Imaging articles and methods using dual-axis retroreflective elements

• US 6,055,108 A
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Dreyer, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spector, David N.
• Application Number:
  US09/248,449
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 359/515-520, 359/522-525, 359/527-530, 359/546-547, 359/551-553, 359/900, 359/619-628, 404/14-16
• US Class Current: 359/627
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet

Abstract

Imaging articles and methods are disclosed that use dual-axis retroreflective elements such as 90 degree prisms and linear lenticular elements in which the imaging is either superimposed on the imaged object or displaced therefrom. If the imaging is superimposed on the imaged object, it is accomplished by retroreflection. If the imaging is displaced from the imaged object, it may be accomplished by dual axis retroreflection or retrotransmission.

Claims

1. An optical imaging article comprising:

a first side comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising a plurality of planar transmissive first surfaces oriented parallel to the first plane; and

a second side comprising a plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a second plane and aligned with a second axis, the second side further comprising a plurality of reflective planar second surfaces oriented parallel to the second plane, the second dual-axis retroreflective elements being spaced from the first side, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein each of the planar transmissive first surfaces are located between two of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein each of the planar transmissive second surfaces are located between two of the second dual-axis retroreflective elements.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

6. A pavement marker comprising:

a first side comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising a plurality of planar reflective first surfaces oriented parallel to the first plane;

a second side located opposite the first side, the second side comprising a plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a second plane and aligned with a second axis, wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane and the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other; and

a first optical window located between the first and second sides, the optical window transmitting at least a portion of light incident thereon and refracting the light towards one of the first and second sides.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein each of the planar reflective first surfaces are located between two of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements.

8. The article of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality the first dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

9. The article of claim 6, wherein each of the second dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality the second dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

10. An optical imaging article comprising:

a first side comprising a plurality of dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising at least one planar reflective first surface oriented parallel to the first plane; and

an opposing prism comprising a linear peak and a pair of surfaces oriented perpendicular to each other, the linear peak of the prism being spaced from the first side and generally aligned with a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein a first surface in the pair of surfaces forming the opposing prism is planar and further wherein a second surface in the pair of surfaces comprises a planar facet.

12. The article of claim 10, wherein a first surface in the pair of surfaces forming the opposing prism is planar and further wherein a second surface in the pair of surfaces comprises a curved surface.

13. The article of claim 10, wherein the optical imaging article comprises a pavement marker.

14. An optical imaging article comprising:

a first side comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising a plurality of planar transmissive first surfaces oriented parallel to the first plane; and

a second side reflecting a portion of light incident thereon and transmitting a portion of light incident thereon.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the second side comprises a plurality of reflective and transmissive areas, wherein the reflective areas are planar and are oriented parallel to the first plane and reflect substantially all light incident thereon, and further wherein the transmissive areas transmit at least a portion of the light incident thereon.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the transmissive areas are planar and are oriented parallel to the first plane.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein the reflective and transmissive areas are aligned with the first axis.

18. An optical imaging article comprising:

a first side comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising a plurality of planar first surfaces oriented parallel to the first plane; and

a second side comprising a plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a second plane and aligned with a second axis, the second side further comprising a plurality of planar second surfaces oriented parallel to the second plane, the second dual-axis retroreflective elements being spaced from the first side, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the plurality of planar first surfaces and the plurality of planar second surfaces transmit a portion of light incident thereon and further wherein the plurality of planar first surfaces and the plurality of planar second surfaces reflect a portion of light incident thereon.

20. The article of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality the first dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

21. The article of claim 18, wherein at least one of the second dual-axis retroreflective elements in the plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements comprises a linear peak and a pair of planar facets oriented perpendicular to each other.

22. An imaging device comprising:

a first optical surface comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, the plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis and generally perpendicular to a second axis; and

a second optical surface comprising a plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a second plane, the plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a third axis and generally perpendicular to a fourth axis;

wherein the second axis lies in a plane that is generally parallel to third axis, and further wherein the fourth axis lies in a plane that is generally parallel to the first axis, and still further wherein the first plane intersects the second plane;

whereby a portion of light from an object that is directed in a first direction towards the first optical surface is reflected by the first dual-axis retroreflective elements towards the second optical surface where it is reflected by the second dual-axis retroreflective elements in a second direction to form an image of the object.

23. A method of retroreflective superimposed imaging comprising:

a) providing an optical imaging article comprising;

a first side comprising a plurality of first dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the first dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising a plurality of planar transmissive first surfaces oriented parallel to the first plane; and

a second side comprising a plurality of second dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a second plane and aligned with a second axis, the second side further comprising a plurality of reflective planar second surfaces oriented parallel to the second plane, the second dual-axis retroreflective elements being spaced from the first side, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other;

b) directing light at the optical imaging article from an object; and

c) observing a retroreflected image of the object.

24. A method of retroreflective superimposed imaging comprising:

a) providing an optical imaging article comprising;

a first side comprising a plurality of dual-axis retroreflective elements located in a first plane, each of the dual-axis retroreflective elements being generally aligned with a first axis, the first side further comprising at least one planar reflective first surface oriented parallel to the first plane; and

an opposing prism comprising a linear peak and a pair of surfaces oriented perpendicular to each other, the linear peak of the prism being spaced from the first side and generally aligned with a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to each other;

b) directing light at the optical imaging article from an object; and

c) observing a retroreflected image of the object.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the optical imaging article comprises a pavement marker.