Road marker base with improved adherence and light transmission

Abstract

A method of forming a road marker and the resulting road marker including a metallic base and a light transmitter, includes coating the metallic base with an oxidation inhibiting layer; and mounting the light transmitter on the base. The coating may be performed before the mounting. The coating may be a plating.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A road marker comprising: 
 a metallic base for mounting on a road;    a light transmitter mounted on the base to reflect vehicle lights traveling on the road; and    an oxidation inhibiting coating on the base.    
     
     
         2 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a cast heat treated metal.  
     
     
         3 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is iron.  
     
     
         4 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is steel.  
     
     
         5 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is aluminum.  
     
     
         6 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is plated on the base.  
     
     
         7 . A road marker according to  claim 6 , wherein the coating is zinc.  
     
     
         8 . A road marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is zinc.  
     
     
         9 . A road marker according to  claim 6 , wherein the coating is also between the light transmitter and the base.  
     
     
         10 . A method of forming a road marker including a metallic base and a light transmitter, comprising: 
 coating the metallic base with an oxidation inhibiting layer; and    mounting the light transmitter on the base.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the coating is performed before the mounting.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the coating is performed by platting.