Three-Dimensional Preformed Thermoplastic Pavement Marker

Abstract

A three dimensional (3-D) thermoplastic pavement marker and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and other paved surfaces is described. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example, can represent bricks which are contained within the grid. By varying the measurements in height of the brick component (first section) and the grid component (second section), a three-dimensional pavement marking pattern is created. This article of manufacture allows for enhancements in beautification and preservation of historical pavements as well as the introduction of safety/warning devices using the same or different pavement marking patterns.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A three dimensional thermoplastic preform pavement marker comprising: a first independent grid section, and a second independent raised section, wherein said first grid section is contiguous with said second section and forms an intersection between said first and second section and both sections also form a top and a bottom surface completing said preformed pavement marker wherein said top surface includes variable heights along said top surface causing a three dimensional marking pattern along said top surface of said pavement marker. 
     
     
         2 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein first and second contiguous sections form a preformed pattern with different planar geometries either along said top surface or along said bottom surface or both the top and bottom surfaces of said pavement marker. 
     
     
         3 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein said pavement marker includes an adhesive on said bottom surface of said marker for application and adherence to a roadway, crosswalk, pedestrian, horizontal or vertical surface. 
     
     
         4 . The pavement marker of  claim 3 , wherein said pavement marker is adhered to a paved surface which includes an adhesive along the surface to which said pavement marker is adhered. 
     
     
         5 . The pavement marker of  claim 4 , wherein said adhesive is rolled or sprayed onto said paved surface. 
     
     
         6 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein said pattern comprises two or more sections in which said sections are joined together using an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The pavement marker of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second grid sections are modular sections and together form said pavement marker which subsequently covers a desired cured or uncured paved surface. 
     
     
         8 . The pavement marker of  claim 7 , wherein said modular sections provide for matching sections that are required to provide and maintain the integrity and match the appearance of existing historical features of any previously paved surface. 
     
     
         9 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional pavement marker provides a visual, textural, and physically differentiating pattern that matches or compliments the appearance of the surface to which said marker is adhered and which is pre-assembled in a factory where preform thermoplastic markers are manufactured thereby preventing dislodging and separation of patterned sections during handling, transportation, prior to and during application of said markers. 
     
     
         10 . The pavement marker of  claim 9 , wherein said differentiating pattern matches a certain visual appearance including historical roadway matching and retroreflectiveness and wherein these patterned attributes also are added during manufacture of said preform for use with any three dimensional construction, renovation, and/or transportation surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein three-dimensional raised features vary along the surface of said marker by providing a change in height between a brick component feature and a grid component feature. 
     
     
         12 . The pavement marker of  claim 10 , wherein said raised features are raised above the base grid of said marker in a range of between 100 and 400 mil. 
     
     
         13 . The pavement marker of  claim 11 , wherein said range is most preferably between 120 and 390 mil. 
     
     
         14 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional preform provides instant application to cobblestone streets or walkways and also provides for patching preexisting cobblestone streets or walkways. 
     
     
         15 . The pavement marker of  claim 1 , wherein said marker provides a safety warning device for vehicular drivers and pedestrians in that said marker causes changes in vibrational frequencies sending auditory and/or physical sensation signals that notify a driver of a vehicle or said pedestrian regarding an upcoming traffic signal or crosswalk due to variations in height between a first grid section and a second raised section as said drivers or said pedestrians pass over said marker. 
     
     
         16 . A method of applying a pavement marker having multiple contiguous sections and a corresponding pattern to a substrate comprising the steps of:
 a) forming a non-planar marking pattern having contiguous independent sections, with different planar geometries along either said top surface or said bottom surface or both the top and bottom surfaces which form intersections between said contiguous sections;   b) adhering said contiguous sections by applying an adhesive which bridges said intersections; and   c) adhering said marker to said substrate.   
     
     
         17 . A method of making a pre-bonded pavement marking first grid and second insert section forming a pattern comprising: providing an independent thermoplastic grid section and an independent thermoplastic insert section that when taken together are separate non-planar geometries, such that said grid section is adjacent to and in direct contact with an insert section, thereby forming an intersection between said grid section and said insert section, and
 further comprising applying an adhesive backing layer on said bottom surface, said adhesive backing layer bridging and bonding said intersection of said grid section and said insert section to form a unified pavement marking pattern thereby preventing dislodging or separation of said pavement marking pattern during handling, movement, transportation, and application.