US20230035769A1 - Barrier for roadway - Google Patents
Barrier for roadway Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230035769A1 US20230035769A1 US17/786,972 US202017786972A US2023035769A1 US 20230035769 A1 US20230035769 A1 US 20230035769A1 US 202017786972 A US202017786972 A US 202017786972A US 2023035769 A1 US2023035769 A1 US 2023035769A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- barrier
- given
- connector
- modules
- barrier modules
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 915
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 239000004567 concrete Substances 0.000 claims description 49
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 58
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 41
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 23
- -1 gravel Substances 0.000 description 21
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 19
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 14
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 14
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 13
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004433 Thermoplastic polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000003302 ferromagnetic material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920006260 polyaryletherketone Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920002530 polyetherether ketone Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920002803 thermoplastic polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000914 Metallic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000008259 solid foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000271 Kevlar® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004962 Polyamide-imide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004699 Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004761 kevlar Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002492 poly(sulfone) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002312 polyamide-imide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002952 polymeric resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 2
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004634 thermosetting polymer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000785 ultra high molecular weight polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001567 vinyl ester resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001294 Reinforcing steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005242 forging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001175 rotational moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012209 synthetic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
- E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
- E01F15/08—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks
- E01F15/088—Details of element connection
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
- E01F15/006—Lane control by movable lane separating barriers, e.g. shiftable barriers, retractable kerbs ; Apparatus or barriers specially adapted therefor, e.g. wheeled barriers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
- E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
- E01F15/08—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks
- E01F15/081—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material
- E01F15/083—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material using concrete
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
- E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
- E01F15/08—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks
- E01F15/081—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material
- E01F15/086—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of walls or wall-like elements ; Cable-linked blocks characterised by the use of a specific material using plastic, rubber or synthetic materials
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to roadways and, more particularly, to barriers for roadways to manage traffic of vehicles.
- Barriers for roadways are used to manage traffic of vehicles, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes.
- Some barriers are fixed and/or permanent (e.g., such that they remain substantially stationary and/or are integrated into road infrastructures).
- Others are movable barriers configured to be transferred between different locations by transfer vehicles (e.g., lifting and moving them), such as for lane management (e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.), roadwork (e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads), etc.
- transfer vehicles e.g., lifting and moving them
- lane management e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.
- roadwork e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads
- movable barriers may sometimes deflect too much upon being impacted by vehicles, be expensive, etc. Some barriers may also pose particular risks for motorists and others (e.g., “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles when impacted).
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road), which can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes, and which may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting the motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of the barrier at the roadway, and/or enhancing other aspects of the barrier.
- a roadway e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m according to MASH.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin.
- An aspect ratio of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin.
- a ratio of a maximal dimension of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules over a minimal dimension of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin.
- the connector of the given one of the barrier modules further comprises a connecting member and an insert that forms at least part of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules. The insert is secured to the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- Each barrier module comprises a body including concrete and an add-on mass connected to the body of the barrier module to increase a weight of the barrier module.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the barrier comprises a limiter configured to limit pivoting of a given one of the barrier modules relative to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- the roadway comprises a recess under a given one of the barrier modules.
- the given one of the barrier modules extends into the recess of the roadway.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- Each barrier module comprises a base portion, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion between the base portion and the upper portion.
- a given one of the barrier modules comprises a body.
- the body of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a lateral surface that is inclined relative to a heightwise direction of the given one of the barrier modules in the intermediate portion of the given one of the barrier modules.
- the given one of the barrier modules also comprises a reinforcement overlying the lateral surface of the body of the given one of the barrier modules.
- the given one of the barrier modules further comprises an impactable surface that is more vertical than the lateral surface of the body of the given one of the barrier modules. The impactable surface is configured to be impacted by an impacting vehicle.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- Each barrier module comprises a container configured to contain a substance.
- the container of a given one of the barrier modules is stackable on the container of another one of the barrier modules for transportation.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- An end one of the barrier modules implements a crash cushion and comprises a body including polymeric material.
- the end one of the barrier modules is taller than downstream ones of the barrier modules.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- An end one of the barrier modules implements a crash cushion and comprises a body including polymeric material.
- the end one of the barrier modules comprises an end member connected to the body of the end one of the barrier modules and comprises rigid material that is more rigid than the polymeric material of the body of the end one of the barrier modules.
- the end member of the end one of the barrier modules is configured to collapse about a bumper of an impacting vehicle that impacts the end member of the end one of the barrier modules.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules connected to one another.
- a given one of the barrier modules comprises a body including concrete and a container configured to contain a substance.
- the container is connected to the body of the given one of the barrier modules.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- a given one of the barrier modules comprises a force-exerting system configured to exert a nongravitational downward force on the given one of the barrier modules towards the roadway.
- this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway.
- the barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another.
- Each barrier module comprising a body including concrete and a shield affixed to the body of the barrier module to protect the barrier module against impact from an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a barrier for a roadway comprising a plurality of barrier modules
- FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the barrier module
- FIG. 4 A shows an enlarged view of an embodiment of a shield affixed to a body of the barrier module
- FIG. 4 B shows an exploded view of FIG. 4 A ;
- FIG. 5 shows a transfer vehicle on the roadway
- FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the barrier in a first location
- FIG. 7 shows a schematic of the barrier as transferred to a second location
- FIG. 8 shows the front elevation view of the barrier module such as in FIG. 2 showing a brace within the barrier module with a concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines;
- FIG. 9 shows the side elevation view of the barrier module such as in FIG. 3 showing the brace within the barrier module with the concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines;
- FIG. 10 A shows an enlarged partial view of a pair of the barrier modules connected to one another at a hinge in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 10 B shows an enlarged partial view of a pair of the barrier modules connected to one another at the hinge in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 11 shows an isometric exploded view of part of the hinge
- FIG. 12 shows an isometric exploded view of another embodiment of part of the hinge
- FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the barrier for the roadway comprising barrier modules comprising a container configured to contain a substance
- FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a front elevation view of the container of FIG. 13 ;
- FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 13 ;
- FIGS. 16 A and 16 B show a front elevation view and a side elevation view of the container such as in FIG. 13 showing an embodiment of the brace within the barrier module with the body of the module being shown in phantom lines;
- FIGS. 17 A and 17 B show a front elevation view and a side elevation view of the container such as in FIG. 13 showing another embodiment of the brace within the barrier module with the body of the module being shown in phantom lines;
- FIG. 18 A shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a head and a recess
- FIG. 18 B shows the embodiment of FIG. 18 A with the barrier module stacked upon another barrier module comprising a head and a recess;
- FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the container comprising reinforcements on lateral sides of the container
- FIG. 20 shows a top view of the barrier deflected upon impact of a vehicle
- FIGS. 21 A and 21 B show embodiments of the hinge connection of FIG. 11 with an insert secured to a connecting member
- FIG. 23 A shows an embodiment of the insert of FIG. 22 ;
- FIG. 23 B shows the insert of FIG. 23 A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection
- FIG. 23 C shows a top view of the insert of FIG. 23 B ;
- FIG. 24 A shows another embodiment of the insert of FIG. 21 ;
- FIG. 24 B shows the insert of FIG. 24 A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection on a compression side of the connector;
- FIG. 24 C shows the insert of FIG. 24 A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection on a tension side of the connector;
- FIG. 25 A shows another embodiment of the insert of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 25 B shows the insert of FIG. 25 A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection
- FIG. 25 C shows a bottom view of FIG. 25 B ;
- FIG. 26 A shows yet another embodiment of the insert of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 26 B shows the insert of FIG. 26 A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection
- FIG. 26 C shows a top view of the insert of FIG. 26 B ;
- FIG. 27 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass disposed in an upper portion of the barrier module;
- FIG. 28 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass disposed in a base portion of the barrier module;
- FIG. 29 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module of FIG. 28 ;
- FIG. 30 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a first add-on mass and a second add-on mass disposed in the base portion of the barrier module;
- FIG. 31 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module of FIG. 30 ;
- FIG. 32 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a first add-on mass disposed in the base portion of the barrier module and a second add-on mass disposed in the upper portion of the barrier module;
- FIG. 33 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module of FIG. 32 ;
- FIG. 34 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass with a drain
- FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter, the barrier being shown in an undeflected position
- FIG. 36 shows an enlarged view of the limiter of FIG. 35 ;
- FIG. 37 shows an embodiment of the barrier comprising the limiter, the barrier being shown in a deflected position
- FIG. 38 shows an enlarged view of the limiter of FIG. 37 ;
- FIG. 39 A shows a broken-out section view of an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter changeable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the limiter being shown in the locked state;
- FIG. 40 A shows a section-view of the front elevation of the barrier module of the barrier of FIG. 39 A ;
- FIG. 40 B shows a section-view of the front elevation of the barrier module of the barrier of FIG. 39 B ;
- FIG. 41 A shows a section view of the front elevation of the barrier module of another embodiment of the barrier comprising the limiter changeable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the limiter being shown in the locked state;
- FIG. 41 B shows the limiter of FIG. 41 A , the limiter being shown in the unlocked state
- FIG. 42 shows an embodiment of the barrier module extending into a recess in the roadway
- FIG. 43 shows another embodiment of the barrier module extending into the recess in the roadway
- FIG. 44 shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a substantially vertical impactable surface
- FIG. 47 shows a top view of the embodiment of the barrier module comprising the end member
- FIG. 49 shows a section view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a force-exerting system
- FIG. 50 shows a section view of another embodiment of the barrier module comprising a force-exerting system
- FIG. 51 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of a “hybrid” barrier module
- FIG. 52 shows the side elevation view of the barrier module of FIG. 50 showing the brace within the barrier module with the concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines;
- FIG. 53 shows an embodiment of the container of the body of the barrier module comprising a shell
- FIG. 54 shows the shell of FIG. 53 comprising a plurality of subshells
- FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of the barrier modules comprising overlapping reinforcements
- FIG. 57 shows yet another embodiment the barrier module extending into a recess in the roadway
- FIG. 58 shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a crash cushion
- FIGS. 59 , 60 and 61 show an embodiment of the barrier module comprising protrusions
- FIGS. 62 A and 62 B show an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter comprising a plurality of limiting elements, the barrier shown in an undeflected position;
- FIG. 62 C shows the barrier of FIGS. 62 A and 62 B shown in a deflected position
- FIG. 63 shows another embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter comprising a plurality of limiting elements, the barrier shown in an undeflected position;
- FIGS. 64 A, 64 B, 64 C and 64 D show another embodiment of the hinge
- FIGS. 65 A, 65 B, 65 C and 65 D show an embodiment of the container comprising reinforcements mounted inside the container;
- FIG. 66 shows an embodiment of the container comprising an opening to permit passage of fastening components
- FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a barrier 10 for a roadway 13 (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road).
- the barrier 10 can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes.
- the barrier 10 may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier 10 ), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of the barrier 10 at the roadway 13 , and/or enhancing other aspects of the barrier 10 .
- the barrier 10 comprises a plurality of barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N connected to one another. This allows a length of the barrier 10 to be set as desired for the roadway 13 .
- the barrier 10 has a longitudinal direction L B , a heightwise direction H B , and a widthwise direction W B .
- each of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N has a longitudinal direction L M , a heightwise direction H M , and a widthwise direction W M .
- the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N are hingedly connected to one another, such that they can be moved (e.g., pivoted) relative to one another (e.g., when impacted and/or to be transferred at the roadway 13 ).
- the barrier comprises a hinge 16 connecting a given one of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N , denoted 12 x , to an adjacent one of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N , denoted 12 j .
- the longitudinal direction L M of each of the barrier module 12 x defines a length L X of each of the barrier module 12 x .
- the length L X of the barrier modules 12 x may be defined from a pin 43 of the hinge 16 of the barrier module 12 x to the pin 43 of the hinge 16 of adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the length L X of the barrier modules 12 x may comprise any suitable value.
- the length L X of the barrier module 12 x may be at least 1 meter (m) (about 3.3 feet (ft)).
- the length L X of the barrier module 12 x may be at least 1.15 m (about 3.8 ft).
- the length L X of the barrier module 12 x may be at least 1.2 m (about 3.9 ft).
- the aforementioned values of the length L X of the barrier modules 12 x may improve transportation of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N (e.g. may optimize the space occupied by the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N when placed in a flatbed truck or other transport vehicles).
- the barrier 10 is a movable barrier configured to be transferred between different locations L 1 , L 2 at the roadway 13 by a transfer vehicle 20 , such as for lane management (e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.), roadwork (e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads), etc.
- lane management e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.
- roadwork e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads
- the transfer vehicle 20 comprises a conveyor 22 to admit the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N at the location L 1 at the roadway 13 and transfer them towards and release them at the location L 2 at the roadway 13 as the transfer vehicle 20 travels at the roadway 13 , as shown in FIGS. 5 , 6 and 7 .
- the transfer vehicle 20 including its conveyor 22 , may be implemented in any suitable way.
- the transfer vehicle 20 including its conveyor 22 , may be implemented as one available from QMB BarrierTM (http://www.qmb.ca/index_en.html), as one available from Barrier SystemsTM (http://www.barriersstemsinc.com/), as one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,954, or as any other suitable transfer vehicle.
- the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x is wider than the intermediate portion 34 of the barrier module 12 x . This may facilitate transfer of the barrier module 12 x by the transfer vehicle 20 and/or enhance protection when the barrier module 12 x is impacted.
- the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x comprises an overhang 33 configured to be engaged by the conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 to lift and move the barrier module 12 x .
- the overhang 33 is also configured to engage an impacting vehicle 19 that impacts the barrier module 12 x and impede movement of the impacting vehicle 19 upwards over the overhang 33 .
- the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x is T-shaped to form the overhang 33 .
- the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x is wider than the intermediate portion 34 and the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x . This enhances stability of the barrier module 12 x , while minimizing damage to the impacting vehicle.
- the widthwise direction W M of the barrier module 12 x defines a width W X of the barrier module 12 x
- the width W X of the barrier module 12 x may be defined as the width of the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the width W X of the barrier modules 12 x may have any suitable value.
- the width W X of the barrier module 12 x may be at least 18 inches. In another embodiment, the width W X of the barrier module 12 x may be at least 24 inches.
- the barrier module 12 x comprises a body 36 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x includes concrete 38 (e.g., a concrete casting).
- the concrete 38 forms at least part of a periphery of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a brace 40 connected to the concrete 38 .
- the brace 40 is at least partly embedded in the concrete 38 .
- the brace 40 may comprise any suitable material.
- the brace 40 may comprise a metallic material.
- the brace 40 comprises a plurality of bracing members 42 1 - 42 B spaced from one another.
- respective ones of the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B are elongate in the longitudinal direction of the barrier 10 .
- the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B include tie rods 124 1 , 124 2 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be configured without a brace.
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise fiber filled concrete (e.g., synthetic fibers, glass fibers, metallic fibers).
- the barrier module 12 x comprises a connector 41 configured to connect the barrier module 12 x to the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the hinge 16 connecting the barrier module 12 x to the adjacent barrier module 12 j comprises the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x , the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j , and the pin 43 .
- the pin 43 joins the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the hinge 16 may join the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j in any other way in other embodiments (e.g., via flexible material, etc.).
- the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 that are spaced from one another in the heightwise direction H B of the barrier 10 .
- the pin 43 of the hinge 16 extends to the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 .
- the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a third connecting member 553 spaced from the first connecting member 55 1 and the second connecting member 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x in the heightwise direction H B of the barrier 10 .
- each of respective ones of the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B of the barrier module 12 x comprises a threaded opening 51 to receive a threaded fastener 53 to fasten the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B to the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- each of respective ones of the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B of the barrier module 12 x comprises a threaded end 107 to be received by a fastener 116 to fasten the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B of the barrier module 12 x to the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in any other way in other embodiments.
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a container 50 configured to contain a substance 52 .
- the container 50 comprises a shell 60 that has a hollow interior 54 and may form at least part of the periphery of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x , as shown in FIG. 53 .
- the hollow interior 54 may provide a reduction of mass of the barrier module 12 x as compared to a barrier module 12 x of similar dimension (i.e., of similar volume) without a container 50 comprising a hollow interior 54 (for example, compared to a barrier module 12 x including concrete 38 ).
- the reduction of mass may be at least 50%, in some cases at least 60%, in some cases at least 70% and in some cases at least 75%.
- the substance 52 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.).
- a liquid e.g., water
- sand, gravel e.g., gravel
- concrete e.g., poured-in-place concrete
- foam e.g. solid foam
- any other suitable substance e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.
- the substance 52 may be a first substance and the barrier module 12 x may comprise a second substance 152 contained in the container 50 .
- the shell 60 of the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be empty during transport and the substance 52 may be introduced into the hollow interior of 54 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x after transportation of the barrier module 12 x .
- a removable filler cap 26 releasably covers an opening in the barrier module 12 x is provided to allow the substance 52 to be introduced into the hollow interior 54 of the body 36 .
- the substance 52 may be introduced into the hollow interior 54 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in any suitable manner (e.g., using a conveyor, a pump, gravitational force etc.).
- a drain 28 may be provided to allow the body 36 to be emptied.
- the opening in the barrier module 12 x may be configured for emptying the substance 52 contained inside the hollow interior 54 of the body 36 .
- the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be disassembled to facilitate introducing and/or emptying the substance 52 into the hollow interior 54 of the body 36 .
- the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be emptied in any suitable manner (e.g. by gravitational force or with any other method such as by water jet, by jet of compressed air, by jet of steam, by suction, by vibration, or by any other force such as by shocks or physical force.)
- the container 50 may comprise one or more ports to facilitate connection of conduits to the body 36 of the container 50 , the conduits configured to introduce jets of water, air or steam into the body 36 of the container 50 , to name a few non-limiting examples.
- the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in any suitable way.
- the shell 60 of the container 50 comprises polymeric material 59 .
- the polymeric material 59 may include polyethylene (high, medium or low density), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, vinylester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and/or any other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, or any other suitable polymer.
- the polymeric material 59 may be reinforced (e.g., composite material).
- the polymeric material 59 may be fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix.
- the polymeric matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, like epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, polyurethane, or any other suitable resin, and the fibers may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.
- aramid fibers e.g., Kevlar fibers
- boron fibers silicon carbide fibers
- metallic fibers metallic fiber
- the shell 60 of the container 50 may comprise metallic material.
- the shell 60 of the container 50 may be made of steel, aluminum or other suitable metal.
- the shell 60 of the container 50 may be configured to be thin (i.e., walls of the shell 60 of the container 50 may be configured to be thin). In some instances, including instances where the shell 60 of the container 50 is configured to be thin, the shell 60 of the container 50 may comprise reinforcements as will be discussed below.
- the container 50 is molded. More particularly, in this example, the container 50 is rotomolded or otherwise molded to create its hollow interior 54 .
- the container 50 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, forged, mechanically fastened, etc.).
- the shell 60 of the container 50 is metallic, it may be welded, forged, punched, hydroformed or made using any other metal forming process.
- a mass of the shell 60 of the container 50 comprising the metallic material may represent between 15% and 50% of the mass of the barrier module 12 x includes concrete 38 (e.g., a concrete casting) at equal volume.
- At least part of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is integrally formed with the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x .
- at least part of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is integrally rotomolded with the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x during rotomolding of the container 50 .
- at least part of each of the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is integrally rotomolded with the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x may be stackable on the container 50 of another barrier module 12 N for transportation.
- the container 50 comprises a bottom recess 45 and a head 57 .
- the head 57 of the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x is configured to fit into the bottom recess 45 of the container 50 of the other barrier module 12 N for stacking.
- One or more other components may be connected to the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in various embodiments.
- the brace 40 is connected to and extends inside the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 40 may be at least partly embedded in the substance 52 contained in the container 50 .
- the brace 40 of the barrier module 12 x may be secured to the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 40 comprises the threaded opening 51 to receive the threaded fastener 53 to fasten the brace 40 of the barrier module 12 x to the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 40 may comprise a metallic material.
- the brace 40 comprises the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B spaced from one another.
- respective ones of the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B are elongate in the longitudinal direction of the barrier 10 .
- the bracing members 42 1 - 42 B include the tie rods 124 1 , 124 2 .
- the barrier module 12 x comprises reinforcements 49 x connected to the container 50 .
- the reinforcements 49 x may be mounted on lateral sides 44 x of the container 50 .
- the barrier module 12 x may comprise a first reinforcement 49 1 connected to the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x and mounted on a first lateral side 44 1 of the container 50 .
- the barrier module 12 x may comprise a second reinforcement 49 2 connected to the container 50 of the barrier module 12 x and mounted on a second lateral side 44 2 of the container 50 .
- the reinforcements 49 x may be mounted inside the container 50 .
- the first reinforcement 49 1 may be mounted on the lateral side 44 1 of the container 50 and the second reinforcement 49 2 may be mounted inside the container 50 .
- a plurality of reinforcements 49 x may be mounted inside the container 50 .
- the plurality of reinforcements 49 x may increase a rigidity of the container 50 , which may increase performance of the barrier 10 in accordance with evaluation criteria of MASH test no. 3-11 (as will be discussed below).
- each of the reinforcements 49 1 , 49 2 comprises a guardrail 47 (e.g., made of steel or other metallic material, or any other suitable material).
- the guardrail 47 is mounted on each of the lateral sides 44 1 , 44 2 of the container 50 .
- Each of the lateral sides 44 1 , 44 2 of the container 50 conforms to the guardrail 47 .
- the guardrail 47 may comprise a recess 48 .
- Each of the lateral sides 44 1 , 44 2 of the container 50 may comprise a projection 46 x projecting into the recess 48 of the guardrail 47 .
- the recess 48 of the guardrail 47 may be a first recess 481 and the projection 46 of each of the lateral sides 44 1 , 44 2 of the container 50 may be a first projection 46 1 .
- each of the lateral sides 44 1 , 44 2 of the container 50 may comprise a second projection 46 2 projecting into a second recess 482 of the guardrail 47 .
- the guardrail 47 may have a variety of suitable profiles including, for example, those shown in FIGS. 55 A to 55 F .
- the guardrail 47 of barrier module 12 x may overlap a guardrail 47 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j , as shown in FIG. 56 . This may help prevent snagging of the guardrails.
- the barrier 10 may be configured to enhance its use and performance in various embodiments. Examples of this will now be described.
- the barrier 10 may reduce deflection, by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting, when impacted by vehicles, in some cases while facilitating installation and/or transfer the barrier 10 between the different locations L 1 , L 2 at the roadway 13 , such as by the transfer vehicle 20 .
- the barrier 10 is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 meters (m) according to MASH, i.e., the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware produced by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), published as a 2nd edition in 2016, accessible at https://bookstore.transportation.org/, and incorporated by reference herein.
- MASH the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware produced by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
- the barrier 10 may be configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m in accordance with MASH test no. 3-11. An example of such a deflection A is shown in FIG. 20 .
- the barrier 10 may be configured to deflect by no more than 2 m, in some cases no more than 1.8 m, in some cases no more than 1.6 m, in some cases no more than 1.4 m, in some cases no more than 1.2 m, and in some cases even less, in accordance with MASH test no. 3-11.
- the barrier 10 may provide ease of installation and/or mobility at the roadway 13 .
- the pin 43 of the hinge 16 may be installable manually, i.e., without using any mechanized tool such as a hydraulic cylinder, an actuator, a hydraulic hammer, a pneumatic hammer, or any other machine, to join the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- one or more nonmechanized tools such as a hammer or screwdriver may be used to install the pin 43 of the hinge 16 .
- the hinge 16 may be viewed as a “quick-connect” hinge. This is in contrast with conventional movable barriers which have limited deflection but require a hydraulic cylinder, an actuator, a hydraulic hammer, a pneumatic hammer, and/or another machine to install their hinge's pin.
- hinge 16 e.g., the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 of the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j ) more equal and reduce a tendency for the impacting vehicle 19 to vault or snag, as well as reducing a potential for hinge failure.
- a ratio of a maximal dimension D max of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x over a minimal dimension D min of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be limited.
- the ratio of the maximal dimension D max of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x over the minimal dimension D min of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, and in some cases even less.
- the aspect ratio of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, and in some cases even less.
- a ratio of a maximal dimension D max of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x over a dimension D pin of a cross-section P of the pin 43 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be limited.
- the ratio of the maximal dimension D max of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x over the dimension D pin of the cross-section P of the pin 43 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be less than 2, no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, in some cases no more than 1.15, in some cases no more than 1.05, and in some cases even less. Accordingly, the pin 43 of the connector 41 may closely fit within the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the opening 56 of the connector 41 may be circular. In this embodiment, the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is noncircular. More particularly, in this embodiment, the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is elongated. In this example, the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is oblong. For instance, in this case, the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is a slot.
- the shape of the opening 56 of the upper part of the hinge may be different from the shape of the opening 56 of the lower part of the hinge.
- the opening 56 of the connecting members 55 1 of the connector 41 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j have a circular shape whereas the opening 56 of the connecting members 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j have an oblong shape.
- the hinge 16 may be configured such that the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is offset from the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- This configuration may ensure that the pin 43 in the hinge 16 contacts at least one of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j and may ensure that the pin 43 closely fits within the opening of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- This configuration may also facilitate manual installation of the pin 43 of the hinge 16 .
- the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises an insert 62 that forms at least part of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x and is secured to a given one of the connecting members 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- This may facilitate resizing of the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x , including in embodiments where the barrier module 12 x may have been originally manufactured with the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x being larger.
- the insert 62 is secured to any given one of the connecting members 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the insert 62 may be secured to the connecting member 55 1 .
- the insert 62 may be secured to the connecting member 55 2 .
- the insert 62 may be secured to each of the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 , as shown in FIG. 21 B .
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is a first insert 62 1 .
- the first insert 62 1 is secured to the first connecting member 55 1 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the second connecting member 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises an opening 100 to receive the pin 43 .
- the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a second insert 622 .
- the second insert 622 is secured to the second connecting member 55 2 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprising the first insert 62 1 may be different from a cross-section C of the opening 100 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprising the second insert 622 .
- the cross-section C of the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be smaller than the cross-section C of the opening 100 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x . This may help minimize the splaying and rotation of the barrier module 12 x while also facilitating transportation by the conveyor 22 .
- the insert 62 may extend to and be secured to both the connecting members 55 1 , 55 2 .
- the opening 56 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is a pin-receiving opening 24 of the connector 41 .
- the connecting member 55 x includes an insert-receiving opening 63 that receives the insert 62 .
- the insert 62 may be affixed to the connecting member 55 x in any suitable manner.
- the insert 62 is permanently affixed to the connecting member 55 x (i.e., affixed to the connecting member 55 x such that it cannot be readily removed from the connecting member 55 x without damaging or otherwise impairing integrity of the insert 62 and/or the connecting member 55 x ).
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be thermally affixed to the connecting member 55 x .
- the insert 62 may be welded to the connecting member 55 x .
- the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a base 97 and a cage 98 extending from the base 97 .
- at least part of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is disposed within the base 97 of the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is spaced from a horizontal part 99 of the cage 98 of the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a base 97 without the cage 98 .
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in various ways.
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a base 65 and a projection 66 projecting from the base 65 into the insert-receiving opening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the projection 66 of the insert 62 fills part of the insert-receiving opening 63 of the connecting member 55 x and in that sense may be referred to as a “filler”.
- An outer surface 94 of the projection 66 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x conforms to an inner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x that defines the insert-receiving opening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the base 65 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is a plate 64 .
- the base 65 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a ledge 96 engaging the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- At least part of the outer surface 94 of the projection 66 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is curved.
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is disposed such that its projection 66 is compressed by the pin 43 of the hinge 16 when the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j are pressed towards one another and is not compressed by the pin 43 of the hinge 16 when the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j are pulled away from one another.
- This may help to avoid the insert 62 and its attachment (e.g., welding) to the connecting member 55 x being loaded when the hinge 16 is under tensile loading.
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is welded to the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 . More particularly, in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 24 D , an upper weld 113 and a lower weld 117 are provided respectively at interfaces of the base 65 and the projection 66 with opposite surfaces of the connecting member 55 x . In this example, there is no weld between the outer surface 94 of the projection 66 of the insert 62 and the inner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x .
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises the base 65 without the projection 66 projecting from the base 65 .
- the base 65 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is the plate 64 .
- the base 65 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a ledge 96 engaging the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x comprises an inset 108 .
- the inset 108 is inserted into the insert-receiving opening 63 of the connecting member 55 x , of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- An outer surface 109 of the inset 108 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x conforms to the inner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x that defines the insert-receiving opening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x .
- At least part of the outer surface 109 of the inset 108 of the insert 62 of the connector 41 of the barrier module 12 x is curved.
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may further comprise frictional members 106 configured to increase the friction between the barrier module 12 x and the roadway 13 such that the barrier module 12 x may further resist deflection upon impact from an impacting vehicle 19 .
- a coefficient of friction between the frictional members 106 and a surface 17 of the roadway 13 may be at least 0.5.
- the frictional members 106 protrude downwardly from a lower surface of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x
- the frictional members 106 may be configured to mechanically attach to the surface 17 of the roadway 13 .
- the frictional members 106 may comprise any suitable material.
- the frictional members 106 may comprise elastomeric material 142 (e.g., rubber).
- the frictional members 106 may comprise a metallic material 127 (e.g., steel or other suitable metal).
- a surface 111 of the protrusions 106 may comprise a different material than a remainder of the frictional members 106 (i.e., the material of the surface 111 may be different than the metallic material 127 ).
- the surface 111 of the frictional members 106 may comprise a layer of material 132 which may at least partly cover the metallic material 127 of the frictional members 106 .
- the layer of material 132 may be configured to mechanically attach to the surface 17 of the roadway 13 .
- the layer of material 132 may at least partly comprise diamond (e.g., diamond particles) such that a microstructure of the material 132 may be suitable for mechanically engaging the frictional members 106 to the surface 17 of the roadway 13 .
- the frictional members 106 may be configured to be secured to the barrier module 12 x in any suitable fashion.
- the frictional members 106 may be mechanically fastened to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x with screws, bolts or other mechanical fasteners.
- the frictional members 106 may comprise one or more openings 133 configured to receive one or more fasteners 134 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may also comprise one or more openings 136 configured to receive the one or more fasteners 134 .
- the one or more openings 133 of the frictional members 106 may align with respective ones of the one or more openings 136 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality of recesses 137 for at least partly receiving respective ones of the frictional members 106 .
- the bottom 31 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise the plurality of recesses 137 and the frictional members 106 are at least partly received in the plurality of recesses 137 .
- the barrier module 12 x comprises an add-on mass 70 connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x to increase a weight of the barrier module 12 x .
- At least part of the add-on mass 70 may be disposed in the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x above a top 29 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x , as shown in FIG. 27 .
- At least part of the add-on mass 70 may be disposed in the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x below a bottom 31 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x , as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 .
- the add-on mass 70 may further comprise frictional members 206 configured to increase the friction between the add-on mass 70 and the roadway 13 such that the barrier module 12 x may further resist deflection upon impact from the impacting vehicle 19 .
- the frictional members 206 may be configured similarly to the frictional members 106 discussed above.
- the add-on mass 70 may be a first add-on mass 701 and the barrier module 12 x may comprise a second add-on mass 702 connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x to increase the weight of the barrier module 12 x .
- the first add-on mass 701 and the second add-on mass 702 may be separate from one another and at least part of the first add-on mass 701 and at least part of the second add-on mass 702 may be disposed in the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x below the bottom 31 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the first add-on mass 701 may be disposed in the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x above the top 29 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x while the second add-on mass 702 may be disposed in the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x below the bottom 31 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the add-on mass 70 may comprise a drain 68 to drain water on the roadway 13 .
- the drain 68 may comprise a plurality of drainage channels 67 x oriented transversally to one another.
- the drainage channels 67 x may include a longitudinal drainage channel 67 i extending along the longitudinal direction L B of the barrier 10 .
- the drainage channels 67 x may also include a transversal drainage channel 67 j extending transversally to the longitudinal drainage channel 67 i .
- the drain 68 of the add-on mass 70 may allow for adjustment of a height of a center of gravity of the barrier module 12 x .
- the add-on mass 70 may be implemented in any suitable way.
- the add-on mass 70 may comprise concrete 138 (e.g., concrete casting).
- the add-on mass 70 comprises a container 150 configured to contain a substance 252 .
- the container 150 has a hollow interior 154 .
- the substance 252 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.).
- a liquid e.g., water
- sand, gravel e.g., gravel
- concrete e.g., poured-in-place concrete
- foam e.g. solid foam
- any other suitable substance e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.
- the substance 252 may be a first substance 252 i and the container 150 may comprise a second substance 252 j contained in the container 150 .
- the container 150 of the add-on mass 70 may be implemented in any suitable way.
- the container 150 comprises polymeric material 159 .
- the polymeric material 159 may include polyethylene, (high, medium or low density), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, vinylester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and/or any other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, or any other suitable polymer.
- the polymeric material 59 may be reinforced (e.g., composite material).
- the polymeric material 59 may be fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix.
- the polymeric matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, like epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, polyurethane, or any other suitable resin, and the fibers may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.
- aramid fibers e.g., Kevlar fibers
- boron fibers silicon carbide fibers
- metallic fibers metallic fiber
- the container 150 is molded. More particularly, in this example, the container 150 is rotomolded or otherwise molded to create its hollow interior 154 . In other examples of implementation, the container 150 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, mechanically fastened, etc.)
- the add-on mass 70 may be affixed to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in any suitable manner.
- the add-on mass 70 may be affixed to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x with mountings 112 .
- the mountings 112 may comprise reinforcing steel (i.e. rebar), cement anchors, chemical anchors or any other type of suitable mountings.
- the barrier 10 may comprise a limiter 80 configured to limit pivoting of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the limiter 80 may be movable relative to at least one and in some cases both of the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j . The limiter 80 thus limits deflection of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the barrier 10 is impacted and/or transferred at the roadway 13 .
- the limiter 80 may be configured to limit pivoting of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j to no more than an angle allowing the barrier 10 to be transferred by the conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 .
- the limiter 80 may be configured to limit pivoting of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j to no more than 24°, in some cases to no more than 22°, in some cases to no more than 20°, and in some cases even less (e.g. no more than 10°, in some case no more than 5°, in some cases no more than 3° and in some cases no more than 1°).
- the limiter 80 may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments. It may comprise one or more parts, which may include any suitable material, such as metallic material, elastomeric material, concrete, wood, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the limiter may include any suitable combination of materials.
- the hinge 16 comprises at least part of the limiter 80 .
- the limiter 80 is mounted about the pin 43 of the hinge 16 .
- the limiter 80 is held in place by the pin 43 and yet is not fastened to either barrier module 12 x or adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the limiter 80 comprises limiting projections 811 , 812 extending opposite one another to engage at least one of the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j when they pivot relative to one another, as the barrier 10 is impacted or transferred, to stop their relative motion.
- the limiter 80 is changeable between a locked state, in which the limiter 80 locks the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j relative to one another, and an unlocked state, in which the limiter 80 allows the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j to move relative to one another.
- the limiter 80 is configured to be in the locked state when the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j are stationary on the roadway and the limiter 80 is configured to be in the unlocked state when the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j are engaged by the transfer vehicle 20 for transfer between the different locations L 1 , L 2 on the roadway 13 .
- the limiter 80 is configured to acquire the unlocked state in response to engaging the conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 and to acquire the locked state in response to disengaging the conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 .
- the limiter 80 may comprise a locking member 84 configured to engage the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the locked state and to disengage the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the unlocked state.
- the locking member 84 is configured to engage the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x and the body of the adjacent barrier module 12 j in the base portion 30 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the locked state.
- the body 36 of each of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j comprises a void 85 , as shown in FIGS. 40 A and 40 B .
- the void 85 may be a recess 86 .
- the recess 86 of the body 36 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j is located in the base portion 30 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a reinforcement 87 defining at least part of the void 85 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the reinforcement 87 may be comprised of any suitable material.
- the reinforcement 87 may comprise a metallic material.
- the locking member 84 is disposed in the void 85 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body of the adjacent of the barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the locked state.
- the locking member 84 is movable relative to the void 85 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body 36 of the adjacent of barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 changes between the locked state and the unlocked state.
- the locking member 84 clears the void 85 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the void 85 of the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the unlocked state.
- the limiter 80 may comprise a biasing member 82 configured to bias the limiter 80 in the locked state.
- the biasing member 82 may comprise a spring 83 .
- the biasing member 82 is configured to bias the locking member 84 into engagement with the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the limiter 80 may comprise an actuator 88 configured to change the limiter 80 between the locked state and the unlocked state. As shown in FIGS. 39 A to 40 B , the actuator 88 extends from the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x downwardly towards the locking member 84 .
- the actuator 88 may comprise a rod 89 extending from the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x , 12 j to the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x , 12 j .
- the locking member 84 of the limiter 80 is a first locking member 84 1 and the limiter 80 may comprise a second locking member 84 2 spaced from the first locking member 84 1 .
- the void 85 of the body 36 of each of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j is a first void 85 1 and the body of each of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j comprises a second void 85 2 spaced from the first void 85 1 .
- the second locking member 84 2 is disposed in the second void 85 2 of the body 36 of each of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the locked state.
- the second locking member 84 2 is movable relative to the second void 85 2 of the body 36 of each of the barrier module 12 x , 12 j when the limiter 80 changes between the locked state and the unlocked state.
- the body 36 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j may comprise a channel 114 .
- the channel 114 may be located in the void 85 of the body 36 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j .
- the locking member 84 is configured to engage the channel 114 of the body 36 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j when the limiter 80 is in the locked state.
- the locking member 84 is configured to disengage the channel 114 of the body 36 of the barrier modules 12 x , 12 j , when the limiter 80 is in the unlocked state.
- the roadway 13 comprises a recess 90 under the barrier module 12 x and the barrier module 12 x extends into the recess 90 of the roadway 13 .
- the barrier module 12 x comprises a blocking member 92 that is connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and extends into the recess 90 of the roadway 13 to protect against a moment M tending to tip over of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x when the barrier 10 is impacted by the impacting vehicle 19 .
- the blocking member 92 extends into the recess 90 to protect against tipping over of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the blocking member 92 of the barrier module 12 x is configured to engage a blocking portion 93 of the recess 90 of the roadway 13 when the barrier 10 is impacted. This may help to minimize or avoid deflection of the barrier 10 .
- the blocking member 92 is disposed on an impact side 12 1 of the barrier module 12 x such that the moment M causes a non-impact side 125 of the barrier module 12 x to rotate into the roadway 13 such that the impact side 12 1 of the barrier module 12 x tends to rotate rather than tending to tip over.
- the blocking member 92 is disposed at a lateral side 27 x of the barrier module 12 x .
- the blocking member 92 of the barrier module 12 x may be angular and may be mounted about an edge 25 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the blocking member 92 of the barrier module 12 x may include a substantially planar portion and may extend across the edge 25 of the body of the barrier module 12 x .
- the blocking member 92 is a first blocking member 92 1 disposed on a first lateral side 27 1 of the barrier module 12 x and the barrier module 12 x may comprise a second blocking member 922 disposed on a second lateral side 272 of the barrier module 12 x .
- a material 15 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x contacts and is different from a material 21 of the blocking member 92 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the material 15 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x is concrete and the material 21 of the blocking member 92 of the barrier module 12 x is a metallic material.
- the limiter 80 may comprise a plurality of limiting elements 180 formed integrally (e.g., molded) with at least one of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j and configured to limit the deflection of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j to limit pivoting of the barrier module 12 x relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j , when the barrier 10 is impacted and/or transferred at the roadway 13 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and/or the body 36 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j may be shaped to implement the limiter 80 .
- the limiter 80 includes the plurality of limiting elements 180 of the barrier module 12 x and the plurality of limiting elements 180 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j .
- the limiting elements 180 of the barrier module 12 x are movable towards the limiting elements 180 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j such that at least one of the plurality of limiting elements 180 of the barrier module 12 x is configured to contact at least one of the plurality of limiting elements 180 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j when the barrier module 12 x and the adjacent barrier module 12 j pivot relative to one another, as the barrier 10 is impacted or transferred, to stop their relative motion (as shown in FIG. 62 C ).
- the limiting elements 180 may be secured to the barrier module 12 x or the adjacent barrier module 12 j in any suitable fashion other than by being integrally formed therewith.
- the plurality of limiting elements 180 may be mechanically fastened to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x or the adjacent barrier module 12 j with screws, bolts or other mechanical fasteners.
- the limiter 80 may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments. It may comprise one or more parts, which may include any suitable material, such as metallic material, elastomeric material, concrete, wood, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the limiter 80 may include any suitable combination of materials.
- the barrier module 12 x comprises a force-exerting system 69 configured to exert a nongravitational downward force F d on the barrier module 12 x against the roadway 13 .
- the nongravitational downward force F d which is a downward force that does not result from gravity and that adds to effects of the weight of the barrier module 12 x , increases friction between the barrier module 12 x and the roadway 13 , thereby acting to limit deflection of the barrier module 12 x when the barrier 10 is impacted.
- the force-exerting system 69 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments.
- the force-exerting system 69 comprises a seal 73 configured to sealingly engage the surface 17 of the roadway 13 to create a vacuum 74 between the barrier module 12 x and the surface 17 of the roadway 13 , such that the nongravitational downward force F d on the barrier module 12 x is a vacuum-based force generated by the vacuum 74 .
- the force-exerting system 69 comprises at least part of a vacuum pump 75 to create the vacuum 74 .
- the force-exerting system 69 also comprises a coupling 72 configured to be connected to the vacuum pump 75 to create the vacuum 74 .
- the force-exerting system 69 is configured to reduce air pressure between barrier module 12 x and the surface 17 of the roadway by at least 3 psi, in some cases at least 6 psi, in some cases at least 8 psi, and in some cases at least 10 psi.
- the force-exerting system 69 may be configured such that if the vacuum 74 between the barrier module 12 x and the surface 17 of the roadway is broken, the vacuum 74 between the adjacent barrier module 12 j and the surface 17 of the roadway remains unaffected.
- the vacuum 74 may be provided only between alternating barrier modules 12 1 - 12 n and the surface 17 of the roadway.
- the roadway 13 comprises a magnetic member 71 and the force-exerting system 69 comprises a magnetic member 76 configured to magnetically interact with the magnetic member 71 of the roadway 13 , such that the nongravitational downward force F d on the barrier module 12 x is a magnetic force generated by magnetic interaction between the magnetic member 76 of the force-exerting system 69 and the magnetic member 71 of the roadway 13 .
- the magnetic member 76 of the force-exerting system 69 may comprise an electromagnet 77 .
- the magnetic member 71 of the surface 17 of roadway 13 would comprise a ferromagnetic material 78 .
- the magnetic force is generated by the magnetic interaction between the electromagnet 77 comprised by the magnetic member 76 of the force-exerting system 69 and the ferromagnetic material 78 of the magnetic member 71 of the roadway 13 .
- the ferromagnetic material 78 of the magnetic member 71 of the surface 17 of the roadway 13 may be comprised of a steel mass 79 .
- the magnetic member 76 of the force-exerting system 69 may comprise the ferromagnetic material 78 and the magnetic member 71 of the surface 17 of the roadway 13 may comprise the electromagnet 77 .
- the force-exerting system 69 may be configured such that the loss of nongravitational downward force F d on the barrier module 12 x generated by the magnetic interaction between the magnetic member 76 of the force-exerting system 69 and the magnetic member 71 of the roadway 13 does not affect the nongravitational downward force F d on the barrier module 12 j .
- the barrier module 12 x may comprise shields 131 1 - 131 4 affixed to its body 36 to protect its body 36 against impacts, such as from the adjacent barrier module 12 j (e.g., when pivoting relative to the adjacent barrier module 12 j as they are engaged by conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 or as they are impacted by an impacting vehicle).
- the shields 131 1 - 131 4 may reduce stress concentrations at the location of impact and as such may prevent propagation of cracks caused by impact and may prevent failure of the material 15 of the body 36 .
- each of the shields 131 1 - 131 4 may be polymeric material (e.g., polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, etc.), composite material (e.g., fiber-reinforced polymeric material), or any other suitable material in other embodiments.
- polymeric material e.g., polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, etc.
- composite material e.g., fiber-reinforced polymeric material
- the shields 131 1 - 131 4 , 131 5 may be affixed to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in any suitable way.
- the shields 131 1 - 131 4 , 131 5 are affixed to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x during molding of the concrete 38 into the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the shields 131 1 - 131 4 , 131 5 are placed in a mold in which the concrete 38 is poured to form the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and retain the shields 131 1 - 131 4 , 131 5 therewith.
- the shield 131 5 may be integrated with the brace 40 .
- the shields 131 1 - 131 4 may be affixed to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x after molding of the concrete 38 into the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x , such as by bending them about the body 36 , adhesively bonding them to the body 36 , chemically fastening them to the body 36 with chemical anchors, mechanically fastening them to the body 36 with screws or other mechanical fasteners, etc.
- the barrier module 12 x may at least partly comprise a material 91 configured to optimise friction force between an impacting vehicle 19 and the barrier module 12 x . This may minimize barrier deflection when the barrier 10 is impacted by an impacting vehicle 19 and thus may increase performance of the barrier 10 in accordance with evaluation criteria of the MASH test no. 3-11.
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x comprises lateral surfaces 102 1 , 102 2 which may include the material 91 .
- the material 19 may comprise any suitable material.
- the material 91 may comprise ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon®.
- the barrier 10 may be configured to mitigating risks of excessive upward movement (e.g., “catapulting” or “vaulting”) of an impacting vehicle.
- the lateral surfaces 102 1 , 102 2 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x are inclined relative to the heightwise direction H M of the barrier module 12 x in the intermediate portion 34 of the barrier module 12 x , and the barrier module 12 x comprises reinforcement 35 i , 35 j each overlying a respective one of the lateral surfaces 102 1 , 102 2 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and comprising an impactable surface 37 that is more vertical than the respective one of the lateral surfaces 102 1 , 102 2 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x and configured to be impacted by an impacting vehicle 19 .
- the reinforcement 35 i , 35 j of the barrier module 12 x projects into an area of traffic flow of the roadway 13 .
- the reinforcement 35 i , 35 j of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a guardrail 104 .
- the barrier module 12 x may comprise a bracket 105 connecting the guardrail 104 to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- respective ones of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N may be taller to reduce potential for impacting vehicles to pass over them.
- a height of the barrier module 12 x may be any suitable value, in some cases at least 32 inches, or in some case at least 42 inches.
- the barrier module 12 x may comprise a heightener 110 connected to its body 36 such that its height is greater than a height of its body 36 (e.g., to be at least 32 inches, in some case at least 42 inches).
- the heightener 110 is implemented by the add-on mass 70 connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the heightener 110 may be connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in the base portion 30 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the heightener 110 may be connected to the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x in the upper portion 32 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the barrier module 12 x is an end one of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N that implements a crash cushion 119 of the barrier 10 and its body 36 includes a polymeric material 159 .
- the polymeric material 159 may comprise polyethylene (high, medium or low density) or any other suitable polymeric material.
- the barrier module 12 x is taller than downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N .
- a ratio of a height of barrier module 12 x over a height of the downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N is at least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, and in some cases even greater.
- the barrier module 12 x is the same height as the downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N .
- the barrier module 12 x comprises an end member 120 connected to its body 36 .
- a front surface 123 of the end member 120 of barrier module 12 x is straight in a heightwise direction H B of the barrier module 12 x .
- the end member 120 may comprise a rigid material 122 that is more rigid than the polymeric material 159 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the rigid material 122 may be a metallic material.
- the end member 120 of the barrier module 12 x is configured to collapse about a bumper 18 of the impacting vehicle 19 that impacts the end member 120 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x is configured to collapse about the bumper 18 of the impacting vehicle 19 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x comprises a brace 140 extending to the end member 120 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 140 of the barrier module 12 x extends from the end member 120 of the barrier module 12 x to a rear surface 39 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x that is opposite to the end member 120 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 140 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality of bracing members 141 .
- the bracing members 141 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may extend diagonally.
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a groove 115 .
- the groove 115 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may tend the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x to collapse about the bumper 18 of the impacting vehicle 19 .
- the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality of grooves 1151 - 115 G.
- the barrier module 12 x is a terminal one of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N that implements a crash cushion 119 of the barrier 10 comprising a plurality of barrier modules.
- the barrier module 12 x is configured to extend from an end of the barrier 10 .
- the barrier module 12 x comprises a container 450 configured to contain a substance 452 .
- the container 450 may be configured similarly to the container 50 described in the present disclosure.
- the barrier module 12 x may be a first terminal barrier module and the barrier 10 may comprise a second terminal barrier module 12 j A content of the container 450 of the first terminal barrier module 12 x may be different from a content of the container 450 of the second terminal barrier module 12 j .
- the number of barrier modules 12 x forming the crash cushion 119 may vary depending on the speed of traffic flow and the particular application. For example, in some cases 2 barrier modules 12 x may be provided, in some other cases 12 barrier modules 12 x may be provided. Any suitable number of barrier modules 12 x may be provided to form the crash cushion 119 .
- a weight of the content of the container 450 of the first barrier module 12 x may be different from a weight of the content of the container 450 of the second barrier module 12 j .
- the weight of the content of the container 450 of the first barrier module 12 x may be less than the weight of the content of the container 450 of the second barrier module 12 j .
- a quantity of the substance 452 contained in the container 450 of the first barrier module 12 x may be different from a quantity of the substance 452 contained in the container 450 of the second barrier module 12 j .
- the rigidity of the container 450 may be adjusted by the substance contained in the container (e.g., liquid, concrete, sand, air, foam, etc.). The rigidity may be adjusted in order to pass the MASH requirements for crash cushions.
- the rigidity of the container 450 may be adjusted as a function of its application.
- the substance 452 contained in the container 450 may be concrete, sand or gravel and the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N may be used a barrier.
- the substance 452 contained may be water or foam and the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N may be used as a crash cushion.
- the container 450 may be modified as a function of its application.
- the container 450 of the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N initially functioning as a crash cushion may be modified such that the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N may to function as a barrier 10 .
- the container 450 may be modified to implement include the brace 40 including a plurality of bracing members 42 1 - 42 B (including the tie rods 124 1 , 124 2 ) or connecting members 55 x or other components.
- the substance 452 contained in the container 450 may also adjust other characteristics of the container 450 (e.g., density, location of the center of gravity, weight).
- the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N forming the crash cushion 119 are configured to be engaged by the conveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20 to lift and move the barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N .
- the barrier module 12 x may be a “hybrid” barrier module whose body 36 comprises the concrete 38 (e.g., concrete casting) and containers 250 1 , 250 2 that are configured to contain a substance 55 2 , similarly to the container 50 discussed in the present disclosure, and connected to the concrete 38 of the barrier module 12 x .
- This may improve movability of the barrier module 12 x (e.g., during transport and installation) by assembling and/or introducing the substance 55 2 after the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x is positioned at the roadway 13 , while maintaining the weight of the barrier module 12 x in use.
- the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may constitute no more than half of the weight of the barrier module 12 x , in some cases less than half of the weight of the barrier module 12 x , and in some cases no more than one-third of the weight of the barrier module 12 x .
- the first container 250 1 overlies a first lateral surface 611 of the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the second container 250 2 of the barrier module 12 x overlies a second lateral surface 612 of the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x that is opposite to the first lateral surface 611 of the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- a brace 240 of the body 36 may be connected to the concrete 38 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x .
- the brace 240 may be at least partly embedded in the concrete 38 .
- the substance 55 2 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.).
- the brace 40 of the barrier module 12 x is at least partly embedded in the substance 55 2 contained in the containers 250 1 , 250 2 .
- the containers 250 1 , 250 2 are molded. More particularly, in this example, the containers 250 1 , 250 2 are rotomolded or otherwise molded to create a hollow interior 254 . In other examples of implementation, the containers 250 1 , 250 2 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, mechanically fastened, etc.)
- the shell 60 of the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
- the shell 60 of the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be a multipiece shell that comprises a plurality of subshells 120 1 - 120 3 (i.e., sections) that are detachably fastened to one another such that they are assemblable into the shell 60 and disassemblable (e.g., for transport or storage of the barrier module 12 x ).
- the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 of the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x are fastened together via fasteners 124 (e.g., bolts, screws, or other threaded fasteners).
- the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 of the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x may be secured by other suitable means such as welding or forging.
- a top one of the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 forms a lid of the barrier module 12 x
- a bottom one of the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 namely the subshell 120 3
- an intermediate one of the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 namely the subshell 1202 , forms a bulk of the barrier module 12 x .
- each of the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 is metallic (e.g., cast, forged, punched, hydroformed, or otherwise formed into shape).
- an interlocking flange 129 may be included in the subshell 120 1 and/or the subshell 120 3 in order to facilitate assembly/disassembly.
- An opening 126 in the barrier module 12 x is provided to allow the substance 52 to be introduced into the hollow interior 54 of the shell 60 .
- the opening 126 may comprise a variety of suitable shapes (e.g., circular, rectangular, oval shape, etc.).
- the opening 126 may comprise any suitable size. In some embodiments, a plurality of openings may be provided.
- the opening 126 may be sealed to create an internal pressure build-up in the substance 52 contained in the shell 60 when the barrier module 12 x is impacted by an oncoming vehicle.
- the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x and a shell 60 of adjacent barrier modules 12 j may be connected to another.
- the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x and the shell 60 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j may be connected to one another in any suitable fashion (e.g., mechanical fasteners such as for example bolts, interlocking flanges or guide pins).
- the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 of the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x maybe fastened together in any other suitable fashion.
- the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 may be welded together.
- Transportation of the shell 60 of the barrier module 12 x may be optimized.
- a recess may be provided in the subshells 120 1 - 120 3 in order to allow the barrier module 12 x to be stacked on another barrier module 12 N , as previously described.
- the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
- the container 50 may comprises one or more openings 139 to permit passage of fastening components through the barrier module 12 x (e.g., fastening components such as chains, slings, straps etc.).
- fastening components such as chains, slings, straps etc.
- the container 50 of the body 36 of the barrier module 12 x may comprise areas configured to receive counterweights to adjust the mass of the barrier module 12 x .
- the counterweights may also adjust a location of the mass center of the barrier module 12 x .
- the barrier 10 (e.g., its barrier modules 12 1 - 12 N ) may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
- the barrier 10 may be fixed and/or permanent (e.g., such that it remains substantially stationary and/or is integrated into an infrastructure of the roadway 13 ).
- One or more features of the barrier 10 described herein when the barrier 10 is movable may be implemented when the barrier 10 is fixed and/or permanent.
Abstract
A barrier for a roadway (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road), which can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes, and which may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting the motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of the barrier at the roadway, and/or enhancing other aspects of the barrier.
Description
- This disclosure relates generally to roadways and, more particularly, to barriers for roadways to manage traffic of vehicles.
- Barriers for roadways (e.g., highways, bridges, and other roads) are used to manage traffic of vehicles, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes.
- Some barriers are fixed and/or permanent (e.g., such that they remain substantially stationary and/or are integrated into road infrastructures).
- Others are movable barriers configured to be transferred between different locations by transfer vehicles (e.g., lifting and moving them), such as for lane management (e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.), roadwork (e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads), etc.
- While they are certainly useful and have evolved, existing barriers have some issues. For example, movable barriers may sometimes deflect too much upon being impacted by vehicles, be expensive, etc. Some barriers may also pose particular risks for motorists and others (e.g., “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles when impacted).
- For these and/or other reasons, there is a need to improve barriers for roadways.
- According to various aspects, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road), which can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes, and which may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting the motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of the barrier at the roadway, and/or enhancing other aspects of the barrier.
- For example, according to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules. The hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules. The barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m according to MASH.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules. The hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules. The connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin. An aspect ratio of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules. The hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules. The connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin. A ratio of a maximal dimension of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules over a minimal dimension of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules. The hinge comprises a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules. The connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin. The connector of the given one of the barrier modules further comprises a connecting member and an insert that forms at least part of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules. The insert is secured to the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprises a body including concrete and an add-on mass connected to the body of the barrier module to increase a weight of the barrier module.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The barrier comprises a limiter configured to limit pivoting of a given one of the barrier modules relative to an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. The roadway comprises a recess under a given one of the barrier modules. The given one of the barrier modules extends into the recess of the roadway.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprises a base portion, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion between the base portion and the upper portion. A given one of the barrier modules comprises a body. The body of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a lateral surface that is inclined relative to a heightwise direction of the given one of the barrier modules in the intermediate portion of the given one of the barrier modules. The given one of the barrier modules also comprises a reinforcement overlying the lateral surface of the body of the given one of the barrier modules. The given one of the barrier modules further comprises an impactable surface that is more vertical than the lateral surface of the body of the given one of the barrier modules. The impactable surface is configured to be impacted by an impacting vehicle.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprises a container configured to contain a substance and a reinforcement connected to the container.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprises a container configured to contain a substance and a brace mounted inside the container.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprises a container configured to contain a substance. The container of a given one of the barrier modules is stackable on the container of another one of the barrier modules for transportation.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. An end one of the barrier modules implements a crash cushion and comprises a body including polymeric material. The end one of the barrier modules is taller than downstream ones of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. An end one of the barrier modules implements a crash cushion and comprises a body including polymeric material. The end one of the barrier modules comprises an end member connected to the body of the end one of the barrier modules and comprises rigid material that is more rigid than the polymeric material of the body of the end one of the barrier modules. The end member of the end one of the barrier modules is configured to collapse about a bumper of an impacting vehicle that impacts the end member of the end one of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. A height of each of the barrier modules is at least 42 inches.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules connected to one another. A given one of the barrier modules comprises a body including concrete and a container configured to contain a substance. The container is connected to the body of the given one of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. A given one of the barrier modules comprises a force-exerting system configured to exert a nongravitational downward force on the given one of the barrier modules towards the roadway.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprising a body including concrete and a shield affixed to the body of the barrier module to protect the barrier module against impact from an adjacent one of the barrier modules.
- According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a barrier for a roadway. The barrier comprises a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another. Each barrier module comprising a container configured to contain a substance. The container of the barrier module comprises a shell including a plurality of subshells that are detachably fastened to one another to be assemblable into the shell and disassemblable.
- These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill upon review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
- A detailed description of embodiments is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a barrier for a roadway comprising a plurality of barrier modules; -
FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a barrier module and a partial view of an adjacent barrier module; -
FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the barrier module; -
FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of an embodiment of a shield affixed to a body of the barrier module; -
FIG. 4B shows an exploded view ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5 shows a transfer vehicle on the roadway; -
FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the barrier in a first location; -
FIG. 7 shows a schematic of the barrier as transferred to a second location; -
FIG. 8 shows the front elevation view of the barrier module such as inFIG. 2 showing a brace within the barrier module with a concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines; -
FIG. 9 shows the side elevation view of the barrier module such as inFIG. 3 showing the brace within the barrier module with the concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines; -
FIG. 10A shows an enlarged partial view of a pair of the barrier modules connected to one another at a hinge in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 10B shows an enlarged partial view of a pair of the barrier modules connected to one another at the hinge in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 11 shows an isometric exploded view of part of the hinge; -
FIG. 12 shows an isometric exploded view of another embodiment of part of the hinge; -
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the barrier for the roadway comprising barrier modules comprising a container configured to contain a substance; -
FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a front elevation view of the container ofFIG. 13 ; -
FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a side elevation view of the container ofFIG. 13 ; -
FIGS. 16A and 16B show a front elevation view and a side elevation view of the container such as inFIG. 13 showing an embodiment of the brace within the barrier module with the body of the module being shown in phantom lines; -
FIGS. 17A and 17B show a front elevation view and a side elevation view of the container such as inFIG. 13 showing another embodiment of the brace within the barrier module with the body of the module being shown in phantom lines; -
FIG. 18A shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a head and a recess; -
FIG. 18B shows the embodiment ofFIG. 18A with the barrier module stacked upon another barrier module comprising a head and a recess; -
FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the container comprising reinforcements on lateral sides of the container; -
FIG. 20 shows a top view of the barrier deflected upon impact of a vehicle; -
FIGS. 21A and 21B show embodiments of the hinge connection ofFIG. 11 with an insert secured to a connecting member; -
FIG. 22 shows an enlarged view of a cross-section C of an opening of a connector of the hinge connection ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 23A shows an embodiment of the insert ofFIG. 22 ; -
FIG. 23B shows the insert ofFIG. 23A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection; -
FIG. 23C shows a top view of the insert ofFIG. 23B ; -
FIG. 24A shows another embodiment of the insert ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 24B shows the insert ofFIG. 24A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection on a compression side of the connector; -
FIG. 24C shows the insert ofFIG. 24A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection on a tension side of the connector; -
FIG. 24D shows a section view ofFIG. 24B ; -
FIG. 25A shows another embodiment of the insert ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 25B shows the insert ofFIG. 25A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection; -
FIG. 25C shows a bottom view ofFIG. 25B ; -
FIG. 26A shows yet another embodiment of the insert ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 26B shows the insert ofFIG. 26A inserted in the opening of the connector of the hinge connection; -
FIG. 26C shows a top view of the insert ofFIG. 26B ; -
FIG. 27 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass disposed in an upper portion of the barrier module; -
FIG. 28 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass disposed in a base portion of the barrier module; -
FIG. 29 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module ofFIG. 28 ; -
FIG. 30 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a first add-on mass and a second add-on mass disposed in the base portion of the barrier module; -
FIG. 31 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module ofFIG. 30 ; -
FIG. 32 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a first add-on mass disposed in the base portion of the barrier module and a second add-on mass disposed in the upper portion of the barrier module; -
FIG. 33 shows a front elevation view of the barrier module ofFIG. 32 ; -
FIG. 34 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an add-on mass with a drain; -
FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter, the barrier being shown in an undeflected position; -
FIG. 36 shows an enlarged view of the limiter ofFIG. 35 ; -
FIG. 37 shows an embodiment of the barrier comprising the limiter, the barrier being shown in a deflected position; -
FIG. 38 shows an enlarged view of the limiter ofFIG. 37 ; -
FIG. 39A shows a broken-out section view of an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter changeable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the limiter being shown in the locked state; -
FIG. 39B shows the limiter ofFIG. 39A , the limiter being shown in the unlocked state; -
FIG. 40A shows a section-view of the front elevation of the barrier module of the barrier ofFIG. 39A ; -
FIG. 40B shows a section-view of the front elevation of the barrier module of the barrier ofFIG. 39B ; -
FIG. 41A shows a section view of the front elevation of the barrier module of another embodiment of the barrier comprising the limiter changeable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the limiter being shown in the locked state; -
FIG. 41B shows the limiter ofFIG. 41A , the limiter being shown in the unlocked state; -
FIG. 42 shows an embodiment of the barrier module extending into a recess in the roadway; -
FIG. 43 shows another embodiment of the barrier module extending into the recess in the roadway; -
FIG. 44 shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a substantially vertical impactable surface; -
FIG. 45 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising an end member; -
FIG. 46 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the barrier module comprising the end member; -
FIG. 47 shows a top view of the embodiment of the barrier module comprising the end member; -
FIG. 48 shows an embodiment of the body of the barrier module comprising a plurality of grooves; -
FIG. 49 shows a section view of an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a force-exerting system; -
FIG. 50 shows a section view of another embodiment of the barrier module comprising a force-exerting system; -
FIG. 51 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of a “hybrid” barrier module; -
FIG. 52 shows the side elevation view of the barrier module ofFIG. 50 showing the brace within the barrier module with the concrete casting of the barrier module being shown in phantom lines; -
FIG. 53 shows an embodiment of the container of the body of the barrier module comprising a shell; -
FIG. 54 shows the shell ofFIG. 53 comprising a plurality of subshells; -
FIGS. 55A to 55F show a variety of profiles of a guardrail of the body of the barrier module; -
FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of the barrier modules comprising overlapping reinforcements; -
FIG. 57 shows yet another embodiment the barrier module extending into a recess in the roadway; -
FIG. 58 shows an embodiment of the barrier module comprising a crash cushion; -
FIGS. 59, 60 and 61 show an embodiment of the barrier module comprising protrusions; -
FIGS. 62A and 62B show an embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter comprising a plurality of limiting elements, the barrier shown in an undeflected position; -
FIG. 62C shows the barrier ofFIGS. 62A and 62B shown in a deflected position; -
FIG. 63 shows another embodiment of the barrier comprising a limiter comprising a plurality of limiting elements, the barrier shown in an undeflected position; -
FIGS. 64A, 64B, 64C and 64D show another embodiment of the hinge; -
FIGS. 65A, 65B, 65C and 65D show an embodiment of the container comprising reinforcements mounted inside the container; -
FIG. 66 shows an embodiment of the container comprising an opening to permit passage of fastening components; and -
FIGS. 67A and 67B shows another embodiment of a shield affixed to an overhang of the barrier module. - It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be and should not be limiting.
-
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of abarrier 10 for a roadway 13 (e.g., a highway, bridge, or other road). Thebarrier 10 can be used to manage vehicular traffic, such as to establish lanes, protect motorists and other people (e.g., pedestrians, constructions workers, etc.) against crashes or other impacts, and/or other purposes. - As further discussed below, in various embodiments, the
barrier 10 may be configured to enhance its use and performance, such as by better protecting motorists and others when impacted by vehicles (e.g., reducing deflection by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting; mitigating risks of “catapulting” or “vaulting” of vehicles; and/or otherwise improving protection provided by the barrier 10), facilitating transportation, installation and/or transfer of thebarrier 10 at theroadway 13, and/or enhancing other aspects of thebarrier 10. - The
barrier 10 comprises a plurality of barrier modules 12 1-12 N connected to one another. This allows a length of thebarrier 10 to be set as desired for theroadway 13. Thebarrier 10 has a longitudinal direction LB, a heightwise direction HB, and a widthwise direction WB. Similarly, each of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N has a longitudinal direction LM, a heightwise direction HM, and a widthwise direction WM. - In this embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , the barrier modules 12 1-12 N are hingedly connected to one another, such that they can be moved (e.g., pivoted) relative to one another (e.g., when impacted and/or to be transferred at the roadway 13). The barrier comprises ahinge 16 connecting a given one of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N, denoted 12 x, to an adjacent one of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N, denoted 12 j. - The longitudinal direction LM of each of the
barrier module 12 x defines a length LX of each of thebarrier module 12 x. The length LX of thebarrier modules 12 x may be defined from apin 43 of thehinge 16 of thebarrier module 12 x to thepin 43 of thehinge 16 ofadjacent barrier module 12 j. - The length LX of the
barrier modules 12 x may comprise any suitable value. For example, in one embodiment, the length LX of thebarrier module 12 x may be at least 1 meter (m) (about 3.3 feet (ft)). In another embodiment, the length LX of thebarrier module 12 x may be at least 1.15 m (about 3.8 ft). In yet another embodiment, the length LX of thebarrier module 12 x may be at least 1.2 m (about 3.9 ft). The aforementioned values of the length LX of thebarrier modules 12 x may improve transportation of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N (e.g. may optimize the space occupied by the barrier modules 12 1-12 N when placed in a flatbed truck or other transport vehicles). - More particularly, in this embodiment, the
barrier 10 is a movable barrier configured to be transferred between different locations L1, L2 at theroadway 13 by atransfer vehicle 20, such as for lane management (e.g., reconfiguring lanes, such as for peak traffic times (e.g., “rush hour”), etc.), roadwork (e.g., construction sites to build or repair roads), etc. - For example, in this embodiment, the
transfer vehicle 20 comprises aconveyor 22 to admit the barrier modules 12 1-12 N at the location L1 at theroadway 13 and transfer them towards and release them at the location L2 at theroadway 13 as thetransfer vehicle 20 travels at theroadway 13, as shown inFIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . Thetransfer vehicle 20, including itsconveyor 22, may be implemented in any suitable way. For instance, in some embodiments, thetransfer vehicle 20, including itsconveyor 22, may be implemented as one available from QMB Barrier™ (http://www.qmb.ca/index_en.html), as one available from Barrier Systems™ (http://www.barriersstemsinc.com/), as one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,954, or as any other suitable transfer vehicle. - Each
barrier module 12 x of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N comprises abase portion 30, anupper portion 32, and anintermediate portion 34 between itsbase portion 30 and itsupper portion 32. - In this embodiment, the
upper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x is wider than theintermediate portion 34 of thebarrier module 12 x. This may facilitate transfer of thebarrier module 12 x by thetransfer vehicle 20 and/or enhance protection when thebarrier module 12 x is impacted. - More particularly, in this embodiment, the
upper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises anoverhang 33 configured to be engaged by theconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20 to lift and move thebarrier module 12 x. Theoverhang 33 is also configured to engage an impactingvehicle 19 that impacts thebarrier module 12 x and impede movement of the impactingvehicle 19 upwards over theoverhang 33. In this case, theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x is T-shaped to form theoverhang 33. - Also, in this embodiment, the
base portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x is wider than theintermediate portion 34 and theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x. This enhances stability of thebarrier module 12 x, while minimizing damage to the impacting vehicle. - The widthwise direction WM of the
barrier module 12 x defines a width WX of thebarrier module 12 x The width WX of thebarrier module 12 x may be defined as the width of thebase portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x. - The width WX of the
barrier modules 12 x may have any suitable value. For example, in one embodiment, the width WX of thebarrier module 12 x may be at least 18 inches. In another embodiment, the width WX of thebarrier module 12 x may be at least 24 inches. - The
barrier module 12 x comprises abody 36. In this embodiment, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x includes concrete 38 (e.g., a concrete casting). In this example, the concrete 38 forms at least part of a periphery of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - Also, in this embodiment, the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises abrace 40 connected to the concrete 38. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 , in this example, thebrace 40 is at least partly embedded in the concrete 38. Thebrace 40 may comprise any suitable material. For instance, thebrace 40 may comprise a metallic material. In this example, thebrace 40 comprises a plurality of bracing members 42 1-42 B spaced from one another. In this case, respective ones of the bracing members 42 1-42 B are elongate in the longitudinal direction of thebarrier 10. More particularly, in this example, the bracing members 42 1-42 B includetie rods - In some embodiments, the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be configured without a brace. In such embodiments, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise fiber filled concrete (e.g., synthetic fibers, glass fibers, metallic fibers). - The
barrier module 12 x comprises aconnector 41 configured to connect thebarrier module 12 x to theadjacent barrier module 12 j. As shown inFIGS. 10A, 10B and 11 , in this embodiment, thehinge 16 connecting thebarrier module 12 x to theadjacent barrier module 12 j comprises theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x, theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j, and thepin 43. Thepin 43 joins theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. Thehinge 16 may join theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j in any other way in other embodiments (e.g., via flexible material, etc.). - In this example of implementation, as shown in
FIG. 11 , theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises connecting members 55 1, 55 2 that are spaced from one another in the heightwise direction HB of thebarrier 10. In this case, thepin 43 of thehinge 16 extends to the connecting members 55 1, 55 2. - In another example of implementation, as shown in
FIG. 12 , theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a third connectingmember 553 spaced from the first connecting member 55 1 and the second connecting member 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x in the heightwise direction HB of thebarrier 10. - In this embodiment, the
brace 40 of thebarrier module 12 x is secured to theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. For instance, in this embodiment, each of respective ones of the bracing members 42 1-42 B of thebarrier module 12 x comprises a threadedopening 51 to receive a threadedfastener 53 to fasten the bracing members 42 1-42 B to theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In an another embodiment, each of respective ones of the bracing members 42 1-42 B of the
barrier module 12 x comprises a threadedend 107 to be received by afastener 116 to fasten the bracing members 42 1-42 B of thebarrier module 12 x to theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - The
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in any other way in other embodiments. - For example, in some embodiments, with additional reference to
FIGS. 13 to 17B , thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises acontainer 50 configured to contain asubstance 52. Thecontainer 50 comprises ashell 60 that has ahollow interior 54 and may form at least part of the periphery of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x, as shown inFIG. 53 . Thehollow interior 54 may provide a reduction of mass of thebarrier module 12 x as compared to abarrier module 12 x of similar dimension (i.e., of similar volume) without acontainer 50 comprising a hollow interior 54 (for example, compared to abarrier module 12 x including concrete 38). For example, in some cases, the reduction of mass may be at least 50%, in some cases at least 60%, in some cases at least 70% and in some cases at least 75%. - In various examples of implementation, the
substance 52 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.). - In some embodiments, the
substance 52 may be a first substance and thebarrier module 12 x may comprise asecond substance 152 contained in thecontainer 50. - In order to facilitate transportation, the
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be empty during transport and thesubstance 52 may be introduced into the hollow interior of 54 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x after transportation of thebarrier module 12 x. - In some cases, a
removable filler cap 26 releasably covers an opening in thebarrier module 12 x is provided to allow thesubstance 52 to be introduced into thehollow interior 54 of thebody 36. Thesubstance 52 may be introduced into thehollow interior 54 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in any suitable manner (e.g., using a conveyor, a pump, gravitational force etc.). Adrain 28 may be provided to allow thebody 36 to be emptied. Additionally, or alternatively, the opening in thebarrier module 12 x may be configured for emptying thesubstance 52 contained inside thehollow interior 54 of thebody 36. Thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be disassembled to facilitate introducing and/or emptying thesubstance 52 into thehollow interior 54 of thebody 36. Thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be emptied in any suitable manner (e.g. by gravitational force or with any other method such as by water jet, by jet of compressed air, by jet of steam, by suction, by vibration, or by any other force such as by shocks or physical force.) - The
container 50 may comprise one or more ports to facilitate connection of conduits to thebody 36 of thecontainer 50, the conduits configured to introduce jets of water, air or steam into thebody 36 of thecontainer 50, to name a few non-limiting examples. - The
container 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in any suitable way. - In this embodiment, the
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 comprisespolymeric material 59. For instance, thepolymeric material 59 may include polyethylene (high, medium or low density), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, vinylester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and/or any other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, or any other suitable polymer. In some examples, thepolymeric material 59 may be reinforced (e.g., composite material). For example, thepolymeric material 59 may be fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, like epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, polyurethane, or any other suitable resin, and the fibers may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, etc. - In other embodiments, the
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 may comprise metallic material. For instance, in some embodiment, theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 may be made of steel, aluminum or other suitable metal. - In some cases, the
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 may be configured to be thin (i.e., walls of theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 may be configured to be thin). In some instances, including instances where theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 is configured to be thin, theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 may comprise reinforcements as will be discussed below. - In this example of implementation, the
container 50 is molded. More particularly, in this example, thecontainer 50 is rotomolded or otherwise molded to create itshollow interior 54. In other examples of implementation, thecontainer 50 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, forged, mechanically fastened, etc.). In yet other examples of implementation, such as where theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 is metallic, it may be welded, forged, punched, hydroformed or made using any other metal forming process. - In this example of implementation, a mass of the
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 comprising the metallic material may represent between 15% and 50% of the mass of thebarrier module 12 x includes concrete 38 (e.g., a concrete casting) at equal volume. - In this embodiment, at least part of the
connector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is integrally formed with thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x. For instance, in this embodiment, at least part of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is integrally rotomolded with thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x during rotomolding of thecontainer 50. In this example, at least part of each of the connecting members 55 1, 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is integrally rotomolded with thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 18A and 18B , thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x may be stackable on thecontainer 50 of anotherbarrier module 12 N for transportation. For instance, in this embodiment, thecontainer 50 comprises abottom recess 45 and ahead 57. Thehead 57 of thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x is configured to fit into thebottom recess 45 of thecontainer 50 of theother barrier module 12 N for stacking. - One or more other components may be connected to the
container 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in various embodiments. - For example, in this embodiment, the
brace 40 is connected to and extends inside thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. In some cases, thebrace 40 may be at least partly embedded in thesubstance 52 contained in thecontainer 50. - The
brace 40 of thebarrier module 12 x may be secured to theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. For instance, thebrace 40 comprises the threadedopening 51 to receive the threadedfastener 53 to fasten thebrace 40 of thebarrier module 12 x to theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - The
brace 40 may comprise a metallic material. In this example, thebrace 40 comprises the bracing members 42 1-42 B spaced from one another. In this case, respective ones of the bracing members 42 1-42 B are elongate in the longitudinal direction of thebarrier 10. More particularly, in this example, the bracing members 42 1-42 B include thetie rods - Also, in this embodiment, the
barrier module 12 x comprises reinforcements 49 x connected to thecontainer 50. The reinforcements 49 x may be mounted onlateral sides 44 x of thecontainer 50. - For example, in one embodiment, the
barrier module 12 x may comprise a first reinforcement 49 1 connected to thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x and mounted on a firstlateral side 44 1 of thecontainer 50. Thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a second reinforcement 49 2 connected to thecontainer 50 of thebarrier module 12 x and mounted on a secondlateral side 44 2 of thecontainer 50. - In yet another embodiment, the reinforcements 49 x may be mounted inside the
container 50. For instance, the first reinforcement 49 1 may be mounted on thelateral side 44 1 of thecontainer 50 and the second reinforcement 49 2 may be mounted inside thecontainer 50. In yet another example of implementation of this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 65A, 65B, 65C and 65D , a plurality of reinforcements 49 x may be mounted inside thecontainer 50. The plurality of reinforcements 49 x may increase a rigidity of thecontainer 50, which may increase performance of thebarrier 10 in accordance with evaluation criteria of MASH test no. 3-11 (as will be discussed below). - As shown in
FIG. 19 , in this embodiment, each of the reinforcements 49 1, 49 2 comprises a guardrail 47 (e.g., made of steel or other metallic material, or any other suitable material). Theguardrail 47 is mounted on each of the lateral sides 44 1, 44 2 of thecontainer 50. Each of the lateral sides 44 1, 44 2 of thecontainer 50 conforms to theguardrail 47. - The
guardrail 47 may comprise arecess 48. Each of the lateral sides 44 1, 44 2 of thecontainer 50 may comprise a projection 46 x projecting into therecess 48 of theguardrail 47. In one embodiment, therecess 48 of theguardrail 47 may be afirst recess 481 and the projection 46 of each of the lateral sides 44 1, 44 2 of thecontainer 50 may be a first projection 46 1. In this embodiment, each of the lateral sides 44 1, 44 2 of thecontainer 50 may comprise a second projection 46 2 projecting into asecond recess 482 of theguardrail 47. - The
guardrail 47 may have a variety of suitable profiles including, for example, those shown inFIGS. 55A to 55F . - In some embodiments, the
guardrail 47 ofbarrier module 12 x may overlap aguardrail 47 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j, as shown inFIG. 56 . This may help prevent snagging of the guardrails. - The
barrier 10 may be configured to enhance its use and performance in various embodiments. Examples of this will now be described. - 1. Reduced Deflection when Impacted
- In some embodiments, the
barrier 10 may reduce deflection, by deflecting less or substantially not deflecting, when impacted by vehicles, in some cases while facilitating installation and/or transfer thebarrier 10 between the different locations L1, L2 at theroadway 13, such as by thetransfer vehicle 20. - For example, in some embodiments, with additional reference to
FIG. 20 , thebarrier 10 is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 meters (m) according to MASH, i.e., the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware produced by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), published as a 2nd edition in 2016, accessible at https://bookstore.transportation.org/, and incorporated by reference herein. Specifically, thebarrier 10 may be configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m in accordance with MASH test no. 3-11. An example of such a deflection A is shown inFIG. 20 . For instance, in some embodiments, thebarrier 10 may be configured to deflect by no more than 2 m, in some cases no more than 1.8 m, in some cases no more than 1.6 m, in some cases no more than 1.4 m, in some cases no more than 1.2 m, and in some cases even less, in accordance with MASH test no. 3-11. - While having such reduced deflection, the
barrier 10 may provide ease of installation and/or mobility at theroadway 13. For instance, in some embodiments, thepin 43 of thehinge 16 may be installable manually, i.e., without using any mechanized tool such as a hydraulic cylinder, an actuator, a hydraulic hammer, a pneumatic hammer, or any other machine, to join theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. In some cases, one or more nonmechanized tools such as a hammer or screwdriver may be used to install thepin 43 of thehinge 16. Thus, in some cases, thehinge 16 may be viewed as a “quick-connect” hinge. This is in contrast with conventional movable barriers which have limited deflection but require a hydraulic cylinder, an actuator, a hydraulic hammer, a pneumatic hammer, and/or another machine to install their hinge's pin. - As shown in
FIGS. 21A, 21B and 22 , in some embodiments, theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises anopening 56 to receive thepin 43 of thehinge 16, whereby a size (i.e., an area) of a cross-section C of theopening 56 may be limited. This may reduce deflection of thebarrier 10 when impacted by limiting rotation of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j as there is less space for theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j to translate relative to thepin 43. This may also make thebarrier 10 more rigid in torsion. It may keep loading on upper and lower parts of the hinge 16 (e.g., the connecting members 55 1, 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and the connecting members 55 1, 55 2 of theconnector 41 of the adjacent barrier module 12 j) more equal and reduce a tendency for the impactingvehicle 19 to vault or snag, as well as reducing a potential for hinge failure. - For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of a maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of the
opening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x over a minimal dimension Dmin of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be limited. For instance, in some embodiments, the ratio of the maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x over the minimal dimension Dmin of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, and in some cases even less. - Also, in some embodiments, and an aspect ratio of the cross-section C of the
opening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be limited. This aspect ratio refers to a ratio of the maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x over an orthogonal dimension of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x that is orthogonal (i.e., normal) to the maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of the barrier module 12 x (which may be the minimal dimension Dmin of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of the barrier module 12 x). For instance, in some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, and in some cases even less. - Furthermore, in some embodiments, a ratio of a maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of the
opening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x over a dimension Dpin of a cross-section P of thepin 43 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be limited. For instance, in some embodiments, the ratio of the maximal dimension Dmax of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x over the dimension Dpin of the cross-section P of thepin 43 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be less than 2, no more than 1.8, in some cases no more than 1.6, in some cases no more than 1.4, in some cases no more than 1.15, in some cases no more than 1.05, and in some cases even less. Accordingly, thepin 43 of theconnector 41 may closely fit within theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - The
opening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, theopening 56 of theconnector 41 may be circular. In this embodiment, theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is noncircular. More particularly, in this embodiment, theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is elongated. In this example, theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is oblong. For instance, in this case, theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is a slot. - In some cases, the shape of the
opening 56 of the upper part of the hinge may be different from the shape of theopening 56 of the lower part of the hinge. For example, as shown inFIGS. 64A, 64C and 64D , theopening 56 of the connecting members 55 1 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier modules opening 56 of the connecting members 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier modules - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 64A, 64B, 64C and 64D , thehinge 16 may be configured such that theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is offset from theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. This configuration may ensure that thepin 43 in thehinge 16 contacts at least one of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j and may ensure that thepin 43 closely fits within the opening of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. This configuration may also facilitate manual installation of thepin 43 of thehinge 16. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 21A to 24C , theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises aninsert 62 that forms at least part of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x and is secured to a given one of the connecting members 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. This may facilitate resizing of the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x, including in embodiments where thebarrier module 12 x may have been originally manufactured with the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x being larger. - In some other embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 25A to 26B , theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x defines an entirety of a perimeter of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - The
insert 62 is secured to any given one of the connecting members 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. In one embodiment, theinsert 62 may be secured to the connecting member 55 1. In another example of implementation, theinsert 62 may be secured to the connecting member 55 2. In yet another example, theinsert 62 may be secured to each of the connecting members 55 1, 55 2, as shown inFIG. 21B . In this example of implementation, theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is afirst insert 62 1. Thefirst insert 62 1 is secured to the first connecting member 55 1 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. The second connecting member 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises anopening 100 to receive thepin 43. Theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises asecond insert 622. Thesecond insert 622 is secured to the second connecting member 55 2 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In one example of implementation, the cross-section C of the
opening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprising thefirst insert 62 1 may be different from a cross-section C of theopening 100 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprising thesecond insert 622. For example, the cross-section C of theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be smaller than the cross-section C of theopening 100 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. This may help minimize the splaying and rotation of thebarrier module 12 x while also facilitating transportation by theconveyor 22. - In yet another example of implementation, the
insert 62 may extend to and be secured to both the connecting members 55 1, 55 2. - As shown in
FIG. 23B , theopening 56 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is a pin-receivingopening 24 of theconnector 41. As shown inFIG. 23A , the connecting member 55 x includes an insert-receivingopening 63 that receives theinsert 62. - The
insert 62 may be affixed to the connecting member 55 x in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, theinsert 62 is permanently affixed to the connecting member 55 x (i.e., affixed to the connecting member 55 x such that it cannot be readily removed from the connecting member 55 x without damaging or otherwise impairing integrity of theinsert 62 and/or the connecting member 55 x). For example, in one embodiment, theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be thermally affixed to the connecting member 55 x. For instance, theinsert 62 may be welded to the connecting member 55 x. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 21A and 21B , the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of the barrier module 12 x (namely the connecting members 55 1, 55 2) may comprise abase 97 and acage 98 extending from thebase 97. In this example, at least part of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is disposed within thebase 97 of the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. Theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is spaced from ahorizontal part 99 of thecage 98 of the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. In other embodiments, the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise abase 97 without thecage 98. - As shown in
FIGS. 23A to 26C , theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in various ways. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C , theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises abase 65 and aprojection 66 projecting from the base 65 into the insert-receivingopening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. Theprojection 66 of theinsert 62 fills part of the insert-receivingopening 63 of the connecting member 55 x and in that sense may be referred to as a “filler”. Anouter surface 94 of theprojection 66 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x conforms to aninner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x that defines the insert-receivingopening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. In one example of implementation, thebase 65 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is aplate 64. Thebase 65 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises aledge 96 engaging the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. At least part of theouter surface 94 of theprojection 66 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is curved. - In this embodiment, the
insert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is disposed such that itsprojection 66 is compressed by thepin 43 of thehinge 16 when thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j are pressed towards one another and is not compressed by thepin 43 of thehinge 16 when thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j are pulled away from one another. This may help to avoid theinsert 62 and its attachment (e.g., welding) to the connecting member 55 x being loaded when thehinge 16 is under tensile loading. - Also, in this embodiment, the
insert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is welded to the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41. More particularly, in this embodiment as shown inFIG. 24D , anupper weld 113 and alower weld 117 are provided respectively at interfaces of thebase 65 and theprojection 66 with opposite surfaces of the connecting member 55 x. In this example, there is no weld between theouter surface 94 of theprojection 66 of theinsert 62 and theinner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C , theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises thebase 65 without theprojection 66 projecting from thebase 65. In this example, thebase 65 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is theplate 64. Thebase 65 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises aledge 96 engaging the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In yet another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23C , theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises aninset 108. Theinset 108 is inserted into the insert-receivingopening 63 of the connecting member 55 x, of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. Anouter surface 109 of theinset 108 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x conforms to theinner surface 95 of the connecting member 55 x that defines the insert-receivingopening 63 of the connecting member 55 x of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x. At least part of theouter surface 109 of theinset 108 of theinsert 62 of theconnector 41 of thebarrier module 12 x is curved. - With reference to
FIGS. 59, 60 and 61 , thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may further comprisefrictional members 106 configured to increase the friction between thebarrier module 12 x and theroadway 13 such that thebarrier module 12 x may further resist deflection upon impact from an impactingvehicle 19. In some embodiments, a coefficient of friction between thefrictional members 106 and asurface 17 of the roadway 13 (e.g., paving, dry concrete) may be at least 0.5. In this example, thefrictional members 106 protrude downwardly from a lower surface of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x Additionally, or alternatively, in other embodiments, thefrictional members 106 may be configured to mechanically attach to thesurface 17 of theroadway 13. - The
frictional members 106 may comprise any suitable material. For instance, thefrictional members 106 may comprise elastomeric material 142 (e.g., rubber). In other cases, thefrictional members 106 may comprise a metallic material 127 (e.g., steel or other suitable metal). In some cases, asurface 111 of theprotrusions 106 may comprise a different material than a remainder of the frictional members 106 (i.e., the material of thesurface 111 may be different than the metallic material 127). In one example, thesurface 111 of thefrictional members 106 may comprise a layer ofmaterial 132 which may at least partly cover themetallic material 127 of thefrictional members 106. The layer ofmaterial 132 may be configured to mechanically attach to thesurface 17 of theroadway 13. For example, the layer ofmaterial 132 may at least partly comprise diamond (e.g., diamond particles) such that a microstructure of thematerial 132 may be suitable for mechanically engaging thefrictional members 106 to thesurface 17 of theroadway 13. - The
frictional members 106 may be configured to be secured to thebarrier module 12 x in any suitable fashion. For example, thefrictional members 106 may be mechanically fastened to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x with screws, bolts or other mechanical fasteners. Accordingly, thefrictional members 106 may comprise one ormore openings 133 configured to receive one ormore fasteners 134. Correspondingly, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may also comprise one ormore openings 136 configured to receive the one ormore fasteners 134. Thus, the one ormore openings 133 of thefrictional members 106 may align with respective ones of the one ormore openings 136 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In some embodiments, the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality ofrecesses 137 for at least partly receiving respective ones of thefrictional members 106. As shown in the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 60 and 61 , the bottom 31 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise the plurality ofrecesses 137 and thefrictional members 106 are at least partly received in the plurality ofrecesses 137. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 27 to 34 , thebarrier module 12 x comprises an add-on mass 70 connected to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x to increase a weight of thebarrier module 12 x. - For example, in one embodiment, at least part of the add-on mass 70 may be disposed in the
upper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x above a top 29 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x, as shown inFIG. 27 . - For example, in another embodiment, at least part of the add-on mass 70 may be disposed in the
base portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x below a bottom 31 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x, as shown inFIGS. 28 and 29 . - The add-on mass 70 may further comprise
frictional members 206 configured to increase the friction between the add-on mass 70 and theroadway 13 such that thebarrier module 12 x may further resist deflection upon impact from the impactingvehicle 19. Thefrictional members 206 may be configured similarly to thefrictional members 106 discussed above. - In yet another embodiment, the add-on mass 70 may be a first add-on mass 701 and the
barrier module 12 x may comprise a second add-on mass 702 connected to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x to increase the weight of thebarrier module 12 x. For example, as shown inFIGS. 30 and 31 , the first add-on mass 701 and the second add-on mass 702 may be separate from one another and at least part of the first add-on mass 701 and at least part of the second add-on mass 702 may be disposed in thebase portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x below the bottom 31 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In yet another example, as shown in
FIGS. 32 and 33 , the first add-on mass 701 may be disposed in theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x above the top 29 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x while the second add-on mass 702 may be disposed in thebase portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x below the bottom 31 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In another embodiment, the add-on mass 70 may comprise a
drain 68 to drain water on theroadway 13. As shown inFIG. 34 , thedrain 68 may comprise a plurality ofdrainage channels 67 x oriented transversally to one another. Thedrainage channels 67 x may include alongitudinal drainage channel 67 i extending along the longitudinal direction LB of thebarrier 10. Thedrainage channels 67 x may also include atransversal drainage channel 67 j extending transversally to thelongitudinal drainage channel 67 i. - The
drain 68 of the add-on mass 70 may allow for adjustment of a height of a center of gravity of thebarrier module 12 x. - The add-on mass 70 may be implemented in any suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, the add-on mass 70 may comprise concrete 138 (e.g., concrete casting).
