US3841775A

US3841775A - Movable traffic lane divider

Info

Publication number: US3841775A
Application number: US00346254A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Pare
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-30
Filing date: 1973-03-30
Publication date: 1974-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-15

Abstract

Remotely controlled, movable traffic lane markers for automobile highways. Each marker is adjusted transversely across the highway by means of a movable belt. The belt is wound at one end on a spindle connected to an electric motor and at the other end the belt is carried around a roller, or wound around a spring biased spindle. In an embodiment, a captive nut carried by a rotatable, threaded rod supports and moves each marker.

Description

[451 Oct. 15, 1974 EJHtfite ite Meat [1 Pare 3,447,429 6/1969 Bowersox........................r..... 404/11 1 MOVABLE TRAFFIC LANE DIVIDER [76] Inventor: Robert Lee Pare, Turks Missippi Bldg" providence, 02903 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr.

Mar". 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 346,254

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas J. Greer, Jr.

[22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT Remotely controlled, movable traffic lane markers for automobile highways. Each marker is adjusted transversely across the highway by means of a movable belt. The belt is wound at one end on a spindle connected to an electric motor and at the other end the l IW 3 49 a ..1 16 mE WW WW6 I/ "4 "0 m4 Wh c Hr. Na 8 S L C .M Umm 11:1 2 8 555 1:11

belt is carried around a roller, or wound around a [56] References Cited spring biased spindle. In an embodiment, a captive nut UNITED STATES PATENTS carried by a rotatable, threaded rod supports and moves each marker.

404/10 X Wiswell 404/13 Mahoney...............................t 404/6 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 MOVABLE TRAFFIC LANE DIVIDER This invention relates to a traffic lane divider or separator of the type which is movable across a highway in response to Changing traffic patterns. The device displays particular utility in highways having three or more lanes, with one or more of the lanes being alternately used'for traffic in one direction and at other times traffic in the other direction.

The prior art is aware of a number of constructions of traffic lane dividing devices and are shown, by way of example only, in US. Pat. Nos. 2,931,279 to Wiswell and 2,136,709 to Roberston, and 2,260,051 to Pardee. In the first two constructions, a marking device is placed upon the surface of a highway, the device defined by sections generally longitudinally aligned, end to end. These devices suffer thedrawback that they must be manually positioned and relocated on the highway. Where labor costs are high and where relatively long stretches of highway are involved, this is a relatively serious drawback. Accordng to the Pardee construction, a pluralityof longitudinal barriers or rails are moved above and below the road surface by a plurality of hydraulic motors. While apparently suitable for its intended purpose, the Pardee construction involves relatively large and expensive equipment for its operation, as well as relatively large cavities beneath the surface of the highway. In another construction, that shown in US. Pat. No. 3.301,62O to Mahoney, a longitudinal barrier functions parallel to the highway as a lane divider and is movable transversely across the highway. A prime mover such as an electric motor is carried within the barrier and rotates pulley elements engaging flexible belt elements fixed to the highway. While apparently useful, this system displays the drawback that one substantial blow to it by a moving vehicle would seriously damage it.

According to the practice of this invention, a movable highway divider is defmed by an upstanding marker mounted on a spring with the spring in turn mounted on a movable belt, cables or threaded bar. The belt orcable is wound at one or bothends on a spindle, the belt being positioned transversely relative to the highway. One of the spindles is coupled to an electric motor while the second spindle is coupled to a spring biased mechanism, so as to always urge the belt in one direction or the second spindle may be a roller system for carrying the belt. A relatively shallow channel is placed transversely of the highway, the channel carrying a metal or plastic support for the movable belt. The entire ensemble is relatively small and thus occupies only shallow depths in the roadbed. The electric motor is preferably remotely controlled and thus long sections of a highway may be simultaneously controlled. Alternately a threaded rod may be turned by a small motor at one end, the turning of the rod moving a metal or other rigid platform which is fitted with threads matching the threaded rod. Reversing the motor would cause the direction of the platform movement to reverse.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partially schematic view showing a section of a roadbed provided with the transversely removable traffic lane markers according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken and schematic view showing one of the transverse belts holding the removable road marker of this invention and mounted in a concrete highway.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and illustrates another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along section 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrates yet another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along section 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional perspective of another embodiment.

FIGS. 9, l0, l1 and sectional views of still other embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes generally a highway, by way of example, having a concrete roadbed. The numeral 12 denotes any one of a plurality of generality of generally transverse channel members for supporting the movable markers 14 and associated belts. Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the numeral 16 denotes a metal coil spring extending into and supporting a traffic lane divider 14 formed of plastic or the like. The spring 16 is suitably mounted to a plate attached to or embedded in a belt 18, the belt formed of metal mesh, elastomer, such as neoprene, or any other suitable material (1) which is flexible and durable and having attached or imbeded therein or thereto a metal or other stiff plate 51 to which the spring is attached by means of a stud or short spindle l7. (2) the numeral 20 denotes a channel section embedded in the top surface of the roadbed and including a central portion 22 running longitudinally thereof. The numeral 24 denotes shoulders on either side of the depression 22 upon which the lateral edges of the belt 18 rest and obtain support.

The numeral 26 denotes one of the two ends of the installation illustrated at FIG. 2 and includes housing 28 embedded in the top surface of the roadbed. The housing 28 contains an electric motor denoted by the numeral 30 and having suitable leads as indicated. The leads extend to a central control panel or terminal (not illustrated). The numeral 32 denotes a spindle coupled to and adapted to be rotated by motor 30. One end of belt 18 is attached to and wound upon spindle 32.

The numeral denotes the other end of the installation shown at FIG. 2 and is defined by a housing 36 having brackets 38 therein for supporting a spindle 40. A cover 42 closes the top surface of housing 36. The numeral 44 denotes a brush or scraper formed of, for example, relatively stiff wire and mounted upon support 46, in turn mounted within housing 36. The ends of the scraper wires about the lower surface of belt 18. The numeral 48 denotes any one of several apertures in the bottom of housing 36 for the purpose of draining water into an indicated drainpipe, the water seeping into the housing 36, for example, by way of channel 22. The spindle 40 is spring-urged or biased by any suitable construction so that it normally urges the belt 18 towards the right as viewed at FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a modification is illustrated wherein the channel 20 is replaced by another channel 19 which has substantial upper overhangs which define a slot 21 running longitudinally thereof. The channel 19 is placed in the top surface of the roadbed 10, so that its top portion is substantially flush with the roadbed, as is the case with the channel member at FIG. 2.

The mode of operation of the described system is as follows. At one time during the day, a plurality of the markers 14 are located to define lane boundry 50 of FIG. I, while at another time of day the markers 14 are moved to define lane boundry 52, also shown at FIG. I. In order to effect this, the motor is energized and turns the spindle 32 against the biasing force of spindle 40, to urge each of the markers 14 toward, for example,

lane boundry in FIG. 1. At another time during the day, motor 32 is operated in a reverse direction so as to allow the spring biasing force of spindle 40 to move the markers 14 towards the other land boundry 52. The upstanding springs 16 enable the markers 14 to be struck by a vehicle without destroying the movable belt I8 or its installation. Preferably, the markers 14 are simply dropped down onto the springs 16 and are in no other way attached thereto. Rainwater falling into the channels will pass into the housings at either end of the belt for subsequent drainage. Scraper 44 maintains the lower belt surface clean to inhibit raised portions on the exposed belt run and to permit winding of the belt on the spindle without entrapping dirt or debris.

In areas of severe winter weather an electric heating coil may be inserted in channel 22 or attached to member 20 to prevent the formation of ice which would interfere with the operation of the mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, an embodiment is illustrated which includes a channel member which is a rectangular cross-section except for a longitudinal slot 62 running along the length of'its top face. It will be understood that channel 60'is placed in the concrete highway or roadbed in a manner entirely similar to the way channel 20 is placed in the roadbed as illustrated in FIG. 2. The edges of slot 62 are provided with longitudally running elastomer strips 64 and 66, the strips having edges which abut each other to thereby form a seal over the slot 62. A continuous bolt 68 is employed, with one end of its coiled around spindle 70 and the other end being engaged by spindle 72. The latter is driven by an electric motor, similar to motor 30 of FIG. 2. A hand crank can be incorporated into the mechanism to turn

spindles

32 or 72 in case of a power failure or failure of the motor to operate due to other causes. If desired, rollers such as 73 may be employed to tension the belt 68 as well as diminishing the vertical extent of its two runs. In practice, the small plates such as indicated at 69 is attached to the top surface of the top one of belt 68 and a stud such as 17 of FIG. 3 is attached to the plate 69. Rotation of spindle 72 in both directions causes a marker carried by the device to pass back and forth transversely across the roadbed.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, still another modification is illustrated which employs a generally rectangular channel member having a slot 81 in the top face thereof, and provided with'a central strut 82 which separates the upper and lower runs of belt 84. One end of the belt passes over a 'spindle 86 and the other is attached to spindle 88, the latter being connected to an electric motor such as 30 of FIG. 2. Longitudal strips 90 and 92 are attached to the top edges of channel member 80, similar to

strips

64 and 66 of the embodiment of FIG. 5. The operation is the same as earlier described, with the spindle 88 being rotated in alternate directions to cause the traffic marker to move transversely backand forth in the same manner as over channel 20 of FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, an embodiment is illustrated which includes a channel 94 of generally U-shaped cross-section and whose upper longitudal edges are provided with

elastomer strips

96 and 97. These strips abut each other to define a longitudally running slot. A bracket denoted by the numeral 98 is carried by

flexible wires

100 and 102 in the manner indicated. The bracket carries an upstanding stud 104 in turn attached to spring 106, the spring in turn carrying a traffic marker as previously described. An expansion anchor receiving fastener at 108 may be employed to anchor the channel relative to the channel in the concrete roadbed or highway. It will be observed that the top surface of

portions

96 and 97 of the apparatus are flush with the top surface of the roadbed. In operation, the wires 100 102 may be wrapped around a spindle, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2 of the drawings. The wires are spaced so as not to be directly beneath the slot defined by the abutting edges of 96 and 97.

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, still another embodiment is illustrated, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8. Here, the channel member is denoted by the numeral 110 and is formed completely of elastomer. As in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the bracket 98 spans the distance between two

wires

100 and 102. Here, however, these wires are continuous and their return ones are denoted, respectively, by 112 and 114. Thus,

wires

100 and 112 as seen at FIG. 9 represent one continuous wire loophaving its end wound around spindles while

sections

102 and 114 denote a second and continuous wire loop, also wound around the spindles. The spindles are similar to those illustrated at FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings. If desired, longitudally running support 116 may be employed which is positioned beneath the longitudinally running slot in the top surface. Spaced plate members 118 are held down by fasteners I20 into the highway. As before, it will be observed that the top surface of the channel member is flush with the top surface of the highway.

Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, yet another embodiment is illustrated which include the same

continuous wire length

100, 112 and 102, 114, the upper runs of which support bracket 98 in turn carrying studs 17.

Upper elastomer members

124 and 126 are flush with the roadway and include integral, depending skirt portions. Channel member encloses the bracket and the wires and includes longitudinally extending bar 130 positioned directly below the slot between

elastomer members

124 and 126. Anchor member 132 may be employed to anchor the channel member 125 in the concrete. Other anchor members 132, not shown, are alternately staggered on either side of the mid portion of channel 125. As in the previous embodiments, an electric motor or other power source rotates the spindles to which

wires

100, 102 are secured for the purpose of moving the studs 17 back and forth along the longitudinal slot between elastomer members I24 and 126.

Turning now to FIG. 11, an embodiment is illustrated which employs a completely elastomer channel member 134 of generally rectangular shape and provided at its upper longitudinal face with a slot through which stud 17 is adapted to pass for supporting a traffic marker, all as previously described. Spaced hold-down plates 136 are positioned within the interior of channel 134 and anchor members 138 are positioned at spaced locations along the channel member for holding the device in a roadbed. Continuous

longitudinal abutments

140 and 142 slidingly abut opposite edges of threaded nut member 144 which surrounds elongated threaded rod 146. As rod 146 is rotated by an electric motor or other power source beneath the road surface, nut member 144 is precluded from rotating therewith by

abutments

140 and 142 and accordingly is constrained to move along the length of the threaded rod. Stud 17 is attached to nut 144 and supports, in a manner previously explained traffic lane markers.

I claim:

1. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble includa. a plural lane highway,

b. a plurality of traffic lane markers longitudinally spaced along said highway,

0. means for moving said markers back and forth, transversely across a portion of the width of said highway,

d. said means also partially supporting said markers and extending between said lanes.

2. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (0) is positioned beneath the surface of said highway.

3. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (c) extends also laterally 4. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble includa. a plural lane highway having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending, elongated channel members positioned adjacent the surface thereof,

b. each channel member containing within it an elongated movable support, each support carrying an upright traffic lane marker,

c. means for moving said support along its respective channel member.

5. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein each said movable support is defined by a flexible belt which carries said marker.

6. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said means for moving the belt is a motor, the belt biased so as to be urged away from the motor.

7. The ensemble ofclaim 6 wherein the motor is coupled to a rotatable spindle around which is wound one end of the belt and wherein said other belt end is also fastened to and wound around a spindle, said second spindle being biased to urge the belt away from the motor.

8. The ensemble of claim 7 wherein the motor and the two spindles are positioned below the surface of the road.

9. The ensemble of claim 8 wherein said marker is carried on the belt by an elongated spring extending upwardly from and attached to the belt by means of a stud carried by the belt, the marker having a recess therein into which the spring extends.

10. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said channel member is open on one longitudinal side thereof and wherein the top surface of said belt is substantially flush with the longitudinal side edges of said channel.

11. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said channel member is generally rectangular in cross section, with an elongated slot running along and through the upper side thereof.

12. The ensemble of claim 11 wherein said channel member is at least partially formed of an elastomer.

13. The ensemble of claim 11 wherein the top edges of said elongated slot are provided with elastomer strips whose opposed edges abut to form a resilient seal along the slot.

14. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said support is defined by a bracket and wherein said means for moving support is at least one wire to which the bracket is secured.

15. The ensemble of claim 9 wherein the channel member is in the form of a slotted rectangle having a top longitudinal slot through which said spring extends, the belt positioned within the confines of the channel, the top surfaces of the channel being substantially flush with the surface of the road.

16. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said movable support and said means for moving said support are defined, respectively, by a threaded nut member and a rod threaded therein, said rod extending parallel to the channel and coupled to means for rotating it, whereby rotation within the nut member causes a marker to move along the channel.

Claims

1. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble including: a. a plural lane highway, b. a plurality of traffic lane markers longitudinally spaced along said highway, c. means for moving said markers back and forth, transversely across a portion of the width of said highway, d. said means also partially supporting said markers and extending between said lanes.

2. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (c) is positioned beneath the surface of said highway.

3. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (c) extends also laterally

4. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble including: a. a plural lane highway having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending, elongated channel members positioned adjacent the surface thereof, b. each channel member containing within it an elongated movable support, each support carrying an upright traffic lane marker, c. means for moving said support along its respective channel member.

7. The ensemble of claim 6 wherein the motor is coupled to a rotatable spindle around which is wound one end of the belt and wherein said other belt end is also fastened to and wound around a spindle, said second spindle being biased to urge the belt away from the motor.