Curb forming apparatus and method

Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – With means for profile shaping – e.g. – crown

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C404S105000, C404S100000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06293728

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns curbing and, more particularly, improved curb architectures and curb forming apparatus and methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A curb is a border that forms an enclosing or dividing framework or part of a gutter along the edge of a street. Although curbing, especially concrete curbing, exhibits important structural and functional characteristics, its aesthetic appeal is now beginning to prove desirable in landscape architecture. With the availability of concrete dies and specially designed curb forming devices, concrete curbing can be extruded in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Beyond aesthetic and design concerns, however, little has been done to enhance the functionality of curbing in landscape environment and of modifying conventional curb forming devices to accommodate specific structural and functional curb improvements. In view of these and other deficiencies in the art, the continued need for new and useful improvements is evident.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide improved curb architectures and curb forming apparatus and methods.
It is a purpose of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus that are easy to construct.
It is another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus that are easy to use.
It is still another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus that are inexpensive.
It is a further provision of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus for forming a curb or strip having a groove for accommodating a water distribution system.
It is still a further provision of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus for forming a curb or strip having groove for accommodating illumination apparatus.
It is yet still a further provision of the invention to provide a curb architecture having water distribution apparatus.
It is yet a further provision of the invention to provide a curb architecture having illumination apparatus.
It is another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved curb forming apparatus that is safe and efficient.
It is still another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved curb formation methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in new and improved curb architectures and curb forming apparatus and methods. In a particular embodiment, curb forming apparatus of the invention comprises a device for pushing hardenable material through a channel defined by a mold, a source of elongate stock and a feed extending into the channel for forming a groove into the hardenable material and for supplying the groove with the elongate stock. The elongate stock is preferably flexible and removable from the groove. The source of elongate stock may be carried by the device and the mold may support the feed. The feed comprises a receptacle including an upstream end for receiving the elongate stock and a downstream end for directing the elongate stock into the groove. The downstream end of the receptacle normally extends into the channel. The receptacle can be rigidly mounted or adjustable between a first position and a second different position. After extruding a curb and the hardenable material has at least partially hardened or cured, the elongate stock may be removed and replaced with illumination apparatus or water distribution apparatus for forming useful curb architectures.
In another embodiment, curb forming apparatus of the invention may comprise a device for pushing hardenable material through a channel defined by a mold and a protuberance extending into the channel for forming a groove into the hardenable material. The mold may support the protuberance and the protuberance may extend along substantially the entire length of the mold if desired.
Consistent with the foregoing, associated curb formation methods may also be provided.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3261272 (1966-07-01), Jennings, Jr.
patent: 3421419 (1969-01-01), Adcock
patent: 3792133 (1974-02-01), Goughnour
patent: 4084928 (1978-04-01), Petersilk
patent: 4310293 (1982-01-01), Eggleton
patent: 4312602 (1982-01-01), Dale
patent: 4636110 (1987-01-01), Augoyard
patent: 4742970 (1988-05-01), Barazone
patent: 5354189 (1994-10-01), McKinnon
patent: 6123443 (2000-09-01), Conway

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