GB2419625A

GB2419625A - Kerb

Info

Publication number: GB2419625A
Application number: GB0423823A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard A C Goodwin; Michael John Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-26
Filing date: 2004-10-26
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-26
Also published as: GB0423823D0; GB2419625B

Abstract

The kerb is moulded from a mixture including synthetic plastics material and comprises a housing that has an impact resistant external face and defines one or more internal chambers adapted to receive concrete or the like and which have a series of strengthening ribs. The mixture preferably includes a filler such as limestone and the synthetic plastic material is preferably polyurethane, which may be recycled. The internal chambers may be partially defined by additional ribs that extend between the top face and the base and which may be disposed within each chamber. Clips may be provided to hold adjacent kerbs together or the kerbs may be provided with interlocking formations. A non-slip texture and/or surface finish is preferably applied to the surface of the kerb which may be sprayed directly onto the kerb or into the mould prior to filling. The finish may be reflective, coloured or luminous. Transponders may be embedded into the kerb and cable ducts may be incorporated into the kerb. Also claimed is a method of laying a moulded kerb.

Description

A KERB

The present invention relates to a kerb. Conventional already known kerb are made of concrete. These are heavy and therefore difficult to lay. Reduction in weight of a kerb is highly desirable for a number of reasons. The most important of these is the reduction in the number of manual. handiing accidents which will result from lifting a lower weight. A second safety advantage is the reduction of the risk to kerb layers of repetitive strain injury to their backs.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material, comprising a housing having an impact resistant external face and defining one or more internal chambers adapted to receive concrete or the like and having a series of strengthening ribs.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of laying a moulded kerb comprising a housing having an external impact resistant face and defining one or more internal chambers including the steps of producing a bed of concrete or the like placing the kerb at the desired position on the bed introducing concrete or the like into the chambers and over the adjacent bed and allowing the concrete or the like to set to secure the kerb in position on the bed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the mixture contains a filler. Advantageously, the synthetic plastics material is a polyurethane and the filler is an asphalt filler. Preferably, these materials are recycled materials. The housing may have a lower front face, upper sloping front face, end faces, a top face and a base.

The internal chambers may be partially defined by additional ribs advantageously extending between the top face and the base. The strengthening ribs may be disposed in the or each chamber. Clips may be provided to hold adjacent kerbs together. Interlocks may be provided between adjacent kerbs. The mould may be modified to apply a surface nonslip texture or other surface features such as lettering to the kerb.

Surface finishes, which may be reflective, coloured, glowing or luminous may be applied by spraying. Spraying may be either of the moulded kerb or the mould prior to filling. Transponders may be embedded in the kerb.

Cable ducts may be provided in the kerb In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a kerb; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the other side of the kerb of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a modification of the kerb of Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 4a to 1 2 respectively show perspective views from the other (interior) side of various other forms of kerb in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, when viewed from the front as shown in this figure, the kerb is of conventional shape and size, the length thereof being one metre.

The kerb shown comprises a housing having a lower front face 1, upper sloping front face 2, end faces 3 (only one visible), top face 4, and a base 5 (visible in figure 2).

The size and shape may of course be varied as desired. Thus all common variants may be provided for such as half battered, bull nose, splay and transition and droppers, channels, quadrants and edging kerbs.

Imperial as well as metric sizes may also be provided for.

The kerb is moulded in an individual machined mould from a composition comprising a synthetic plastics material and a filler.

Advantageously, the synthetic plastics material is a modified polyurethane which provides bonding, tensile strength, stability, !ongevity, impact and abrasion resistance, and finish, although other suitable material may be used. The filler is advantageously an asphalt filler, such as limestone, which provides compressive strength, bulk, cutting properties, economy and rigidity. Again other fillers may be used. The proportions of these two components are preferably in the range 5 to 20% polyurethane and to 80% asphalt filler. To produce a curved version of the kerb, a straight version may first of all be moulded, removed from the mould when not fully cured, and placed upon a jig to shape the kerb to the required radius prior to curing. Some at least of the materials used may be recycled material. The proportions of the mix can be varied to suit the application of the final product - e.g. more polyurethane for a softer finish such as for walkways and/or cycle tracks.

Referring to Figure 2, the kerb is formed with a series of four chambers 1 0, 11, 1 2 and 1 3. The four chambers are defined between end faces 3, and a series of three primary ribs 14, 15 and 16 which extend between the upper sloping front face 2 and base 5. Thus chamber 10 extends between a first end face 3 and rib 14, chamber 11 between ribs 14 and 15, chamber 12 between ribs 15 and 16 and chamber 13 between rib 1 6 and the other end face 3. Within each chamber is a series of three strengthening ribs, 1 7, 1 8 and 1 9 which help to increase the strength of the kerb and its impact resistance. The chambers and ribs are shaped to facilitate the introduction of concrete into the chambers when the kerb is being laid and fixed in position in a manner which is described below.

In laying the above described kerb a bed or race of concrete is first laid. The kerb is placed on this bed. This action is facilitated by the light weight of the moulded kerb as compared with concrete conventional kerbs. Backing structural-grade concrete is then introduced possibly with a trowel to fill the chambers in the kerb and well compacted by tamping down, taking care not to disturb the kerh. Tamping should also be around any dowels and any kerbing pins should be removed to prevent retention in the race concrete. Road forms may be erected to support backing concrete, if necessary. Following introduction of the backing concrete, the concrete is allowed to go off to fix the kerb in position. The finished kerb in position is therefore a composite construction.

Referring to Figure 3, a number of modifications to the kerb described above may be made.

Referring to Figure 4 to 1 2 various other forms of kerb in accordance with the invention are shown. In these forms of kerb the number and placing of the strengthening ribs are adjusted having regard to the particular form. In all these forms these ribs are referenced 30.

