Connecting devices

Abstract

A connecting device is provided, including an elongate member (EM) having two or more engaging elements which are spaced along the length of the EM; and at least one engaging element which orthogonally extends out from the EM and which has a portion which also extends, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM, a distance Y, wherein distance Y extends substantially 15-20% of the length of the EM.

Claims

1. A roadway barrier apparatus comprising, in combination: a first barrier section having a first barrier section end including a first barrier section upper protrusion with an upper connecting region defining a connecting device receiving portion and a first barrier section lower protrusion with a lower connecting region defining a connecting device receiving portion, said first barrier section upper protrusion and said first barrier section lower protrusion being spaced from one another with the connecting device receiving portion of said upper connecting region of the first barrier section upper protrusion positioned above the connecting device receiving portion of said lower connecting region of the first barrier section lower protrusion, said connecting device receiving portions being openings; a second barrier section having a second barrier section end including a second barrier section upper connecting region defining a connecting device receiving portion and a second barrier section lower protrusion with a lower connecting region defining a connecting device receiving portion, said second barrier section upper protrusion and said second barrier section lower protrusion being spaced from one another with the connecting device receiving portion of said upper connecting region of the second barrier section upper protrusion positioned above the connecting device receiving portion of said lower connecting region of the second barrier section lower protrusion, said connecting device receiving portions of the first and second barrier sections being openings, the upper protrusion of said first barrier section and the upper protrusion of the second barrier section being in overlapping relationship and the lower protrusion of said first barrier section and the lower protrusion of said second barrier section being in overlapping relationship, with the openings of said overlapping first and second barrier sections upper and lower protrusions located along a common vertical axis; and a connecting device including an elongated member and engaging elements attached to said elongated member, projecting outwardly therefrom in substantially the same direction and spaced from one another, said connecting device positionable in said openings and movable between a lower position wherein said engaging elements engage the openings of the overlapping upper and lower protrusions of both said first barrier section and said second barrier section to maintain said first and the second barrier sections in alignment and an upper position wherein said engaging elements are removed from said openings whereby said first barrier section and said second barrier section may be pivoted about the elongated member; the openings in the upper and lower protrusions of the first and second barrier sections each comprising a slot having a bulbous semi-circular end for receiving the elongated member and wherein the openings in the upper protrusions enable a lower one of the engagement elements to be inserted and pass therethrough, said slot of the upper and lower protrusions of the first barrier section extending from said bulbous semi-circular end thereof being narrower than said bulbous semi-circular end thereof and terminating at an open mouth portion end, the slot of the upper and lower protrusions of the second barrier section extending from said bulbous circular end thereof being narrower than the bulbous semi-circular end thereof and terminating at a closed end, said slots of the the lower position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a connecting-device in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a partial cross sectional side view of two adjacent barrier sections in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the top connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the top connecting-region on the right barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the bottom connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the bottom connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a connecting-device in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a partial cross sectional side view of two adjacent barrier sections in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the top and bottom connecting-regions on the left barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(10) FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the top and bottom connecting-regions on the right barrier section shown in FIG. 2;

(11) FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an alternative top and bottom connecting-regions on the left barrier section shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with a further embodiment;

(12) FIG. 12 shows a plan view of two adjacent barrier sections which have an in-line relationship to one another; and

(13) FIG. 13 shows a partial plan view of a two adjacent barrier sections which have an angled relationship to one another.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(14) In FIG. 1 there is shown a connecting device 1 which has an elongate member (EM) 2 having a length along its longitudinal axis, the length of which is depicted by double headed arrow X. Extending laterally out from the EM are two engaging elements in the form of dog legs 3. The engaging elements have a portion 4 which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM.

(15) In FIG. 2 there are shown two adjacent barrier sections 1000 and 2000 which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections 1000 and 2000 each have two connecting regions 1001a, 1001b and 2001a, 2001b respectively. The connecting-regions 1001a, 12001b and 2001a, 2001b are connected to one another via a connecting device 3000 which is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that the connecting-regions 2001a and 2001b of the barrier section 2000 are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section 1000 which is not shown. Similarly the connecting-regions 1001a and 1001b on barrier section 1000 are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section 2000 which is not shown.

