JP5571678B2 - Water ballast protective wall - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to vehicle barriers, and more particularly to mobile for applications such as pedestrian protection, road construction site separation, airport runways, and industrial commercial use. Water ballast vehicle protective wall.

  The water ballast vehicle barriers described herein are known in the art. In general, such protective walls are made of molded lightweight plastic, are hollow, and have a filling port for filling the protective wall with water in order to stabilize the protective wall with ballast in place. The walls are manufactured to be combinatorial and modular so that once placed in the desired position, they are attached together vertically to form a wall of any desired length Will be able to.

  This type of prior art water ballast barrier has particular utility but suffers from durability issues and meets the current Federal Road Safety Standards, in particular the Federal Road Administration standards reported in the NCHRP 350 report It is difficult. Barriers that fail to meet these criteria are excluded from use in road plans that are fully or partially financed by the Federal Road Fund, and the utility of the barriers is severely limited. Such failures generally occur because the barrier cannot pass the vehicle impact test required by the NCHRP 350 standard. Test level 1 (TL-1) criteria: a 820 kg vehicle crashes into a water barrier at a 20 degree collision angle and 50 kilometers per hour, and a 2000 kg vehicle strikes a water barrier at a 25 degree collision angle and 50 kilometers per hour Request that. The test level 2 (TL-2) standard requires an impact speed of 70 kilometers per hour at the same vehicle weight and collision angle as TL-1. The test level 3 (TL-3) standard requires an impact speed of 100 kilometers per hour at the same vehicle weight and collision angle as the TL-1 and TL-2 tests. In order to pass these impact tests, the barrier must prevent the impacting vehicle from rolling toward the side or roof and prevent the vehicle from penetrating or riding over the water barrier. Furthermore, the occupant speed must not exceed 12 m / s and the ride-down acceleration must not exceed 20 g.

  Therefore, what is needed is an improved water ballast barrier system that can successfully meet the above TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 test criteria.

  Accordingly, two embodiments of a water ballast barrier system that can meet all three of the above test criteria together are disclosed herein.

More specifically, a barrier portion is provided that is hollow and suitable for being filled with a flowable material for ballast. Barrier portion includes an outer wall and forming type plastic container having a first end and a second end that defines an interior volume. As the plurality of barrier portions are joined together, the plurality of connection protrusions are arranged in each of the first and second ends. Metallic cables, preferably, 1 inch × 19 inch stainless steel wire rope cable including a plurality of strands that are molded formed plastic container, the metal to case b le is the first and the second along the entire length of the container between the end portion, it will be distribution in the interior volume of the vessel.

Preferably, the loop of the cable is arranged at each end of the metal cable, each loop is wound around a pin hole disposed within one of the projections. The metals cable is connected between the protrusions facing the first end and the second end of the container. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of metal cables are provided, and the plurality of metal cables are connected between each pair of opposing projections on the first and second ends of the container .

  A hole is formed in each of the connection protrusions to accommodate the connection pins. In some applications, the inventive barrier includes a fence post suitable for placement on the tip of the connection pin to support the fence on the barrier portion.

An important feature of the present invention is that it includes a drain opening in one of the outer walls of the barrier portion. A closure is provided to close and seal the drain opening. Advantageously, the drain opening includes a sawtooth screw disposed on the inner surface of the drain opening. A screw is disposed on the outer surface of the closure to engage a serrated screw that seals the closure against the drain opening. Buttress thread is cut at a right angle and a coarse flattens et al.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that when the closure engages the drain opening to close the drain opening, the outer surface of the closure is substantially flush with the adjacent non-recess of the outer wall. It has a such deep enough, enclose the drain opening, is to provide a recess disposed on the barrier portion outer wall.

In another aspect of the invention, a barrier portion is provided that is hollow and suitable for filling with a flowable material for ballast. Barrier portion includes an outer wall defining an interior volume, the formed plastic container having a first end and a second end. The outer wall has a plurality of serrated portions disposed on the outer wall, the plurality of serrated portions being vertically disposed to deflect the vehicle from colliding downward with the barrier portion, and outward and downward. Stretch. There are preferably three sawtooth portions arranged on each longitudinal outer wall.

Metallic cables, preferably by being formed type inside forming plastic containers, said metals cable is I along the entire length of the container between its first and second ends, the interior volume It will be distribution within.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a barrier portion is provided that is hollow and suitable for filling with a flowable material for ballast. Barrier portion includes an outer wall defining an interior volume, the formed plastic container having a first end and a second end. As the plurality of barrier portions are joined together, the plurality of connection protrusions are arranged in each of the first and second ends. Each of the connection protrusions includes a hole for receiving the connection pin therebetween, and a double wall reinforcing portion adjacent to the hole on the protrusion. A concave shape on each end of the barrier portion adjacent to the protrusion when the end-to-end barrier formed by the plurality of barrier portions collides with a vehicle described more fully below. The female part provides a significant effect.

  Preferably, each longitudinal outer wall is formed in a vertically oriented concave curved surface shape. The concave central portion of each longitudinal outer wall has a curved radius of 24.75 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, by metallic cables is formed inside forming plastic containers, the metal cable is, I along the entire length of the container between its first and second ends, the interior volume It will be distribution within.

  In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of making a barrier portion for use in forming a barrier system along a road is disclosed. The method includes the steps of disposing at least one wire rope cable within the mold and using a mold for molding the plastic hollow container. When the molding process is completed, the wire rope cable is arranged so that it cannot be removed inside the plastic hollow container. This arranging step preferably includes a step of arranging a plurality of wire rope cables inside the mold.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a barrier portion is provided that is hollow and suitable for filling with a flowable material for ballast. Barrier portion includes an outer wall defining an interior volume, the formed plastic container having a first end and a second end. As the plurality of barrier portions are joined together, the plurality of connection protrusions are arranged in each of the first and second ends. The drain opening is disposed in one of the outer walls of the barrier portion, and a closure is provided to close and seal the drain opening. Advantageously, the sawtooth screw is arranged on the inner surface of the drain opening. A screw is disposed on the outer surface of the closure to engage a serrated screw that seals the closure against the drain opening. Buttress thread is Ru cut at a right angle and a coarse flattens et al. Another feature of the present invention is that when the closure engages the drain opening to close the drain opening, the outer surface of the closure is substantially flush with the adjacent non-recess of the outer wall . recesses have sufficient depth, enclose the drain opening, is that the distribution on the outer wall of the barrier portion.

  The invention, together with its additional features and advantages, can best be understood by reference to the following details, taken in conjunction with the accompanying explanatory drawings.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of a water barrier portion configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the barrier portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the barrier portion of FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a front view of the barrier part of FIG. FIG. 5 is a left end view of the barrier portion of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a right end view of the barrier portion of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing two barrier portions as described in FIG. 4, with segments separated. FIG. 8 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 7 showing the barrier portions after they are attached to one another. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an interlocking knuckle in a separated state for use in attaching two barrier portions together. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a double wall reinforcement region for a pin protrusion on a barrier portion. FIG. 8 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 7 showing the barrier portion. FIG. 4 is a plan view from above showing two connected barrier portions rotating relative to each other after a vehicle collision. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 8 after a vehicle collision and relative rotation of the two barrier portions. It is sectional drawing of the detailed part C of FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a barrier portion of the type shown in FIG. 7 showing structural details of the barrier portion. It is a top view of the barrier part of FIG. It is a side view of the barrier part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing three barrier portions fixed together. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a barrier portion constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the barrier portion shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a side view of the barrier portion shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 22 is a top view of the barrier portion shown in FIGS. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the barrier portion shown in FIGS. 19-22 taken from the opposite direction. FIG. 24 is an end view of the barrier portion shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the barrier portion of FIG. 23 showing structural features inside the barrier portion, in particular a unique cable reinforcement system. It is a front view of the barrier part of FIG. FIG. 27 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 26 identified as detail portion A. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the barrier portion of FIGS. FIG. 29 is a top view of the barrier portion of FIG. 28. FIG. 30 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 29 identified as detail portion A. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing three barrier portions fixed together. FIG. 2 is a front view of a barrier portion constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention disposed on a drain opening having an inventive serrated screw structure. It is an enlarged view of the drain opening part of FIG. FIG. 34 is an enlarged perspective view of the drain opening of FIGS. 32 and 33.

Still referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 3, and, 15 to 17, the barrier of the water ballast constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention (10) is shown. The barrier portion shown preferably has dimensions of approximately 18 inches wide, 32 inches high and 78 inches long, with a material thickness of 0.25 inches. The material used to produce the part (10) is linear medium density polyethylene, which is preferably molded using other methods such as injection molding or blow molding, but is preferably rotationally molded. The portion (10) has an empty weight of about 75-80 lb and a fill weight (when filled with water ballast) of about 1100 lb.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the barrier portion (10) is constructed using a unique concave reflective design, and the outer wall (12) of the barrier portion (10) is configured concave as shown. . In a preferred embodiment, the recess is approximately 71 inches long and spans the entire length of the barrier portion. The recess prevents the vehicle tire that collides with the barrier along the direction of the arrow (14) from running on the side of the barrier portion by putting the tire in the center of the barrier wall (12) that is curved. When the vehicle tire is caught in a curved part and entered, the reaction force of the collision then deflects the vehicle in a downward direction as indicated by arrow (16) in FIG. The concave deflecting design thus pushes the vehicle back to the ground rather than the side of the water ballast barrier portion (10). In the preferred construction as shown in FIG. 1, the concave center of the outer wall (12) has a curvilinear radius of about 24.75 inches and a height of about 23 inches.

  3-11 show an interlock knuckle design for securing adjacent barrier portions (10) together. The interlock knuckle design is a protruding pin connection system that includes four protrusions that are entangled and arranged on each end of the barrier portion (10). While various dimensions are suitable for invention purposes, each protrusion (18) is preferably about 8 inches in diameter and about 2 inches thick. To achieve the entangled effect, on the first end (20) of the barrier portion (10), the first protrusion (18) is located 4 inches from the top of the portion (10). The remaining three protrusions (18) are equally positioned vertically about 3.5 inches apart. On the second end (22) of the barrier portion (10), the first protrusion (18) is located about 7 inches away from the top of the barrier portion (10) and the remaining three protrusions (18). Are equally positioned vertically about 3.5 inches apart. These dimensions are preferred, but may vary within the scope of the present invention.

As shown sequentially in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the ends of two adjacent barrier portions (10) are placed together, they are complementary on the matching ends of the portions (10) to be joined. As described above and as described in FIGS. 4 and 7, the projections (18) slide together so as to be entangled by the separation distance of each projection. Correcting the dimensions of the protrusions allows each barrier portion (10) to be combined with one protrusion on the adjacent protrusion. This results in a total of eight protrusions on each end of the water ballast barrier portion (10) that fastens together, as shown in FIG. Each protrusion (18) has a pin receiving hole (24) disposed therein, as best shown in FIG. When eight protrusions (18) are engaged as described above after adding two adjacent barrier portions (10), they are preferably about 1.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches of protrusions (18). Such pin receiving holes (24) arranged through the thickness portions correspond to each other. Thus, the T-pin (26) is two adjacent by sliding vertically downward through the corresponding pin receiving holes (24) of all eight protrusions or knuckles, as shown in FIG. The barrier portions (10) are fixed together.

  In order to reduce the bearing load on the pin projection connection, the double wall reinforcement (28) is included on the back side of the hole (24) on the projection (18) as shown in FIG. The wall is made by forming a recess (30) on the curved portion (32) outside the protrusion (18), as shown in FIG. By removing material on the curved portion (32) of the part of the protrusion (18), a wall is created in the inner part of the protrusion. The wall created by the recess (30) on that portion of the protrusion creates a reinforced portion (28) relative to the vertical hole (24) in the protrusion (18), as shown in FIG. By making this double wall reinforcement (28), the T-pin (26) has two surfaces approximately 0.25 inches thick to support the load during a vehicle crash. This preparation distributes the bearing load over a large area with a thicker material.

  During the collision, the water barrier rotates at the pin protrusion connection, and exerts a large pressure on the pin protrusion connection while the water barrier fully rotates after the collision. In order to reduce the pressure at the pin protrusion connection, a concave internal pressure transmission region is formed between the male protruding protrusions (18) as shown in FIGS. The concave inner part creates a concave female part (34) at the end of each water barrier part, at which the male end of each projection (18) is as shown in the figure , Slide inside to align. Prior to the vehicle collision, the male protrusion (18) does not contact any surface inside the concave female part (34) of the barrier part (10). However, if the part (10) collides and is placed over its full range of rotation (about 30 degrees), as shown in the figure, the curved surface of the part of the male projection is shown in FIG. As shown, it will come into contact with the outer surface of the inner wall of the concave female part. This transmits the load from the pin protrusion connection to the protrusion contact point of the male / female part. By transmitting the vehicle collision load from the pin projection connection to the projection contact point of the male / female part, the load is projected on the male / female part before the pin projection connection begins to absorb the load. Distributed to contact points. This dramatically reduces the load on the T-pin (26) and prevents the pin itself from bending or deforming during a collision.

  In order to adjust the ability to place a fence (36) or any other type of device that obstructs visibility on one side of the barrier portion (10), the t-pin (26) is shown in FIG. Designed to support a square or round tubular fence post (38). Tubular struts (38) are suitable for sliding on t-pins, and the appropriate retaining wall structure is placed to ensure that the struts (38) are securely held there.

  In a preferred manner, each barrier portion (10) is empty and relatively light while being placed in the desired location. This arrangement is achieved using a forklift, for example with a forklift opening (39). Once the part is in place and connected as described above, the part can be filled with water using a filling opening (39a) as shown in FIG. If it is desired to flush the barrier portion, a drain opening such as opening (39a) in FIG. 15 may be used.

  Here, with particular reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, a second embodiment of the water ballast barrier portion (10) is shown, wherein like elements are designated by like reference numbers beginning with the numeral 1. This barrier portion (110) is preferably constructed to have an overall dimension of approximately 24 inches wide, 42 inches high, 78 inches long, and a material thickness of 0.25 inches. As with conventional embodiments, such dimensions are currently preferred, but are not required and may be changed according to general design considerations. The material from which the barrier portion (10) is made is preferably high density polyethylene and other known processes such as injection molding or blow molding are also used, but the preferred manufacturing process is rotational molding.

  The illustrated embodiment utilizes a unique structure to prevent a colliding vehicle from pushing up or riding on the part (10) after a collision. This structure includes a sawtooth shape as shown, which is designed on top of the barrier portion (10) as shown in FIGS. The intent of this serrated design is to hook any part of the vehicle impinging on the bumper, wheel or barrier part (10) from the direction indicated by the arrow (114) (FIG. 23) and the arrow (116 ) To turn the vehicle downward as shown in FIG. The sawtooth shape spans the entire length of each portion of the barrier portion (10) as shown. The first protruding portion or saw blade (40) forming the sawtooth shape begins to protrude approximately 20 inches above the ground, and the second and third protruding portions (42, 44) are shown in the portion (40) as shown. Arranged above each. Of course, more or fewer sawtooth portions may be used depending on the particular design considerations. The design intent to use multiple sawtooth portions is that if the first tooth or portion (40) fails to house the vehicle and redirect it downward to the ground, the vehicle will not ) Each second or third tooth (42, 44) must accommodate the vehicle before it can be successfully climbed over.

  Although the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 18 can satisfy the TL-1 and TL-2 collision tests described above, the TL-3 test can be performed only with a plastic structure. It has been found to be insufficient to withstand a collision of a vehicle moving at 100 km / h as required under the regime. Plastic does not have the physical characteristics of supporting, accommodating and reorienting vehicles that collide at this speed. In order to absorb the energy of vehicles moving at 100 km / h, the inventors have discovered that steel members need to be incorporated into the water ballast system design. By using steel combined with a large amount of water, the plastic wall can absorb the energy in such a collision.

  To accommodate a 100 km / h vehicle, the inventors have previously described the interface described in connection with the TL-1 and TL-2 water barrier systems described and shown in FIGS. 1-18 of the present invention. I have used lock knuckles. The same type of design principle is used in connection with this large TL-3 water barrier system, which includes the same interlocking knuckle attachment system disclosed in connection with the first embodiment.

The TL-3 barrier system described herein in connection with FIGS. 19-31 is based on plastic deformation, fencing tensioning wire rope cable, water dissipation, and overall displacement of the water barrier itself. , Absorb energy. Since it is known that plastic alone cannot withstand vehicle crashes, the wires used to form the underwater fence inside the water ballast barrier portion (110), as shown in FIGS. A rope cable (46) is internally molded into the barrier portion (110). Before the barrier portion (110) is molded, the wire rope cable (46) is placed inside the mold. The cable is made with a small hole or loop (48) (FIG. 30) at each end, so that the cable loop (48) covers the outer diameter of the t-shaped hole (124) as shown in FIG. Arranged in the mold. Preferably, the wire rope cables (46) are each made of stainless steel and are formed of approximately 1 inch by 19 inch strands so that they are corrosion resistant by contact with the water ballast. By placing the cable (46) around the t-pin hole (124), a double fence post is created on each side of the barrier portion (110) between which there are five cable lines (46). Arranged, thereby forming a cable fence in addition to the water ballast. Note that the wire cable is completely covered with plastic during the rotational molding process to prevent water leakage.

  By placing the wire rope cable (46) to cover the periphery of the t-type pin hole (124), a high strength region in the interlock knuckle is created. When the t-pin (126) is dropped into the hole (124) to connect the series of barrier portions (110), the wire rope cable portion (46) is already molded into the barrier portion, so The pin automatically becomes a steel post by default. Each cable end loop wraps around a t-pin with each buckle so that a colliding vehicle can pass through the barrier with a wire rope cable (46), a t-pin (126), and a knuckle. Must be broken. Figures 28 to 30 show how the wire rope cable (46) covers the T-shaped hole (124).

  The wire rope cable (46) is part of each barrier portion (110) and cannot be removed once that part has been manufactured. Current designs use up to five wire rope cables (46) per barrier portion (110) as shown. This creates a 10 piece interlock knuckle section. More or fewer knuckles and wire rope cables may be used depending on whether a low or high barrier is desired. The wire rope fence structure disclosed in connection with this second TL-3 embodiment can also be incorporated into the low height barrier described and shown in FIGS. When many barrier sections are used to create a vertical barrier, the wire rope cable fence should include a t-pin post with an entire assembly that is stabilized by water without checking the protective state of the cable. Formed. FIG. 31 shows a plurality of portions (110) as described above that are coupled together to form a barrier as just described. As shown, each barrier portion is about 1400 lb when filled with water.

  When the barrier shown in FIG. 31 is struck by the vehicle, the plastic begins to deform and break, water ballast is delivered, and the wire rope cable (46) is pulled along the knuckle and is in tension. By pulling the cable, it begins to absorb energy. The entire area of the collision becomes a wire rope cable fence in tension and holds the vehicle colliding on one side of the water ballast barrier.

  More specifically, embodiments of the present invention of the drain opening (39b) will be described more particularly with reference to FIGS. This particular feature is applicable to any of the above embodiments of the present invention. The opening (39b) is disposed inside the recess (50) at the bottom of the barrier portion (10). A closure or cap (52) is provided to close and seal the opening (39b) to prevent leakage of the ballast from the barrier portion (10). The closure (52) is secured in place by means of a series of serrated screws (54) (FIGS. 33, 34). The serrated screw (54) is roughly cut with a flat blade or cut at a right angle to tighten between the screw (54) on the opening (39b) and the screw (56) on the closure (52). Works well to make a hydraulic seal through the fit. The closure (52) comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a plastic plug that is screwed into the outer wall (12) of the barrier portion by means of engaging serrated screws (54, 56) as described above. Once the screws are engaged, the sealing washer on the plug (52) is placed in a flat profile on the sealing surface on the barrier wall (12). This flat profile eliminates the need for overtightening the plug (52) and reduces the possibility of leakage. Advantageously, the unique design further reduces the possibility of screwing the plug sideways when screwing the plug into the wall compared to conventional approaches, and screwing the barrier wall into the plug. Makes it much easier to get started. Due to the recess (50), the plug (52) is flat against the wall or even concave, which reduces the possibility of damaging the plug in use.

  The screw (54) is cast on the wall and is typically rotationally molded. The possibility of damaging barriers and closures by cracking and delamination by avoiding spin welding, which is a typical prior art for producing this type of screw in rotational molding equipment, is surprisingly significant. Diminished.

  Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that all terms used herein are explained rather than limiting. Many alterations, modifications, and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

A barrier portion (10) that is hollow and suitable for filling with a flowable material for ballast,
The barrier portion is
A molded plastic container having an outer wall defining an internal volume, a first end (20) and a second end (22);
A plurality of connection protrusions disposed on each of the first and second ends (20, 22) such that a plurality of barrier portions are joined together;
A drain opening in one lower portion of the outer wall of the barrier portion (10) for flushing the flowable material disposed in the internal volume;
A closure for closing and sealing the drain opening;
When the closure engages with the drain opening to close the drain opening, the outer surface of the closure is deep enough to be substantially flush with the adjacent non-recesses of the outer wall. anda said surrounds the drain opening, the disposed on the outer wall on the barrier portion (10) recess,
A sawtooth screw disposed on the inner surface of the drain opening; and
A screw disposed on an outer surface of the closure to engage the saw-tooth screw for sealingly closing the closure against the drain opening;
The sawtooth screw is flat, coarse and cut at right angles;
The outer wall has a plurality of sawtooth portions disposed on the outer wall, and the plurality of sawtooth portions are vertically disposed so as to deflect the vehicle from downwardly colliding with the barrier portion (10) and on the outer side. And a barrier portion characterized by extending downward. A metal cable molded into the molded plastic container, wherein the metal cable is disposed in the internal volume along the entire length of the container between the first and second ends. Metal cable,
A cable loop at each end of the cable,
The barrier portion according to claim 1, wherein each of the loops is wound around a pin hole disposed in one of the protrusions.   The barrier portion according to claim 2, wherein the metal cable is a wire rope cable.   The barrier portion according to claim 2, wherein the metal cable is stainless steel.   The barrier portion of claim 2, wherein the metal cable is connected between opposing protrusions of the first and second ends of the container. Further comprising a plurality of metal cables,
3. The barrier portion according to claim 2, wherein the metal cable is connected between a set of opposing projections at the first and second ends of the container.   The barrier portion according to claim 1, wherein three sawtooth portions are arranged on each longitudinal outer wall.   A metal cable molded inside the molded plastic container, wherein the metal cable is disposed in the internal volume along the entire length of the container between the first and second ends, The barrier portion of claim 1, further comprising a metal cable. The barrier portion according to claim 1, further comprising a concave female portion at each end of the barrier portion adjacent to the connection protrusion. The barrier portion according to claim 1, wherein each longitudinal outer wall is formed in a vertically-oriented concave curved surface shape.

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