U.S. patent application number 11/657335 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for roadway expansion joint bird protection arrangement.
Invention is credited to John Pace.
Application Number | 20080175664 11/657335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641372 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080175664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pace; John |
July 24, 2008 |
Roadway expansion joint bird protection arrangement
Abstract
A roadway-support bird protection arrangement and method for
preventing birds from entering and damaging hollow cores of
elongated roadway support structures. The elongated roadway support
structures are longitudinally spaced apart to allow for expansion
and contraction therebetween. The inventive arrangement includes an
elongated foraminous web of material having generally parallel side
edges, a reinforcement arrangement on its side edges, an attachment
member spaced along the reinforcement member to permit the
foraminous web to be supportively hung between adjacent,
longitudinally spaced apart roadway support structures so as to
keep birds from entering the support structures. The elongated
foraminous web is preferably formed in a "V" shape with elongated
side wings thereon for disposition between and attachment to the
roadway support structures.
Inventors: |
Pace; John; (Beverly,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald N. Halgren
35 Central Street
Manchester
MA
01944
US
|
Family ID: |
39641372 |
Appl. No.: |
11/657335 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01D 19/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/69 |
International
Class: |
E01C 11/02 20060101
E01C011/02 |
Claims
1. A roadway-support bird protection arrangement for preventing
birds from entering hollow cores of elongated roadway support
structures, which elongated roadway support structures are
longitudinally spaced apart to allow for expansion and contraction
therebetween, said arrangement comprising: an elongated foraminous
web of material having generally parallel side edges; a
reinforcement arrangement on said side edges of said elongated
foraminous web; an attachment member spaced along said
reinforcement arrangement to permit said foraminous web to be
supportively and flexibly hung between adjacent, longitudinally
spaced apart roadway support structures so as to keep birds from
entering said support structures.
2. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 1, wherein said elongated foraminous web is formed in a "V"
shape with elongated side wings thereon for disposition between and
attachment to said roadway support structures.
3. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 2, wherein said elongated side edges of said foraminous web
includes a reinforcement arrangement.
4. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 3, wherein said reinforcement arrangement has a web securing
means arranged therewith.
5. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 2, wherein said "V" shaped web is expandable and closable
about its vertex, in corresponding movement with expansion and
contraction of said elongated roadway support structures.
6. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 3, wherein said web securing means with said re-enforcement
arrangement comprises a plurality of spaced-apart anchoring
bolts.
7. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 6, wherein said re-enforcement arrangement comprises a
folded-over web portion of said side wings.
8. The roadway-support bird protection arrangement as recited in
claim 3, wherein said re-enforcement comprises an elongated cable
attached to said side wings of said web.
9. A method of providing a roadway-support bird protection
arrangement for preventing birds from entering hollow cores of
elongated roadway support structures, which elongated roadway
support structures are longitudinally spaced apart to allow for
expansion and contraction therebetween, said arrangement
comprising: attaching an elongated foraminous web of material
having generally parallel side edges to edge portions of said
elongated roadway support structures; placing a reinforcement
arrangement on said side edges; fixing an attachment member spaced
along said reinforcement arrangement to permit said foraminous web
to be supportively hung between adjacent, longitudinally spaced
apart roadway support structures so as to keep birds from entering
from a location between said support structures.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, including the step of:
forming said elongated web into a generally "V" shaped web in
cross-section, with an elongated vertex at a fold thereof.
11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said roadway support
structures are generally of "trough" shape with a hollow core, and
said support structures are longitudinally spaced apart by about 2
to 12 inches to accommodate expansion and contraction
therebetween.
12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said attachment
members comprise spaced-apart bolts extending through said
re-enforcement arrangement.
13. The method as recited in claim 9, including: forming said
elongated web into a generally "W" shape in cross-section to permit
a closer hanging web in its suspension from said roadway support
structures, while still permitting maximum expandability to said
roadway structures.
14. The method as recited in claim 9, including: attaching said
side wings to edges of said roadway support structures by an
adhesive bead to facilitate application and repair of said
foraminous web to said support structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to bird-proofing arrangements for
highway support structures to keep birds from leaving their
droppings in areas which may cause deterioration of that highway
support arrangement.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Highway design has evolved considerably over the past decade
or two. The new type of support for a road surface or a highway,
which is raised and supported on concrete piers or pillars
extending vertically from the ground The highway supports are now
"U" or "trough-shaped" pre-cast concrete housing enclosures. Such
pre-cast concrete housing enclosures are typically about 50-60 feet
long and are supported at each end by the concrete piers or
pillars. Each elongated enclosure housing is spaced apart from a
longitudinally adjacent elongated enclosure housing. These
trough-shaped enclosure housings support a roadway surface on their
uppermost elongated edges. The roadway surfaces are made of steel
mesh with concrete laid thereover. Interdigitated expansion joints
or fingers are arranged between adjacent roadway surface portions
to provide a relatively smooth and supportive joint for vehicular
traffic thereover. The enclosure housings supporting the road
surfaces are however, merely just spaced about a foot apart to
accommodate relative expansion and contraction of the elongated
housing enclosures during ambient temperature changes.
[0005] Such hollow, relatively weather protected, elongated
enclosure housings, often at least six or more feet in height and
15-20 feet at least, in width, provide an attraction for birds,
such as pigeons and the like. Such birds enter the transverse
openings between adjacent ends of each adjacent enclosure of
housing. The birds get in the large hollow spaces within the
elongated enclosures and leave their droppings. Such bird droppings
eventually destroy the integrity of the elongated housing and its
associated support structure and make a hazardous environment for
personnel who enter the roadway to perform maintenance and
inspection work within the roadway support housing.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mechanism for safely and inexpensively eliminating the ability of
birds to enter the hollow core of those elongated housings.
[0007] It is also a further object of the present invention to
provide a protective arrangement for those housings, which will
accommodate their expansion and contraction cycles.
[0008] It is also an object of the present invention, to provide a
bird resistant member between adjacent elongated enclosure housings
which will permit normal weather conditions to enter and leave the
hollow core of those elongated enclosure housings.
[0009] It is also a further object of the present invention to
provide a bird resistant bellows arrangement for gaps between
highway housing structures which permits inspection and
accessability of the housing, the bellows and to facilitate repair
to either, if necessary.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to bird exclusion arrangements
utilized between adjacent elongated pre-cast hull core housing
structures which typically are used to support a highway road
surface. The elongated housing enclosures are typically supported
at each end thereof, by an elongated concrete pier or pillar. A
roadway support is arranged at the end of each elongated hollow
core housing on the upper surface of the concrete pier. Each
elongated hollow core concrete housing, supporting a road surface,
may expand up to about 12'' or contract to that amount, depending
upon weather conditions and/or temperature.
[0011] These elongated pre-cast hollow core road supporting
housings are generally of "trough" shape, or of "U" shape, having
generally elongated (possibly angled) sidewalls, and a lower
support floor, unitary therewith. The support floor is supported on
the roadway supports arranged on the top portion of the concrete
piers. The upper edge of the sidewalls support a road surface. The
road surface is often made from concrete reinforced with steel rods
therewithin. Longitudinally adjacent road surface sections sit on
those top portions of the sidewalls of the elongated housing. The
adjacent sections of road surfaces have interlocking fingers to
accommodate expansion of those road surfaces and the concrete
elongated housing structures while permitting a smooth surface on
which automobiles and traffic may drive.
[0012] An elongated, foraminous, weather permeable bellow may be
arranged between adjacent wall sections and floor sections in the
pre-cast hollow core elongated housing arrangements. Those
elongated bellows in one embodiment, are preferably of generally
V-shape, in cross-section, having extended side wing portions. Each
extended side wing portion, may in one embodiment, include an
elongated cable which is attached to each parallel edge of the wing
portions of that bellow member. Those elongated cables provide a
secure and stable means for attaching a cable clip therefrom and to
the inside portions of the pre-cast wall sides and lower support
floor. In another preferred embodiment for attachment of the side
wing portions to the walls of the housings may be comprised of
spaced-apart stainless steel bolts and washers securing those wing
portions to the housing walls, to permit localized bellows
adjustment or portion replacement thereof, without the hinderance
of a cable thereat. Other preferred embodiments may include bellows
of a "W" shape or a "U" shape, depending upon the nature of the
bellows material, its likely expanded width and the like.
[0013] Expansion and contraction of the pre-cast concrete enclosure
housings effects a corresponding narrowing or pinching and an
expansion and a widening of the "V"-shaped or
"between-the-housings" section of the bellow portion of the present
invention. The permeable nature of the mesh permits inspection of
the mesh, the attachment wing portions and the housings as well as
a circulation of air and weather within the hollow core of the
elongated housings supporting the roadway surface, while preventing
birds and the like, particularly pigeons, from making their way
into the hollow core of such elongated structures and leaving their
droppings therein.
[0014] The invention thus comprises a roadway-support bird
protection arrangement for preventing birds from entering hollow
cores of elongated roadway support structures, which elongated
roadway support structures are longitudinally spaced apart to allow
for expansion and contraction therebetween. The arrangement
comprises an elongated foraminous web of material having generally
parallel side edges, a reinforcement member arranged on said side
edges, an attachment member spaced along the reinforcement member
to permit the foraminous web to be supportively hung between
adjacent, longitudinally spaced apart roadway support structures so
as to keep birds from entering the support structures. The
elongated foraminous web is preferably formed in a "V" shape with
elongated side wings thereon for disposition between and attachment
to the roadway support structures. The elongated side edges of the
foraminous web may include a further reinforcement member or a
folded over to provide a simple edge overlap. Any such
reinforcement arrangement would have a web securing means arranged
therewith. The "V" shaped web is expandable and closable about its
vertex, in corresponding movement with expansion and contraction of
the elongated roadway support structures.
[0015] The invention may also include a method of providing a
roadway-support bird protection arrangement for preventing birds
from entering hollow cores of elongated roadway support structures.
