Long life intelligent illuminated road marker

• US 7,018,131 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wesley B. Jordan
• Original Assignee: Wesley B. Jordan
• Inventors: Jordan, Wesley B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie, Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US10/835,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20050244225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 404 11- 16
• US Class Current: 404/16
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/559 illuminated

Abstract

Self-contained solar-powered long-life intelligent illuminated road markers are provided comprising a one-piece housing formed of optionally colored plastic capable of transmitting light. Light is reflected by reflective coating or generated internally by LED which is powered by a long life battery, the charging of which is controlled by electrical circuitry which comprises a peripheral interface controller. The electrical circuitry provides intelligent control for a variety of modes corresponding to diverse driving conditions, and can enter a low-power sleep mode to conserve battery life.

Claims

1. An illuminated road marker, comprising

a one piece housing formed of plastic, comprising a top plate and perimeter sides, wherein at least one perimeter side comprises a light transmission surface through which light can be transmitted, and wherein said top plate and said sides define a cavity in said housing;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned within said cavity and oriented at angles different by 2 to 15 degrees such that light produced by said LEDs is transmitted through the same light transmitting surface, wherein the orientation of said LEDs at different angles increases the visibility of said marker;

a long life battery within said cavity that energizes said LEDs, wherein said battery tolerates trickle charging without deterioration;

at least one solar cell within said cavity adjacent said top plate, wherein said solar cell recharges said battery and to seperately control each of said plurality of LED'"'"'s; and

electrical circuitry within said cavity configured to control charging of said battery.

2. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry charges said battery with intermittent charging.

3. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said battery is a Panasonic Series H nickel metal hydride battery or a battery substantially equivalent thereto.

4. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said road marker is turned on by exposure to illumination.

5. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said road marker is turned on by a set of light pulses.

6. The road marker of claim 1, further comprising a reflective material disposed such that incident light from a motor vehicle approaching said marker from the light transmission side is reflected from said light transmission side, wherein said reflective material is further disposed to reflect light from said LED that is not initially transmitted through said light transmitting surface.

7. The road marker of claim 1, wherein light from a said LED is colored.

8. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said directions differ by 4 to 10 degrees.

9. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said marker operates in any of a plurality of modes comprising continuous and lightldark controlled modes.

10. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor configured to separately control said plurality of LEDs.

11. The road marker of claim 10, wherein said plurality of LEDs is 3–

6 LEDs.

12. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said plurality of directions is 3 directions.

13. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said different directions comprise different vertical directions.

14. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said different directions comprises different horizontal directions.

15. The marker of claim 1, comprising a plurality of LEDs having different voltage requirements.

16. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said marker is attached to a road surface using an adhesive substantially free of fillers.

17. The road marker of claim 1, wherein said marker is attached to a road surface in a shallow new cut trough.

18. The road marker of claim 1, further comprising an encapsulating material in said cavity and a bonding material embedded in the bottom surface of said encapsulating material.

19. The road marker of claim 18, wherein said bonding material is garnet of 16–

36 grit.

20. An illuminated road marker comprising

a one piece housing formed of a plastic, comprising a top plate and perimeter sides, wherein at least one perimeter side comprises a light transmission surface through which light can be transmitted, and wherein said top plate and said sides define a cavity in said housing;

a plurality of up to six light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned within said cavity such that light produced by said LEDs is transmitted through said light transmitting surface, wherein said LEDs include LEDs having different voltage requirements;

a long life battery within said cavity that energizes said LEDs, wherein said battery tolerates trickle charging without deterioration;

at least one solar cell within said cavity adjacent said top plate, wherein said solar cell recharges said battery; and

electrical circuitry comprising a microprocessor within said cavity, wherein said electrical circuitry is configured to provide different voltages to said LEDs having different voltage requirements, and wherein said microprocessor directly flashes each of said plurality of LEDs.