Structural articles made of recycled rubber fragments from tires

Abstract

This invention relates to three dimensional members made from rubber fragments obtained from discarded tires. These items can be used as structural articles such as landscaping ties, dock bumpers for boat docks or truck loading docks, as resilient mats for workers or certain types of farm animals, or as substitutes for various products that are normally made of wood but which do not need to withstand large longitudinal loads. These articles are made by cutting, grinding, or shredding discarded tires into fragments. The fragments are mixed with an adhesive and molded, preferably under pressure, into a shape such as a rectangular beam. If desired for a particular use, these articles can be reinforced with strips of rubber or strands of fiber to give them greater tensile strength, or with reinforcing bars to give them added stiffness. If desired, they can be covered by a material such as plastic, impregnated cardboard, or a waterproof layer of adhesive.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.