US3768383A

US3768383A - Directional marker device for automobile roadbeds

Info

Publication number: US3768383A
Application number: US00086485A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Tucker
Original assignee: TUCKER ASS Inc
Current assignee: TUCKER ASS Inc
Priority date: 1970-11-03
Filing date: 1970-11-03
Publication date: 1973-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-30

Abstract

An automobile driving lane or roadbed marker device for attachment to a roadbed has a configuration which indicates to the driver of the automobile the proper direction of movement in a traffic lane, while defining the boundaries of the traffic lane. The marker device has a low-profile elongated threedimensional body the bottom surface of which is flat and which tapers in width from about 4 to 8 inches at one end to one to 2 inches at the other end. The top surface of the body is divided into facets or angularly disposed surfaces which tehmselves reflect light, or on which separate reflective units are formed or attached.

Description

nite @tates Patent 1 1 H 1 1 3,768,383 Tucker 1 Oct. 30, 11973 [54] DIRECTEONAL MARKER DEVICE FOR 507,199 3/1956 ltaly 94/].5

AUTOMOBILE ROADBEDS [75] Inventor: Hartwell F. Tucker, Mountain View, OTHER PUBLICATIONS fi Pyramid Traffic Markings of Tucker Published Sep {73] Assignee: Tucker Associates, lnc., Palo Alto, ember, 1965, PP- 4 and 5, Copyright 1965- Calif. V

[22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1970 Primary Examiner-Nilc C. Byers, Jr

[21] Appl. No.1 86,485

Reiated US. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 864,955, Oct. 3,

1969, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser No. automobllc dnvmg lane or roadbed marker device 696,448, Jan. 8, 1968, abandoned. for attachment to a roadbed has a configuration which indicates to the driver of the automobile the proper [521 0.5. CI. ..116/63 R, 404/9 direction of m vem n in a r ff l n while fining ['51] int. (31 EOlf 9/011 the n ri f he traffic lane Th marker device [58] Field of Search 94/1.5 has a low-profile elongated three-dimensional body the bottom surface of which is flat and which tapers in [56} I References Cited width from about 4 to 8 inches at one end to one to 2 UNITED STATES PATENTS inches at the other end. The top surface of the body is divided into facets or angularly disposed surfaces which themselves reflect light, or on which separate 2,489,499 11/1949 Pellar 94/15 reflective units are formed or attached.

2,127,233 8/1938 Older 94/15 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 633,919 12/1949 Great Britain 94/1.5 18 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures MONODIRECTIONAL REFLECTS GREEN REFLECTS GREEN MONODIRECTIONAL PATENTEU nut 30 ms SHUT 1 [IF 4 MONODIRECTIONAL MONODIRECTIONAL REFLECTS GREEN REFLECTS GREEN INVENTOR. HARTWELL E TUCKER BY, E E

PAIENIEDnm 3 0 ma GREEN RED LIGHT OUT- LIGHT ouT LIGHT LIGHT m IN I INVENTOR.

HARTWELL E TUCKER INVENTOR. 5- 13 HARTWELL F. TUCKER BY Z PMENIEMGI 30 I975 smzjx": u 3? a INVENTOR. HARTWELL F. TUCKER DHRECTEONAL MARKER DEVlCE FUR AUTOMOBILE ROADBEDS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 864,955, filed Oct. 3, 1969, which application was in turn a continuation of application Ser. No. 696,488, filed Jan. 8, 1968 both of which are now abandoned.

The increased number of automobiles on the nations highways and the increased speed at which such automobiles may legally be driven, has resulted in carnage and property damage beyond imagination. For instance, for the year 1966 in California property damage amounted to $170,244,000. During the same period in the United States as a whole, property damage amounted to $20,000,000,000.

But property damage is not the only factor which indicates that increased safety features must be included in our highways. More tragic than merely loss of dollars in the form of property damage is the loss of life due to unnecessary traffic accidents. Statistically, for the year I966 the automobile population in the United States was about 77,959,000. During the same period the automobile population in California, the most populous state in the nation, was 8,774,000. With respect to the number of miles driven, it is interesting to note that for the nation aa a whole, 5.67 persons died for every 100,000,000 miles driven. For the State of Califronia, 4.8 persons died for every 100,000,000 miles driven. Total deaths for the nation as a whole amounted to 53,000 in 1966 as a result of automobile traffic accidents. For the State of California during the same period, 4,830 persons lost their lives.

