Apparatus for covering a portion of a road and method

Abstract

An apparatus for covering a portion of a road including an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture; being circular in shape structured and arranged to cover a portion of the road where a manhole or other opening exists, and configured to protect vehicles that drive over that portion of the road. The inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage. The inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a vehicular driver that is approaching the inflatable member, includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching the inflatable member, and inflatable member is tapered towards a center of the inflatable member.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising:
 an inflatable member, said inflatable member being circular in shape;   an inflation mechanism, said inflation mechanism being located on a top surface of said inflatable member and configured to inflate said inflatable member with a predetermined amount of water;   an aperture, said aperture being located on an outermost edge of a circumference of said inflatable member and configured to drain said predetermined amount of water; and   wherein said apparatus for covering said portion of said road is configured to protect vehicles that drive over said portion of said road.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is reusable. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is an inflatable ramp configured to assist said vehicles in driving over manhole covers. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is made of a durable canvas material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said durable canvas material is configured to house said predetermined amount of water. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said durable canvas material is configured to allow said vehicles to pass over said inflatable member without damaging said durable canvas material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable member is tapered towards a center of said inflatable member. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said center of said inflatable member is substantially flat. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inflation mechanism is a valve. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said valve is configured to be removably attached to a water source. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said water source is a hose. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture further includes a capping element. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said capping element is removably coupled to said aperture and configured to seal the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising:
 an inflatable member, said inflatable member being circular in shape;   an inflation mechanism, said inflation mechanism being located on a top surface of said inflatable member and configured to inflate said inflatable member with a predetermined amount of water;   an aperture, said aperture being located on an outermost edge of a circumference of said inflatable member and configured to drain said predetermined amount of water;   wherein said apparatus for covering said portion of said road is configured to protect vehicles that drive over said portion of said road;   wherein said inflatable member is reusable;   wherein said inflatable member is an inflatable ramp configured to assist said vehicles in driving over manhole covers;   wherein said inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage;   wherein said inflatable member is made of a durable canvas material;   wherein said durable canvas material is configured to house said predetermined amount of water;   wherein said durable canvas material is configured to allow said vehicles to pass over said inflatable member without damaging said durable canvas material;   wherein said inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member;   wherein said inflatable member includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member;   wherein said inflatable member is tapered towards a center of said inflatable member;   wherein said center of said inflatable member is substantially flat;   wherein said inflation mechanism is a valve;   wherein said valve is configured to be removably attached to a water source;   wherein said water source is a hose;   wherein said aperture further includes a capping element; and   wherein said capping element is removably coupled to said aperture and configured to seal the aperture.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising set of instructions; and
 wherein the apparatus is arranged as a kit.   
     
     
         19 . A method of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture;   placing said apparatus upon a road surface above an opening in a road surface; and   filling said apparatus with a predetermined volume of liquid via said inflation mechanism.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 draining said liquid from said apparatus via said aperture; and   removing said apparatus from said road surface.