Patent Publication Number: US-2004057796-A1

Title: Temporary raised pavement marker ( trpm) applicator machine for automatically applying pavement markers to road surfaces

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) which are adapted to be fixedly secured to roadway surfaces in order to, for example, temporarily define traffic lanes or the like within construction zones, work sites, or maintenance or repair areas, and more particularly to a new and improved machine for automatically applying such temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to the roadway surfaces within such construction zones, work sites, or maintenance or repair areas.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Various types of roadway markers have been utilized in connection with a variety of traffic control applications. Many roadway markers are adapted to be permanently attached or secured to the road surface so as to permanently delineate traffic lanes upon the roadway, while other roadway markers are adapted to be temporarily attached or secured to particular road surfaces in order to temporarily delineate traffic lanes within construction zones or other work areas. Accordingly, the latter type of roadway markers are known as temporary roadway markers and are usually attached or secured to the road surface by means of a suitable adhesive that can retain the roadway marker in its place upon the road surface during the temporary life of the roadway marker. More particularly, temporary roadway markers can serve, for example, as a means for identifying edge portions of the roadway, or alternatively, to delineate traffic lane lines and thereby demarcate separate lanes of traffic from each other in and around construction sites and other work zones. After the construction or other road work is completed, the temporary roadway markers are to be removed.  
       [0003] To be effective, the temporary roadway markers must clearly be capable of alerting motorists to the fact that they are nearing or entering a construction zone or work area, and therefore, the temporary roadway markers must in fact be effective both during daytime hours, nighttime hours, sunny conditions, cloudy conditions, inclement weather conditions, and the like. More particularly, one type of temporary roadway marker that has been extremely successful or effective in providing short-term temporary markings upon roadways both during daytime and nighttime hours, and which has also been able to adequately withstand the various impact forces that are normally impressed thereon by daily roadway vehicular traffic so as to in fact provide the desired service life required in connection with the installation of such temporary roadway markers, has been that type of temporary roadway marker which is known in the industry as a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM). Examples of such temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) are disclosed, for example, within U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,820 which issued to Hughes, Sr. on Aug. 29, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,405 which issued to Beard on Aug. 4, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,115 which issued to Speer et al. on Oct. 24, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,994 which issued to Edouart on Feb. 12, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,803 which issued to Dixon on May 1, 1984.  
       [0004] As can readily be appreciated from FIG. 1, which corresponds substantially to FIG. 1 of the Speer et al. patent, it is briefly noted that an exemplary temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  10  is seen to have a substantially L-shaped configuration wherein the horizontally disposed leg portion  12  thereof is adapted to be fixedly secured or attached to the road surface by means of a suitable adhesive which is allowed to set, while the vertically upstanding leg portion  14  is adapted to be visually seen by the oncoming motorist. A transition region  26  flexibly interconnects the vertically upstanding leg portion  14  to the fixed leg portion or base member  12 . A pair of rib members or ledges  28 , 28  extend substantially perpendicular to the upstanding leg member  14  and serve to define a space or channel  22  therebetween. A suitable reflective strip  23  is adapted to be fixedly disposed within the space or channel  22  so as to reflect sunlight or a vehicle&#39;s lights in order to provide the oncoming motorist, as indicated by the arrow  25 , with a visual indication that the motorist is approaching or entering a construction zone or work area. Alternatively, in lieu of the reflective strip  23 , the entire marker  10  may simply be brightly colored so as to similarly provide the oncoming motorist with the necessary visual warning.  
       [0005] With reference being further made to FIG. 2, a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM), which is similar to the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  10  disclosed in FIG. 1 of the present drawings as well as within FIG. 1 of the Speer et al. patent, is disclosed at  110  and is seen to likewise have a substantially L-shaped configuration. In particular, the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  comprises a horizontally disposed leg or base member  112 , and a vertically upstanding leg member  114  integrally connected to the horizontally disposed leg or base member  112  by means of a transitional region  116 . An adhesive pad  118  is fixedly secured to an undersurface or lower face portion of the horizontally disposed leg or base member  112 , and in turn, a release sheet  120  is secured to an undersurface or lower face portion of the adhesive pad  118  so as to prevent the adhesive pad  118  from being inadvertently adhesively bonded to any surface, other than that particular location or portion of the roadway to which the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is to be fixedly secured, prior to the actual fixation of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  upon a selected location or portion of the roadway. As was the case with the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  10  of FIG. 1 of the present drawings as well as those of Speer et al., the upper end portion of the vertically upstanding leg member  114  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  also comprises a pair of horizontally disposed rib members  122 , 122  which define a space or channel  124  therebetween for housing or accommodating a suitable reflector strip, not shown. Alternatively, the entire extrusion comprising the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  may be fabricated from a suitable plastic material which is brightly colored, that is, it may be fabricated from a suitable resin material which is white or yellow.  
       [0006] The temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are normally placed upon the roadway surface during an extended period of time that construction or other road work is being performed upon the roadway surface, and therefore prior to the completion of the entire construction or other road work as well as the application of the permanent traffic lane lines to the roadway surface. Accordingly, in order to protect the reflector strip, not shown, which is adapted to be disposed, housed, or accommodated within the space or channel  124  defined between the pair of horizontally disposed rib members  122 , 122 , or alternatively, in order to protect the upper portion of the vertically upstanding leg member  114  when such portion of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is to be used as the visual warning to oncoming motorists, from road paving materials, debris, and the like, a protective cover  126 , fabricated from a suitable clear plastic material and having a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration, is disposed over the upper free edge portion of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110 . When the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are to be subsequently used in conjunction with, for example, their traffic lane delineation functions, the protective covers  126  are removed, and still further, when the need for the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  is no longer required in view of the completion of the construction or other roadwork, and the application of the permanent traffic lane lines to the roadway surface, the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  must obviously be removed from the roadway surface. Until now, the process for mounting and securing the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  upon the roadway surfaces was accomplished manually whereby construction workmen or other personnel would have to manually deposit the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  onto the roadway surface as a result of, for example, removing the release sheet  120  and pressing the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  onto the roadway surface so as to cause the adhesive bonding of the same to the roadway surface. Obviously, such procedures are quite tedious and time-consuming. In addition, in view of the fact that the construction workmen or other personnel are physically present upon the particular roadway surface during the performance of such temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) application operations, the workmen or personnel are unnecessarily exposed to dangerous vehicular conditions present upon the roadway.  
