Patent Publication Number: US-11047098-B2

Title: Illuminated road marker

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/515,042 filed on Jun. 5, 2017, and to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/000,658 filed on Jun. 5, 2018, both of which are titled “Illuminated Road Marker.” Both U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/515,042 and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/000,658 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Roadways may include reflective or illuminated markers to improve visibility of road or lane boundaries, crosswalks, or other features of a roadway to assist motorists, bicyclists, and/or pedestrians. However, conventional reflective markers often rely upon a vehicle&#39;s headlights in order to be visible, thereby reducing their utility and effectiveness, especially in adverse weather conditions or when debris or precipitation inhibits visibility of the markers. Conventional illuminated markers mounted to a roadway surface are vulnerable to damage and removal by vehicles and large equipment, such as snowplows clearing the roadway. Further, known illuminated markers have poor visibility due to their obstructed sight line with motorists, unreliable electronic power supply, and/or fragile or weak housing to cause failure or malfunction. 
     Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a roadway marker and installation that provides improved visibility of roadway boundaries and features, especially during rain, fog, snow, and nighttime conditions, to improve motorist and pedestrian safety and increase roadway travel efficiency and reliability. There also exists a need for a roadway marker and installation with enhanced durability to withstand destructive roadway conditions. Further, there exists a need in the art for a roadway marker and installation that is sufficiently self-contained to improve maintenance and reliability of the marker. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a road marker for positioning at least partially below a surface of a roadway is provided. The road marker includes a housing having a first end portion having a first end portion height, a second end portion having a second end portion height, and a central portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and having a central portion height greater than at least one of the first end portion height and the second end portion height. The road marker further includes a light source disposed at the first end portion and a solar energy collection member disposed at the central portion and configured to be positioned below the roadway surface. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a road marker includes a housing having a first end portion, a first end surface, a second end portion, a second end surface, and a lower surface extending from the first end surface to the second end surface, a light source disposed at the first end portion, and a plurality of recesses disposed in at least one of the first end surface, the second end surface, and the lower surface and configured to secure the housing in a road recess. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an installation for a roadway extending along a longitudinal axis and having a roadway upper surface is provided. The installation includes a channel formed in the roadway and extending in the longitudinal direction, the channel including a marker portion and a channel end tapered from the marker portion to the roadway upper surface, and a road marker disposed at least partially in the marker portion of the channel, the road marker comprising a housing containing an energy source and a light source, the light source powered by the energy source and configured to emit light along the longitudinal axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The embodiments described herein and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upper side of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lower side of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a roadway marker installation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a roadway marker installation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged elevation view of a roadway marker installation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is perspective view of an upper side of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a bottom side of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a first side view of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a second side view of a roadway marker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, such specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a road marker  10  is provided. The road marker  10  includes a housing  38  having a first end portion  12 , a second end portion  14 , and a central portion  16 . The housing  38  is made from a high impact polycarbonate material in the illustrated embodiment, but may be made from any durable material. The road marker  10  further includes a light source  18  disposed at the first end portion  12  and/or the second end portion  14  and a solar energy collection member  20  disposed at the central portion  16 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the interior of the housing  38  from a lower perspective with the lower portion of the housing  38  removed. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the light source  18  in the illustrated embodiment includes one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lamps  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the light source  18  of the marker  10  includes a first three LED series  24  disposed at the first end portion  12  and configured to emit light in a first direction  34  away from the central portion  16  and a second three LED series  26  disposed at the second end portion  14  and configured to emit light in a second direction  36  away from the central portion  16 . In an embodiment not illustrated, the light source  18 , including one or more LED lamps, are oriented toward or away from a lane of a roadway. In the embodiment illustrated, the first direction  34  is opposite from and substantially parallel with the second direction  36 . In additional embodiments not illustrated, the light source  18  includes any number of lamps based upon a desired brightness and/or visibility. Further, in additional embodiments not illustrated, the light source  18  may include a light source other than an LED lamp. The light source  18  of the illustrated embodiment is configured to emit light in a direction away from the central portion  16 . The light source  18  of the illustrated embodiment includes one or more lenses, including a white, amber, and/or red lens in order to signal motorists or pedestrians or serve another purpose. In additional embodiments, the lens may be any other color or tint, and may include any additional structure or composition to alter light, such as magnification structure, reflecting structure, and/or filtration structure in non-limiting examples. One and/or both of the light sources  18  in the marker  10  has between 100 and 1200 lumens in an embodiment, between 200 and 1000 lumens in another embodiment, and between 300 and 700 lumens in another embodiment. One and/or both of the light sources  18  has less than 100 lumens in an embodiment and greater than 1200 lumens in another embodiment. Such lumen values may be distributed among any number of LED or other lamps or light sources at one or both ends of the marker  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the marker  10  further includes an energy storage member  28  configured to store energy for powering the light source  18 . The energy storage member  28  includes two capacitors  30  in the illustrated embodiment. In additional embodiments, the marker  10  includes any number of capacitors  30  based upon the energy storage requirements of the marker  10 . In additional embodiments not illustrated, the energy storage member  28  is one or more batteries or other energy storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, the capacitors  30  are oriented end-to-end and aligned substantially perpendicular to the directions  34 ,  36 . In other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6-10 , the capacitors  30  are oriented and/or aligned in different ways. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the solar energy collection member  20  supplies energy to the energy storage member  28  and includes one or more photovoltaic cells or solar cells  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the marker  10  includes three solar cells  32 , but any number of solar cells  32  may be utilized in additional embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the solar cells  32  are aligned perpendicular to the directions  34 ,  36 , but may be aligned in either or both of the directions  34 ,  36  (as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 6-11 ), or in any other orientation. In an embodiment having multiple solar cells  32 , the solar cells  32  are redundantly provided such that, in the event that one or more solar cells  32  fails, becomes damaged, or its operation is otherwise reduced or terminated, the remaining solar cell(s)  32  may continue to supply energy to the energy storage member  28  and/or the light source  18 . The marker  10  of one or more embodiments includes electronic circuitry and/or one or more electronic components described in FIGS. 10-15, and the text referencing FIGS. 10-15, of U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,816 to Varga et al., which portions are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the marker  10  includes a plurality of recesses  48  disposed on the housing  38  and configured to receive adhesive for securing the road marker  10  in a channel  50  of a roadway  52 , as described in further detail below. The housing  38  includes at least one first end surface  40 , at least one second end surface  42 , at least one lower surface  44 , and at least one side surface  46 . The plurality of recesses  48  is disposed in one or more of the first end surface(s)  40 , the second end surface(s)  42 , the lower surface(s)  44 , and the side surface(s)  46  and is configured to secure the housing  38  in the channel  50 . The plurality of recesses  48  includes at least one horizontally extending recess  54  in an embodiment. The plurality of recesses  48  includes at least one vertically extending recess  56  in an embodiment. The plurality of recesses  48  includes one or more recesses  58  tapered from the first end surface(s)  40 , the second end surface(s)  42 , the side surface(s)  46 , and/or the lower surface(s)  44  into the housing  38 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , an installation  70  for the roadway  52  is illustrated having an embodiment of the marker  10  as described herein. The roadway  52  extends along a longitudinal axis  72  and has a roadway upper surface  100 . The installation  70  includes the channel  50  formed in the roadway  52  and extending along the longitudinal axis  72 . The channel  50  includes a marker portion  74  and one or more channel end(s)  76  tapered from the marker portion  74  to the roadway upper surface  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are two channel ends  76  disposed on opposite sides of the marker portion  74  of the channel  50 . In an embodiment not illustrated, the channel  50  includes only one channel end  76 . The channel  50  of the illustrated embodiment includes an overall channel length  110  with a marker distance  112  defined as approximately half the value of the overall channel length  110 . The overall channel length  110  is between 12 inches and 240 inches in an embodiment, between 24 inches and 120 inches in another embodiment, and approximately 84 inches in another embodiment. The overall channel length  110  is less than 12 inches in an embodiment and greater than 240 inches in an embodiment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments not illustrated, the channel  50  is not tapered at one or both channel ends  76  such that the channel  50  has substantially the same depth between the channel ends  76 , or may include any combination or variation of a tapered or non-tapered channel  50 . In one or more embodiments, the light source  18  is aligned with, focused on, and/or pointed toward the channel end  76 . 
     The installation  70  further includes the road marker  10  in accordance with any embodiment described herein disposed at least partially in the marker portion  74  of the channel  50 . The road marker  10  includes the housing  38 , embodiments of which are best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to contain an energy source, such as the solar energy collection member  20  and/or the energy storage member  28 , and the light source  18  powered by the energy source and configured to emit light along the longitudinal axis  72 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the marker  10  is sized to fit within a channel width  114 . The channel width  114  is between 2 inches and 24 inches in an embodiment, between 4 inches and 12 inches in another embodiment, and approximately 6 inches in another embodiment. The channel width  114  is less than 2 inches in an embodiment and greater than 24 inches in another embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the marker  10  has a width between 0.2 inch and 6 inches less than the channel width  114  in an embodiment, between 1 inch and 3 inches less than the channel width  114  in another embodiment, less than 0.2 inch less than the channel width  114  in another embodiment, and greater than 6 inches less than the channel width  114  in another embodiment. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the housing  38  of the road marker  10  includes a first end portion height  78  of the first end portion  12  and a second end portion height  80  of the second end portion  14 . The central portion  16  includes a central portion height  82  greater than the first end portion height  78  and/or the second end portion height  80 . The central portion height  82  relative to the first end portion height  78  and/or the second end portion height  80  provides strength to the overall marker structure, reducing the likelihood of damage or failure of the housing  38  upon impact with a vehicle wheel or another object. Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the central portion  16  is positioned in the channel  50  and configured to be disposed below the roadway upper surface  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the solar energy collection member  20  is positioned and/or configured to be positioned below the roadway upper surface  100 . 
     In additional embodiments not illustrated, the central portion  16  and/or another portion of the marker  10  is disposed above the surface  100 . Further, in additional embodiments not illustrated, the marker  10  is positioned on the surface  100  without being disposed in the channel  50 . The light source  18  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  72  in an embodiment and/or configured to emit light toward the channel end(s)  76 . 
     A method of forming the installation  70  in accordance with one or more embodiments includes forming the channel  50  in the roadway  52 . Forming the channel  50  includes forming the marker portion  74  and the channel end(s)  76  in the roadway  52 . The marker portion  74  is formed by removing roadway material with a tool (not illustrated) to form a radius  84 . For example, the tool may include a radius between 10 inches and 22 inches to form the radius  84 , but may include a radius less than 10 inches in an embodiment, and may include a radius greater than 22 inches in an embodiment. In additional embodiments, the tool includes any radius to form the marker portion  74  and/or another portion of the channel  50 . In an embodiment, the radius  84  is substantially equal to a radius  86  of the lower surface  44  of the marker  10 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the plurality of recesses  48  are configured to receive adhesive  88  for securing the road marker  10  in the channel  50  of the roadway  52 . The adhesive  88  in an embodiment is epoxy, but the adhesive  88  may include any one or more materials known by those having ordinary skill in the art. The recesses  48  provide increased surface area and edges for interaction with the adhesive  88  to allow the marker  10  to stay reliably fixed in or on the roadway  52 , thereby reducing the likelihood of dislodgement of the marker  10  from the roadway  52  to result in loss of its marking function and/or damage to individuals and property caused by the marker  10  being forcefully ejected from the roadway  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the installation  70  is arranged such that a road surface clearance  90  is defined between the central portion  16  and the roadway upper surface  100 . The road surface clearance  90  is between 0 and 0.5 inches in an embodiment, between 0.0625 inch and 0.25 inch in another embodiment, and approximately 0.12 inch in another embodiment. The installation  70  is also arranged in an embodiment such that a channel end depth  92  is defined between a lower channel end surface  94  near the marker portion  74  and the roadway upper surface  100 . The channel end depth  92  is between 0 and 1 inch in an embodiment, between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch in another embodiment, and approximately 0.4 inch in an embodiment. The installation  70  is arranged such that a marker portion depth  96  is defined between a lower marker portion surface  98  and the roadway upper surface  100 . The marker portion depth  96  is between 0.5 inch and 3 inches in an embodiment, between 1.0 inch and 2 inches in another embodiment, and approximately 1.5 inches in another embodiment. The marker portion depth  96  is less than 0.5 inch in an embodiment and greater than 3 inches in another embodiment. 
     The method of an embodiment includes positioning the marker  10  at the marker portion  74  of the channel  50 . The marker  10  of one or more embodiments includes one or more tab(s)  90  configured to be positioned on the roadway upper surface  100 . The method includes positioning the tab(s)  90  on the roadway upper surface  100  such that the remaining portions of the marker  10  are disposed in the channel  50 . In an embodiment, the tab(s)  90  may be removed such that the entire marker  10  is disposed below the roadway upper surface  100 . 
     The marker  10  and/or the installation  70  provides visibility for a roadway or any other surface while being sufficiently durable to handle impact from vehicles, including snow plows and other heavy equipment, and exposure to extreme temperature, precipitation, and other conditions. In the illustrated embodiments, the marker  10  and/or the installation  70  is visible from a distance of at least 300 feet from the marker  10 . The marker  10  and/or the installation  70  is visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in another embodiment, from a distance of at least 1000 feet in another embodiment, and from a distance of at least 1200 feet in another embodiment. 
     The marker  10  was compared to a conventional marker, specifically the Model  201  recessed pavement markers having a C-40 lens commercially available from Ennis-Flint of Thomasville, N.C. 27360, for visibility along a roadway during the early morning hours of two separate days. The conventional marker and the marker  10  of the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure were each evaluated based on a maximum distance from the marker that light from the marker was visible. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Conventional Marker 
                 Marker 10 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Day 1 
                 400 feet 
                 1000 feet 
               
               
                 Day 2 
                 550 feet 
                 1200 feet 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As illustrated above, the marker  10  provides visibility significantly greater than conventional roadway markers. Light from the conventional marker was visible no more than approximately 400 feet from the marker on day 1 and no more than approximately 550 feet on day 2. In contrast, light from the marker  10  was visible approximately 1000 feet from the marker on day 1 and approximately 1200 feet from the marker on day 2. It will be appreciated that one or more embodiments of the installation  70 , as described herein, will provide the same visibility as the marker  10  of any embodiment described herein, as the marker  10  according to any embodiment described herein is incorporated into the installation  70  of any embodiment described herein. Such visibility significantly improves the safety and saves the lives of motorists and pedestrians on and along roadways, especially during rain, fog, snow, and nighttime conditions. The marker  10  and installation  70  is also structured to be more durable and reliably fixed to or in the roadway  52  compared to conventional road markers. Further, as a result of the self-powered and self-contained nature of the marker  10  and/or the installation  70 , the marker  10  and/or the installation  70  is easily installed, maintained, and operated. 
       FIGS. 6-11  illustrate another road marker  200  in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The road marker  200  and/or structures, elements, components, and/or features of the road marker  200  perform similar or identical functions to the road marker  10  and/or structures, elements, components, and/or features of the road marker  10 . Therefore, structures, elements, components, and/or features of the road marker  200  of  FIGS. 6-11  that are similar or identical to the structures, elements, components, and/or features of the road marker  10  of  FIGS. 1-5  are labeled with like figure numbers. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6-11 , the solar cells  32  are aligned in the directions  34 ,  36 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the capacitors  30  are oriented side-to-side and aligned in the directions  34 ,  36  to enable a width of the road marker  10  to be less than twice a length of one of the capacitors  30 . 
     The housing  38  of  FIGS. 6-11  has a width. The width is a distance from one of the side surfaces  46  to the other one of the side surfaces  46  of the housing  38 . In some embodiments, the width is approximately three inches or less. For example, the width may be approximately two inches to approximately three inches. In some embodiments, the width is approximately 2.5 inches to approximately three inches. In some embodiments, the width is approximately 2.75 inches to approximately three inches. However, the above-noted values are merely an examples and, thus, other embodiments may have widths of other values. 
     As a result, the road marker  200  disclosed herein is less likely to be broken, loosened, and/or dislodged from the channel by vehicles during use than traditional road markers. Furthermore, even if not broken, loosened, and/or dislodged from the channel  50  by contact with a vehicle tire moving across the channel  50  in which the road marker  200  is disposed, contact between the tire dipping into the channel  50  and the light source(s)  18  and/or the solar energy collection members  20  mars the light source(s)  18  and/or the solar energy collection members  20  significantly, thus reducing or eliminating the properties of the light source(s)  18  and/or the solar energy collection members  20 . By having a width of approximately three inches or less for the channel  50 , there is insufficient room for a vehicle tire to dip into the channel  50  as it passes over, thereby preventing marring of the light source(s)  18  and/or the solar energy collection members  20 . Thus, the road markers  200  disclosed herein have longer useful lives than traditional road markers. 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.