(16) In FIG. 3 the connecting-region 1001a has a CDRP in the form of a slot 1003 which passes there through. The slot 1003 resembles a keyhole in shape and has a bulbous portion 1005. In use the slot 1003 allows the lower engaging portion 3 on the connector 1 to be passed down through without becoming hooked on the connecting-region 1001a.

(17) The connecting-region 1001b has a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures 1006, and 1007 which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM 2 and portion 4refer to FIG. 4.

(18) The connection-region 2001a has a CDRP in the form of a slot 2002 through which the lower engaging portion on the EM 2 can passrefer to FIG. 5.

(19) The connecting-region 2001b has a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures 2003 and 2004 which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM 2 and portion 4refer to FIG. 6.

(20) If it is desired to pivot one barrier section 1000 relative to barrier section 2000 so that they are connected to one another but in an angled relationship the connecting device 3000 is lifted until the engaging elements 3 are no longer engaged with slots 1003, 2002. The connecting device 3000 is then twisted to no longer align with slot 1003 before being allowed to drop and rest on the top of connecting-regions 1001a and 1001b. The barrier section 1000 can then be pivoted relative to barrier section 2000 (or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between.

(21) The relative amount that the connecting device 3000 needs to be lifted is the length of the engaging portions 4 as shown by double headed arrow Y in FIG. 1.

(22) The connecting-region 2002 also has a stop-lip 2010 which abuts the end wall of barrier section 1000 to assist with aligning the aperture with slot 1003.

(23) In FIG. 7 there is shown a connecting device 7000 which has an elongate member (EM) 7001 having a length along its longitudinal axis which depicted by double headed arrow X. Extending laterally out from the EM are two engaging elements 7002. The engaging elements have a portion 7003 which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM.

(24) In FIG. 8 there are shown two adjacent barrier sections 8000 and 9000 which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections 8000 and 9000 each have two connecting-regions 8001a, 8001b and 9001b respectively. The connecting-regions 8001a 8001b and 9001a, 9001b are connected to one another via a connecting device 7000 which is the same as that shown in FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that the connecting-regions 9001a and 9001b of the barrier section 9000 are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section 8000 which is not shown. Similarly the connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b on barrier section 8000 are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section 9000 which is not shown.

(25) The connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b are identical and are depicted in FIG. 9 which shows connecting-region 8001a. The connecting-region 8001a has a CDRP in the form of a slot 8003 with a bulbous semi-circular end 8003a which receives the EM 7001. The slot 8003 receives the engaging elements 7003. The slot 8003 resembles a keyhole in shape.

(26) The connecting-regions 9001a and 9001b are also identical to one another and are depicted in FIG. 10. the connecting-region 9001a has a CDRP in the form of a slot 9003 extending from a bulbous semi-circular end 9003a which receives the EM 7001 (not shown). The slot 9003 receives the engaging elements 7003 (not shown).

(27) FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment for the connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b which can be used on the barrier section 8000 of FIG. 8. The connecting-region 8001a has a CDRP in the form of a groove 8003 extending from a bulbous semi-circular end 8003a which receives the EM 7001 (not shown). The other end of the groove 8003 has a mouth portion 8003b is open to a distal face 8005 of the connecting-region 8001a. The slot 8003 receives the engaging elements 7003 (not shown).

(28) FIG. 12 shows barrier sections 8000 and 9000 connected via their respective connecting-regions 8001a and 9001a and the connecting device 7000 so as to have an angled relationship to one another. In this arrangement the engaging elements 7003 of the connecting device 7000 rest on top of the connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b and are not aligned with the slot 8003. Thus, it is just the EM 7001 which passes through and connects connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b on the left barrier section 8000 with the connecting-regions 9001a and 9001b on the right barrier section 9000. To achieve this angled relationship the connecting device 7000 passes through the respective connecting-regions 8001a, 8001b and 9001a and 9001b on the left and right barrier sections 8000, 9000 when the barrier sections are in an inline relationship. Then the connecting device 7000 is partially withdrawn so the engaging elements 7003 are no longer located within the connecting-regions, the connecting device is then twisted so as the engaging elements 7000 no longer align with slot 8003a, so the connecting device can rest on top of connecting-regions 8001a and 8001b. The barrier section 8000 can then be pivoted relative to barrier section 9000 (or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between.

(29) Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.