ROAD SIGNS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USE THEREOF

• US 20190333423A1
• Filed: 04/24/2019
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Traffic Engineering Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Traffic Engineering Services, LLC
• Inventors: Kehoe, Joseph, Barraza, Eduardo
• Granted Patent: US 10,741,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1852 for fastening magnetically or by suction or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1878 Traffic orientation, street markers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/04 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

Embodiments of adaptable road signs and methods of manufacture are provided. In some embodiments, the adaptable road signs have messages that can quickly be changed by, for instance, applying a placard or banner on the road sign. In some embodiments, the adherence of a placard to the face of the road sign is facilitated by arrays of magnetic features embedded in the sign face and the placard.

Claims

1. A road sign, comprising:

a main section comprising a face having a coupling area comprising a first plurality of magnetic features, the coupling area configured to adhere a placard to the face of the main section via magnetic force when the face is in a substantially vertical position;

wherein the face of the main section is substantially flat;

wherein the plurality of magnetic features comprises at least a first magnetic element and at least a second magnetic element;

wherein, at a position at the face of the sign, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element have different polarities.

3. The sign of claim 1, wherein the sign further comprises the placard.

4. The sign of claim 1, wherein the placard comprises a second plurality of magnetic features.

5. The sign of claim 4, wherein the magnetic features of the sign are arranged in an array.

6. The sign of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of magnetic features is arranged in an array that coincides to at least a portion of the array of magnetic features on the sign.

7. The sign of claim 6, wherein the coinciding magnets are of opposite polarity so that the magnetic features of the sign are attracted to the coinciding magnetic features of the placard.

10. The sign of claim 1, wherein the magnetic features of the sign are embedded within the main section of the sign and are substantially flush with the sign face.

11. The sign of claim 10, wherein the magnetic features of the placard are embedded within the placard and are substantially flush with a surface of the placard.

12. The sign of claim 11, wherein the magnetic features of the placard are embedded within the placard such that the magnetic elements produce a magnetic force on both sides of the placard that is sufficient to hold the placard on the sign.

13. The sign of claim 12, wherein the placard has a different message on its front and back surfaces.

14. The sign of claim 1, wherein the sign face lacks any tracks or ledges that are configured to suspend the placard.

15. The sign of claim 1, wherein the sign face lacks any adhesive element other than the plurality of magnetic features.

16. The sign of claim 1, wherein magnets of the sign are arranged in an array.

24. A message conveying system comprising the sign of claim 1 and the placard.

69. A kit comprising the sign and placard of claim 1.

70. The kit of claim 69 comprising a stand for the sign.

2. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

17-23. -23. (canceled)

25-52. -52. (canceled)

53. A method of manufacturing a road sign, comprising:

designing a main section, wherein the main section comprises a face having a coupling area, the coupling area configured to receive and adhere to a placard;

wherein the face of the main section is substantially flat when the placard adheres to the coupling area; and

wherein the coupling area is configured to magnetically adhere the placard to the face when the face is in a substantially vertical position; and

attaching the main section to a support structure.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the coupling area comprises at least one coupling feature.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the coupling feature comprises a magnet.

56-68. -68. (canceled)