Culvert Marker

Abstract

Reflective devices are disclosed, which may be used on railroad tracks to identify the location of culverts beneath the train track. A reflective device may include a body member having a first longitudinal attachment flange, a first inclined section, a second inclined section, and a second longitudinal attachment flange. The first inclined section may extend upwardly away from the first longitudinal attachment flange at a first angle. The second inclined section may extend upwardly away from the second longitudinal attachment flange at a second angle. An upper edge of the first inclined section and an upper edge of the second inclined section may form a peak defined by a third angle. Upper surfaces of the first and second inclined surfaces may be coated with a reflective material. Upper surfaces of the first and second inclined surfaces may have sections of reflective material attached thereto.

Claims

1. A reflective device comprising: a body member having a first longitudinal attachment flange, a first inclined section, a second inclined section, and a second longitudinal attachment flange, the first inclined section extending upwardly away from the first longitudinal attachment flange at a first angle, wherein the first angle is in a range from 0 to 45 degrees, the second inclined section extending upwardly away from the second longitudinal attachment flange at a second angle, wherein the second angle is in a range from 0 to 45 degrees, an upper edge of the first inclined section and an upper edge of the second inclined section forming a peak, wherein a third angle formed at the peak between the first inclined section and the second inclined section is in a range from 90 to 180 degrees, wherein a height from a plane containing the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange to the peak is in a range from to 1 inches, wherein a width from an outer edge of the first longitudinal attachment flange to an outer edge of the second longitudinal attachment flange may be in a range from 6 to 7 inch.

2. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the first angle is in a range from 15 to 35 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 15 to 35 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 110 to 150 degrees.

3. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the first angle is in a range from 12 to 30 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 5 to 30 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 130 to 156 degrees.

4. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the first angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 140 to 160 degrees.

5. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the height is in a range from to 1 inch, and the width is in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

6. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the height is in a range from to inch, and the width is in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

7. The reflective device of claim 1, wherein the first angle is about 15 degrees, the second angle is about 15 degrees, the third angle is about 150 degrees, the height is about inches, and the width is about 7 inches.

8. A reflective device comprising: a body member having a first longitudinal attachment flange, a first inclined section, a second inclined section, and a second longitudinal attachment flange, the first and second inclined sections being coated with reflective material, the first inclined section extending upwardly away from the first longitudinal attachment flange at a first angle, wherein the first angle is in a range from 15 to 35 degrees, the second inclined section extending upwardly away from the second longitudinal attachment flange at a second angle, wherein the second angle is in a range from 15 to 35 degrees, an upper edge of the first inclined section and an upper edge of the second inclined section forming a peak, wherein a third angle formed at the peak between the first inclined section and the second inclined section is in a range from 110 to 150 degrees, wherein a height from a plane containing the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange to the peak is in a range from to 1 inch, wherein a width from an outer edge of the first longitudinal attachment flange to an outer edge of the second longitudinal attachment flange may be in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

9. The reflective device of claim 8, wherein the first angle is in a range from 5 to 30 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 5 to 30 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 130 to 156 degrees.

10. The reflective device of claim 8, wherein the first angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 140 to 160 degrees.

11. The reflective device of claim 8, wherein the height is in a range from to inch, and the width is in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

12. The reflective device of claim 8, wherein the first angle is about 15 degrees and the second angle is about 15 degrees.

13. The reflective device of claim 8, wherein the third angle is about 150 degrees, the height is about inches, and the width is about 7 inches.

14. A reflective device comprising: a body member having a first longitudinal attachment flange, a first inclined section, a second inclined section, and a second longitudinal attachment flange, a first section of reflective material being secured to an upper surface of the first inclined section, a second section of reflective material being secured to an upper surface of the second inclined section, the first inclined section extending upwardly away from the first longitudinal attachment flange at a first angle, wherein the first angle is in a range from 12 to 30 degrees, the second inclined section extending upwardly away from the second longitudinal attachment flange at a second angle, wherein the second angle is in a range from 12 to 30 degrees, an upper edge of the first inclined section and an upper edge of the second inclined section forming a peak, wherein a third angle formed at the peak between the first inclined section and the second inclined section is in a range from 130 to 156 degrees, wherein a height from a plane containing the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange to the peak is in a range from to inch, wherein a width from an outer edge of the first longitudinal attachment flange to an outer edge of the second longitudinal attachment flange may be in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

15. The reflective device of claim 14, wherein the first angle is in a range from 12 to 30 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 5 to 30 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 130 to 156 degrees.

16. The reflective device of claim 14, wherein the first angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, the second angle is in a range from 10 to 20 degrees, and the third angle is in a range 140 to 160 degrees.

17. The reflective device of claim 14, wherein the height is in a range from to inch, and the width is in a range from 6 to 7 inches.

18. The reflective device of claim 14, wherein the first angle is about 15 degrees and the second angle is about 15 degrees.

19. The reflective device of claim 14, wherein the third angle is about 150 degrees, the height is about inches, and the width is about 7 inches.

20. The reflective device of claim 19, wherein the first angle is about 15 degrees and the second angle is about 15 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of railroad track shown in dashed lines with a specific embodiment of a culvert marker shown attached to a railroad tie that is part of the railroad track.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the culvert marker shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 1-5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a section of railroad track shown in dashed lines with another specific embodiment of a culvert marker shown attached to a railroad tie that is part of the railroad track.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the culvert marker shown in FIG. 7, which includes sections of reflective material on opposed inclined surfaces of the culvert marker.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a top view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 7-9.

