Pavement marker, kit and method

Abstract

A kit containing thermoplastic pavement markers for convenience in transportation and application at a jobsite. The pavement markers have light colored projections on the upper surface to deflect water and reflect light for ease in viewing during rain, darkness and other adverse conditions. The method describes the application of the pavement markers on a road or other substrate for strong adhesion to asphalt and concrete.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention herein pertains to pavement markers and particularly pertains to pavement markers formed of thermoplastic materials with reflective properties which are packaged in kits for application on substrates such as roads, parking lots, walkways and the like for direction, visibility and safety purposes.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION[0002]In recent years state highway and transportation departments, businesses, municipalities and others have sought methods of improving the visibility and safety of drivers during dark, wet and other unfavorable weather conditions to prevent accidents and injuries resulting therefrom. As assistance to drivers of vehicles during dark and wet road conditions, it is common to mark the roads and streets with reflective thermoplastic tear drop like shapes on the edges of a roadway using special ridden or walk behind machinery whereby a light colored semi-liquid (Awet@) thermoplastic material i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a kit containing a plurality of preformed thermoplastic pavement markers for easy application on a road, street or other location. The pavement markers preferably include three (3) dimensional tear drop shaped reflective projections along the top surface of a planar base having a lower softening point then the projections. The pavement markers are first removed from the kit, positioned on a substrate, heated along the top surface with a standard propane blow torch such as a Flint 2000EX heat gun, manufactured by Flint Trading, Inc. of Thomasville, N.C. The heated, softened thermoplastic pavement marker is then by gravitational forces as it cools and hardens adhered to, for example the edge of an asphalt roadway which has been previously swept clean to remove any dirt and debris for strong adherency. The tear drop projections preferably have a light colored or white surface and are embedded with reflective shards such as small glass particles or beads to quickly shed water and remain highly visible when struck by vehicle lights in heavy rain storms, darkness and other adverse conditions. The pavement markers are applied individually or end-to-end as needed to mark a section of a road, highway, parking lot, walkway or other substrate as desired. Relatively unskilled personnel can apply the markers and create a pattern without expensive, specialized machinery or special training. On concrete surfaces the preferred application method utilizes a standard concrete sealer that is first applied to the concrete to close any cracks or fissures to ensure proper bonding of the heated thermoplastic pavement marker.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, conventional machinery which applies Awet reflective@ thermoplastic materials are expensive to purchase, operate and maintain.

Experienced personnel must operate the machinery which again adds to the cost of the marking.

Required, regular maintenance of such machinery whether of the ridden or walk behind type is expensive and small municipalities and departments often do not have the funds available for such expenses.

In addition, contractors applying Awet reflective@ markings at shopping centers, parking lots and the like do not want to make a large investment in specialized machinery that is infrequently used.

The reflective tapes have limited durability and as force is applied over time through Awear and tear@ such as vehicles passing over, braking or turning, the Abond@ of the marking can fail and eventually come up entirely from the substrate.

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