CURB GUARD

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/347,417, filed May 31, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to protective shields and, in particular, to a plastic curb cover to protect against “curb rash.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a car wheel scrapes against a rough concrete or cement curb the damage to the tire is somethings referred to as “curb rash.” Particularly for those who care about their vehicles, this scuffing is not only unsightly, it can also lead to damage to vehicle tires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention protects against curb rash by providing a guard that fits over and conforms to the curb. The product protects wheels and rims from scuffing, while helping to prevent tires from rolling over the curb.

The guard comprises a sheet of plastic material having an inner surface, and outer surface, a thickness “T,” a length “L,” and a width “W”. The guard is dimension to fit over at least a portion of a curb having an upper surface that transitions to a side surface at an angle to the upper surface. As such, the sheet has a first lengthwise portion that overlaps with at least part of the upper surface of the curb and a second lengthwise portion that overlaps with at least part of the side surface of the curb. At least the first portion of the sheet is fastened to the upper surface of the curb. In preferred embodiments, the material bends to conform to the curb so as to form a curved section between first and second portions.

The first portion of the sheet may include a plurality of spaced-apart lengthwise ribs on the outer surface of the sheet. The second portion of the sheet may also include a plurality of spaced-apart lengthwise ribs on the outer surface of the sheet. The second portion of the sheet may further include a plurality of spaced-apart lengthwise ribs on the inner surface of the sheet.

The dimension “T” may be in the range of 0.25 to 0.75 inches; “W” may be in the range of 8 to 20 inches; and “L” may be 4 feet or more. The material may be extruded, and the material may be fastened with a plurality of anchors that penetrate the material and the curb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the invention installed on a curb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the invention installed on a curb 104. In the preferred embodiment, the article/product 102 is extruded from a durable plastic material such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene). An impact resistant additive and/or uv inhibitor may be added. Various other durable plastic/polymeric materials may alternatively be used, including low-density polyethylene, polypropylenes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide-imide (PAI), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and so forth.

The article may be provided in any practical length “L” from 3 to 12 feet, more or less, and may be made in any color including, without limitation, black, blue, red, yellow, orange etc., including fluorescent colors. The product may also be striped in different colors.

The article has a preferred thickness “T” of less than an inch, more preferably less than 0.5″, and most preferably 0.4″ when made from HDPE. As seen in the cross section of FIG. 1, the product has a first section with a width “A” and a second section with a width “C.” Sections A, C transition through a curved section “B.” The curved portion preferably forms an angle over 90 degrees, such as 100 degrees or more, to better conform with existing curb structures when the article is installed. The transition of B may be less gradual than the one shown, and may be at a sharper angle without a curve, and a wide range of angles may be used. In any case, the material used should be sufficiently flexible or pliable to bend lengthwise over most curb structures when installed.

The width “A” may be on the order of 2 to 6 inches, and the width “C” may be on the order of 4 to 10 inches. “B” may be 2 to 4 inches, such that the overall width “W” of the product may be 8 to 20 inches, more or less.

In the preferred embodiment, at least the outer surface of the article may include a plurality of lengthwise ribs with top and side dimensions of 0.5″ or less. In particular, the outer surface of the upper portion may include a plurality of spaced-apart ribs 108 to provide aural feedback if a driver drives over the top of the curb 104. The side portion may include spaced-apart ribs 110, 112, on the inner and outer surfaces, respectively, to better cushion tire engagement and conform to curb surfaces. The disclosed dimensions are exemplary only and may be varied, including smooth surfaces throughout.

The upper portion 102 is secured to the curb with spaced-apart fasteners 114, A gap 106 may be provided between ribs on the upper portion to accommodate these anchors. For example, 0.25″ wedge anchors that sit at or below the ribs may be used, Other types of fasteners may alternatively be used, including concrete screws, epoxied bolts, and so forth. The side portion may or may not be fastened to the outer side surface of the curb. It is also possible to bond the article to the curb with a construction adhesive, with or without anchors.