Modular travel warning strip system and methods

Abstract

A modular highway warning strip system which comprises a modular warning strip segment having first and second ends, a length extending between the first and second ends, two opposing lengthwise sides, a width extending between the opposing lengthwise sides of the segment, top and bottom surfaces, and a thickness. Each of the first and second ends comprise at least one male protrusion and at least one female receptacle, wherein the at least one male protrusion is configured to engage the at least one female receptacle for joining a plurality of the segments together end-to-end. Advantageously, a plurality of metallic cables are molded into the molded rubber segment and extend along substantially the entire length thereof. One of the metallic cables extends into each of the male protrusions. The cables are preferably formed of corrosion-resistant steel, and preferably are joined together to form a cable mat. The mat is molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular highway warning strip system comprising:
 a modular warning strip segment having first and second ends, a length extending between said first and second ends, two opposing lengthwise sides, a width extending between the opposing lengthwise sides of the segment, top and bottom surfaces, and a thickness;   each of said first and second ends comprising at least one male protrusion and at least one female receptacle, wherein the at least one male protrusion is configured to engage the at least one female receptacle;   each male protrusion being located along the width of the segment so that it aligns with a widthwise location of a corresponding female receptacle on the opposing end of the segment;   wherein two of said segments may be joined end-to-end in a flush manner by engaging each of the male protrusions on each of the two adjoining segment ends with aligned corresponding female receptacles on the other of the two adjoining segment ends.   
     
     
         2 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising a handle formed in said segment, the handle comprising an opening through the thickness of the segment, open on both the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and large enough to accommodate a gloved adult hand. 
     
     
         3 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the opposing lengthwise sides comprise ramps, wherein the top surface of the segment slopes downwardly to the outside edge thereof so that the edge of the segment has a smaller thickness than a center portion of the segment. 
     
     
         4 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the ramps are sloped downwardly at an angle of approximately 15 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein adjacent ones of said segments may be adjoined in an offset relationship by engaging a male protrusion on one end of a first segment into a non-aligned female receptacle on the adjoining end of a second segment, wherein after said engagement the respective segments are joined in a flush manner, but with offset respective widths, so that a length of the two joined segments is substantially exactly twice the length of a single segment, but a width of the two joined segments is substantially greater than the width of a single one of the segments. 
     
     
         6 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the width of the two joined segments is at least about a third greater than the width of one of the segments. 
     
     
         7 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the width of the two joined segments is about five inches greater than the width of one of the segments. 
     
     
         8 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one stacking lug on the top surface of the segment, and a corresponding stacking recess for flushly receiving a stacking lug on the bottom surface of the segment. 
     
     
         9 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the segment is molded in a sandwich construction, comprising a top layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, a bottom layer of colored vulcanizable rubber, and a middle core layer of black vulcanizable rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of metallic cables molded into the segment and extending along substantially the entire length thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein one of said metallic cables extends into each of said male protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the cables are formed of corrosion-resistant steel. 
     
     
         13 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the cables are joined together to form a cable mat, said mat being molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber. 
     
     
         14 . A modular highway warning strip system comprising:
 a modular warning strip segment having first and second ends, a length extending between said first and second ends, two opposing lengthwise sides, a width extending between the opposing lengthwise sides of the segment, top and bottom surfaces, and a thickness;   each of said first and second ends comprising at least one male protrusion and at least one female receptacle, wherein the at least one male protrusion is configured to engage the at least one female receptacle for joining a plurality of said segments together end-to-end; and   a plurality of metallic cables molded into the segment and extending along substantially the entire length thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein one of said metallic cables extends into each of said male protrusions. 
     
     
         16 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cables are formed of corrosion-resistant steel. 
     
     
         17 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cables are joined together to form a cable mat, said mat being molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber. 
     
     
         18 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein adjacent ones of said segments may be adjoined in an offset relationship by engaging a male protrusion on one end of a first segment into a non-aligned female receptacle on the adjoining end of a second segment, wherein after said engagement the respective segments are joined in a flush manner, but with offset respective widths, so that a length of the two joined segments is substantially exactly twice the length of a single segment, but a width of the two joined segments is substantially greater than the width of a single one of the segments. 
     
     
         19 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the width of the two joined segments is at least about a third greater than the width of one of the segments. 
     
     
         20 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the width of the two joined segments is about five inches greater than the width of one of the segments.