GB2118999A

GB2118999A - Reflective kerbs or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2118999A
Application number: GB08306029A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Keogh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-06
Filing date: 1983-03-04
Publication date: 1983-11-09
Also published as: GB8306029D0; GB2118999B

Abstract

A concrete member such as a kerbstone (1) has embedded in an upright and/or other visible face (10) one or more reflective elements (2) having a retro reflective action for effective reflection back of light especially from vehicle head lamps, e.g. at night time. For this purpose the or each reflective element (2) is shown consisting of plastic material (24) providing a very large number of minute prismatic formations or points which is mounted on a backing (22). The reflective element or elements (2) are embedded in the face (10) during casting of the kerbstone (1) in a mould and are adhesively or otherwise located on lining paper in the mould. During casting and also for subsequent protection prior to use the reflecting face of the or each reflective element receives a removable masking piece. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Reflective kerbstones or the like and their manufacture This invention relates to kerbstones or similar concrete members such as bollards, posts and the like which are provided with reflectors to enable them to be clearly seen especially in the light of vehicle head lamps at night. The object of the invention is to provide an improved reflective kerbstone or the like and method of its manufacture. Practical advantages of the invention and other applications will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to one aspect of the invention a concrete kerbstone or the like is characterised by an upright face and/or other required face or faces thereof normally visible in use receiving or each receiving embedded therein one or more reflective elements having a retro reflective action for effective reflection back of light especially from vehicle head lamps e.g. at night time.

Further in accordance with the invention the method of manufacture of a said reflective concrete kerbstone or the like is characterised by locating one or more reflective elements together with any backing member or members thereto in a mould and casting the concrete member or kerbstone in the mould and against the back, or backing element of the or each located reflective element whereby the latter become embedded in a required face or faces of the concrete member or kerbstone.

Practical examples of the invention as applied to a kerbstone are shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of a kerbstone provided with reflective elements, Figure 2 is a detail sectional view of one of the reflecting elements on an enlarged scale, Figure 3 is a sectional elevation indicating the method of manufacture, Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view showing a kerbstone provided with another form of reflective element, Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the reflective elements itself as shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a sectional elevation indicating the method of manufacture of the kerbstone shown in Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a detail view showing a further development.

In the case of a kerbstone 1 as shown in Figure 1 or in Figure 4 the upstanding face 10 which may have some rearward inclination and which faces the roadway has embedded therein one or more reflective elements usually a series or several thereof and each having a retro reflective action for effectively and directly reflecting back the light of vehicle headlamps especially at night time.

The elements 2 may be of any suitable shape in face view such as of disc form (Figures 1 and 2) or of strip form (Figures 4 and 5) and in the case of the latter a single elongate element may extend for substantially the length or the face 10 of the kerbstone or several such strip form elements 2 may be embedded in the face 10, e.g. in series.

Generally the reflective elements 2 may be arranged in any suitable manner or pattern i.e. in regular or irregular arrangements.

For suitable retroflective action each element 2 preferably consists of plastic material 24 (Figure 2 or Figure 5) providing a very large number of minute prismatic formations or points which together provide a high degree of reflection, the plastic material being adhesively mounted on a backing member 22.

The reflective elements 2 are embedded in the face 10 i.e. substantially flush with the surface of the latter or may be recessed therein so that they are protected against damage e.g. by the tyres of vehicle wheels and also do not tend to harbour dirt which would otherwise impair their reflective action. In this respect the smooth face 10 of the kerbstone 1 tends to remain clean under conditions of use.

In order to produce kerbstones 1 embodying the reflective elements 2 they are moulded into the face 10 of the latter during manufacture. Thus as indicated in Figures 3 and 6 that part 30 of a mould 3 against which the upstanding face 10 is formed when the concrete kerbstone 1 is cast in the mould 3 receives the reflective element or elements 2 located thereon in any suitable arrangement. To prevent the reflective element or elements 2 being displaced during casting of the kerbstone 1 in the mould 3 the element or elements 2 may be located by means of an adhesive or by location pieces.

Where as shown in Figures 3 and 6 a lining paper 33 is provided in the mould 3 for filtering purposes to retain the fines of the concrete mix in the de-watering process, the reflective element or elements 2 is or are adhesively located on the paper 33 at the required face area. After removal of the cast kerbstone 1 from the mould 3, the paper 33 can be removed from the kerbstone 1 leaving the reflective element or elements 2 securely embedded in the face 10.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6 the backing member 22 is of dovetail form in cross section so that it is positively retained in the face 10 of the kerbstone 1 after the concrete has set.

Also in the example shown in Figures 4 to 6 the reflective face of the strip form element 2 i.e.

the plastic material 24 is covered by a removable masking piece 23 of corresponding size so as to protect the face from the concrete during the casting of the kerbstone 1 in the mould 3. The masking piece 23 can also serve to subsequently protect the face of the reflective element 2 e.g.

during storage, transit and installation of the kerbstone and is then removed when convenient i.e. when the reflective action of the or each element 2 is required.

In a further development shown in Figure 7 the backing member 22 of the or each reflective element 2 is provided with at least one rear projection or spike 21 and which extends into the embedding concrete of the kerbstone 1 in order to provide further retention of the reflective element 2 in position of use.

Kerbstones 1 whether straight or curved and provided with reflective elements 2 in accordance with this invention may be provided at suitable positions of use such as at roadway bends and around traffic islands or roundabouts and/or to identify possible hazards or danger areas.

The provision of reflective elements 2 according to the invention is also applicable to similar members such as bollards and other road fitments or furniture including flower bowls. The elements 2 may be further provided in an upright face or faces of concrete posts such as those used for barring vehicular access to a pedestrian or similar thoroughfare or locality. The elements may be still further provided in concrete paving stones where used in a substantially flat or inclined position.

By way of yet further practical application of the invention the reflective elements 2 may be embedded in concrete members for structural, facing or other purposes.

The reflective elements 2 may be also arranged to provide lettering, numerals and/or symbols as signs, name indications or the like.

Claims

1. A concrete member such as a kerbstone characterised by an upright face and/or other required face or faces thereof normally visible in use receiving or each receiving embedded therein one or more reflective elements having a retro reflective action for effective reflection back of light especially from vehicle head lamps e.g. at night time.

2. A concrete member such as a kerbstone according to claim 2 wherein the or each reflective element is of plastic material providing a very large number of minute prismatic formations or points for effective reflection back of light especially from vehicle head lamps e.g. at night time.

3. A concrete member, such as a kerbstone according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each reflective element is mounted on a backing member embedded in a required face of the concrete member or kerbstone.

4. A concrete member such as a kerbstone according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the or each reflective element is of elongate form.

5. A concrete member such as a kerbstone according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the backing member of the or each reflective element is provided with a rear projection or spike'which extends into the embedding concrete of the concrete member or kerbstone in order to further provide retention of the backing member and reflective element in position of use.

6. A reflective concrete member such as a kerbstone substantially as herein described with reference to any of the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. Method of manufacture of a concrete member such as a kerbstone according to any of the preceding claims wherein the method is characterised by locating one or more reflective elements together with any backing member or members thereto in a mould and casting the concrete member or kerbstone in the mould and against the back or backing element of the or each located reflective element whereby the latter become embedded in a required face or faces of the concrete member or kerbstone.

8. Method of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein the reflective element or elements together with any backing member or members thereto are adhesively located on lining paper provided in the mould.

9. Method of manufacture according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the reflecting face of the or each reflective element is protected by a removable masking member during casting of the concrete member or kerbstone in the mould and thereafter as required.

10. Method of manufacture of a concrete member such as a kerbstone when substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.