is held within the road stud and forms a rounded or dome shaped top surface that is visible at night from all directions of approach.
- the raised road marker of the present invention is shown throughout the several views of the drawings and is generally indicated as 10 .
- the raised road marker 10 includes a main body 12 having a top surface 14 , a front face 16 , and opposite rear face 18 and a bottom side 20 that is structured and disposed to be secured to a ground surface, such as a road surface, with appropriate adhesives that are commonly used for securing raised road markers to ground surfaces, such as asphalt, pavement, cement and the like.
- the entire main body 12 of the raised road marker 10 may be formed of a luminescent material comprising one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time.
- the raised road marker 10 of the present invention comprises a main body 12 formed of a molded plastic material or other suitable composition that is durable and can withstand the harsh environment of an outdoor road surface, is exposed to extreme weather conditions, sunlight and heat, and heavy vehicle traffic.
- the embodiments of the raised road marker shown in FIGS. 1-3 further include at least one insert formed at least partially of a luminescent material.
- the luminescent material is comprised of one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time.
- the main body 12 of the raised road marker 10 includes a first insert 30 fitted to a top portion of the main body to provide the top surface of the raised road marker 10 .
- the main body 12 is further fitted with inserts 32 on both the front face 16 and the rear face 18 .
- the inserts 30 and 32 are all formed of a luminescent material which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises one or more rare earth materials.
- the embodiment of the raised road marker shown in FIG. 3 includes a single insert that includes at least one insert 30 that is fitted within a dove tail shaped transverse slot formed in the top portion of the main body 12 of the raised road marker 10 .
- the insert 30 is congruently configured to fit within the dove tail shaped transverse slot so that the insert, formed of one or more rare earth materials, is held within the raised road marker and forms a rounded or dome shaped top surface of the raised road marker that is visible at night from all directions of approach.
Abstract
Description
- This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/154,185 filed on Apr. 29, 2015.
- Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to raised road markers and, more particularly, to a raised road marker that is at least partially formed of one or more rare earth materials to provide luminescent qualities in dark or near dark environments.
- Discussion of the Related Art
- Raised road markers, also referred to as raised pavement markers, are used as safety devices on roads to indicate lanes separation of opposing traffic lanes, location of fire hydrants, access for emergency vehicles, closed traffic areas or wrong direction of vehicle travel (i.e., “Do Not Enter” or “Wrong Way”). Other names for raised road markers include road studs, road cubes, road turtles or simply reflectors. Raised road markers are typically molded of a durable plastic material and commonly have two angled edges facing drivers approaching from opposite directions. These angled edges or angled side faces are commonly fitted with reflector strips to enhance visibility of the raised pavement markers, particularly and night. The reflectors may be of various colors to indicate such things as proper direction of travel or closed traffic areas. For instance, when used for lane markings, the opposite angled faces of raised road markers may be fitted with a white or yellow reflector on one side to indicate proper direction of travel and a red reflector on the opposite angled face to indicate “Wrong Way” direction of travel.
- At night, visibility of raised road markers largely depends on use of headlights from approaching vehicles. In some instances, particularly for lane dividers, raised road markers may not always be clearly visible at night. Accordingly, there is a definite need for a raised road marker that is formed at least partially of a luminescent material that enhances the visibility of the raised road marker in dark conditions.
- The present invention is directed to a raised road marker that is formed at least partially of a luminescent material that emits a glowing light during dark and dim light conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the luminescent material is comprised of one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time. In particular, the present invention proposes to provide one or more inserts formed of rare earth materials within raised road markers to enhance visibility at night. This may include an insert that fits to the top of the raised road marker and forms the top surface of the raised road marker, which may be either flat or rounded, such as a dome shape. The one or more inserts may also be provided on opposite front and rear faces of the raised road markers. Alternatively, the rare earth materials may be applied by coating surfaces of the molded raised road marker. In another embodiment, the entire raised road marker may be molded of one or more rare earth materials.
- The rare earth elements and composite materials used in the raised road marker of the present invention include, but are not limited to, photoluminescent materials such as aluminate photoluminescent pigment, silicate photoluminescent pigment and nitrides photoluminescent pigment.
- Referring to the several views of the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a raised road marker, shown in cross-sectional, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the raised road marker of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment thereof; and -
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the raised road marker of the present invention, wherein an insert is formed for receipt within a dove tail shaped transverse slot so that the insert, formed of one or more rare earth materials, is held within the road stud and forms a rounded or dome shaped top surface that is visible at night from all directions of approach. - The raised road marker of the present invention is shown throughout the several views of the drawings and is generally indicated as 10. In each of the embodiments, the raised
road marker 10 includes amain body 12 having atop surface 14, afront face 16, and oppositerear face 18 and abottom side 20 that is structured and disposed to be secured to a ground surface, such as a road surface, with appropriate adhesives that are commonly used for securing raised road markers to ground surfaces, such as asphalt, pavement, cement and the like. - In one embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the entire
main body 12 of the raisedroad marker 10 may be formed of a luminescent material comprising one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time. - In the several embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , the raisedroad marker 10 of the present invention comprises amain body 12 formed of a molded plastic material or other suitable composition that is durable and can withstand the harsh environment of an outdoor road surface, is exposed to extreme weather conditions, sunlight and heat, and heavy vehicle traffic. The embodiments of the raised road marker shown inFIGS. 1-3 further include at least one insert formed at least partially of a luminescent material. In a preferred embodiment, the luminescent material is comprised of one or more rare earth materials that are adapted to be quickly charged with light energy from the sun or headlights of approaching vehicles and to emit a luminescent glowing light for an extended period of time. - In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , themain body 12 of the raisedroad marker 10 includes afirst insert 30 fitted to a top portion of the main body to provide the top surface of the raisedroad marker 10. Themain body 12 is further fitted withinserts 32 on both thefront face 16 and therear face 18. Theinserts - The embodiment of the raised road marker shown in
FIG. 3 includes a single insert that includes at least oneinsert 30 that is fitted within a dove tail shaped transverse slot formed in the top portion of themain body 12 of the raisedroad marker 10. Theinsert 30 is congruently configured to fit within the dove tail shaped transverse slot so that the insert, formed of one or more rare earth materials, is held within the raised road marker and forms a rounded or dome shaped top surface of the raised road marker that is visible at night from all directions of approach. - While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims, as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalence.
