Kerb cradle

A new kerb protection tool could save the construction industry millions of pounds in maintenance costs.

Invented by Steven Graham from South Yorkshire in the UK, the protector fits over the kerb, allowing heavy machinery to roll over it without damage. Roads are constructed before surrounding buildings so heavy building equipment can crack or sink the kerbs.

Local authorities in the UK require kerbs to be in good condition before they consider taking ownership of a road.

As a result construction workers found that many kerbs needed replacing following building construction.

UK-based invention specialist Inventor-Net is helping Graham develop his idea.

“At a cost of £22 (US$45) for each section of kerb replaced, the price of getting kerbs up to scratch can soon run into the thousands on any one individual construction project.

“The proposed kerb protector will eliminate the need to replace kerbs and, therefore, avoid the cost of later repairs,” said Ralph Atkinson, director of Atkinson and Company which co-created Inventor-Net with Fixed Fee IP. For further information see www.atkinsonandco.com and www.fixedfeeip.com