Interconnected telescoping movable roadway barrier modules
AssigneeBarrier Systems, Inc.
InventorJohn W. Duckett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roadway barrier includes a plurality of movable roadway barrier modules forming a barrier chain, hardware for connecting the barrier modules together to form a first length, and a control for resisting increase and decrease of the barrier chain length when the barrier chain is in place on a roadway, and for permitting increase and decrease of the barrier chain length when the barrier chain is raised from the roadway by a transfer machine.
Claims13
A variable length roadway barrier module for pivotal connection to one or more other modules to form a movable roadway barrier chain and for selectively lengthening or shortening said movable roadway barrier chain responsive to lateral displacement of said movable roadway barrier chain, said variable length roadway barrier module comprising:
- a first barrier module structure;
- a second barrier module structure, said first and second barrier module structures being selectively movable relative to one another and including connection means for connecting said variable length roadway barrier module to at least one other module of a movable roadway barrier chain;
- connector means connecting said first barrier module structure to said second barrier module structure;
- and
- control means operatively associated with said connector and with said first barrier module structure and said second barrier module structure for selectively enabling extension and retraction of said first barrier module structure relative to said second barrier module structure responsive to movement of said variable length roadway barrier module, said control means when in a first state resisting the extension and retraction of said first and second barrier module structures relative to one another, and said control means when in a second state preventing the extension and retraction of said first and second barrier module structures relative to one another.
A variable length roadway barrier module comprising:
- an inner barrier module structure having sidewalls that extend upwardly to intersect a T-shaped upper portion having undercut surfaces extending laterally outwardly from a central vertical axis of the module;
- an outer barrier module structure having sidewalls that extend upwardly to intersect a T-shaped upper portion having undercut surfaces extending laterally outwardly from a central vertical axis of the module, said outer barrier module adapted for telescoping engagement with said inner barrier module;
- means for connecting said inner and outer barrier module structures;
- and
- control means for selectively enabling extension and retraction of said inner barrier module structure relative to said outer barrier module structure, wherein when said control means is in a first state, said control means resists the extension and retraction of said inner and outer barrier module structures relative to one another, and when said control means is in a second state, said control means permits the extension and retraction of said inner and outer barrier module structures relative to one another, said means for connecting said inner and outer barrier module structures comprising a hydraulic cylinder and said control means comprising a valve having a first state preventing passage of fluid through said hydraulic cylinder, and a second state permitting passage of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.