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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A modular highway warning strip system comprising:
 a first 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;   a second 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;   at least one of the first and second ends of the first modular warning strip segment being configured to engage one of the first and second ends of the second modular warning strip segment, so that the first and second modular warning strip segments are joined to one another to form at least a portion of the modular highway warning strip system;   the first modular warning strip segment being comprised of a first color and the second modular warning strip segment being comprised of a second color which is different than the first color.   
     
     
         22 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 21 , and further comprising a handle formed in each of said first and second modular warning strip segments, 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. 
     
     
         23 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 21 , and further comprising at least one stacking lug on the top surface of each of the first and second segments, and a corresponding stacking recess for flushly receiving a stacking lug on the bottom surface of each of the first and second segments. 
     
     
         24 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first and second segments 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. 
     
     
         25 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 21 , and further comprising a plurality of metallic cables molded into each of the first and second segments and extending along substantially the entire length thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the cables are formed of corrosion-resistant steel. 
     
     
         27 . The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the cables are joined together to form a cable mat, said mat being molded into the segment, which segment is molded of rubber.