AU602120B1 - Improvements in road markers - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT 1952

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: Cj0-.umrnit contAInS the amnendmelnts mnade under I~utton 4+9 and is correct for prin~i g 110 1)0a 00 Name of Applicant: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT CLAWB Pty. Ltd.

Ii Address of Applicant: 0 g o Actual Inventor: 0 0 0 Address for Service: 06 0 0 Complete Specification for 3/51 Parraweena Road CARINGBAH NSW 2229 P.O. Box 710 CARINGBAH NSW 2229 Gregory Alan Petty ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BONNET BAY N.S.W. 2226 the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS IN ROAD MARKERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -1 This invention relates to markers for roadways or the like.

When resurfacing roadway pavement existing median strips, shoulder lines and manhole covers etc. are obliterated.

In order to avoid the time and cost of resurveying the carriageway and also provide temporary guides for motorists it is known to affix raised marker devices on the old pavement prior to restoration which protrude above the new surface. There is a problem with existing markers however as the raised visual part of the device is obscured by a coating of tar during the spraying operation and thus provides little assistance to motorists during night 00driving.

O° It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a marker is disclosed 4which comprises a substantially flat base portion which in use may be attached to a roadway prior to restoration thereof and an upright flange which includes a reflective face at or adjacent the upper edge thereof, said upright flange extending up from said base to a sufficient height so that in use the reflective face remains visible above said roadway after resurfacing thereof wherein one or more ribs parallel to the plane of said base are formed along said upright flange which define an adjacent protective recess for said reflective face.

The currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows perspective and end views of one form of marker according to this concept, -2- A I- 7-, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second form of the invention, Figures 3 and 3A show perspective views of a third form of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth form of the invention.

The markers shown may be constructed from extruded plastic which is preferably light coloured for visibility and flexible to avoid damage to vehicle tyres. In use, segments are cut off as needed to any required length (for example 100 mm.) and placed at spaced intervals along the median strip and shoulder lines etc. of the old pavement surface Sprior to restoration. The markers preferably comprise a flat base portion 1 which is adapted to sit on the original roadway and a raised visual portion. Although not shown a coating of contact adhesive of the like would preferably be applied to the underside of the base to hold it in place prior to the resurfacing operation. The visual part of the marker consists of an upright flange 2 running the 4 length of the device with a strip of reflective tape 2A on each side and adjacent the upper edge thereof. Horizontal

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ribs 3 (see figures 1, 2 and 3) may also be formed along the upper edge of the flange to provide protective recesses 4 for this tape and also pdd a measure of longitudinal stiffness to the marker. In order to prevent the upper visual portion 2 from being covered in tar during the spraying operation a protective cover 5 may be fitted -3- *1 over the flange 2 as shown in figure 3A. In this case the cover may comprise a strip of flexible plastic folded over the top edge of the flange and held in place by staples 6 at spaced intervals along the length of the marker. Preferably ridges 7 are formed along the inside face of the cover to coincide with the recesses 4. By substantially occupying these recesses any ingress of soil or tar under the cover at this point during spraying is minimised so that the reflective tape remains clean.

After the resurfacing operation is completed the cover is removed simply by pulling the edges of the cover so that it tears away from the staples and leaves the raised visual portion of the marker and reflective tape 2A unblemished.

Although not illustrated in the drawings the protective cover in an alternative form may also be made of a thin plastic film folded over the marker and sealed at each end, for example by heat welding.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in crosssection in figure 5. In this case the base 8 would be *affixed to the pavement surface by any types of suitable adhesive. An arcuate web section 9 extends up from the base and carries a vertical visual face 10. Preferably 441 this face 10 is overlaid with any suitable type of reflective' tape.

It is also envisaged that any of the aforementioned devices -4could be used as overlay markers on existing pavement for delineation of lines or other features requiring motorists attention.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel and unique improvement in road marking devices. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the marker as well as the placement of the reflective tape may be modified according to application or design preference. Also, although a metalized S polycarbonate microprism retro-reflective material is preferred for the reflective strip and flexible light coloured plastic for the body of the marker other substances may also be used.

Claims (7)

1. A marker comprising a substantially flat base portion which in use may be attached to a roadway prior to restoration thereof and an upright flange which includes a reflective face at or adjacent the upper edge thereof, said upright flange extending up from the base to a sufficient height so that in use the reflective face remains visible above said roadway after resurfacing thereof wherein one or more ribs parallel to the plane of said base are formed along said upright flange which define an adjacent protective recess for said reflective face.

2. The marker as claimed in claim 1 wherein said marker is constructed from a strip of extruded plastic which is cut off to the required length.

3. The marker as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said reflective face is formed by a segment of tape disposed adjacent the upper edge of said flange.

4. The marker as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in combination with a protective cover which comprises a strip of flexible plastic folded over tne upper edge of said upright flange and removably held in place by one or more staples along the length of the marker.

The marker as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in combination with a protective cover which comprises -6- Lc a strip of flexible plastic folded over the upper edge of said uright flange wherein a ridge is formed along an inside face of the cover to interfit with said protective recess.

6. The marker as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in combination with a protective cover which comprises a thin plastic film which is filded over the upper edge of the upright flange and is removably held in place by sealing the edges thereof together at each end of the marker.

7. A marker for attachment to a roadway, said marker being substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 or 2 or 3 and 3A or 4. i; SDated this 8th day of May, 1990 CLAWB Pty. Ltd. By its Patent Attorney i MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR c-g 4-7-