Modular travel warning strip system and methods

Abstract

A modular highway warning strip system comprises a first plurality of segments assembled together to form a first warning strip subassembly and a second plurality of segments assembled together to form a second warning strip subassembly. Connecting segments join the two subassemblies together using magnetic connectors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular highway warning strip system, comprising;
 a first plurality of segments assembled together to form a first warning strip subassembly having a length, each of the first plurality of segments being spaced from adjacent ones of the first plurality of segments along the first warning strip subassembly length, the first plurality of segments being assembled together along a first cord disposed along the length of the first warning strip subassembly;   a second plurality of segments assembled together to form a second warning strip subassembly having a length, each of the second plurality of segments being spaced from adjacent ones of the second plurality of segments along the second warning strip subassembly length, the second plurality of segments being assembled together along a second cord disposed along the length of the second warning strip subassembly;   the first warning strip subassembly having, at a first end thereof, a first jigsaw member comprising a connecting edge, and the second warning strip subassembly having, at a first end thereof, a second jigsaw member comprising a connecting edge, the first and second connecting edges being configured to engage with one another to create a flush connection with the first and second jigsaw members, thereby creating a joined jigsaw segment and consequent joining of the first warning strip subassembly and the second warning strip subassembly at a selected site, to form a warning strip assembly on the selected site, the joined jigsaw segment being separable from each of the first and second warning strip subassemblies;   wherein each of the first and second connecting edges comprises a magnetic surface for engagement with a corresponding magnetic surface on the other of the first and second connecting edges.   
     
     
         2 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic surface on each of the first and second connecting edges comprises at least one magnetic connector disposed on each of the first and second connecting edges, the at least one magnetic connector on the first connecting edge being adapted for engagement with a corresponding one of the at least one magnetic connector on the second connecting edge. 
     
     
         3 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second connecting edges comprises at least one hole for accommodating the at least one magnetic connector. 
     
     
         4 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one magnetic connector is disposed in the at least one hole, an end of the at least one magnetic connector being exposed at an opening of the at least one hole. 
     
     
         5 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein there are a plurality of said at least one hole on each of the first and second connecting edges, and a corresponding plurality of the at least one magnetic connector, such that there is one magnetic connector disposed in each of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         6 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the exposed end of each magnetic connector is substantially flush with the connecting edge in which the connector's corresponding hole is disposed. 
     
     
         7 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic connectors is comprised of a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         8 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic connectors is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one magnetic connector is permanently affixed in the at least one hole. 
     
     
         10 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one magnetic connector is permanently affixed by adhesive in the at least one hole. 
     
     
         11 . A modular highway warning strip system, comprising a plurality of segments assembled together to form a warning strip assembly having a length, each of the plurality of segments being spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length, the segments being assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly; wherein each of the segments comprises a lower surface, the lower surface of at least one of the segments having a recess adapted for receiving a layer of protective material. 
     
     
         12 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 11 , and further comprising a step forming an edge of the recess, the step having a height larger than a height of the at least one of the segments at a floor of the recess. 
     
     
         13 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the protective material comprises a layer of urethane. 
     
     
         14 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the layer of urethane extends from the recess below the lower surface of the at least one of the segments. 
     
     
         15 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the layer of urethane is thicker than a depth of the recess. 
     
     
         16 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the layer of urethane has a thickness of about 0.1 inches and the recess has a depth of about 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the step has a height of about 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the recess extends along an entire length of the at least one of the segments. 
     
     
         19 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the recess does not extend along an entire length of the at least one of the segments. 
     
     
         20 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein there is a full thickness portion of the at least one of the segments on each end of the recess.