The present disclosure generally relates to tactile warning dome devices, and specifically to shapes, materials, and methods of manufacture of such devices.
The American's With Disabilities Act, Chapter Seven, Communication Elements and Features, sections 705.1.1, 705.1.2 and 705.1.3 define the truncated dome size, dome spacing and contrast requirements for the design and installation of a tactile and visual warning system to aid visually impaired individuals in the location of edge of pavement/sidewalk transitions. Section 705.2 defines the surface section and location(s) where the tactile warning system is to be installed. This section provides for the correct truncated dome size, spacing and contrast requirements of the Act as well as an accurate means of locating the truncated domes as prescribed.
A pedestrian with visual impairment may feel a safety dome pattern with their feet (or may even hear the sound of the safety domes if they are driving) thereby alerting them that they are entering an area of potential danger, such as intersections, crosswalks, highway center lanes, danger zones, sidewalks, walkways, platforms, public transit stations, etc. Pedestrians that have some type of disability need to have a warning system in place to alert them of the potential danger.
There is a need in public transit facilities and streets for pedestrians to be able to detect the locations of potential hazards. By making the pedestrian aware of a potential hazard, safety domes allow the pedestrian or driver to avoid the potential hazard. The hazardous areas could include sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, stairways, railroad crossings, subways platforms, loading docks, stages, bus loading platforms, man holes, potholes, construction area dangers, road edge warnings, intersections, highways center lanes, etc.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.
The embodiment and various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
The present disclosure relates to a textured warning mat having domes and configured to be placed on walkways, crosswalks, and other areas of pedestrian traffic for providing direction and warning to visually handicapped persons. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing said textured warning dome mat.
The first texture 110 of the present embodiment is a sunken half-sphere space with a plurality of tiny openings in the middle. In the present embodiment, the first texture 110 is formed by first drilling a few openings on a metal sheet and then pressing or punching on the metal sheet to form the sunken half-sphere space. However, in different embodiments, the first texture 110 can be formed as part of a plastic open-face mold made using injection open-face molding method or other plastic open-face molding methods. On the other hand, the second texture 120 of the present embodiment is formed by a plurality of tiny openings distributed in substantially a diamond shape. The second texture 120 can be formed by drilling specific number of openings in a diamond shape. In other embodiments, the second texture 120 can be formed as part of a plastic open-face mold using injection open-face molding method or other plastic open-face molding methods.
Further, as illustrated in
Further, in the present embodiment, the open-face mold 100 is made of metal. However, in different embodiments, the open-face mold 100 can be made of plastics using injection open-face molding method or other suitable methods known in the art to have the shape and textures illustrated in
The first textures 110 and second textures 120 in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The liquid mixture 300 is then allowed to solidify to eventually form a textured warning mat. The part of liquid mixture 300 that occupies the first textures 110 of the open-face mold 100 solidifies to have shape corresponding to the first textures 110. Similarly, the part of liquid mixture 300 that occupies the second textures 120 of the open-face mold 100 solidifies to have shape corresponding to the second textures 120. Further, the part of liquid mixture 300 that fills the pores of the mesh layer 200 eventually solidifies and form a thin base that preferably fully contains the mesh layer 200. In other words, the mesh layer 200 is preferably embedded within the cured liquid mixture 300. The solidification process preferably takes 5 to 10 minutes for the liquid mixture 300 to dry up and form the warning mat. However, in different embodiments, the process may take longer or less time depending on the ingredients used to create the liquid mixture 300.
In another embodiment, before a liquid mixture is poured over the open-face mold 100, the mesh layer 200 is first laid over the open-face mold 100 (not illustrated in
The liquid mixture 300 is then allowed to solidify to eventually form a textured warning mat. The portion of liquid mixture 300 that occupies the first textures 110 of the open-face mold 100 solidifies to have shape corresponding to the first textures 110. Similarly, the portion of liquid mixture 300 that occupies the second textures 120 of the open-face mold 100 solidifies to have shape corresponding to the second textures 120. Further, the part of liquid mixture 300 also forms a thin base that preferably contains the mesh layer 200. In other words, the mesh layer 200 is immersed and embedded within the cured liquid mixture 300. The solidification process preferably takes 5 to 10 minutes for the liquid mixture 300 to dry up (or cool down) and form the warning mat. However, in different embodiments, the process may take longer or less time depending on the ingredients used to create the liquid mixture 300.
The liquid mixture 300 of the present embodiment includes cement, resin, and bonding agents (such as clay and water, oil, and sodium silicate), but is not limited thereto. In different embodiments, the liquid mixture 300 can also include glass and sand as well as other materials such as common mineral fillers, glass beads, skid resistant material, and color pigments.
In the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Further, mechanical tools or chemical substances can be used to form patterns, similar to the cuts of the third textures 130 and fourth textures 140 illustrated in
In one embodiment, the textures on the open-face mold includes first textures on the dome indentations and second textures located between four dome indentations. The first and second textures can be openings such as the textures 110, 120 illustrated in
The method further includes step 502 of preparing a liquid mixture capable of solidifying and chemical reaction. The liquid mixture includes cement, resin, and bonding agents (such as clay and water, oil, and sodium silicate), but is not limited thereto. In different embodiments, the liquid mixture can also include glass and sand as well as other materials such as common mineral fillers, glass beads, skid resistant material, and color pigments. Further, the process of mixing the above-mentioned materials may result in chemical reactions that generate heat as a result and causes a temperature of the liquid mixture to be higher than a room temperature.
The method further includes step 503 of pouring the mixture over the open face open-face mold. The mixture, still in a liquid state, accumulates in the textures of the open-face mold.
The method further includes step 504 of allowing the mixture to solidify and form the warning mat. The part of liquid mixture that occupies the patterns of the open-face mold solidifies to have shape corresponding to the patterns of the open-face mold. The solidification process preferably takes 5 to 10 minutes for the liquid mixture to solidify and form the warning mat. However, in different embodiments, the process may take longer or less time depending on the ingredients used to create the liquid mixture the liquid mixture.
After confirming the warning mat is taking shape and the solidification of mixture is complete, the method then executes step 505 of removing the warning mat from the open-face mold. As mentioned above, the liquid mixture that forms the warning mat may or may not include the pigment with desired color. Thus, in one embodiment, step 505 may further include adding desired color to the warning mat using pigment, after removal from the open-face mold.
In another embodiment, before a liquid mixture is poured over the open-face mold 100, the mesh layer is first laid over the open-face mold. Once the open-face mold is at least substantially covered by the mesh layer, a liquid mixture is poured over the mesh layer above the open-face mold. Part of the liquid mixture will pass through the pores of the mesh layer and then accumulate in the textures of the open-face mold. The liquid mixture eventually immerse the mesh layer. Tools such as float or margin trowel can be used to evenly distribute and smooth the mixture over the open-face mold and the mesh layer before the mixture solidifies. Further, mechanical tools or chemical substances can be used to form cuts, similar to the third textures 130 and fourth textures 140 illustrated in
In the foregoing description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The foregoing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, databases, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it should be appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the field.
This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/429,885 filed on Dec. 2, 2022.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63429885 | Dec 2022 | US |