[0020] FIG. 11 is an end view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 7-10.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the culvert marker shown in FIGS. 7-11.

[0022] While the inventions will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of protection is not intended to limit the inventions to those embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of protection is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals denote identical elements throughout the several views, and referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown there is shown a train track 10 having parallel rails 12 and 14 resting on a series of spaced railroad ties 16. A specific embodiment of a culvert marker 18 is shown attached to the top of a railroad tie 16 between the rails 12 and 14.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the culvert marker 18 is shown. The culvert marker 18 may include a generally rectangular body member 20. The body member 20 may include a first generally planar or horizontal longitudinal attachment flange 22, a first inclined section 24, a second inclined section 26, and a second generally planar or horizontal longitudinal attachment flange 28. With reference to FIG. 5, which is a front view of the culvert marker 18, it can be seen that the first inclined section 24 extends upwardly from an inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 (which may be in the form of a crease). Similarly, the second inclined section 26 extends upwardly from an inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 (which may also be in the form of a crease). The upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 meet to form a peak, much like the peak of a roof. The peak may also be in the form of a crease. In a specific embodiment, the body member 20 may be formed from a single sheet of metal. In a specific embodiment, the first and second attachment flanges 22 and 28 may reside within the same plane. Each of the attachment flanges 22 and 28 may include a plurality of holes 34 to receive bolts (not shown) that may be used to secure the culvert marker 18 to a may railroad tie, such as shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first inclined section 24 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 at a first angle of approximately 15 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the first inclined section 24 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 at a first angle in the range from 10 to 20 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the first inclined section 24 extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 at a first angle in the range from 12 to 30 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the first inclined section 24 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 at a first angle in the range from 15 to 35 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the first inclined section 24 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 30 of the first attachment flange 22 at a first angle in the range from 0 to 45 degrees.

[0026] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the second inclined section 26 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 at a second angle of approximately 15 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the second inclined section 26 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 at a second angle in the range from 10 to 20 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the second inclined section 26 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 at a second angle in the range from 12 to 30 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the second inclined section 26 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 at a second angle in the range from 15 to 35 degrees. In another specific embodiment, the second inclined section 26 may extend upwardly away from the inner longitudinal edge 32 of the second attachment flange 28 at a second angle in the range from 0 to 45 degrees.

[0027] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a third angle at the peak formed by the upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 may be approximately 150 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the third angle at the peak formed by the upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 may be in the range from 140 to 160 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the third angle at the peak formed by the upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 may be in the range from 130 to 156 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the third angle at the peak formed by the upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 may be in the range from 110 to 150 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the angle at the peak formed by the upper edges of the first and second inclined sections 24 and 26 may be in the range from 90 to 180 degrees.

[0028] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a height H from a plane containing the first attachment flange 22 and the second attachment flange 28 to the peak may be approximately inch. In a specific embodiment, the height H may be in the range from to inch. In a specific embodiment, the height H may be in the range from to inch. In a specific embodiment, the height H may be in the range from to 1 inch. In a specific embodiment, the height H may be in the range from to 1 inches.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a width W from an outer edge of the first longitudinal attachment flange 22 to an outer edge of the second longitudinal attachment flange 22 may be approximately seven inches. In a specific embodiment, the width W may be in the range from 6 to 7 inches. In a specific embodiment, the width W may be in the range from 6 to 7 inches. In a specific embodiment, the width W may be in the range from 6 to 7 inches.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, the culvert marker 18 may be painted with reflective paint and powder coated. Unlike the present method of painting and re-painting railroad ties on a periodic basis, the culvert markers 18 of the present inventions do not need to be repainted every three months or so. This results in significant cost savings. In addition, the inclined reflective sections 24 and 26 are more easily visible to a train conductor or inspector as a train or other vehicle is approaching the culvert marker.

[0031] Another specific embodiment of a culvert marker 18 is shown in FIGS. 7-12. The only difference between this embodiment and the one shown in FIGS. 1-6 is the addition of a first section of reflective tape or material 25 to the first inclined section 24, and a second section of reflective tape or material 27 to the second inclined section 26. The reflective tape 25/27 may be used to make it easier for someone moving along a train track to locate the marker 18. The reflective tape 25/27 may also be used to increase the distance from which the culvert marker 18 may be identified as someone moving along a train track (such as in a train or other vehicle) is approaching the culvert marker 18.

[0032] The culvert markers of the present inventions have many benefits and advantages. They are easy to quickly install on a railroad tie. They do not require continual periodic repainting, which is the way it is currently being done. This results in savings of time, labor and money. They can be spotted or identified from greater distances than painted railroad ties. They are easier to see at night. They allow inspectors to more easily locate areas along railroad tracks that need to be inspected for potential problems and preventative maintenance.

[0033] It is to be understood that the inventions disclosed herein are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described. Although specific embodiments of the inventions have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the inventions. Although the present inventions may have been described using a particular series of steps, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the described series of steps. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the claims set forth below. Accordingly, the inventions are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. None of the claim language should be interpreted pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the word means is recited in any of the claim language, and then only with respect to any recited means limitation.