GB2174741A - Kerb - Google Patents

Abstract

A kerb for delimiting a ground area such as an athletic's track comprises an elongated rigid channel member (1) secured to the ground (11) with a resilient buffer member (9) attached thereto so as to cover the channel member (1). The channel member (1) has a base (2) and opposed flanges (3, 4) defining a mouth (5) into which is received a neck portion (7) of the buffer member (9). Rag bolts, studs or threaded dowels (18) pass through apertures (10) in the base (2), and through spacers (12) into the ground (11) for temporary or permanent fixing of the kerb as desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Kerb This invention relates to a kerb which is useful for delimiting a ground area and which is particularly applicable to the delimitation of sports grounds and especially athletics tracks.

The present kerb is a composite which includes an open box section rigid member the open side of which defines a mouth into which fits a restricted neck of a resilient buffer which is to cover over the top of the rigid member. The rigid member may be secured to the ground by means, e.g. screws or bolts situated opposite to, and therefore accessible from, the mouth. This securing may be permanent or temporary, and the box section will preferably be spaced above the ground by a spacer provided around the stem of the securing means. The temporary securing may be by means of a dowel fitting into a socket in the ground such that when the kerb is removed the ground is left entirely clear.

The problem of providing such kerbs is particularly acute where athletics tracks are concerned because the current regulations recommend the presence of a kerb inside the inner lane but the present designs are metallic, normally aluminium extrusion, and tend to be damaged when hit; also being metallic they tend to injure anyone who comes into violent contact with them.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a section through the kerb and its support in the ground, where the attachment to the ground is temporary, Figure 2 shows the same but with a permanent attachment to the ground and Figure 3 is a perspective and sectioned sketch of the embodiment of Figure 2.

A kerb is provided which is to go around the inner edge of the inner lane of a conventional athletic track. It has an open box section channel member with a base 2 as the major face and with inturned opposed flanges 3, 4, defining a mouth 5 between them on the opposite major face.

The kerb also has a resilient buffer 9 which is supported on top of and covers over the rigid member 1. Its resilience is given to it by its material normally rubber or other suitable elastomer and by the provision in it of voids such as tubular holes 6, the position and extent of which affect the overall "softness" of the buffer 9.

At its base the part 9 has a neck leading to a portion 8 of greater dimension than the neck, the neck 7 being matched to the width of the mouth 5 so that as seen in Figures 1 and 2 the rubber part 9 may be securely fastened to the box section part 1 by interfitting of the neck and mouth. At intervals in the base 2 of the box section part there are provided somewhat elongate slots 10 directly below the mouth 5. These are for the reception of securing means by which the channel and bumper are held to the ground 11, being spaced from it however by spacer rings 12 which surround the stem of the securing means. The ground 11 usually consists of a hard sub-surface 13 covered by some synthetic surface 14 suitable for the purpose envisaged for the arena. Figure 1 shows how the kerb may be removably attached to the ground and Figure 2 shows how it may be permanently attached.

Permanent attachment will be, for an athletic track, along the straigh+ portions of an endless track with removable parts usually along the curves.

In Figure 1, a borne.15 is drilled into the sub-surface and a socket 16 let into it. This houses a cylindrical part 17 of a screwth readed dowel 18 the top of which projects up through the slot 10 where it is secured by a nut 19 and which entraps the spacer 12. The kerb may be lifted off to free the dowel 18 from the socket 16 leaving the surface entirely clear.

In Figures 2 and 3, a more permanent fixing is shown, with the securing means here being a rag bolt or a blind securing bolt 20 such as a Rawlbolt (Trade Mark) engaging the sub-surface 13 through an expansible gripping member 31.

To assemble the kerb short lengths of members 1 are secured to the ground with similar lengths of buffer 9 being slid into them, in succession. Atthe end of a permanent portion of kerb thus assembled, at least one completely pre-assembled portion is then fitted by dowel and socket connection as in, for example, Figure 1.

1. A kerb comprising an elongated rigid member of box-section and a resilient buffer member, one side of which rigid member has an opening therein into which a neck portion of said buffer member is received, and means for securing said rigid member to the ground.

2. A kerb according to claim 1, wherein said rigid member is of constant open box-section along its length.

3. A kerb according to claim 2, wherein said rigid member is an open channel member having a base wall, opposed side walls and inturned opposed flanges defining an open mouth therebetween on that side of said rigid member opposed to said base wall.

4. A kerb according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said buffer member is of constant cross-section along its length and has a neck portion extending therealong dimensioned to be received in said opening, a retaining part disposed within said rigid member and a cover part covering said one side.

5. A kerb according tri'any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said securing means are disposed at that side of said rigid member opposed to said one open side.

6. A kerb according to claim 5, wherein apertures are provided in said rigid member in that side thereof opposed to said one open side, each of said apertures being adapted to receive a securing means therethrough.

7. A kerb according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising spacer means by means of which in use said rigid member is supported spaced from the ground.

8. A kerb according to claim 7, wherein said spacer means have a bore therethrough and are

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Kerb This invention relates to a kerb which is useful for delimiting a ground area and which is particularly applicable to the delimitation of sports grounds and especially athletics tracks. The present kerb is a composite which includes an open box section rigid member the open side of which defines a mouth into which fits a restricted neck of a resilient buffer which is to cover over the top of the rigid member. The rigid member may be secured to the ground by means, e.g. screws or bolts situated opposite to, and therefore accessible from, the mouth. This securing may be permanent or temporary, and the box section will preferably be spaced above the ground by a spacer provided around the stem of the securing means. The temporary securing may be by means of a dowel fitting into a socket in the ground such that when the kerb is removed the ground is left entirely clear. The problem of providing such kerbs is particularly acute where athletics tracks are concerned because the current regulations recommend the presence of a kerb inside the inner lane but the present designs are metallic, normally aluminium extrusion, and tend to be damaged when hit; also being metallic they tend to injure anyone who comes into violent contact with them. A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a section through the kerb and its support in the ground, where the attachment to the ground is temporary, Figure 2 shows the same but with a permanent attachment to the ground and Figure 3 is a perspective and sectioned sketch of the embodiment of Figure 2. A kerb is provided which is to go around the inner edge of the inner lane of a conventional athletic track. It has an open box section channel member with a base 2 as the major face and with inturned opposed flanges 3, 4, defining a mouth 5 between them on the opposite major face. The kerb also has a resilient buffer 9 which is supported on top of and covers over the rigid member 1. Its resilience is given to it by its material normally rubber or other suitable elastomer and by the provision in it of voids such as tubular holes 6, the position and extent of which affect the overall "softness" of the buffer 9. At its base the part 9 has a neck leading to a portion 8 of greater dimension than the neck, the neck 7 being matched to the width of the mouth 5 so that as seen in Figures 1 and 2 the rubber part 9 may be securely fastened to the box section part 1 by interfitting of the neck and mouth. At intervals in the base 2 of the box section part there are provided somewhat elongate slots 10 directly below the mouth 5. These are for the reception of securing means by which the channel and bumper are held to the ground 11, being spaced from it however by spacer rings 12 which surround the stem of the securing means. The ground 11 usually consists of a hard sub-surface 13 covered by some synthetic surface 14 suitable for the purpose envisaged for the arena. Figure 1 shows how the kerb may be removably attached to the ground and Figure 2 shows how it may be permanently attached. Permanent attachment will be, for an athletic track, along the straigh+ portions of an endless track with removable parts usually along the curves. In Figure 1, a borne.15 is drilled into the sub-surface and a socket 16 let into it. This houses a cylindrical part 17 of a screwth readed dowel 18 the top of which projects up through the slot 10 where it is secured by a nut 19 and which entraps the spacer 12. The kerb may be lifted off to free the dowel 18 from the socket 16 leaving the surface entirely clear. In Figures 2 and 3, a more permanent fixing is shown, with the securing means here being a rag bolt or a blind securing bolt 20 such as a Rawlbolt (Trade Mark) engaging the sub-surface 13 through an expansible gripping member 31. To assemble the kerb short lengths of members 1 are secured to the ground with similar lengths of buffer 9 being slid into them, in succession. Atthe end of a permanent portion of kerb thus assembled, at least one completely pre-assembled portion is then fitted by dowel and socket connection as in, for example, Figure 1. CLAIMS

1. A kerb comprising an elongated rigid member of box-section and a resilient buffer member, one side of which rigid member has an opening therein into which a neck portion of said buffer member is received, and means for securing said rigid member to the ground.

2. A kerb according to claim 1, wherein said rigid member is of constant open box-section along its length.

3. A kerb according to claim 2, wherein said rigid member is an open channel member having a base wall, opposed side walls and inturned opposed flanges defining an open mouth therebetween on that side of said rigid member opposed to said base wall.

4. A kerb according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said buffer member is of constant cross-section along its length and has a neck portion extending therealong dimensioned to be received in said opening, a retaining part disposed within said rigid member and a cover part covering said one side.

5. A kerb according tri'any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said securing means are disposed at that side of said rigid member opposed to said one open side.

6. A kerb according to claim 5, wherein apertures are provided in said rigid member in that side thereof opposed to said one open side, each of said apertures being adapted to receive a securing means therethrough.

7. A kerb according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising spacer means by means of which in use said rigid member is supported spaced from the ground.

8. A kerb according to claim 7, wherein said spacer means have a bore therethrough and are provided around a stem part of said securing means.

9. A kerb according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said securing means comprise screwthreaded dowels or studs, each with a cooperating socket and nut.

10. A kerb according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said securing means comprise rag bolts or blind securing bolts, each operable to engage the ground through an expansible gripping member.

11. A kerb according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said buffer member is of rubber.

12 A kerb according to claim 11, wherein said buffer member has a plurality of voids therein.

13. A kerb substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.