GB2475857A

GB2475857A - Road paint line.

Info

Publication number: GB2475857A
Application number: GB0921101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Skrynka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-02
Filing date: 2009-12-02
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: GB0921101D0

Abstract

A line of paint (20, fig 2), for example for a road, has depressions (30, fig 2) formed into it. The depressions may be formed by a stamp 40. The depressions may take the forms of letters, words, or pictures. The line of paint (20, fig 2) may be formed of different colours of paint.

Description

Improved Road Marking The present invention relates to forming depressions a painted surface. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to providing graphical representations such as text or logos in road markings.

It is known to provide both road markings and road signs to assist pedestrians and drivers. However, it is also known that displaying too much information at a section of road can be confusing and may even result in accidents. In particular, displaying information at different locations (such as down on the road surface and at or above eye level on a sign adjacent the road) can lead to important information being missed.

It is desirable to provide an alternative system which reduces the need for both road markings and road signs. It is desirable to provide an alternative system which provides information at fewer discrete locations or at locations which are closer to each other.

A conventional road marking comprises a line of paint which has a substantially consistent thickness. It is desirable to provide a line of paint with a varying thickness. This can be used for various technical purposes. One of these is to provide an alternative signage system. Another is to provide portions of the line which have a reduced thickness, for instance to improve the comfort of riding a bicycle in a cycle lane.

As stated, it is conventional to display information at a road sign. Alternatively, the information may be separately painted on to the road (such as the words "no parking"). The inventor has realised that it is desirable to display information at the road markings. After conceiving of this, the inventor investigated the technical feasibility of this which included confidential discussions with persons skilled in the field of applying road markings. However, these persons were all of the opinion that this was not viable. Such opinions represent a prejudice in the art. In spite of this, the inventor has devised a practical and successful method of applying graphical representations to road markings.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a line marking comprising: a line of paint having a thickness, wherein the line of paint includes one or more depressions such that the line of paint has a varying thickness.

The line of paint may provide a road marking.

The line of paint may have a maximum thickness of between 4 mm and 12 mm, preferably around 6 mm. The line of paint at the depressions may have a thickness of between 2 mm and 6 mm, preferably 3 mm.

The line of paint may comprise a paint such as ThermalineTM paint.

The depressions may be arranged to define one or more graphical representations. The graphical representations may be one or both of text and images.

The line marking may be multicoloured. The line marking may comprise a first colour at the uppermost surface and a second colour at the depressions. The line marking may comprise a first layer of paint having a first colour applied to the surface and a second layer of paint having a second colour applied to the first layer. The depressions may extend from the uppermost surface of the second layer to the first layer. Alternatively, the depressions may be provided at first layer and filled in with a substance having a second colour. The substance may be a paint or a resin.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a line marking comprising: applying a line of paint having a thickness to a surface; and forming one or more depressions in the line of paint such that the line of paint has a varying thickness.

The method may include applying the line of paint such that the line of paint has a maximum thickness of between 4 mm and 12 mm, preferably around 6mm.

The method may include forming the depressions such that the depressions have a thickness of between 2 mm and 6 mm, preferably 3 mm.

The method may include applying the line of paint using a shoe device which includes a reservoir of paint and a slot outlet of the reservoir which allows paint to exit the reservoir to apply to the surface. The slot outlet may be adapted in the width of the slot to provide the maximum thickness of between 4 mm and 12 mm, preferably around 6 mm.

The method may include applying a line of ThermalineTM paint.

The method may include arranging the depressions to define one or more graphical representations. The graphical representations may be one or both of text and images.

The method may include stamping the line of paint to form the depressions. The method may include heating the paint prior to stamping the line of paint. The method may include heating the paint and then applying the line of paint and stamping the line of paint while the paint is still in the heated condition. The method may include heating the paint to a temperature in the range of between and 1 00 degrees Celsius.

The method may include heating the paint subsequent to applying the line of paint to the surface. Alternatively or in addition, the method may include heating the paint prior to applying the line of paint to the surface.

The step of stamping the line of paint to form the depressions may include stamping the line of paint with one or more stamping devices which are complementary in profile to the formed depressions. The stamping devices may be formed from stainless steel. Alternatively, the stamping devices may be formed from brass or another suitable material.

The step of stamping the line of paint to form the depressions may include cooling the stamping devices. The step of stamping the line of paint to form the depressions may include immersing the stamping devices in water. This has a number of useful effects including: cooling the stamping devices to quench the paint to improve the quality of the formed depressions; cleaning the stamping devices; and inhibiting paint from adhering to the stamping devices during stamping.

The method may include applying a first layer of paint to the surface and then applying a second layer of paint to the first layer. The first layer may have a first colour and the second layer may have a second different colour. The step of stamping the line of paint to form the depressions may include forming the depressions such that they extend from the uppermost surface of the second layer to the first layer.

Alternatively, the method may include applying a first layer of paint to the surface and then stamping the line of paint to form the depressions and then filling the depressions with a substance having a second different colour. The substance may be a paint or a resin.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stamping device being applied to a line of paint to form a depression; and Figure 2 is the completed line of paint.

Figure 2 shows a line marking in the form of a road marking 10 which comprises a line of paint 20 having a thickness 22. A number of depressions 30 have been formed in the paint so as to define a graphical representation, in this case text forming a word 32. Therefore, the line of paint 20 has a varying thickness.

Typically, the line of paint 20 has a maximum thickness of around 6 mm, while the depressions have a thickness of 3 mm.

The paint, such as a ThermalineTM paint, is applied in a conventional manner.

Typically, the paint is provided in pellet form which is heated in a boiler to form a liquid. This is then poured into a shoe (not shown) which includes a reservoir of paint and a slot outlet of the reservoir. However, the slot outlet has been adapted in width so that the applied paint has the desired maximum thickness. Optionally, the paint can be heated to prior to applying the line of paint.

As shown in Figure 1, the applied line of paint 20 is then stamped, using stamping devices 40, to form the depressions. Just prior to this, the line of paint 20 is heated to a temperature in the range of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius using a burner, at which temperature the paint is visibly in a semi-liquid state.

Alternatively, if the paint is stamped soon after heating in the boiler and being applied to the surface then reheating with a burner can be omitted.

The stamping devices 40 are of stainless steel and are complementary in profile to the formed depressions 30. Just prior to stamping, the stamping devices 40 are immersed in cold water. This cools and cleans the stamping devices 40 and also quenches the paint when the stamping devices 40 are applied to the paint which improves the quality of the formed depressions 30. Also, this inhibits paint from adhering to the stamping devices 40 during stamping.

Forming a multicoloured line of paint 20 is also possible which improves visibility.

This can be achieved by applying a first layer of paint to the surface and then applying a second layer of paint having a different colour to the first layer. During stamping, sufficient force is required so that the formed depressions extend from the uppermost surface of the second layer down to the first layer to show the different colour of the first layer. Or depressions can be made in the first layer which are then filled in with a different coloured paint or resin.

Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A line marking comprising: a line of paint having a thickness, wherein the line of paint includes one or more depressions such that the line of paint has a varying thickness.
2. A line marking as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line of paint provides a road marking.
3. A line marking as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the line of paint has a maximum thickness in the range of 4mm to 12mm.
4. A line marking as claimed in claim 3, wherein the line of paint has a maximum thickness of around 6 mm.
5. A line marking as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line of paint at the depressions has a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm.
6. A line marking as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line of paint comprises a ThermalineTM paint.
7. A line marking as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the depressions are arranged to define one or more graphical representations.
8. A line marking as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line marking comprises a first colour at the uppermost surface and a second colour at the depressions.
9. A line marking as claimed in claim 8, wherein the line marking comprises a first layer of paint having a first colour applied to the surface and a second layer of paint having a second colour applied to the first layer.
10. A line marking as claimed in claim 9, wherein the depressions extend from the uppermost surface of the second layer to the first layer.
11. A method of forming a line marking comprising: applying a line of paint having a thickness to a surface; and forming one or more depressions in the line of paint such that the line of paint has a varying thickness.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, including applying the line of paint such that the line of paint has a maximum thickness of 4 mm to 12 mm.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, including applying the line of paint using a shoe device which includes a reservoir of paint and a slot outlet of the reservoir which allows paint to exit the reservoir to apply to the surface.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 when dependent on claim 11, including adapting the width of the slot outlet so that the applied line of paint has the maximum thickness of around 6 mm.
15. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, including applying a line of ThermalineTM paint.
16. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, including arranging the depressions to define one or more graphical representations.
17. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, including stamping the line of paint to form the depressions.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, including heating the paint prior to stamping the line of paint.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, including heating the paint to a temperature in the range of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius.
20. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 19, including heating the paint subsequent to applying the line of paint to the surface.
21. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 20, including heating the paint prior to applying the line of paint to the surface.
22. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 21, including stamping the line of paint with one or more stamping devices which are complementary in profile to the formed depressions.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the stamping devices are formed from stainless steel.
24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, including cooling the stamping devices.
25. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24, including immersing the stamping devices in water.
26. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 25, including applying a first layer of paint to the surface and then applying a second layer of paint to the first layer.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first layer has a first colour and wherein the second layer has a second different colour.
28. A method as claimed in claim 26 or 27, including forming the depressions such that they extend from the uppermost surface of the second layer to the first layer.