Interlocking highway structure

Abstract: Each of the sections of the system can have a recessed end to accommodate and engage with a similar adjacent end of the section next to it. The ends of each section of the system are provided with interlock plates (7,12) for connecting together the adjacent sections. Each interlock plate is attached to its respective section and has an extending vertical edge which is bent into a "U" shaped cross-section to engage a similar edge or lip on the interlock plate of the adjacent section such that lateral movement of the respective plates and sections is prevented. The respective sections of the system can, however, be easily implaced or removed by vertically displacing the sections.

Description: The present invention is concerned with a highway barrier system in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. CH-A-443 387 discloses a barrier system comprising a plurality of rigid upright sections disposed end-to-end in interlocking relationship. The interlocking means may comprise plates the vertical edge whereof being formed into a lip of "U" shaped cross-section. However, the end-surfaces of the modules are not provided with interengaging projections and recesses, respectively, thus leaving a flexibility of the system in cross-direction which in this case is desired in order to give way when hit by a car. FR-A-2 598 484 discloses a highway barrier system with characteristics similar to the before mentioned document. There is also desired a flexibility between adjacent modules permitting a deflection of a barrier section when hit by a car. Various other barrier systems have been employed along road ways and are important in blocking off areas from traffic, delineating driving lanes and otherwise providing means for controlling the flow of traffic along highways. In recent years it has also become the common practice to employ barrier systems that are constructed of large sections of concrete block that can be hoisted into place and subsequently removed with greater speed and ease than is usually required to construct more permanent structures. Frequently, such systems have consisted of large precast concrete blocks which are simply distributed along a roadway. Systems of this type, while relatively easy to install and disassemble, can, however, be dislodged - if sufficient force is applied, thereby resulting in a potential traffic hazard. In some instances, the sections of concrete block are bolted together to maintain the alignment of the sections and assure that they will not be either knocked over or displaced by any external force such as a colliding vehicle. These systems have, however, had the disadvantage that the means of attaching one block to another can be complex and expensive and require considerable time and effort to assemble, particularly when a large number of blocks are required to extend over a long stretch of roadway. Such systems also have required extensive effort when it is desired to remove or move some or all of these blocks, as frequently becomes the case when road repairs are being made a section at a time along a highway. Further, in systems where the blocks are joined by bolts or other means which are subsequently covered by the assembled units, it may be difficult or virtually impossible to remove a single section without disassembling the entire structure. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive highway crash barrier system consisting of a plurality of rigid sections which are joined in alignment together forming a rigid barrier but which can individually be easily and quickly removed without the necessity of extensive time consuming disengagement operations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of interlocking sections for a highway crash barrier system in which the respective sections engage one another in a simple but mechanically sound manner to facilitate alignment and stability of the entire system without encumbering it with expensive and mechanically complex coupling devices. Yet, a further object of the present invention is to provide a system of interlocking sections for a road barrier system which is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct an erect along the highway. A solution to these objects as obtained by the barrier system is defined in claim 1. A further development is shown in claim 2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 and 2 are a top plan view each of an embodiment of the invention with unengaged and engaged interlocking means, resp. Fig. 3 is a side cutaway view of the interface of two barrier sections. Fig. 4 is a side view of one of the interlock plates of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a highway barrier system is provided which comprises a plurality of rigid upright sections disposed end to end. Each such end has a recessed cavity. Each recessed cavity of the end of a section is provided with a vertically aligned, interlocking plate which can be partially embedded into the section or otherwise attached. The non-embedded vertical edge of the interlock plate is bent back to form a U-shaped lip which engages and interlocks with a similar lip on the vertically aligned interlock plate of the adjacent section. The interlocking plate actually extends beyond the recessed cavity of the section in which it is embedded so that the lips of adjacent interlock plates are actually engaged when adjacent barrier sections are slightly separated, and are functioning as "tongue in groove" when adjacent barrier- sections are abutting. The vertical alignment and engagement of the interlock plates prevents lateral movement of the respective sections of the highway barrier system but permits the sections to be positioned by vertical displacement, i.e., raising or lowering. The invention will, however, be more fully understood and appreciated by having specific reference to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof. Directing attention to Fig. 1 and 2 of the drawings, two rigid upright sections 1 and 2 of a highway barrier system of the invention are shown. The respective sections 1, 2 of the highway barrier system are maintained in positive, interlocking alignment with one another. The alignment of the respective sections 1 and 2 is maintained against lateral displacement by respective interlock plates 7 and 12 which are attached to the respective barrier sections 1, 2. A portion 8, 13 of interlock plates 7 and 12 is shown actually embedded into barrier sections 1 and 2 as shown in Fig. 3. To further reinforce the attachment of the interlock plates 7, 12 with the barrier sections 1, 2, metal bars 9 and 14 can be respectively attached to the embedded portions 8 and 13 of the respective interlock plates 7 and 12. The non-embedded ends 10 and 11 of the two interlock plates 7 and 12 respectively are bent to form U-shaped lips having edges parallel to one another and to the interlock plates 7 and 12. Each section 1, 2 can be lowered vertically into place so that the lips of the respective interlock plates 7, 12 at either end of a section engage one another when the sections 1, 2 are somewhat moved apart as shown to prevent lateral displacement of the sections of the system when they are aligned. If desired, a section of the system can be removed without disturbing the adjacent sections by raising the section vertically to disengage the interlocking plates. Fig. 3 of the drawings is side cutaway view illustrating the engaged interlock plates 7, 12 embedded within the respective barrier sections 1 and 2. As seen, each interlock plate 7 and 12 has a pair of projections 8 and 13 which extend into the barrier section 1 or 2 and which are attached to imbedded rods 9 and 14, respectively. Fig. 4 of the drawings is a detailed illustration of one interlock plate 7 having metal bars 9 attached to interlock plate projections 8. The plate 7 is folded back at 15 so that portion 10 forms a U-shaped lip parallel to the plate 7. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, recessed cavities 5 and 6 are provided in the ends of barrier sections 1 and 2 respectively whereby the abutting faces 16, 17 of the ends of the two sections 1, 2 are otherwise flush. The two mutually interlocking plates 7 and 12 extend beyond the respective flush abutting faces 16 and 17 into the cavities 6 and 5. As seen in Fig. 1, the "U" shaped ends of the plates 7 and 12 will not normally engage one another in positive interlocking relationship when the abutting faces 16 and 17 are proximate to one another. Positive interlocking of the plates 7, 12 is achieved as shown in Fig. 2 by moving the adjacent sections 1, 2 somewhat apart to present a gap 18 between the sections 1, 2. This has the advantage of facilitating implacement of the sections 1, 2 of the barrier and allowing a greater degree of deviation from linear alignment of the barrier sections 1, 2 since the interlocking plates 7, 12 function to a limited extent like a hinge to permit some lateral movement of one section relative to the adjacent section. In addition to providing an inexpensive and relatively easily fabricated means for maintaining sections 1, 2 of highway barrier systems in engagement together, the present invention provides a positive interlock which prevents lateral displacement of the respective sections 1, 2 of the highway barrier system such as would be caused by a vehicle making contact with the barrier. The present invention, however, permits sections 1, 2 of the barrier system to easily be removed by simply vertically lifting them out of place since the interlock system of the invention provides no impediment to such vertical displacement.

