Transferable roadway lane divider

A roadway lane divider comprises a plurality of interconnected divider sections each having a T-shaped upper end. Rollers of a mobile transfer apparatus are adapted for engagement under a pair of longitudinally extending undercut bearing surfaces, defined on the upper end of each divider section, to lift and suspend the divider sections as a unit on a first side of the apparatus, move them serpentine-like across the apparatus and deposit the divider sections on a second, opposite side of the apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to a system of transferable roadway lane 
dividers and a method of transferring said dividers. Such a system is 
necessary due to the flapping of roadway dividers on bridges and major 
roads during peak hours. 
BACKGROUND ART 
The existing method of moving lane markers consists of manually picking up 
the originally placed markers and manually placing the markers into the 
new positions. This particular job is somewhat dangerous for the people 
physically moving the lanes and also requires several people to 
successfully carry out the operation. The present invention overcomes 
these problems by providing a transferable lane divider which can be moved 
by an appropriate transfer mechanism located on a special vehicle. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
In one broad form the invention comprises a transferable roadway lane 
divider comprising divider sections which are adapted to be hingedly 
connected to adjacent sections for form a divider separating traffic 
lanes, said sections each having means whereby they can be picked up by a 
transfer device and slid along the transfer device to be repositioned. 
In another form the invention comprises a method of transferring road lane 
dividers which dividers comprise a plurality of individual sections 
pivotally joined together, said method comprising the steps of lifting at 
least one of said sections and feeding said sections along an elongated 
transfer device and depositing said lane divider sections in their new 
position.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Each lane divider is made up of individual sections 1 which are hingedly 
joined together on a pair of links 2. The required number of sections 1 
are joined together to form any suitable length of divider. Each end may 
contain a shaped section having only one pair of hinge attachments and a 
substantially bullet shaped other end. 
The divider sections 1 can be shaped as shown in FIG. 1 in which each 
section has two sloping sides 3 to provide a smooth surface in case a 
motorist's tire accidentally runs into the divider. 
A center section 4 extends upwardly from the sides 3 to provide a 
substantial barrier which is readily visible. Preferably the divider 
section is 800 mm in height by 600 mm in width and approximately 1 meter 
in length. 
However any suitable dimensions would be acceptable provided suitable 
stability for the divider. 
The sections of the lane divider can be made of any suitable material such 
as concrete or plastics or sheet metal. 
Preferably the sections are constructed of reinforced concrete with the 
respective hinges on opposite ends of a section being formed on the one 
bar of metal, with the reinforcing rods positioned to give suitable 
strength. 
To facilitate in moving the lane divider each section has a T-shaped 
projection 5 extending from the center section 4 and running 
longitudinally along the divider. To transfer the lane divider, a transfer 
mechanism as shown in FIG. 4 can be used. This comprises a roller conveyer 
6 comprising a series of rollers angularly attached to the channel 7 as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Each roller is positioned so as to engage with 
radius at the neck of the T as shown at 8 in FIG. 5. 
Basically the transfer mechanism is s-shaped as shown schematically in FIG. 
2 with its total width 9 corresponding with the distance between traffic 
lanes. It can preferably be mounted, as shown schematically in FIG. 4, 
from below a trailer. The front section 10 and the rear section 11 are 
preferably hinged at pivots 12 and 13 such that they can hinge back to the 
body of the trailer to keep within the allowable width for travel on the 
road. The straight center section 14 can be telescoped in and out to 
achieve variable lane widths. 
To move the lane divider from one side of the lane to the other, one simply 
drives the vehicle with the transfer mechanism mounted beneath or towed 
behind on a trailer, and engages the leading rollers 15 beneath the 
T-shaped projection 5. 
As the transfer mechanism is moved along the lane the lane dividers are 
threaded along the roller conveyor 6 and are deposited by the rear section 
11 on the other side of the lane. 
Preferably the vehicle or trailer carries the channel underneath the wheels 
with the mouth extending on one side of the vehicle with the outlet 
extending on the other side of the vehicle such that the vehicle can drive 
the center of the lane to reposition the lane divider. However in certain 
circumstances it may be necessary for the channel to be positioned in 
other relationships with respect to the vehicle. 
FIG. 3 shows an aligning mechanism useable to straighten out the lane 
divider in cases where the lane divider is accidentally knocked out of 
position by a vehicle or other circumstances. 
It should be apparent to people skilled in the art that the invention is 
not only limited to the specific disclosure detailed herein but is broad 
enough to cover obvious variations without departing from the spirit of 
the invention.