US2127037A

US2127037A - Road marker

Info

Publication number: US2127037A
Application number: US144363A
Authority: US
Inventors: Croix Wilfred J La
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-05-24
Filing date: 1937-05-24
Publication date: 1938-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1955-08-16

Description

Aug' 16:

W. J. LA cRolx ROAD MARKER Filed May 24, 1957 ,M af u@ Patented 'g, 16, 1938 UNITED STATI-:s

PATENT -oFFlcE 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to road markers, and more particularly to markers of the type adapted to be mounted in the surface of a roadway to define paths or lanes for vehicular traiiic, or at intersections of highways or streets to define stopping lines for traic, or for defining pedestrian paths or safety lanes or Zones. Markers of this type are usually mountedin spaced-apart relation, and serve to guide both pedestrian and vehicular traiiic in following or traversing a roadway or street, or in following a curve or grade in the roadway. To assist the driver of a vehicle at night these markers are usually provided with light reflective elements which are adapted to pick up and reiiect the light rays of the vehicle headlights.

Itis recognized that many forms of road markers have been heretofore devised. However, these previous forms of markers usually are constructed so that they necessitate being driven down against the road-bed to cause anchorage therein, which frequently resulted in breaking of the device, or causing insecure anchorage. Further, in the event that it is necessary to remove such devices from the road-bed for repair or replacement of parts, such as i'eector elements, the task is rather difficult, frequently necessitating discarding of the entire device, and damaging the roadbed surrounding the place of mounting. Moreover, such prior devices do not lend themselves for proper use in colder climates, wherein roadways frequently become covered With snow. Such devices usually are seated flat upon the surface of the road-bed and the edge of a snow-plow frequently moves so close to the Surface of the roadbed that it moves under the head of the marker and dislodges it, or shears the head off the anchoring elements which project into the road-bed.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, which obviates the foregoing diiculties, and which is simple in construction, positive in operation and capable of being economically manufactured.

Another object is to provide an improvedy certain novel features for excluding moisture from seeping down in contact with the anchoring elements, which might cause particles of matter, such as sand, dirt, etc., 'to lodge on the operating surfaces of the cooperating anchoring elements and render'it difficult to release the marker head from the road-bed.

Still another object is to form the marker with a head and separate anchorage elements, so that the head may be quickly' and easily removed, while the anchoring elements proper remain in the road-bed.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in whichz- 15 Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a road marker embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged axial section through the device, shown secured in place in a road-bed.

Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken as indi- 20 cated at line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the under side of the device, with parts shown in partial disassembly.

Inthe construction illustrated in the drawing, the marker includes a head, l0, of cast metal, such as aluminum or malleable iron, treated for rustproof, and is preferably formed as a shell, the marginal edges of which are adapted to rest upon the uppersurface lof the road-bed, or may be seated in a' groove or recess formed in the roadbed surface,` as hereinafter'described. The head maybe formed ofv any desired outline, and, as shown, is of generally oblong shape, having the endsforrned with re-entrant curves forming vertical end walls, Il, in each of which is xedly mounted a conventional form of reflector element, l2, for reflecting thelight rays, such as the rays of the headlights of a vehicle. These reflectors are so located with respect to the top of the head that they will not normally be contacted by the wheel of a vehicle passing over the marker, and thus are not apt to be easily damaged, and, further, the reflectors are not apt to become covered with dirt, etc.

Formed centrally, and depending from the under side of the head, is an inverted frustoconical body, I4, on which is adapted to be telescoped and seated the upper end of a tubular stem, l5. The inner` surface of the upper end of the stem is tapered, as seen at IB, to properly seat on the tapered surface `,oi the body, I4. Because of the form of anchoring element employed, the stem desirably should be fixed against rotation relative to the head, and for this purpose the body, v

I4, is formed with a laterally projecting lug, I'I, and the upper end of the stem is formed with a slot, I8, registering with said lug.

Extending down through the head and body, I4, and stem, I5, is a bolt, I9, preferably of steel, provided with a head, 20, seated in a recess, 2|, formed in the top of the head, with the top of the bolt head, 2B, below the top surface of the head, I 9. The bolt head is formed with a pair of notches or slots, 22, to receive a Spanner wrench for turning the bolt. Threaded on the lower end of the bolt, I9, is an expansion nut, 25, having three upwardly extending tapered tangs or fingers, 26, adapted to register with and engage tapered surfaces, 21, formed externally on the lower end of said stem, I5, as seen in the drawing. 'Ihe nut is preferably formed of copper or like material, to preclude rusting on the bolt, I9.

It is to be understood that devices of this type may be mounted in pre-set concrete, asphalt, macadam, oil-mat and similar road-beds, and, preferably, for uses other than concrete, the stem and bolt are increased in length to insure a more firm anchorage. In using devices embodying this invention, the devices are preferably assembled completely, with the ends of the tangs, 26, substantially flush with the external surface of the stem. The device is then set in place by projecting the stem and nut assembly into the hole, 29, formed in the concrete, 30, or other road-bed material, until the under side of the marginal edge of the head rests upon the surface of the road-bed. The hole, 29, preferably is just slightly larger than the diameter of the stem, I5. Then the head, 20, of the bolt is turned, drawing the nut, 25, upwardly, thereby causing the tangs, 26, to be expanded laterally, due to engagement with the tapered surfaces, 2l, of the stem, forcibly projecting the ends of the tangs into the wall of concrete, and firmly anchoring the marker in position.

