Vandalism prevention device for highway bridges
OwnerJohn Nelsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing or inhibiting the vandalism of bridges and other like structures. The apparatus includes a slant plate device having an elongate plate which is positioned so as to extend downwardly and outwardly from a central position on the vertical wall of an I-beam to a position adjacent a far lateral edge of the bottom flange of the I-beam. The plate is sloped sufficiently to inhibit a person from standing on the lower flange of the I-beam while applying graffiti or otherwise vandalizing the bridge. Several different support and attachment structures are also disclosed. The method includes positioning the elongate plate at an angle and attaching the plate to some permanent structure associated with the I-beam.
Claims16
A method for inhibiting vandalism to bridges and the like which are supported by I-beams and similar structures, the method including:
- (a) positioning an elongate plate adjacent to an I-beam so that the plate slopes downwardly and outwardly from a position adjacent a central, vertical wall of the I-beam to a position adjacent a lateral extreme of a flange comprising a lower portion of the I-beam at an angle sufficiently steep to inhibit a person from standing on the elongate plate;
- (b) attaching the elongate plate to the I-beam so that the elongate plate is held in position adjacent the I-beam;
- wherein step (b) comprises, more specifically, attaching the elongate plate to the I-beam;
- and
- further comprising providing a generally vertical support wall extending from an upper end of the elongate plate and extending generally parallel to the central, vertical wall of the I-beam.
An apparatus for inhibiting vandalism to bridges and the like, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate plate positioned at a slope and disposed such that the plate does not provide structural support to the I-beam and positioned adjacent to an I-beam so as to extend from a central position along a vertical wall of an I-beam downwardly and outwardly to a point adjacent a lateral edge of a flange forming a lower portion of the I-beam at an angle sufficient to inhibit a person from standing on the sloped plate;
- support means for maintaining the position of the sloped plate and for attaching the sloped plate to the I-beam;
- wherein the support means comprises an extension projecting generally downward and then wrapping underneath the flange and an anchor means attached to the extension for holding the extension adjacent to the flange, thereby maintaining the sloped plate at the desired angle;
- and
- wherein the anchor means comprises a retainer section disposed on a flange extending from an opposite side of the I-beam, and a retainer means attaching the retainer section to the extension, thereby holding the elongate plate adjacent to the I-beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.