Roadway markers with concave curved edges

Abstract

Roadway markers (11) with large rectangularly shaped bases and a raised rumble portion containing at least one concave curved edge (21, 23) are disclosed. The concave curved edges (21, 23) face oncoming traffic. The concavity may have a constant radius of curvature or may decrease with increased elevation. The height-to-width ratio of the roadway marker and the average radius of curvature are such that automobile tires (41) impacting the roadway marker (11) do not impact the surface of the concavity. Rather, tires (41 ) impacting the roadway marker ( 11 ) hit the marker above the edge concavity. As a result, a gap exists between impacting tires and the surface of the concavity. Water squeezed from a wet tire impacting the roadway marker will enter the gap and wash the surface of the concavity. A reflective tape (31) is attached to the surface of the concavity. In some embodiments of the invention concavities are located in opposite edges of the raised rumble portion. In other embodiments, a single concavity is located along only one edge of the raised rumble portion. In the two-edge versions of the invention, preferably, a recess (19) is located between the parallel concave curved edges.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.