Abstract:
A stackable, portable, vehicle traffic barricade having a molded elongated body with a generally extruded triangular shape having a longitudinal axis; a base; a top; a first pair of opposing sides disposed between the top and the base; a second pair of arcuate opposing sides disposed between the top and the base; a plurality of vertically disposed fillable cavities disposed through the top of the body; and a plurality of caps, where each of the caps has a cross sectional shape suitable for functionally engaging a corresponding cavity.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to vehicle traffic barriers, and, more particularly, to stackable, transportable, vehicle traffic barriers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,499 discloses a traffic lane delineator that includes an elongate centrally disposed planar strip flanked on at least one side, and generally both sides, by outwardly extending tabs or ribs. The width of each rib may be equal to the space between adjacent ribs or the rib width and spacing therebetween may be varied if desired. This configuration provides an audible warning if a moving vehicle engages and drives upon the ribs. The planar strip preferably also includes a longitudinally extending double yellow line marking which may include reflective material. A physical barrier along the central strip may take the form of spaced-apart stanchions which may include reflective material for visibly delineating the traffic lanes. The delineator may be readily installed on a lane surface as needed as well as removed and rolled or stacked for compact storage. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,053 discloses a traffic control device constructed as either a one piece or two piece device of a resilient plastic by molding. Both the one piece and two piece devices are constructed to have a ground engaging surface defined with a multiplicity of dependent elements arranged thereon in a preselected pattern for distributing the weight of any ballast means over the dependent elements so that they function as localized pressure points to more firmly engage the supporting surface to minimize their movement on the supporting surface due to wind gusts, vibrations or the like. The two piece device is constructed with a base element that not only includes the dependent elements but also skids for permitting the assembled two piece device to be slid over a supporting surface on the skids to prevent the assembled two pieces from becoming unintentionally detached while being slid. The devices are capable of being stacked with and without the warning light secured thereto and present the appearance of a formidable object. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat No. 4859983 discloses a traffic barricade of the A-frame type constructed of a lightweight material such as plastic to have a forbidding appearance. The barricade members are unitarily constructed to be interchangeable and with integral hinge mechanisms. The hinge mechanisms have detent elements for improving the resistance to winds tending to cause the closure of the “A” stance of the barricade. The barricade permits a damaged hinge element to be readily replaced. Ballast may be added to a storage compartment arranged adjacent the supporting surface for the barricade. The design of the plastic barricade permits a warning light to be directly secured by a mounting bolt functioning as a hinge pin. The individual barricade members may be stacked with substantially no relative movement of the stacked members. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat No. 5,406,039 discloses an acoustical barrier wall system for use as an external wall acoustical attenuator for sound sources. The wall system comprises a plurality of acoustical barrier panels adapted for vertically stacked co-operating engagement. There are first and second attachment members each having a first end anchored within the main body portion of the acoustical barrier panels and an opposite threaded second end extending outwardly beyond the main body portion. There are first and second upright bracing members, each having a corresponding plurality of attachment member receiving means spaced therealong, the attachment member receiving means being adapted to receive the respective first and second attachment members therein. Connecting means in the form of co-operating nuts are adapted to connect the attachment members and the attachment member receiving means in secured relation to one another. The plurality of vertically stacked acoustical barrier panels are secured together by the attachment members, the first and second upright bracing members, and the connecting means to thereby form a wall section for unitary placement between a pair of spaced upright frame members adapted to supportingly receive the plurality of acoustical barrier panels in vertically stacked cooperative engagement therebetween. The first and second upright bracing members are adapted for secure fastening to the respective one of the pair of spaced upright frame members following the unitary placement of the wall section. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,101 discloses a plastic road barrier having an elongated base portion having an open center portion and a hollow peripheral portion surrounding the open center portion. The hollow peripheral portion has an inlet into an upper portion thereof for receiving water or other ballast, and an outlet from a lower portion thereof for draining the ballast. An elongated hollow upper portion, open at the bottom, extends upwardly from the base portion, and is preferably but not necessarily integral therewith. Its horizontal dimensions reduce from bottom to top, via steps and/or by being tapered, so that the barriers can be stacked by inserting the upper portion of one barrier a substantial distance into the upper portion of another barrier. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,714 discloses portable control barriers for use in sporting or entertainment events having a lightweight housing formed of a resiliently deformable material. Each housing has an interior surface defining an internal chamber that can be selectively filled with a ballast. In one embodiment, the housing has opposing end walls, opposing sidewalls, and a substantially flat bottom wall. A spline and groove are each positioned on one of the opposing end walls. The spline and groove are configured to interlock adjacently positioned barriers. In yet another embodiment, a spout and receiving aperture are positioned on opposing end walls. In this embodiment, the spout of one barrier can be received in sealed fluid communication with the receiving port of an adjacent barrier, thereby allowing fluid communication of the ballast between adjacent barriers. Finally, in yet another embodiment, the bottom wall of the housing can be arched so as to form a passageway extending through the barrier. The bottom wall has a surface that is complementary to the top surface of the housing so that a plurality of barriers can be nestably stacked. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,285 discloses a barrier system that includes discrete movable barriers molded from a resiliently deformable plastic. Each of the barriers includes a housing having opposing front and back walls and opposing triangular shaped sidewalls. The front and back walls extend from a floor and intersect at a rounded top portion. Each barrier includes an interior surface that defines an internal chamber. The internal chamber can be selective filled with a ballast through an opening. Recessed within the front wall and back wall are a plurality of pockets. The pockets form reinforcing ribs which substantially prevent the deflection of front and back wall when the internal chamber is filled with ballast. In contrast, the sidewalls are substantially smooth to enhance bowing thereat when the internal chamber is filled with ballast. Recessed within the floor of each barrier adjacent to each of the sidewalls is a slot. Upstanding legs from an U-shaped connector are received within corresponding slots when sidewalls of adjacent barriers are biased together. The connector thus secures the barriers together. A tenon and mortise is formed on the front wall of each of the barriers and are configured such that front walls of opposing barriers can be mated together for stacking and storage. Each of the barriers can also include a rubberized pad mounted to the floor of the barrier to minimize sliding. A plate can also be mounted to each barrier to minimize the potential for tipping the barriers. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,870 discloses a sawhorse type of traffic barricade constructed from identical leg units. The legs are equipped with a stop to prevent them from opening beyond a predetermined point. The legs have the cross section of a right triangle, allowing the hypotenuse sides of the legs to nest within each other. The legs may be equipped with complementary convex and concave portions to allow the barricades to be stacked securely atop one another by fitting the portions together. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,799 discloses a portable barrier of closed hollow prismatic module configuration. A dense fill material is loaded onto the bottom panel prior to closure providing mass for strength and stability against impacts. The flat panels may be hingeably interconnected and foldable to optionally form a compact stackable configuration for storage and transport. A multiplicity of such modules may be positioned and connected to form a continuous massive wall for such uses as reducing damaging wave action, preventing beach erosion, directing water in flood areas, and providing highway barriers for guidance and safety. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,188 discloses a barrier assembly having first, second and third bodies that are vertically stacked. Each body includes a top surface and side surfaces. Inlet ports are formed within the top surfaces. Isolated chambers are formed within and are equidistantly spaced from a center of each body. The bodies include opposed ends that have serrations formed therewith that are interfitted for inhibiting lateral movement of the bodies during collision. The bodies also include indentations formed therein for receiving a user&#39;s hands or a fork lift arm, and assisting the user to transport the bodies. Reinforcement rods, formed from non-corrosive material, traverse through the bodies. At least one reinforcement rod is medially seated between the isolated compartments for counterbalancing a combined weight of the bodies. A connector rod is conjoined to the bodies such that the bodies are prohibited from disengaging while experiencing an impact force. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,888 discloses a stackable interlocking barrier system that includes a first barrier having a front wall and a back wall each extending between a top wall and a floor, at least a portion of the front wall being sloped relative to the back wall. A second barrier also has a front wall and a back wall each extending between a top wall and a floor, at least a portion of the front wall being sloped relative to the back wall. The second barrier is inverted relative to the first barrier with the front wall of the second barrier seated against the front wall of the first barrier. A first connector is removably mounted on the first barrier and the second barrier so as to secure the first barrier to the second barrier. 
         [0015]    However, what is needed in the art is a vehicle barrier comprising a stackable design for compact transportation within known cargo shipping containers used in water and road transportation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0016]    In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a stackable, portable, vehicle traffic barricade, said barricade having a molded elongated body, said body comprising: a generally extruded triangular shape having a longitudinal axis; a base, said base comprising a tapered slot extending along said longitudinal axis; a top, where said top is narrower than said base; a first pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a vertically disposed slot and rail; a second pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a generally arcuate shape; a plurality of vertically disposed fillable cavities disposed through said top of said body; and a plurality of caps, where each of said caps comprises a cross sectional shape suitable for functionally engaging a corresponding cavity. 
         [0017]    In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a system of stackable, portable, vehicle traffic barricades, said system comprising: a first barricade having a molded elongated body, said body including: a generally extruded triangular shape having a longitudinal axis; a base, said base comprising a tapered slot extending along said longitudinal axis; a top, where said top is narrower than said base; a first pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a vertically disposed slot and rail; a second pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a generally arcuate shape; a plurality of vertically disposed fillable cavities disposed through said top of said body; and a plurality of caps, where each of said caps comprises a cross sectional shape suitable for functionally engaging a corresponding cavity; a second barricade having a molded elongated body, said body including: a generally extruded triangular shape having a longitudinal axis; a base, said base comprising a tapered slot extending along said longitudinal axis; a top, where said top is narrower than said base; a first pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a vertically disposed slot and rail; a second pair of opposing sides disposed between said top and said base, each side of said first pair of opposing sides comprising a generally arcuate shape; a plurality of vertically disposed fillable cavities disposed through said top of said body; and a plurality of caps, where each of said caps comprises a cross sectional shape suitable for functionally engaging a corresponding cavity; wherein said top of second barricade fits into said slot of said base of said first barricade. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
           [0019]    In the drawings: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded upper perspective view of a traffic barrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the body of which extends along an imaginary longitudinal axis. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded front end elevation of a traffic barrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a pair of imaginary parallel planes indicated by dotted lines. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded side elevation of a traffic barrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the body of which extends along an imaginary longitudinal axis. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an upper perspective view of filled stacked traffic barriers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bodies of which extend along imaginary longitudinal axes, and a pair of imaginary parallel planes indicated by dotted lines. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows an upper perspective view of a plurality of stacked traffic barriers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a partially shown shipping container. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows an upper perspective view of a plurality of stacked traffic barriers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a differently sized, partially shown shipping container. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplary embodiments set forth herein are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of various exemplary embodiments according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Thus, all of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, in the present description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0030]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded upper perspective view of traffic barrier  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , traffic barrier  1000  generally comprises a molded plastic body  1020 . However, body  1020  of traffic barrier  1000 , in addition to plastic, may comprise any suitable non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. In the preferred embodiment, however, the body of traffic barrier  1000  is comprised of a molded or extruded thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. 
         [0031]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , traffic barrier body  1020  generally comprises a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in directions along the length of an imaginary longitudinal axis  1030 . Referring still to  FIG. 1 , traffic barrier  1000  comprises a pair of longitudinally opposite ends including a front end surface  100  and a rear end surface  200 . Longitudinal axis  1030  defines a length of traffic barrier  1000  between front end surface  100  and rear end surface  200 . Front end surface  100  defines a vertically oriented raised rib  110  and a parallel, adjacent, vertically oriented slot  120 . Rear end surface  200  defines a vertically oriented raised rib  210  and a parallel, adjacent, vertically oriented slot  220 . Raised rib  210  of rear end surface  200  and slot  120  of front end surface  100  of each traffic barrier body  1020  are disposed in imaginary, vertically-oriented plane  1040  that is parallel with longitudinal axis  1030 . Likewise, raised rib  110  of front end surface  100  and slot  220  of rear end surface  200  of each traffic barrier body  1020  are disposed in imaginary, vertically-oriented plane  1050  that is parallel with longitudinal axis  1030  and plane  1040 . 
         [0032]    Traffic barrier body  1020  also has a top portion  1060  that defines top surface  300 , a bottom portion  1070  that defines bottom surface  400 , and an at least partially hollow interior. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the interior of traffic barrier body  1020  is defined by a plurality of, preferably three, vertically-oriented, finable cavities  500  having openings  1080  that are distributed in directions along longitudinal axis  1030  and open to top surface  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , cavity openings  1080  are preferably of a regular shape so that each cavity  500  may be enclosed by caps  550 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Opening  1080  of each cavity  500  may, for example, be rectangular or square as shown or of any regular geometric shape such a triangle, circle, an octagon, hexagon, etc. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded front end elevation of traffic barrier  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Traffic barrier body  1020  further defines longitudinal slot  410  in bottom surface  400  that extends between front end surface  100  and rear end surface  200 . 
         [0035]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the vertical direction slot  410  has a generally tapered shape whereby the lateral width of the top  1090  of slot  410  is smaller than the lateral width at the bottom of slot  410  in directions perpendicular to longitudinal axis  1030 . The purpose of this taper is to allow a user of the present invention to stack a plurality of traffic bodies  1020  on top of one another such that the top portion  1060  of a first traffic barrier body  1020  may be received and nest within a corresponding slot  410  of a second, vertically adjacent traffic barrier body  1020 . 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , traffic barrier body  1020  has opposing right and left lateral sides  600  and  700 . In longitudinal cross-section, upper portions  602  and  702  of right and left lateral sides  600  and  700 , respectively, each have a generally arcuate shape. Each lateral side upper portion  602 ,  702  slopes laterally outward from its juncture with top surface  300  of traffic barrier body  1020 , to its respective juncture with a corresponding lateral side lower portion  604 ,  704 , which defines a vertical plane. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , upper portion  602  of right lateral side  600  curves outwardly from its juncture with top surface  300  of traffic barrier body  1020  to its juncture with vertically oriented lower portion  604 , and upper portion  702  of left lateral side  700  curves outwardly from its juncture with top surface  300  of traffic barrier body  1020  to its juncture with vertically oriented lower portion  704 . 
         [0037]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , traffic barrier  1000  according to the present invention may further comprise a barrier base  1001 . Barrier base  1001  opposing lateral right and left sides  610 ,  710 , respectively, each having a generally flat surface that tapers inwardly from the bottom  1100  of base  1001  to the top  1120  of base  1001  to fit cooperatively into slot  410  in bottom surface  400  of traffic barrier body  1020 . Base  1001  is used in situations where a single traffic barrier  1000  is used, or in conjunction with the bottommost traffic barrier body  1020  of a plurality of vertically stacked traffic barriers bodies  1020 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIGS. 2 and 4  also illustrate that longitudinal slot  410  is receivable of the entirety of base  1001 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , base  1001  defines front end surface  101  having a vertically oriented raised rib  111  and adjacent slot  121  having the same lateral and longitudinal dimensions as corresponding raised rib  110  and slot  120  provided on the front end surface  100  of traffic barrier body  1020 . Barrier base  1001  further defines rear end surface  201  having a vertically oriented raised rib  211  and adjacent slot  221  having the same lateral and longitudinal dimensions as corresponding raised rib  210  and slot  220  provided on the rear end surface  200  of traffic barrier body  1020 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded side elevation of traffic barrier  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , barrier base  1001  is sized and shaped to cooperatively fit within slot  410  of traffic bather body  1020 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows an upper perspective view of a traffic barrier  1000  including a pair of vertically stacked traffic bather bodies  1020  where the lowermost traffic barrier body  1020  has a barrier base  1001  disposed into its slot  410 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the openings  1080  of cavities  500  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the uppermost traffic barrier body  1020  are closed by caps  550 . Caps  550  are preferably comprised of the same material as each traffic barrier body  1020 . 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a plurality of pairs of vertically stacked traffic barrier bodies  1020 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the flat lateral side lower portions  604  and  704  of the traffic barrier bodies  1020  allow for the convenient, close packing of multiple stacks thereof. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative packing arrangement of traffic barrier bodies  1020  adapted to fit in a smaller cargo unit for shipping via land, rail, or sea. It will be appreciated by users of the present invention that the design disclosed and claimed herein allows for many more traffic barriers  1000  to be packaged into standard shipping containers for rail, sea, and land transportation thereof than do prior art traffic barriers. 
         [0043]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.