- In some other embodiments, the add-on mass 70 comprises a
container 150 configured to contain asubstance 252. Thecontainer 150 has ahollow interior 154. - In various examples of implementation, the
substance 252 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.). - In some embodiments, the
substance 252 may be afirst substance 252 i and thecontainer 150 may comprise asecond substance 252 j contained in thecontainer 150. - The
container 150 of the add-on mass 70 may be implemented in any suitable way. - In this embodiment, the
container 150 comprisespolymeric material 159. For instance, thepolymeric material 159 may include polyethylene, (high, medium or low density), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, vinylester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and/or any other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, or any other suitable polymer. In some examples, thepolymeric material 59 may be reinforced (e.g., composite material). For example, thepolymeric material 59 may be fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, like epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, polyurethane, or any other suitable resin, and the fibers may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, etc. - In this example of implementation, the
container 150 is molded. More particularly, in this example, thecontainer 150 is rotomolded or otherwise molded to create itshollow interior 154. In other examples of implementation, thecontainer 150 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, mechanically fastened, etc.) - The add-on mass 70 may be affixed to the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in any suitable manner. For example, the add-on mass 70 may be affixed to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x withmountings 112. For example, themountings 112 may comprise reinforcing steel (i.e. rebar), cement anchors, chemical anchors or any other type of suitable mountings. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 35 to 41B , thebarrier 10 may comprise alimiter 80 configured to limit pivoting of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j. For instance, thelimiter 80 may be movable relative to at least one and in some cases both of thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j. Thelimiter 80 thus limits deflection of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thebarrier 10 is impacted and/or transferred at theroadway 13. - For example, in some embodiments, the
limiter 80 may be configured to limit pivoting of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j to no more than an angle allowing thebarrier 10 to be transferred by theconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20. - In some embodiments, the
limiter 80 may be configured to limit pivoting of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j to no more than 24°, in some cases to no more than 22°, in some cases to no more than 20°, and in some cases even less (e.g. no more than 10°, in some case no more than 5°, in some cases no more than 3° and in some cases no more than 1°). - The
limiter 80 may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments. It may comprise one or more parts, which may include any suitable material, such as metallic material, elastomeric material, concrete, wood, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the limiter may include any suitable combination of materials. - For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 35 to 38 , thehinge 16 comprises at least part of thelimiter 80. More particularly, in this embodiment, thelimiter 80 is mounted about thepin 43 of thehinge 16. As such, thelimiter 80 is held in place by thepin 43 and yet is not fastened to eitherbarrier module 12 x oradjacent barrier module 12 j. In this example, thelimiter 80 comprises limitingprojections barrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j when they pivot relative to one another, as thebarrier 10 is impacted or transferred, to stop their relative motion. - As shown in
FIGS. 39A to 41B , in some embodiments, thelimiter 80 is changeable between a locked state, in which thelimiter 80 locks thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j relative to one another, and an unlocked state, in which thelimiter 80 allows thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j to move relative to one another. - The
limiter 80 is configured to be in the locked state when thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j are stationary on the roadway and thelimiter 80 is configured to be in the unlocked state when thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j are engaged by thetransfer vehicle 20 for transfer between the different locations L1, L2 on theroadway 13. Thelimiter 80 is configured to acquire the unlocked state in response to engaging theconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20 and to acquire the locked state in response to disengaging theconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20. - In one embodiment, the
limiter 80 may comprise a lockingmember 84 configured to engage thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 is in the locked state and to disengage thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 is in the unlocked state. The lockingmember 84 is configured to engage thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in thebase portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x and the body of theadjacent barrier module 12 j in thebase portion 30 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 is in the locked state. - The
body 36 of each of thebarrier modules FIGS. 40A and 40B . For example, the void 85 may be arecess 86. Therecess 86 of thebody 36 of thebarrier modules base portion 30 of thebarrier modules - The
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise areinforcement 87 defining at least part of thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. Thereinforcement 87 may be comprised of any suitable material. For example, thereinforcement 87 may comprise a metallic material. - The locking
member 84 is disposed in thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and the body of the adjacent of thebarrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 is in the locked state. The lockingmember 84 is movable relative to thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebody 36 of the adjacent ofbarrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 changes between the locked state and the unlocked state. The lockingmember 84 clears thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thelimiter 80 is in the unlocked state. - The
limiter 80 may comprise a biasingmember 82 configured to bias thelimiter 80 in the locked state. For example, the biasingmember 82 may comprise aspring 83. The biasingmember 82 is configured to bias the lockingmember 84 into engagement with thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. - In one embodiment, the
limiter 80 may comprise anactuator 88 configured to change thelimiter 80 between the locked state and the unlocked state. As shown inFIGS. 39A to 40B , theactuator 88 extends from theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x downwardly towards the lockingmember 84. Theactuator 88 may comprise arod 89 extending from theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module base portion 30 of thebarrier module - As shown in
FIGS. 41A and 41B , in another embodiment, the lockingmember 84 of thelimiter 80 is afirst locking member 84 1 and thelimiter 80 may comprise asecond locking member 84 2 spaced from the first lockingmember 84 1. Thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of each of thebarrier modules first void 85 1 and the body of each of thebarrier modules second void 85 2 spaced from thefirst void 85 1. Thesecond locking member 84 2 is disposed in thesecond void 85 2 of thebody 36 of each of thebarrier modules limiter 80 is in the locked state. Thesecond locking member 84 2 is movable relative to thesecond void 85 2 of thebody 36 of each of thebarrier module limiter 80 changes between the locked state and the unlocked state. - In another example of implementation, the
body 36 of thebarrier modules channel 114. Thechannel 114 may be located in thevoid 85 of thebody 36 of thebarrier modules member 84 is configured to engage thechannel 114 of thebody 36 of thebarrier modules limiter 80 is in the locked state. The lockingmember 84 is configured to disengage thechannel 114 of thebody 36 of thebarrier modules limiter 80 is in the unlocked state. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 42,43, and 57 theroadway 13 comprises arecess 90 under thebarrier module 12 x and thebarrier module 12 x extends into therecess 90 of theroadway 13. - More particularly, in this embodiment, the
barrier module 12 x comprises a blockingmember 92 that is connected to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and extends into therecess 90 of theroadway 13 to protect against a moment M tending to tip over of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x when thebarrier 10 is impacted by the impactingvehicle 19. As such, the blockingmember 92 extends into therecess 90 to protect against tipping over of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. For instance, in this example, the blockingmember 92 of thebarrier module 12 x is configured to engage a blockingportion 93 of therecess 90 of theroadway 13 when thebarrier 10 is impacted. This may help to minimize or avoid deflection of thebarrier 10. - In one embodiment, the blocking
member 92 is disposed on animpact side 12 1 of thebarrier module 12 x such that the moment M causes anon-impact side 125 of thebarrier module 12 x to rotate into theroadway 13 such that theimpact side 12 1 of thebarrier module 12 x tends to rotate rather than tending to tip over. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 43 , the blockingmember 92 is disposed at a lateral side 27 x of thebarrier module 12 x. The blockingmember 92 of thebarrier module 12 x may be angular and may be mounted about an edge 25 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. The blockingmember 92 of thebarrier module 12 x may include a substantially planar portion and may extend across the edge 25 of the body of thebarrier module 12 x. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 42 , the blockingmember 92 is a first blockingmember 92 1 disposed on a first lateral side 27 1 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a second blocking member 922 disposed on a second lateral side 272 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In some embodiments, a
material 15 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x contacts and is different from amaterial 21 of the blockingmember 92 of thebarrier module 12 x. For instance, thematerial 15 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x is concrete and thematerial 21 of the blockingmember 92 of thebarrier module 12 x is a metallic material. - As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 62A, 62B, 62C and 63 , thelimiter 80 may comprise a plurality of limitingelements 180 formed integrally (e.g., molded) with at least one of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j and configured to limit the deflection of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j to limit pivoting of thebarrier module 12 x relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j, when thebarrier 10 is impacted and/or transferred at theroadway 13. Thus, in some embodiments, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and/or thebody 36 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j may be shaped to implement thelimiter 80. - In this embodiment, the
limiter 80 includes the plurality of limitingelements 180 of thebarrier module 12 x and the plurality of limitingelements 180 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j. - In this embodiment, the limiting
elements 180 of thebarrier module 12 x are movable towards the limitingelements 180 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j such that at least one of the plurality of limitingelements 180 of thebarrier module 12 x is configured to contact at least one of the plurality of limitingelements 180 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j when thebarrier module 12 x and theadjacent barrier module 12 j pivot relative to one another, as thebarrier 10 is impacted or transferred, to stop their relative motion (as shown inFIG. 62C ). - In other embodiments, the limiting
elements 180 may be secured to thebarrier module 12 x or theadjacent barrier module 12 j in any suitable fashion other than by being integrally formed therewith. For example, the plurality of limitingelements 180 may be mechanically fastened to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x or theadjacent barrier module 12 j with screws, bolts or other mechanical fasteners. - The
limiter 80 may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments. It may comprise one or more parts, which may include any suitable material, such as metallic material, elastomeric material, concrete, wood, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, thelimiter 80 may include any suitable combination of materials. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 49 and 50 , thebarrier module 12 x comprises a force-exertingsystem 69 configured to exert a nongravitational downward force Fd on thebarrier module 12 x against theroadway 13. The nongravitational downward force Fd, which is a downward force that does not result from gravity and that adds to effects of the weight of thebarrier module 12 x, increases friction between thebarrier module 12 x and theroadway 13, thereby acting to limit deflection of thebarrier module 12 x when thebarrier 10 is impacted. - The force-exerting
system 69 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in any suitable way in various embodiments. - For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 49 , the force-exertingsystem 69 comprises aseal 73 configured to sealingly engage thesurface 17 of theroadway 13 to create avacuum 74 between thebarrier module 12 x and thesurface 17 of theroadway 13, such that the nongravitational downward force Fd on thebarrier module 12 x is a vacuum-based force generated by thevacuum 74. - The force-exerting
system 69 comprises at least part of avacuum pump 75 to create thevacuum 74. The force-exertingsystem 69 also comprises acoupling 72 configured to be connected to thevacuum pump 75 to create thevacuum 74. - In certain embodiments, the force-exerting
system 69 is configured to reduce air pressure betweenbarrier module 12 x and thesurface 17 of the roadway by at least 3 psi, in some cases at least 6 psi, in some cases at least 8 psi, and in some cases at least 10 psi. - In certain embodiments, the force-exerting
system 69 may be configured such that if thevacuum 74 between thebarrier module 12 x and thesurface 17 of the roadway is broken, thevacuum 74 between theadjacent barrier module 12 j and thesurface 17 of the roadway remains unaffected. For example, thevacuum 74 may be provided only between alternating barrier modules 12 1-12 n and thesurface 17 of the roadway. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 50 , theroadway 13 comprises amagnetic member 71 and the force-exertingsystem 69 comprises amagnetic member 76 configured to magnetically interact with themagnetic member 71 of theroadway 13, such that the nongravitational downward force Fd on thebarrier module 12 x is a magnetic force generated by magnetic interaction between themagnetic member 76 of the force-exertingsystem 69 and themagnetic member 71 of theroadway 13. - For example, in one embodiment, the
magnetic member 76 of the force-exertingsystem 69 may comprise an electromagnet 77. In this embodiment, themagnetic member 71 of thesurface 17 ofroadway 13 would comprise aferromagnetic material 78. As such, the magnetic force is generated by the magnetic interaction between the electromagnet 77 comprised by themagnetic member 76 of the force-exertingsystem 69 and theferromagnetic material 78 of themagnetic member 71 of theroadway 13. In one embodiment, theferromagnetic material 78 of themagnetic member 71 of thesurface 17 of theroadway 13 may be comprised of asteel mass 79. - In another embodiment, the
magnetic member 76 of the force-exertingsystem 69 may comprise theferromagnetic material 78 and themagnetic member 71 of thesurface 17 of theroadway 13 may comprise the electromagnet 77. - The force-exerting
system 69 may be configured such that the loss of nongravitational downward force Fd on thebarrier module 12 x generated by the magnetic interaction between themagnetic member 76 of the force-exertingsystem 69 and themagnetic member 71 of theroadway 13 does not affect the nongravitational downward force Fd on thebarrier module 12 j. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B , thebarrier module 12 x may comprise shields 131 1-131 4 affixed to itsbody 36 to protect itsbody 36 against impacts, such as from the adjacent barrier module 12 j (e.g., when pivoting relative to theadjacent barrier module 12 j as they are engaged byconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20 or as they are impacted by an impacting vehicle). The shields 131 1-131 4 may reduce stress concentrations at the location of impact and as such may prevent propagation of cracks caused by impact and may prevent failure of thematerial 15 of thebody 36. - Each of the shields 131 1-131 4 comprises
material 118 that has greater impact resistance (e.g., is stiffer, stronger, and/or more ductile, etc.) than material of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x In this embodiment, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises concrete 38 and thus each of the shields 131 1-131 4 protects the concrete 38 and itsmaterial 118 is more resistant to impact than the concrete 38. For example, in this embodiment, thematerial 118 of each of the shields 131 1-131 4 is metallic material (e.g., steel). Thematerial 118 of each of the shields 131 1-131 4 may be polymeric material (e.g., polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, etc.), composite material (e.g., fiber-reinforced polymeric material), or any other suitable material in other embodiments. - In certain embodiments, the
material 118 of each of the shields 131 1-131 4 may have a modulus of elasticity of at least 100 MPa, in some cases at least 1000 MPa, in some cases at least 50 GPa, in some cases at least 100 GPa, and in some cases at least 200 GPa. Thematerial 118 of each of the shields 131 1-131 4 may have a hardness in some cases of at least Shore 10D, in some cases at least Shore 40D, in some cases at least Shore 60D, or in some cases at least Shore 80D. Other values and ranges for the modulus of elasticity and the hardness of thematerial 118 of each of the shields 131 1-131 4 are possible. - In this embodiment, the shields 131 1-131 4 are corner shields disposed at respective ones of lower corners 135 1-135 4 of the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. The shields 131 1-131 4 may be disposed elsewhere about thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in other embodiments (e.g., extend along substantial parts of edges of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x, disposed about areas of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x likely to engage theconveyor 22 of the transfer vehicle 20). For example, in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 67A and 67B , thebarrier module 12 x comprises theshield 1315. Theshield 1315 is an overhang shield disposed about theoverhang 33 of thebarrier module 12 x. Also, in this example, theshield 1315 is a reinforcement that reinforces and protects thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x when engaged byconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20 or when impacted by an impacting vehicle. - The shields 131 1-131 4, 131 5 may be affixed to the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the shields 131 1-131 4, 131 5 are affixed to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x during molding of the concrete 38 into thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. The shields 131 1-131 4, 131 5 are placed in a mold in which the concrete 38 is poured to form thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and retain the shields 131 1-131 4, 131 5 therewith. In one example of implementation of this embodiment, theshield 131 5 may be integrated with thebrace 40. - In other embodiments, the shields 131 1-131 4 may be affixed to the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x after molding of the concrete 38 into thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x, such as by bending them about thebody 36, adhesively bonding them to thebody 36, chemically fastening them to thebody 36 with chemical anchors, mechanically fastening them to thebody 36 with screws or other mechanical fasteners, etc. - In some embodiments, the
barrier module 12 x may at least partly comprise a material 91 configured to optimise friction force between an impactingvehicle 19 and thebarrier module 12 x. This may minimize barrier deflection when thebarrier 10 is impacted by an impactingvehicle 19 and thus may increase performance of thebarrier 10 in accordance with evaluation criteria of the MASH test no. 3-11. In one example of implementation of this embodiment, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises lateral surfaces 102 1, 102 2 which may include the material 91. Thematerial 19 may comprise any suitable material. For example, the material 91 may comprise ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as Teflon®. - 2. Mitigating Risks of Excessive Upward Movement of Impacting Vehicle
- In some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 44 , thebarrier 10 may be configured to mitigating risks of excessive upward movement (e.g., “catapulting” or “vaulting”) of an impacting vehicle. - For example as shown in
FIG. 44 , in this embodiment, the lateral surfaces 102 1, 102 2 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x are inclined relative to the heightwise direction HM of thebarrier module 12 x in theintermediate portion 34 of thebarrier module 12 x, and thebarrier module 12 x comprises reinforcement 35 i, 35 j each overlying a respective one of the lateral surfaces 102 1, 102 2 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and comprising animpactable surface 37 that is more vertical than the respective one of the lateral surfaces 102 1, 102 2 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x and configured to be impacted by an impactingvehicle 19. - In one embodiment, the reinforcement 35 i, 35 j of the
barrier module 12 x projects into an area of traffic flow of theroadway 13. - In another embodiment, the reinforcement 35 i, 35 j of the
barrier module 12 x may comprise aguardrail 104. Thebarrier module 12 x may comprise abracket 105 connecting theguardrail 104 to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In some embodiments, respective ones of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N may be taller to reduce potential for impacting vehicles to pass over them. For example, in some embodiments, a height of the
barrier module 12 x may be any suitable value, in some cases at least 32 inches, or in some case at least 42 inches. - In some examples of implementation, as shown in
FIGS. 27 to 33 , thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a heightener 110 connected to itsbody 36 such that its height is greater than a height of its body 36 (e.g., to be at least 32 inches, in some case at least 42 inches). In this embodiment, the heightener 110 is implemented by the add-on mass 70 connected to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - For example, in one embodiment, the heightener 110 may be connected to the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in thebase portion 30 of thebarrier module 12 x. In another embodiment, the heightener 110 may be connected to thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x in theupper portion 32 of thebarrier module 12 x. - 3. Enhanced Crash Cushion at End of Barrier
- In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 45 to 47 , thebarrier module 12 x is an end one of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N that implements acrash cushion 119 of thebarrier 10 and itsbody 36 includes apolymeric material 159. Thepolymeric material 159 may comprise polyethylene (high, medium or low density) or any other suitable polymeric material. - For example, in some embodiments, the
barrier module 12 x is taller than downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N. For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of a height ofbarrier module 12 x over a height of the downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N is at least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, and in some cases even greater. In other embodiments, thebarrier module 12 x is the same height as the downstream ones of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N. - In this embodiment, the
barrier module 12 x comprises anend member 120 connected to itsbody 36. In this example, afront surface 123 of theend member 120 ofbarrier module 12 x is straight in a heightwise direction HB of thebarrier module 12 x. - The
end member 120 may comprise arigid material 122 that is more rigid than thepolymeric material 159 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. For example, therigid material 122 may be a metallic material. - The
end member 120 of thebarrier module 12 x is configured to collapse about abumper 18 of the impactingvehicle 19 that impacts theend member 120 of thebarrier module 12 x. Thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x is configured to collapse about thebumper 18 of the impactingvehicle 19. - In one embodiment, the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x comprises abrace 140 extending to theend member 120 of thebarrier module 12 x. As shown inFIGS. 45 to 47 , thebrace 140 of thebarrier module 12 x extends from theend member 120 of thebarrier module 12 x to arear surface 39 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x that is opposite to theend member 120 of thebarrier module 12 x. Thebrace 140 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality of bracingmembers 141. The bracingmembers 141 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may extend diagonally. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 48 , thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise agroove 115. Thegroove 115 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may tend thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x to collapse about thebumper 18 of the impactingvehicle 19. In yet another embodiment, thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise a plurality of grooves 1151-115G. - In another example of implementation, as shown in
FIG. 58 , thebarrier module 12 x is a terminal one of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N that implements acrash cushion 119 of thebarrier 10 comprising a plurality of barrier modules. Thebarrier module 12 x is configured to extend from an end of thebarrier 10. Thebarrier module 12 x comprises acontainer 450 configured to contain asubstance 452. Thecontainer 450 may be configured similarly to thecontainer 50 described in the present disclosure. Thebarrier module 12 x may be a first terminal barrier module and thebarrier 10 may comprise a second terminal barrier module 12 j A content of thecontainer 450 of the firstterminal barrier module 12 x may be different from a content of thecontainer 450 of the secondterminal barrier module 12 j. - The number of
barrier modules 12 x forming thecrash cushion 119 may vary depending on the speed of traffic flow and the particular application. For example, in somecases 2barrier modules 12 x may be provided, in someother cases 12barrier modules 12 x may be provided. Any suitable number ofbarrier modules 12 x may be provided to form thecrash cushion 119. - In some embodiments, a weight of the content of the
container 450 of thefirst barrier module 12 x may be different from a weight of the content of thecontainer 450 of thesecond barrier module 12 j. - For example, the weight of the content of the
container 450 of thefirst barrier module 12 x may be less than the weight of the content of thecontainer 450 of thesecond barrier module 12 j. - A quantity of the
substance 452 contained in thecontainer 450 of thefirst barrier module 12 x may be different from a quantity of thesubstance 452 contained in thecontainer 450 of thesecond barrier module 12 j. - The rigidity of the
container 450 may be adjusted by the substance contained in the container (e.g., liquid, concrete, sand, air, foam, etc.). The rigidity may be adjusted in order to pass the MASH requirements for crash cushions. The rigidity of thecontainer 450 may be adjusted as a function of its application. For example, thesubstance 452 contained in thecontainer 450 may be concrete, sand or gravel and the barrier modules 12 1-12 N may be used a barrier. In another example, thesubstance 452 contained may be water or foam and the barrier modules 12 1-12 N may be used as a crash cushion. - The
container 450 may be modified as a function of its application. For example, thecontainer 450 of the barrier modules 12 1-12 N initially functioning as a crash cushion may be modified such that the barrier modules 12 1-12 N may to function as abarrier 10. For example, thecontainer 450 may be modified to implement include thebrace 40 including a plurality of bracing members 42 1-42 B (including thetie rods 124 1, 124 2) or connecting members 55 x or other components. - The
substance 452 contained in thecontainer 450 may also adjust other characteristics of the container 450 (e.g., density, location of the center of gravity, weight). - The barrier modules 12 1-12 N forming the
crash cushion 119 are configured to be engaged by theconveyor 22 of thetransfer vehicle 20 to lift and move the barrier modules 12 1-12 N. - 4. Hybrid Barrier Module
- In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 51 and 52 , thebarrier module 12 x may be a “hybrid” barrier module whosebody 36 comprises the concrete 38 (e.g., concrete casting) and containers 250 1, 250 2 that are configured to contain a substance 55 2, similarly to thecontainer 50 discussed in the present disclosure, and connected to the concrete 38 of thebarrier module 12 x. This may improve movability of the barrier module 12 x (e.g., during transport and installation) by assembling and/or introducing the substance 55 2 after the concrete 38 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x is positioned at theroadway 13, while maintaining the weight of thebarrier module 12 x in use. - In this embodiment, the concrete 38 of the
body 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may constitute no more than half of the weight of thebarrier module 12 x, in some cases less than half of the weight of thebarrier module 12 x, and in some cases no more than one-third of the weight of thebarrier module 12 x. - The first container 250 1 overlies a first
lateral surface 611 of the concrete 38 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. The second container 250 2 of thebarrier module 12 x overlies a secondlateral surface 612 of the concrete 38 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x that is opposite to the firstlateral surface 611 of the concrete 38 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. - In some embodiments, a
brace 240 of thebody 36 may be connected to the concrete 38 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x. Thebrace 240 may be at least partly embedded in the concrete 38. - In various examples of implementation, the substance 55 2 may be a liquid (e.g., water), sand, gravel, concrete (e.g., poured-in-place concrete), foam (e.g. solid foam), or any other suitable substance (e.g., to add mass, provide cushioning upon impact, etc.). In this embodiment, the
brace 40 of thebarrier module 12 x is at least partly embedded in the substance 55 2 contained in the containers 250 1, 250 2. - In this example of implementation, the containers 250 1, 250 2 are molded. More particularly, in this example, the containers 250 1, 250 2 are rotomolded or otherwise molded to create a
hollow interior 254. In other examples of implementation, the containers 250 1, 250 2 may include portions formed separately and assembled together (e.g., by being bonded, welded, mechanically fastened, etc.) - 5. Additional Implementations
- The
shell 60 of thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 54 , theshell 60 of thecontainer 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be a multipiece shell that comprises a plurality of subshells 120 1-120 3 (i.e., sections) that are detachably fastened to one another such that they are assemblable into theshell 60 and disassemblable (e.g., for transport or storage of the barrier module 12 x). - More particularly, in this embodiment, the subshells 120 1-120 3 of the
shell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x are fastened together via fasteners 124 (e.g., bolts, screws, or other threaded fasteners). In other embodiments, the subshells 120 1-120 3 of theshell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x may be secured by other suitable means such as welding or forging. In this example, a top one of the subshells 120 1-120 3, namely thesubshell 120 1, forms a lid of thebarrier module 12 x, a bottom one of the subshells 120 1-120 3, namely thesubshell 120 3, can facilitate emptying thesubstance 52 from thebarrier module 12 x, and an intermediate one of the subshells 120 1-120 3, namely the subshell 1202, forms a bulk of thebarrier module 12 x. - In this example of implementation, each of the subshells 120 1-120 3 is metallic (e.g., cast, forged, punched, hydroformed, or otherwise formed into shape).
- In one example of implementation, an interlocking
flange 129 may be included in thesubshell 120 1 and/or thesubshell 120 3 in order to facilitate assembly/disassembly. - An
opening 126 in thebarrier module 12 x is provided to allow thesubstance 52 to be introduced into thehollow interior 54 of theshell 60. Theopening 126 may comprise a variety of suitable shapes (e.g., circular, rectangular, oval shape, etc.). Theopening 126 may comprise any suitable size. In some embodiments, a plurality of openings may be provided. - In some embodiments, the
opening 126 may be sealed to create an internal pressure build-up in thesubstance 52 contained in theshell 60 when thebarrier module 12 x is impacted by an oncoming vehicle. - In some embodiments, the
shell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x and ashell 60 ofadjacent barrier modules 12 j may be connected to another. Theshell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x and theshell 60 of theadjacent barrier module 12 j may be connected to one another in any suitable fashion (e.g., mechanical fasteners such as for example bolts, interlocking flanges or guide pins). - The subshells 120 1-120 3 of the
shell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x maybe fastened together in any other suitable fashion. For example, in one embodiment, the subshells 120 1-120 3 may be welded together. - Transportation of the
shell 60 of thebarrier module 12 x may be optimized. For example, a recess may be provided in the subshells 120 1-120 3 in order to allow thebarrier module 12 x to be stacked on anotherbarrier module 12 N, as previously described. - The
container 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. - In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 65D and 66 , thecontainer 50 may comprises one ormore openings 139 to permit passage of fastening components through the barrier module 12 x (e.g., fastening components such as chains, slings, straps etc.). - In some embodiments, the
container 50 of thebody 36 of thebarrier module 12 x may comprise areas configured to receive counterweights to adjust the mass of thebarrier module 12 x. The counterweights may also adjust a location of the mass center of thebarrier module 12 x. - The barrier 10 (e.g., its barrier modules 12 1-12 N) may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
- For example, in other embodiments, the
barrier 10 may be fixed and/or permanent (e.g., such that it remains substantially stationary and/or is integrated into an infrastructure of the roadway 13). One or more features of thebarrier 10 described herein when thebarrier 10 is movable may be implemented when thebarrier 10 is fixed and/or permanent. - Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of some embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.
- Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with any feature of any other embodiment discussed herein in some examples of implementation.
- In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.
- Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for purposes of describing, but should not be limiting. Various changes, modifications and enhancements may be made.
Claims (41)
1.-438. (canceled)
439. A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein:
the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules and comprising a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules; and
the barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 2.2 m according to MASH.
440. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein the barrier is a movable barrier configured to be transferred between different locations at the roadway by a transfer vehicle.
441. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein: the given one of the barrier modules comprises a base portion, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion between the base portion and the upper portion; and the upper portion of the given one of the barrier modules is wider than the intermediate portion of the given one of the barrier modules.
442. The barrier of claim 441 , wherein the base portion of the given one of the barrier modules is wider than the intermediate portion and the upper portion of the given one of the barrier modules; and the upper portion of the given one of the barrier modules is wider than the intermediate portion of the given one of the barrier modules.
443. The barrier of claim 441 , wherein the upper portion of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an overhang configured to engage an impacting vehicle that impacts the given one of the barrier modules and impede movement of the impacting vehicle upwards over the overhang.
444. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein the given one of the barrier modules comprises a body including concrete and a brace connected to the concrete.
445. The barrier of claim 444 , wherein the brace is at least partly embedded in the concrete.
446. The barrier of claim 444 , wherein the brace of the given one of the barrier modules is secured to the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
447. The barrier of claim 444 , wherein the brace comprises a plurality of bracing members spaced from one another.
448. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein the barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 1.6 m according to MASH.
449. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein the barrier is configured to deflect by no more than 1.2 m according to MASH.
450. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein: the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin; and the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is configured to limit rotation of the given one of the barrier modules relative to the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
451. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein: the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin; and an aspect ratio of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
452. The barrier of claim 451 , wherein the aspect ratio of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.4.
453. The barrier of claim 439 , wherein: the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin; and a ratio of a maximal dimension of a cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules over a minimal dimension of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.8.
454. The barrier of claim 453 , wherein the ratio of the maximal dimension of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules over the minimal dimension of the cross-section of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is no more than 1.4.
455. A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein:
the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules and comprising a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules; and
a height of each of the barrier modules is at least 42 inches.
456. A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein:
the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules and comprising a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules;
the given one of the barrier modules comprises a recess at a longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules; and
the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is disposed at least partially within the recess at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules.
457. The barrier of claim 456 , wherein the given one of the barrier modules comprises projections at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules that project in a longitudinal direction of the given one of the barrier modules and define the recess at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules therebetween.
458. The barrier of claim 457 , wherein the given one of the barrier modules comprises concrete forming a body of the given one of the barrier modules and the projections at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules.
459. The barrier of claim 457 , wherein the projections at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules are configured to limit pivoting of the given one of the barrier modules relative to the adjacent one of the barrier modules.
460. The barrier of claim 459 , wherein: the barrier is a movable barrier configured to be transferred between different locations at the roadway by a transfer vehicle; the transfer vehicle comprises a conveyor to transfer the barrier between the different locations at the roadway; and the projections at the longitudinal end of the given one of the barrier modules are configured to limit pivoting of the given one of the barrier modules relative to the adjacent one of the barrier modules to no more than an angle allowing the barrier to be transferred by the conveyor of the transfer vehicle.
461. A barrier for a roadway, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier modules hingedly connected to one another, wherein:
the barrier comprises a hinge connecting a given one of the barrier modules to an adjacent one of the barrier modules and comprising a connector of the given one of the barrier modules, a connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules, and a pin that is manually installable to join the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and the connector of the adjacent one of the barrier modules;
the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin; and
the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a connecting member and an insert that forms at least part of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and is secured to the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
462. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules defines an entirety of a perimeter of the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
463. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is thermally affixed to the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
464. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is welded to the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
465. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein: the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is a pin-receiving opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules; and the connecting member includes an insert-receiving opening that receives the insert.
466. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is a plate.
467. The barrier of claim 465 , wherein: the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a base and a projection projecting from the base of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules into the insert-receiving opening of the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules; and the opening of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules extends through the base and the projection of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
468. The barrier of claim 465 , wherein an outer surface of the projection of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules conforms to an inner surface of the connecting member that defines the insert-receiving opening of the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
469. The barrier of claim 467 , wherein the base of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is a plate.
470. The barrier of claim 467 , wherein the base of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a ledge engaging the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
471. The barrier of claim 467 , wherein at least part of an outer surface of the projection of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is curved.
472. The barrier of claim 468 , wherein at least part of an outer surface of the projection of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is curved.
473. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a base and a cage extending from the base.
474. The barrier of claim 473 , wherein at least part of the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is disposed within the base of the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
475. The barrier of claim 474 , wherein the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is spaced from a horizontal part of the cage of the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
476. The barrier of claim 461 , wherein: the connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is a first connecting member; and the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a second connecting member spaced from the first connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules in a heightwise direction of the barrier.
477. The barrier of claim 476 , wherein: the insert of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules is a first insert; the second connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises an opening to receive the pin; and the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a second insert that forms at least part of the opening of the second connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules and is secured to the second connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules.
478. The barrier of claim 476 , wherein the connector of the given one of the barrier modules comprises a third connecting member spaced from the first connecting member and the second connecting member of the connector of the given one of the barrier modules in the heightwise direction of the barrier.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/786,972 US20230035769A1 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2020-12-18 | Barrier for roadway |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201962951790P | 2019-12-20 | 2019-12-20 | |
PCT/US2020/066126 WO2021127510A2 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2020-12-18 | Barrier for roadway |
US17/786,972 US20230035769A1 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2020-12-18 | Barrier for roadway |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20230035769A1 true US20230035769A1 (en) | 2023-02-02 |
Family
ID=76478826
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/786,972 Pending US20230035769A1 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2020-12-18 | Barrier for roadway |
US18/267,803 Pending US20240026620A1 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-21 | Barrier for roadway |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18/267,803 Pending US20240026620A1 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-21 | Barrier for roadway |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20230035769A1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU2020405188A1 (en) |
CA (4) | CA3178023A1 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2021127510A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN115341805B (en) * | 2022-10-20 | 2023-01-06 | 河北筑凯建筑工程有限公司 | Isolating device for road construction |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4059362A (en) * | 1976-11-24 | 1977-11-22 | Smith Rodney I | Concrete highway traffic barricade having integrally formed coupling |
US4430638A (en) * | 1981-12-15 | 1984-02-07 | Parker Norman A | Automobile safety light |
US4474503A (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1984-10-02 | Booth William L | Traffic control apparatus |
US4806044A (en) * | 1988-05-20 | 1989-02-21 | Barrier Systems, Inc. | Anti-crash lane barrier with self-centering hinges |
US5033905A (en) * | 1989-06-05 | 1991-07-23 | Eric J. Schmidt | Movable barrier |
US5006008A (en) * | 1990-04-16 | 1991-04-09 | Bishop Robert J | Sectional highway barrier with resilient cylindrical inserts |
ATE155185T1 (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1997-07-15 | Wilhelm Junker | GUIDE DEVICE FOR GUIDE WALLS |
US6474904B1 (en) * | 2001-09-24 | 2002-11-05 | Barrier Systems, Inc. | Traffic barrier with liquid filled modules |
US6854716B2 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2005-02-15 | Trn Business Trust | Crash cushions and other energy absorbing devices |
US6739567B1 (en) * | 2002-10-11 | 2004-05-25 | Pacific Cascade Parking Equipment Corporation | Separable magnetic attachment assembly |
US7393154B1 (en) * | 2007-01-19 | 2008-07-01 | Barrier Systems, Inc. | Towable elongated traffic barrier |
-
2020
- 2020-12-18 US US17/786,972 patent/US20230035769A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-18 CA CA3178023A patent/CA3178023A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-18 CA CA3173522A patent/CA3173522A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-18 CA CA3178028A patent/CA3178028A1/en active Pending
- 2020-12-18 WO PCT/US2020/066126 patent/WO2021127510A2/en active Application Filing
- 2020-12-18 AU AU2020405188A patent/AU2020405188A1/en active Pending
-
2021
- 2021-06-21 AU AU2021399891A patent/AU2021399891A1/en active Pending
- 2021-06-21 CA CA3178902A patent/CA3178902A1/en active Pending
- 2021-06-21 WO PCT/CA2021/050846 patent/WO2022126233A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-06-21 US US18/267,803 patent/US20240026620A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2021127510A2 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
CA3178028A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
CA3178023A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
AU2020405188A1 (en) | 2022-08-18 |
US20240026620A1 (en) | 2024-01-25 |
AU2021399891A1 (en) | 2023-07-20 |
CA3178902A1 (en) | 2022-06-23 |
WO2021127510A3 (en) | 2021-07-29 |
CA3173522A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
WO2022126233A1 (en) | 2022-06-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU2006270486B2 (en) | Barrier device with external reinforcement structure | |
US7618212B2 (en) | Barrier device with side wall reinforcements | |
US20030081998A1 (en) | Barrier device with foam interior | |
CA2278232C (en) | Barrier device | |
US7588387B1 (en) | Barriers with interlocking sides | |
US7600942B2 (en) | Barrier device with adjustable external reinforcement structure | |
US7416364B2 (en) | Pivot unit for barrier devices | |
US20100111602A1 (en) | Barrier device with side wall reinforcements and connection to crash cushion | |
US6086285A (en) | Interlocking control barrier systems | |
USRE34691E (en) | Fluid charged roadway barrier | |
US20230035769A1 (en) | Barrier for roadway | |
US20170175349A1 (en) | Recycled Rubber Barrier | |
WO2001046525A1 (en) | Apparatus for covering vehicle traffic dividers | |
CA2254190C (en) | Interlocking control barrier systems | |
CA2082894A1 (en) | Traffic control barriers |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |