Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A vehicular traffic system exhibiting improved safety characteristics comprising: a. substantially vertical article bearing means for the support of lighting fixtures, traffic control indicia, utility lines, and the like, comprising a high strength elongated tubular member having an upper end and a lower end, a thin wall thickness, and the ability to undergo catastrophic rupture when struck laterally by a moving vehicle, wherein the wall of said tubular member comprises (a) about 35 to 70 per cent by volume of a resinous matrix, and (b) about 30 to 65 per cent by volume of pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers containing at least 90 per cent carbon by weight incorporated within said resinous matrix, b. a vehicular trafficway, and c. mounting means positioned adjacent said trafficway in engagement with the lower end of said substantially vertical article bearing means, with said mounting means exhibiting no substantial impediment to the movement of a vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A vehicular traffic system exhibiting improved safety characteristics comprising: a. substantially vertical article bearing means for the support of lighting fixtures, traffic control indicia, utility lines, and the like, comprising a high strength elongated tubular member having an upper end and a lower end, a thin wall thickness, and the ability to undergo catastrophic rupture when struck laterally by a moving vehicle, wherein the wall of said tubular member comprises (a) about 35 to 70 per cent by volume of a resinous matrix, and (b) about 30 to 65 per cent by volume of pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers containing at least 90 per cent carbon by weight incorporated within said resinous matrix, b. a vehicular trafficway, and c. mounting means positioned adjacent said trafficway in engagement with the lower end of said substantially vertical article bearing means, with said mounting means exhibiting no substantial impediment to the movement of a vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said elongated tubular member has a wall thickness of about 0.05 to 0.25 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said elongated tubular member has a circular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said resinous matrix of said elongated tubular member is thermoset resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 4 wherein said thermoset resin is an epoxy resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said resinous matrix is a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said elongated tubular member comprises (a) about 35 to 45 per cent by volume of a resinous matrix, and (b) about 55 to 65 per cent by volume of pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers containing at least 90 per cent carbon by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers of said elongated tubular member contain at least 95 per cent carbon by weight, exhibit a substantially graphitic x-ray diffraction pattern, and exhibit a mean single filament Young''s modulus of about thirty million to eighty million psi.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 1 wherein said pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers of said elongated tubular member are provided as continuous lengths which are sustantially coextensive with the length of said elongated tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 9 wherein said pyrolyzed carbonaceous fibers of said elongated tubular member are multifilament yarns or multifilament tows and are incorporated within said resinous matrix in a plurality of overlying plies which are balanced with respect to the axis of said elongated tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicular traffic system according to claim 10 wherein said adjoining plies are positioned within the range of 30* to 60* with respect to the axis of said elongated tubular member.