SYSTEM FOR AIR AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation. The system comprises at least one sheet of a pliant mesh material that is preferably at least 30% open when in use and preferably has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2. The marking system is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic. Also disclosed is a method of directing air or ground traffic using such a horizontal marking system.

Claims

1. A system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation, the system comprising at least one sheet of a pliant material, the sheet comprising a mesh material that, when in use, is at least 30% open, wherein the at least one sheet is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2.

3. A system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation, the system comprising at least one sheet of a pliant material that has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2, wherein the at least one sheet is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sheet comprises a mesh material that, when in use, is at least 30% open.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material is at least 40% open, preferably at least 50% open, more preferably at least 60% open, and most preferably at least 70% open.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.6 kg/m.sup.2, more preferably at least 0.8 kg/m.sup.2, even more preferably at least 1.0 kg/m.sup.2.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material has a ground footprint weight that is in the range of 0.4 to 2.0 kg/m.sup.2, preferably in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 kg/m.sup.2, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 kg/m.sup.2.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface within an airport so as to convey information to air and/or ground traffic within the airport.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to be disposed on a horizontal surface without securing the resulting sheet assembly to ground.

10. The system of claim 1, the system comprising a sheet assembly of two or more rectangular sheets of pliant mesh material that are assembled so that one sheet at least partially overlaps another sheet and wherein the sheet assembly of two or more sheets so provided provides a sign for conveying air/and or ground traffic information.

11. The system of claim 1, the system comprising a sheet assembly of two elongate rectangular sheets of pliant mesh material that are adapted to be assembled on a horizontal surface so that one sheet is stretched in a first direction on the horizontal surface so as to provide a first arm, and a second sheet is stretched in a second direction on the horizontal surface to provide a second arm, wherein the two arms so provided cross to provide a sign for conveying air/and or ground traffic information.

12. The system of claim 1, the system comprising a single sheet of pliant mesh material, wherein the pliant sheet has provided therein at least one indicium, so that when stretched on a horizontal surface, the at least one indicium provides a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicium is threaded in the mesh material.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the indicium is provided by colouring patterns in the mesh material.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material comprises a net-like structure having an average mesh width that is in the range of about 5 to 100 mm, preferably in the range of about 10 to 80 mm, more preferably in the range of about 10 to 60 mm, more preferably in the range of about 10 to 50 mm, even more preferably in the range of about 15 to 35 mm.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material comprises a net-like structure having a uniform structure.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the mesh material comprises synthetic fibre material selected from the group consisting of polyamide (such as Nylon, Perlon), polyester (such as Terylene, Dacron, Tetoron, Trevira), polyethylene (such as Nymplex, Courlene), polypropylene (such as Danaflex, Multiflex, Ulstron), aramid (such as Kevlar), high-density polyethylene (such Dyneema, Spektra, Dynex).

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the pliant mesh material can be folded and/or rolled up for storage, such that its ground footprint during storage is less than 1% of its ground footprint during use.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet, when in use, is stable to horizontal perturbations by wind of at least 20 m/s.

20. A method of directing air or ground traffic, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one sheet of a pliant material, the sheet comprising a mesh material that, during use, is at least 30% open positioning the at least one sheet on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so that the at least one sheet as positioned provides a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic that can be detected from a distance, whereby air or ground traffic that approaches the sign is directed to adapt their direction of travel in response to the sign.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one sheet is extended on the horizontal surface so as to provide a sign for conveying information.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one sheet has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the horizontal surface is an airport runway, an airport taxiway or an airport roadway.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the method is carried using a system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation, the system comprising at least one sheet of a pliant material, the sheet comprising a mesh material that, when in use, is at least 30% open, wherein the at least one sheet is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] The skilled person will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a part of an airport marking, as well as a close-up view of a portion of the mesh material.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows another application, in which the marking system can be used to cover a runway marking.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a marking system that comprises a square sheet of mesh material that has a marking incorporated to signal the closure of a runway.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a marking system that comprises a square sheet of material that includes a marking for designating closure of a taxiway.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a marking system, wherein two sheets of elongate rectangular material are placed on a runway so as to generate a signal (X) indicating closure of the runway.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows representative examples of a mesh-like net material and its use in the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a view of an airport, indicating how markings on runways and taxiways can be used to provide signaling information.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0073] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to provide further understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.