Claims (5)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/142,855 US20170022676A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Luminescent raised road marker |
US15/790,652 US20180058021A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2017-10-23 | Luminescent raised pavement marker |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562154185P | 2015-04-29 | 2015-04-29 | |
US15/142,855 US20170022676A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Luminescent raised road marker |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/790,652 Continuation-In-Part US20180058021A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2017-10-23 | Luminescent raised pavement marker |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170022676A1 true US20170022676A1 (en) | 2017-01-26 |
Family
ID=57836886
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/142,855 Abandoned US20170022676A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Luminescent raised road marker |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20170022676A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2018224716A1 (en) * | 2017-06-07 | 2018-12-13 | Universidad De Huelva | Photoluminescent horizontal road marking |
JP2020190108A (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2020-11-26 | 道場 守 | Road surface marker and road surface marker set |
WO2024030302A1 (en) * | 2022-08-01 | 2024-02-08 | Vehicle Radar Guidance, Llc | Radar-based vehicle guidance using radar reflectors embedded in pavement markers on a driving surface |
Citations (11)
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US5516227A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1996-05-14 | Iit Research Institute | Spherodized fluorescent beads for improved roadway pavement marker visibility |
US6245700B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2001-06-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Transparent microspheres |
US6696126B1 (en) * | 1999-08-12 | 2004-02-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Visual-tactile signage |
US6800574B2 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2004-10-05 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Glass beads and uses thereof |
US20070194248A1 (en) * | 2005-10-12 | 2007-08-23 | Sunstone Technology, Inc. | Methods of using rare-earth oxide compositions and related systems |
US7513941B2 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-04-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pavement marking, reflective elements, and methods of making micospheres |
CN202323804U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare-earth light-emitting raised mark on road |
CN202323803U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare earth luminescent road bulge mark |
CN202323801U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare earth luminescent raised mark for road |
US8591045B2 (en) * | 2009-08-21 | 2013-11-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pavement markings, reflective elements, and methods of making microspheres |
US20160132705A1 (en) * | 2014-11-12 | 2016-05-12 | Joseph E. Kovarik | Method and System for Autonomous Vehicles |
-
2016
- 2016-04-29 US US15/142,855 patent/US20170022676A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5516227A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1996-05-14 | Iit Research Institute | Spherodized fluorescent beads for improved roadway pavement marker visibility |
US6245700B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2001-06-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Transparent microspheres |
US6696126B1 (en) * | 1999-08-12 | 2004-02-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Visual-tactile signage |
US6800574B2 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2004-10-05 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Glass beads and uses thereof |
US20070194248A1 (en) * | 2005-10-12 | 2007-08-23 | Sunstone Technology, Inc. | Methods of using rare-earth oxide compositions and related systems |
US7513941B2 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2009-04-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pavement marking, reflective elements, and methods of making micospheres |
US8591045B2 (en) * | 2009-08-21 | 2013-11-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pavement markings, reflective elements, and methods of making microspheres |
CN202323804U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare-earth light-emitting raised mark on road |
CN202323803U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare earth luminescent road bulge mark |
CN202323801U (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-07-11 | 东莞市纳明新材料科技有限公司 | Nano rare earth luminescent raised mark for road |
US20160132705A1 (en) * | 2014-11-12 | 2016-05-12 | Joseph E. Kovarik | Method and System for Autonomous Vehicles |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2018224716A1 (en) * | 2017-06-07 | 2018-12-13 | Universidad De Huelva | Photoluminescent horizontal road marking |
JP2020190108A (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2020-11-26 | 道場 守 | Road surface marker and road surface marker set |
JP7262045B2 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2023-04-21 | 伸 唐沢 | Road Marker, Road Marker Set |
WO2024030302A1 (en) * | 2022-08-01 | 2024-02-08 | Vehicle Radar Guidance, Llc | Radar-based vehicle guidance using radar reflectors embedded in pavement markers on a driving surface |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LI, GANG, CHINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MILANO, MICHAEL L.;REEL/FRAME:039688/0889 Effective date: 20160524 Owner name: LIU, ZHI QIANG, CHINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MILANO, MICHAEL L.;REEL/FRAME:039688/0889 Effective date: 20160524 Owner name: LEE, ANDREW, FLORIDA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MILANO, MICHAEL L.;REEL/FRAME:039688/0889 Effective date: 20160524 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |