IP Library Granted Patent US 12,505,765
Granted Patent B2
US 12,505,765 · App. 18/324,701 · Granted Dec 23, 2025

Printable signage for traffic and pedestrian areas

Inventors: Scott Wieclaw (Galena, OH); Marlo Carter (Roanoke Rapids, NC); Tim Donley (Rocky Mount, NC); Christopher J. Vidoli (Wake Forest, NC)
Assignee: PATCH RUBBER COMPANY
G09F19/228B32B5/02B32B27/12B32B37/24E01C11/24E01C23/18E01F9/512E01F9/524G09F13/16B32B2037/243B32B2250/02B32B2255/10B32B2255/20B32B2255/26B32B2255/28B32B2260/021B32B2260/025B32B2260/046B32B2264/101B32B2274/00B32B2305/073B32B2305/18B32B2305/77B32B2307/412B32B2307/416B32B2307/744B32B2315/08B32B2519/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,505,765
App. No.
18/324,701
Granted
Dec 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A graphic assembly, such as a floor or road surface sign for vehicle traffic and/or pedestrian traveled areas, is provided. The graphic assembly can include a polymeric substrate layer fixed to a fabric layer that is positioned between the polymeric substrate layer and an adhesive layer. Further, the graphic assembly can comprise a top surface that includes a plurality of surface enhancement particles embedded within a particle receptive layer that is adjacent to the polymeric substrate layer. The plurality of surface enhancement particles include reflective particles and anti-skid particles.

Claims (39)

1 . A graphic assembly comprising:

a polymeric substrate layer fixed to a fabric layer that is positioned between the polymeric substrate layer and an adhesive layer; and

a top surface that includes a plurality of surface enhancement particles embedded within a particle receptive layer that is adjacent to the polymeric substrate layer, wherein the plurality of surface enhancement particles include reflective particles and anti-skid particles;

wherein the polymeric substrate layer is positioned between the particle receptive layer and the fabric layer, wherein the adhesive layer is adjacent to the fabric layer; and

wherein the fabric layer is impressed onto a surface of the polymeric substrate layer to thereby attach the fabric layer to the polymeric substrate layer.

2 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a transparent protectant layer covering the particle receptive layer and the plurality of surface enhancement particles.

3 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of surface enhancement particles extends beyond a surface of the particle receptive layer.

4 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the reflective particles are arranged in the particle receptive layer so as to provide the graphic assembly with a retroreflective property.

5 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is composed of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

6 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a graphic layer selectively applied to a portion of the top surface, wherein the graphic layer is a urethane based paint.

7 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reflective particles are glass beads.

8 . The graphic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a release liner engaged with the adhesive layer to prevent the adhesive layer from premature contact with a target surface.

9 . A ground graphic assembly, comprising:

a polymeric substrate layer adjacent to a particle receptive layer;

a plurality of reflective particles and anti-skid particles embedded into the particle receptive layer;

a graphic layer selectively applied to a surface of the plurality of reflective particles and anti-skid particles such that one or more first reflective particles are covered by the graphic layer while one or more second reflective particles are exposed; and

a fabric layer embedded into the polymeric substrate layer that is opposite the particle receptive layer to thereby attach the fabric layer to the polymeric substrate layer, wherein the polymeric substrate layer is positioned between the particle receptive layer and the fabric layer.

10 . The ground graphic assembly of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the plurality of reflective particles and anti-skid particles extend from the particle receptive layer and is positioned outside the particle receptive layer.

11 . The ground graphic assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the fabric layer is positioned on an opposite side of the polymeric substrate layer as the particle receptive layer.

12 . The ground graphic assembly of claim 9 , wherein the polymeric substrate layer is an elastomeric material.

13 . The ground graphic assembly of claim 9 , wherein the anti-skid particles are irregularly shaped.

14 . A method for manufacturing a floor sign, the method comprising:

providing a polymeric substrate layer;

impressing a fabric layer to a first surface of the polymeric substrate layer to thereby attach the fabric layer to the polymeric substrate layer via the polymeric substrate layer;

applying a particle receptive layer to a second surface of the polymeric substrate layer, wherein the first surface is opposite the second surface; and

at least partially embedding a plurality of surface enhancement particles into the particle receptive layer, wherein the plurality of surface enhancement particles include reflective particles.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

applying an adhesive layer to the fabric layer having been attached to the polymeric substrate layer, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to adhere the floor sign to a target surface.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein applying the adhesive layer to the fabric layer further comprises:

applying the adhesive layer to the target surface; and

placing the fabric layer in contact with the adhesive layer on the target surface.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising placing a release liner on the adhesive layer to prevent the adhesive layer from premature contact with a target surface.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancement particles further include anti-skid particles and/or glass beads.

19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

curing the particle receptive layer to secure the position of the plurality of surface enhancement particles.

20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

selectively applying a graphic layer to cover a portion of the plurality of surface enhancement particles.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2024
From: PATCH RUBBER COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066548/0722 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: CARTER, MARLO; DONLEY, TIM; VIDOLI, CHRISTOPHER J.
To: PATCH RUBBER COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064132/0820 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63365363 · May 26, 2022
Related Publication 20230386370A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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