[0074] In the following description, a series of steps are described. The skilled person will appreciate that unless required by the context, the order of steps is not critical for the resulting configuration and its effect. Further, it will be apparent to the skilled person that irrespective of the order of steps, the presence or absence of time delay between steps, can be present between some or all of the described steps.

[0075] Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic view of a portion of an airport runway or taxiway marking system. The system contains a single sheet 10 of material that includes a marking forming an X. For illustrative purposes, the marking in the mesh material 20 is shown in black. In reality, current regulation require white or yellow markings, which can be shown in the same fashion. The insert in the figures shows that the material in the marking system is in fact a mesh material 20 that is relatively open (in the illustrated in excess of 50%). The relative openness of the material and its density leads to the desired properties of (i) being open to air, so that wind passes easily through the material, and as a result the material is relatively insensitive to wind; (ii) being pliable, i.e. foldable, due to being made from pliant net-like or net mesh material that can easily be folded or rolled up; and (iii) being appropriately heavy so that, in combination with its openness, the material will be relatively insensitive to wind conditions.

[0076] The structural properties of the material 20 can be varied as long as these properties are in place to provide material with the required openness and ground footprint weight. Thus, the openings in the material 20 can be altered in their shape and dimensions by using alternate material, alternate weaving, or both. Further, the material can have uniform openings, i.e. openings with uniform dimensions, or the material can have two or more types of openings with different shape and/or dimensions.

[0077] The airport runway is depicted by the grey background, and the marking, indicating closure of the runway, is indicated by the large X that is placed on the runway through the marking. The marking is placed over any other marking (such as runway number or code, not shown in this Figure) that may be present on the runway.

[0078] The indicium X can be provided in the material by painting the mesh material using the appropriate color. Alternatively, the indicium can be incorporated into the material by weaving, for example by weaving a thread having the appropriate color into the mesh material.

[0079] Obviously, the dimensions of the marking can be adapted as needed and/or as required by regulatory authorities.

[0080] In FIG. 2, a sheet 10 of mesh material as described herein is used to cover markings on a runway. The advantage of such use is that changes in marking, or removal of marking, can be performed very quickly and reliably.

[0081] In FIG. 3 it can be seen how a rectangular sheet 10 of mesh material that includes a marking (provided by the letter X) can be used to indicate closure of a runway. The single sheet of mesh material is simply stretched onto the runway to indicate the runway closure, covering any other marking that may be on the runway.

[0082] The system can also be used to provide signalling on taxiways, as indicated in FIG. 4. Here, a mesh sheet that has a cross incorporated is shown to be provided on a taxiway, indicating its closure. As in other similar embodiments, the marking on the sheet can be performed by any convenient means, such as painting, weaving a suitably colored material into the mesh, etc.

[0083] In FIG. 5, an alternate marking solution is shown. Here, the marking is provided by two elongate rectangular sheets 10,10 of mesh material, of equal or near-equal dimensions. The two sheets cross at their respective middle portions to form the letter X, indicating closure of the runway. In the example shown, the marking is placed over an existing runway marking, which is therefore partially obscured by the marking.

[0084] In FIG. 6, there is shown a marking system using a net-like material 20 in accordance with the invention. For illustrative purposes, the material shown has smaller dimensions than would be used in ordinary runway or taxiway markings. Thus, shown are aerial views of a net-like mesh material comprising two sheets 10,10 forming an X. For illustrative purposes, a marking system place on a flat plywood board is shown. The material shown is between 70 and 80% open, has a net-like structure, where the strands in the material have a diameter of about 4 mm, and the openings in the material being diamond shaped, with an internal longitudinal length of about 4 cm and an internal traverse width of about 2.5 cm. The average internal width (the average of the longitudinal and traverse dimensions) is thus about 3.1 cm. Each strip of material in the marking shown has dimensions of approximately 15 cm180 cm. Shown are aerial views from a height of (A) 5 m, (B), 10 m and (C) 20 m.

