Rpm double barrel

Abstract

An RPM installer for selectively aligning an RPM dispensing assembly and an adhesive dispenser assembly over a marker location on a roadway and installing a RPM marker at the marker location. “RPM” stands for Raised Pavement Marker. The RPM installer comprises a mounting assembly, the RPM dispensing assembly, and the adhesive dispenser assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to attach the RPM dispensing assembly to a vehicle. The adhesive dispenser assembly is configured for dispensing an adhesive at the marker location. The RPM dispensing assembly is configured for installing the RPM marker at the marker location. The RPM dispensing assembly and the mounting assembly are configured to selectively move relative to one another, between a forward configuration and a rearward configuration, for the precise application of the adhesive and installation of the RPM marker.

1 . An RPM installer for selectively aligning an RPM dispensing assembly and an adhesive dispenser assembly over a marker location on a roadway and installing a RPM marker at said marker location, wherein:
 “RPM” stands for Raised Pavement Marker;   said RPM installer comprises a mounting assembly, said RPM dispensing assembly, and the adhesive dispenser assembly;   said mounting assembly is configured to attach said RPM dispensing assembly to a vehicle;   said adhesive dispenser assembly is configured for dispensing an adhesive at the marker location;   said RPM dispensing assembly is configured for installing the RPM marker at said marker location;   said RPM dispensing assembly and said mounting assembly are configured to selectively move relative to one another, between a forward configuration and a rearward configuration, for the precise application of said adhesive and installation of said RPM marker;   said RPM dispensing assembly comprises
 two or more RPM stack holders comprising at least a first RPM stack holder and a last RPM stack holder, 
 two or more pushers comprising at least a first pusher and a last pusher, and 
 a dropper assembly; 
   each among said two or more RPM stack holders
 holds one among a two or more RPM marker stacks, and 
 comprises one among said two or more pushers; 
   said first RPM stack holder stores a first RPM stack;   said last RPM stack holder stores a last RPM stack;   each among said two or more RPM marker stacks comprise a stack of one or more of said RPM marker;   said first pusher manages said first RPM stack;   said last pusher manages said last RPM stack;   said RPM installer is configured to manage said two or more RPM marker stacks in series by
 storing each among said two or more RPM marker stacks in one among said two or more RPM stack holders, 
 transferring portions of said two or more RPM marker stacks between one another using said two or more pushers, 
 refilling a subsequent stack with RPMs from a previous stack among said two or more RPM marker stacks, 
 verifying that all of said two or more RPM marker stacks eventually load into said last RPM stack for use by said dropper assembly, 
 transferring a bottom most RPM of said last RPM stack into dropper assembly using said last pusher; 
   said adhesive dispenser assembly comprises
 an adhesive reservoir for holding said adhesive, 
 an adhesive extension line for transferring said adhesive from said adhesive reservoir to an adhesive dispenser, and 
 said adhesive dispenser configured to deposit the adhesive at said marker location; 
   said RPM installer is configured to transition between said forward configuration and said rearward configuration, wherein,
 with said RPM installer in said rearward configuration said adhesive dispenser is arranged over said marker location, and 
 with said RPM installer in said forward configuration said dropper assembly is arranged over said marker location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer further comprises
 one or more rails attached to a portion of said mounting assembly, 
 one or more sliding rail blocks attached to a portion of said RPM dispensing assembly, and 
 a sliding assembly actuator that selectively repositions said RPM dispensing assembly to align either said adhesive dispenser or said last RPM stack holder over said marker location; 
   said one or more sliding rail blocks are configured to freely slide over said one or more rails;   said one or more sliding rail blocks are configured to slide over said one or more rails and allow said RPM dispensing assembly to move between the forward configuration and the rearward configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The RPM installer of  claim 2 , wherein
 said two or more rail attachment brackets are configured to mount said one or more rails to a portion of said mounting assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer comprises a controller having
 a memory, and 
 one or more processors; 
   said memory comprises a device application configured to control operation of said RPM installer and monitor performance;   said device application is stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;   said RPM installer further comprises a marker sensor and said controller;   said marker sensor is configured for
 detecting when said last RPM stack holder is below a threshold number of RPM marker, and 
   sending a signal to said controller concerning the status of said last RPM stack holder;   said controller is configured for
 triggering a portion of said two or more pushers to refill last RPM stack holder. 
   
     
     
         5 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer comprises a controller having
 a memory, and 
 one or more processors; 
   said memory comprises a device application configured to control operation of said RPM installer and monitor performance;   said device application is stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;   said adhesive reservoir is in fluid communication with said adhesive dispenser to supply said adhesive through a dispensing nozzle;   said controller is configured to regulate dispensing of said adhesive.   
     
     
         6 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer comprises a controller having
 a memory, and 
 one or more processors; 
   said memory comprises a device application configured to control operation of said RPM installer and monitor performance;   said device application is stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;   said controller receives input from at least one among one or more sensors;   said controller with said one or more sensors are configured for
 monitoring the performance of said RPM installer, and 
 ensuring said RPM marker is installed correctly. 
   
     
     
         7 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer comprises a controller having
 The communication hardware, 
 a memory, and 
 one or more processors; 
   said memory comprises a device application configured to control operation of said RPM installer and monitor performance;   said device application is stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;   said communication hardware is configured for transmitting signals concerning said RPM installer to a user device.   
     
     
         8 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer comprises a controller having
 a memory, and 
 one or more processors; 
   said memory comprises a device application configured to control operation of said RPM installer and monitor performance;   said device application is stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;   said controller and said device application with a location hardware are configured for
 tracking the location and application of said RPM marker on roadway, and 
 directing a user of said RPM installer as to when said RPM marker should be applied to said roadway. 
   
     
     
         9 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said dropper assembly comprises
 two dropper gates, 
 one or more gate motors, and 
 two gate linkages; 
   said two dropper gates comprises a first gate and a second gate;   said two dropper gates comprises
 an open configuration comprising said two dropper gates being horizontal, and 
 a closed configuration comprising said two dropper gates in a non-horizontal arrangement such that said RPM marker can slide between two dropper gates and drop to marker location; 
   said two gate linkages are configured for
 transferring a force between said one or more gate motors and said two dropper gates for transitioning said two dropper gates between open configuration and closed configuration. 
   
     
     
         10 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM installer further comprises a control manifold and a compressor,   said control manifold is configured to direct compressed air to actuators associated with at least one among said two or more pushers, said dropper assembly, and a masher assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said RPM dispensing assembly further comprises a masher assembly;   said masher assembly is arranged over a two dropper gates and substantially aligned with said marker location;   said masher assembly comprises a mashing portion and a linear extension portion;   the masher assembly configured to press said bottom most RPM into said adhesive on the roadway.   
     
     
         12 . The RPM installer of  claim 11 , wherein
 said mashing portion comprises a compressible tip to prevent damage to the RPM marker or to the installer components.   
     
     
         13 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said adhesive dispenser comprises a pivoting bracket, a dispensing head, and a dispensing nozzle;   said pivoting bracket rotateably attaches to a portion of RPM dispensing assembly and rotates about an adhesive system pivot axis;   Said dispensing head can receive one end of said adhesive extension line at an adhesive port;   said adhesive reservoir is in fluid connection with said adhesive dispenser, having the dispensing nozzle.   
     
     
         14 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said vehicle is a motorized vehicle, and   said RPM installer is configured to attach to a portion of said vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 said vehicle is a trailer,   said trailer is configured to be pulled by a motorized vehicle, and   said RPM installer is configured to attach to a portion of said trailer.   
     
     
         16 . The RPM installer of  claim 1 , wherein
 the overall configuration of said RPM installer aligns with a forward movement direction, corresponding to the operational direction of the vehicle during roadway marker installation.   
     
     
         17 . A method of use for a RPM installer having at least a first RPM stack holder, a last RPM stack holder, two or more pushers, and a dropper assembly, the method comprising:
 mounting said RPM installer onto a vehicle or a trailer, so that said vehicle or said trailer can travel along a roadway in a forward movement direction;   determining a marker location at which a RPM marker is to be installed, based on at least one measurement from a marker sensor or other one or more sensors;   depositing a portion of an adhesive at said marker location using an adhesive dispenser in fluid communication with an adhesive reservoir;   sliding a bottom most RPM from said last RPM stack holder into said dropper assembly via a last pusher, so that said bottom most RPM is positioned above said adhesive;   opening two dropper gates of said dropper assembly to allow said bottom most RPM to drop onto said adhesive; and   pressing said bottom most RPM into said adhesive on said roadway with a masher assembly to secure said RPM marker in place.   
     
     
         18 . The method of use of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 detecting with said marker sensor that said last RPM stack holder is below a threshold number of said RPM marker; and   transferring at least one bottom most RPM from the first RPM stack holder to said last RPM stack holder using a first pusher so that said last RPM stack holder is refilled for continued marker installation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of use of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 actuating a sliding assembly actuator to move said RPM installer between a forward configuration in which said dropper assembly is positioned over said marker location, and a rearward configuration in which said adhesive dispenser is aligned with said marker location; and   regulating said adhesive flow via a controller such that a measured volume of adhesive is deposited at each said marker location.   
     
     
         20 . The method of use of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 extending a spring-loaded portion of said masher assembly downward onto said bottom most RPM; and   retracting said masher assembly to allow repeated adhesive placement and RPM installation along said roadway.