Fences – Highway guard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-12-11
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Highway guard
C256S001000, C256S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328284
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Present invention generally relates to devices for covering or enclosing elongated rail structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to a cover for enclosing and beautifying metal highway guardrails while simultaneously enhancing visibility and providing available signage or advertising space.
Guardrails which are presently installed along roadways or highways are typically comprised of horizontal elongated metal guardrail sections that are supported at spaced intervals by a plurality of upright or vertical posts anchored into the ground. The guardrail sections are generally joined in an end-to-end relationship either at the post or intermediate the post with splices. The guardrail sections are generally fastened to the vertical posts by bolting, riveting or similar fasteners.
The metal guardrails are generally constructed of galvanized steel, but are nevertheless still subject to rapid deterioration because of constant exposure to rain, moisture and more particularly road salt. In addition, the guardrails become very unsightly, not only due to rusting and corrosion, but also due to dents, bends and other damage caused by parking vehicles accidentally engaging the guardrail, by debris thrown into the guardrail by passing vehicles and by engagement with snow plows etc.
A major problem encountered with resilient covers of the prior art for guardrails is that they cannot and will not readily be secured to damaged rail segments which are bent and dented.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved highway guardrail cover that is quickly and easily attached to an existing guardrail, provides an attractive corrosion resistant surface and also permits easy application of signage or advertising. The cover of the present invention may also provide safety reflective surfaces and safety notice indicia indicating road hazzards and facility identification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The guardrail covering of the present invention is generally provided for mounting to elongated roadway metal rail segments that usually have a generally W-shaped side face and these segments are secured between upright posts anchored into the ground. The guardrail covering is provided in the form of an inverted generally U-shaped resilient and elongated channel member that is dimensioned to fit downwardly over a guardrail segment.
No additional securement of the covering to the guardrail is required, however, fasteners may be additionally provided if desired for securing the channel member on the guardrail segment.
For such additional securement, the bottom edges of the channel member may extend below the covered rail segment and the fasteners may be provided in the form of spaced bolts securing these bottom edges together underneath the rail segment.
Another means of fastening the channel member to the rail segments is to provide tabs on a bottom edge of the channel member which protrude inwardly for engaging a bottom edge of the covered rail segment.
The resilient covering not only provides a protective and attractive appearance, but may also be utilized for displaying signage indicia to provide information to address a drivers attention to entries, exits, directional situations, dangerous road conditions, facility identification, etc. The signage indicia may also be in the form of product advertising. The covering may be provided with safety light reflective properties.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3861110 (1975-01-01), Bartlett
patent: 4222552 (1980-09-01), Matteo, Sr.
patent: 4723758 (1988-02-01), Gehrig
patent: 4907783 (1990-03-01), Fisk et al.
patent: 5029819 (1991-07-01), Kane
patent: 5299883 (1994-04-01), Arth, Jr.
patent: 5458942 (1995-10-01), Miller
Browne Lynne H.
Carothers & Carothers
Malcolm Tomlyne A
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