US 3,859,000 · Granted 1975-01-07
Reynolds' Modular Road Tiles: The Snap-Together Pavement Patent
Imagine road pavement made from identical puzzle pieces that lock together like LEGOs. Reynolds Metals patented a system of polygonal panels with interlocking L-shaped clips on their edges, so you could build roads by snapping tiles together instead of pouring concrete.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a road surface made from identical invertible polygonal panels where each panel's frame members have L-shaped projections that interlock with adjacent panels. What's protected here is both the geometry of the individual panel (with its frame and load-carrying sheets on both sides) and the method of assembling multiple panels together by interlocking these projections to form a complete road structure.
Why it matters
This patent represents an early attempt to industrialize road construction through modular, prefabricated components rather than site-poured concrete. By using identical, interlocking panels, the system promised faster installation, easier repair (swap out damaged panels), and potential cost savings through mass manufacturing. The approach anticipated modern modular construction principles, though traditional asphalt and concrete methods ultimately dominated the road-building industry.
Real-world use
If you've seen modular plastic or composite road plates used for temporary event parking, military operations, or quick-repair road sections, you're looking at descendants of this interlocking-panel concept.
Original USPTO abstract
A road construction comprised of a plurality of identical invertible polygonal panels with each panel comprising a plurality of single piece peripheral frame members fixed together to define a polygonal configuration and each of the members having a roughly L-shaped projection extending therefrom which is adapted to be interlocked with an identical projection of an associated member. Each panel also has a pair of load-carrying sheets fixed on opposite sides of its frame members.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 3,859,000
- Filing date
- 1972-03-30
- Grant date
- 1975-01-07
- Assignee
- Reynolds Metals Co
- Inventor(s)
- WEBSTER; JOHN L.
- CPC class
- B63B35/34
Want to file your own patent?
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