Paved surface configured for reducing tire noise and increasing tire traction and method and apparatus of manufacturing same

Abstract

The invention includes a paved surface configured for reducing tire noise and increasing tire traction on the paved surface and to a method and apparatus for manufacturing such a paved surface. The paved surface includes grooves in the traffic bearing surface that are substantially neither transverse nor parallel to the intended direction of traffic.

1 . A paved surface having a longitudinal axis parallel to an intended traffic direction, comprising: 
 a planar surface material having a traffic bearing surface;    a plurality of grooves in the traffic bearing surface, each groove substantially parallel and spaced apart from adjacent grooves, each groove beginning at a first side of the paved surface and ending on an opposite side of the paved surface, wherein each groove is not in a substantially linear transverse orientation relative to the intended traffic direction.    
   
   
       2 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar surface material comprises concrete.  
   
   
       3 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar surface material comprises asphalt.  
   
   
       4 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a parabolic curve.  
   
   
       5 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a sinusoidal curve.  
   
   
       6 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a bi-linear curve.  
   
   
       7 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms an arcuate curve.  
   
   
       8 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a multi-linear curve.  
   
   
       9 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a convex curve.  
   
   
       10 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a concave curve.  
   
   
       11 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves forms a cross-hatched pattern.  
   
   
       12 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves begin and end on an imaginary line traversing the paved surface in a direction perpendicular to the intended traffic direction.  
   
   
       13 . The paved surface according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves form parallel lines, each parallel line forming a preselected angle relative to an imaginary transverse line running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . The paved surface according to  claim 13 , wherein the preselected angle falls with a range of angles comprising from about 3° to less than about 75°.  
   
   
       15 . A method of forming a traffic bearing surface in pavement, comprising: 
 providing paving material in a substantially smooth state capable of receiving and maintaining an imprint; and    imprinting a plurality of grooves in the paving material, wherein each groove is substantially parallel and spaced apart from adjacent grooves, each groove beginning at a first side of the paved surface and ending on an opposite side of the paved surface, wherein each groove is not in a substantially linear transverse orientation relative to an intended traffic direction along the traffic bearing surface.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein providing paving material comprises pouring concrete to form a substantially planar surface of uncured concrete.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising curing the concrete to form the traffic bearing surface in the pavement.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein imprinting a plurality of grooves comprises dragging a plurality of tines across the substantially smooth uncured concrete wherein each tine forms a groove in the traffic bearing surface.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein providing paving material comprises providing a substantially planar surface of cured concrete.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein imprinting a plurality of grooves comprises cutting each of the plurality of grooves with a diamond tipped saw blade.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for forming a traffic bearing surface in concrete uncured and capable of accepting and maintaining an imprint, comprising: 
 a trolley supporting a plurality of tines, each tine configured for dragging along the uncured concrete to form a groove; and    a framework for supporting the trolley and configured for sweeping the trolley and plurality of tines across the uncured concrete to form a plurality of grooves, wherein each groove is substantially parallel and spaced apart from adjacent grooves, each groove beginning at a first side of the paved surface and ending on an opposite side of the paved surface, wherein each groove is not in a substantially linear transverse orientation relative to an intended traffic direction along the traffic bearing surface.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of grooves forms a curve selected from a group consisting of: parabolic, sinusoidal, bi-linear, arcuate, multi-linear, preselected angle linear, cross-hatched, convex and concave.