Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to barriers, and more particularly, portable,
reusable, control
barrier systems for use in controlling pedestrian and automobile traffic.
2. The Relevant Technolo~v
Control barriers are used in a variety of situations. For example, control
barriers can be
selectively positioned at special events or construction sites to help direct
pedestrian and automobile
traffic in a desired direction. Alternatively, control barriers can be put up
to help limit access to
select areas. In yet other embodiments, control barriers can be put up to
define an entertainment
stage or the boundaries of a playing field. For example, control barriers can
be used to define the
boundaries of a soccer field or an ice skating rink.
Conventional control barriers have long comprised individual sawhorse type
barriers or
collapsible V-shape barricades. Such barriers, however, have limited use since
they are generally
lightweight and are thus easily tipped over or moved. This can be a problem
when large crowds are
encountered or when the barriers are being used on a playing field where they
might get bumped.
Furthermore, such barriers are typically not connected and often have spaces
or gaps extending
therethrough. As such, it is possible for individuals to either slip between
or through the barriers.
Other barriers comprise various gates or walls which are constructed. Such
barriers,
however, require extensive time to assemble and disassemble. In yet other
alternative embodiments,
concrete barriers have been used. Although concrete barriers are not easily
tipped over, such barners
are extremely heavy. As such, they are difficult to move and place in desired
locations. Often,
special equipment such as fork lifts or cranes are required. Furthermore,
concrete barriers can be
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
both difficult and expensive to move over large distances and require a large
area to store. Concrete
barriers can also be dangerous in that they are rigid and non-forgiving when
impacted by a person.
In one attempt to overcome some of the above problems, plastic barriers have
been made.
The plastic barriers are hollow and can be filled with water for stabilizing.
Although an
improvement, plastic barriers also have several limitations. For example,
plastic barriers are
relatively slippery and thus can be pushed out of the way. Plastic barners are
also typically large and
bulky. As a result, they are not easily stacked and require large areas to
store. Finally, plastic
barners which are small enough to be practical to use at crowded events, are
typically not sufficiently
stable to be prevented from being tipped over.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVE TN ION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved
control barriers
which are relatively light for ease in transport and positioning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide improved control
barriers that once
positioned are sufficiently stable to prevent being tipped over.
It is another object of the present invention to provided improved control
barriers that have
a sufficiently high coefficient of friction to prevent them from being easily
pushed out of the way
once positioned.
Yet another object of the present invention to provide control barriers which
can be securely
locked together.
Also, another object of the present invention is to provide control barriers
which X111 yield
slightly upon impact to lessen the damage to an object or individual colliding
with the barrier.
Another object of the present invention is to provide improved control
barriers that can be
easily stacked for storage or transport in a relatively small area.
Finally, it is yet another object of the present invention to provide improved
control barriers
that are recyclable.
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier
system which is
operable with a ballast (such as, for example, sand or water) and comprises
movable first and
second barriers. The first barrier comprises a housing, an interior surface
defining an internal
chamber and means for filling the internal chamber with the ballast. The
housing includes a front
wall, a back wall, and a pair of opposing sidewalk with a floor extending
there between. The
floor has a bottom surface with a recessed slot formed thereon, the slot
including a horizontal
portion that extends through one of the sidewalk and a vertical portion that
intersects with the
horizontal portion and projects up into the housing above the horizontal
portion. The second
barrier comprises a housing, including a front wall, a back wall, and a pair
of opposing sidewalk
with a floor extending there between and an interior surface defining an
internal chamber. Means
are included for filling the internal chamber with the ballast. A connector
projects from one of
the sidewalk of the housing of the second barrier, the connector including a
base outwardly
projecting from the sidewall and a leg upwardly projecting from the base at a
distance spaced
apart from the sidewall. The connector is configured to be received within the
slot of the first
barrier so as to selectively interlock the first barrier to the second
barrier.
The leg of the connector may have an inside face that inwardly slopes so as to
form an
inside angle between the inside face of the leg and the base of the connector
that is less than 90°,
with the sidewalk of the first and second barner configured to bow outwardly
when the barriers
are filled with the ballast.
The aforesaid barrier system may also include a threaded insert mounted on the
floor of
the first barrier and a hole extending through the connector, with the hole
being aligned with the
threaded insert when the connector is received within the slot of the first
barrier, and a fastener
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
adapted to extend through the hole in the connector and engage with the insert
so as to secure the
connector to the first barrier. The connector may be removably mounted to the
housing of the
second barrier.