[0085] From a relatively close distance, i.e. an altitude of 5 m, shown in (A), the structure of the material, i.e. the net-like structure, can be seen. However, as soon as the distance is doubled, i.e. to 10 m, as shown in (B), the structure of the material is no longer visible, in that the fact that the marking is in fact provided by a net-like material, can not be seen from this distance. From a distance of 20 m, shown in (C), the solid character of the marking from a distance becomes even more apparent.

[0086] Thus, for this type of net-like material, even at short distances the material provides an appearance of a solid material when viewed from a distance. It is noted that material with substantially greater openings or pores would also appear solid from a distance of 20 m or more, which is more than sufficient for use in the context of marking on runways or taxiways, where the relevant distance from which the marking should be clearly visible is in the dozens (for taxiways) or hundreds (for runways) of meters.

[0087] This example therefore shows that net-like structures that are quite open and have large individual openings will, from a distance, have the appearance of a solid material and are therefore useful for providing markings for airway traffic.

[0088] In FIG. 7, an exemplary schematic overview of an airport runway and taxiway system is shown, illustrating the various ways in which markings in accordance with the invention can be used. Thus, shown are markings 30,40 that designate runway closures in two different manners by a single sheet 30 having a built in X indicium and by two elongate sheets 40 that cross so as to form an X (leftmost and rightmost middle panels). Also shown is a sheet 50 that hides underlying marking (central middle panel), and markings 60 indicating taxiway closures (bottom panels, middle and left). Yet another possible use is indicated in the right panel, where a strip 70 of mesh material without any marking function is stretched over the central portion of a taxiway, thereby obscuring underlying markings on the taxiway.

[0089] As should be apparent to the skilled person, the marking system as disclosed herein can be modified in a number of ways so as to provide any desired marking on an airport runway or taxiway. Thereby, a distinct advantage of the system is its versatility and ease of application and transport, so that various markings within an airport can be applied quickly and reliably.

[0090] As should be apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a unique solution to the problem of providing marking for air and ground transportation, in particular for airports. Advantages of the invention include: [0091] Marking system that does not damage the surface of a runway or taxiway [0092] Removable marking system that can be folded and/or rolled up for transport and/or storage [0093] Marking system is insensitive to wind due a unique combination of density and mesh width [0094] Marking system is relatively light weight and can be applied and/or removed very quickly [0095] Markings system can be made heavier if desired using conventional means [0096] Marking system can be stored outside [0097] Marking system can be used in any type of inclement weather, and in both hot and cold conditions [0098] Marking system is relatively inexpensive

[0099] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include: [0100] 1. A system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation, the system comprising [0101] at least one sheet of a pliant material, the sheet comprising a mesh material that, when in use, is at least 30% open, [0102] wherein the at least one sheet is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic. [0103] 2. The system of embodiment 1, wherein the at least one sheet has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2. [0104] 3. A system for horizontal marking of air and ground transportation, the system comprising at least one sheet of a pliant material that has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2, wherein the at least one sheet is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so as to provide a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic. [0105] 4. The system of embodiment 3, wherein the sheet comprises a mesh material that, when in use, is at least 30% open. [0106] 5. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mesh material is at least 40% open, preferably at least 50% open, more preferably at least 60% open, and most preferably at least 70% open. [0107] 6. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mesh material has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.6 kg/m.sup.2, more preferably at least 0.8 kg/m.sup.2, even more preferably at least 1.0 kg/m.sup.2. [0108] 7. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mesh material has a ground footprint weight that is in the range of 0.4 to 2.0 kg/m.sup.2, preferably in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 kg/m.sup.2, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 kg/m.sup.2. [0109] 8. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the system is adapted to be disposed on an horizontal surface within an airport so as to convey information to air and/or ground traffic within the airport. [0110] 9. The system of any one of the previous embodiments, characterized in that the system is adapted to be disposed on a horizontal surface without securing the resulting sheet assembly to ground. [0111] 10. The system of any one of the previous embodiments, the system comprising a sheet assembly of two or more rectangular sheets of pliant mesh material that are assembled so that one sheet at least partially overlaps another sheet and wherein the sheet assembly of two or more sheets so provided provides a sign for conveying air/and or ground traffic information. [0112] 11. The system of any one of the previous embodiments, the system comprising an sheet assembly of two elongate rectangular sheets of pliant mesh material that are adapted to be assembled on a horizontal surface so that one sheet is stretched in a first direction on the horizontal surface so as to provide a first arm, and a second sheet is stretched in a second direction on the horizontal surface to provide a second arm, wherein the two arms so provided cross to provide a sign for conveying air/and or ground traffic information. [0113] 12. The system of any one of the previous embodiments 1 to 10, the system comprising a single sheet of pliant mesh material, wherein the pliant sheet has provided therein at least one indicium, so that when stretched on a horizontal surface, the at least one indicium provides a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic. [0114] 13. The system of the previous embodiment, wherein the indicium is threaded in the mesh structure. [0115] 14. The system of the previous two embodiments 12 or 13, wherein the indicium is provided by colouring patterns in the mesh material. [0116] 15. The system of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the mesh material comprises a net-like structure having an average mesh width that is in the range of about 5 to 100 mm, preferably in the range of about 10 to 80 mm, more preferably in the range of about 10 to 60 mm, more preferably in the range of about 10 to 50 mm, even more preferably in the range of about 15 to 35 mm. [0117] 16. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mesh material comprises a net-like structure having a uniform structure. [0118] 17. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mesh material comprises synthetic fibre material selected from the group consisting of polyamide (such as Nylon, Perlon), polyester (such as Terylene, Dacron, Tetoron, Trevira), polyethylene (such as Nymplex, Courlene), polypropylene (such as Danaflex, Multiflex, Ulstron), aramid (such as Kevlar), high-density polyethylene (such Dyneema, Spektra, Dynex). [0119] 18. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the pliant mesh material can be folded and/or rolled up for storage, such that its ground footprint during storage is less than 1% of its ground footprint during use. [0120] 19. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one sheet, when in use, is stable to horizontal perturbations by wind of at least 20 m/s. [0121] 20. A method of directing air or ground traffic, the method comprising steps of: [0122] providing at least one sheet of a pliant material, the sheet comprising a mesh material that is at least 30% open [0123] positioning the at least one sheet on an horizontal surface in a generally horizontal fashion, so that the at least one sheet as positioned provides a sign for conveying information to air and/or ground traffic that can be detected from a distance, [0124] whereby air or ground traffic that approaches the sign is directed to adapt their direction of travel in response to the sign. [0125] 21. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the at least one sheet is stretched onto the horizontal surface so as to provide a sign for conveying information. [0126] 22. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the at least one sheet is extended on the horizontal surface so that the sheet forms a single layer on the surface. [0127] 23. The method of embodiment 20 or embodiment 21 or embodiment 22, wherein the at least one sheet has a ground footprint weight of at least 0.4 kg/m.sup.2. [0128] 24. The method of any one of the embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the horizontal surface is an airport runway, an airport taxiway or an airport roadway. [0129] 25. The method of any one of the embodiments 20 to 24, wherein the method is carried using a system is as set forth in any one of the embodiments 1-19.

[0130] Throughout the description and claims, the terms comprise, including, having, and contain and their variations should be understood as meaning including but not limited to, and are not intended to exclude other components.

[0131] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., about 3 shall also cover exactly 3 or substantially constant shall also cover exactly constant).

[0132] The term at least one should be understood as meaning one or more, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with at least one have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as the and the at least one.

[0133] It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0134] Use of exemplary language, such as for instance, such as, for example and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0135] All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.