Portable water inflatable barrier with anchoring support base

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulate a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of modules. The barrier system further includes at least one anchoring support base having an underlying portion that extends under at least one of the modules. A vertical portion of the support base extends upward behind and abuts at least one of the modules, and an anchoring portion includes openings that enable attachment of the anchoring support base to the underlying ground by stakes and/or spikes. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier to further inhibit horizontal displacement of the modules.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to temporary barriers, such as dikes used for flood control, and more particularly, to water-filled portable barriers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Circumstances sometimes arise where a temporary dike, wall, or other barrier is needed to prevent a flood, landslide, or other threat from spreading and threatening lives and property. Often, such a temporary barrier is constructed from sandbags, whereby empty bags and a quantity of dirt or sand is brought to the site, and a crew of workers fills the bags with the dirt or sand and stacks the bags to form the barrier. With reference toFIG. 1, the bags are often stacked so as to form a barrier with a “pyramid” cross-section100that is widest at the base, and narrower at the top.

In some cases, the weight of the sand in the barrier100is sufficient to hold the barrier100in place during the flood or other threat. With reference toFIG. 2, in other cases a shallow trench200is prepared first, the trench having a depth that is approximately equal to the thickness of one sandbag. One or two rows of sandbags202are laid in the trench200, with the remainder of the barrier100being constructed on top of the initial one or two rows202. In this way, friction between the sandbags in the trench and the remainder of the sandbags further helps to hold the barrier in place.

A sandbag barrier is generally effective and the materials are relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, a sandbag barrier is easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required. However, there can be significant costs and construction time associated with a sandbag dike, due to the requirement to bring the sand or dirt to the construction site, which may weigh many tons, and due to the need to employ significant labor to fill and stack the bags.

In addition, after the flood or other threat has subsided, disposal of the sandbags can be time consuming and costly, especially if the sand and bags have become wet and contaminated by flood water and require special disposal procedures to avoid risks to health and to the environment.

What is needed, therefore, is a portable dike, wall, or other barrier that functions in a manner similar to a sandbag dike or wall and is easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when it is no longer needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable, modular, water-inflatable barrier system includes at least one barrier module that has an internal structure similar to a sandbag dike or wall, and functions in a similar manner, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when no longer needed. The barrier comprises a plurality of interconnected, water-inflatable modules, each of which is made of a light, flexible material such as a heavy plastic or nanofiber. The modules can be transported to the construction site in a deflated state, after which they can be positioned, interconnected, and filled with locally available water. In embodiments, each module weighs less than 250 pounds, such that they can be lifted and carried without heavy machinery. The modules include substantially rectangular modules suitable for constructing straight sections of a barrier. Embodiments further include triangular, trapezoidal, and/or wedge-shaped modules suitable for forming a desired angle between straight segments of the barrier, so that the barrier can be easily adapted to extend between arbitrary locations, even if a curved, angled, or otherwise shaped barrier is required.

Each module of the barrier is a single unit that includes shaping and internal partitions which create an overall structure similar to a pile of sandbags in a sandbag wall. The interiors of the barrier modules are divided into pluralities of cells. Passages between the tops and bottoms of the cells in each module allow each of the modules to be filled from a single water inlet. Embodiments include a manifold that allows an entire assembly of modules to be simultaneously filled from a single water inlet.

In some embodiments, the cells in each module include passive automatic valves that seal the passages between the cells after the cells are filled with water, so that deflation of one cell in a module due to a puncture or some other cause will not cause the cells beneath it to deflate. In some embodiments, the outer shells of the barrier modules are made of a material that is thicker than the interior dividing walls, such as thick plastic, a synthetic rubber, or a thick layer of nanofiber, so as to better resist puncture by an external threat. In similar embodiments, the outer shells are double-walled, so that puncture of the outer wall does not affect the internal cells, so long as the inner wall remains intact. In certain embodiments the walls are coated with a protective material such as tyvec or liquid rubber that will seal punctures if they occur.

The internal structures of the barrier modules enable them to maintain their shape when the barrier is subjected to externally applied horizontal forces, such as pressure from flood waters. In some embodiments, the shape of the structure is made even more rigid by the inclusion within the cells of stiff, lightweight rods or plates made of plastic, bamboo, or a similar material.

In addition to maintaining their shapes and resisting punctures while in use, barrier modules must also resist horizontal displacement due to horizontal pressure from flood waters and due to impacts by floating objects that are carried by the flood waters. By themselves, the barrier modules are resistant to horizontal displacement due to friction between their bases and the underlying ground surface, as well as due to friction between adjoining modules. This can be enhanced, for example by providing a high-friction surface on the bottoms of the modules, and/or by providing an underlying sheet that can be installed between the modules and the ground. In embodiments, the underlying sheet can be folded over the front of the barrier, thereby providing additional protection against strikes from floating objects.

In embodiments, barrier modules can be attached to each other, for example by straps that interconnect between loops provided on the sides of the modules. Such attachment can provide additional resistance to horizontal displacement of modules relative to each other. In further embodiments, additional cells extend below the bases of the inflatable barrier modules, so that they can be placed in a trench prepared at the construction site, thereby further resisting horizontal dislodgement of the barrier by flood waters or other forces. In some embodiments, the barrier modules have interlocking ends that provide structural cooperation and a water-tight seal between adjacent barrier modules.

Embodiments of the present invention include an anchoring sheet that extends flat against the ground in front of the barrier, so that the weight of the water in front of the barrier presses the anchoring sheet against the ground and creates a high frictional resistance to movement, thereby anchoring the barrier in place. In some embodiments, the anchoring sheet can be folded over the water-facing surface of the barrier so as to prevent water from leaking between the modules. In some of these embodiments, the covering sheet is made from a material that naturally clings to the water-facing surface of the barrier due to static electrical attraction. In embodiments, the narrow end of a triangular or trapezoid shaped anchoring sheet can be placed beneath the narrow front of one or more trapezoid shaped modules and folded over the modules.

Other embodiments include a flexible underlying sheet that further resists puncture from beneath, and which seals to the ground so as to resist penetration of water beneath the barrier. In some of these embodiments, the underlying sheet includes a cushioning layer. In still other of these embodiments, the underlying sheet is filled with dry sand, foam or some other compliant material that will not get wet from the flood water.

Nevertheless, these mechanisms for resisting horizontal displacement of modules can prove insufficient in some cases. In particular, it is notable that displacement of a module even by a small amount relative to its neighbors can lead to leakage of water between the modules. This problem can be especially problematic for trapezoidal or wedge-shaped modules that serve to change the direction of a barrier, because even a slight displacement of such a wedge-shaped or trapezoidal module can open up a gap between the module and neighboring modules, thereby creating an opportunity for water to leak therebetween.

Accordingly, the barrier system of the present invention further includes one or more anchoring support bases that resist rear-ward horizontal displacement of barrier modules. Each anchoring support base includes an underlying horizontal portion that extends in front of a vertical portion. The horizontal underlying portion is configured to be installed beneath the bottom of one or more barrier modules, such that the vertical portion rises behind and abuts the one or more barrier modules. The anchoring support base further includes an anchoring portion extending behind the vertical portion and configured for attachment to the ground by stakes or spikes driven through openings provided in the anchoring portion. The vertical and anchoring base portions are made from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a hard rubber or plastic, such that the vertical portion strongly resists any tendency of an abutting barrier module to be horizontally displaced, while the underlying portion prevents any possible rotation or tipping backward of the vertical portion due to horizontal pressure from the abutting barrier module.

In some embodiments, the barrier modules can be initially inflated with air, so that they can be easily positioned and interconnected. The barrier modules can then be filled with water, while the displaced air is released through a pressure valve at the top of the barrier. In some of these embodiments, pre-inflation of the barrier modules with air allows interlocking barrier modules to be easily placed in their interlocking configuration before the air within the barrier modules is replaced by water.

One general aspect of the present invention is a water-inflatable barrier system that includes at least one barrier module. The at least one barrier module includes a first barrier module having first module flexible walls forming a first module shell configured to contain water within a first module interior of the first barrier module, said first module shell having a first module front, a first module rear, a substantially rectangular first module bottom, a first module length parallel to the first module front, a first module width perpendicular to the first module front, and a first module cross section that is wider at a first module bottom of the first barrier module than at a first module top of the first barrier module a plurality of substantially horizontal and substantially vertical first module partition walls dividing said first module interior into a plurality of adjacent, water-tight first module cells shaped as rectangular parallelepipeds, front and rear first module partition walls of each first module cell being substantially parallel to the first module front of the first module shell, said first module cells being arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked layers that are offset from each other such that none of the first module front and rear partition walls aligns with a first module front or rear partition wall in a vertically adjacent layer, a first module water inlet in liquid communication with the first module interior, and a plurality of first module passages between the first module cells, said first module passages being configured to allow filling of all of the first module cells with water from the first module water inlet.

The water inflatable barrier system further comprises an anchoring support base, which includes an underlying base portion configured for insertion beneath at least one of the barrier modules, a vertical base portion having a vertical base width, said vertical base portion being configured to extend upward behind at least one of the barrier modules in abutting relationship therewith when the underlying base portion is inserted beneath the at least one of the barrier modules, and an anchoring base portion configured for attachment of the anchoring support base to an underlying surface by installation of at least one stake or spike through at least one opening provided in said anchoring base portion such that said stake or spike penetrates into said underlying surface.

In embodiments, the anchoring base portion extends behind said vertical base portion.

In any of the above embodiments, the vertical base portion can also be the anchoring base portion, the at least one opening being provided in the vertical base portion, or the underlying base portion can also be the anchoring base portion, the at least one opening being provided in the underlying base portion. In any of the embodiments where the underlying base portion can also be the anchoring base portion, each opening of the at least one opening can be counter bored or countersunk, whereby when a stake or spike is installed therein a top of the stake or spike is substantially flush with a top surface of the underlying base portion.

In any of the above embodiments, the anchoring support base can be configured for insertion beneath the first barrier module, said vertical base width being substantially equal to a width of said first module rear. In some of these embodiments, dimensions of said underlying base portion are substantially identical to dimensions of said first module bottom of said first barrier module.

In any of the above embodiments, the barrier system can comprise a second barrier module that includes second module flexible walls forming a second module shell configured to contain water within a second module interior of the second barrier module, said second module shell having a second module front, a second module rear, and a substantially triangular or trapezoidal second module bottom, and a second module water inlet in liquid communication with the second module interior, said first and second barrier modules being configured for assembly together into a water barrier. In some of these embodiments, the anchoring support base is configured for insertion beneath the second barrier module, said vertical base width being substantially equal to a width of said second module rear.

Any of the above embodiments can further include a fastening mechanism configured for interconnection of the first and second barrier modules in a fixed, adjoining, aligned relationship. In some of these embodiments the fastening mechanism includes attachment features fixed to each of the first and second barrier modules.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the barrier modules can include at least one extended row of cells extending below other rows of cells in a bottom cell layer of the barrier module, the extended row being configured for placement in a trench prepared at a site where the barrier system is to be installed.

Any of the above embodiments can further include an underlying sheet configured for extending beneath at least one of the barrier modules and for attachment thereto, said underlying sheet being further configured to extend in front of at least one of the barrier modules so as to be pressed downward when in use against the underlying surface by water disposed against the barrier system, thereby increasing a resistance of the at least one of the barrier modules to horizontal displacement by the water.

A second general aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a barrier assembly. The method includes providing a water inflatable barrier system according to the first general aspect, placing the anchoring support base at a desired location, installing at least one stake or spike through at least one of the openings provided in the anchoring base portion of the anchoring support base such that said at least one stake or spike penetrates into an underlying surface beneath the anchoring base portion, placing the at least one barrier module at the desired location so as to form a barrier having a desired shape and extent, whereby the underlying portion of the anchoring support base extends beneath at least one of the barrier modules, and wherein the vertical base portion of the anchoring support base extends upward behind and in abutting relationship with at least one of the barrier modules, and inflating the at least one barrier module with water.

Embodiments further include inflating the at least one barrier module with air before placement thereof at the desired location, and wherein inflating the barrier module with water includes removal of said air from said at least one barrier module.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the barrier modules can be an extended module that includes at least one extended row of cells extending below other rows of cells in a bottom cell layer of the barrier module, and the method can further include preparing a trench at the desired location and placing the at least one barrier module at the desired location includes placing the extended module such that the at least one extended row of cells extends into the trench.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a portable, modular, water-inflatable barrier that has a structure similar to a sandbag dike or wall100and functions in a similar manner, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when no longer needed. The barrier comprises one or more barrier modules300, each of which is made of a light, flexible material, such as a heavy plastic for nanofiber, and can be transported to the construction site in a deflated state, after which it is positioned and filled with locally available water. In embodiments, the modules300are coated with a material such as Tyvek or liquid rubber that will tend to seal any puncture of the material that may occur. In some embodiments, each module300weights less than 250 pounds, so that it can be lifted and carried without using heavy machinery.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the interior of the module is divided into a plurality of approximately rectangular cells302. A port304for filing and/or emptying the module300is provided in the top surface. With reference toFIG. 4A, passages400between the tops and bottoms of the cells302allow the entire barrier module300to be filled from a single water inlet304. In the illustrated embodiment, a separate water outlet404is provided at the base of the structure300.

With reference toFIG. 4B, in some embodiments a separate water outlet404is not included, and instead water is both added and removed through a common port304at or near the top or bottom of the barrier module300. This allows water to be removed from the barrier module300without introducing air, so that removing the water causes the barrier module to be collapsed in preparation for packing and transport.

In some embodiments, lateral passages (not shown) are provided at least between adjoining cells in the bottom rear row, so that a single outlet can drain all of the cells302in the barrier module300.

With reference toFIG. 5, in some embodiments500the cells302include passive automatic valves500that seal the passages400after the cells302are filled with water, so that deflation of one cell due to a puncture or some other cause will not cause the cells beneath it to deflate. In the embodiment500ofFIG. 5, the valves502are flaps of elastic material joined to the upper surfaces of the cells302by living hinges504. A small air bladder506is included in the region of the valve502that is positioned to cover the passage400. When the cell302is empty, gravity causes the valve502to fall away from the passage400, so that the cell302can fill with water. However, once the cell302is full of water, the air bladder506lifts the valve502into place and closes the passage400. Once the valves502are closed, if a cell should develop a leak and deflate, only the cells directly above it will be affected.

In addition, the embodiment500ofFIG. 5includes lateral passages508between neighboring cells at the lowest level of the barrier, so that the entire barrier can be emptied through a single water outlet404located at the lower rear of the structure500. These lateral passages508include automatic valves510that will allow water to flow toward the rear as the cells empty from back to front, but will prevent water flowing from rear to front if one of the front cells is damaged.

Typically, the cells in the front row302,302A will be the cells that are directly exposed to threats such as debris carried by flood waters. The front cells302,302A are therefore the ones most likely to be damaged or punctured. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, if a cell302A in the bottom front row is punctured, the lateral valve510will prevent water from flowing out of the cell next to it302B and into the damaged cell302A. However, if the rear cells302B are drained first during the normal drainage process, then the lateral valves510will open and water from the front cells302A will flow out.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a plurality of modules300that are arranged side-by-side and coupled to each other.FIG. 6illustrates the interconnection of three of the modules300illustrated inFIG. 3so as to form at least part of a barrier600. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism that interconnects the modules300comprises loops604that are attached to the upper surfaces of the cells, whereby adjacent loops of adjoining modules are attached by straps602. In similar embodiments, the loops604are interconnected by clamps or other fastening means known in the art.

FIG. 7is a perspective rear view of an embodiment700similar toFIG. 6, except that the loops604are located on both the front-facing and rear-facing surfaces of the modules300, and a single, continuous strap702is passed through the loops604and around the modules300so as to attach the modules300and form the barrier700. The embodiment ofFIG. 7also includes a manifold704that can be used to fill all of the modules300simultaneously through fill-ports provided in the bases of the modules300.

With reference toFIG. 8, in some embodiments the barrier modules800have interlocking ends that provide structural cooperation and a water-tight seal between adjacent modules.FIG. 8is a perspective view of a single module800that is three cells wide. The module includes alternate rows of cells802that extend from the ends by a length of one cell, while the interleaved rows804do not. The opposite pattern is provided on the other end of the module800. It can be seen that a second module of the same configuration can be positioned so that its extended cells fit between the extended cells802of the adjacent module800. In some of these embodiments, as mentioned above, the modules800can be initially filled with air and positioned with the ends interlocking, after which the modules800are filled with water while the displaced air is allowed to escape through pressure valves304provided at the tops of the modules800.

With reference toFIG. 9, in further embodiments, additional rows902of cells extend below the base of the inflatable barrier900so that they can be placed in a trench200prepared at the construction site, thereby further resisting dislodgement of the barrier900by flood waters or other forces.

