Pultruded composite guardrail

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-05-18
CREATIVE PULTRUSIONS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] One aspect of the present invention relates to a pultruded composite beam or guardrail for a guardrail system, including one or more layered reinforcement materials and a resin permeating the one or more layered reinforcement materials, the one or more layered reinforcement materials and resin forming a solid shaped guardrail member when the resin is cured.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a one-piece, unitary and formed or shaped guardrail (or guardrail beam) constructed of pultruded composite material including one or more reinforcement materials set in a plastic resin, such as polyester or poly-urethane resin.
[0015] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a guardrail system having one or more posts and one or more pultruded composite guardrails secured to the posts. The guardrail s

Problems solved by technology

For example, due to their weight, steel guardrails are difficult to transport, install, repair, and remove.
Thus, high labor costs are associated with the transportation, installation, repair, and removal of steel guardrails.
Another inherent problem related to steel guardrails is that even a minor collision may necessitate the replacement of the guardrail.
For example, a minor collision may cause the guardrail to deform, thereby reducing its ability to absorb a subsequent collision.
Also, a minor collision may cause the galvanized coating to be damaged, thereby increasing the susceptibility of the guardrail to corrosion and decreasing its lifespan.
Yet another inherent problem with steel galvanized guardrails is that due to environmental conditions, such as rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc., the zinc galvanized coating may leach into the ground contaminating the soil or the water table near the guardrail.
Another inherent disadvantage for steel guardrails is a lack of aesthetic appeal.
Typically, steel guardrails are silver in color and are incapable of blending into the natural surroundings.
Although steel guardrails can be painted, this increases the overall cost of the steel guardrail.
The guardrail systems disclosed by the prior art, however, are difficult to install.
Additionally, the guardrail systems disclosed by the prior art are more difficult to manufacture.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0023]FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective and side views, respectively, of a pultruded composite guardrail 10 (and may be referred to as a guardrail beam) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pultruded composite guardrail 10 is shown in a thrie-beam (or thrie-section) configuration. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that other configurations and shapes can be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1B, the pultruded composite guardrail 10, in one embodiment, is shown having the following dimensions: overall height—21.5 inches (54.61 cm), width—4.25 inches (10.79 cm) (i.e., from a front face 12 to a back face 14), and thickness—0.25 inches (0.635 cm). In other embodiments, the height ranges between about 15 to 25 inches, the width ranges from about 3.75 to 5 inches, and the thickness ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 inches, and is usually about 0.5 inches or less, and preferable about 0.3 inches or less. The overal...

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Abstract

A pultruded composite guardrail is comprised of one or more layered reinforcement materials and a resin permeating the one or more layered reinforcement materials, the one or more layered reinforcement materials and resin forming a solid shaped guardrail or guardrail beam when the resin is cured. The shaped member may be thrie beam shaped and the resin used may be a poly-urethane thermoset resin. The guardrail may be used in a guardrail system comprised of one or more guardrails and one or more posts. The guardrail system may also include a spacer block attached to each post, an anchor attached to the posts, a splice plate coupling a plurality of the guardrails together, and a plurality of fasteners for joining the components of the guardrail system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 614,355, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, and which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] This invention was made with government support under DOT Contract No. DTRS57-01-C-10054. The government may have certain rights in this invention.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to guardrails and more particularly to a pultruded composite guardrail. BACKGROUND [0004] Guardrails are commonly installed along roadways and other areas to control the direction of traffic flow and to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway. The most common type of guardrail is a steel, W-beam guardrail (i.e., guardrails which typically have a w-shaped cross-section). The steel may be galvanized to help the guardrail resist corrosion. [0005] Typically, metal or wooden ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E01F15/00
CPCE01F15/0438E01F15/0453
InventorTROUTMAN, DUSTIN L.WEYANT, SHANE E.FOEDINGER, RICHARDBRONSTAD, MAURICE E.MOLENGRAFT, EDWARD C. IIIALLISON, RONALD W.
OwnerCREATIVE PULTRUSIONS