US20200308786A1

US20200308786A1 - Traffic barrier

Info

Publication number: US20200308786A1
Application number: US16/825,588
Authority: US
Inventors: Russell Hood
Original assignee: Safe Barriers Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Safe Barriers Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-27
Filing date: 2020-03-20
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Also published as: AU2020202151A1

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.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. provisional application No. 62/824,367 filed on Mar. 27, 2019 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the embodiments of the present invention relates to traffic barriers and, in particular, to interlocking traffic barrier connectors that interlock traffic barriers at a plurality of angles.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Traffic barriers are used for a variety of purposes, such as redirecting traffic, protecting workers from oncoming traffic, and warning drivers of possibly-hazardous conditions beyond the traffic barriers. As traffic barriers are placed, it is important that the barriers adequately border the area or areas intended to be bordered while not blocking too much of an area off. Due to the size and weight of traffic barriers, it is difficult to install traffic barriers at angles while still adequately interlocking the traffic barriers. An easy and efficient way of interconnecting traffic barriers at a variety of angles is thus needed.
Examples of related art are described below:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,884 generally describes a concrete roadway barrier element incorporates coupling devices at each end to provide for coupling a series of such barrier elements into a continuous barrier. Each element includes a steel device of “T” shaped cross-section at one end and a mating slotted trough at the other end to receive the “T” shaped device of an adjacent member. The troughs and “T” shaped members are locked into the barrier element during the concrete casting process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,254 generally describes a track separator element for combining with other like elements to form a track separator for separating areas in which vehicle traffic flows from other areas. The track separator element is formed from a hollow body for accommodating ballasting fluid and has lateral flaps extending from its bottom base portion. The lateral flaps have deformations formed on their top surface for generating noise when a vehicle rides over them. An evacuation nozzle is connected to a hollow tube that allows the ballasting liquid to be easily emptied out of the element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,585 generally describes a portable highway barrier constructed of light weight material has an interior cavity which can be filled with a fluid ballast once it has been transported to a utilization site. The barrier has a box-like configuration defined by vertically-oriented side and end walls, the bottom portion of which is constructed to provide vertically-oriented slots each of which may function to support the lower edge of a vertically-oriented highway sign. The upwardly extending walls of a shallow well formed in the top of the barrier have apertures therein for facilitating attachment to the barrier of highway signs and/or other signaling or control devices such as warning lights. The barrier construction provides for attachment of connecting elements to its end walls so as to enable interconstruction of a plurality of barriers in end to end relationship for traffic channelization.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,448 generally describes provisional road sign barriers and permanent medians that are formed based on the correlative, interconnectable arrangement of a number of equal modules, some male and others female, for connecting, which are made of adequate plastic, are hollow and equipped to enclose an electrical supply and corresponding internal lamps that will provide a correct view and real volume of the formed barrier. The modules include, in addition to a metallic reinforcement structure, some sheets that act as elements which absorb the impact of vehicles. The modules will be filled with bags of water, or with sand and/or concrete, as weights, to form a static barrier that carries out the function of signposting and beaconing for works on highways and similar places, and of protecting against the impact of vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,582 generally describes concrete barriers on a prestressing strand running through the barriers. The prestressing strand may serve to move the barriers together to compact a pliable joint material between the barriers. Following joint compaction, the barriers may be held in place by anchoring to a foundation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,799 generally describes durable flat panels that are connectable at their edges and are of appropriate shape and dimension to be quickly and simply assembled and secured into a closed hollow prismatic module configuration. A dense fill material is loaded onto the bottom panel prior to closure providing mass for strength and stability against impacts. The flat panels may be hingeably interconnected and foldable to optionally form a compact stackable configuration for storage and transport. A multiplicity of such modules may be positioned and connected to form a continuous massive wall for such uses as reducing damaging wave action, preventing beach erosion, directing water in flood areas, and providing highway barriers for guidance and safety.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,353 generally describes a relocatable traffic barrier system including a plurality of elongate barrier modules connected end-to-end, each module having a cavity for receiving a ballast of a fluid material wherein the barrier system includes at least one crash rail extending lengthwise along at least one side of the plurality of elongate barrier modules wherein the at least one crash rail is secured to selected elongate barrier modules by a deformable member, said deformable member being disposed between the at least one crash rail and the selected elongate barrier modules.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0245826 generally describes a traffic control barrier having an internal reservoir to receive water, sand or similar ballast material, such that the barrier is relatively lightweight until filled with ballast. The barrier is nestable such that multiple barriers can be disposed in a vertical stack of reduced height.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0110517 generally describes a road barrier system with a first barrier forming a hollow container and a second barrier forming a hollow container, 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.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0121326 generally describes a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture comprising a traffic separating median barrier comprising: a barrier body having a substantially uniform cross section along a longitudinally extending direction, said barrier body defining a body length extending along said longitudinally extending direction, a body width orthogonal to said body length, and a body height orthogonal to said body length and said body width, said barrier body terminating in a first barrier end region and a second barrier end region, said first barrier end region comprising a female interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said second barrier end region comprising a male interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said female interlocking structure adapted to interlock with said male interlocking structure.
None of the art described above addresses all of the issues that the embodiments of the present invention does.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector 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.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for connecting multiple traffic barriers is provided. The system includes a traffic barrier, the traffic barrier including a main body having an opening on a first end and a second end. The system further includes 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. 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, further comprising at least one socket, coupled to the second side, configured to receive a pin.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, wherein at least one socket is coupled to the left joint and the right joint.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, wherein at least one of the at least one strengthening plates is positioned approximately parallel to a bottom portion of the joint plate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, wherein the joint plate is configured to fit within an outer surface of a traffic barrier.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the left joint.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the connector, wherein at least one of the protrusions narrow toward an upper portion of the right joint.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the system, wherein the traffic barrier further includes at least one ballast box housed within the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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

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.