GB2579771A

GB2579771A - Kerb protector

Info

Publication number: GB2579771A
Application number: GB1817811.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Marcus
Original assignee: Kerb Guards Ltd
Current assignee: Kerb Guards Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2020-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-31
Also published as: GB201817811D0; GB2579771B

Abstract

The protector 101 comprises an elongate front wall 112, an elongate rear wall 113, and an elongate bridge wall 114 connecting the front and rear walls together that together define an elongate channel 111 within which is mountable a kerb 102 to be protected, the front wall extending from the bridge wall by a greater distance than the rear wall. The front wall at or towards a region furthest away from the bridge wall comprises fixation points 310 to secure the apparatus in position at the kerb via the front wall. The fixation points may comprise at least one lip, projection, rib, barb, shoulder or flange extending lengthwise along at least a part of the front wall. The fixation points may comprise at least one hole 310 provided through the front wall, at least one first bolt 302, a bracket 301 mountable at the front wall via the first bolt and at least one screw or pin 306 mountable at the bracket to secure the front wall to a roadway from which the kerb extends upwardly.

Description

Kerb Protector

Field of invention

The present invention relates to kerb protector apparatus to protect a kerb from damage and 20 in particular although not exclusively to kerb protector apparatus securable at a front or road facing side of a kerb.

Background art

During the course of construction of a new housing estate, it is conventional to install kerbs and a base layer only of tarmacadam to both the roadway and the pavements. A respective top coat of tarmacadam is generally a final operation to complete the estate when all construction traffic had ceased.

However, in the interest of enhanced salability of the completed properties at the entry region of a housing estate, developers increasingly aim to establish as quickly as possible, a street-scene' having roadways with finished kerbs and top coated pavements. This also helps to provide a safer surface for use by residents of the newly completed properties. However, heavy construction traffic is continually using the roads to access the ongoing housebuilding at the rear of the site. As such the installed kerbs are still vulnerable to damage.

Previous attempts to provide a kerb protector configured for the specific protection of kerbs installed in unfinished pavements and roads arc described in GB 2444780 and GB 2446861. Further kerb protectors are described in WO 2008/002404; US 3,379,105 and US 3,957,383.

However, there is a need for a kerb protector that is compatible not only with pavements which have only had their basccoat of tarmacadam installed, but also with completed pavements which have had their tarmacadam topcoat installed.

Summary of the Invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide kerb protector apparatus suitable for installation to or mounted on a kerb that is bordered on the one side by a partially complete pavement and on the other side by a partially complete roadway (that do not have a respective top coat of tarmacadam installed) but also with a kerb positioned and surrounded by a finished pavement (and optionally a road) having a top coat of tarmacadam installed.

It is a specific objective to provide a kerb protector that is adjustably mountable so as to be positioned over and about a kerb in which the protector apparatus may be raised and lowered relative to the kerb. It is a further specific objective to provide kerb protector apparatus that is securable at a front roadside region of a kerb and not at an adjacent rearward pavement side of the kerb. It is a further objective to provide kerb protector apparatus that is adjustably mounted at the front (roadside) region of the kerb via a bracket mounting arrangement. It is a further specific objective to provide a front wall of a kerb protector that is adapted for secure mounting and embedding within a volume of temporary tarmac' with no or minimised likelihood of the kerb protector being dislodged due to contact by a vehicle such as heavy machinery.

The objectives are achieved by providing kerb protector apparatus that in one mode of operation may be configured to hook onto a rearward region of a kerb via a rearward hooked portion and in an alternative or additional mode, the kerb protector is configured for sceurement at the roadside front region of the kerb via an anchoring bracket that may be securable between a front wall of the kerb protector and the road. Alternatively or in addition, the front wall of the kerb protector may be configured with a lip, projection, rib, barb, shoulder or flange configured for seating within temporary tarmac that may be used to secure the front wall against the kerb, with the temporary tarmac being laid into a lengthwise edge of the road from which the kerb extends upwardly. The lower region of the front wall therefore may be embedded into the temporary tarmac via the lip, projection, rib etc. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided kerb protector apparatus comprising: an elongate front wall; an elongate rear wall; and an elongate bridge wall connecting the front and rear walls that together define an elongate channel within which is mountable a kerb to be protected, the front wall extending from the bridge wall by a greater distance than the rear wall; wherein the front wall at or towards a region furthest from the bridge wall comprises fixation means to secure the apparatus in position at the kerb via the front wall.

Optionally, the fixation means comprises a lip, projection, rib, barb, shoulder or flange extending lengthwise along at least a part of the front wall. Such a feature is advantageous to engage and embed into encapsulating temporary tarmac that may be placed at the lengthwise corner edge of the road (at the junction with the kerb), to lock the protector apparatus in position.