       [0007] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved device, machine, or apparatus for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces so as to serve their useful purposes and functions in defining or delineating traffic lanes within construction zones or maintenance and repair areas, wherein, in particular, the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) can be applied to the roadway surface in a relatively rapid manner, wherein the construction workmen or other operator personnel do not need to tediously perform such removal operations manually, and in addition, and just as importantly, wherein the operator personnel or construction workers will not be needlessly exposed to dangerous roadway conditions presented by oncoming automotive vehicular traffic.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device or apparatus for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces.  
       [0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device or apparatus for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces whereby the operational drawbacks and disadvantages characteristic of the PRIOR ART techniques currently employed for applying the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to the roadway surfaces are effectively overcome.  
       [0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device or apparatus for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces wherein the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) can be automatically applied to the roadway surfaces.  
       [0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device or apparatus for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces wherein the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) can be automatically applied to the roadway surfaces such that construction workers or other operator personnel do not have to manually apply such temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to the roadway surfaces in a tedious and relatively slow manner.  
       [0012] A last object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device or apparatus for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces wherein the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) can be automatically applied to the roadway surfaces such that the construction workers or other operator personnel do not have to manually apply such temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to the roadway surfaces and thereby not be unnecessarily exposed to dangerous roadway conditions presented by oncoming automotive vehicular traffic.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a first embodiment of a new and improved apparatus or machine for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces which is operatively connected to a roadwork service vehicle or truck by means of a suitable hitch mechanism so as to be towed along a roadway surface onto which a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMS) are to be placed. The machine or apparatus comprises a primary conveyor wherein temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) are able to be mounted upon an upstream region thereof by means of an operator or workman stationed within a rear portion of the roadwork service vehicle or truck, and the primary conveyor conveys the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) downstream to a position adjacent to a secondary conveyor. A slide mechanism transfers alternate ones of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto a secondary conveyor, and temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) disposed upon both the primary and secondary conveyors are then conveyed further downstream into vertically oriented delivery chutes. A pair of first transfer piston-cylinder assemblies move the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) toward second applicator piston-cylinder assemblies which apply the pair of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto the roadway surface in adjacent pairs, thereby simulating double-yellow traffic lane lines for separating opposite lanes of vehicular traffic. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wheel applicators are utilized to apply the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto the roadway surface in lieu of the piston-cylinder applicators. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional PRIOR ART temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM);  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) of the type which is adapted to be applied to a roadway surface, by means of the device, machine, or apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, in order to desirably define or delineate simulated roadway traffic lines;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a left side, rearward facing perspective view of the new and improved apparatus or machine, for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and wherein the apparatus or machine is shown being towed behind a roadwork service vehicle or truck so as to apply temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces in longitudinally spaced pairs so as to simulate, for example, a permanent double traffic line which normally separates opposite moving oncoming lanes of traffic;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the upper, horizontally disposed upstream end portion of the primary temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) conveyor upon which the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) are initially loaded by means of an operator or workman;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view wherein the downwardly inclined section of the primary temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) conveyor has the paddle members fixedly mounted upon the outer surface thereof so as to be disposed in an upstanding manner upon the upper flight section of the conveyor so as to be capable of conveying the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) therealong;  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a bottom, front perspective view of the downwardly inclined section of the primary temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) conveyor as shown in FIG. 5 showing the dependent paddle members being conveyed along the lower return flight section of the conveyor;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the internal components of the new and improved temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) applicator apparatus or machine of the present invention showing the details of the pavement marker slide mechanism operatively associated with the primary and secondary conveyors for transferring a pavement marker from the primary conveyor to the secondary conveyor;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the internal components of the new and improved apparatus or machine, for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces as shown in FIG. 3 and illustrating the primary and secondary conveyors, the slide mechanism for transferring a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) from the primary conveyor to the secondary conveyor, and the transfer piston-cylinder assemblies for moving the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM), after being delivered vertically downwardly by conveyor chutes, to applicator piston-cylinder assemblies for application of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) onto the roadway surface;  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a left side perspective view showing one of the motor-gear conveyor drives, one of the vertically oriented delivery chutes, and the transfer piston-cylinder assembly components of the new and improved temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) applicator apparatus or machine;  
     [0024]FIG. 9 a  is an enlarged view of FIG. 9 showing further details of the disposition of one of the ram piston-cylinder assemblies with respect to one of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) delivery chutes and its operatively associated placement piston-cylinder assembly;  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the internal components of the new and improved temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) applicator apparatus or machine as illustrated within FIG. 8 showing further details of the pavement marker slide mechanism and the photodetectors operatively associated with the primary and secondary conveyors;  
     [0026]FIG. 11 is a left side perspective view of that region of the machine or apparatus as illustrated within FIG. 9 showing the operative connection of the drive motor and the gear assembly to the secondary conveyor;  
     [0027]FIG. 12 is an enlarged front perspective view of the primary and secondary conveyors, and the pavement marker slide mechanism operatively associated therewith, disclosing details of the primary and secondary conveyors which enable a pavement marker to be laterally transferred from the primary conveyor to the secondary conveyor;  
     [0028]FIG. 13 is an enlarged front perspective view of the primary and secondary conveyors, and the pavement marker slide mechanism operatively associated therewith, showing a bridge member interposed between the primary and secondary conveyors for enabling the pavement marker slide mechanism to laterally transfer a pavement marker from the primary conveyor onto an empty pavement marker paddle member of the secondary conveyor;  
     [0029]FIG. 14 is an enlarged front perspective view similar to that of FIG. 13 showing, however, the transferred pavement marker placed over the paddle member of the secondary conveyor;  
     [0030]FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view showing a pair of pavement markers disposed within the bottom regions of the delivery chutes, and the pair of transfer piston-cylinder assemblies in readiness for simultaneously moving the pair of pavement markers toward the applicator piston-cylinder assemblies;  
     [0031]FIGS. 16 a - c  are schematic drawings illustrating the sequential operations comprising the downward passage of a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) through one of the vertically oriented delivery chutes, and the subsequent transfer of the delivered temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM), by one of the transfer piston-cylinder assemblies, from its disposition beneath the delivery chute to its application position beneath the drive ram of the applicator piston-cylinder assembly;  
     [0032]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a new and improved machine or apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof for applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto roadway surfaces;  
     [0033]FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view showing the details of one of the wheel applicator assemblies used within the machine or apparatus disclosed within FIG. 17 for applying the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) onto the roadway surfaces; and  
     [0034]FIG. 19 is a close-up detailed side elevational view showing the beginning of the application operation as being performed upon a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) as the same is being applied onto a roadway surface. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0035] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS.  3 - 6  thereof, a new and improved apparatus or machine for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  210 . The machine or apparatus  210  is seen to comprise a wheeled vehicle  212  comprising a central housing  214  rollably supported by means of a pair of wheel assemblies  216 , and a trailer hitch assembly  218  permits the machine or apparatus  210  to be pulled along a roadway surface  220  by means of a roadwork service vehicle or truck  222 . Without describing the trailer hitch assembly  218  in great detail in view of the fact that the trailer hitch assembly  218  does not comprise a critically important feature of the actual invention, it is noted that the trailer hitch assembly  218  does comprise a plurality of telescopically adjustable members which permits the wheeled vehicle  212 , upon which the apparatus or machine of the present invention  210  is operatively mounted, to be operatively connected to the roadwork service truck or vehicle  222  in such a manner as to be selectively towed either directly behind the roadwork service truck or vehicle  222  or to be disposed at a towed position which is effectively offset toward one side of the roadwork service truck or vehicle  222 . In either case, in accordance with the operative principles and teachings of the present invention, the apparatus or machine  210  is capable of applying a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to the roadway surface  220  in dual sets of markers  110  so as to effectively simulate, for example, a double yellow line which conventionally separates oppositely directed or oncoming lanes of vehicular traffic.  
     [0036] The apparatus or machine  210  is seen to further comprise a primary conveyor  224  which comprises an upstream, horizontally disposed section  226 , and a downstream, downwardly inclined section  228 , and as can best be appreciated from FIG. 3, when the wheeled vehicle portion  212  of the apparatus or machine  210  of the present invention is operatively connected to the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222  by means of the trailer hitch assembly  218 , the upstream end portion of the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  will be disposed above the rear end section of the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222  so that an operator or workman, who is stationed within or upon the rear end section of the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222 , can serially load temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  onto the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224 . As can be best appreciated from FIGS.  4 - 6 , the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224  is formed by means of a pair of laterally spaced angle irons  230 , 230 , and a centrally located U-shaped channel bar  232 , wherein the upstanding leg members of the channel bar  232  are welded, for example, to the upper ends of the vertically oriented leg members of the angle irons  230 , 230 .  
     [0037] The base portion of the U-shaped channel bar  232  therefore effectively serves as a support platform upon which an upper flight section of a primary conveyor belt  234  is translationally supported during the conveyance movement thereof along the horizontally disposed conveyor section  226 , and it is seen further that the outer surface portion of the primary conveyor belt  234  is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, perpendicularly oriented paddles or tabs  236  for operatively engaging and seating the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 . Accordingly, as the primary conveyor belt  234  is conveyed along the support platform of the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224 , as well as along the downstream, downwardly inclined section  228  of the primary conveyor  224 , the paddles or tabs  236  will cause conveyance of the temporary raised pavement mark-ers (TRPM)  110  along the primary conveyor  224 . In connection with the downstream, downwardly inclined section  228  of the primary conveyor  224 , it can best be appreciated from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the structure of such downstream, down-wardly inclined conveyor section  228  is somewhat similar to that of the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224 , with slight variations.  
     [0038] More particularly, for example, the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  may comprise a pair of laterally separated T-shaped angle iron members  238 , 238  wherein the orientation of each angle iron member  238  is effectively rotated 90° such that the normally horizontally oriented upper cross-member  240  is oriented vertically while the normally vertically oriented leg member  242  is oriented horizontally. Fixedly interposed between the vertically oriented members  240 , 240  of the two laterally spaced angle iron members  238 ,  238  is a substantially U-shaped channel bar  244  wherein, as was the case with the U-shaped channel bar  232 , the base portion of the U-shaped channel bar  244  effectively serves as a support platform upon which the upper flight section of the primary conveyor belt  234  is translationally supported during the conveyance movement thereof along the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228 . The downstream end portion of the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  has a conveyor drive pulley, not shown, around which the primary conveyor belt  234  is routed so as to in fact be driven thereby, and the upstream end portion of the horizontally disposed upstream conveyor section  226  similarly has an idler pulley  246  rotatably mounted upon and between the vertically oriented leg members of the angle iron members  230 , 230  by means of a pair of mounting brackets  248 , as best seen in FIG. 4, whereby the primary conveyor belt  234  comprises an endless conveyor belt. Accordingly, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 6, as the primary conveyor belt  234  is conducted back from the downstream end region of the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  toward the upstream end region of the horizontally disposed conveyor section  226 , a lower flight section of the primary conveyor belt  234  is effectively formed and is interposed between the vertically downwardly extending portions of the vertically oriented members  240 , 240  of the two laterally spaced angle iron members  238 ,  238 .  
     [0039] In order to provide the primary conveyor belt  234  with a predetermined degree of tension, as well as to conform the routing of the lower flight section of the primary conveyor belt  234  to that of the orientations of the horizontally disposed and inclined conveyor sections  226 , 228 , a tension roller  250  is rotatably mounted underneath the primary conveyor  224  within the vicinity of the intersection of the horizontally disposed conveyor section  226  and the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228 . The tension roller  250  has its opposite ends fixedly mounted within a pair of mounting brackets  252 , 252 , and it is seen that the mounting brackets  252 , 252  are adjustably mounted upon undersurface portions of the horizontally oriented leg members  242 , 242  of the angle iron members  238 , 238  by means of suitable bolt fasteners  254 , 254  and slot structures  256 , 256  formed within the mounting brackets  252 , 252 . It is seen that the lower flight section of primary conveyor belt  234  passes over the tension roller  250 , and accordingly, the tension roller  250  has a squirrel-cage structure which will permit the paddles or tabs  236  of the primary conveyor belt  234 , which project downwardly from the lower flight section of the primary conveyor belt  234 , to be operatively accommodated without substantial interference as the paddles or tabs  236  traverse or pass over the tension roller  250 .  
     [0040] As has been noted hereinbefore, when the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are to be placed or loaded upon the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224  by means of an operator or workman, the release sheet  120  will firstly be removed from the underside of the adhesive pad  118  of each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110 , and each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is then placed upon one of the vertically upstanding paddles, tabs, or carriers  236  disposed upon the upper flight section of the conveyor belt  234  which is supported upon the base portion of the U-shaped channel bar  232  as seen in FIG. 4. When each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is placed upon a respective one of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 , the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  will be oriented such that the apex or transitional region  116  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  will extend or be disposed upwardly. In addition, the normally horizontal leg member  112  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  will be inclined vertically downwardly from the elevated apex or transitional region  116  so as to extend in the downstream direction, while the normally vertical leg member  114  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  will be inclined vertically downwardly from the elevated apex or transitional region  116  so as to extend in the upstream direction. In view of such set positions of the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  upon their respective ones of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 , and in view of the horizontal disposition of the upper flight section of the conveyor belt  234  as supported upon the base portion of the U-shaped channel bar  232  of the upstream, horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224 , no additional structure is required to maintain the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  disposed or seated upon their respective ones of the carriers, paddles, or tabs  236 .  
     [0041] However, when the conveyor belt  234  continues to move in the downstream direction so as to travel over the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  of the primary conveyor  224 , the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  will tend to become dislodged or separated from their conveyor tabs, paddles, or carriers  236  unless restrained in some manner. Accordingly, structure must be provided upon the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  of the primary conveyor  224  in order to restrain the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  and to maintain the same seated upon their respective tabs, paddles, or carriers  236  so that the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  can in fact be properly conveyed downstream, at precise moments in time, for application onto the roadway surface  220  by means of the additional structural components comprising the present invention, as will be disclosed further hereinafter.  
     [0042] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure for restraining the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 , and for maintaining the same seated upon their conveyor belt paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 , comprises a pair of oppositely disposed flanged members  258  which extend inwardly toward each other from the upper, vertically oriented members  240 , 240  of the two laterally spaced angle iron members  238 , 238 . The flanged members  258  will effectively be disposed a predetermined distance above the base portion of the U-shaped channel bar  244  so as to define therewith a space therebetween within which the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  can be accommodated. The inner edge portions of the flanged members  258  will also extend inwardly a sufficient distance so as to effectively cover the outer side regions of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  thereby preventing the same from flipping or inverting whereby the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  will not become dislodged or separated from their respective conveyor paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 . In furtherance of the function of the inwardly extending flanged members  258 , it is seen, as best appreciated from FIG. 4, that upstream end portions of the flanged members  258  commence at the downstream end portion of the horizontally disposed section  226  of the primary conveyor  224 , or in other words, at the intersection of the horizontally disposed and the downwardly inclined sections  226 , 228  of the primary conveyor  224 .  
     [0043] Continuing further, and with reference now being made to FIGS.  7 - 16   c , a first vertically oriented delivery chute  260 , the upper end of which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, while the lower end thereof is shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, is disposed adjacent to the lower downstream end of the inclined section  228  of the primary conveyor  224 . In this manner, as the downstream end of the primary conveyor belt  234  is looped around the primary conveyor drive pulley, not shown, so as to continue back toward the upstream end of the primary conveyor belt  234  along the lower flight section thereof as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  will be discharged from the primary conveyor belt  234  and into the first vertically oriented delivery chute  260 . Laterally disposed toward the left of the downstream region of the primary conveyor belt  234 , there is disposed a second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  which is adapted to be movably mounted upon a base surface portion  263  of a second auxiliary conveyor  264  which comprises structure that is substantially similar to that of the primary conveyor  224  except that the longitudinal extent or length of the second auxiliary conveyor  264  is considerably less than that of the first primary conveyor  224 . As best seen, for example, within FIGS. 7 and 11- 14 , the upstream end of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  is routed around an idler pulley  266  rotatably mounted within suitable bracket structures  268  operatively associated with the second auxiliary conveyor  264 , and as best seen in FIG. 13, the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  has a plurality of paddles, carriers, or tabs  270  fixedly mounted thereon in a manner similar to the disposition of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236  fixedly mounted upon the primary conveyor belt  234 . In this manner, as was the case with the primary conveyor belt  234 , a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  can be conveyed upon the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  and discharged at the downstream end thereof into a second vertically oriented delivery chute  272  which is clearly shown within FIGS.  8 , 9 , 9   a , and  15 .  