For repair or replacement of the head, l0, or parts thereof, the bolt may be turned in the opposite direction until disengaged from the nut, 25, permitting the nut and stem to remain in place in the hole, and Venabling the removal of the head, I Il, and bolt, I9, and the repaired or new head may be conveniently set in place without disturbing the stem or expansion nut.

To permit practical use of devices of this type in cold climates, where roadways are frequently covered with snow, and snow-plows are in use, I form the marginal edge of the head, I0, with a skirt, 32, which is adapted to be seated in a groove, 33, or recess, formed in the surface of the road-bed, as seen in Figure 2. Preferably, the outer surface of the skirt is beveled or tapered inwardly to form a substantial seat and permit the edge of the concrete to serve to reinforce its anchorage, so that a snow-plow cannot get under the head and pull it out of the road-bed. The term groove as used herein, and in the claims, is intended to also cover a recess formed to the outline of the head, on the surface of the roadbed.

It is also highly desirable to keep moisture from seeping under the head into the hole, 29, because it may carry dirt and other matter onto the threads of the bolt and render it difficult to turn, or may freeze and lock the nut onto the bolt. For this purpose I contemplate using any one of a number of suitable materials between the lower marginal edge of the skirt, 32, and the surface of the road-bed, or bottom of the notch or recess. Any suitable plastic material may be used that is not materially affected by change in temperature. For convenience, and as shown in the drawing, I have provided a thin layer of lead, indicated at 35, on the bottom edge of the skirt, 32. A slight pressure on the head, I0, when seating, will cause the lead to flow sufficiently to form a seal with the surface of the concrete.

To further insure against moisture passing down onto the bolt and nut, I place a sealing gasket or washer, 36, on the bolt, I9, between the under side of its head, 20, and the bottom `of the recess, 2|. As an additional safeguard, I

also provide a resilient gasket, 31, mounted on the bolt, and fitted tightly against the inner wall of the tubular stem, I5.

Although I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and re-arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the skirt, 32, is not essential to the device, but desirably may be provided for certain uses as indicated. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein shown and described, except as I may be so limited in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem detachably connected at its upper end to the under side of the head, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt, and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

2. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, said head and stem having inter-engaging features` for preventing rotation of the stem relatively to the head, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt, and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

3. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, the under side of said head having a depending projection, and the upper end of the hollow stem being formed with a slot adapted to register with said projection to preclude rotation of the stem relatively to the head, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt, and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

4. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway and having an inverted frusto-conical body projecting centrally from the under side thereof, a hollow stem having its upper end telescoped onto said body, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut on the lower end of the bolt and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

5. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway and having an inverted frusto-conical body projecting centrally from the under side thereof, a hollow stem having its upper end cooperatively tapered internally and telescoped onto said body, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut on the lower end of the bolt and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stern.

6. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway and having an inverted frusto-conical body projecting centrally from the under side thereof, a hollow stem having its upper end telescoped onto said body, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, said conical body and stem having interengaging features for preventing rotation of the stem relatively to the head, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut on the lower end of the bolt and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

7. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt and having a plurality of tangs extending upwardly in contact with the outer surface of the lower end of said stem, whereby rotation of the bolt moves the nut upwardly, expanding the tangs laterally into engagement with the wall of the hole.

8. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, the exterior of the lower end of said stem being tapered, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt and having a plurality of tangs extending upwardly in contact with the tapered surface of the lower end of said stern, whereby rotation of the bolt moves the nut upwardly, expanding the tangs laterally into engagement with the wall of the hole.

9. In aroad marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stern, the exterior of the lower end of said stem being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tapered surfaces, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt and having a plurality of upwardly extending tangs engaging the respective tapered surfaces of the sleeve, whereby rotation of the bolt moves the nut upwardly and expands said tangs laterally into engagement with the wall of the hole.

l0. In a road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of the roadway, a hollow stern connected at its upper end to the under side of the head and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt extending downwardly through the head and stem, and an expansion nut formed of copper, connected to the lower end of the bolt and having a plurality of tangs extending upwardly in contact with the outer surface of the lower end of said stem, whereby rotation of the bolt moves the nut upwardly, expanding the tangs laterally into engagement with the wall of the hole.

11. Ina road marker, a head adapted to be seated upon the surface of a roadway, a hollow stem connected at its upper end to the under side of the head, and adapted to extend down into a hole in the roadway, a rotatable bolt 4extending down through the head and stem, said bolt having a head seated in a recess formed in the top of the marker head and having a form for receiving a suitable implement for rotating the bolt, a sealing gasket in the recess below the bolt head, a sealing member of resilient material surrounding the bolt and tightly engaging the inner wall of the hollow stern, and an expansion nut connected to the lower end of the bolt and having cooperative engagement with the lower end of said stem.

WILFRED J. LA CROIX.