Recycled rubber construction materials

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a construction material constructed from a plurality of flexible strips, the strips are helically wound upon one another to form a cylindrical pole. The pole may incorporate bolts, nails, screws and polymers for securing the flexible strips to one another. The construction material is generally constructed from discarded tires and may comprise a utility pole, a guardrail, a signpost and may be suitable for many other construction applications.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A construction material comprising: 
 a plurality of flexible strips, said strips helically wound upon one another to form a cylindrical pole; and    securing means for securing said strips to one another.    
     
     
         2 . The construction material of  claim 1  further comprising encasing means for encasing said pole.  
     
     
         3 . The construction material of  claim 1  wherein said flexible strips are rubber.  
     
     
         4 . The construction material of  claim 3  wherein said flexible strips correspond to sidewalls and treads of a tire and are cut therefrom.  
     
     
         5 . The construction material of  claim 1  wherein said securing means comprises polymer resin.  
     
     
         6 . The construction material of  claim 1  wherein said securing means is a fastener.  
     
     
         7 . The construction material of  claim 6  wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of nails, screws and staples.  
     
     
         8 . The construction material of  claim 1  further comprising a central longitudinally disposed mandrel upon which said flexible layers are helically wound.  
     
     
         9 . The construction material of  claim 8  wherein said mandrel is hollow.  
     
     
         10 . The construction material of  claim 8  wherein said mandrel is operatively arranged for removal.  
     
     
         11 . The construction material of  claim 1  further comprising a flared hollow tube disposed through said construction material.  
     
     
         12 . The construction material of  claim 11  wherein said flared hollow tube is disposed through a diameter of said cylindrical pole.  
     
     
         13 . The construction material of  claim 1  comprising a utility pole.  
     
     
         14 . The construction material of  claim 1  adapted to form a guardrail.  
     
     
         15 . A cylindrical pole comprising: 
 a plurality of flexible strips, said strips helically wound upon one another to form said cylindrical pole;    securing means for securing said strips to one another; and,    encasing means for encasing said pole.    
     
     
         16 . A method of producing a pole comprising: 
 cutting the sidewalls and treads from a tire to form separate flat strips;    helically winding said strips upon one another and securing said strips to one another to form a cylindrical pole of desired diameter;    encasing said cylindrical pole.