     [0044] The purpose of having the second auxiliary conveyor  264 , and the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  thereof, is to provide the machine or apparatus  210  of the present invention with the capability, if desired, of simultaneously discharging temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  in a side-by-side fashion onto the roadway surface  220  as disclosed within FIG. 3 so as to, for example, simulate a double-yellow line separating oncoming lanes of vehicular traffic. In addition, it is also more expeditious from an operational point of view to simply require an operator or workman to serially load a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  onto a single conveyor and to provide a means within the apparatus or machine  210  for subsequently transferring, for example, alternative ones of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  from the first primary conveyor  224  to the second auxiliary conveyor  264  than to require the operator or workman to simultaneously load temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  into both the primary and auxiliary conveyors  224 , 264 . Accordingly, in order to achieve such transfer of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  from the first primary conveyor  224  to the second auxiliary conveyor  264 , a laterally or transversely movable slide mechanism  274  is employed. More particularly, as seen within FIGS. 7,8, and  10 - 14 , the slide mechanism  274  comprises a framework  276  upon which a pair of oppositely disposed right and left end plates  278 , 280  are fixedly mounted, and a plurality of guide rods  282  have their opposite ends fixedly mounted within the end plates  278 , 280 . A slide block  284  is mounted upon the guide rods  282  for slidable reciprocal movements between the right and left end plates  278 , 280  under the control of suitable pneumatically operated means, not shown, and a transfer plate  286  is fixedly mounted upon the right side of the slide block  284 . Predetermined ones, such as, for example, alternative ones, of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 , conveyed downstream upon the first primary conveyor belt  234  and toward the slide block  284  by means of its upstanding carriers, paddles, or tabs  236 , as shown in FIG. 12, are adapted to be transferred to the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 , as shown in FIG. 13, in such a manner that the transferred temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  will be deposited or seated upon the paddles, tabs, or carriers  270  of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  whereby the transferred temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  can be conveyed further downstream by means of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  272  toward the second vertically oriented delivery chute  272 .  
     [0045] As best seen in FIG. 13, in order to actually achieve such transfer of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  from the primary conveyor belt  234  to the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 , the upstream end region of the base section  263  of the second auxiliary conveyor  264  is integrally provided with a laterally extending bridge platform  288  which is disposed within the space separating the first primary and second auxiliary conveyors  224 , 264  so as to effectively provide a laterally extending continuum between the first primary and second auxiliary conveyors  224 , 264 . In addition, an upstanding bridge plate  290  is integrally formed upon the bridge platform  288  so as to effectively support each one of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  as each one of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  is individually transferred from the first primary conveyor  224  to the second auxiliary conveyor  264  by means of the transfer plate  286  mounted upon the slide block  284 . It is to be understood that the transfer plate  286  has a slot, not shown, formed within a bottom portion thereof such that, as the slide block  284  is moved from its extreme right position, as shown in FIG. 7, at which the slide block  284  is aligned with the first primary conveyor  224 , to its extreme left position at which the slide block  284  will be aligned with the second auxiliary conveyor  264 , the transfer plate  286  can operatively engage a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  disposed upon one of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236  of the first primary conveyor belt  234 , transfer the same across the bridge platform  288  and over the bridge plate  290 , and onto one of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  270  of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  as disclosed within FIGS. 13 and 14, without encountering any interference with the upstanding bridge plate  290 .  
     [0046] Continuing further with respect to the transversely slidable movement of the slide block  284 , and in particular in order to facilitate the transverse movement of the transfer plate  286 , it is additionally noted, as can best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, that sections of the oppositely disposed inwardly extending flanged members  258  of the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  of the primary conveyor  224  are effectively interrupted or removed within the region of the slide block  284  and transfer plate  286 . In a similar manner, the channel member which effectively forms the second auxiliary conveyor  264  is provided with inwardly extending flanged members  292  so as to serve the same function in conjunction with the second auxiliary conveyor  264  as the inwardly extending flanged members  258  provide in conjunction with the downwardly inclined conveyor section  228  of the primary conveyor  224 , however, it is noted that the inwardly extending flanged members  292  commence at a position which is immediately downstream of that section of the second auxiliary conveyor  264  onto which a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  has been transferred by the slide block  284  and transfer plate  286 .  
     [0047] In order to actually control the movement of the slide block  284  and the transfer plate  286  so as to in fact achieve the transfer of the individual temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  from the first primary conveyor  224  to the second auxiliary conveyor  264 , it is further noted, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 12- 14 , that a mounting bracket  294  is fixedly mounted upon the slide mechanism framework  276 , and a pair of photodetectors  296 , 298 , or other similar devices, are fixedly mounted upon the mounting bracket  294  so as to respectively operatively monitor the downstream portion of the first primary conveyor belt  234  within the region of the slide block  284 , and the upstream portion of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 . The photodetectors  296 , 298  are utilized to monitor and detect the presence or absence of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  at their relative transversely aligned positions upon both the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  along the transverse axis passing through the bridge plate  290  as may be best appreciated from FIGS. 13 and 14. More particularly, as may best be appreciated from FIG. 7, as one of the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236  of the first primary auxiliary conveyor belt  234 , upon which a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is positioned, approaches the slide mechanism  274 , the presence of a temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  upon the paddle, tab, or carrier  236  will be detected by means of the photodetector  296  and an appropriate signal generated thereby will be transmitted to a program logic controller (PLC)  300  which is located within a control box  302  which forms a part of the central housing  214  of the apparatus or machine  210  as disclosed within FIG. 3. At the same time, a suitable signal is generated by the photodetector  298  indicating that the transversely aligned and corresponding paddle, tab, or carrier  270  of the second au-xiliary conveyor belt  262  does not have a temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  positioned thereon, and such signal is also transmitted to the program logic controller (PLC)  300 .  
     [0048] Accordingly, the program logic controller (PLC)  300  will generate a signal to actuate the control mechanism, not shown, operatively associated with the slide mechanism  274  so as to initiate transverse slidable movement of the slide block  284  and the transfer plate  286  whereby the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  which has been positioned upon the paddle, tab, or carrier  236  of the first primary conveyor belt  234  is now transferred onto the transversely aligned paddle, tab, or carrier  270  of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 . Both of the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  are adapted to be driven, as will be more particularly disclosed shortly hereinafter, by suitable drive mechanisms in accordance with an indexable type drive mode of operation which is also controlled by means of the program logic controller (PLC)  300 , and accordingly, at this point in time, the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  is maintained stationary.  
     [0049] Subsequently, after the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  has been transferred onto the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 , the slide block  284  and transfer plate  286  are returned to their original position as shown in FIG. 7 by means of its control system controlled by means of the program logic controller (PLC)  300 , and the program logic controller (PLC)  300  also generates a signal so as to index the primary conveyor belt  234  so as to advance the next paddle, tab, or carrier  236 , upon which a subsequent temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is located, such that the presence of such temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is now detected by means of the photodetector  296 . Since both photodetectors  296 , 298  have now transmitted PRESENT signals to the program logic controller (PLC)  300 , the program logic controller (PLC)  300  will now generate appropriate signals to both of the primary and auxiliary conveyor drive mechanisms whereby the primary and auxiliary conveyor belts  234 ,  262  will be advanced so as to convey the respective temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  toward the first and second vertically oriented delivery chutes  260 , 272 .  
     [0050] It is to be noted that the distance defined between the transfer positions, at which the paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 , 270  of the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  are transversely aligned with respect to each other, and the first and second delivery chutes  260 , 272  is the same as the distance defined between successive paddles, tabs, or carriers  236 , 270  upon the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  so as to always ensure the synchronization of the feeding of successive temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 , disposed upon the first primary conveyor belt  234 , to the transfer position of the first primary conveyor belt  234  with the subsequent feeding of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 , disposed upon both of the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  at their respective transversely aligned transfer positions, from such transversely aligned positions to the first and second delivery chutes  260 , 272 . It is of course to be further realized that since the drive mechanisms for the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  are under the control of the program logic controller (PLC)  300 , the frequency or cyclical rate at which the conveyor belt drive mechanisms are activated may be varied by the program logic controller (PLC)  300  so as to, in turn, vary the distances defined between successive locations or sites at which successive ones of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are applied to or mounted upon the roadway surface  220 . In connection with the drive mechanisms for the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262 , each one of the drive pulleys, not shown, operatively associated with the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262 , is driven by means of its separate drive mechanism which comprises a drive motor  304  and a gear mechanism which is disposed within a gear housing  306  as shown within FIGS.  7 - 11 . As seen in FIGS. 9 and 9 a , the drive motor  304  for the drive pulley of the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  has a dependent drive shaft disposed within a drive shaft housing  308 , and the motor drive shaft is operatively engaged with a gear drive disposed within the gear housing  306 . The output from the gear drive within the gear housing  306  comprises a gear coupling  310  which operatively connects the gear drive to the conveyor drive pulley, not shown. As has been noted, the structural components for the first primary conveyor belt  234  are substantially the same as those for the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262 , except that for spatial accommodation reasons, the orientation of some of the components may be somewhat different, as can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the axis of the drive motor  304  for the second auxiliary conveyor belt  262  is substantially vertical while the axis of the drive motor  304  for the first primary conveyor belt  234  is substantially horizontal.  
     [0051] With reference now being made to FIGS.  8 , 9 , 9   a ,  15 , and  16   a - 16   c , when the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are conveyed into the vertically oriented delivery chutes  260 , 272 , and due the fact that the upper, upstream end portion of each delivery chute  260 , 272  has an arcuate configuration as may best be appreciated from FIGS. 9 a  and  10 , the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  are delivered to the lower, downstream end portion of each delivery chute  260 , 272  in an orientation whereby the normally horizontally disposed leg member  112  of each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is disposed horizontally and extends in the forward direction as schematically illustrated within FIG. 16 a . A pair of laterally spaced, horizontally disposed, dual-actuated transfer piston-cylinder assemblies  312 , 312  are each mounted upon a suitable framework  313  operatively associated with the lower, downstream end portion of each delivery chute  260 , 272 , and as best seen in FIG. 16 a , the piston rod  314  of each piston-cylinder assembly  312  has a substantially U-shaped support plate  316  mounted upon the distal end of the piston rod  314 .  
     [0052] When the piston rod  314  of each piston-cylinder assembly  312  is extended, the support plate  316  is positioned beneath the lower open end of its operatively associated delivery chute  260 , 272  such that the particular temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  that has been delivered to the bottom or lower end portion of the delivery chute  260 ,  272  will be seated atop the support plate  316 . The support plate  316  is provided with its U-shaped configuration so as to minimize adhesion of the adhesive pad  118  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  to the support plate  316 , and in order to further minimize such adhesion, the support plate  316  can be fabricated from or coated with any suitable material exhibiting non-stick properties, such as, for example, MAGNAPLATE®.  
     [0053] In order to actually apply or bond each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  to the roadway surface  220  by means of its adhesive pad  118 , an applicator piston-cylinder assembly  318  is disposed in front of each delivery chute  260 , 272  as shown in FIGS. 9,9 a , and  16   c , although only the applicator piston-cylinder assembly  318  operatively associated with the delivery chute  272  is actually visible. In addition to the provision of the transfer assemblies  312  and the applicator assemblies  318 , a pair of photodetectors  320 , 320  are respectively operatively associated with the lower end portions of the delivery chutes  260 , 272  so as to detect the presence of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  at positions within the bottom or lower end portions of the delivery chutes  260 , 272  and atop the support plates  316  of the transfer assemblies  312  as a result of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  traversing the delivery chutes  260 , 272  after being discharged into the delivery chutes  260 , 272  from the first primary and second auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262 .  
     [0054] The photodetectors  320 , 320  are operatively connected to the program logic controller (PLC)  300 , and therefore, when the photodetectors  320 , 320  detect the presence of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  at their positions within the bottom or lower end portions of the delivery chutes  260 , 272  and atop the support plates  316  of the transfer assemblies  312 , signals are generated and transmitted to the program logic controller (PLC)  300 . Accordingly, the program logic controller (PLC)  300  will generate appropriate control signals for actuating the transfer assemblies  312  whereby the piston rods  314  and the attached support plates  316  are moved to their retracted positions as illustrated within FIG. 16 b.    
     [0055] A transfer rail  322  is fixedly disposed beneath each one of the delivery chutes  260 , 272  such that the support plates  316  of the transfer assemblies  312  are interposed between the transfer rails  322  and the delivery chutes  260 , 272  when the piston rods  314  and the support plates  316  are disposed at their extended positions. When the piston rods  314  and the attached support plates  316  are therefore moved to their retracted positions as illustrated within FIG. 16 b , the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  drop downwardly onto the transfer rails  322  and are now ready to be moved toward the applicator assemblies  318 . Accordingly, when the transfer assemblies  312  are subsequently actuated whereby the piston rods  314  and the support plates  316  are moved to their extended positions as shown in FIG. 16 c , the vertical leg members  114  of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  will effectively be trapped between the support plates  316  and the applicator assemblies  318 . At the same time that the piston rods  314  and the support plates  316  are moved to their extended positions as illustrated in FIG. 16 c , the program logic controller (PLC)  300  will also generate a signal so as to actuate the conveyor belt drive motors  304  whereby the primary and auxiliary conveyor belts  234 , 262  will advance other temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 ′ into the delivery chutes  260 ,  272  so as to be placed atop the support plates  316 . Lastly, the program logic controller (PLC)  300  generates another control signal so as to cause the actuation or firing of the applicator assemblies  318  whereby the piston rods  324  thereof, which have ram members  326  fixedly mounted upon the distal ends thereof, are extended such that the ram members  326  engage the horizontal leg members  112  of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  and force the same into engagement with the roadway surface  220  whereby the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  will be adhesively bonded to the roadway surface  220 . Simultaneously with the actuation or firing of the applicator assemblies  318 , the program logic controller (PLC)  300  also causes the transfer assemblies  312  to be retracted thereby permitting the subsequently advanced temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 ′, which were disposed atop the support plates  316 , to drop down onto each transfer rail  322 . The cyclic operations are then repeated in order to successively apply a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  onto the roadway surface  220 .  
     [0056] Referring now to FIGS.  17 - 19 , a second embodiment of a new and improved apparatus or machine for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces, as also constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  410 . It is to be noted that, in connection with those components of the second embodiment of the new and improved apparatus or machine  410  of the present invention for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces, which correspond to similar components of the first embodiment of the new and improved apparatus or machine  210  of the present invention for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces, such components will be designated by similar reference characters except that they will be within the  400  series. Accordingly, it is seen, for example, that the new and improved apparatus or machine  410  of the present invention for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces comprises a wheeled vehicle  412  which includes a central housing  414  that is adapted to be rollably supported upon the roadway surface by means of pair of laterally spaced wheel assemblies  416 . In addition, a trailer hitch assembly  418  permits the machine or apparatus  410  to be operatively connected to a roadwork service vehicle or truck, similar to that disclosed at  222  within FIG. 3, so as to be pulled along the roadway surface by means of the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222 .  
     [0057] As may readily be recalled in connection with the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210  for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces, the machine or apparatus  210  comprised a first primary upstream conveyor  224  and a second auxiliary downstream conveyor  264 , however, contrary to such a structural arrangement, and in accordance with the second embodiment of the new and improved apparatus or machine  410  for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces, the use of primary and secondary conveyors  224 , 264  has been eliminated, and in lieu thereof, there is provided a pair of laterally spaced conveyors  424  each one of which is substantially similar to the primary conveyor  224  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210  for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to roadway surfaces. More particularly, as was the case with the primary conveyor  224 , each one of the conveyors  424  comprises an upstream, horizontally disposed section  426 , and a downstream, downwardly inclined section  428  wherein, again, as was the case with the primary conveyor  224 , when the wheeled vehicle portion  412  of the apparatus or machine  410  is operatively connected to the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222  by means of the trailer hitch assembly  418 , an upstream end portion of each upstream, horizontally disposed section  426  of each conveyor  424  will be disposed above the rear end section of the roadwork service vehicle or truck  222  such that an operator or workman, who is stationed within or upon the rear end section of the roadwork service truck or vehicle  222 , can serially load temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  onto the upstream, horizontally disposed section  426  of each conveyor  424 .  
     [0058] In view of the fact that each conveyor  424  is substantially similar to the primary conveyor  224  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210 , further details of each conveyor  424  will be omitted herefrom in the interest of brevity, however, it is noted that each conveyor  424  is of course provided with its own drive motor, not shown but similar to, for example, the drive motor  304  as disclosed in conjunction with the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210 , and the activation and control of such drive motors, not shown, are under the control of a program logic controller (PLC)  500  which is similar to the program logic controller (PLC)  300  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210 . Still further, in view of the effective elimination of the combination of the relatively long primary conveyor  224  and the relatively short secondary conveyor  264  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210 , and the replacement of the same by means of the pair of conveyors  424 , 424  of the second embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  410 , the slide transfer mechanism  274  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210  has likewise been eliminated, and therefore, in accordance with the structural arrangement which is further characteristic of the second embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  410  of the present invention, it is specifically noted from FIG. 18 that the downstream end portion of each one of the downwardly inclined conveyor sections  428 , 428  is adapted to be operatively connected to an upstream end portion of a vertically oriented chute member  430 , 430  each one of which is substantially similar to the chute members  260 , 272 .  
     [0059] In addition, the transfer and applicator assemblies  312 , 318  of the first embodiment of the new and improved machine or apparatus  210  of the present invention have also been eliminated, and in lieu thereof, a pair of laterally spaced wheel applicator assemblies  432 , only one of which is actually shown in FIG. 18, is adapted to be operatively associated with each one of the vertically oriented chute members  430 , 430  so as to apply the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMS)  110  onto the roadway surface  220 . Each one of the wheel applicator assemblies  432  comprises a pair of applicator wheels  434 , 434  which are rotatably mounted upon a axle  436 , and as can best be appreciated from FIG. 19, the applicator wheels  434 , only one of which is partially shown in FIG. 19, are disposed adjacent the lower end portion of each vertically oriented chute member  430 . More particularly, the lower end portion of each vertically oriented chute member  430  is seen to comprise an arcuately configured transitional region  438 , and a planar free end portion  440  which is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the roadway surface  220  so as to properly discharge each one of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  out from the vertically oriented chute member  430  and to deposit the same onto the roadway surface  220 .  
     [0060] It is specifically noted that when each temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is discharged from the vertically oriented chute member  430  and deposited onto the roadway surface  220 , the normally vertically oriented leg member  114  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is disposed substantially horizontally, while the normally horizontally oriented leg member  112  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is disposed vertically. In addition, it is further noted that the upper edge portion  125  of the normally vertically oriented leg member  114  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  is the part of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  that first encounters the roadway surface  220 , and immediately upon encountering the roadway surface  220 , the applicator wheels  434 , 434  encounter the upper edge portion  125  of the horizontally disposed leg member  114  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  so as to effectively fixedly retain the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  at its deposited position upon the roadway surface  220 . In this manner, when the applicator wheels  434 , 434  move forwardly as a result of the wheeled vehicle  412  being pulled along the roadway surface  220  by means of the roadwork service truck or vehicle  222 , the applicator wheels  434 , 434  will roll over the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  causing the same attain a substantially flattened state facilitated by means of the transitional region  116  of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  as well as the inherent elasticity characteristic of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110 . As a result of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  attaining such a flattened state, the adhesive pad  118  will be adhesively bonded to the roadway surface  220 , and upon complete passage of the applicator wheels  434 , 434  beyond the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110 , the inherent resiliency of the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM)  110  will permit the leg member  114  to attain its normally vertical orientation.  
     [0061] With reference lastly being made to FIG. 18, the details of the mounting of each wheel applicator assembly  432  upon the wheeled vehicle  412  will now be described. The pair of wheel applicator assemblies  432  are adapted to be disposed internally within the central housing  414  of the wheeled vehicle  412 , and it is seen that each wheel applicator assembly  432  comprises an outer frame assembly  442  having a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration, and an inner frame assembly  442  likewise having a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration. The outer frame assembly  442  is fixedly secured to suitable support structure, not shown, of the wheeled vehicle  412  by means of bolt fasteners  443 , and the axle  436 , upon which the applicator wheels  434 , 434  are mounted, has its opposite ends mounted within side frame members  445 , 445  of the inner frame assembly  444 . A pair of shafts  446 , 446  extend laterally outwardly from each one of the side frame members  445 , 445  and are slidably disposed within suitable vertically oriented slots  448 , only one of which is shown, which are defined within side frame members  450 , 450  of the outer frame assembly  442 , and in this manner, the inner frame assembly  444  is vertically movable with respect to the outer frame assembly  442  so as to provide limited vertical movement for the applicator wheels  434 , 434 . A vertically oriented externally threaded rod  452  projects upwardly from an upper horizontally disposed frame member  454  of the inner frame assembly  444  so as to extend through an upper horizontally disposed frame member  456  of the outer frame assembly  442 .  
     [0062] A coil spring  458 , disposed around a lower end portion of the threaded rod  452 , is interposed between an undersurface portion of the upper frame member  456  of the outer frame assembly  442  and an upper surface portion of the upper frame member  454  of the inner frame assembly  444 , and an adjustment nut  460  is threadedly engaged upon the upper end portion of the threaded rod  452 . Accordingly, by operative engagement of the adjustment nut  460  with the threaded rod  452 , the disposition of the inner frame assembly  444 , and therefore the disposition of the applicator wheels  434 ,  434 , with respect to the outer frame assembly  442  and the roadway surface  220 , may be achieved. In this manner, the applicator wheels  434 , 434 , through means of their mounting upon the inner frame assembly  444 , are always properly engaged with the roadway surface  220  in a spring-biased, shock-absorber manner so as to accommodate any irregularities in the roadway surface  220  as well as to accommodate the rolling movement over the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs)  110  when the same are being applied onto the roadway surface  220 .  
     [0063] Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of a first embodiment of the present invention, there has been disclosed new and improved apparatus for automatically applying temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to roadway surfaces which comprises a conveyor for serially feeding a plurality of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) toward a vertically oriented delivery chute, a transfer piston-cylinder assembly disposed at the downstream end of the delivery chute for receiving each delivered temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) and transferring the same to an applicator piston-cylinder assembly, and an applicator ram disposed upon the applicator assembly piston rod for applying the temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) to the roadway surface. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, wheel applicators are utilized to apply the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) to the roadway surface.  
     [0064] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while the invention has been disclosed, for example, in connection with the simultaneous application of a dual set of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM) to the roadway surface, the program logic controller (PLC) of the first embodiment of the apparatus can be suitably programmed whereby the apparatus can be utilized to apply only a single temporary raised pavement marker (TRPM) to the roadway surface so as to effectively form only a single line of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM). In particular, the program logic controller (PLC) of the apparatus can be suitably programmed so as to operationally disable or override the photodetector  298  and the operation of the slide mechanism  284 . The temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110  may therefore be simply conveyed along primary conveyor  224  in a serially indexed manner so as to effectively form only a single line of temporary raised pavement markers (TRPM)  110 . In a similar manner, in connection with the second embodiment of the invention, the program logic controller (PLC) can likewise operationally control only one of the conveyors  424  while effectively disabling the other one of the conveyors  424  so as to again achieve the deposition of the temporary raised pavement markers (TRPMs) within only a single line of markers. It is therefore to be understood further that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.