HK1139993B - Towable elongated traffic barrier - Google Patents

Description

Towable elongated traffic barrier

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a towable elongated traffic barrier comprising a plurality of rigid, two-ended elongated traffic barrier modules connected at their ends and incorporating structure to control relative movement between the traffic barrier modules during repositioning thereof by a tow vehicle.

Background

Traffic barriers are generally known which comprise a plurality of barrier segments pivotally connected in end-to-end relationship. It is also known to incorporate portable traffic barrier ground engaging wheels to facilitate towing of the traffic barrier by a tow vehicle.

U.S. patent No.5,007,763, published 4, 16, 1991, discloses a device in which a traffic barrier portion includes a centrally located, embedded conveyor. The carrier includes a fluid driven ram connected to a shaft carrying wheels located below the ram. The barrier portion rests on the ground when the wheels are in the retracted position and fully bears on the wheels when the wheels are extended. These barrier sections are pivotally connected and can be moved from one job site to another when a change is required, for example by pulling by a tractor or other vehicle. Each axle and wheel can be turned to a position other than perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the barrier portion, so that some barrier portions can be moved laterally to a position that is not in line.

U.S. patent No.4,666,332, published 5/19 1987, discloses a traffic barrier conveyor or propeller capable of repositioning traffic barrier units according to changing demands. The conveyor includes a support frame having two opposing end plates on which adjacent ends of two substantially aligned barrier sections are supported. The frame carries hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower support wheels mounted on axles below the frame. The wheels move between an upper position above the lower end of the support frame with the barrier section resting on the ground and a lower position in which the barrier section is raised above the ground. In the latter position of the wheel, the obstacle part can be pulled from one position to another. A steering mechanism is used with the wheels of each carrier to steer the obstacle section by a coupling linkage connected to the piston rod of a hydraulic ram mounted on a tractor support extending upwardly from the drawbar. It is also proposed that the steering arms of the steering mechanism can be operated independently, e.g. by means of separate hydraulic cylinders or by means of a rack and pinion, to provide the desired direction for the obstacle part during towing.

U.S. patent No.6,485,224, published 2002, 11, 26, discloses a traffic barrier having doors between spaced apart ends of adjacent barrier modules. The cover side plate may be removed to interconnect the door to the pivot pin link of an adjacent barrier module.

One of the problems encountered in the prior art needs to be addressed is maintaining proper control over the towed interconnected modules or sections during towing operations. The prior art exemplified by U.S. Pat. nos. 4,666,332 and 5,007,763 results in "wandering" of the segments of the towed traffic barrier during towing. Additionally, prior art elongated traffic barriers that incorporate multiple sections and modules connected by pivotal linkages are subject to bending and shifting when impacted, for example, by a vehicle impacting the elongated traffic barrier from behind or from the side.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a towable, hinged, slender traffic barrier, which is structurally characterized in that: improved control and minimization of "drift" of its barrier modules during towing, and reinforcement and stabilization of elongated traffic barriers not only during towing, but also after having been repositioned.

The elongated traffic barrier of the present invention includes a plurality of rigid, elongated, traffic barrier modules with two ends.

Connectors are provided between adjacent traffic barrier modules to provide a hinged interconnection therebetween.

A restraint structure is disposed between adjacent traffic barrier modules and is co-operable with the connector and the adjacent traffic barrier modules to restrain articulation therebetween and resist bending of at least a portion of the elongated traffic barrier.

Each traffic barrier module includes two wheel assemblies spaced apart from each other and positioned inboard of the ends of the traffic barrier module. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel support and a plurality of wheels supported by the wheel support.

Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elongated traffic barrier constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the traffic barrier being repositioned at one end by a tow vehicle at one end and connected at the other end to a trailer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the tow vehicle and traffic barrier module coupled together during towing;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the tow bar prior to attachment to the associated traffic barrier module nose attachment by a pivot pin;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the tow bar extending between and connected to the tow vehicle and the front traffic barrier module;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rear traffic barrier module and a portion of a trailer connected to the barrier module by a link;

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of the rearmost traffic barrier module and towing bracket and a connecting structure for providing interconnection therebetween;

FIG. 6B is a top plan view illustrating a hypothetical alternate position of the front of the trailer when interconnected with the rearmost traffic barrier module during towing;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating opposite ends of two adjacent traffic barrier modules with a portion of one module cut away and a pivoting cover removed to illustrate the internal structure of the elongated traffic barrier;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating opposite ends of two adjacent traffic barrier modules with cover plates removed to reveal pivot limiting elements detachably connected to the pivot connectors between the ends of the traffic barrier modules;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of two adjacent traffic barrier modules prior to connection by the pivot pin and prior to installation of the pivot restrictor element;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating a pivot restrictor element engageable with an end of an adjacent traffic barrier module to restrict pivoting therebetween, the modules being shown in alternative positions;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the pivot restrictor element;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a wheel assembly applied to an elongated traffic barrier, in which the wheels are oriented at ninety degrees relative to each other;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the wheel assembly and associated lever in the orientation shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel assembly in a raised condition taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, illustrating the operation of the jack incorporated within the wheel assembly;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but illustrating the wheel in a lowered condition;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pivoting motion of the rocker arm supporting the wheel;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wheel support;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a wheel assembly;

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view illustrating details of the wheel support structure of the embodiment of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the third embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing the wheel rotating in a different direction;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 20 showing the wheel rotating in a different direction; and

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 21 showing the wheel rotating in a different direction.

Detailed Description

The submitted U.S. co-pending application discloses a system for repositioning an elongated traffic barrier wherein a tow vehicle is attached at or near a first end of the traffic barrier. The tow vehicle is operable to exert a pulling force on the towing elongated traffic barrier to pull the elongated traffic barrier when the traffic barrier is engaged with the support surface to reposition the elongated traffic barrier on the support surface.

In the system, a drag is attached at or near the other end of the elongated traffic barrier. The drag is operable to exert a drag force on the elongated traffic barrier that opposes the pulling force exerted on the elongated traffic barrier by the tow vehicle to resist "wandering" and bending of the elongated traffic barrier during repositioning.

Fig. 1-6B show an elongated traffic barrier 10 that is pulled or towed from the front end of the elongated traffic barrier 10 by a tow vehicle 12. A trailer 14 is disposed at the trailing end of the elongated traffic barrier 10, and the tow vehicle 12 and the tow vehicle 14 exert opposing forces on the elongated traffic barrier 10 as indicated by the arrows. Of course, the force exerted by the towing vehicle is greater than the force exerted by the towing vehicle so that the elongated traffic barrier 10 can be towed to the left as viewed in FIG. 1.

A tow bar 16 is attached to and projects laterally from the trailer, with the tow vehicle 12 being disposed alongside the elongated traffic barrier. The distal end of the tow bar 16 is connected to the forward end of the elongated traffic barrier by a pivot pin 18, the pivot pin 18 passing through aligned openings in brackets 20 projecting from a nose plate 22 and in the distal end of the tow bar 16. Drawbar 16 is of telescopic construction so that its length can be varied as shown in figure 3, the length of the drawbar being ensured by means of the locking pin 24.

A towing bracket 26 (see fig. 5-6B) is attached to the trailer 14. One end of the connecting rod 28 of the channel member is firmly connected to the towing bracket by a connecting pin 30. The pivot pin 32 passes through an opening at the other end of the connecting rod 28 that is aligned with an opening in a rear bracket 34 that projects outwardly from a rear end plate 36 of the elongated traffic barrier.

Having the same structure as the described embodiment, elongated traffic barrier 10 includes a plurality of rigid, elongated, double-ended traffic barrier modules 40. For simplicity, fig. 1 shows only two such traffic barrier modules, but it should be understood that more than two traffic barrier modules may be coupled to the elongated traffic barrier.

Each traffic barrier module 40 includes an internal frame 42, suitably made of steel, which internal frame 42 rigidly secures a plurality of elongate channels 40, which elongate channels 40 are also preferably, but not necessarily, made of steel and are connected to the frame and extend between the front and rear end plates 22, 36 of each module. The end plates are also suitably, but not necessarily, formed of steel.

In the disclosed embodiment, there is a hinged interconnection between adjacent traffic barrier modules due to the pivotal connection between them. Adjacent traffic barrier modules are positioned with the front and rear end panels in opposition and define a gap therebetween. The openings in the overlapping brackets 20, 34 are aligned. A pivot pin 18 passing through the aligned openings provides pivotal interconnection between adjacent traffic barrier modules, as shown, for example, in fig. 7. Once the pivotal interconnection is completed, a cover 50 is preferably used to cover and protect the pivotal connection structure. Pins 52 may be used for this purpose.

A limiting structure is disposed in the gap between adjacent traffic barrier modules and is co-operable with the pivotal connection structure and the adjacent traffic barrier modules to limit articulation movement between the adjacent traffic barrier modules and to resist substantial bending of a portion of the elongated traffic barrier including the pivotally connected adjacent traffic barrier modules.

More specifically, the restraining structure is in the form of a pivot restraining element 54 with two ends, the restraining element 54 being of unitary construction. The pivot limiting element 54 includes a stabilizing sleeve 56, the stabilizing sleeve 56 defining a through bore 58 along the remainder of the pivot limiting element. The pivot restrictor element 54 can be easily removed or installed. Installation simply requires that the pivot restrictor element be placed over a pair of overlapping brackets so that the through-holes 58 are aligned with the openings in the brackets and the openings in the other brackets projecting from the end plates 22, 36. The pivot pins 18 are then inserted through all of the openings and through holes 58.

Pivot limiting elements 54 project outwardly from the pivot pins in opposite directions and are located in the gap between the end plates 22, 36 of adjacent barrier modules. As shown in fig. 10, the pivot restrictor element engages the opposite end plate of the adjacent traffic barrier module when the module is pivoted about the pivot pin. This shows that the convenient and effective method taken to reinforce an elongated traffic barrier provides the advantages set forth above, including complete or substantial elimination of drift during towing. The pivot restrictor element may be disposed between all adjacent traffic barrier modules of the elongated traffic barrier.

Each traffic barrier module 40 includes two wheel assemblies 60, the details of which are shown in fig. 12-17. The two wheel assemblies of each traffic barrier module 40 are spaced apart from each other and spaced inboard of their ends. The wheel assembly is secured to the internal frame of the traffic barrier module by any suitable type of mechanical fastener. Each wheel assembly 60 includes an outer housing 62 and an inner housing 64 rotatable relative to the outer housing by a tiller 66. The inner cover 64 includes a lower telescoping member 68 that can be raised and lowered by a jackscrew 70 (see fig. 15, 16). The telescoping member 68 rotates with the remainder of the inner cover 64 to change the direction of the wheel 70 on a rocker wheel support 72, the rocker wheel support 72 being disposed at the lower end of the telescoping member 68.

Two parallel axles 74 project from both sides of the rocker wheel support 72. In the illustrated arrangement, there are front and rear wheel sets 70. Each wheel set includes four wheels, two on each side of the telescoping member 68. Such an arrangement incorporating two wheel assemblies distributes the module weight substantially to the ground of each wheel assembly. In addition, the two wheel assemblies enable better control of module movement. The rocker arm wheel support 72 allows rapid adjustment of the wheel to irregular terrain.

As mentioned above, the tiller 66 is used to steer the wheel 70. One or both rudders may be locked in position so that the wheel associated therewith is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the associated traffic barrier module. Figure 7 shows the rudder stock positioned in the notch of the tab 76 to lock the rudder stock against lateral movement.

Fig. 18 illustrates an alternative wheel assembly 79 which differs from the wheel assembly 60 only in that it includes a pair of endless ground engaging belts 78, which belts 78 extend around and between the front and rear wheel sets.

Referring now to fig. 19-24, another embodiment of a wheel assembly, wheel assembly 80, is illustrated. Wheel assembly 80 discloses a wheel support comprising two sleeves 82 rotatably mounted on pivot bolts 84, pivot bolts 84 extending between a support plate 86 and a base plate 88.

Axles 90 project from opposite sides of each sleeve 82, with wheels 70 located at the ends of each axle. Above the base plate 88 is located a drive plate 92 with two ends, which is fixed to a rotatable drive shaft 94 that can be rotated by the tiller 66. The drive plate 92 is pivotally connected by mechanical fasteners to tabs 96, the tabs 96 being secured to each of the sleeves 82.

Rotation of the drive shaft 94 and drive plate 92 by the tiller 66 will cause repositioning of the wheel 70 to steer the wheel assembly and the traffic module associated therewith. In this embodiment, there are no jacks and the wheels remain in ground engaging position.

Claims (12)

1. A towable elongated traffic barrier comprising, in combination:

a plurality of rigid, elongated, traffic barrier modules with two ends;

a connector between adjacent ones of the plurality of traffic barrier modules, the connector being a pivoting connector including a bracket and a pivot pin and providing interconnection between the adjacent traffic barrier modules, the adjacent traffic barrier modules having opposing traffic barrier module ends with a gap formed therebetween, the connector allowing relative pivoting movement between the opposing traffic barrier module ends; and

a limiting structure disposed within the gap formed between the opposing traffic barrier module ends and co-operable with the connector and the adjacent traffic barrier modules to limit relative pivotal movement between the adjacent traffic barrier modules at the connector and resist substantial bending of at least a portion of the elongated traffic barrier, the limiting structure including at least one limiting element with two ends mounted for movement relative to the connector and relative to the opposing traffic barrier module ends and projecting outwardly in opposite directions from the pivot pin between the adjacent traffic barrier modules and engageable with the opposing traffic barrier ends upon pivotal movement of the adjacent traffic barrier modules relative to each other, to limit said relative pivotal movement.

2. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 1 wherein said brackets extend from the ends of said traffic barrier modules disposed opposite one another and are formed with bracket apertures disposed in a substantially aligned manner, said pivot pins being positioned in and extending through said bracket apertures.

3. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 2 wherein said pivot restrictor element with two ends is of unitary construction.

4. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 2 wherein said two-ended pivot limiting element includes a stabilizing sleeve that receives said pivot pin.

5. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 2 wherein said opposite traffic barrier module ends are metal plates.

6. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 1 wherein each of said adjacent traffic barrier modules includes two wheel assemblies spaced apart from one another and positioned inboard of the ends of said traffic barrier modules disposed opposite one another, each said wheel assembly including a wheel support and a plurality of wheels supported by said wheel support.

7. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said two wheel assemblies includes a tiller for changing wheel direction.

8. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 7 further comprising a locking structure for selectively locking said tiller to prevent movement thereof.

9. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 6 wherein said wheels comprise spaced front and rear sets of wheels, each set of wheels comprising at least two wheels supported by said wheel support.

10. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 9 further comprising an endless ground engaging belt extending around and between the wheels of said front and rear sets of wheels.

11. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 9 wherein each wheel set includes at least four wheels.

12. The elongated traffic barrier according to claim 11 wherein said wheel support includes at least one rocker arm, said set of wheels being rotatably mounted on said at least one rocker arm.