Flexible rubber curb

• US 20030163955A1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terry C. Harris
• Original Assignee: Terry C. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Terry C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,964,125 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/33
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/28 Raised beds; Planting beds; Edging elements for beds, lawn or the like, e.g. tiles

Abstract

A flexible curb apparatus includes a quantity of flexible polymeric material which includes a length, a width, and a height. The length is substantially greater than the width and the height. Also, a method of dividing a first ground surface from a second ground surface is comprised of the step of placing a flexible curb between the first ground surface and the second ground surface. A curved boundary can be present between the first ground surface and the second ground surface. To fabricate the flexible curb, a molding apparatus is employed. Internal drainage tubes are contained within the quantity of flexible polymeric material, and fasteners are provided for securing the tube-containing flexible curb to a ground surface. A coupler member can be connected between two separate flexible rubber curbs, and coupler fasteners are provided for connecting the coupler member to the two separate flexible rubber curbs.

Claims

1. A flexible curb, comprising a quantity of flexible polymeric material which includes a length, a width, and a height, wherein said length is substantially greater than said width and said height, and wherein said width and said height define a nonhollow cross-section.

2. The flexible curb of claim 1 wherein said flexible polymeric material is fabricated by the following steps:

obtaining a quantity of base material of recycled rubber particles,

obtaining a quantity of binder material,

blending the base material with the binder material to form a base material/binder material blend,

placing the base material/binder material blend in a mold apparatus for providing a molded article having a nonhollow cross-section,

applying pressure to the base material/binder material blend in the mold apparatus to form the flexible polymeric material, and

removing the flexible polymeric material, which has a nonhollow cross-section, from the mold apparatus.

3. The flexible curb of claim 2 wherein said recycled rubber particles have a particle size in a range of from −

6 mesh to +16 mesh.

11. The flexible curb of claim 1, further including:

a coupler member connected between two separate quantities of flexible polymeric material, and

coupler fasteners for connecting said coupler member to said two separate quantities of flexible polymeric material.

12. The flexible curb of claim 1 which complies with ASTM F-1292-99 “

Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment”

.

4. A method of fabricating a flexible curb, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a quantity of base material of recycled rubber particles,

obtaining a quantity of binder material,

blending the base material with the binder material to form a base material/binder material blend,

placing the base material/binder material blend in a mold apparatus that provides a molded article having a nonhollow cross-section,

applying pressure to the base material/binder material blend in the mold apparatus to form the flexible polymeric material, and

removing the flexible polymeric material, which has a nonhollow cross-section, from the mold apparatus, whereby the flexible polymeric material can serve as a flexible curb.

5. A method of dividing a first ground surface from a second ground surface comprising the step of placing a flexible curb, which has a nonhollow cross-section, between the first ground surface and the second ground surface.

6. A method of dividing a first ground surface from second ground surface wherein a curved boundary is present between the first ground surface and the second ground surface, comprising the step of placing a flexible curb, which has a nonhollow cross-section, on the curved boundary.

7. A molding apparatus, comprising:

a support assembly which includes a plurality of first side feet, a plurality of second side feet, and a mold reception assembly interconnected between said first side feet and said second side feet,

a base mold holder supported by said mold reception assembly,

a mold member, which provides an article which has a nonhollow cross-section, supported by said base mold holder,

a pressure source,

a plurality of cylinder/piston assemblies connected to said pressure source, and

a mold ram connected to said cylinder/piston assemblies, wherein said mold ram fits into said mold member.

8. A flexible curb, comprising:

a quantity of flexible polymeric material which includes a length, a width, and a height, and wherein said length is substantially greater than said width and said height,

a horizontal internal drainage tube contained within said quantity of flexible polymeric material, and

fasteners for securing said quantity of flexible polymeric material and said horizontal internal drainage tube to a ground surface.

9. The flexible curb of claim 8 wherein said horizontal internal drainage tube includes and an interior portion of said quantity of flexible polymeric material, which receives said horizontal internal drainage tube, includes internal threads.

10. The flexible curb of claim 8, further including:

a plurality of vertical drainage channels connected to and in fluid communication with said horizontal internal drainage tube.