Patent Abstract:
A road marking removal system creating a blasting mixture by injecting particulate matter from a media hopper into flowing compressed air. The blasting mixture is directed at a road marking via a blasting nozzle. The nozzle discharges the blasting mixture from within a marking removal head housing. A vacuum is applied to an interior of the marking removal head housing for collecting the residual material created by the removal process. The residual material consists of particulate matter, road marking debris, and the like. The collected material can optionally be sorted with material of an acceptable size being reclaimed and forwarded to the media hopper for reuse. The road marking removal system can be manually operated being integrated into a cart, or remotely operated when integrated into a vehicle.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing road markings. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a road marking removal system which propels a solid media in either dry or slurry format towards a road marking to abrade and remove the marking, while in parallel, collecting the residue via a vacuum system 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for removal of road markings. 
     Road surface markings are used on paved roadways to provide guidance and information to drivers and pedestrians. Uniformity of the markings is an important factor in minimizing confusion and uncertainty about their meaning. Road markings can identify lanes, direction of traffic flow, turning guidance, speed limits, school zones, and the like. Road markings are applied with a material that is capable of continuous, harsh conditions, including weather, vehicular traffic, debris, and other abrasive conditions. 
     Road markings are applied using a variety of materials, including paint, thermoplastic, plastic, epoxy, and the like. Additives such as reflective glass beads are mixed into the material to aid the driver. 
     The road markings are applied using materials designed to withstand abrasion from traffic, weather, and the like. Contrarily, there are scenarios where traffic control groups desire to remove the road markings. 
     Several inventors have disclosed road marking removal systems. Each of these utilises ultra high pressure water jet technology. Water jet technology requires a significant amount of energy to pressurize, accelerate and blast the water towards the road marking. The equipment required for the water jet technology is bulky and expensive. The use of water introduces the potential for corrosion as well as high maintenance. 
     A second process utilizes mechanical abrading or grinding. Contact removal is generally slow and creates a large mess. The debris is spewed about as a result of the rotational grinding process, directing a second cleanup process. The system can damage the road if the operator is not careful. 
     What is desired is a road marking removal system that is effective and also environmentally friendly. The system should be capable of operation with only a minimal impact to traffic. The preferred system would also be capable of for use in small, precision jobs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system, which blasts media through a marking removal head assembly. The removal head assembly utilizes a housing for controlling the media disbursement, then provides a collection nozzle for retrieving the residual material via a vacuum system. 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a road marking removal system comprising: 
     a marking removal head housing having a media inlet port in fluid communication with a blasting nozzle and a vacuum particle retrieval port for extracting residual particles; 
     an air compression unit; 
     a solid media hopper for injecting solid media into a media delivery conduit, the media conduit providing fluid communication between the air compressor unit and the media inlet port; 
     a vacuum unit; and 
     a vacuum conduit providing fluid communication between the vacuum particle retrieval port and the vacuum unit. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is an inclusion of a residue collection container in communication with the vacuum unit. 
     In yet another aspect, is an inclusion of a filtration system within the vacuum assembly, wherein the filtration system returns particles of a desired size to the solid media hopper. 
     While in another aspect, the blasting nozzle accelerates the blast media mixture towards the road marking. In one embodiment, the acceleration of the media is accomplished by reducing the diameter of the nozzle passageway along the flow path of the media. 
     And in another aspect, the road marking removal system is integrated onto a road marking removal vehicle. 
     In another aspect, the road marking removal head is operably mounted to a road marking removal frame. 
     While in another aspect, the road marking removal frame includes an articulating arm. 
     In yet another aspect, the road marking removal frame comprises at least one generally horizontally configured slide rail member. 
     While in another aspect, the marking removal head is mounted to a road marking removal arm, the arm having a frame mount disposed at the assembly end of the arm. The frame mount is slideably assembled to the slide rail member. 
     In yet another aspect, the road marking removal head can be removably attached to the road marking removal arm, allowing installation of the removal head onto a manually operated removal cart assembly. It is recognized the cart assembly can further comprise an auxiliary motor or other drive mechanism. 
     A method aspect of the present invention provides method of removal of road markings the method comprising the steps of: 
     providing compressed air; 
     combining particulate matter with flowing compressed air forming a blasting mixture; 
     transferring the blasting mixture to a road marking removal head, the head comprising a blasting nozzle; 
     passing the blasting mixture through the blasting nozzle, directing the blasting mixture towards a road marking; 
     applying a vacuum suction to the road marking removal head; 
     collecting the residual material via the vacuum; and 
     depositing the collected residual material in a residue collection container. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising a steps of filtering the collected residual material and returning residual material of a predetermined size to the solid media hopper. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising the steps of aligning the road marking removal head with a roadway marking via an operable mounting configuration. 
     In yet another aspect, the mounting configuration provides an articulating movement. 
     In yet another aspect, the mounting configuration provides a slideable motion sliding transverse to the vehicle. The mounting configuration further provides a height control by a pivotal assembly of the removal arm. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising the steps of aligning the road marking removal head with a roadway marking via a manual operation, whereby the road marking removal head is assembled to a manually operated removal cart assembly. An auxiliary drive system can provide power assistance to the manually operated cart assembly. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention are best understood as described in the detailed description and respective figures presented herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an exemplary block diagram illustrating the general components and flow of a road marking removal system; 
         FIG. 2  presents an isometric view of an exemplary road marking removal system as defined in  FIG. 1 , the removal system being integrated into a road marking removal vehicle, the road marking removal head being shown in a stored configuration; 
         FIG. 3  presents an isometric view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2 , the road marking removal head being shown in a first in use position; 
         FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2 , the road marking removal head being shown in a second in use position; 
         FIG. 5  presents an isometric view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2  detailing the operation of the road marking removal head; 
         FIG. 6  presents a side elevation view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents a front elevation view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  presents a sectioned view of a first exemplary road marking removal head, detailing a blasting nozzle and a vacuum assist sweeper assembly; 
         FIG. 9  presents a sectioned view of a second exemplary road marking removal head, detailing an articulating blasting nozzle; 
         FIG. 10  an isometric view of the road marking removal vehicle of  FIG. 2 , introducing a manually operated removal cart assembly; and 
         FIG. 11  presents an alternate exemplary block diagram illustrating the general components and flow of a road marking removal system incorporating a recycling subsystem. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 2 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Under certain circumstances, traffic management organizations need to alter road markings. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing road markings, referred to as a road marking removal system  100 , which is initially represented in the exemplary block diagram of  FIG. 1 . The road marking removal system  100  comprises an air compressor assembly  120 , which provides compressed air into the system. The air compressor assembly  120  includes an air compressor  122  which can be of any form factor and reasonable power to provide continuous air pressure as needed for removal of the road markings. The air compressor assembly  120  can additionally include an air pressure tank (not shown, but well understood), which provides a reservoir ensuring continuous flow of pressurized air. A media hopper assembly  130  introduces particulate matter into the flow of compressed air forming a blasting mixture. The particulate matter can include any of the following: sand, aluminum oxide, black beauty, steel grit, soda-bicarbonate, abrasive sponge, and the like. The media hopper assembly  130  includes a media hopper  132 . The media hopper  132  stores and feeds particulate matter into the airflow generated by the air compressor  122 . The blasting mixture is transferred to a marking removal head assembly  110  and discharged, being directed towards the road marking via a nozzle ( 170  of  FIG. 8  or  180  of  FIG. 9 ). A vacuum assembly  140  provides a vacuum to collect residue. The marking removal head assembly  110  includes a marking removal head housing  112 , which creates a micro removal working environment. The created micro removal working environment aids the vacuum force in collection of the residual material. Fluid communication is provided between each of the individual components via a series of conduits represented by flow arrows in the block diagram. 
     The road marking removal system  100  can be integrated into any of a variety of support apparatus. A first exemplary apparatus is a road marking removal vehicle  200 , wherein the road marking removal system  100  is integrated onto a donor truck  210 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7 . The donor truck  210  comprises the general components of a vehicle, including a truck frame  220 . The donor vehicle is preferably arranged such to expose an upper section of the truck frame  220  in a manner conducive for mounting the vacuum assembly  140  and media hopper assembly  130  thereon. The marking removal head assembly  110  can be operably integrated to the donor truck  210  via a road marking removal mounting frame  250 . The exemplary embodiment of the road marking removal mounting frame  250  is assembled to a front end of the donor truck  210 . This provides the driver with an optimal view of the marking removal head assembly  110  during use. The road marking removal mounting frame  250  is configured having a mounting frame slide rail  254  span between a pair of mounting frame end members  252 . The illustration presents a pair of round, tubular members being used for the mounting frame slide rail  254 . It is understood that any beam having a continuous cross sectional shape can be used for the mounting frame slide rail  254 , including an “I” beam, “C” channel, and the like. It is understood that although a slide configuration is presented as an exemplary embodiment, there are many other well-known assemblies providing mechanical movement. Any configuration providing movement in a plurality of directions to register the marking removal head assembly  110  to the road marking can be utilized. 
     The marking removal head assembly  110  is assembled to an extended end of a road marking removal pivotal arm  262 . A road marking removal frame mount  260  is assembled to a proximate end of the road marking removal pivotal arm  262 . The road marking removal frame mount  260  is slideably assembled to the mounting frame slide rail  254 . A slide bearing can be provided between the road marking removal frame mount  260  and the mounting frame slide rail  254  to aid in the sliding motion. The road marking removal frame mount  260  is slideably positioned along the mounting frame slide rail  254  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Any form of motion controlling device can be integrated into the assembly to position the road marking removal frame mount  260  across the mounting frame slide rail  254 . This can include motors, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a cable drive, and the like. The road marking removal pivotal arm  262  is pivotally assembled to the road marking removal frame mount  260 , whereby the road marking removal pivotal arm  262  rotates, positioning the marking removal head assembly  110  between a stored configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and an in use configuration ( FIG. 3 ). The road marking removal pivotal arm  262  can include additional motions to optimally position the marking removal head assembly  110  respective to the roadway and respective road marking  199  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Blasting mixture  115  is thrust through the removal media inlet port  114  of the marking removal head assembly  110  towards the road marking  199 . The blast mixture  115  abrades the road marking  199 , removing the road marking  199  from the roadway. The marking removal head assembly  110  includes a marking removal head housing  112 , which can optionally comprise a skirt or other peripheral seal to optimize a vacuum force provided by the vacuum  142 . The vacuum force generates a residue collection vacuum  117 , which removes the residual material entrapped within the interior of the marking removal head assembly  110  through the vacuum particle retrieval port  116 . It is noted that the vacuum particle retrieval port  116  be oriented rearward of the removal media inlet port  114 . The residual material is collected and stored within the residue collection container  144 . The residue collection container  144  is then emptied via any reasonable process. 
     The marking removal head assembly  110  can be configured with a variety of nozzle configurations, with two exemplary embodiments being presented in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The blasting nozzle can be any off the shelf nozzle, or a custom configuration. A fixed direction blasting nozzle  170  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The blast mixture  115  enters through the removal media inlet port  114  and flows towards the blasting nozzle  170 . The blasting nozzle  170  is configured with at least one nozzle port  172  having a nozzle inlet orifice  174  at an entrance end of the nozzle port  172  and a nozzle discharge orifice  176  at the discharge end of the nozzle inlet orifice  174 . The diameter of the nozzle inlet orifice  174  is greater than the diameter of the nozzle discharge orifice  176  causing the passing blast mixture  115  to accelerate. Where a plurality of nozzle ports  172  are utilised, the nozzle discharge orifice  176  may be arranged in fanning pattern as illustrated. Alternately, the nozzle discharge orifice  176  can be directed inward for a more focused pattern. A sweeper assembly  160  can be optionally integrated into the marking removal head assembly  110 . The exemplary sweeper assembly  160  includes a series of sweeper brushes  164  extending outward from a periphery of a sweeper roller  162 . The sweeper roller  162  is rotationally assembled to the marking removal head housing  112 . The sweeper assembly  160  can be rotationally driven via a motor, the residue collection vacuum  117 , and the like. The series of sweeper brushes  164  aid in mechanically collecting residual matter from within the interior of the marking removal head housing  112  and directing the residual matter towards the vacuum particle retrieval port  116 . A sealing skirt  190  can be assembled about a peripheral lower edge of the marking removal head housing  112 . The sealing skirt  190  can be of any conforming form factor, such as fringe, plastic or rubber sheeting, and the like. The lower edges of the sealing skirt  190  can be weighted if needed to ensure the material remains substantially vertically. The marking removal head assembly  110  can be pivotally assembled to the road marking removal pivotal arm  262  allowing the marking removal head assembly  110  to follow the contour of the road surface. Wheels (not shown, but well understood) can be assembled to the lower region of the marking removal head housing  112 , wherein the wheels contact the road surface. The marking removal head assembly  110  can be biased (such as via a spring or shock absorber) such to ensure the marking removal head assembly  110  follows the contour of the road surface. A camera  150  can be provided, such as being mounted onto the marking removal head housing  112 , to aid the operator in setting and maintaining proper registration between the marking removal head housing  112  and the road marking  199 . 
     An articulating nozzle assembly  180  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The articulating nozzle assembly  180  utilizes a ball joint interface allowing an articulating nozzle  186  to move in a spherical coordinate arrangement. The articulating nozzle  186  includes a nozzle port  188  provide therethrough and a ball joint  184  formed at a connecting end thereof. The ball joint  184  is assembled within a ball joint socket  182 , providing the spherical motion. The nozzle port  188  includes a bend, wherein the passing airflow causes the articulating nozzle  186  to continuously reposition as illustrated in dashed lines. The articulating motion directs the focused blasting mixture  115  about a larger area. It is noted that the diameter of the inlet portion of the nozzle port  188  is larger than the diameter of the discharge portion of the nozzle port  188 , thus accelerating the blast mixture  115 . 
     An expanded exemplary embodiment introduces a manually operated removal cart assembly  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The marking removal head assembly  110  is assembled to the manually operated removal cart assembly  300 , allowing for a manual operation of the road marking removal system  100 . The exemplary manually operated removal cart assembly  300  comprises a cart frame  310  having a plurality of cart wheel  314  for portability and a cart handle  312  for operable control by the worker. The cart frame  310  can be of any reasonable material, shape, and the like. The marking removal head assembly  110  is connected to the media blast assembly  150  and vacuum assembly  140  via a blast delivery conduit  320  and a residue collection conduit  322  respectively. The operator would remove the marking removal head assembly  110  from the road marking removal pivotal arm  262  and fastened to the cart frame  310 . The operator then attaches the blast delivery conduit  320  and residue collection conduit  322  to the respective couplers. The operator then initiates operation of the road marking removal system  100  and directs the manually operated removal cart assembly  300  to align the marking removal head assembly  110  over the road marking. Operational controls can be attached proximate the cart handle  312  providing the user with easy, quick and direct access to system controls. An auxiliary power drive system can be integrated to aid the user in moving the manually operated removal cart assembly  300 . 
     Although the manually operated removal cart assembly  300  is presented as a manually propelled and directed cart, the concept can be equated to a separation of the road marking removal system  100  into two portions. A first portion can be placed onto a large transporting vehicle, wherein the first portion preferably comprises the air compressor assembly  120 , the media hopper assembly  130 , and the respective conduits. A second portion can be placed into the manually operated removal cart assembly  300 , wherein the second portion preferably comprises the marking removal head assembly  110 . The separation provides the user with a smaller and more manageable vehicle for aligning the marking removal head assembly  110  with the road marking  199 . The smaller vehicle can be the manually operated removal cart assembly  300 , a tractor, a golf cart, a lawn mower like vehicle, and the like. 
     An enhanced system is referenced as a recycling road marking removal system  101 , being illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The recycling road marking removal system  101  introduces a media reclamation assembly  146  providing the ability of reusing the particulate matter. The media reclamation assembly  146  includes a vacuum system as well as a filtration or separation system integrated into a media reclamation vacuum and filter  148 . The system collects the residual material from the marking removal head assembly  110 , separates the collected material into a reusable size and a non-reusable size. The reusable material is then returned to the media hopper  132 . The non-reusable material is collected in a non-reclaimed media collection container  149 . 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1