Transferable roadway lane divider

A method for transferring a roadway lane divider from a first position to a laterally displaced second position on a roadway or the like, said lane divider comprising a plurality of interconnected divider sections positioned in free-standing relationship on said roadway and disposed in closely spaced tandem relationship relative to each other, each divider having a T-shaped upper end defining a pair of laterally spaced bearing surfaces on outer sides thereof and being sufficiently high to form a crash barrier for automobiles and the like, said method comprising the steps of

• positioning a mobile transfer apparatus adjacent to a first end of said lane divider,
• engaging said transfer apparatus beneath said laterally spaced bearing surfaces of a leading one of said divider sections,
• moving said transfer apparatus from the first end of said lane divider towards a second end thereof and simultaneously upwardly engaging said transfer apparatus with said bearing surfaces to lift said divider sections as a unit in suspended and spaced relationship above said roadway from said first position adjacent to a first side of said transfer apparatus,
• conveying said suspended divider sections as a unit serpentine-like generally transversely across said transfer apparatus from said first position towards said second position adjacent to a second side of said transfer apparatus opposite to the first side thereof in response to movement of said transfer apparatus towards the second end of said lane divider,
• removing said transfer apparatus from engagement beneath said bearing surfaces, and
• depositing said suspended divider sections as a unit at said second position in free-standing relationship on said roadway.

A mobile road vehicle comprising

• a frame,
• a plurality of roadwheels mounted on said frame, and
• means mounted on said frame for transferring a roadway lane divider from a first position on a roadway to a laterally displaced second position thereon, said lane divider comprising a plurality of interconnected divider sections positioned in free-standing relationship on said roadway and disposed is closely spaced and tandem relationship relative to each other, each section being sufficiently high to form a crash barrier for automobiles and the like, said means comprising
• a generally S-shaped conveyor means mounted on said frame for lifting and suspending said divider sections as a unit above said roadway at said first position, moving said suspended divider sections as a unit serpentine-like generally transversely across said frame from said first position towards said second position, and depositing said suspended divider sections as a unit at said second position in free-standing relationship on said roadway, said conveyor means comprising
• two laterally spaced sets of roller means for straddling, engaging and supporting opposite sides of an upper end of said divider sections.