Traffic delineation foam system and method

• US 5,338,129 A
• Filed: 10/13/1992
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan D. Oden
• Original Assignee: Alan D. Oden
• Inventors: Oden, Alan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britts, Ramon S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LISEHORA, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US07/959,074
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 404/9, 404/10, 404/12, 404/72, 404/93, 404/94, 404/108, 404/111, 116/63 C, 116/63 P, 116/63 R, 116/202, 239/150, 239/170, 239/172
• US Class Current: 404/9
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/203 comprising an extension rod located between the aerosol container and the hand grip setting-out line markings on playing courts A63C19/065; marking-out on finished paving by spraying from aerosol containers E01C23/227
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/267 by a separate device actuated by repeated, e.g. human, input, e.g. by a moving wing of a door or window, a ringing doorbell, a flushing toilet
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/20 for forming markings in situ
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/227 the marking material being supplied in aerosol containers
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/506 characterised by the road surface marking material, e.g. comprising additives for improving friction or reflectivity; Methods of forming, installing or applying markings in, on or to road surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/576 Traffic lines
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/70 Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for applying colored foam markers to road surfaces as a means of temporarily changing or outlining traffic patterns. In the preferred embodiment, dissoluble foam markers would be periodically deposited upon the road behind a work crew to alert motorists of a potential hazard ahead, in order to avoid any collisions between the motorist and the work crew. As the work crew would move up on the road, the foam markers would naturally dissipate and substantially disappear over a predetermined or a relatively short period of time so that the roadway automatically returned to its original traffic pattern when the work crew has left the area. Foam markers according to the present invention would enhance the safety of a work crew'"'"'s operations and increase work output by freeing the work crew from the obligation of retrieving the markers after they are used.

Claims

1. A method of alerting third parties to a traffic hazard, desired traffic pattern or parking location, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a dissoluble marker which will dissipate and substantially disappear over a predetermined and relatively short period of time;

(b) determining one or more marker locations effective for depositing dissoluble markers to alert third parties to a traffic hazard, a desired traffic pattern or parking location; and

subsequently

(c) depositing said dissoluble markers in the determined marker locations to alert third parties to a traffic hazard, a desired traffic pattern or parking location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said dissoluble markers are made of foam.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said foam includes a dye of a desired color.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said dye is fluorescent.