US4668120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar-powered illuminated reflector
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-10-21
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Granted: 1987-05-26
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Expires: 2005-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained solar-powered illuminated reflector provides improved visibility at a distance as a traffic safety aid. A housing adapted to be secured to a highway or alternatively, to a vertical wall, encloses a reflector for reflecting light in a predetermined direction toward highway traffic, a light source, a battery and a photovoltaic system. The housing includes a window member for transmitting light outward from the light source in the predetermined direction toward highway or pedestrian traffic. An optical lightguide between the light source and the window member focuses the light from the light source so that the visible effectiveness of the light source is optimized. Circuitry is provided for selectively enabling the operation of the light source for minimizing the power requirement to extend the useful life performance of the traffic marker. The illuminated reflector is arranged to provide maintenance free and fail-safe operation over its useful life.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/20; E01F9/50; E01F9/553; E01F9/559; E01F9/60; E01F9/604; E01F9/615; E01F9/619; F; F21; F21S; F21S9/00; F21S9/02; F21S9/03; F21S9/037
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A highway traffic marker comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a highway; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction; and optical lightguide element mounted in said housing for guiding light from said one light source to said window means, said optical lightguide element having a generally conical shape and said window means being a Fresnel lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A highway traffic marker comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a highway; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction; and optical lightguide element mounted in said housing for guiding light from said one light source to said window means, said optical lightguide element having a generally conical shape and said window means being a Fresnel lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for activating said light source dependent on ambient light radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic system includes a plurality of series connected solar cells arranged for inhibiting operation of said light source responsive to photovoltaic action thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 further comprising flasher circuit means for enabling pulsing of said light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 further including switch means for activating said circuit when the highway traffic marker is installed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A highway traffic marker as recited in claim 1 further comprising a potting compound disposed within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
An illuminated reflector comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a highway; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction; optical lightguide means for guiding light from said light source to said window means, said optical lightguide means having a generally conical shape; means for selectively activating said light source; and switch means for activating said circuit when said illuminated reflector is installed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
An illuminated reflector comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a highway; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction; optical lightguide means for guiding light from said light source to said window means, said optical lightguide means having a generally conical shape; means for selectively activating said light source; and switch means for activating said circuit when said illuminated reflector is installed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 wherein said housing is formed of light-transmitting material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 wherein said photovoltaic system is disposed near a top wall of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 wherein said photovoltaic power system further includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged for inhibiting operation of said light sources responsive to photovoltaic action thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 further comprising flasher circuit means for enabling pulsing of said light source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 8 wherein said window means is a Fresnel lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
An illuminated reflector comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a vertical member; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction, said window means being a Fresnel lens; optical lightguide means for guiding light from said light source to said window means, said optical lightguide means having a generally conical shape; means for selectively activating said light source; and switch means for activating said circuit when said illuminated reflector is installed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
An illuminated reflector comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a vertical member; a reflector in said housing for reflecting light in at least one predetermined direction toward highway traffic; at least one light source in said housing; a battery in circuit with said light source; a photovoltaic system in said housing for charging said battery; said housing including window means for transmitting light from said light source outward from said housing in said predetermined direction, said window means being a Fresnel lens; optical lightguide means for guiding light from said light source to said window means, said optical lightguide means having a generally conical shape; means for selectively activating said light source; and switch means for activating said circuit when said illuminated reflector is installed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 15 wherein said housing is formed of light-transmitting material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 15 wherein said photovoltaic system is disposed near a top wall and at least one side wall of said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 15 wherein said photovoltaic power system further includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged for inhibiting operation of said light sources responsive to photovoltaic action thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 15 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illuminated reflector as recited in claim 15 further comprising flasher circuit means for enabling pulsing of said light source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |