GB2309475A - Kerbstones - Google Patents

Abstract

A kerbstone for edging a surface 11 has a face 12 in use upstanding from and facing the surface 11, the face 12 having a recess groove 20 for receiving light-reflective material. Other shapes and dispositions of recess are described and a recess may be formed on the top surface of the kerbstone.

Description

KERBsrONE THIS INVENTION relates to kerbstones or edging stones, that is stones which have an upstal?;ilg face at an edge of a surface, e.g. a road. The kerbstone is typically at the edge of a path with a top surface of the kerbstone generally flush with the surface of the path.

Kerbstones are typically made out of concrete, stone, occasionally clay and a small amount of additional material.

Kerbstones vary in length but are typically substantially rectangular in longitudinal and transverse section, although the edges are typically rounded.

According to the present invention a kerbstone for edging a surface has a face in use upstanding from and facing the surface, the face having recess means for receiving light reflective material.

The light reflective material may for example be a mixture of sand and reflective glass beads or powder and a binder for example cement or polybutadiene.

The invention may be performed in various ways and some specific embodiment with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figs. 1 to 5 are side views of upright faces of kerbstones.

A kerbstone 10 Fig. 1 is generally rectangular in longitudinal and transverse section with rounded-edges. The kerbstone 10 is set at the edge or to define an edge of a surface 11 with an upright exposed face 12 and a top surface 13.

In the present case the face 12, and optionally also the face 13, is recessed to receive light reflective material which may for example be a mixture of sand and reflective glass beads or powder and a binder for example cement or polybutadiene.

The recess may be continuous (Fig. 1) or discontinuous (Figs. 2 to 5) and there may be a plurality of separate recesses or indentations (Figs. 2 to 5).

The recess or recesses can be formed at the time of manufacture of the kerbstone and filled later with reflective material, possibly after fixing at the edge of surface 11.

In Fig. 1 the recess is a lengthwise groove 20; in Fig. 2 there are three spaced upright grooves 21; in Figs. 2 to 5 three spaced circular hollows 22, sideways letter V23, and letter M24 respectively.

When the kerbstones are later laid the headlights of oncoming cars will reflect against the small amount of glass particles, thus making driving much safer, particularly on dark unlit roads at night time or in cases of fog. If required similar indentations could be on the top surface 13 of the kerb and filled as above.

Also for other areas it may be useful to supply a mortar or grouting compound containing the powdered or bead form of reflective glass giving similar advantages to those already mentioned.

Claims (7)

1. A kerbstone for edging a surface having a face in use upstanding from and facing the surface, the face having recess means tor receiving light reflective material.

2. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 1, in which the recess is continuous.

3. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 1, in which the recess is discontinuous.

4. A kerbstone as claimed in any preceding claim, with a said recess in the top surface.

5. A kerbstone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 1, or Fig. 2, or Fig. 3, or Fig. 4, or Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A kerbstone as claimed in any preceding claim with light-reflective material in the recess.

7. A kerbstone as claimed in Claim 6, in which the material comprises glass particles.