Also provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention is a barner,
being
operable with a ballast, configured according to the aforesaid first barrier
and wherein the
internal chamber communicates with the exterior through an opening and is
configured to receive
the ballast through the opening; and, a substantially U-shaped connector,
having a pair of
upstanding legs with a cross-member extending there between, is configured
such that when one
of the legs is received within the slot recessed on the floor of the housing,
the opposing leg is
freely disposed adjacent to one of the sidewalk. Each of the aforesaid legs of
the connector may
have a sloping outside face and an inside face sloped so as to form an inside
angle between the
inside face of the leg and the cross-member that is less than 90°. Each
of the sidewalk of the
housing for this embodiment is preferably configured to bow outwardly when the
housing is
filled with the ballast.
According to another embodiment there is further provided a barrier, operable
with a
ballast, which comprises a housing, including a front wall and a back wall,
each extending
between opposing sidewalk, and an interior surface defining an internal
chamber. The internal
chamber communicates with the exterior through an opening through which the
ballast can be
fed into the internal chamber. Each of the sidewalk bows inwardly when the
internal chamber is
empty and bows outwardly when the internal chamber is filled with the ballast.
Means are
included for substantially preventing bowing of the front wall and the back
wall when the
internal chamber of the housing is filled with the ballast.
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
The means for substantially preventing bowing may comprise a plurality of
pockets
recessed within the front wall and the back wall, and the side walls may be
substantially planar
and have a substantially uniform thickness. One or more display recesses may
be formed in the
back wall or front wall. A tie-down port extending between the front wall and
the back wall may
be included.
According to a further embodiment, a barrier system comprises a pair of
discrete,
movable barriers, each of the barriers including a housing having a front wall
and a back wall,
each extending between opposing sidewalk, an exterior surface with a
substantially triangular
transverse cross section and an interior surface defining an internal chamber
wherein the internal
chamber communicates with the exterior through an opening. Means are included
for
mechanically mating the pair of barriers together such that the resulting
combination has a
substantially square transverse cross section. Such means may be provided by
each housing
having a floor with the back wall orthogonally extending from the floor to a
top end and the front
wall extending at an angle from the floor to the top end; a tenon projecting
from the front wall;
and a mortise spaced from the tenon and recessed within the front wall, the
mortise being
positioned such that when one of the barriers is inverted and the front walls
of the barriers are
biased together, the mortise of each barrier receives the tenon of the other
barrier. There may
also be included a post upwardly extending from the interior surface of the
housing, the post
being in alignment with the opening in the housing.
According to a still further embodiment a barrier system includes a pair of
barriers, each
including a housing having a front wall and a back wall each of which extends
between opposing
sidewalk, wherein the housing has a sloping front wall and an interior surface
defining an
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
internal chamber and means are provided for filling the internal chamber with
a ballast. And a
tenon and mortise as aforesaid are configured such that the tenon of each of
the barriers can be
complementary received within the mortise of the other barrier when the
sloping front walls of
the barriers are biased together. The tenon may have a triangular
configuration and foot rest may
be formed on the front wall. The front wall may extend between opposing side
walls with a drain
hole extending through the front wall adjacent to a floor of the housing and a
drain ridge
projecting upwardly from the floor and extending from a corresponding side
wall to the drain
hole. The housing may comprise a floor and a pair of fork lift apertures
recessed therein.
Also provided by another aspect of the invention is a barrier which is
operable with a
ballast and is selectively positioned on a ground surface. A housing has a
floor extending
between a front wall and a back wall and the front and back walls extend
between opposing
sidewalk. The housing also has an interior surface bounding an internal
chamber which is
configured to receive the ballast and communicates with the exterior through
an opening. A
plate is removably mounted to the housing and projects from the back wall
along
the ground surface when the floor of the housing is positioned over the ground
surface. A rail is
mounted on, and upwardly projects from, the plate so that at least a portion
of the rail is disposed
adjacent to the back wall of the housing. The plate may be mounted to the
floor and, preferably,
projects at least one foot away from the housing.
The invention also provides, in a further embodiment, a barner interacting
with a ballast
on a ground surface, in which a plastic housing has a floor extending between
a front wall and a
back wall each of which extends between opposing sidewalls, and an interior
surface bounding
an internal chamber configured to receive the ballast and communicate with the
exterior through
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
an opening. A pad, which may comprise rubber, is mounted to the exterior
surface of the floor of
the housing, the pad having a coefficient of friction when placed on pavement
greater than about
0.4.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a barrier system operable with a
ballast
includes a plurality of discrete movable barriers, each having: a housing
including a pair of
opposing sidewalk extending between a front wall and a back wall, and a floor;
a pad mounted to
the exterior surface of the floor of the housing, the pad having a coefficient
of friction when
placed on pavement greater than about 0.3; an interior surface defining an
internal chamber; and,
means for filling the internal chamber with the ballast. A guide rail is
horizontally disposed and
removably mounted to the front wall of each of the movable barriers, the guide
rail being
independently supported by the movable barriers, the guide rail being in the
form of an elongated
panel. The guide rail may be bolted to each of the plurality of barriers and,
preferably, has a
width in a range between about 20 cm to about 60 cm and a thickness in a range
between about 1
cm to about 10 cm. The guide rail may be mounted at a height that is level
with the bumper of
conventional automobiles. The pad, which may be comprised of rubber or
elastomer, preferably
has a coefficient of friction when placed on pavement greater than about 0.5.
Further, the invention broadly provides a barrier, operable with a ballast,
which includes a
housing having a front wall and a back wall each extending between opposing
sidewalk, and an
interior surface defining an internal chamber with the internal chamber
communicating with the
exterior through an opening through which the ballast can be fed into the
internal chamber; and
wherein each of the sidewalk bows inwardly so as to be concave when the
internal chamber is
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CA 02254190 2005-12-15
empty and bows outwardly so as to be convex when the internal chamber is
filled with the
ballast.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and
objects of the
invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly
described above will
be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated
in the appended
drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only tropical embodiments
of the invention and
are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention
will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is perspective view of an inventive barrier;
Figure 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of the barrier shown in
Figure 1 taken along
section line 2-2 and including a connector;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector shown in
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the barrier shown in Figure 1 absent
ballast;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the barrier shown in Figure 1 having
ballast received
therein;
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
Figure 6 is a partially cut away front view of a pair of barriers shown in
Figure 1 attached by
the connector;
Figure 7 is a partially cut away plan bottom view of the barrier shown in
Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a partially cut away perspective view of the barriers shown in
Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the barrier shown in Figure 8 taken
along section
line 9-9;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of barriers shown in Figure
9 coupled
together;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative barrier shown in Figure 1;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of barriers having a guide rail
mounted thereon;
Figure 13 is a partially cut away perspective view of the barrier shown in
Figure 1 having a
conduit extending therethrough;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of interconnected rods used to extend through
the conduit
shown in Figure 13; and
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the inventive barriers being secured to the
ground by
anchors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Depicted in Figure 1 is one embodiment of an inventive burner 10 incorporating
features of
the present invention. Barrier 10 comprises a housing 12 having an exterior
surface 14. Housing
12 structurally includes a front wall 16 and an opposing back wall 18 each
extending between
opposing sidewalls 20 and 22. Each of sidewalk 20 and 22 likewise extend
between a rounded top
end 24, where front wall 16 and back wall 18 intersect, and an opposing floor
26.
Front wall 16 and back wall 18 are depicted as being substantially square. In
alternative
embodiments they can have alternative geometrical shapes such as rectangular
or curved to form a
corner. Sidewalls 20 and 22 are depicted as being substantially triangular.
Specifically, back wall
18 intersect with floor 26 at an inside angle 6, at about 90°. In
alternative embodiments, angle 8,
can be in a range between about 70 ° to about 90 ° with about 80
° to about 90 ° being more preferred.
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CA 02254190 1998-11-17
Front wall 16 intersects with floor 26 at an angle 62 in a range between about
30° to about 60° with
about 40 ° to about 50 ° degrees being more preferred and about
45 ° being most preferred.
As depicted in Figure 2, barrier 10 also has an interior surface 28 that
bounds an internal
chamber 30. Internal chamber 30 is configured to receive a ballast. As used in
the specification and
appended claims, the term "ballast" is broadly intended to include any
materials which can be poured
into internal chamber 30. By way of example and not by limitation, the ballast
can include water,
salt water, non-freezing fluids, sand, rock, cement, and concrete. In yet
another embodiment, the
ballast can also include foam such as a polyurethane foam.
In one embodiment of the present invention, means are provided for filling
internal chamber
30 with ballast. By way of example and not by limitation, depicted in Figure
1, internal chamber 30
communicates with the exterior through an opening 32 located at top end 24.
Opening 32 can be
selectively sealed closed by a cap 34. In alternative embodiments, opening 32
can be positioned at
other locations on barrier 10. Means are also provided for selectively
draining ballast from barrier
10. By way of example and not by limitation, a threaded drain hole 36 extends
through front wall
16 adjacent floor 26. Plug 38 can be screwed into drain hole 36 for sealing
drain hole 36 closed.
In alternative embodiments, drain hole 36 can also be positioned at other
locations on barrier 10.
To help prevent plug 38 from accidentally being knocked out of drain hole 36,
drain hole 36 is
preferably positioned within a recess 40.
Barrier 10 is preferably made of a resiliently deformable plastic material
having strong, semi-
rigid, and energy absorbing properties. Such materials include linear or cross-
linked plastics which
will deform under pressure but will not fail in a brittle manner. Examples of
conventional plastics
include polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, nylon, polycarbonate, and
polypropylene. Additives such
as dyes, pigments, and reinforcements, such as fibers, can also be added to
the material. Florescent
dies can also be added to help barriers 10 glow at night for better direction
of traffic. In one
embodiment, it is preferred that barrier 10 be made from a recyclable plastic
such as polyethylene.
This enables old or broken barriers to be ground down and recycled into new
barriers.
Barrier 10 is preferably made by rotational molding. Of course, other molding
processes,
such as injection molding or die molding, can also be used. Independent of the
method used, it is
7
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
generally desirable that barner 10 have a substantially uniform thickness T so
as to minimize shrink
deformation. In one embodiment, barrier 10 has a thickness T in a range
between about 0.08 inches
to about 0.5 inches with about 0.1 inches to about 0.3 inches being more
preferred. The thickness
is chosen to optimize desired deflection and required strength properties.
In one embodiment of the present invention, means are provided for connecting
together a
pair of discrete barriers 10 such that the strength of the connection
therebetween increases as the pair
of barriers 10 are filled with ballast. By way of example and not by
limitation, depicted in Figures
1 and 2, a slot 42 is recessed within floor 26 adjacent to sidewall 22. Slot
42 comprises a horizontal
portion 44 that extends through sidewall 22 and intersects with a vertical
portion 46. Vertical
portion 46 projects into floor 26 towards top end 24. Vertical portion 46 is
in part bounded by a
curved and outwardly sloping inside wall 48, a roof 50, and an outside wall
52. Extending between
outside wall 52 and sidewall 22 is a platform 54. A hollow plug 56 upwardly
extends from platform
54. Securely received within hollow plug 56 is a threaded insert 58.
Recessed within floor 26 adjacent to sidewall 20 is a slot 43. Slot 43 is
substantially
identical to slot 42. Identical structural elements between slot 42 and slot
43 are thus identified by
like reference characters.
Slots 42 and 43 are configured to receive a corresponding connector 60.
Connector 60 is
substantially U-shaped and includes a cross-member 62 having legs 64 and 66
upstanding from
opposing ends thereof. Connector 60 is preferably made from the same materials
and in the same
process as barrier 10. Each of legs 64 and 66 has an inside face 68 and an
opposing outside face 70.
Inside face 68 preferably forms an angle 03 relative to a top surface 75 of
cross-member 62 less than
90°. More preferably, angle 63 is in a range between about 75°
to about 85°. Outside face 70 has
a substantially conical configuration complementary to inside wall 48 of slot
42.
Depicted in Figure 3, cross member 62 has a bottom surface 72 with a recess 74
formed
therein. Extending between recess 74 and the top surface 75 of cross member 62
is a solid plate
portion 76. As depicted in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of spaced apart apertures
78 extend through plate
portion 76. Each aperture 78 is configured to align with a corresponding
threaded insert 58 when
each leg 64 or 66 is received within a corresponding slot 42 or 43. As a
result, a threaded bolt 80
8
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
having a washer 82 mounted thereon can be passed through aperture 78 and
screwed into threaded
insert 58 for securing connector 60 to barrier 10.
As depicted in Figure 4, barrier 10 is configured such that when internal
chamber 30 is
absent a ballast, sidewalk 20 and 22, as depicted by the dashed lines, bow
inward. In one
embodiment, sidewalk 20 and 22 can inwardly bow a maximum distance D, in a
range between
about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch with about 0.3 to about 0.7 inches being more
preferred. In contrast,
as depicted in Figure 5, as internal chamber 30 is filled with a ballast, such
as water, sidewalls 20
and 22 bow outward. In one embodiment, sidewalls 20 and 22 can outwardly bow a
maximum
distance DZ in a range between about 0.1 inches to about 2.5 inches with about
1 inch to about 2
inches being preferred. Of course, the extent which sidewalls 20 and 22 can
bow outwardly depends
on the weight and amount of ballast that is positioned within barrier 10.
As depicted in Figure 6, when it is desirable to attach a pair of barriers 10
together, leg 64
of connector 60 is received within slot 42 of a first barrier 10A. Inside wall
48 of barrier 1 OA and
outside face 70 of connector 60 are complementary configured as previously
discussed so that leg
64 is self seating within slot 42. A bolt 80 can then be used to mechanically
secure connector 60 to
barrier 10A. It is noted that bolts 80 are often not required since the weight
of barrier 10 having a
ballast is usually sufficient to keep barrier 10 attached to connector 60.
Sidewall 20 of a second barrier l OB is then biased against sidewall 22 of
first barrier 10A
so that leg 66 of connector 60 is received within slot 43 of second barrier
10B. If desired, bolt 80
can then be used to mechanically secure connector 60 to second barrier 10. In
this configuration,
each of barriers 10A and lOB are connected together. As barriers 10A and lOB
are filled with
ballast, sidewalk 20 and 22 outwardly bow against each other. Separation of
barriers 10A and l OB,
however, is prevented as a result of connector 60. Specifically, legs 64 and
66 of connector 60 bias
against corresponding outside walls 52 to prevent separation of barriers 10A
and l OB. The use of
bolts 80 can also help to prevent separation. As a result of the outward
bowing of sidewalk 20 and
22, a tension is placed on connector 60 and the frictional engagement between
barrier 1 OA and l OB
is increased. These forces increase the strength of the connection between
barriers 10A and l OB.
9
____ _T._ _ ___
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
In alternative embodiments, substantially the same effect can be achieved by
filling one of the
barriers with ballast.
Depicted in Figure 7 is the exterior surface of floor 26. In one embodiment of
the present
invention, means are provided for increasing the coefficient of friction of
barrier 10. This helps to
decrease unwanted sliding of barrier 10. By way of example and not by
limitation, removably
mounted to floor 26 are pads 84. Pads 84 preferably produce a coefficient of
friction between
barrier 10 and pavement greater than about 0.3, preferably greater than about
0.5 and more preferably
greater than about 0.7. Pads 84 can comprise virtually any material that
produces the desired
coefficient of friction. Common materials are rubbers and elastomers. In one
embodiment, pads
84 comprise an elongated section of a rubberized tire 86. Attachment of tire
section 86 not only
increases the frictional engagement between barrier 10 and a corresponding
ground surface but also
functions as a useful means for recycling used tires. Tire section 86 can be
attached by using bolts
in the same way that connector 60 is attached to barrier 10. In alternative
embodiments, adhesive
or other fastening structures can be used. In an alternative embodiment,
smaller pads 88 can be used
that are integrally molded with a threaded post 90. Post 90 can be directly
screwed into a threaded
recess 92 formed in floor 26. In yet other embodiments, high friction
materials, such as rubber, can
be molded, sprayed, or otherwise secured to floor 26.
Projecting from the interior surface of floor 26 towards top portion 24 are a
pair of drain
ridges 94 and 96. Drain ridge 94 extends from drain hole 36 to sidewall 22.
Drain ridge 96 extends
from drain hole 36 to sidewall 20. Each drain ridge 94 and 96 is sloped
slightly back towards back
wall 18 and facilitates in drainage of ballast from internal chamber of
barrier 10. That is, once the
ballast has self drained through drain hole 36, barrier 10 can be tilted
forward so that water settled
on floor 26 of barrier 10 flows towards edge 98 along which drain hole 36 is
positioned. Drain
ridges 94 and 96 in turn channel the ballast towards drain hole 36. Although
some ballast may flow
over drain ridges 94 and 96, barrier 10 can be tilted back towards back wall
18 and then tilted
forward again to ensure all of the water is removed from barrier 10. To assist
in rolling or tilting
barrier 10 forward, edge 98 is rounded.
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
Depicted in Figure 8, barrier 10 has a display recess 100 formed in front wall
16. Display
recess 100 is depicted as having a substantially rectangular configuration. In
alternative
embodiments, recess 100 can have other geometrical configuration such as
circular, triangular, or
square. Formed within display recess 100 axe a pair of hollow plugs 102.
Hollow plugs 102 are
configured to receive a threaded insert 58. It is preferred that display
recess 100 be sufficiently deep
such that when a display 104 is received therein, the front face of display
104 is substantially flush
with the surface of front face 16. This helps to prevent people standing
adjacent to barrier 10 from
being caught on the edge of display 104. Display 104 is secured to barrier 10
by passing bolts
through apertures 106 in display 104 which in turn threadedly engage with
threaded inserts 58 in
hollow plugs 102. A similar display recess can also be formed on back wall 18.
As also depicted in Figure 8, upwardly projecting from floor 26 of barrier 10
is a substantially
conical post 108. Post 108 is aligned with opening 32 at top end 24 of barrier
10. Post 108 is
configured to be received in the end of a hollow pole 110 such as a flag pole.
As a result of post 108
being substantially conical, post 108 can be snugly received within a variety
of alternative pole sizes.
In alternative embodiments, post 108 can be different configurations to
receive different pole
configurations.
As previously discussed, barriers 10 are configured such that sidewalls 20 and
22 radially
bow out when filled with a ballast. In one embodiment of the present
invention, means are provided
for substantially preventing the bowing of front wall 16 and back wall 18 when
internal chamber 30
is filled with a ballast. By preventing the bowing of front wall 16 and back
wall 18, deformation to
any displays mounted thereon is minimized and the pressure applied to sidewall
20 and 22 by the
ballast is maximized. By way of example and not by limitation, a plurality of
pockets 114 are
recessed within top surface 116 of front wall 16 and back wall 18. Each of
pockets 114 includes a
floor 117 and a sloping reinforcing rib 118 extending between top surface 116
and floor 117.
Reinforcing ribs 118 provide structural integrity and stiffening to both front
wall 16 and back wall
18 which substantially prevents bowing of the walls.
In the embodiment depicted, reinforcing ribs 118 having a substantially
triangular
configuration. In alternative embodiments, reinforcing ribs 118 can have
alternative geometrical
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CA 02254190 1998-11-17
configurations. For example, reinforcing ribs 118 can be circular, square,
irregular, or other
polygonal configuration. Furthermore, reinforcing ribs 118 can smoothly
transition into floor 117.
For example, pockets 114 can be can have a semi-spherical configuration. In
yet other embodiments,
pockets 114 can be replaced with elongated reinforcing ribs that extending
across front wall 16 and
back wall 18.
To further ensure that only sidewalls 20 and 22 are bowed during filling with
ballast, it is also
preferred that sidewalls 20 and 22 be smooth and uniform. In this
configuration, the rigidity of
sidewalls 20 and 22 is minimized, thereby helping to insure that sidewalls 20
and 22 are bowed
rather then front wall 16 and back wall 18.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a hand hold 122 is recessed within
front wall
16 adjacent to top end 24. Hand hold 122 enables easy moving an manipulation
of barrier 10. A
similar hand hold can also be positioned on back wall 18.
The present invention also includes means for mechanically mating a pair of
barriers 10
together such that the resulting combination has a substantially square
transverse cross-section. By
way of example and not by limitation, projecting from front wall 16 adjacent
to floor 26 is a tenon
124. In the embodiment depicted, tenon 124 comprises a substantially inverted
pocket 114. That
is, tenon 124 comprises an outwardly projecting reinforcing rib 126 that
terminates at an end wall
128. Tenon 124 is configured complementary to a mortise 130 projecting into
front wall 16 adjacent
to top portion 24. Mortise 130 can also function as a pocket 114 as previously
discussed.
As depicted in Figure 10, by inverting a second barrier and biasing front
walls 16 together,
tenon 124 of each of barriers 10 can be received within the corresponding
mortise 130 of the
opposing barrier. As such, barriers 10 are mated together. When sidewalk 22
and 24 form a right
triangle, the resulting mated barriers 10 have a substantially square
transverse cross-section. As a
result, the mated barriers 10 are easily stacked for transport or storage. In
alternative embodiments,
tenon 124 and mortise 130 can be a variety of alternative configurations and
need only be
constructed so that they mate together. Similar mortise and tenon
configurations can also be formed
on back wall 18 of barrier 10 for connecting adjacent back walls of barriers
10 together.
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CA 02254190 1998-11-17
Depicted in Figure 11, a tie-down port 132 extends between front wall 16 and
back wall 18.
Tie-down port 132 enables structures to be tied to barrier 10 by passing a
rope, strap or other type
of cord through tie-down port 132. Barrier 10 depicted in Figure 11 also
incorporates a foot hold
on front wall 16. The foot hold can comprise a large recess 134 into which a
foot can be received or
step 136. Step 136 can be secured within recess 134 so that a user can stand
on the end thereof. In
alternative embodiments, a step can be integrally molded into front wall 16.
The foot hold enables
a person to reach over barrier 10 as needed. Of course, it is also envisioned
that a foot hold can be
positioned on back wall 18.
When it is desirable to minimize the potential for barrier 10 to be tipped
over, such as in
crowded events, a plate 140 can be attached to thereto. Plate 140 comprises a
first end 142 having
a pair of apertures 144 extending therethrough. Apertures 144 are configured
to line up with
threaded inserts 58 as previously discussed with regard to Figure 2. As a
result, bolt 80 can be used
to secure plate 140 to barrier 10. Second end 146 of plate 140 projects away
from barrier 10 along
a ground surface. In one embodiment, plate 140 projects away from barrier 10
for a distance D3
greater than 1 foot preferably greater than about 2 feet and more preferably
greater than about 4
feet. By facing plate 140 towards the crowed, people will be standing on plate
140, thereby making
it more difficult for barrier 10 to be tipped over. In alternative
embodiments, rails 150 can extend
from plate 140 up back wall 18. By securing rails 150 to back wall 18, the
leverage against bolts 80
is minimized.
In yet another embodiment, fork lift apertures 152 can extend through either
or both front
wall 16 and back wall 18 and along floor 26. Fork lift apertures 152 are
configured to receive the
tines of a fork lift such that, if desired, barrier 10 can be moved by a fork
lift even if filled with
ballast.
As depicted in Figure 12, a guide rail 150 can be secured to each barrier 10.
Each guide rail
150 has an elongated board-like configuration with opposing sides 154 and 156
extending between
opposing ends 158 and 160. In one embodiment, guide rail 150 has a width W
typically in a range
between about 20 cm to about 60 cm with about 30 cm to about 50 cm being more
preferred. Guide
rail 150 also has a thickness which is typically in a range from about 1 cm to
about 10 cm with about
13
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
2 cm to about 6 cm being more preferred. Guide rail 150 can be made of a
plurality of different
materials. In one embodiment, guide rail 150 is made from the same type of
material as barrier 10.
In alternative embodiments, guide rail 150 can also be made of metal, wood,
composites, or other
materials.
Guide rail 150 is secured to adjacent barners 10 by passing bolts 152 through
guide rail 150
and then screwing bolts 152 into thread inserts 155 formed on front wall 16 of
barrier 10. Guide rail
150 is positioned on barrier 10 at a height that is level with the bumper of
conventional automobiles.
If desired, guide rail 150 can similarly be mounted on back wall 18 of each
barrier 10. Each guide
rail 150 can come in a variety of different lengths so as to either span and
connect between two
adjacent barriers 10 or span and connect between three or more adjacent
barriers 10. Abutting ends
158 and 160 of adjacent guide rails 150 are positioned at the center of the
front wall 16 or back wall
18.
In one embodiment of the present invention, means are provided for connecting
the adjacent
ends 158 and 160 together. By way of example and not by limitation, an
elongated groove 162 is
formed along each edge 154 and 156 of guide rail 150. A substantially U-shaped
bracket 164 is
formed having curved arms 166 projecting from each end. Each arm 166 is
configured to mate with
a corresponding groove 162 such that bracket 164 covers the joint between
adjacent guide rails 150
and secures the guide rails together by frictional engagement. There are of
course a variety of
different type of brackets that can be used to secure adjacent guide rails 150
together. For example,
a bracket could be used to bolt or interlock the guide rails together.
Likewise, the bracket can be in
the form of a sleeve which encloses the ends.
The function of guide rail 1 SO is to more evenly distribute the impact force
of an automobile
or other object striking against barrier 10. That is, each guide rail 150 is
mounted on barrier 10 such
that the bumper of an automobile first impacts barrier 10 by striking against
guide rail 150. In this
situation, guide rail 150 serves three primary functions. First, the front
face of the guide rail 1 SO
is substantially smooth which helps to initially deflect the automobile should
the automobile strike
at an angle. Second, guide rail 150 increases the thickness and structural
strength of barrier 10,
thereby helping to prevent rupture or failure at that point. Third, as a
result of guide rails 150
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CA 02254190 1998-11-17
interconnecting between adjacent barners 10, the impact of the automobile is
more evenly distributed
among each of the adjacent barriers as opposed to being absorbed by a single
barrier. As a result,
the connected barriers are better able to absorb the impact and stop the
travel of the automobile.
Depicted in Figure 13 is yet another alternative embodiment of an inventive
barrier system
wherein adjacent barriers 10 can be interconnected. As disclosed therein, each
barrier 10 has a
recess 170 formed on each side wall 20 and 22 in horizontal alignment.
Recesses 170 are formed
towards top end 24 of barner 10. Longitudinally extending between recesses 170
is a conduit 172.
Conduit 172 has a channel 174 longitudinally extending therethrough. In one
embodiment, conduit
172 is made of metal. Although channel 174 is depicted having a keyhole-type
configuration,
channel 174 can have a variety of different geometrical configurations.
Integrally formed with side
walls 20 and 22 and covering conduit 174 is a cover layer 176. Cover layer 176
is comprised of
the same material as barrier 10. Cover layer 176 functions to maintain a
liquid-tight environment for
internal chamber 30.
The manufacture of barrier 10 having conduit 172 is preferably done by
rotational molding.
Initially, conduit 172 is disposed within the mold and the plastic barrier
material is applied thereto.
To provide a uniform thickness of barrier material on conduit 172, conduit 172
is heated. This
heating can be accomplished by either heating conduit 172 prior to insertion
within the mold or by
heating conduit 172, such as by blowing air thereon or having an electrical
heater attached thereto,
once positioned within the mold. Having a uniform thickness of material on
conduit 172 is helpful
to prevent shrink deformation during cooling of the material.
One of the benefits of having conduit 172 is that a connector can be passed
through channel
174 for coupling together adjacent barriers 10. In one embodiment, as depicted
in Figure 14, the
connectors comprise metal rods 178. Each metal rod 178 has a first end 180
with a finger 182
projecting therefrom and an opposing second end 184 having a loop 186 formed
thereat. In this
configuration, a rod 178 is slid through channel 174 of adjacently disposed
barriers. A finger 182
of a first rod 170 is then rotated to fit within a loop 186 of an adjacent
second rod 178, thereby
coupling the rods together. This coupling occurs within the chamber formed by
aligned recesses
170.
CA 02254190 1998-11-17
By connecting rods 178 within adjacent barriers 10, the barriers are further
strengthened to
help resist the impact of an automobile or other object. There are of course a
variety of different
designs which can be used for connecting rods 178. For example, different
catches or threaded
connections can be used. In yet another embodiment, a single cable can be
passed through each of
the aligned conduits 172. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to form
recesses 170 since no
discrete connections are made between barriers 10.
As depicted in Figure 15, the present invention also envisions that barriers
10 can be
connected to the ground. By way of example, a cable 190 extends from rod 178
to an anchor 192.
Anchor 192 is secured within the ground. Anchor 192 can have a variety of
different configurations.
In the embodiment depicted, anchor 192 has a shovel head-type of configuration
which is disposed
within the ground. In alternative embodiments, anchor 192 can also comprise
concrete posts, bolts
which are drilled into surrounding rock, spikes, poles, or any other
configuration which can secure
cable 190 into the ground. Similarly, a cable 190 and anchor 192 can also be
used for securing
connector 60 to the ground. Similar anchors can also be used on the opposing
end of connected
barriers 10 for securing barriers 10 to the ground.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its
spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects
only as illustrated and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which
come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
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