With reference toFIG. 10, in some embodiments the outer shell is made of a much thicker material than the internal cell walls1008, so as to better resist puncture by exterior threats. In similar embodiments, the outer shell1006is a double layer of material, so that penetration of the outer layer does not affect the adjacent cell, so long as the inner layer remains intact. In some embodiments, only the portion of the outer shell1006that will face the flood or other threat is thicker, double-walled, or otherwise reinforced.

In embodiments, the internal cell walls enable the barrier300to maintain its shape when it is subjected to externally applied, lateral forces, such as pressure from flood waters. As illustrated inFIG. 10, in some embodiments, the shape of the barrier1000is made even more rigid by including within the cells302stiff, lightweight rods1002or panels made of plastic, bamboo, or a similar material.

In certain embodiments, the shape of the barrier is supported by external reinforcing structures. The embodiment ofFIG. 10includes a plurality of bent metal rods1010that can be located at intervals along the rear side of the barrier1000. The rods1010include vertical sections1012that can be placed against the back sides of cells at the rear of the barrier1000so as to provide further resistance to horizontal forces applied to the front of the barrier.

The embodiment ofFIG. 11includes an anchoring sheet1100that is attached to the bottom of the barrier600and extends in front of the barrier600, where it is pressed against the ground by the water in front of the barrier, so that there is a high friction between the anchoring sheet1100and the ground that further inhibits horizontal displacement of the barrier600by flood water.

In embodiments, the flexible material of the barrier600allows the base of the barrier600to form a seal with ground even if the ground is rough. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the underlying sheet1100also increases resistance to puncture of the barrier600from beneath, and also forms a seal with the ground so as to further resist penetration of water beneath the barrier600. In some of these embodiments, the underlying sheet1100includes a cushioning layer such as foam or a puncture-proof air bag that enables the underlying sheet to form a seal with very rough ground, and also further helps to avoid puncture of the barrier from beneath. In certain of these embodiments, the underlying sheet1100is filled with dry sand, foam or some other compliant material that will not get wet from the flood water.

FIG. 12illustrates a similar approach, wherein a cover sheet1200is placed beneath the barrier600, and is folded over the front of the barrier600to further protect the barrier600from punctures and other damage, and to help to prevent water from leaking between the modules300. In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, the sheet1200is attached to the front surface of the barrier600by surrounding straps1202.

In embodiments, the cover sheet1200is sufficiently flexible to allow it to conform closely to the underlying shape of the water-facing surface of the barrier600. And in some of these embodiments, the cover sheet1200is made from a material that naturally clings to the water-facing surface of the barrier600due to static electrical attraction.

Barrier modules300as illustrated for example inFIG. 3are suitable for constructing barriers having an approximately rectangular footprint, for example to form a barrier or dike that extends in a straight line between opposing anchor locations. With reference toFIG. 13, embodiments of the present invention include modules1300that are shaped as triangular or trapezoidal wedges that can be included in a barrier assembly so as to bend and curve the resulting barrier into a desired shape.FIG. 14Ais a top view illustrating three modules300of the type shown inFIG. 3. Cross-hatching is used to indicate the regions of different height.FIG. 14Bis a top view of a wedge-shaped module1300having a triangular footprint that can be combined with the modules300ofFIG. 14Ato form a barrier with bends and curves.

In embodiments, wedge modules1300are provided having a convenient wedge angle, so that multiple wedge modules1300can be combined to obtain desired bend angles. For example, wedge modules1300having a 15 degree wedge angle can be combined to provide a bend or curve of 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees. Providing wedge modules1300with small wedge angles also reduces the weight and the number of cells included in a single wedge.

FIG. 15Ais a top view of a barrier that includes two 30° wedge modules1300between groups of rectangular modules300to create a barrier having a bend of approximately 60 degrees.FIG. 15Bis a top view of a similar barrier, in which the wedge modules1500have trapezoidal footprints rather than triangular footprints, thereby providing a more gradual bend (greater radius of curvature).

FIG. 16is a perspective view of the barrier ofFIG. 15A. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, a barrier similar toFIG. 16includes a second pair of wedge modules1700included in a reversed orientation, thereby creating a barrier having two parallel ends that are offset from each other by a slanted middle section. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17, the inverted wedge modules1700are structurally identical with the non-inverted wedge modules1300, and are simply installed in a different orientation.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the module shapes included in the present disclosure are not limited to only the shapes that are illustrated in the figures. In particular, the present invention includes embodiments wherein one side of each module1800is vertical, as shown for example inFIG. 18. In the embodiment ofFIG. 18, rectangular modules1800and wedge modules1802are combined to form a barrier with a bend, where one side of the barrier is vertical and the other side is sloped.

According to the requirements of a given implementation, the sloped side of the barrier can be oriented either toward or away from the water that is being contained. Directing the sloped side toward the water can be advantageous because the weight of the water on top of the sloped surface can help to stabilize the barrier by pressing it against the underlying ground. On the other hand, directing the vertical side of the barrier toward the water can be advantageous if it is desirable to maintain a uniform depth of the contained water, or if the barrier is being used to temporarily raise the vertical sides of an existing waterway that is in danger of overflowing.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that in embodiments the cells of the wedge module can be staggered laterally so as to interlock with the sides of rectangular modules such as those shown inFIG. 8.

Even when features such as the trench ofFIG. 9and/or the underlying sheet ofFIG. 11are implemented, these measures can be insufficient for resisting horizontal displacement of modules in some cases. In particular, it is notable that displacement of a module even by a small amount relative to its neighbors can lead to leakage of water between the modules. With reference toFIG. 19, this problem can be especially problematic for trapezoidal or wedge-shaped modules because even a slight horizontal displacement of such a wedge-shaped or trapezoidal module1900can open up a gap1902between the module and neighboring modules300,1500, thereby creating an opportunity for water to leak therebetween.

Accordingly, with reference toFIG. 20, the barrier system of the present invention further includes one or more anchoring support bases2000that resist rear-ward horizontal displacement of barrier modules300. Each anchoring support base2000includes an underlying horizontal portion2002that extends in front of a vertical portion2004. The horizontal underlying portion2000is configured to be installed beneath the bottom of one or more barrier modules300, such that the vertical portion2002rises behind and abuts the one or more barrier modules300.

The anchoring support base2000further includes an anchoring portion2006extending behind the vertical portion2004and configured for attachment to the ground by stakes or spikes2008driven through openings2010provided in the anchoring portion2006. The vertical2004and anchoring2006base portions are made from a rigid or semi-rigid material or materials, such as a hard rubber or plastic, and can be formed as a single, monolithic element or as two or more elements that are rigidly fixed to each other, such that the vertical portion2004strongly resists any tendency of an abutting barrier module300to be horizontally displaced, while the underlying portion2002prevents any possible rotation or tipping backward of the vertical portion2004due to horizontal pressure from the abutting barrier module300.

FIG. 21Ais a top view of an anchoring support base configured such that the vertical portion2004is also the anchoring portion2006, the openings2010being provided in the vertical portion2004, and the underlying portion2002is configured to extend beneath a barrier module300having a rectangular base shape, where the shape of the underlying portion2002is substantially identical to the shape of the base of the barrier module300.

FIG. 21Bis a top view of an anchoring support base configured such that the underlying portion2002is also the anchoring portion, the openings2010being provided in the underlying portion2002, and the underlying portion2002is configured to extend beneath a barrier module1802having a triangular base shape, where the shape of the underlying portion2002is substantially identical to the shape of the base of the barrier module1802.

FIG. 22is an illustration from above of an embodiment similar toFIG. 15B, showing anchoring base modules2000installed cooperatively with each of the barrier modules300,1500.

WhileFIGS. 20 through 22illustrate anchoring support bases2000that conform in shape to the bases of individual barrier modules300,1500,1802, it will be understood that other embodiments include one or more anchoring support bases that do not necessarily conform to the shapes of barrier modules. For example, embodiments include anchoring support bases that extend only partway under a barrier module, and/or anchoring support bases that are narrower that the rear width of a corresponding barrier module. In addition, some embodiments include anchoring base modules that are sufficiently wide to extend beneath more than one barrier module.

It should further be noted that the anchoring base portion need not extend behind the vertical base portion, and that in some embodiments openings are provided in the vertical base portion for insertion therethrough of stakes and/or spikes, so that the vertical base portion is the anchoring base portion. In still other embodiments, the underlying base portion serves as the anchoring base portion, in that openings are provided in the underlying base portion through which stakes and/or spikes can be inserted. In some of these embodiments tops of the stakes and/or spikes are contained within counter bored or countersunk portions of the openings so that the tops of the stakes and/or spikes are substantially flush with an upper surface of the underlying base portion.