Claims: A highway barrier system comprising a plurality of rigid upright sections (1, 2) disposed end to end in interlocking relationship, the end of each upright section (1, 2) being provided with a recessed cavity (5, 6) from which projects an interlock means (7, 12) attached to said section (1, 2) to engage a similar interlock means projecting out of the recessed cavity in the adjacent end of the next upright section, characterized in that said interlock means each comprise a vertically aligned interlock plate (7, 12) having one vertical edge (8, 13) imbedded in said upright section (1, 2) and the other vertical edge (10, 11) extending beyond the recessed cavity (5, 6) and end of said section, said extending vertical edge being formed into a lip of "U" shaped cross-section adapted to engage a similar lip on the interlock means of the adjacent section such that the "U" shaped ends of the plates (7, 12) will not be interlocked with each other, but will engage the cavity of the adjacent section as a "tongue in groove" when the opposing ends of these sections are proximate to one another, whereas the "U" shaped ends of the plates (7, 12) will be in positive interlocking when the sections are moved somewhat apart to present a gap (18) between them. The highway barrier system of claim 1 wherein said imbedded portions (8, 13) of said interlock plates (7, 12) are attached to reinforcing metal bars (9, 14).

Inventors: SMITH RODNEY I, SMITH, RODNEY I.
Applicants: SMITH RODNEY I, SMITH, RODNEY I.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E01F15
IPC codes: E01F15