Highway guide post

Claim 2

Apparatus characterized as a post which can be vertically positioned within the soil for delineation of a section of highway which, on vehicular impact is capable of flexing in any direction, and then rebounding to its original position which comprises: a resilient, flexible tubular body of trapezoidal cross-section throughout its length, the four walls which adjoin to form the trapezoidal cross-section including parallel walls and adjoining non-parallel walls, one of the parallel walls forming the trapezoidal cross-section being of greater length than the other walls, and said tubular body is constructed of thermoplastic rubber characterized as an elastomeric blend of mono-olefin polymers with polyolefins which is partially cured while in admixture with a resin.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resilient, flexible tubular thermoplastic rubber body is comprised of a blend of mono-olefin copolymers rubber and a polyolefin resin partially cured by the action of a conventional curing agent while masticating the admixture.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the thermoplastic rubber post possesses the following physical characteristics, to wit: ______________________________________ Specific Gravity .88 Durometer Shore A 92 Tensile Test (ASTM D-412) psi Modulus @ 200 950 elongation Ultimate Tensile psi 1,250 Ultimate Elongation, % 400 Elongation Set, % 50 Tear (ASTM D-470) PLI 100 Ross Flex (ASTM D-1052) kc to 100% growth 0.2 NBS Abrasion Index (ASTM D 1630) 100 Brittle Point (ASTM 3-746) °F. <-100 Mandrel Bend ° F. <-65 Gehman Torisonal Modulus (ASTM D-1053) psi -100° F. 180,000 -50° F. 120,000 -0° F. 100,000 +50° F. 50,000 + 100° F. 36,000 + 150° F. 13,000 +200° F. 10,000 +250° F. 6,000 +300° F. 4,000 ______________________________________

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 where the non-parallel walls are of substantially equal length, the angles formed between the non-parallel walls at the locations where they are adjoined to the long parallel wall are less than 90°, while the angles formed between the non-parallel walls at the locations where they are adjoined to the short parallel wall are greater than 90°.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the shorter of the parallel walls is centered upon the longer wall.

Claim 7

In combination, apparatus characterized as a post to the lower portion of which is fitted a complimentary foot member for attaching and vertically positioning the post, via use of a rigid elongated member, within the soil for delineation of a section of highway, is capable of flexing in any direction, and then rebounding to substantially its original position which comprises: a resilient, flexible tubular body of trapezoidal cross-section throughout its length, the four walls which adjoin to form the trapezoidal cross-section including parallel walls and adjoining non-parallel walls, one of the parallel walls forming the trapezoidal cross-section being of greater length than the other walls, and said tubular body is constituted of thermoplastic rubber characterized as an elastomeric blend of mono-olefin polymers with polyolefins which is partially cured while in admixture with a resin, and a foot member of rigid material provided with an upper portion of cross-section corresponding substantially with, and to which said resilient, flexible thermoplastic rubber body is fitted, and retained, and a lower portion which is provided with vertically downwardly projection serrated edges, the edges being beveled, tapered and sharp for cutting into said soil within which said post is to be erected, whereby said rigid elongated member can be passed through said resilient, flexible tubular thermoplastic rubber body for contact with said foot member, force being exerted on said elongate member to drive said foot member into the soil, and the elongated member thereafter withdrawn to leave the post in erected position.

Claim 8

In combination, apparatus characterized as a post to the lower portion of which is fitted a complimentary foot member for attaching and vertically positioning the post, via use of a rigid elongated member, within the soil for delineation of a section of highway, is capable of flexing in any direction, and then rebounding to substantially its original position which comprises: a resilient, flexible tubular body of trapezoidal cross-section throughout its length, the four walls which adjoin to form the trapezoidal cross-section including parallel walls and adjoining non-parallel walls, one of the parallel walls forming the trapezoidal cross-section being of greater length than the other walls, and said tubular body is constituted of thermoplastic rubber characterized as an elastomeric blend of mono-olefin polymers with polyolefins which is partially cured while in admixture with a resin, and a foot member of rigid material provided with an upper portion of cross-section corresponding substantially with, and to which said resilient, flexible thermoplastic rubber body is fitted, and retained, and a lower portion which is provided with vertically downwardly projection serrated edges, the edges being beveled, tapered and sharp for cutting into said soil within which said post is to be erected, whereby said rigid elongated member can be passed through said resilient, flexible tubular thermoplastic rubber body for contact with said foot member, force being exerted on said elongate member to drive said foot member into the soil, and the elongated member thereafter withdrawn to leave the post in erected position.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the resilient, flexible tubular thermoplastic rubber body of the post is constituted of a blend of mono-olefin copolymer rubber and a polyolefins resin partially cured by the action of a conventional curing agent while masticating the admixture.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the thermoplastic rubber body of the post posseses the following physical characteristics, to wit: ______________________________________ Specific Gravity .88 Durometer Shore A 92 Tensile Test (ASTM D-412) psi Modulus @ 200 950 elongation Ultimate Tensile psi 1,250 Ultimate Elongation, % 400 Elongation Set, % 50 Tear (ASTM D-470) PLI 100 Ross Flex (ASTM D-1052) kc to 100% growth 0.2 NBS Abrasion Index (ASTM D 1630) 100 Brittle Point (ASTM 3-746) °F. <-100 Mendrel Bend ° F. <-65 Gehman Torisonal Modulus (ASTM D-1053) psi -100° F. 180,000 -50° F. 120,000 -0° F. 100,000 +50° F. 50,000 + 100° F. 36,000 + 150° F. 13,000 +200° F. 10,000 +250° F. 6,000 +300° F. 4,000 ______________________________________

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cross-section of resilient, flexible tubular thermoplastic rubber body of the post includes non-parallel walls are of substantially equal length, the angles formed between the non-parallel walls at the locations where they are adjoined to the long parallel wall are less than 90°, while the angles formed between the non-parallel walls at the locations where they are adjoined to the short parallel wall are greater than 90°.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the shorter of the parallel walls of the post is centered upon the longer wall.