A BARRIER

Abstract: The safety barrier (1) comprises a plurality of spaced elongate concrete blocks (7) resting freely on the central reservation (2) and arranged parallel to each other, their elongate sides (10, 11) facing the oncoming traffic and forming an acute angle with the direction of travel (5). When viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to said elongate sides, the blocks (7) appear to form a continuous barrier. Each block (7) has the configuration of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base (9).

Description: DESCRIPTiON OF INVENTION A Barrier THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a barrier and more particularly to a road traffic safety barrier. Many dual carriageway roads are provided with a safety barrier located upon the stretch of ground known as the central reservation extending between the carriageways of a dual carriageway road. These safety barriers are provided in order to separate the traffic moving in opposite directions on the two carriageways. The barriers are intended, in the event of an accident, to prevent vehicles from one carriageway crossing the central reservation and colliding with oncoming vehicles moving in the opposite direction. In this country such safety barriers, and also safety barriers that are sometimes provided at the edge of a road, are almost exclusively in the form of elongate, galvanised steel barriers. These barriers are mounted, usually oy way of bolts, upon mounting posts sunk into the ground at intervals along the central reservation. There have been a number of fatal accidents in which vehicles have col lided with the barrier provided on the central reservation of a dual carriageway road. It has been known for conventional elongate safety barriers to become detached from their mounting posts upon impact and for a part of the barrier to be thrown into the path of oncoming vehicles or to be thrown through the windscreen of an oncoming vehicle. This is obviously highly undesirable and can be fatal. Furthermore, if the barrier has a weak mounting point then upon impact it may fai l to prevent a vehicle from crossing the centra! reservation into the path of oncoming vehicles. This again is obviously most undesirable. The present invention seeks to provide an improved road safety barrier. According to α first " aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier adjacent the carriageway of a road, said barrier comprising a plurality of free -standing, elongate blocks each block being of substantial mass, the blocks being arranged in a discontinuous manner. Preferably said blocks are arranged so as to be parallel with each other but are not parallel to said carriageway. Most preferably said blocks are arranged such that a respective longitudinal axis extending through each said block forms an acute angle with the direction of travel of vehicles on said adjacent carriageway. Conveniently said blocks are arranged such that an elongate side of ^ach said block Is presented towards oncoming traffic travelling on the adjacent carriageway,the arrangement perferably being such that when viewed upon said elongate side in a direction substantially perpendicular to said side, said blocks appear to form a continuous barrier. Preferably each said block defines a base, a plurality of sides and an upper surface, said base being of greater area than said upper surface, there being at least one pair of opposed sides which slope inwardly towards each joiner inø direction towards said upper surface. Conveniently two opposed elongate sides are defined by each block, said opposed elongate sides being consituted by said opposed sloping sides, which, when viewed, in a direction perpendicular to said sides, appear to form a continuous barrier. Advantageously each said block incorporates means for lifting the block, which may comprise one or more bores extending horizontally through said block, said bore or bores being suitable for receiving part of a lifting device. Preferably each said block comprises one or more bores extending into said block from said upper surface, said bores being vertical bores, there being an equal number of said vertical bores and said horizontal bores, said vertical bores interconnecting with said horizontal bores. The junctions between said sides of each block and also the junction between said sides and said upper surface may be rounded. Conveniently each said block defines two pairs of opposed sides which ,each slope inwardly towards each other in a direction towards said upper surface, each said block having the configuration of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base. l' Each said block may be formed from concrete as a concrete casting. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a block for use in forming part of a barrier, said block defining a base, a plurality of sides and an upper surface, said base being of greater area than said upper surface, there being at least one pair of opposed sides which slope inwardly towards each other in a direction towards said upper surface. In order that the present invention may be more readi ly understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whϊch:- FIGURE I is a plan view of a barrier according to the present invention located upon the central reservation of a dual carriageway road; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a block forming part of the barrier of figure ' 1 ; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the block shown in figure 2; and • FIGURE is a transverse sectional view taken through the line IV-1V of figure 2. Refering to the drawings, figure I i llustrates schematical ly a barrier I located' upon a central reservation 2 between two carriageways 3, of a dual carriageway rood. Vehicles on the left-hand carriageway 3 in figure I are travelling in the direction indicated by the arrow 5, whi lst vehicles travelling on the right hand carriageway 4 are travelling in the direction as indicated by the arrow 6. The barrier 1 comprises a plurality of elongate blocks 7 arranged in a discontinuous manner such that the blocks are parallel to one another but are not parallel to the adjacent carriageways or the direction of travel of the vehicles thereon. The blocks 7 may be shrouded by bushes, shrubs or the like 8 in order to Improve their appearance. One block 7 Is illustrated in perspective view in figure 2. The block is formed as a concrete casting and has the configuration of a truncated pyramid upon a rectangular base 9. The block 7 defines four inwardly and upwardly sloping sides 10, I I , 12 and 13 and an upper surface 14 which is parallel to the rectangular base 9. The upper surface 14 Is also rectangular and is smaller In area than the base 9. Each pair of opposed sides 10, 1 1 and 12, 13 slope inwardly towards each other In a direction towards the upper surface 14. It will be more readily appreciated from figure 3 that each side slopes by an equal amount between the base 9 and the upper surface 14. The junctions between each of the sides 10, 1 1 , 12 and 13 are rounded to provide a smooth contour as are the junctions between the sides and the upper surface 14. The rounding of all exposed edges of the block 7 serves to -prevent the corners' of the block 7 >eing chipped or parts thereof being knocked off in the event of a vehicle colliding with the block. Each block 7 has three horizontal bores 15 extending therethrough between the two opposed, longer sides 10, I I . The bores 15 are spaced at approximately regular intervals along the length of the block 7 at positions approximately τnιd-way between he base 9 and the upper surface 14. The bores 15 serve as a means for lifting the block 7. A tine or claw forming par of a lifting device may be passed through each of the bores 15 in order to raise the block by way of the lifting device. In addition, each block 7 has three vertical bores 16 which extend into the block from the upper surface 14 .thereof. The vertical bores 16 are in alignment along the length of the block 7 with the horizontal bores 15 and only extend down into the block as far as the horizontal bores 15, as can readi ly be seen from figure 4. The vertical bores 16 may be used in combination with the horizontal bores 15 as means for lifting the block 7. For example a member provided with a loop at one end, such as a looped length of chain, may be dropped down ea vertical bore 16 unti l eoch loop is posit ioned within the correspondi horizontal bore 15. A bar may then be passed through eoch horizontal bo 15 such that the bars pass through the loops. The block may then be lift by way of the members provided with the loops. The insertion of the ba into the horizonlal bores 15 wi ll serve to expel any dirt which may ha accumulated in the bores. The vertical bores 16 can also be used to retain posts carrying sig 10 or warnings for motorists. The interconnection of each vertical bore 1 with a corresponding horizontal bore 15 prevents the vertical bore 16 fro filling with water, such as rain which could lead to weakening of the block if the waler were to freeze during particularly cold weather. ■ 15 Each block 7 may be formed as a concrete casting using a fibre gla mould. The blocks can be manufactured on site or very near to the sit where they are to be used thus reducing transportation costs. When a ne dual carriageway road is under construction it is often the case that concrete mixing plant is established to mix the concrete for the road, an 0 thus there is a ready source of concrete to make the blocks described abov in such a situation. The blocks 7 are located in position using suitabl lifting gear to form the barrier as illustrated and described in relation t figure I . The installation of the blocks 7 upon the central reservation _- requires a minimum of plant and for this reason the provision of a barrier in accordance with the present invention on an existing reservation 2 may b effected by closing only a short section of the outside lane of eac carriageway 3, 4 and the plant required may be removed to the neares parking facilities at night. The spacing between eoch of the blocks 7 may b Q varied, so that blocks are provided relatively close together near acciden black spots and are spaced further apart on straight stretches of road wher there is less likelihood of an accident occuring. The blocks are designed t have a height approximately equal to the width of the base 9, the particula height of the blocks being chosen so that the blocks wi ll eliminat substantially all the glare produced by the heodlights of oncoming t raffi travelling along the opposite carriageway. The length of the blocks 7 may be selected as desired, although in a preferred embodiment the length of eoch block 7 is approximately three times the width of the block. -£- The blocks 7 are designed to be free standing on the ground of the central reservation and thus In the event of a vehicle colliding with one or more of the blocks. 7 the blocks will i e free to move slightly, thus having a cushioning effect to reduce the severity of the impact. The blocks 7 are of substantial mass, i.e. they each have a mass of at least 8 tons, and are arranged so that a longitudinal axis 17 extending centrally through eoch block forms an acute angle with the directions 5, 6 in which the vehicles on the respective carriageways 3, 4 are travelling. This arrangement ensures that the broader or elongate sides 10, I I which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of each block 7 are presented towards oncoming traffic when the traffic is travelling on the road in accordance with the road traffic laws of the country. If a vehicle Is forced onto the central reservation 2 whilst travelling at high speed in a direction approximately as indicated by the arrow 5 or 6, the vehicle will collide with one of the broader sides 10, 1 1 of the block 7. This will cause the block 7 to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above in Figure I , and may also cause slight sideways movement of the block. The only resistance to movement of the block Is offered by the inertia of the block and any friction between the base 9 and the ground upon which the block rests. The block 7 will absorb kinetic energy when a vehicle impacts one of the sides 10, I I and will therefore act to retard the vehicle. If the vehicle is travelling particularly fast the blocks are designed and arranged such that the vehicle will collide with a first block 7 and 'nudge' this first block to one side and then collide with the next adjacent block, 'nudging' this next block to one side and so on until the vehicle is brought to rest. This arrangement effects a gradual retardation of the vehicle with the impact being distributed over several blocks, each of which has a cushioning effect, rather than the vehicle being brought suddenly to rest by impacting a fixed barrier. If a block 7 is damaged as a result of a vehicle colliding with it then the block may be simply replaced or repaired. It will be appreciated that modifications and alterations may be made •to the specific embodiment of barrier block disclosed above within the scope of the present invention. For example, the vertical bores 16 within each block 7 may extend from the upper surface 14 through to the base 9 and may be used for anchoring the blocks in position if this is found to be desirable. As ΌΠ alternative to providing horizontal bores 15 within the block to facilitate lifting of the block a pair of channels may be provided odjacent the base 9 suitable for receiving the tines of a fork-lift truck or similar lifting device. The dimensions and specific shape of the block 7 may also be varied if this is found to be desirable. A bacier in accordance with the invention can be easily placed on a part of the central reservation which is to form a 'switchover' when it is necessary to have a contra flow. The blocks of the barrier can easily be removed when a contra flow is established any may be easily replaced when the road reverts to normal working.

Claims: CLA1M5: I . A barrier adjacent the carriageway of a road, said barrier comprising, a plurality of free standing, elongate blocks, each block being of substantial mass, the blocks being arranged in a discontinuous manner. 5 2. A barrier according to claim I, wherein said blocks are arranged so as to be parallel with each other but are not parallel to said carriageway. 3. A barrier according to claim 2, wherein said blocks are arranged such that a respective longitudinal axis extending through each said block forms j j an acute angle with the direction of travel of vehicles on said adjacent carriageway. 4. A barrier according to claim 3, wherein said blocks are arranged such that an elongate side of each said block is presented towards oncoming 15 traffic travelling on the adjacent carriageway. 5. A barrier according to claim 4, wherein when viewed upon said elongate side in a direction substantially perpendicular to said side, said blocks appear to farm a continuous barrier. 20 6. A barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each said block defines a base, a plurality of sides and an upper surface, said base being of greater area than said upper surface, there being at least one pair of opposed sides which slope inwardly towards each other in a direction 25 towards said upper surface. 7. A barrier according to claim 6 as dependant upon claim 5, wherein two opposed elongate sides are defined by each block, said opposed elongate sides being cons t ituted by said opposed sloping sides, which, when viewed, in 30 a direction perpendicular to said ^ides, appear to form a continuous barrier. 8. A barrier according to any one of claims I to 7, wherein each said block incorporates means for lifting the block. 9. A barrier according to claim 8, wherein said lifting means comprises one more bores extending horizontally through said block, said bore or bores being suitable for receiving part of a lifting device. . 10. A barrier according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein each said block comprises one or more bores extending into said block from said upper surface. 1 1. A barrier according to claim J O as dependant upon claim 9, wherein said bores extending into said block from said upper surface are vertical Lbores, there being an equal number of said vertical bores and said horizontal " bores, said vertical bores interconnecting with said horizontal bores. 12. A barrier according to any one of claims 6 to I I , wherein the junctions between said sides and also the junction between said sides and said upper surface are rounded. 13. A barrier according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein each said block defines two pairs of opposed sides which each slope inwardly towards each other in a direction towards said upper surface, each said block having the configuration of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base. 14. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said block is formed from concrete as a concrete casting. i 15. A block for use in forming part of a barrier, said block defining a base, a plurality of sides and an upper surface, said base ' being of greater area than said upper surface, there being at least one pair of opposed sides which slope inwardly towards each other in a direction towards said upper surface. ' ... - 16. A block according to claim 15, wherein said block incorporates means for lifting the block. 17. A block according to claim 16, wherein said lifting means comprises one or more bores extending horizontally through said block, said bore or bores being suitable for receiving part of a lifting device. 18. A block according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said block incorporates one or more bores extending into said block from said upper surface. * * 19. A block according to claim 18 as dependant upon claim 17, wherein said bores extending into said block from said upper surface are vertical bores, there being an equal number of said vertical bores and said horizontal bores, said vertical bores interconnecting with said horizontal. bores. 10 20. A block according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the junctions between said sides and between said sides and said upper surface are rounded. 2 A block according to any one af claims 15 to 20, wherein said block 15 defines two pairs of opposed sides which each slope Inwardly towards each other in a direction towards said upper surface, said block having the configuration of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base. 22. A block according to any one of claims 15 to 21 , wherein said block is 20 formed from concrete as a concrete casting. 23. 1 A barrier substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in figure I of the drawings. 25 24. A block substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 25 ^ Any novel feature or combination of f atures disclosed herein.

Inventors: COSTELLOE JOHN, COSTELLOE, JOHN
Applicants: COSTELLOE JOHN, COSTELLOE, JOHN
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E01F15
IPC codes: E01F15