Optionally, the fixation means may comprise at least one hole provided through the front wall, at least one first bolt, a bracket mountable at the front wall via the first bolt and at least one screw or pin mountable at the bracket to secure the front wall to a roadway from which the kerb extends upwardly. Optionally, the at least one first bolt is a coach bolt. Optionally, the at least one hole is elongate to allow adjustable mounting of the bracket at the front wall. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a plurality of first bolts, a plurality of holes and a plurality of the screws or pins. Optionally, the bracket is planar, a block or a plate like body that is angled, curved or bent. Optionally the bracket is right-angled bracket.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises at least one spacer positionable within the channel at and against an underside surface of the bridge wall to support the bridge wall against an upper surface of the kerb. Optionally, the spacer comprises one or more elongate strip members or a plurality of pads positionable a spaced apart regions along the length of the kerb protector. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a groove or recess formed in an underside of the bridge wall to at least partially accommodate the spacer.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises an elongate recess extending lengthwise at the junction between the rear wall and the bridge wall to provide clearance between a respective inward facing corner of the apparatus (at the channel) and a rear upper corner of the kerb.

Optionally, the rear wall comprises an upward facing sloping ramped surface extending downwardly from the bridge wall.

Optionally, the rear wall comprises a length, as measured between a central region of an underside surface of the bridge wall and each end edge of the rear and front walls furthest 25 from the bridge wall, that is 2 to 20%; 5 to 15%; 6 to 14%; 6 to 13% or 7 to 13% of the front wall.

Optionally, a region of the front wall comprises a substantially planar front face at or towards the region furthest from the bridge wall to mount the bracket.

Optionally, the fixation means may comprise a polygonal and preferably a rectangular or square washer to abut against a shoulder, lip, ridge or flange provided at a region of the front wall heing inward facing towards the channel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a kerb using kerb protector apparatus as claimed herein positioned over and about the kerb, the kerb mounted at a junction between a footpath and a road.

Brief description of drawings

A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through a kerb secured in position between an incomplete road and pavement with kerb protector apparatus releasably mountable to cover and protect an exposed region of the kerb according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a further cross sectional view though the kerb protector apparatus of figure 1 including a spacer positioned between the kerb protector and the kerb; Figure 3 is a perspective cross sectional view through the kerb protector apparatus of figures 1 and 2 together with a mounting bracket for securing the kerb protector at a front region of the kerb adjacent of a road.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention Referring to figures 1 to 3, a kerb protector apparatus 101 comprises an elongate rear wall 113, an elongate front wall 112 and a bridge wall 114 connecting the rear and front walls 113, 112. An elongate channel 111 is defined by the respective walls 113, 114, 112 and is shaped and dimensioned to receive and at least partially accommodate an exposed region of a kerb 102. Kerb 102 is typically secured in position via a concrete bedding material 103 located at a junction between a roadway 104 and a pavement 105. Rear wall 113 comprises an inward facing surface 109 for positioning adjacent an exposed rear face of kerb 102 and front wall 112 comprises a corresponding inward facing surface 110 configured for positioning against a respective exposed front face of kerb 102. Additionally, an inward facing surface 206 of bridge wall 11 4 is configured for positioning adjacent an upward facing exposed surface of kerb 102 that extends between the respective rear and front kerb faces.

Rear wall 113 is provided with a hooked rear lip 106 configured for abutment against the rearward face of kerb 102 that extends upwardly from pavement 105. A recess or elongate groove 108 is provided at the junction between rear wall 113 and bridge wall 114 so as to provide clearance between the exposed rear corner edge of kerb 102. Recess 108 accordingly prevents damage of the kerb protector 101 due to any movement of rear wall 113. An elongate channel or grove 115 is formed at an underside ofbridge wall 114 and is adapted to receive at least partially a spacer member 202 referring to figure 2. Spacer member 202 is configured to sit between bridge wall 114 and the upper surface of kerb 102 so as to effectively raise the kerb protector 101 upwardly relative to kerb 102.

Kerb protector apparatus 101 further comprises securement means provided at front wall 112 at a position furthest from bridge wall 114 representing a lowermost region of front wall 112 when the kerb protector 101 is installed in position over and about kerb 102. The securement means comprises those components indicated generally by reference 301 to 311 including in particular coach bolt 302, anti-rotation washer element 303, nuts 305 mountable at the distal end of a respective coach bolt 302, elongate shoulder 308, angled bracket 301 (having a first angled part 301a and a second angled part 301b), a pair of slots 304 formed in bracket part 301a, a set of holes 309 formed in bracket part 301b, a plurality of screws 306 securable through holes 309, mounting plugs 307 (positionable within boreholes (not shown) formed within road 104), a planar mounting surface 311 provided at a lowemiost end edge region of a forward facing surface of front wall 112 and a plurality of holes 310 extending through front wall 112 at the region of planar surface 311.

In use and referring initially to figure 1, kerb protector 101 may be provided to fit over kerb 102 which is itself retained in place by concrete bedding material 103 and the basecoat layers of tarmac on the roadway 104 and pavement 105. It will be noted that the pavement basecoat tarmac does not reach to the same height as the top of kerb 102 thus providing a small step which the hooked rear lip 106 can hook over to help retain the protector 101 in place. The upper face of this rear lip 107 is sloped to provide a trip-free ramp for pedestrians. Recess 108 is incorporated into the internal corner of the kerb protector to relieve the corner of the kerb from pressure from impacts, as this is an area particularly prone to damage.

However, in an increasingly common situation i.e. where a topcoat 201 of tarmac has been installed to the pavement 105, further elements of the apparatus 101 are required and are provided as described herein referring to figure 2. In particular, as the hook element of the rear lip 106 is now resting on the top coat of tarmacadam 201, this creates a void above the kerb 102 and between the bridge wall 114. Accordingly, spacer member 202 is provided to give further support to the underside of the kerb protector 101. Spacer 202 may have one or more ribs to retain it in position and seat within groove 115. In such a situation (with topcoat 201) there is no region for the kerb protector 101 to hook onto the kerb 102. Accordingly, alternative or additional means of fixing are proved.

In one aspect, this fixation of the protector 101 is achieved by 4/launching-up' the kerb protector 101 with temporary tarmac 204 which will stay in place until such a time as the kerb protector 101 is to be removed. It may then be broken-out to enable a top coat of tarmacadam to be installed on roadway 104. In order to provide an element for the temporary tarmac to grip, an elongate projection, lip or flange 205 may be provided at or toward a front lowermost edge of the kerb protector 101.

Alternately, or in addition, it may be desired to mechanically fix the kerb protector 101 in position by means of screws, pins or the like. Due to the increasingly common practice of top coating the pavement 105 before completion of the roadway 104, it would be disadvantageous to fix the apparatus at the finished pavement 105 at the rear of the kerb 102. The present invention is advantageous by providing means for fixation into the roadway 104 at the front of the kerb 102. The present invention is further advantageous by providing adjustable fixing means that allows secure and adjustable mounting of the apparatus 101 at the kerb 102 due to irregularity of thickness of basccoat tarmac 104 at the road 104.

Accordingly, there is proved an adjustable foot or bracket element 301 which may be attached to the kerb protector 101 by means such as a set (a pair) of coach bolts 302 and anti-rotation elements 303. This foot 301 may be adjustably mountable to the protection apparatus 101 to accommodate different thicknesses of roadway tarmac by means of elongate ( adjustments') slots 304 into which the bolts 302 arc secured via locking nuts 305. The adjustable foot (bracket) 301 may be secured to the roadway 104 by means of 10 fixing suitable screws 306 and plugs 307, or similar means as will be appreciated.

As will be appreciated, the features described referring to figures 1 and 3 may be elongate extending lengthwise along the full length of the elongate kerb protector 101. However, such features may extend along only one or a plurality of regions of the length of the kerb protector 101. Such elements may include the rear lip 106, the recess 108, groove 115, shoulder 308, lip, projection, rib or barb 205, planar surface 311 and foot/bracket 301. In particular, foot/bracket 301 may be formed as a plurality of elements positionable at for example the lengthwise ends of the kerb protector 101.

Claims

claims 1. Kerb protector apparatus comprising: an elongate front wall; an elongate rear wall; and an elongate bridge wall connecting the front and rear walls that together define an elongate channel within which is mountable a kerb to be protected, the front wall extending from the bridge wall by a greater distance than the rear wall; wherein the front wall at or towards a region furthest from the bridge wall comprises fixation means to secure the apparatus in position at the kerb via the front wall.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixation means comprises at least one lip, projection, rib, barb, shoulder or flange extending lengthwise along at least a part of the front wall.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the fixation means comprises at least one hole provided through the front wall, at least one first bolt, a bracket mountable at the front wall via the first bolt and at least one screw or pin mountable at the bracket to secure the front wall to a roadway from which the kerb extends upwardly.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one first bolt is a coach bolt.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claims 3 or 4 wherein the at least one hole is elongate 25 to allow adjustable mounting of the bracket at the front wall.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 comprising a plurality of first bolts, a plurality of holes and a plurality of the screws or pins.
7. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one spacer positionable within the channel at and against an underside surface of the bridge wall to support the bridge wall against an upper surface of the kerb.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the spacer comprises an elongate strip member or a plurality of individual pads.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claims 7 or 8 further comprising a groove or recess formed in an underside of the bridge wall to at least partially accommodate the spacer.
10. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an elongate recess extending lengthwise at the junction between the rear wall and the bridge wall to 10 provide clearance between a respective corner of the channel and a rear upper corner of the kerb.
11. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rear wall comprises an upward facing sloping ramped surface extending downwardly from the bridge wall.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rear wall comprises a length, as measured between a central region of an underside surface of the bridge wall and each end edge of the rear and front walls furthest from the bridge wall, that is 2 to 20%; 5 to 15%; 6 to 14%; 6 to 13% or 7 to 13% of the front wall.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on claim 3 wherein a region of the front wall comprises a substantially planar front face at or towards the region furthest from the bridge wall to mount the bracket.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the fixation means further comprises a polygonal and preferably a rectangular or square washer to abut against a shoulder provided at a region of the front wall being inward facing towards the channel.
15. A method of protecting a kerb using kerb protector apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 positioned over and about the kerb, the kerb mounted at a junction between a footpath and a road.