The elongated roadway support structures are longitudinally spaced
apart to allow for expansion and contraction therebetween. The
method preferably includes one or more of the following steps,
including: attaching an elongated foraminous web of material having
generally parallel side edges to edge portions of the elongated
roadway support structures, placing a reinforcement arrangement on
the side edges of the bellows, fixing an attachment member spaced
along the reinforcement arrangement to permit the foraminous web to
be supportively hung between adjacent, longitudinally spaced apart
roadway support structures so as to keep birds from entering the
support structures, forming the elongated web into a generally "V"
shaped in cross-section, with an elongated vertex at a fold
thereof. The roadway support structures are generally of "trough"
shape with a hollow core, and the support structures are
longitudinally spaced apart by about 2 to 12 inches to accommodate
expansion and contraction therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following
drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of a coupled,
interdigitated road surface, supported by a pair of longitudinally
adjacent pre-cast housing enclosures, supported on the upper end of
a concrete pier;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a bird bellow
arrangement arranged between two portions of the elongated
housing;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the V-shaped bird bellow,
shown with its attachment cable and clips, to the inside surface of
adjacent pre-cast sections of the elongated housing;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of
a bird bellow arrangement arranged between two portions of the
elongated housing;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;
and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a further bellow-shape
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown the present invention which relates to bird
exclusion arrangements 10 utilized between adjacent elongated
pre-cast hull core housing enclosure structures 12 which typically
are used to support a highway road surface 14. The elongated
housing enclosures 12 are typically supported at each end thereof
by an elongated concrete pier or pillar 16, or at an interdigitated
juncture 18 of two longitudinally adjacent housing enclosure
structures 12 and 12A as represented in FIG. 1. A
expansion/contraction roadway support 20 is supportively arranged
at the end of each elongated hollow core housing enclosure 12 on
the upper surface of the concrete pier 16. Each elongated hollow
core concrete housing enclosure 12, supporting a road surface 14,
may expand up to about 12''or contract to that amount, depending
upon weather conditions and/or ambient temperature.
[0025] These elongated pre-cast hollow core road supporting housing
enclosures 12 are generally of "trough" shape, or of "U" shape, as
represented for example, in FIG. 2. Each housing enclosure 12 has
generally elongated outwardly tapered sidewalls 22, and a lower
support floor 24, typically formed unitarily therewith. The support
floor 24 is movably supported on the roadway supports 20 arranged
on the top portion of the concrete piers 16. The upper edge 30 of
the sidewalls 22 support the road surface 14. The road surface 14
is often made from concrete reinforced with steel re-rods
therewithin. Longitudinally adjacent road surface sections 14 sit
on those top portions of the sidewalls 22 of the elongated housings
as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The adjacent sections of road
surfaces 14 have interlocking fingers 32 to accommodate expansion
of those road surfaces 14 and the concrete elongated housing
structures 12 and 12A while permitting a smooth surface on which
automobiles and traffic may drive.
[0026] The bird exclusion arrangement 10 may be preferably
comprised of a slightly flexible, elongated, foraminous, permeable,
bird-exclusion bellow 40 which may be arranged to supportively and
foldably expand and foldably contract, while hung between adjacent
wall sections 22 and floor sections 24 in the pre-cast hollow core
elongated housing arrangements 12 as represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and
3.
[0027] Those elongated bellows 40, are of generally "V"-shaped in
cross-section, have extended re-enforced side wing portions 42, as
represented in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each extended side wing portion 42,
may in one embodiment, include an elongated reinforcement or cable
44 which is utilized to fixedly attached each parallel edge 46 of
the wing portions 42 of that bellow member 40 to (and hang between)
the edges of adjacent wall and floor portions 22 and 24 of the
supporting housing enclosures 12. Those elongated cables or
elongated reinforcements 44 provide a secure and stable means for
attaching a cable clip or bolt 50 therefrom and to the inside
portions of the pre-cast wall sides 22 and lower support floor
24.
[0028] Expansion and contraction of the pre-cast concrete enclosure
housings 12 effects a narrowing or pinching and an expansion and a
widening of the V-shaped section 52 of the bellow portion 40 of the
present invention. The permeable nature of the bellow mesh permits
visual mesh and wall inspection as well as a circulation of air and
weather within the hollow core of the elongated housings 12
supporting the roadway surface 14, while preventing birds and the
like, particularly pigeons, from making their way through expansion
gaps between adjacent housing structures 12 and into the hollow
core of the elongated housing structures 12 and leaving their
droppings therein.
[0029] The bellows 40 may in further embodiments be of "U" shape or
even "W" shape 56 in cross-section, as represented in FIG. 7. The
"W" cross-sectional shape permits less "drape" "D" extending from
the road supports 24. The side wing portions 42 having webbed
re-enforcements 58 therein, are shown only with the "V" shape in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Such re-enforcements 58 may be comprised of
elongated folded-over flaps of the side wing portions 42 of the
bellows material. Such preferred re-enforcement permits an anchor
bolt and washer or stud and nut arrangement 60 to secure the
bellows 40 without any embedded cable as in an earlier embodiment.
In a yet further example of an attachment arrangement of the
foraminous side wings 42, a bead of adhesive 62 may be applied to
the edges of the (porous) concrete walls and/or the side wings 42
of the web for simple attachment therebetween and repair of the web
thereafter.
* * * * *