Highway striping method and apparatus

• US 4,256,261 A
• Filed: 11/29/1979
• Issued: 03/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HB Fuller Company
• Original Assignee: HB Fuller Company
• Inventors: Gurney, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saifer, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US06/098,526
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 239/112, 239/130, 239/131, 239/150, 239/151, 239/155, 239/287, 427/137
• US Class Current: 239/155
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/166 Means for dispensing particulate material on to freshly applied markings or into the marking material after discharge thereof, e.g. reflective beads, grip-improving particles
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/0809 Loosening or dislodging by blowing combined with suction E01H1/0863; with steam E01H1/10; removing snow by blowing E01H5/106; cleaning rails by blowing E01H8/105, E01H8/125; removing fog by blowing E01H13/00; cleaning joints in road construction by blowing E01C23/0906; Drying by means of gas streams by heat only E01H1/08; combined with snow or ice melting E01H5/10, E01H5/106, E01H5/108
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/101 Hydraulic loosening or dislodging, combined or not with mechanical loosening or dislodging, e.g. road washing machines with brushes or wipers E01H1/005 takes precedence; cleaning rails E01H8/105, E01H8/125; applying liquids in general E01H3/00; scrubbing machines for floors or similar surfaces A47L11/26 - A47L11/30

Abstract

The disclosed stripe-applying ("striping") method and apparatus for applying a curable coating composition (preferably the two-part type) to a paved surface comprises a movable vehicle suitable for traveling over that surface. The vehicle carries a first nozzle for applying a pressurized water spray to the paved surface, a second nozzle for applying an air blast to the paved surface, and a third nozzle for applying the coating composition under pressure to the section of the paved surface previously cleaned by the water spray and air blast. In addition, a glass bead applicator drops a plurality of glass beads onto the coating composition after it has been applied to the paved surface. The two components which comprise the coating composition are heated in a system having selectively operable valves for continuously circulating these components when a striping operation is not taking place. Furthermore, a system is provided for flushing the third nozzle and the lines containing the coating composition to remove gelled particles therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus suitable for applying a curable coating composition having first and second components to a first longitudinally extending portion of a paved surface, comprising a movable vehicle suitable for traveling over the paved surface;

cleaning means carried by said vehicle for cleaning the first portion of the paved surface, said cleaning means including a first nozzle for applying a water spray to the first portion, and a second nozzle for applying an air blast to the first portion, said first and second nozzles being sequentially operative to wet the first portion and then at least partially blow the water applied to the first portion to the sides thereof prior to the coating of the first portion of the paved surface;

a third nozzle carried by said vehicle for applying a pressurized flow of the coating composition to the first portion of the paved surface after the cleaning thereof; and

means responsive to the movement of said vehicle for controlling the operation of said first, second and third nozzles to coat the first portion of the paved surface as said vehicle moves thereover, wherein said first, second and third nozzles are carried by a wheeled carriage attached to said vehicle and positioned over the first portion of the paved surface, said carriage being movable vertically relative to said vehicle between a first position where said carriage engages the paved surface and a second position where said carriage is held out of engagement with the paved surface, wherein said carriage comprises a support frame pivotable about a first axis located on said vehicle and a support plate pivotable about a second axis located on said support frame, and further including means attached to the vehicle for respectively pivotting said support frame and support plate about their respective axes.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said carriage is transversely moveable relative to said vehicle such that said carriage is precisely positionable over the first portion of the paved surface.

3. An apparatus suitable for applying a curable coating composition having first and second components to a first longitudinally extending portion of a paved surface, comprising a movable vehicle suitable for traveling over the paved surface;

cleaning means carried by said vehicle for cleaning the first portion of the paved surface, said cleaning means including a first nozzle for applying a water spray to the first portion, and a second nozzle for applying an air blast to the first portion, said first and second nozzles being sequentially operative to wet the first portion and then at least partially blow the water applied to the first portion to the sides thereof prior to the coating of the first portion of the paved surface;

a third nozzle carried by said vehicle for applying a pressurized flow of the coating composition to the first portion of the paved surface after the cleaning thereof; and

means responsive to the movement of said vehicle for controlling the operation of said first, second and third nozzles to coat the first portion of the paved surface as said vehicle moves thereover, further including supply means for supplying the composition to said third nozzle, said supply means comprising first and second supply tanks for respectively holding the first and second components which when combined make up the composition;

said first and second supply tanks being operatively connected to a mix manifold where the first and second components are brought together to form the coating composition, said mix manifold being operatively connected to said third nozzle for supplying thereto the composition formulated in said mix manifold, further including means for flushing said mix manifold and said third nozzle of gelled particles of the coating composition, and wherein said flushing means comprises a solvent flush tank for holding a supply of a flushing solvent, said solvent flush tank being operatively connected to said mix manifold, and said third nozzle including a flush valve operatively connected to a solvent disposal line, said flush valve having an open position where flush solvent applied to said mix manifold and said third nozzle passes therethrough into said solvent disposal line.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said solvent disposal line is operatively connected in a closed loop back to said solvent flush tank through a filter.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said solvent disposal line is provided with a valve means, said valve means having a first position where said solvent disposal line is operatively connected in a closed loop back to said solvent flush tank through a filter, and a second position where said solvent disposal line is connected to a solvent disposal means.