Inventors:
Stephen T. Bowen - LaCrescent MN, US
Larry E. Tiedemann - Winona MN, US
Eric Jay Wollan - Winona MN, US
Raj Narain Mathur - Goodview MN, US
Assignee:
Plasticomp, Inc. - Winona MN
International Classification:
E01C 13/12
Abstract:
The present invention relates to road spikes that can made of long fiber reinforced thermoplastics that, when deployed, are geometrically positioned to puncture or disable a tire. The spikes can be formed of a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic containing 10-70% long fibers by weight. Spikes of this material can be made as direct and/or alternative replacements for existing metal spikes or as unique integrated devices. One integrated component is a device having several piercing elements that are deployed in a vertically divergent manner spaced about a vertical axis wherein at least one piercing element is directed towards the direction of the oncoming vehicle. In one embodiment deployable from a string, this is accomplished through the use of spikes with six piercing elements that are self-leveling and self-centering. In another embodiment, several clusters can be fixed to a tube that is foldable and extendable.