Thus Figure 4a and 4b show dropper kerb Figure 4a to the left and Figure 4b to the right. In both cases the transition is from half battered to bull nose along the drop.

Figure 5 shows a quadrant bull nose kerb, Figure 6 a quadrant half battered kerb and Figure 7 a quadrant splay kerb. Figure 8a and 8b show the transition kerbs to the left and right respectively, the transition in each case being from half battered to 45 splay. Figures 9a and 9b show dropper kerbs to the left and right respectively, the transition in each case being from 45 splay to bullnose.

Figure 10 shows a channel dished kerb, the dished surface being referenced 31.

Figures 1 1 and 1 2 respectively show further forms of channel kerbs of differing cross section.

A clip may be introduced to hold adjacent kerbs together. The clip maintains a gap of one millimetre between adjacent kerbs, and locates in * a seating cast into the end face of the kerb. The clip gives a rigidity during laying and particularly placing backing concrete. It also makes it easier to lay a curved kerb line accurately with less setting out because of the capability to fabricate the curve required.

An interlock capability is provided, as with the clip, between adjacent kerbs. This is based on a dog-bone tie, which is inserted into slots in the end face of the abutting kerbs. The interlock gives the same advantages as the clip.

As well as texture, the faces of the mould can be modified to give lettering or symbols to the top face and/or sloping face of the kerb. This may provide a helpful road-safety feature, giving a warning to, say, children at a school entrance. There is also the opportunity to use such a capability for local authority or client logos, for example outside a shop or supermarket. Reflectors can be attached to the mould surface to be embedded in the kerb. A number of different types of surface may be sprayed onto the kerb. The sprayed surface may be reflective, coloured, glowing or luminous. There are significant enhancements to road safety that can be provided by this range of surface treatment. In addition, the textured finish may be used to produce a non-slip surface on say the top face 4.

To produce a surface treatment material may be sprayed into a mould before the mix is introduced. The constituents of the spray are the material to provide the required effect, plus a polyurethane or other carrier, which carries the other material in spray form and fixes to the mould. The spray reacts chemically from leaving the spray nozzle so that it cures immediately on impact with the mould although the airing time could be adjusted.

Both the basic and sprayed finishes are preferably stable to ultra- violet light deterioration. Equipment such as transponders may be embedded in the kerb as indicated diagrammatically at 20. These may be used for traffic counting, vehicle recognition, signal activation and other sensors.

The kerb may be modified to form a cable duct. To this end, one of the faces can be made thicker with a hollow interior. Alternatively, the traffic face 1 can be detachable, secured with a locking mechanism, such as that used for ironwork or for streetlights. Behind the detachable face will be a cellular shoulder to take cables.

Mainly because of the reduced weight in the above described kerb, productivity in laying kerbs may be substantially improved. Furthermore, the reduced weight of kerb will produce significant savings in transport and unloading and handling effort. As the kerb is simpler to lay in position accurately, less skill will be required in kerb laying particularly in regard to the production of curved lines and longer lengths. The use of conventional materials in reduced amounts to produce the kerb leads to a reduction in cost and to costs which are comparable to existing concrete products. The kerb is strong in tension, compression, bending and torsion. It is resistant to chipping, cracking, delamination, abrasion, temperature, freezing, water absorption and de-icing salts, It affords greater control over shape, size and bow and may be produced to more accurate tolerances.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material, comprising a housing having an impact resistant external face and defining one or more internal chambers adapted to receive concrete or the like and having a series of strengthening ribs.

2. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 1, in which the mixture contains a filler.

3. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics S. 1*SS material as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the filler is an asphalt filler. S...

4. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics * material as claimed in Claimi, 2 or 3, in which the synthetic * S..

plastics material is a polyurethane.

5. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the synthetic plastics material is recycled.

6. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 2, or in any of Claims 3 to 5 when appendant directly or indirectly to Claim 2, in which filler is recycled.

7. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing comprises a lower front face, upper sloping front face, end faces, a top face and a base.

8. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 7, in which the internal chambers are partially defined by additional ribs.

9. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 8, in which the additional ribs extend between the top face and the base.

10. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the strengthening ribs are disposed in the or each chamber.

11. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics * ** * material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more s... clips are provided to hold the kerb to an adjacent kerb. S...

12. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics : material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an interlock is S.. .

*:*. 15 provided to lock the kerb to an adjacent kerb.

13. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a non-slip texture is applied to a surface thereof.

14. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a surface finish is applied to the kerb.

15. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 14, in which the finish is applied by spraying.

16. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 1 5, in which the finish is sprayed directly onto the kerb.

17. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 1 5, in which the finish is sprayed on to the mould prior to filling

18. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in Claim 1 4, 1 5, 1 6 or 1 7, in which the finish is reflective, or coloured or luminous.

1 9. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more transponders are embedded in the kerb.

20. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material as claimed in any preceding claim, in which cable ducts are provided in the kerb. S...

21. A method of laying a moulded kerb comprising a housing having an : * * external impact resistant face and defining one or more internal S.. .

*:*. chambers including the steps of producing a bed of concrete or the like placing the kerb at the desired position on the bed introducing concrete or the like into the chambers and over the adjacent bed and allowing the concrete or the like to set to secure the kerb in position on the bed.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, in which two kerbs are laid adjacent to each other and clips are applied to hold adjacent kerbs together.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 21, in which adjacent kerbs are held together by interlocks.

24. A kerb moulded from a mixture including a synthetic plastics material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and any of Figures 4a to 1 2 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of laying a moulded kerb substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and any of Figures 4a to 1 2 of the accompanying drawings. * ** * * S II. S S... * * * *5S S... * S S...

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