US5094905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structural articles made of recycled rubber fragments from tires
Assignee: RECYCLING SYSTEMS
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Filing: 1990-02-13
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2010-02-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to three dimensional members made from rubber fragments obtained from discarded tires. These items can be used as structural articles such as landscaping ties, dock bumpers for boat docks or truck loading docks, as resilient mats for workers or certain types of farm animals, or as substitutes for various products that are normally made of wood but which do not need to withstand large longitudinal loads. These articles are made by cutting, grinding, or shredding discarded tires into fragments. The fragments are mixed with an adhesive and molded, preferably under pressure, into a shape such as a rectangular beam. If desired for a particular use, these articles can be reinforced with strips of rubber or strands of fiber to give them greater tensile strength, or with reinforcing bars to give them added stiffness. If desired, they can be covered by a material such as plastic, impregnated cardboard, or a waterproof layer of adhesive.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin N. Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:14
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/04; B29B17/0026; B29B17/0042; C; C08; C08L; C08L19/00; C08L19/003; E; E01; E01F; E01F1/00; E01F8/00; E01F8/02; E01F8/021; E01F8/024; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29L; B29L2030/00; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/24992; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249982
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A landscaping tie constructed of rubber fragments mixed with an adhesive and bonded together, the rubber fragments being produced by fragmenting at least one tire containing rubber and strands of reinforcing material used to reinforce the tire, wherein a sufficient quantity of adhesive is mixed with the rubber to create a free-standing material having structural integrity, said landscaping tie formed under pressure in a mold having the desired shape for a time period sufficient for the adhesive to set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A landscaping tie constructed of rubber fragments mixed with an adhesive and bonded together, the rubber fragments being produced by fragmenting at least one tire containing rubber and strands of reinforcing material used to reinforce the tire, wherein a sufficient quantity of adhesive is mixed with the rubber to create a free-standing material having structural integrity, said landscaping tie formed under pressure in a mold having the desired shape for a time period sufficient for the adhesive to set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The landscaping tie of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, epoxies, urethanes, neoprenes, acrylics, and solvent-based adhesives.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The landscaping tie of claim 1, wherein the rubber fragments are blended with the adhesive in a ratio of four parts rubber fragments to at least about one part adhesive, by volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The landscaping tie of claim 1, wherein the rubber fragments mixed with the adhesive are enclosed within an external layer of non-permeable waterproofing material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The landscaping tie of claim 1, containing elongated strips of rubber incorporated therein to provide reinforcement against tensile stresses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The landscaping tie of claim 1, containing elongated fibrous material incorporated therein to provide reinforcement against tensile stresses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A dock bumper constructed of rubber fragments mixed with an adhesive and bonded together, the rubber fragments being produced by fragmenting at least one tire containing rubber and strands of reinforcing material used to reinforce the tire, wherein a sufficient quantity of adhesive is mixed with the rubber to create a free-standing article having structural integrity, said dock bumper formed under pressure in a mold having the desired shape for a time period sufficient for the adhesive to set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A dock bumper constructed of rubber fragments mixed with an adhesive and bonded together, the rubber fragments being produced by fragmenting at least one tire containing rubber and strands of reinforcing material used to reinforce the tire, wherein a sufficient quantity of adhesive is mixed with the rubber to create a free-standing article having structural integrity, said dock bumper formed under pressure in a mold having the desired shape for a time period sufficient for the adhesive to set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, epoxies, urethanes, neoprenes, acrylics, and solvent-based adhesives.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, wherein the rubber fragments are blended with the adhesive in a ratio of four parts rubber fragments to at least about one part adhesive, by volume.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, wherein the rubber fragments mixed with the adhesive are enclosed within an external layer of non-permeable waterproofing material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, containing elongated strips of rubber incorporated therein to provide reinforcement against tensile stresses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, containing elongated fibrous material incorporated therein to provide reinforcement against tensile stresses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dock bumper of claim 7, comprising an interior portion which has a lower density than an exterior portion, wherein the dock bumper is buoyant in water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dock bumper of claim 13, wherein the interior portion has a lower volume fraction of adhesive than the exterior portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dock bumper of claim 13, wherein the interior portion comprises rubber fragments having irregular non-spherical shapes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3801421A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |