U.S. patent application number 11/544074 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for multi-component road barrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Traffic Safety Devices Incorporated. Invention is credited to Dennis Holby, Ron E. Mehta, David E. Wasserstrom.
Application Number | 20070110517 11/544074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38068698 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070110517 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wasserstrom; David E. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Multi-component road barrier
Abstract
A road barrier system with a first barrier forming a hollow
container and a second barrier forming a hollow container is
disclosed, the first and second barriers being configured with
alternating structures to permit the barriers to mate. The
alternating structures may be located on opposed end walls of the
respective barriers and may be configured as alternating half-moon
projections and recesses. The mating may permit up to 30 degrees of
deflection. Also disclosed are molds for making such barriers,
where the molds include a base mold, a female mold, and a male
mold, and the base mold may be coupled with either of the female or
male molds to create a road barrier mold having features particular
to either the female mold or the male mold.
Inventors: |
Wasserstrom; David E.;
(Elkins Park, PA) ; Mehta; Ron E.; (Latrobe,
PA) ; Holby; Dennis; (Latrobe, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Traffic Safety Devices
Incorporated
Elkins Park
PA
|
Family ID: |
38068698 |
Appl. No.: |
11/544074 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60724630 |
Oct 7, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 15/088 20130101;
E01F 15/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/006 |
International
Class: |
E01F 15/00 20060101
E01F015/00 |
Claims
1. A road barrier system comprising: a first barrier forming a
hollow container; a second barrier forming a hollow container;
wherein said first barrier and said second barrier are configured
with alternating structures to permit said first barrier and said
second barrier to mate.
2. The road barrier system of claim 1, said first barrier
comprising a first barrier base portion, a first barrier top
portion, a first barrier first side wall, a first barrier second
side wall, a first barrier first end wall, and a first barrier
second end wall; said second barrier comprising a second barrier
base portion, a second barrier top portion, a second barrier first
side wall, a second barrier second side wall, a second barrier
first end wall, and a second barrier second end wall; wherein said
alternating structures are configured on said first barrier first
end wall and said second barrier second end wall.
3. The road barrier system of claim 2, wherein said mating is
permitted with up to 30 degrees of deflection measured along axes
formed along said first barrier top portion and said second barrier
top portion.
4. The road barrier system of claim 2, wherein said alternating
structures are configured as half-moon projections and
recesses.
5. The road barrier system of claim 2, wherein said first barrier
and said second barriers include outer surfaces, said road barrier
system further comprising a connection member adapted to attach to
said outer surfaces to mate the barriers.
6. The road barrier system of claim 5, wherein said connection
member is in the form of a bone plate.
7. The road barrier system of claim 1, wherein said first barrier
and said second barrier are approximately 6 feet long, 3.5 feet
high, and 2 feet wide when connected.
8. The road barrier system of claim 1, wherein said first barrier
and said second barrier are approximately 80 lbs. when empty.
9. The road barrier system of claim 8, wherein said first barrier
and said second barrier weigh approximately 1,600 lbs. when filled
with water.
10. The road barrier system of claim 1, wherein each of said
barriers include fork lift slots.
11. A mold system for manufacturing road barriers, said mold system
comprising: a base mold; a female mold; and a male mold; wherein
said base mold may be coupled with either of said female or said
male molds to create a road barrier mold having features particular
to said female mold or said male mold.
12. The mold system of claim 11, wherein said molds are adapted for
use in blow molding.
13. The mold system of claim 12, wherein said blow molding is
extrusion blow molding.
14. The mold system of claim 11, wherein said female mold includes
at least one recess which permits a road barrier formed with a male
mold to connect to a finished road barrier formed with a female
mold.
15. The mold system of claim 11, wherein said male mold includes at
least one projection which permits a road barrier formed with a
female mold to connect to a finished road barrier formed with a
male mold.
16. A road barrier comprising: a hollow container formed by blow
molding; wherein said hollow container gives the appearance of a
capability of impeding the progress of a conventional motor
vehicle.
17. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said hollow container
comprises a base portion, a top portion, first and second side
walls, and first and second end walls.
18. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said hollow container
comprises a fill hole permitting ballast material to enter the
container.
19. The road barrier of claim 18, wherein said hollow container
comprises a drain hole permitting ballast material to drain from
the container.
20. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said hollow container
comprises means for connecting said container to a second hollow
container.
21. The road barrier of claim 20, wherein said hollow container
comprises an external surface and said means includes a connection
member associated with said external surface.
22. The road barrier of claim 21, wherein said connection member is
in the shape of a dog bone.
23. The road barrier of claim 20, wherein said means comprises
alternating male projections and female recesses.
24. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said road barrier is
formed from high density polyethylene.
25. The road barrier of claim 24, wherein said road barrier
includes a nominal wall thickness of no greater than 0.155 in.
26. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said container is
approximately 3 feet long, 3.5 feet high, and 2 feet wide.
27. The road barrier of claim 26, wherein said container is
approximately 40 lbs. when empty.
28. The road barrier of claim 27, wherein said container weighs
approximately 800 lbs. when filled with water.
29. The road barrier of claim 16, wherein said blow molding is
extrusion blow molding.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/724,630, entitled
MULTI-COMPONENT ROAD BARRIER, filed on Oct. 7, 2006, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This invention relates generally to road barriers, and more
particularly to multi-component road barriers. Road barriers are
common fixtures along highways and other corridors where there is a
desire to contain vehicles within a certain area. Typically, road
barriers may be positioned between the travel lanes heading in
opposite directions, but may also be utilized along, for example,
the edges of roadways which are adjacent to particularly dangerous
areas, such as cliffs. Other uses of road barriers include
temporary use for the separation of a roadway from a construction
area. More recently, road barriers have been used to block access
to certain areas adjacent to buildings which are at an elevated
risk of terrorist attack, or for other crowd-control purposes.
[0003] Conventional barriers are formed from a variety of
materials, including steel reinforced concrete, such as the
well-known Jersey Barrier. Others may be made from corrugated
steel, such as the well-known Armco Barrier. Still other barriers
may be formed from timber or combinations of timber and steel. Each
of these types of barriers is relatively heavy, and therefore, is
both difficult and expensive to move. Additionally, many of these
types of barriers are formed from multiple parts that must be
configured in the field--often a time-consuming and labor intensive
effort. Recently, barriers have been formed from low density
polyethylene by rotational molding.
[0004] It has been found that barriers created through rotational
molding ("rotomolding") with low density polyethylene ("LDPE")
provide advantages over the more conventional concrete, corrugated
steel, or timber barriers. Primarily, the advantages stem from the
light weight of the LDPE barrier and its ability to be easily
transported. In this regard, it is well known that the LDPE
barriers may be manufactured with relatively thin walls and a
hollow cavity. Upon arrival at the barrier's ultimate destination,
the barrier may be filled with ballasting material to develop its
ultimate weight and strength. Common fillers include water, sand,
or the like. In this regard, such barriers introduced a portability
option into the barrier market.
[0005] Notwithstanding the advantages provided by rotomolding and
LDPE barriers, there remains a need for a barrier which is still
even lighter, and which can be constructed through a process which
is more expeditious and less costly than rotomolding. There is also
a need for a versatile barrier, which may quickly be configured
into various configurations, but which still includes features to
ensure the integrity of the barrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing, in certain embodiments, a multi-component
road barrier and method of forming a road barrier which are more
versatile than conventional road barriers and their current
manufacturing methods. The inventive multi-component road barrier
may be manufactured-to various configurations at a manufacturing
plant, and may also be modified to various configurations in the
field during construction. In addition, the inventive
multi-component road barrier includes features to ensure the
integrity of the barrier, and to promote easy repair of any damage
to a barrier system.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a road barrier formed by blow molding and
preferably extrusion blow molding. Recent improvements in extrusion
blow molding permit the manufacture of individual parts weighing
upwards of sixty to eighty pounds, now including the inventive
component parts of road barriers. In this highly automated process,
the barrier may be molded in six steps, generally as follows:
[0008] (i) Melt and extrude a round hollow tube of molten plastic
called a parison; [0009] (ii) Trap the parison between two mold
halves which may be selected from among a plurality of mold parts;
[0010] (iii) Expand the parison with approximately 100 psi air
pressure against the mold cavity formed by the mold halves to form
the part; [0011] (iv) Rapidly cool the formed part; [0012] (v)
Remove the formed part from the mold cavity; and, [0013] (vi) Trim
and reclaim excess flash from the part.
[0014] The entire six step sequence may be totally automated (with
the exception of mold selection) and may be completed in five to
six minute cycles, freeing the mold quickly for reuse. By contrast,
the conventional method of rotomolding permitted only one or two
cycles per hour, at most.
[0015] Molds used for extrusion blow molding are capable of
extremely high volumes of output and are rugged enough to withstand
hundreds of thousands--to over a million--production runs with
relatively minor mold maintenance.
[0016] The versatility of the extrusion blow molding process allows
the use of resins such as high density polyethylene ("HDPE"), in
pellet form. The utilization of pellets eliminates the requirement
to grind raw material into a powder such as is required with the
use of LDPE in rotomolding. In addition, HDPE has a significantly
higher structural and tensile strength than LDPE, allowing a blow
molded road barrier to be manufactured with thinner walls and
corresponding lower part weight as compared to rotomolded barriers
formed from LDPE, without sacrificing any strength.
[0017] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
a multi-component road barrier may be formed from two halves each
manufactured in a mold comprising a chamber with replaceable outer
end such that either a female or male outer end may be attached to
the chamber to form one half of a road barrier with either a male
or female end. The second half of the road barrier may be formed
from a similar mold chamber with replaceable outer end that may be
either female or male. In this regard, a multi-component road
barrier may be formed from the two halves with male-male ends,
female-female ends, or female-male ends, in an expeditious manner.
The finished product is therefore one road barrier with two
separate independent compartments which may be connected by either
or both internal or external connection mechanisms. Each of the
independent compartments may be ballasted with water, sand, or the
like. Further, each barrier half may be manufactured to a different
color to improve the function and aesthetics of the barrier
system.
[0018] The two barrier halves may be connected with interlocking
internal elements and/or interlocking external elements. The
interlocking internal elements may be alternating male/female
elements, such as alternating half-moon shaped extensions. The
interlocking external elements may be plates adapted to span the
two barrier halves where the plates may be utilized to secure the
two halves together. The plates may be "dog-bone" shaped and may
reside within recesses formed within the barrier halves to provide
structural reinforcement against lateral tension.
[0019] In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention,
a road barrier system may comprise a first barrier forming a hollow
container, and a second barrier forming a hollow container, wherein
the first barrier and the second barrier are configured with
alternating structures to permit the first barrier and the second
barrier to mate.
[0020] The first barrier may comprise a first barrier base portion,
a first barrier top portion, a first barrier first side wall, a
first barrier second side wall, a first barrier first end wall, and
a first barrier second end wall. The second barrier may comprise a
second barrier base portion, a second barrier top portion, a second
barrier first side wall, a second barrier second side wall, a
second barrier first end wall, and a second barrier second end
wall. The alternating structures may be configured on the first
barrier first end wall and the second barrier second end wall.
[0021] The aforementioned mating may be permitted with up to 30
degrees of deflection measured along axes formed along the first
barrier top portion and the second barrier top portion.
[0022] The alternating structures may be configured as half-moon
projections and recesses.
[0023] The first barrier and the second barriers may include outer
surfaces and the road barrier system may further comprise a
connection member adapted to attach to the outer surfaces to mate
the barriers. The connection member may be in the form of a bone
plate.
[0024] The first barrier and the second barrier may be
approximately 6 feet long, 3.5 feet high, and 2 feet wide when
connected.
[0025] The first barrier and the second barrier may be
approximately 80 lbs. when empty.
[0026] The first barrier and the second barrier may weigh
approximately 1,600 lbs. when filled with water.
[0027] The barriers may include fork lift slots.
[0028] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, a
mold system for manufacturing road barriers may comprise a base
mold, a female mold, and a male mold, wherein the base mold may be
coupled with either of the female or the male molds to create a
road barrier mold having features particular to the female mold or
the male mold.
[0029] The molds may be adapted for use in blow molding. The blow
molding may be extrusion blow molding.
[0030] The female mold may include at least one recess which
permits a road barrier formed with a male mold to connect to a
finished road barrier formed with a female mold.
[0031] The male mold may include at least one projection which
permits a road barrier formed with a female mold to connect to a
finished road barrier formed with a male mold.
[0032] In accordance with still further aspects of the present
invention, a road barrier may comprise a hollow container formed by
blow molding, wherein the hollow container gives the appearance of
a capability of impeding the progress of a conventional motor
vehicle.
[0033] The hollow container may comprise a base portion, a top
portion, first and second side walls, and first and second end
walls.
[0034] The hollow container may comprise a fill hole permitting
ballast material to enter the container.
[0035] The hollow container may comprise a drain hole permitting
ballast material to drain from the container.
[0036] The hollow container may comprise means for connecting the
container to a second hollow container. The hollow container may
comprise an external surface and the means may include a connection
member associated with the external surface. The connection member
may be in the shape of a dog bone. The means may also comprise
alternating male projections and female recesses.
[0037] The road barrier may be formed from high density
polyethylene.
[0038] The road barrier may include a nominal wall thickness of no
greater than 0.155 in.
[0039] The container may be approximately 3 feet long, 3.5 feet
high, and 2 feet wide.
[0040] The container may weigh approximately 40 lbs. when empty.
The container may weigh approximately 800 lbs. when filled with
water.
[0041] The blow molding may be extrusion blow molding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
methods of operation, together with features, objects, and
advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 is frontal view of a road barrier in accordance with
certain aspects of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a top view of the road barrier of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 3 is a front view of a road barrier system in
accordance with other aspects of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 4 is a top view of the road barrier system of FIG.
3;
[0047] FIG. 5 depicts an exploded perspective view of a road
barrier in accordance with further aspects of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of the road barrier of FIG.
5;
[0049] FIG. 7 depicts a rotated top view of the road barrier of
FIG. 5;
[0050] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a road. barrier female
half in accordance with aspects of the present invention; FIG. 9
depicts a rotated perspective view of the
[0051] road barrier female half of FIG. 8;
[0052] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a road barrier male
half in accordance with aspects of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 11 depicts a rotated perspective view of the road
barrier male half of FIG. 10;
[0054] FIG. 12 depicts an exploded perspective view of mold
components utilized to manufacture road barrier halves;
[0055] FIG. 13 depicts an exploded plan view of the mold components
of FIG. 12; and
[0056] FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of a plate utilized in
certain embodiments to connect road barrier halves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] In the following are described the preferred embodiments of
the multi-component road barrier in accordance with the present
invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of
clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to
the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that
each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate
in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like
elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical
reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for
ease of understanding.
[0058] The multi-component road barrier of the present invention
offers numerous advantages over conventionally known road barriers.
Recent improvements in blow molding permit the manufacture of road
barriers with lower overall weight than was previously realized
with rotational molding, without sacrificing any of the strength.
This advantage is due in large part because blow molded barriers in
accordance with the present invention, and particularly extrusion
blow molded barriers, may be manufactured with thin walled HDPE
while conventional rotational molded barriers utilize much thicker
walled-LDPE.
[0059] In addition, molds used for extrusion blow molding are
capable of extremely high volumes of output and are rugged enough
to withstand hundreds of thousands--to over a million--production
runs with relatively minor mold maintenance.
[0060] The versatility of this molding process also allows the use
of HDPE resins in pellet form. The utilization of pellets
eliminates the requirement to grind the raw material into a powder,
such as is required with the use of LDPE in rotational molding.
[0061] Recent improvements in blow molding permit the manufacture
of individual parts weighing upwards of sixty to eighty pounds, now
including component parts of road barriers. In this highly
automated process, the barrier may be molded in six steps,
generally as follows: [0062] (i) Melt and extrude a round hollow
tube of molten plastic called a parison; [0063] (ii) Trap the
parison between two mold halves which may be selected from among a
plurality of mold parts; [0064] (iii) Expand the parison with
approximately 100 psi air pressure against the mold cavity formed
by the mold halves to form the part; [0065] (iv) Rapidly cool the
formed part; [0066] (v) Remove the formed part from the mold
cavity;
[0067] and, [0068] (vi) Trim and reclaim excess flash from the
part.
[0069] The entire six step sequence may be totally automated (with
the exception of mold selection) and may be completed in five to
six minute cycles, freeing the mold quickly for reuse.
[0070] Road barriers may now be formed from two halves each
manufactured in a mold comprising a chamber with replaceable outer
ends such that either a female or male end may be attached to the
chamber to form one half of a road barrier, the half having either
a male or female end. The second half of the road barrier may be
formed from a similar mold chamber with replaceable outer ends that
may be either female or male. In this regard, a multi-component
road barrier may be formed from the two halves with male-male ends,
female-female ends, or female-male ends, in an expeditious manner.
The finished product is therefore one road barrier with two
separate independent compartments which may be connected by either
or both internal or external connection mechanisms. Each of the
independent compartments may be ballasted with water, sand, or the
like. Further, each barrier half may be manufactured to a different
color to improve the function and aesthetics of the barrier system.
The two halves may therefore be securely joined at the plant, but
may be reconfigurable in the field.
[0071] Each half preferably includes independent chambers such that
each of the chambers may be ballasted with water, sand, or the like
independently. Accordingly, if one chamber is damaged, only that
chamber needs replacement, providing a substantial cost savings
because the other portions of the barrier may be reused. Further,
each barrier half may be manufactured to a different color for
functional or aesthetic benefit. As detailed below, additional
benefits of the novel multi-component road barrier have been
realized.
[0072] Although the road barriers may be configured to various
shapes and sizes, typically, road barriers will have a length of
approximately 3 feet, a height of approximately 3.5 feet, and a
width of approximately 2 feet at the base, and may taper to a
smaller dimension at its top. Such a barrier made from HDPE with
approximately 0.155 inch (nominal) thick walls will weigh
approximately 40 lbs., empty, and 800 lbs. when filled with water
as the ballasting material. When connected to a similar barrier so
as to form a barrier system, the barriers will weigh approximately
1600 lbs. Barriers so sized and configured are sufficient to give
the appearance of a capability of impeding the progress of a
conventional motor vehicle. Although cited as having a nominal
thickness of approximately 0.155 inches, it will be appreciated
that the actual thicknesses of this typical road barrier may range
from 0.118 to 0.190 inches, as the corners and other non-planar
areas tend to have increased thicknesses over the planar areas.
[0073] As used herein, the phrase "give the appearance of a
capability of impeding the progress of a conventional motor
vehicle," used in relation to the size and weight of a road
barrier, is used in the broad sense of a capability of impeding the
progress of a conventional motor vehicle, and does not relate
specifically to any performance standard. Rather, such barriers are
sized and configured so as to make it readily apparent to one
operating a motor vehicle that such vehicle is not to make contact
with the barrier in the interest of avoiding damage to the vehicle.
In so doing, the barrier may be sized to intimidate the operator of
the motor vehicle, such that the barrier has the outward appearance
of the capability to impede the progress of a motor vehicle, rather
than the actual capability. For example, in order to "give the
appearance of a capability of impeding the progress of a
conventional motor vehicle," the barriers must be much larger and
more intimidating than conventional construction cones, which often
have limited effects on the channelizing of vehicular traffic, and
should be of a size more akin to construction barrels, which are
typically more effective.
[0074] Moving to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a
multi-component road barrier in accordance with certain aspects of
the present invention. As shown, the road barrier 100 may BE
comprised from two hollow containers referred to herein as a first
half 102 and a second half 104. Each half 102, 104 may be formed as
separate units and later joined, as will be discussed. Once joined,
the road barrier 100 includes a first end 106 at the first half 102
and a second end-108 at the second half 104. A middle portion 110
may lie between the first end 106 and the second end 108, and may
be formed from the intersection of both halves 102, 104. The middle
portion 110 is formed from the abutment of the two substantially
flat portions of the first half- 102 and second half 104, and may
include male and female features to interlock the two barriers into
a barrier system.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of the road barrier 100
shown in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the first end 106 may
be configured into a female configuration while the second end 108
may be configured into a male configuration. Accordingly, the first
end 106 may include female connection element 112 while the second
end 108 may include male connection element 114. The female
connection element 112 is preferably formed as an elongated
receptacle or recess which extends along approximately the entire
height H (FIG. 1) of the road barrier 100. At the base 101 of the
barrier 100, the female connection element 112 culminates with a
flange 103 having an aperture 105. One function of the flange 103
and aperture 105, as will be discussed more fully, is to permit
connection of a male element from another barrier.
[0076] Meanwhile, the male connection element may comprise a
cylindrical protrusion 114 also extending along approximately the
entire height H (FIG. 1) of the road barrier 100, and sized and
configured to be accepted by the female connection element 112 of
another barrier to form a road barrier system. The female and male
connection elements 112, 114, are preferably of the type shown and
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,988,934 and D431,657 issued to
Wasserstrom, the inventor herein. The disclosures of U.S. Patent
Nos. 5,988,934 and D431,657 are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0077] Moving to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is shown that the female and
male connection elements 112, 114 may be utilized to connect
multiple road barriers, such as road barriers 100A, 100B, and 100C
(barrier 100A being a "half-barrier" with male end, barrier 100B
being a standard barrier with one male and one female end, and
barrier 100C being a "half-barrier" with a female end), to form a
road barrier system. In FIGS. 3 and 4, road barrier 100A is shown
as comprising only a second half 104A while road barrier 100C is
shown as comprising only a first half 102B. It will be appreciated
that road barriers 100 may be utilized in this manner even though
the preferred manner of use is that being similar to road barrier
100B, comprising a first half 102A and second half 104B, connected
together by means which will be discussed.
[0078] Once the road barriers 100A, 100B, and 100C are connected
together in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,934, it will be appreciated that the barriers
may be aligned in tandem along a single axis formed along the
lengths of each barrier, such as between road barriers 100A and
100B, or may be angled with respect to each barrier's axis as shown
in the case of road barriers 100B and 100C. For ease of reference,
axis A-A is shown in FIG. 4 along barrier 100A, axis B-B is shown
along barrier 100B, and axis C-C is shown along barrier 100C.
[0079] The road barriers 100 are preferably constructed such that
each has a side face 116 which is angled, or otherwise chamfered,
approximately 7.5.degree. from a line drawn perpendicular to the
respective axis A-A, B-B, or C-C, such that the front surface 118
and the side face form an angle D which is approximately
97.5.degree. when viewed from above, such as in FIG. 4. In this
regard, an angle A of approximately 15.degree. may be made between
adjacent barriers when aligned linearly, such as between barriers
100A and 100B of FIG. 4. This 15.degree. offset permits road
barriers 100 to be installed at angles relative to each other of up
to approximately 15.degree. , for example angle C between barriers
100B and 100C, of FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that angle B is
therefore approximately 165.degree.. Although the angles, A, B, C,
and D listed above are preferred, other angles may be utilized. For
example, angle D may range from 1.degree. to 10.degree. or greater,
resulting in corresponding changes in angles A, B, and C. A
preferred range for angle D is approximately 5.degree. to
10.degree..
[0080] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the barrier 100 may include
features to assist with transport of the barrier. For example, the
barrier 100 may include cutouts 120 along its bottom surface 122.
Preferably, each barrier 100 includes two cutouts 120 which are
dimensioned and spaced to accommodate a conventional fork lift. In
this regard, a single barrier 100 may be readily lifted with a
forklift. Additionally, the barriers 100 may include apertures 124
through the front face 118. The apertures 124 may be utilized in a
variety of manners to assist with transport. In one example, a
strap (not shown) may be wrapped through the aperture 124 and
pulled by either a worker or a piece of machinery to drag the
barrier 100. Alternatively, a barrier 100 may be lifted by
inserting a sling (not shown) through the aperture 124. Preferably,
each barrier half 102, 104 is provided with at least one aperture
124, such that two apertures may be utilized to lift the barrier
for ease of control. It will be appreciated that the apertures 124
are formed not merely as holes, but as full cylinders extending
through the barrier 100. In this regard, when the hollow barrier is
filled with ballasting material, such as water or sand, the
material will not simply escape the barrier, but will remain within
its hollow interior.
[0081] Each barrier 100 also preferably includes a filling spout
126 on its upper surface 128. The filling spout 126 may be threaded
such that a cap (not shown) may be placed thereon or may include
other means to provide for its covering.
[0082] It will be appreciated that the filling spout 126 permits
fill materials to be placed within each hollow container half 102,
104 of the barrier 100. Typical fill materials include water and
sand. However, other fill materials that are suitable for use with
HDPE and environmental concerns may also be utilized. Preferably,
the barrier 100 is delivered to its destination unfilled to ease
with transportation, and then filled with water after being
positioned at its final position. Water is the preferred filling
medium as it is readily abundant, environmentally sound, and may be
spilled out and discarded easily, for example, to a catch basin,
when it becomes necessary to remove the ballast material, such as
for transport.
[0083] Although not shown, it will also be appreciated that the
barrier 100 may include tapped inserts (not shown) embedded in the
front face 118, such as is known in the art. These embedded inserts
are typically internally threaded metallic cylinders that are
particularly adapted for receiving bolts which may be utilized to
support various signage, such as direction signs or
advertisements.
[0084] In a similar manner, the barrier 100 may include recessed
areas 130 having a plurality of threaded inserts 132 on the
barrier's front face 118. As shown in FIG. 1, the recessed area 130
is preferably configured to resemble a "dog-bone," with an elongate
center portion spanning two wider end portions, and extends over
the middle portion 110 of the barrier 100 such that half of the
recessed area is associated with first half 102 of the barrier and
the other half is associated with second half 104 of the barrier. A
bone plate 134 (FIG. 15) shaped in registration with the recessed
area 130 may be inserted therein to assist with tying the first
half 102 of the barrier 100 with the second half 104.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 15, the bone plate 134 may be formed as a
flat plate of material having an elongate central portion 135
spanning between two wider end sections 137, 139, to form the
familiar "dog-bone" or "H" shape. The bone plate 134 may also
include apertures 136, preferably within the end sections 137, 139,
which align with the threaded inserts 132 of the barrier 100 such
that bolts (not shown) may be inserted through the apertures and
into the threaded inserts to retain the bone plate 136 in
association with the barrier 100. This relationship creates a
strong junction between the first half 102 and second half 104 of
the barrier 100. It is preferred that each barrier 100 include four
such recessed areas 130 with four associated bone plates 134, to
provide a strong junction.
[0086] Assisting with the connection of first half 102 to second
half 104 may be connection elements 138 located on the side faces
116 of each barrier 100, as shown in FIG. 3. The connection
elements 138 are preferably circular with half-cylinders protruding
therefrom such that each circular connection member includes a male
portion and female portion. These male and female portions are best
shown in FIG. 5, a perspective view of a barrier 100.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the male portions 140 and female
portions 142 preferably alternate in their position within the
connection elements 138 as the connection elements are positioned
along the side face 116. For example, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5, there are included four connection elements 138. The
uppermost connection element 138 includes male/female portions 140,
142 in a particular relationship where the male portion is on the
left and the female portion is on the right when viewed as shown in
FIG. 5. The next connection element 138 in the series moving
downward along the side face 116 includes male/female portions 140,
142 in an opposite relationship, where the male portion is on the
right and the female portion is on the left when viewed as shown in
FIG. 5. This alternating pattern may continue with each of the
connection elements 138. Preferably, each barrier half 102, 104
includes four such connection elements, where the connection
elements on opposed barrier halves are in registration with each
other, such that the side faces 116 of the barrier halves 102, 104
may completely abut as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0088] Of course, it will be appreciated that the connection
members may be manufactured to other geometric or non-geometric
configurations. In addition, the alternating pattern may be such
that the uppermost connection element is fully male with the next
fully female, and so on. The first could also be fully female with
the next fully male, or the male/female connection elements may be
positioned in bunches. For example, the first two may be fully male
while the next two are fully female. Similar patterns of split
male/female connection elements may also be employed. In addition,
although it is preferred that the barriers include four mating
pairs of connection elements, it will be appreciated that more or
less may be utilized, depending on the application. Proprietary or
nonproprietary configurations may also be utilized to prevent or
permit barrier half pairs from being coupled.
[0089] Various other views of road barriers 100 and road barrier
halves 102, 104 configured in accordance with aspects of the
present invention which have been left relatively free of
annotation for clarity are depicted in FIGS. 8 through 11. In this
regard, FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of one half of a
multi-component road barrier with a female end in accordance with
certain aspects of the present invention. FIG. 9 depicts a rotated
perspective view of the barrier half FIG. 8. FIG. 10 depicts a
perspective view of one-half of a multi-component road barrier with
a male end in accordance with certain aspects of the present
invention. FIG. 11 depicts a rotated perspective view of the
barrier half shown in FIG. 10.
[0090] FIG. 12 depicts an exploded perspective diagrammatic view of
a multi-component road barrier mold in accordance with still
further aspects of the present invention. In this view, the various
components of a road barrier mold 200 may be discerned. More
specifically, a mold 200 may comprise a chamber 202 forming a base
mold with one open outer end 204. The chamber alone 202 may form
the main portion of a road barrier 100, and may be used
interchangeably with different attachment molds. Two such
attachment molds are shown in FIG. 12, the first being a male
attachment mold 206 and the second being a female attachment mold
208. Either of the two attachment molds 206, 208 may be utilized in
conjunction with the chamber 202 to form one half 102, 104 of a
barrier 100. Although not shown in FIG. 12, it will be appreciated
that the attachment molds 206, 208 each contain open ends which may
be placed in communication with the open end 204 of the chamber 202
such that material placed in the mold cavity will flow evenly
between the two molds. FIG. 13 depicts a plan view of the molds
shown in FIG. 12. Such molds may be utilized in the extrusion
molding process with HDPE to create the inventive road barriers
shown and described herein.
[0091] It will be appreciated that each mold portion; namely, the
chamber 202, the male attachment mold 206, and the female
attachment mold 208, each may be comprised of two independent
sections, where each of the sections may be mated at a mating line
210. Specifically, the chamber 202 may comprise a first section 212
and a second section 214, the male attachment mold 206 may comprise
a first section 216 and second section 218, and the female
attachment mold 208 may comprise a first section 220 and a second
section 222. As shown in FIG. 12, the mating line 210 may run along
the length of the respective component, although it will be
appreciated that other configurations are also possible.
[0092] As previously discussed, the road barrier 100 may be molded
from HDPE. The HDPE utilized may be from among those designed for
high performance applications, such as high performance packaging
applications. Preferably, the HDPE exhibits a combination of
stiffness and resistance to environmental stress cracking.
[0093] The characteristics of such high density polyethylene are
preferably approximately as follows: TABLE-US-00001 Density: 0.957
g/cm{circumflex over ( )}3 Melt Index, 190/2.16: 0.46 g/10 min
Tensile strength at yield: 30 MPa Tensile strength at break: 24 MPa
Elongation at yield: 7.5% Elongation at break: 1100% Flexural
Modulus: 1,450 MPa Tensile Impact: 26 joules/cm{circumflex over (
)}2 Impact brittleness temperature: -76 C. Envtl. stress crack
resistance: >1000 hrs Bulk density: 585 kg/m{circumflex over (
)}3
[0094] An example of a product which is commercially available and
which may be utilized is ExxonMobil.RTM. HD-9856BA. ExxonMobil.RTM.
is a registered trademark of the Exxon Mobil Corporation, 5959 Las
Colinas Boulevard, Irving, Tex. 75039. Another example is
Marlex.RTM. HHM 5502-01ST. Marlex.RTM. is a registered trademark of
the Phillips Petroleum Company, Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands,
Tex. 77380.
[0095] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 4, the various dimensions of a
typical barrier 100 are shown as height H, length L, and width W
(the width being measured at the barrier's widest point, at the
base 101). It is preferred that a finished barrier have a length L
of 72'' (with an additional one end extension of 6'' on any male
end), a height of 42'', and a width at the base of 24''. Such a
barrier with a nominal wall thickness of 0.155 in. will weigh
approximately 80 lbs. assembled, and 1600 lbs. when filled with
water. The weight of such a barrier 100, manufactured with HDPE,
can also be approximately 65-100 lbs. total, with the male section
and female section each being of approximately equal weight.
Compared to a conventional barrier of like size formed from low
density polyethylene, with a typical weight of approximately 125
lbs., the high density polyethylene barrier represents a reduction
of nearly 50%. Of course, barriers 100 may be configured to other
dimensions if desired.
[0096] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims. These advantages stem
from the materials and process used for the inventive road barrier
as well as from the configuration of the road barrier.
* * * * *