US5238228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact absorbing barrier and method of constructing same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-07-25
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2011-07-25
Abstract
Abstract An impact absorbing barrier (10) for use in conjunction with moving vehicles or the like and a method of constructing includes a plurality of torroid-like bumpers (12) stacked vertically to form a cylinder (14). The bumpers (12) of the cylinder (14) are permanently bound together by bands (16) to form the barrier (10). At least one coupling (20) is attached to one of the bands (16) to allow multiple barriers (10) to be attached in a chain-like manner to form a guardrail. The method of constructing the impact absorbing barrier 10 includes the steps of separating a plurality of tires into tire halves (24), (26), (28); placing a first tire half (26) on a base with its concave side exposed; nesting a plurality of tire halves (24) on the exposed concave side of the first tire half (26); and placing a second tire half (28) with its concave side facing the nested tire halves (24) to envelope the nested tire halves (24) within the concave sides of the first tire half (26) and second tire half (28) to form a torroid-like bumper (12). These steps are repeated to form a bumper (12). The bumpers (12) are vertically stacked to form a cylinder (14), and cylinders (14) are tied together to form the barrier (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Danial G. Moon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:10
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of constructing an impact absorbing barrier for use in conjunction with moving vehicles, the method comprising the steps of: separating a plurality of complete tires of various diameters circumferentially along their tread paths into tire halves, each tire half having a concave side and a convex side; placing a first tire half on a base with its concave side exposed; nesting a plurality of tire halves separated from tires of a diameter less than the diameter of the first tire half on the exposed concave side of the first tire half; placing a second tire half separated from tires of a diameter substantially like the diameter of the first tire half with its concave side facing the nested tire halves to envelope the nested tire halves to form a torroid-like bumper; repeating at least once the steps of placing a first tire half, nesting a plurality of tires and placing a second tire half; stacking the bumpers vertically to form a cylindrical stack; and tying the bumpers of the cylindrical stack together to form a barrier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of constructing an impact absorbing barrier for use in conjunction with moving vehicles, the method comprising the steps of: separating a plurality of complete tires of various diameters circumferentially along their tread paths into tire halves, each tire half having a concave side and a convex side; placing a first tire half on a base with its concave side exposed; nesting a plurality of tire halves separated from tires of a diameter less than the diameter of the first tire half on the exposed concave side of the first tire half; placing a second tire half separated from tires of a diameter substantially like the diameter of the first tire half with its concave side facing the nested tire halves to envelope the nested tire halves to form a torroid-like bumper; repeating at least once the steps of placing a first tire half, nesting a plurality of tires and placing a second tire half; stacking the bumpers vertically to form a cylindrical stack; and tying the bumpers of the cylindrical stack together to form a barrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of, between the repeating and stacking steps, bonding each bumper to the immediately preceding bumper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the bonding step includes applying a rubber based adhesive between neighboring bumpers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of, between the stacking and tying steps, compressing the cylindrical stack longitudinally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of covering the barrier with a protective cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the covering step includes fitting a slip-cover formed from weather resistant and flame retardant materials over the barrier in a glove-like fashion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of coupling a plurality of barrier together to form a guardrail.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the coupling step includes attaching a steel coupling bracket to each barrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tying step includes applying a plurality of galvanized steel bands longitudinally around the wall of the cylindrical stack, the bands being equally spaced from each other about the circumference of the stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
An impact absorbing barrier for use in conjunction with moving vehicles, the barrier comprising: a plurality of torroid-like bumpers stacked vertically and compressed longitudinally to form a cylinder, each bumper comprising a plurality of tire halves separated circumferentially from a plurality of complete tires of various diameters along their tread paths, the plurality of tire halves forming a nest of tire halves of various diameters and a matching pair of the plurality of tire halves having a diameter greater than the nested tire halves forming an envelope around the nested tire halves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
An impact absorbing barrier for use in conjunction with moving vehicles, the barrier comprising: a plurality of torroid-like bumpers stacked vertically and compressed longitudinally to form a cylinder, each bumper comprising a plurality of tire halves separated circumferentially from a plurality of complete tires of various diameters along their tread paths, the plurality of tire halves forming a nest of tire halves of various diameters and a matching pair of the plurality of tire halves having a diameter greater than the nested tire halves forming an envelope around the nested tire halves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The barrier of claim 10 further comprising an adhesive applied between each bumper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The barrier of claim 11 wherein the plurality of bumpers vertically stacked and longitudinally compressed is five bumpers compressed to a cylinder having a height of approximately 48 inches and a diameter of approximately 32 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The barrier of claim 11 wherein the adhesive is rubber based.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 10 further comprising means for coupling a plurality of cylinders formed by the stacked bumpers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The barrier of claim 14 wherein the means for coupling is at least one coupling bracket formed from steel attached to one of the bands.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The barrier of claim 10 further comprising a cylindrical cover having an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end of the cover is placed over the cylinder formed by the stacked bumpers in a glove-like fashion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The barrier of claim 16 wherein the cover is formed from a weather resistant and flame retardant material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The barrier of claim 10 wherein the bands are formed of steel and are equally spaced from each other about the circumference of the cylinder formed by the stacked bumpers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |