Synthetic kerbs and method of use

Abstract

Synthetic kerbstones and method for use in the construction of roads, pathways and footpaths. The synthetic kerbstones described herein can support the edges of a road surface in the same manner as conventional kerbstones so as to allow the construction and use of the road during, for example, nearby building works. The synthetic kerbs can be driven over without the possibility of damage to the appearance of the final road. At the end of these building works, the temporary synthetic kerbs are removed and replaced with conventional kerbstones (typically made of concrete or stone). In use, the synthetic kerbstones described herein are preferably reusable. Alternatively, the kerbstones may be left in place and advantage taken of their resistance to damage on being mounted by vehicles. In this way, the holes or channels 2, 4 running longitudinally through the kerb can be used to provide services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to synthetic kerbstones and method of use. In particular, the present invention relates to synthetic kerbstones that can be used in the construction of roads, pathways and footpaths.

[0002] At the present time, in the construction of roads and footpaths, it is common practice to lay concrete kerbs at the initial stages of a building contract. Typically, a road is constructed relatively early to allow access to the site. The road's sub-base and base course tarmac is also laid at this stage of the contract to act as a hard-standing and/or a surface for construction vehicles to access the site, and which are often heavily laden with building materials and/or waste. The concrete kerbs are therefore susceptible to breakage or often, irreparable damage. This can result in kerb replacement towards the end of the contract, prior to the laying of top-course tarmac and hence, extra expenditure may be incurred as overheads for the contractors.

[0003] In order to overcome these problems, Korean Patent No. KR132721Y discloses shock absorbent rubber kerbs each containing two conical holes formed in a row on either side of the centre, and a mounting groove cut around the edge. The kerbs described in KR132721Y are to be used in conjunction with a mounting element located on the road, having conical studs to be pressed into the conical holes and the kerb pressed into the mounting groove fixing the kerb element to the road. These kerbstones are designed for permanent fixture in place. However, the problems associated with this approach are that the mounting element must be firstly located on the road prior to installation, and that the kerbstones must be manufactured having specific mounting holes and grooves to meet with the mounting element. As such, this two-piece construction is expensive to manufacture and time consuming to install.

[0004] It is the object of the present to provide a synthetic kerbstone and method of use to reduce the incidence of kerb damage by delaying the laying of the final kerbstones until the final stages of construction. The polymeric kerbstones described herein can support the edges of the road surface in the same manner as conventional kerbstones so as to allow the construction and use of the road during, for example, nearby building works. The polymeric kerbs can be driven over without the possibility of damage to the appearance of the final road. At the end of these building works, the temporary polymeric kerbs are removed and replaced with conventional kerbstones (typically made of concrete or stone). In use, the polymeric kerbstones described herein are preferably reusable. Alternatively, the kerbstones may be left in place and advantage taken of their resistance to damage on being mounted by vehicles.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a polymeric kerbstone having at least one longitudinal channel located therethrough.

[0006] Preferably, the polymeric kerbstones are formed from a hard, lightweight, durable rubber or polyethylene compound. Portions of the kerbstone may be made of a lower density polymer material to reduce weight. In a preferred embodiment, the overall weight of the kerbstone is not more than 25 kg, which enables the kerbstone to comply with ‘one man lift’ regulations in the United Kingdom, and similar regulations in other countries.

[0007] Typically, the polymeric kerbstones described herein are formed in the precise dimensions of an existing standard concrete half-battered or bull-nosed kerb. Other embodiments of the present invention provide for other chamfered, radiused and/or splayed kerbstones.

[0008] A preferred additional feature on each kerb is the presence of two or more holes running longitudinally through the half-battered kerb and one or more holes running longitudinally through the bull-nosed kerb. The longitudinal holes are believed to improve the shock-absorbency and hence durability of the kerb and also to decrease the weight of the product. In a preferred embodiment, the end faces of a kerbstone may be provided with interlocking fixing elements.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more longitudinal holes running through the kerbstones may allow for the provision of services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage. The provision of the, or each, service duct is of particular utility when the kerb is intended for permanent fixture, rather than for temporary usage. Access holes may be provided for the service ducts. Ideally service and drainage ducts are provided independently.

[0010] Preferably, the end faces of the kerbstone may be provided with coupling elements for one or each longitudinal hole. These can, for example take the form of a socket and spigot connection.

[0011] In further preferred embodiments, the kerbstones are provided with holes to allow the insertion of removable quarter-turn handles for easy transportation and installation.

