Fences – Highway guard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-10-30
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Highway guard
C256S001000, C256S059000, C256S019000, C404S006000, C404S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308936
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to guardrail systems which extend along roadways and, more particularly, to a novel guardrail block which is incorporated into such systems.
Standard guardrail systems generally include a plurality of vertical rectangular wooden posts longitudinally spaced and fixed in place along the shoulder of a roadway, a longitudinally extending metal W-beam guardrail, a rectangular wooden post or spacer block mounted between each post and the guardrail, and bolt assemblies connecting the blocks and guardrail to the posts.
Often the wood blocks are about 6″×8″×14″ and have a rectangular recess cut into their back face to fit around the posts. The wood blocks weigh about 18 pounds each and can be heavy and awkward for the installer to handle. In addition the blocks utilize natural resources, trees, and require a cutting operation for the recess on the back face, thus increasing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide a novel post block constructed of recycled plastic material and configured in a way which substantially reduces the weight of the block while still maintaining required strength.
Another object of the invention is to provide the above novel post block which is of generally rectangular configuration but has weight reducing recesses on the sides of the block and, in some instances, weight reducing voids extending transversely through the block.
Still another object of the invention is to provide the above novel post block also containing a rectangular recess on its back face, with the side recesses, the voids, and back recess being formed in the block during a plastic molding process.
The novel block of the invention is molded from recycled post-consumer or post-industrial waste plastic, e.g. polypropylene, high density ethylene, low density ethylene, or combinations thereof, and thus not only protects the environment, but also reduces cost. The block could also possibly contain up to 20% fly ash.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.
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Browne Lynne H.
Malcolm Tomlyne A
Tamburro David A.
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