# US 9,039,209 B1 · Durable and easily attachable and detachable retroreflective plastic strips for truck trailers

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- Number: US 9,039,209 B1
- Document ID: US9039209B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/627,014
- Filed: 2012-09-26
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-26
- Assignees: Eric Lee Johnston
- Applicants: Eric Lee Johnston
- Inventors: Eric Lee Johnston
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039209B1

## CPC

- B60Q 1/305: {Indicating devices for towed vehicles}
- G02B 5/12: Reflex reflectors
- G02B 5/136: plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary body (G02B5/124 takes precedence)
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A retroreflective plastic strip having conspicuity tape on its outer surface and having flanges along each lateral edge for spacing the strip from the surface of an under-ride bumper on a truck trailer. The strip has means such as zip ties or pop rivets for detachably securing the strip on the bumper to comply with Federal regulations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle for highway trucking having an under-ride bumper and a durable retroreflective plastic strip detachably secured to the rear surface of the under-ride bumper to enhance visibility of said vehicle, said retroreflective strip comprising a strip of plastic at least two inches in width and having conspicuity tape bonded to its exterior surface, said strip of plastic having a flange along both longitudinal edges extending laterally of the general plane of the strip on the side thereof opposite said conspicuity tape for supporting the strip spaced from said bumper.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which each said flange projects substantially perpendicular to the plane of the strip and has a plurality of holes therethrough with zip ties disposed through said holes and secured around said under-ride bumper.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which said plastic strip has an intermediate longitudinally extending ridge between said flanges.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which said plastic strip is made of plastic material selected from poly vinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which said retroreflective strip is attached to said under-ride bumper by means selected from zip ties, screws, adhesive and pop rivets.

### Claim 6

A durable retroreflective strip comprising a strip of plastic having conspicuity tape adhesively bonded to one face of said strip of plastic, which is at least two inches in width and has a flange along both longitudinally extending edges projecting laterally from the general plane of the strip opposite from the face having said conspicuity tape bonded to it, said flanges adapted to space said retroreflective strip from an underlying support.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A durable retroreflective strip as set forth in claim 6 in which said strip of plastic is made of plastic material selected from polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

A durable retroreflective strip as set forth in claim 6 having an intermediate longitudinally extending ridge between said flanges.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

A durable retroreflective strip as set forth in claim 6 in which said flanges project substantially perpendicular to said plastic strip and have a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving zip ties to attach said retroreflective strip to an underlying support.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

A durable retroreflective strip as set forth in claim 6, which is made of plastic material selected from PVC, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene.

### Claim 11

A kit for attaching durable retroreflective strips to highway trucking vehicles to enhance visibility of said vehicles, said kit comprising at least two strips of plastic having retroreflective conspicuity tape bonded to one surface of each of said at least two strips, said strips of plastic each having a flange along both longitudinally extending edges of each strip projecting substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the strip opposite the face of the strip to which said conspicuity tape is bonded, and said kit further including means for detachably securing said strips to said vehicles, said means for securing selected from zip ties, rivets, adhesive and screws.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A kit as set forth in claim 11 in which said strips of plastic are made of plastic material selected from polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

A kit as set forth in claim 11 in which each said strip has a longitudinally extending intermediate ridge between said flanges.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

A kit as set forth in claim 11 in which said flanges on each said strip have a plurality of holes through them for receiving zip ties for securing each strip to under-ride bumpers on vehicles.