A comparison of these statistics with those accumulated for other years indicates that as the automobile population in the nation has increased, so too have deaths resulting from automobile traffic accidents. It is also interesting to note that in those areas of the nation where controlled traffic conditions have been instituted, the percentage of traffic accident and fatalities as a result thereof have been significantly reduced.

It is generally agreed that factors leading to automobile accidents include, principally, driver error, highway construction, law enforcement and vehicle construction. Within the category of highway construction, conventional traffic control devices have been deficient in alerting drivers to traffic hazards, or in giving proper directions .to drivers to avoid hazardous situations. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a lane marker device for highway and street roadbeds which will alert drivers to changing traffic conditions.

Conventional traffic control devices on highways have depended primarily on visual acuity of the driver to see warning signs, lights, and changing traff c patterns. The difficulty with such conventional traffic control devices and their dependence upon visual acuity is based on the fact that the average driver has a reflex action which is usually no faster than 8/10 of a second, thus imposing a difficult burden on the driver to see and respond to such visual motivations within a time frame short enough to prevent an accident. Fro instance, at 60 miles per hour, an automobile moves 88 feet in 1 second. If reflex reaction is 8/10 of a second, an automobile will move 70.4 feet before the drivers foot touches the brake pedal. Several hundred additional feet are required to bring the automobile to a i stop after the brake has been applied. Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a traffic control device in the form of a lane marker which will nated lane; which will indicate through the sense of touch when the driver has changed into another lane; and which will also indicate to the driver through the sense of hearing that the automobile has left one lane and has encroached upon another.

Many deaths on highways are caused by automobiles moving in the wrong direction in traffic lanes. Conventional lane marking devices do not indicate the proper direction of travel in a given lane. Therefore, it is a still further object of the present invention .to provide a lane marker device which automatically indicates to the driver the direction in which his automobile should be moving within the traffic lane.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a lane marker device which will automatically indicate to the driver if he is proceeding in the wrong direction suitable for travel in either direction. This false impression has created the hazard of wrong-way drivers. To eliminate this problem it has been common to install cautionary signs reading WRONG WAY DO NOT ENTER to alert drivers that the roadway into which they are about to drive carries only one-way traffic. Accordingly, it is a still further object of the present invention to provide a directional lane marker device for roadways and highways which will automatically alert a driver approaching from a side road of the proper direction of movement of traffic on the roadway or highway he is about to enter.

Unfortunately, effectiveness I in reducing accidents and preventing loss of life and loss of property values is not the only criterion for determining whether a safety device will be utilized. Another factor that is important is the cost of implementation of the safety feature in question. Therefore, another object of this invention is to provide a lane marker device which is not only effective to convey a maximum amount of intelligence with regard to the proper direction of movement of traffic, but which is economical to manufacture and install.

Because of the many different conditions that arise in the'course of only a few miles on most highways, it is necessary that traffic control devices be sufficiently versatile to convey .a variety of intelligence, depending on the particular circumstances involved. Therefore, it is a still further object of the invention to provide a directional lane marker device which is suitable for adaptation to any given circumstance encountered in highway construction.

Because of the high rate of speed of vehicular traffic on modern highways, safety devices such as road markers should be proportioned to be easily seen from a distance. This is especially important when the road marker conveys intelligence to the driver, for the reason that such intelligence must be conveyed sufficiently far enough ahead of the automobile so that remedial action, if required, can be taken in a timely manner. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide a road marker proportioned to convey intelligence from a distance of several hundred feet.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will become apparent from the following description and the drawings. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described, as it may be embodied in different forms within the scope of the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In terms of broad inclusion, the invention comprises a solid geometric three-dimensional body having length, width and height, and adapted to be-attached to the roadbed on which it is to be used. The marker body is provided with an upper surface that is divided into a plurality of angularly disposed surfaces or facets which may be reflective or merely visible and which may be viewed from different directions in order to convey different information depending upon the direction from which the surfaces are viewed. In another aspect, the marker body, particularly the angularly disposed surfaces thereof, may be provided with a multiplicity of reflective devices either formed on the surfaces of the body so as to form integral parts thereof, or attached to such surfaces in a pattern selected to convey the information desired. The marker body is preferably of low profile and elongated to provide a generally flat lower surface adapted to be attached directly to the highway roadbed. The marker body may be relatively straight or it may be curved. At one end the marker body is relatively wide, in the order of approximately 8 inches, and tapers uniformly over a length ranging from 12 to 24 inches toward its other end to a width of approximately 1 to 2 inches. The marker bodies are preferably attached to a roadbed so that traffic approaches the wide end of the marker body. The height of the marker body may range for example from k to 1 inch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marker body in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view taken in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the marker body illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the marker body illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a different embodiment of the marker body, illustrating the attachment of reflector means to the upper surface portions thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of one of the reflector units attached to the marker body illustrated in FIG. 5. The particular reflector unit illustrated is monodirectional.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the reflector unit shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating bidirectional reflector means attached to the upper surface of the marker body.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in enlarged scale of one of the reflector units illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. E0 is a plan view illustrating a particular arrangement of reflective means on the upper surface of the marker body, combining monodirectinal and bidirectional reflector units.

FIG. 11 is a still different embodiment illustrating a plan view of the marker body with reflective units molded thereon so as to form an integral part of the marker body.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a roadway indicating use of the marker bodies as a means of defining traffic lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a roadway indicating use of the marker bodies to define traffic lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions and in addition indicating the right-hand boundary of each of the traffic lanes.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view indicating the appearance of the marker bodies to define multiple one-way traffic lanes as viewed by a driver of an automobile proceeding along one of the lanes in the proper direction.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but indicating the appearance of the lane markers to a driver of an automobile when the automobile is proceeding along a traffic lane in the wrong direction.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating traffic lane markers installed on a one-way street where traffic moves from right to left, the view being taken from a side street approaching the one-way street.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a roadway marked with conventional traffic lane marking devices.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, as there shown the directional marker device for automobile roadbeds forming the subject matter of this invention comprises a three-dimensional solid geometric body having width, length and height, these dimensions being proportioned so that the marker device will perform specific functions depending on the direction and distance from which the body is viewed. Specifically, the directional marker device comprises a body having a bottom surface 2, preferably flat in both a transverse and longitudinal direction and bounded along one end by an edge 3, and bounded at its opposite end by a relatively shorter edge 4. The bottom surface between

end edges

3 and 4 is bounded by relatively long edges 6 and 7.

The upper surface of the marker body is preferably divided into a plurality of angularly disposed

surfaces

8, 9 and 12, the surfaces 8 and 9 being bounded along the outer boundaries of the body by edges 6 and 7, respectively, with the edges of surfaces 8 and 9 opposite edges 6 and 7 coinciding as at ridge 13. At the narrow end of the marker body each of the surfaces 8 and 9 is bounded by a portion of short edge 4, while at the opposite or broader end of the body, each of the surfaces 8 and 9 is defined by

edges

14 and 16, respectively. The

edges 14 and 16 are coincident with the edges of two sides of the triangular surface portion 12, and with the end edge 3 define the configuration of this triangular surface portion. It will thus'be seen that

surface portions

8, 9 and 12 constitute facets or planar surface portions angularly disposed one with the other and with the bottom surface. Experiments have shown that preferable proportions include a width ranging from four to eight inches at the wide end3, a length ranging from twelve to twenty-four inches, and a width at the narrow end 4 of from one to two inches.

Preferably, the height of the body at its apex 17, where edges i3, Id and I6 converge, is approximately V2 to 1 inch, so that automobile tires may easily pass over the marker body without danger of throwing the automobile out of control or doing injury to the tires while being effective to cause a rumbling noise audible to the driver and an irregularity sufficient to be felt through the steering mechanism. Additionally, as clearly seen in FIG. d, the surface I2 is inclined with respect to the horizontal roadbed by an amount approximating to 30. It will of course be apparent that because of the low profile of the marker body, the angle of inclination of surface portion 12 to the horizontal could be as much as 90 without deleterious effect.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the marker body is such that it may conveniently be molded in one solid Piece from any suitable synthetic resinous material, and in a size as illustrated which will convey intelligence to a driver from a considerable dis tance. Additionally, it will be apparent that because of the flat bottom surface, the marker body may be securely cemented to a roadbed by the application of any suitable adhesive. Preferably, a two-part epoxy type adhesive should be utilized to withstand the rigors of variations in temperature and moisure content of the roadways. Referring specifically to FIGS. 12 through 15, FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the marker body to divide a roadbed into two separate traffic lanes intended for traffic moving in opposite directions. While this is not the preferred use, it illustrates the versatility of the device. It will of course be apparent that the markers may be attached to the pavement at varying distances. FIG. I3 illustrates the use of the marker to divide the roadbed into two separate traffic lanes moving traffic in opposite directions as in FIG. 12, and in addition illustrates use of the marker to mark the outer boundary of each traffic lane. Such use is particularly advantageous at-night on dark roadways where there are no overhead lights and where remaining on the roadway is imperative, such as where a ditch runs alongside the highway of roadway. As viewed in FIG. 14, the functional significance of the configuration of the marker bodies when used to define different traffic lanes on one-way streets is that the marker body points in the direction of vehicular traffic. The configuration thus informs the driver he is progressing in the proper. direction. This ability to inform is emphasized by FIG. 15, which illustrates the view seen by a driver when he is progressing in the wrong direction. It will be apparent that having the narrow end of the marker body point toward the driver clearly informs him that he is moving in the wrong direction. The capability of the marker body to inform as to proper direction of movement of vehicular traffic is also indicated in FIG. 16, where the marker bodies indicate the direction of travel that a motorist should take when he turns from a side street onto a one-way street. In FIG. 16, the marker has been utilized to indicate a direction of movement from right to left.

As indicated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, part of the utility of the marker device of the invention is derived from its configuration and proportions. For instance, in FIG. 14, the fact that the

edges

14 and 16 defining the junction between surfaces 8 and 9 and the surface 12 are inclined with respect to the vertical and inclined away from a vertical plane containing the edge 3, therefore, makes this surface particularly visible when ap proached from the direction indicated in FIG. It. Be cause of the placement of the marker body along the boundary of the driving lane, the upper surface portion 9' is particularly visible, thus displaying to the driver a surface which is broad at one end and which tapers down to a rather short edge.

In some instances it may be desirable that the upper surface 8 not be visible to a driver progressing in the proper direction in a traffic lane marked with the marker of the invention. Whether or not the opposite surface portion 3 is visible in a situation such as that depicted in FlG. M, will depend upon the'hcight ofthe marker and the inclination of the coincident edges I3 of the upper surface portions 8 and 9 with respect to the horizontal. As indicated clearly in FIG. 4, the coincident edges K3 are inclined downwardly from the broad end of the marker toward the narrow end. Under these circumstances of course it would be possible for the upper surface portion 9 to convey to a motorist traveling in the proper direction in a given traffic lane one type of information, while a motorist traveling in the opposite direction in an adjacent lane would be given a different type of information by the upper surface 8 of the marker body. The surface 8 would not be visible to a driver to whom surface 9 was visible, and vice versa.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 depends primarily upon the configuration of the marker body to indicate the proper direction of movement of vehicular traffic, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8, l0 and 11 utilize not only the configuration of the marker body but also reflector means forming a part of the body or attached thereto.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, the marker body illustrated in FIG. 5 is provided with a multiplicity ofseparate reflector units 21, preferably arranged in longitudinal series of reflector units, with each series of reflector units extending along the longitudinal dimension of the marker body. Preferably a plurality of series of reflector units are provided. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the reflector units is conveniently of the type illustrated in FIG. 6, comprising a molded acrylic body 22 having side edges 23, a front inclined surface 24 and a rear inclined surface 26. The side edges 23 may be vertical with respect to the hori zontal, or they may be inclined thereto as indicated in FIG. 7. The inclined forward surface 24 of the reflector unit is provided with a multiplicity of molded retroreflector corner cavities designed to receive light and reflect light as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6. One of such reflector corners is illustrated in larger scale in r FIG. 7 in the interest of clarity. As there illustrated, the vertical reflecting surface 27 intercepts light directed into the end of the reflector unit and changes its direction so that it impinges upon the vertical surface 28. This surface in turn changes the direction of the light 90 so that it is directed outwardly toward the source of light as indicated by the arrows. While onlyone reflector corner has been illustrated in FIG. 7, it should be understood that the reflector corners are relatively small in size and several hundred such reflector corners may be provided on a single reflector unit. I

