US5407178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for suspension across a driveway to keep objects from entering street
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-08-04
•
Granted: 1995-04-18
•
Expires: 2013-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A driveway guard for installation across a driveway to prevent playthings from going into the street. The driveway guard includes a pair of posts, a net with an apron, guy lines, tent pegs and assemblies for connecting the net to the posts. The net is long enough to span a two-car driveway and has a dividing strip separating the net into two net portions. One of the net portions has a length for spanning a one-car driveway. A pair of belts are attached to the dividing strip. To install the driveway guard across a two-car driveway, the entire length of the net is suspended across the driveway between the posts, which are staked and guyed into the ground on opposite sides of the driveway. The apron engages the driveway to prevent objects from rolling under the net into the street. For a one-car driveway, the net is rolled up from one end to the dividing strip and the belts are run around the roll and buckled. The one-car net portion is then suspended across the driveway. For storing and carrying the net, the net is rolled up from both ends to the dividing strip and the belts are buckled around the two rolls. A handle may be attached to the dividing strip to facilitate carrying the net.
Inventors
- 👤 James Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:47
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F13/00; E01F13/02; E01F13/028; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/02; A63B71/022; A63B71/023; A63B2071/024; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for preventing objects from entering a street from a driveway, the apparatus comprising: a pair of posts, each post being removably secured in a substantially upright position on opposite sides of a driveway; a net suspended across the driveway between said posts, said net having a lower end disposed toward the driveway; an apron attached to the lower end of said net with at least a portion of said apron engaging the driveway to prevent objects from passing between the lower end of said net and the driveway; and means for enhancing the visibility of the apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for preventing objects from entering a street from a driveway, the apparatus comprising: a pair of posts, each post being removably secured in a substantially upright position on opposite sides of a driveway; a net suspended across the driveway between said posts, said net having a lower end disposed toward the driveway; an apron attached to the lower end of said net with at least a portion of said apron engaging the driveway to prevent objects from passing between the lower end of said net and the driveway; and means for enhancing the visibility of the apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said posts include a luminescent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said posts include a light-reflecting material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said net includes a luminescent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said net includes a light-reflecting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of guy lines attached to each post; and means for removably anchoring each one of said guy lines to the ground; wherein said guy lines include a luminescent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of guy lines attached to each post; and means for removably anchoring each one of said guy lines to the grounds; wherein said guy lines include a light-reflecting material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of preventing objects from entering a street from a one-car driveway, the steps of the method comprising: providing a pair of posts and a net, the net having an overall length for spanning a two-car driveway and having a plurality of straps attached thereto such that the distance from one end of the net to the point of attachment of the straps is approximately equal to the width of a one-car driveway; rolling up the net from the end thereof to the straps to form a rolled-up end of the net; passing the straps through the net and around the rolled-up end of the net; securing the straps around the rolled-up end of the net; placing the posts on opposite sides of a one-car driveway in substantially upright positions; and attaching the rolled-up end of the net to one post and the opposite end of the net to the other post to suspend the net across the one-car driveway to prevent objects from entering the street from the one-car driveway.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of preventing objects from entering a street from a one-car driveway, the steps of the method comprising: providing a pair of posts and a net, the net having an overall length for spanning a two-car driveway and having a plurality of straps attached thereto such that the distance from one end of the net to the point of attachment of the straps is approximately equal to the width of a one-car driveway; rolling up the net from the end thereof to the straps to form a rolled-up end of the net; passing the straps through the net and around the rolled-up end of the net; securing the straps around the rolled-up end of the net; placing the posts on opposite sides of a one-car driveway in substantially upright positions; and attaching the rolled-up end of the net to one post and the opposite end of the net to the other post to suspend the net across the one-car driveway to prevent objects from entering the street from the one-car driveway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: guying and anchoring the posts to maintain the posts in a substantially upright position.
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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) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |