Low Profile Road Marker Protector

Abstract

Disclosed is a protector for a retro-reflective road marker mounted on a road that includes a top surface that has a generally flat region and a bottom surface oppositely disposed from the top surface. The generally flat region has an opening where the retro-reflective road marker can be at least partially mounted to the protector by deforming studs located along the perimeter of the opening such that the retro-reflective road marker is moveable independent from the protector. The protector is made from a moldable polymer and the top surface is operable to protect the road reflector from motor vehicle tires passing thereover.

1 . A protector mounted to a road, for protecting a road reflector, said protector comprising:
 a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having a generally flat region, said bottom surface oppositely disposed from said top surface and mounted to a road;   said generally flat region dimensioned for the road reflector to be at least partially mounted thereon such that the road reflector is moveable independently from said protector; and   said top surface having a structure extending above said generally flat region where the road marker is mounted, said structure dimensioned to protect the road reflector from motor vehicle tires passing thereover.   
   
   
       2 . The protector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening disposed in said generally flat region, said opening extending through said top surface and said bottom surface; and   a lip bounding said opening, said lip dimensioned such that the road reflector is at least partially mounted on said lip.   
   
   
       3 . The protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of studs extending outwardly from said top surface, said studs being deformable such that a portion of said studs overlaps an edge of the road reflector. 
   
   
       4 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said structure is a pair of spaced apart side rails parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body. 
   
   
       5 . The protector of  claim 4 , wherein each of said pair of spaced apart side rails has a flange extending in a generally outward direction from said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       6 . The protector of  claim 5 , wherein said flange has a support surface generally coplanar with said bottom surface, said support surface operable to provide support to said body when said bottom surface is mounted to the road. 
   
   
       7 . The protector of  claim 4 , wherein said top surface has a center portion with a pair of upper surfaces extending transversely between said pair of spaced apart side rails and inclined toward said bottom surface and said opening. 
   
   
       8 . The protector of  claim 7 , wherein each of said upper surfaces has a center ramp aligned on said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       9 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface is generally flat. 
   
   
       10 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface has a cavity extending towards said top surface. 
   
   
       11 . The protector of  claim 10 , wherein said cavity extends in a generally perpendicular direction to said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       12 . The protector of  claim 10 , wherein said cavity extends from said bottom surface towards said top surface directly under said center ramp, said cavity generally parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       13 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface further comprises a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from said bottom surface, said tabs being disposed along an outer perimeter of said bottom surface. 
   
   
       14 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface further comprises a plurality of textured areas, said textured surfaces increasing the surface area of said bottom surface. 
   
   
       15 . The protector of  claim 14 , wherein textured areas comprises a plurality of parallel ridges extending outwardly from said bottom surface. 
   
   
       16 . A protector mounted to a road, for protecting a road reflector, said protector comprising:
 a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having a generally flat region with an opening extending through said top surface and said bottom surface;   a lip bounding said opening;   a road reflector mounted at least partially within said opening on said lip; and   a plurality of studs extending outwardly from said top surface, said studs being deformable such that upon deformation a portion of said studs overlaps an edge of the road reflector;   said top surface also having a structure extending above said generally flat region where said road marker is mounted, said structure dimensioned to protect said road reflector from motor vehicle tires passing over said road reflector;   said bottom surface oppositely disposed from said top surface and mounted to a road;   said top surface and said bottom surface made from moldable polymer;   said reflector moveable independently from said body.   
   
   
       17 . The protector of  claim 16 , wherein said structure is a pair of spaced apart side rails. 
   
   
       18 . The protector of  claim 17 , wherein said top surface has a center portion with a pair of upper surfaces extending transversely between said pair of spaced apart side rails and inclined toward said bottom surface and said opening. 
   
   
       19 . The protector of  claim 18 , wherein each of said upper surfaces has at least one stud located along a perimeter of said opening. 
   
   
       20 . A low profile protector for a road reflector mounted to a road, said protector comprising:
 a body having a pair of spaced apart side rails and a generally flat bottom surface, each of said spaced apart side rails having an arcuate profile with a thick portion between a pair of spaced apart thin portions, said pair of spaced apart thin portions being proximate the road;   an opening within said body and between said pair of spaced apart side rails;   a center portion with a pair of upper surfaces extending traversely between said pair of spaced apart side rails and inclined toward said generally flat bottom surface and said opening;   a road reflector mounted to said body and located at least partially within said opening;   a plurality of studs disposed on said pair of upper surfaces, said studs being deformable such that upon deformation a portion of said studs overlaps an edge of said road reflector to at least partially mount said reflector to said body, said road reflector being moveable independently from said protector;   said thick portion of each of said spaced apart side rails being dimensioned to protect the road reflector; and   said generally flat bottom surface operable to be attached to the road using an adhesive.