[0012] Further preferably, the rubber compound to be used is that obtainable from recycled rubber tyres. This is often known as ‘re-crumb rubber’. Other plastics materials may be employed. The product made in polyethylene is made from either virgin or recycled polyethylene.

[0013] In particular embodiments, dyestuffs or pigments are added to enable the kerb to be manufactured in different colours as required. Preferred colours and textures match existing kerbstones.

[0014] Preferably, the kerbs are formed from a material having an elastic modulus of between 4 MPa (mega-pascals) and 3 GPa (giga-pascals) where 4.4 MPa is equivalent to an IR HD (hardness) value of 60 (arbitrary units).

[0015] Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of laying roads, comprising the steps of:

[0016] (a) placing a set of durable polymeric kerbstones along the borders of the road;

[0017] (b) laying the sub-base of the road;

[0018] (c) replacing the durable polymeric kerbstones with non-polymeric kerbstones; and

[0019] (d) laying the top coat of the road.

[0020] It is believed that the synthetic kerbstone in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above. The advantages of the present invention are that a synthetic kerbstone and method of use are provided to reduce the incidence of kerb damage by delaying the laying of the final kerbstones until the final stages of construction. The polymeric kerbstones described herein can support the edges of the road surface in the same manner as conventional kerbstones so as to allow the construction and use of the road during, for example, nearby building works. The polymeric kerbs can be driven over without the possibility of damage to the appearance of the final road. At the end of these building works, the temporary polymeric kerbs are removed and replaced with conventional kerbstones (typically made of concrete or stone). In use, the polymeric kerbstones described herein are preferably reusable. Alternatively, the kerbstones may be left in place and advantage taken of their resistance to damage on being mounted by vehicles.

[0021] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

[0022] A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the polymeric kerbstone has the precise dimensions of a conventional half-battered kerb.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the polymeric kerbstone has the precise dimensions of a conventional bull-nosed kerb.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, a synthetic kerbstone according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a polymeric kerbstone in the precise dimensions of a conventional half-battered kerb, with an angled chamfer 1 of either 12.5° or 15°. A preferred additional feature is the provision of two or more holes 2 running longitudinally through the kerb. In use, these holes or channels 2 may allow for the provision or services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage. The provision of these service channels 2 is of particular benefit when the kerb is located as a permanent fixture.

[0026] For ease of transportation and installation, the kerbstones are provided with two holes 3 on the upper face, to allow the insertion of removable quarter-turn handles (not shown).

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a polymeric kerbstone of the present invention in the precise dimensions of a conventional bull-nosed kerb and shows an additional feature of one or more holes 4 again running longitudinally through the kerb. Again, the apertures 3 on the upper surface of the kerbstone are provided to allow the insertion of removable quarter-turn handles (not shown).

[0028] Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although particular embodiments refer to replacing the durable polymeric kerbstones with non-polymeric kerbstones on completion of the building contract, this is in no way intended to be limiting as, in use, the present invention may be implemented with the kerbstones left in place as a permanent fixture and advantage taken of their resistance to damage on being mounted by vehicles. In this way, the holes or channels 2, 4 running longitudinally through the kerb can be used to provide services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage.

Claims

1. A polymeric kerbstone having at least one longitudinal channel (2, 4) located therethrough.

2. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric kerbstone is formed from a hard, lightweight, durable rubber or polyethylene compound.

3. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric kerbstone is formed in the precise dimensions of an existing standard concrete half-battered or bull-nosed kerb.

4. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 3, wherein each polymeric kerbstone comprises two or more holes (2) running longitudinally through the half-battered kerb and one hole (4) running longitudinally through the bull-nosed kerb.

5. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric kerbstone is provided with holes (3) to allow the insertion of removable quarter-turn handles for easy transportation and installation

6. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 2, wherein the rubber compound to be used is that obtainable from recycled rubber tyres.

7. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric kerbstone is formed from a material having an elastic modulus of between 4 MPa and 3 GPa where 4.4 MPa is equivalent to an IR HD (hardness) value of 60 (arbitrary units).

8. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein said at least one longitudinal channel (2, 4) allows for the provision of services such as gas, water, electricity, communications and/or drainage.

9. A polymeric kerbstone according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric kerbstone is provided with end faces having coupling elements mounted thereon to facilitate connection of said longitudinal channels (2, 4).

10. A method of laying roads, comprising the steps of: (a) placing a set of durable polymeric kerbstones along the borders of the road; (b) laying the sub-base of the road; (c) replacing the durable polymeric kerbstones with non-polymeric kerbstones; and (d) laying the top coat of the road.