US3776520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing highway guardrail
Assignee: J P C Inc
•
Filing: 1972-11-06
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A maintenance-free guardrail for use on highways or similar use with a built-in and predictable failure rate. It is formed of a body of thermoplastic resin material, which is noncorrosive and sunlight resistant, and which has a steel rod insert embedded therein, the insert being of predetermined geometry to produce a controlled failure pattern when the guardrail is subjected to sufficient impact.
Inventors
- 👤 J Charles
- 👤 R Akens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:27
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/02; E01F15/04; E01F15/0453; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/658; E01F9/669
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A guardrail for use along highways or the like comprising a body of thermoplastic resin material extending longitudinally and having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges and opposed ends, and a reinforcing steel rod insert embedded in said thermoplastic resin body, anchoring steel discs embedded in the plastic body adjacent to but spaced from the respective edges, ends and faces thereof, said discs carrying bushings with their axes so disposed that they receive mounting bolts to extend through the body, said reinforcing rod insert being embedded in the body so that it is coplanar with the discs being spaced from the edges and the front and rear surfaces of the body and extending longitudinally substantially fron one end to the other between the discs with portions curved around the circumferences of the respective discs and secured thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A guardrail for use along highways or the like comprising a body of thermoplastic resin material extending longitudinally and having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges and opposed ends, and a reinforcing steel rod insert embedded in said thermoplastic resin body, anchoring steel discs embedded in the plastic body adjacent to but spaced from the respective edges, ends and faces thereof, said discs carrying bushings with their axes so disposed that they receive mounting bolts to extend through the body, said reinforcing rod insert being embedded in the body so that it is coplanar with the discs being spaced from the edges and the front and rear surfaces of the body and extending longitudinally substantially fron one end to the other between the discs with portions curved around the circumferences of the respective discs and secured thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A guardrail according to claim 1 in which the reinforcing rod insert is in the form of a loop extending around the circumferences of the discs, and an internal reinforcing rod of wave-form secured to the opposed sides of the loop and extending longitudinally from disc to disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guardrail according to claim 1 in which the internal rod of wave-form is provided as a pair of rods secured to each other and to the sides of the loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A guardrail according to claim 1 in which the insert is in the form of a reinforcing rod of double-eye form including inner and outer members having portions extending around the discs and straight longitudinal portions extending between the discs, and straight side portions extending between the outer eyes of said members and welded thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guardrail according to claim 1 in which the rod insert is of Z-form with its ends curving around the discs and secured thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2926904A
Cited
US3233870A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |