TRAFFIC BARRIER

Abstract

Connectors and systems for connecting multiple traffic barriers is provided. The connector includes a joint plate having a first side and a second side, at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side, a left joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the left joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint, and a right joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting multiple traffic barriers, comprising: a joint plate having a first side and a second side; at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side of the joint plate; a left joint, coupled to the second side of the joint plate, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the left joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint; and a right joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facing toward each other.

3. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facing away from each other.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1, further comprising: at least one socket, coupled to the second side, configured to receive a pin.

5. The connector as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one socket is coupled to the left joint and the right joint.

6. The connector as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the at least one strengthening plates is positioned approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate.

7. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the joint plate is configured to fit within an outer surface of a traffic barrier.

8. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the left joint and the right joint are configured such that a receiving connector can be joined to the connector at a plurality of angles.

9. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the left joint.

10. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the right joint.

11. A system for connecting multiple traffic barriers, comprising: a traffic barrier, including: a main body having an opening on a first end and a second end; and at first joint apparatus positioned at least partially within the opening on the first end; and a second joint apparatus positioned at least partially within the opening on the second end, wherein the first joint apparatus and the second joint apparatus include each includes: a joint plate having a first side and a second side; a left joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the left joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint; and a right joint, coupled to the second side, including at least two protrusions being spaced apart from each other such that the right joint is configured to receive a complimentary joint.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein, for the first joint apparatus, the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facing toward each other.

13. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus, the at least two protrusions of the left joint and the at least two protrusions of the right joint are facing away from each other.

14. The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising: at least one socket, coupled to the second side of the joint plate on the first joint apparatus, configured to receive a pin; and at least one socket, coupled to the second side of the joint plate on the second joint apparatus, configured to receive a pin.

15. The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising: at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side of the joint plate of the first joint apparatus; and at least one strengthening plate coupled to the first side of the joint plate of the second joint apparatus.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein, for each of the first joint apparatus and second joint apparatus, at least one of the at least one strengthening plates is positioned approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate.

17. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus, the left joint and the right joint are configured such that a receiving joint apparatus can be joined to the first joint apparatus at a plurality of angles.

18. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the second joint apparatus, the left joint and the right joint are configured such that a receiving joint apparatus can be joined to the second joint apparatus at a plurality of angles.

19. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus or the second joint apparatus, at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the left joint.

20. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein, for the first joint apparatus or the second joint apparatus, at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the right joint.

21. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the traffic barrier further comprises: at least one ballast box housed within the main body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing away from each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing away from each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing away from each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing towards each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector joint, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector joint, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector joint, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows a front view of a traffic barrier connector joint, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier having a plurality of traffic barrier connectors, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 12 shows an upper view of two traffic barriers connected parallel to each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 13 shows an upper view of two traffic barriers connected at a non-180 degree angle to each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 14 shows a perspective interior view of two interconnected traffic barriers, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0052] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a traffic barrier connector 100 having joint protrusions 130 facing away from each other (FIG. 1), and a traffic barrier 100 having joint protrusions 130 facing towards each other (FIG. 2), are illustratively depicted, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 includes a joint plate 110 having a first side and a second side, and a plurality of j oints 120, 125, 145, 150, each joint having protrusions 130. According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 includes one or more strengthening plates 115 coupled to the first side of the joint plate 110. According to an embodiment, one or more of the strengthening plates 115 may be positioned on the joint plate 110 such that the one or more strengthening plates 115 are approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate 110. The traffic barrier connector 100 may also include one or more stop blocks 140.

[0055] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the protrusions 130 on the joints 120, 125 are facing toward each other and are configured to receive one or more complimentary joints (145, 150, shown in FIG. 2). According to an embodiment, the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 are positioned on the joint plate 110 such that the joints 120, 125 on one traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 1) slide into the joints 145, 150 of another traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 2). It is noted, however, that other methods of interlocking traffic barrier 100 joints 120, 125, 145, 150 may also be used, such as, e.g., snapping and/or locking one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 into position, rotating one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 into position, and/or any other suitable method, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier connector 100 may include one or more sockets 135 coupled to the second side of the joint plate 110 and configured to receive one or more pins 155 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 14). The sockets 135 may be positioned such that they do not prevent the insertion of the joints 120, 125 of one traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 1) into the joints 145, 150 of another traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 2). One or more of the sockets 135 may be separated from one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 and/or connected to one or more of the joints 120, 125, 145, 150.

[0057] According to an embodiment, once the joints 120, 125 of one traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 1) are inserted into the joints 145, 150 of another traffic barrier connector 100 (FIG. 2), the sockets 135 line up in a way such that a pin 155 or other securing device may be inserted through the sockets 135 in both of the connected traffic barrier connectors 100.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a front (FIG. 3) and rear (FIG. 4) view of a traffic barrier connector 100 having joint protrusions 130 facing away from each other, and a front (FIG. 5) and rear (FIG. 6) view of a traffic barrier connector having joint protrusions facing towards each other, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, the joint plates 110 have a wide base and a narrower upper portion. This is so the joint plates 110 can fit within the outer surface of a main body 210 (shown in FIG. 11) of a traffic barrier 200 (shown in FIG. 11). It is noted, however, that other suitable shapes for the joint plates 110 may also be used to accommodate the differing shapes of traffic barriers 200, while still maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6, the strengthening plates 115 extend across the entire width of the first side of the joint plates 110. However, it is noted that the strengthening plates 115 may extend only partially across the width of the joint plates 110 while still maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, perspective views of traffic barrier connector 100 joints 150 (FIG. 7) 145 (FIG. 8), and front views of traffic barrier connector 100 joints 150 (FIG. 9) and 145 (FIG. 9) are illustratively depicted, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the protrusions 130 of traffic barrier connector 100 joints 145 and 150 narrow toward an upper portion of the traffic barrier connector 100 joints 145, 150. This narrowing (encircled in FIGS. 9-10) widens the gaps between the protrusions 130, enabling easier insertion of traffic barrier connector 100 joints 120, 125 into traffic barrier connector 100 joints 145, 150.

[0063] As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 and 7-10, the traffic barrier connector 100 joints each include three protrusions 130. It is noted, however, that the traffic barrier connector 100 joints 120, 125, 145, 150 may include any number of protrusions 130 while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of a traffic barrier 200 having a plurality of traffic barrier connectors 100 is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier 200 may include a main body 210, one or more ballast boxes 215, one or more drains 220, one or more lifting plates 225, and/or one or more traffic barrier connectors 100. According to an embodiment, the traffic barrier 200 may include no ballast boxes 215.

[0066] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the joint plate 110 of the traffic barrier connector 100 is secured in an opening within the outer surface of the main body 210. However, it is noted that the joint plate 100 may be secured on the outer surface of the main body 210 and/or by any other suitable means while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0067] According to an embodiment, both traffic barrier connectors 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 include joints 120, 125 having protrusions 130 facing away from each other. According to another embodiment, both traffic barrier connectors 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 include joints 145, 150 having protrusions 130 facing towards each other. According to another embodiment, one traffic barrier connector 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 includes joints 120, 125 having protrusions 130 facing away from each other and one traffic barrier connector 100 coupled to the traffic barrier 200 includes joints 145, 150 having protrusions 130 facing towards each other.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 12, an upper view of two traffic barriers 200 connected linearly are illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12, two of the protrusions 130 of joint 120 are interlocked with two of the protrusions 130 of joint 150, and two of the protrusions 130 of joint 125 are interlocked with two of the protrusions 130 of joint 145. This interlocking causes the traffic barrier connectors 100 to be approximately parallel to each other, causing the traffic barriers 200 to be parallel to each other.

[0070] Once the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 are interlocked, a pin 155 is inserted within the holes of the respective sockets 135 of the traffic barrier connectors 100.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 13, an upper view of two traffic barriers 200 connected at a non-180 degree angle to each other is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13, one of the protrusions 130 of joint 120 are interlocked with one of the protrusions 130 of joint 150, and one of the protrusions 130 of joint 125 are interlocked with one of the protrusions 130 of joint 145. This interlocking enables the angle between the traffic barrier connectors 100 be adjusted, causing the traffic barriers 200 to be at a non-180 degree angle to each other. It is noted that any number of protrusions 130 of one joint 120, 125, 145, 150 may be interlocked with any number of protrusions 130 of another joint 120, 125, 145, 150 while still maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0073] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the angle between the traffic barriers 200 is 177 degrees. However, other angles may also be made between the traffic barriers, the distance between protrusions, and the number of protrusions 130 on the joints 120, 125, 145, 150 may also affect the angle that can be made between the traffic barriers 200.

[0074] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the pin 155 shown in FIG. 12 cannot fit within all of the holes of the sockets 135. According to an embodiment, a pin 155 of smaller diameter may be used within the holes of the sockets 135 while the traffic barriers 200 are at a non-180 degree angle to each other. According to an embodiment, the holes in the sockets 135 may be configured to enable the insertion of a pin 155 while the traffic barriers 200 are at a non-180 degree angle to each other.

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 14, a perspective view of two interconnected traffic barriers 200 is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the pin 155 extends through all of the sockets 135, further securing the traffic barriers 200 to one another.

[0077] According to an embodiment, any one or more components of the traffic barrier connector 100 and/or the traffic barrier 200 may be separate components or formed together with any other components. The traffic barrier 200 and traffic barrier connector 100 may include metals, such as, e.g., iron, steel, copper, aluminum, etc., rubbers, soft and hard plastics, and/or any other suitable materials.

[0078] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective another, when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms including and having are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0079] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.