Two sided marker

• US 5,223,977 A
• Filed: 10/15/1991
• Issued: 06/29/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reginald S. Bennett
• Original Assignee: Reginald S. Bennett
• Inventors: Bennett, Reginald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US07/775,751
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 359/515, 359/527, 359/529-532, 359/546, 359/547, 359/551, 359/552, 359/553, 404/14, 404/16, 116/63 R, 116/63 P, 116/63 T, 116/63 C
• US Class Current: 359/530
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/654 in the form of three-dimensional bodies, e.g. cones; capable of assuming three-dimensional form, e.g. by inflation or erection to form a geometric body
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/688 Free-standing bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet

Abstract

The marker has a pair of upwardly converging reflectant planar panels facing approximately in opposite directions. In its correct attitude on a support surface the panels slope at 2°-6° to the vertical if the marker is intended for assisting the landing of fixed wing aircraft and at 8°-10° to the vertical if the marker is intended for assisting the landing of helicopters. The reflectant panels are preferably retroreflectant.

Claims

1. A marker for resting on a support surface in a predetermined attitude comprising a pair of substantially planar metal panels facing approximately away from each other in azimuthal directions, and each sloping upwardly toward the other at an angle between 2°

and 6°

to the vertical in such attitude, and retroreflectant material covering a substantial area of each of said panels, wherein at least one fluorescent stripe is located on each of said panels which stripe is horizontal in said predetermined attitude, said stripe having a color contrasting with that of said substantial area.

2. The marker as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is formed with cube corner cavities has a higher retroreflectivity for light incident normal to the plane of each of said panels and a substantial but lower retroreflectivity for light incident at angles other than normal to said panels.

3. The marker as claimed in claim 2 wherein said panels are made of aluminum thick enough to be self sustaining and said retroreflectant material is formed with cube corner cavities and is a layer attached to the outwardly facing surfaces of said panels.

4. The marker as claimed in claim 3 wherein said marker is shaped to provide that vertical planes through said panels intersect at an angle of greater than 0°

and less than 3°

.

5. The marker as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panels are formed of aluminum thick enough to be self sustaining and said retroreflectant material is formed with cube corner cavities and is a layer attached to the outwardly facing surfaces of said panels.

6. A marker for resting on a support surface in a predetermined attitude comprising a pair of metal panels facing approximately away from each other in aximuthal directions, and each sloping upwardly toward the other at an angle of between 8°

and 10°

to the vertical in such attitude, and retroreflectant material covering a substantial area of each of said panels, wherein at least one fluorescent stripe is located on each of said panels which stripe is horizontal in said predetermined attitude, said stripe having a color contrasting with that of said substantial area.

7. The marker as claimed in claim 6 wherein said material is formed with cube corner cavities and has a higher retroreflectivity for light incident normal to the plane of each of said panels and a substantial but lower retroreflectivity for light incident at angles other than normal to said panels.

8. The marker as claimed in claim 7 wherein said panels are made of aluminum thick enough to be self sustaining and said retroreflectant material is formed with cube corner cavities and is a layer attached to the outwardly facing surfaces of said panels.

9. The marker as claimed in claim 6 wherein said panels are formed of aluminum thick enough to be self sustaining and said retroreflectant material is formed with cube corner cavities and is a layer attached to the outwardly facing surfaces of said panels.