To control the color of light reflected out of the reflector unit, the cover surface 29, preferably formed from glass that is hermetically sealed over the corner reflector cavities, may be white, green, yellow or red, or any other desired color. Alternatively, the cover surface 29 may be molded directly as a part of the retroreflector unit. In any event, the retro-reflector unit is solid, thus capable of withstanding the impacts imposed by fast-moving vehicular traffic. Attachment of each reflector unit is conveniently accomplished with a suitable adhesive.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the reflector units is monodirectional; i.e., it will reflect light in only one direction. In this embodiment, each of the monodirectional reflective units is arranged to reflect light from automobile traffic approaching from the broad end of the marker body. For instance, if cover plate 29 of each of these monodirectional refiector units is green, marker bodies applied as in FIG. 14 would expose to the view of the driver a series of green reflectors marking the boundary of the lane within which he was driving. Alternatively, rather than green, the cover plate 29 may be changed to yellow so that the driver would have displayed to him a series of yellow reflectors.

It will of course be apparent that the size of the reflector units and their particular arrangement on the upper surface portions 8 and 9 as viewed in FIG. may be modified or arranged to provide whatever effect is desired.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the marker body has beenprovided with reflector units of a bidirectional type. This type of unit is illustrated in FIG. 9, and as there shown, the units are designed generally similar to the units illustrated in FIG. 6; however, the forward inclined surface 24' is designed to reflect one specific color, for example green, while the inclined surface 26' differs from the inclined surface 26 in FIG. 6 in that in the present embodiment the inclined surface 26' reflects a color different from the color reflected from surface 24. For instance, in the illustration, the left or forward end of the reflector unit may reflect green, while the right end may be arranged to reflect red. Such an arrangement of the reflector units is advantageous in the situation depicted in FIG. 14 where a driver would view a multiplicity of green reflectors, thus indicating that he may proceed safely in the direction indicated by the configuration of the marker body. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 15, should the driver of the automobile proceed in the wrong direction; i.e., toward the narrow end of the marker bodies, the bidirectional reflector units would indicate to this driver a red reflector, thus indicating danger, and alerting him to the fact that he was progressing in the wrong direction.

The versatility of the lane markers is indicated in FIG. 10, wherein bidirectional reflective units have been attached to surfaces 8 and 9 of the marker body in a specific relationship so that the upper and lower rows 32 on both panels 8 and 9 show a green reflective surface for traffic moving in the proper direction, while traffic moving in the opposite direction is exposed to red reflective surfaces, thus indicating danger in such direction of travel. Many different arrangements, dictated only by necessity, may be devised for particular circumstances.

While FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a directional marker device that is devoid of reflective units, and depends for transmission of information on its particular configuration, and FIGS. 5, 8 and 10 illustrate marker bodies according to this invention to which have been attached monodirectional and bidirectional reflective units, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. ill utilizes reflective units forming an integral part of the marker body. Thus, referring specifically to FIG. II, the angularly disposed upper surface portions 8 and 9 are preferably provided with a multiplicity of integral projecting reflective units 36, each of which may be either monodirectional or bidirectional as previously discussed. Additionally, on each panel or upper surface 8 or '5 the rnultipiicity of reflective units 36 may be arranged in any desired pattern to convey any desired information to a driver approaching the marker body. It will of course be understood that while each embossed reflective unit iilustrated in FIG. 11 is relatively large in size, thus minimizing the number of series of such units that may be illustrated, the proportions of the reflectiveunits may be modified to accommodate any number of individual reflective units or series of such units. For instance, each

entire surface

8 or 9 or 12 may be molded to provide reflective units of exceedingly small size over the entire area of each surface portion.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the directional marker device of the invention is particularly effective to control traffic moving in a single direction on a roadbed or highway. Because of its versatility in the application of reflective units however it is apparent that the marker device may be used to advantage even on roadways designed for traffic in opposite directions.

Comparing the views illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17, it

will be apparent that the three-dimensional configuration of the directional marker device of the invention conveys considerably more information than the conventional traffic lane marker illustrated in FIG. 17. Experience has taught that with such conventional lane markings, grease drippings from automobile traffic, and grease drippings combined with dirt from the undercarriage of automobiles, frequently renders such conventional lane markings obscure. It will be apparent from the configuration of the three-dimensional type directional marker device of the invention that because of the inclined surfaces, the sides of the marker device are continually cleaned by tire action of automobile traffic so that the markers may always be clearly visible.

I claim:

1. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed to simultaneously delineate a traffic lane and prescribe the proper direction of travel for vehicular traffic in said traffic lane comprising:

a. an elongated three-dimensional unitary and monolithic mark-er body having a generally flat bottom surface for attachment directly to the roadbed, said bottom surface being defined by long side edges of substantially equal lengths ranging from approximately twelve to approximately 24 inches and relatively shorter end edges of different lengths, the longer of the shorter end edges ranging from 4 to 8 inches and the shorter end edges ranging from a substantial point to approximately 1 inch; and

b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least one of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent the longer of said relatively shorter end edges to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the shorter of of said ridge.

' the marker body.

said two relatively shorter end edges, said plurality of upper surface portions meetingto form a ridge on said marker body having a height ranging from approximately' inch to approximately 1 inch at the highest point such that when the marker body is viewed from any direction the upper surface of said body indicates the prescribed direction of travel in relation to said body.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which two of said upper surface portions taper from broad dimensions adjacent the longer of said relatively shorter end edges to relatively narrower dimensions adjacentthe shorter of said two relatively shorter end edges whereby said ridge is inclined with respect to said bottom surface.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which two of said plurality of upper surface portions coincide along two corresponding long edges with opposite long edges of the flat bottom surface of the marker body, the remaining long edges of said two surface portions coinciding with each other and lying in a plane perpendicular to the flat bottom surface of the marker body, said remaining long edges being shorter than the long edges of said two surfaces coincident with the long edges of said flat bottom surface.

I. Thecombination according to claim 1, in which one of said upper surface portions is substantially triangular in configuration and coincides along one edge with the longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the bottom surface of the marker body, the remaining two edges of the triangular surface portion intercepting each other at an apex spaced above the flat bottom surface and spaced longitudinally of the marker body from said longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the bottom surface.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which said plurality of angularly disposed upper surface portions meet in a common apex coincident with one end 6; The combination according to claim l, in which reflector means are provided on said upper surface effective'to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body.

7. The combination according to claim 3, in which the remaining mutually coinciding long edges of said two surface portions lie in a plane perpendicular to the bottom surface and are inclined with respect to said bottom surface so that said markerbody is thicker at one end than it is at the other.

8. The combinationaccording to claim 4, in which said two remaining edges of the triangular surface portion coincide with edges of adjacent surface portions,

the coincident edges of said triangular surface portion and the adjacent surface portions being inclined upwardly toward said apex of the marker body.

9. The combination according to claim 4, in which the remaining two edges of the triangular surface por tion are inclined with respect to a vertical plane containing the longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the flat bottom surface.

10. The combination according to'claim 5, in which said common apex is spaced between opposite ends of 11. The combination according to claim 5, in which said common apex is spaced from each end of the marker body an amount correlated to the slope of one of said upper surface portions.

12. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising:

a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flatbottom surface defined by long and short edges and-adapted to be secured to the roadbed;

b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and

c. relfector means on said upper surface including a plurality of series of reflector units arranged longitudinally along the up er surface of the marker body effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body.

13. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising;

a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed;

. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and

c. reflector means on said upper surface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body, said reflector means being multi-colored whereby light reflected toward one end of the marker body is one color and light reflected toward the other end of the marker body is a different color.

14. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising: a

a. an-elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed; f b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plural ity of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adtor units on one of said two surfaces being arranged to reflect light toward one end of the marker body and the reflector units on the other of said two surfaces being arranged to reflect light toward the opposite end of the marker body.

15. A directional marker device for application to an 6 automobile roadbed, comprising:

b. an upper surface on the body divided into a pluralreflector means on said upper surface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body, said reflector means including a plurality of bidirectional reflector units mounted on each of said two upper surface portions, the slope of said two upper surface portions being such that when said marker body is disposed on the roadbed so as to define separate traffic lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions with one of said two upper surfaces associated with one lane and the other of said two upper surfaces associated with the other lane, lights from automobiles in one lane are not reflected from the reflector units mounted on the upper surface portion associated with the other lane.

16. The combination according to claim 12, in which each series of reflector units comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced reflector units, and each reflector unit is monodirectional.

17. The combination according to claim 12, in which each series of reflector units comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced reflector units, and each reflector unit is bidirectional.

