Road utility marker

• US 6,061,940 A
• Filed: 06/14/1996
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence William Rice
• Original Assignee: Lawrence William Rice
• Inventors: Rice, Lawrence William
• Primary Examiner(s): GREEN, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US08/664,981
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 40/124.5, 40/594, 40/612, 40/615, 40/616, 40/661.09, 40/663, 40/760, 40/630, 40/638, 40/671, 404/9, 206/575, 248/467, 248/205.3, 248/205.4, 52/103, 52/105
• US Class Current: 40/594
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/06 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by means of pins and holes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/10 and slideably mounted

Abstract

A marker and method for use on roads for locating underground utilities utilizing a flexible tile (A) constructed of front and backing layers of fused plastic having openings (B) for receiving screws (C) extending into corresponding holes drilled in the road surface for holding the tile while an adhesive backing sets and for assuring affixation thereafter. Suitable symbols (D) are formed into the tile by grinding away the front layer. All the components may be provided in a package utilizing a box or other container.

Claims

1. A marker assembly comprising:

a flexible tile including layers of plastic material joined together for affixation to a road surface;

a color coding material incorporated in a front layer of said layers of plastic material;

said layers of plastic material further including a backing layer on said front layer of plastic material of contrasting color therewith;

a fused interface bonding said front layer and said backing layer in superimposed relation forming a unitary structure of plastic material capable of flexing to conform to a road surface;

indicia in said flexible tile formed by removal of a portion of said front layer corresponding to a configuration of said indicia for supplying information concerning a utility located thereby;

elongated mechanical fasteners;

spaced opposed marginal openings in said tile for receiving the elongated mechanical fasteners in the road surface against which said tile is to be fastened for flexing the tile to conform to the road surface;

an adhesive product for application to a back surface of said tile to fasten the tile to the road surface;

a container for carrying the tile, the elongated mechanical fasteners, and the adhesive product; and

said flexible tile, said mechanical fasteners and said adhesive product being retained by said container in juxtaposition for applying adhesive to the back surface of said flexible tile prior to flexing the tile to conform to the road surface and thereafter securing the tile in such flexed position by insertion of the elongated fasteners into the road surface for retention and setting up of the adhesive.

2. The marker assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicia are formed by grinding away portions of said front layer leaving underlying portions of said backing layer exposed.