18. The combination according to claim 12, in which each series of reflector units'comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced reflector units, the reflector units of one series being monodirectional and the reflector units of an adjacent series .being bidirectional.

Claims

1. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed to simultaneously delineate a traffic lane and prescribe the proper direction of travel for vehicular traffic in said traffic lane comprising: a. an elongated three-dimensional unitary and monolithic marker body having a generally flat bottom surface for attachment directly to the roadbed, said bottom surface being defined by long side edges of substantially equal lengths ranging from approximately twelve to approximately 24 inches and relatively shorter end edges of different lengths, the longer of the shorter end edges ranging from 4 to 8 inches and the shorter end edges ranging from a substantial point to approximately 1 inch; and b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least one of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent the longer of said relatively shorter end edges to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the shorter of said two relatively shorter end edges, said plurality of upper surface portions meeting to form a ridge on said marker body having a height ranging from approximately 1/2 inch to approximately 1 inch at the highest point such that when the marker body is viewed from any direction the upper surface of said body indicates the prescribed direction of travel in relation to said body.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which two of said upper surface portions taper from broad dimensions adjacent the longer of said relatively shorter end edges to relatively narrower dimensions adjacent the shorter of said two relatively shorter end edges whereby said ridge is inclined with respect to said bottom surface.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which one of said upper surface portions is substantially triangular in configuration and coincides along one edge with the longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the bottom surface of the marker body, the remaining two edges of the triangular surface portion intercepting each other at an apex spaced above the flat bottom surface and spaced longitudinally of the marker body from said longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the bottom surface.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which said plurality of angularly disposed upper surface portions meet in a common apex coincident with one end of said ridge.

6. The combination according to claim 1, in which reflector means are provided on said upper surface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body.

7. The combination according to claim 3, in which the remaining mutually coinciding long edges of said two surface portions lie in a plane perpendicular to the bottom surface and are inclined with respect to said bottom surface so that said marker body is thicker at one end than it is at the other.

8. The combination according to claim 4, in which said two remaining edges of the triangular surface portion coincide with edges of adjacent surface portions, the coincident edges of said triangular surface portion and the adjacent surface portions being inclined upwardly toward said apex of the marker body.

9. The combination according to claim 4, in which the remaining two edges of the trianGular surface portion are inclined with respect to a vertical plane containing the longer of said relatively shorter end edges of the flat bottom surface.

10. The combination according to claim 5, in which said common apex is spaced between opposite ends of the marker body.

11. The combination according to claim 5, in which said common apex is spaced from each end of the marker body an amount correlated to the slope of one of said upper surface portions.

12. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising: a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed; b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and c. reflector means on said upper surface including a plurality of series of reflector units arranged longitudinally along the upper surface of the marker body effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body.

13. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising; a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed; b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and c. reflector means on said upper surface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body, said reflector means being multi-colored whereby light reflected toward one end of the marker body is one color and light reflected toward the other end of the marker body is a different color.

14. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising: a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed; b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and c. reflector means on said upper surface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body, said reflector means including a plurality of reflector units mounted on each of two of said upper surface portions, each reflector unit being monodirectional, with the reflector units on one of said two surfaces being arranged to reflect light toward one end of the marker body and the reflector units on the other of said two surfaces being arranged to reflect light toward the opposite end of the marker body.

15. A directional marker device for application to an automobile roadbed, comprising: a. an elongated three-dimensional marker body having a generally flat bottom surface defined by long and short edges and adapted to be secured to the roadbed; b. an upper surface on the body divided into a plurality of surface portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and with respect to said bottom surface, at least two of said upper surface portions tapering from a broad dimension adjacent one end of the body to a relatively narrower dimension adjacent the other end of the body; and c. reflector means on said upper suRface effective to reflect light oriented in general with the long dimension of the marker body, said reflector means including a plurality of bidirectional reflector units mounted on each of said two upper surface portions, the slope of said two upper surface portions being such that when said marker body is disposed on the roadbed so as to define separate traffic lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions with one of said two upper surfaces associated with one lane and the other of said two upper surfaces associated with the other lane, lights from automobiles in one lane are not reflected from the reflector units mounted on the upper surface portion associated with the other lane.

18. The combination according to claim 12, in which each series of reflector units comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced reflector units, the reflector units of one series being monodirectional and the reflector units of an adjacent series being bidirectional.