Patent Publication Number: US-7591605-B2

Title: Modular traffic calming devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
   The present application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/675,463 filed Apr. 28, 2005, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to traffic calming devices like speed humps, speed tables, speed cushions, traffic islands, raised crosswalks, chokers, raised intersections, chicanes etc., and more particularly, to a novel design of traffic calming devices including various modules connected together. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Traffic calming is presently achieved by building speed bumps, speed humps and other similar devices mainly from asphalt or concrete. These conventional devices cannot be easily installed or removed. Moreover, there are difficulties in achieving consistent and stable profile of these devices during their lifetime. 
   There is clearly a need for traffic calming devices capable of having a nice esthetic appearance, a consistent profile, and be easy to install and, if required, to remove. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is proposed that the traffic calming devices be constructed using two or more prefabricated modules. Thus, installation and removal of such devices can be greatly facilitated upon using a plurality of relatively lightweight modules and a simple installation method. 
   Accordingly, there is provided a modular traffic calming device comprising at least two substantially rectangular modules, each module having an upper face, a ground-engaging face, at least one first side face and at least one second side face that is perpendicular to the at least one first side face, each module having a complementary interlocking connection with an adjacent one of the modules when their first side faces are adjoined, and a non-interlocking connection with an adjacent one of modules when their second side faces are adjoined. 
   There is also provided a modular traffic calming device, the device comprising at least two substantially rectangular modules interconnected side-by-side, each module comprising an upper face, a ground-engaging bottom face, at least one first side face extending in a first direction and at least one second side face extending in a second direction, each module having at least one first side face configured and disposed to be adjoined to the first side face of another of the modules of the device, each module further having at least one second side face configured and disposed to be adjoined to the second side face of another of the modules of the device, the first side faces being connectable together by complementary interlocking connectors and the second side faces being connectable together by complementary non-interlocking connectors. 
   There is further provided a module for a modular traffic calming device comprising a plurality of modules, the module comprising: an upper face; a ground-engaging bottom face; a first side face extending in a first direction; a second side face extending in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; means for providing an interlocking connection between two adjacent modules when their first side faces are adjoined; and means for providing a non-interlocking connection between two adjacent modules when their second side faces are adjoined. 
   There is further provided a method of assembling a modular traffic calming device having a plurality of adjacently-disposed modules interconnected together, each module having an upper face, a ground-engaging bottom face, at least one first side face extending in a first direction and at least one second side face extending in a second direction, the method comprising, in no particular order: connecting the first side faces of at least one set of adjacently-disposed modules using a complementary interlocking connection; connecting the second side faces of at least one set of adjacently-disposed modules using a complementary non-interlocking connection. 
   There is further provided a modular traffic calming device comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular modules, each module having an upper face, a ground-engaging face, at least one first side face and at least one second side face that is perpendicular to the at least one first side face, each module being made in accordance with at least one standardized module shape, each module being connectable to an adjacent module using a complementary interlocking connection across their first side faces. 
   These and other aspects of the modular traffic calming device will be described in details in the following description of an example thereof, which description is made with reference to the appended figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a traffic calming device in the form of a speed hump that is built from various modules disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the middle, starting module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of middle, inclined module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a middle, flat module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a corner module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an end cap, inclined module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an end cap, flat module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-section view of an example of complementary interlocking connectors. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an example of one among many possible traffic calming devices like speed humps, speed tables, speed cushions, traffic islands, raised crosswalks, chokers, raised intersections, chicanes etc. that can be built using one or more standardized module shapes, as exemplified by modules  1  to  6 . Complementary module shapes are also used in the device shown in  FIG. 1 , being understood that complementary modules  4 ′ and  5 ′ are substantially mirror equivalents of the modules  4  to  5  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The various traffic calming devices are built from two or more modules. Thus, a relatively small number of standardized module shapes are needed to make an almost unlimited variety of different traffic calming devices. 
     FIG. 2  shows middle, starting inclined module  1 . One side of the module  1  is wedge shaped.  FIG. 3  shows a middle, inclined module  2 .  FIG. 4  shows a middle, flat module  3 .  FIG. 5  shows a corner module  4 .  FIG. 6  shows an end cap, inclined module  5 .  FIG. 7  shows an end cap, flat module  6 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular traffic calming device comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular modules interconnected side-by-side, preferably forming a grid-like arrangement. Each module has an upper face, a ground-engaging face, at least one first side face and at least one second side face that is perpendicular to its first side face or faces. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side faces are extending parallel to the first direction that is identified with the arrow F while the second side faces are extending parallel to the second direction that is identified with the arrow S. Together, the upper faces of the modules, once connected together, form a continuous upper surface of the device. 
   When building a device, one can use two or three modules only, depending on the design. However, as illustrated, each module is connectable to at least one adjacent module using a complementary interlocking connection across their first side faces, when adjoined. Each module is also connectable to at least one adjacent module using a complementary non-interlocking connection across their second side faces, when adjoined. 
   In the present context, the expression “interlocking connection” means a connection that can somewhat hold together two adjacent modules when a force perpendicular to their first side faces is applied (i.e. forcing them to move away from each other). The expression “non-interlocking connection” means a connection which does not significantly hold the modules together with a force perpendicular to their second side faces is applied. However, the non-interlocking connection can prevent two adjacent modules to slide, relative to each other, along their second side faces. The combination of connectors provides a suitable way of connecting all modules of a device and spread the impact force of the passing vehicle on all modules, thus increasing stability and durability of the installation under impact. 
   In the illustrated example, each complementary non-interlocking connection includes at least one rectangular projection  10  in one module and a corresponding rectangular recess  11  in an adjacent module. These figures also show that each complementary interlocking connection includes at least one L-shaped flange  12  in one module and at least one corresponding L-shaped recess  13  in an adjacent module. There is preferably two spaced-apart L-shaped flanges and two corresponding L-shaped recesses in each connection, as shown. Furthermore, the L-shaped flanges  12  and recesses  13 , as well as the rectangular projection  10  and corresponding recess  11 , are configured and disposed so that the modules are reversible (i.e. rotated 180° around a vertical axis for use elsewhere in the device). As can be seen, for instance, the module  2  of  FIG. 3  can fit at either ends of the module  3  shown in  FIG. 4 . Likewise, the design of the modules also allows them to be easily matched side-by-side. One side has the rectangular projection  10  and the opposite side has the corresponding rectangular recess  11 . This way, the device can be assembled relatively easily by connecting the first side faces of adjacent modules and the second side faces of adjacent modules in no particular order. One of the resulting advantages is that the installation of the modules on a road can be performed without entirely closing the road for traffic. For instance, the modules can then be installed on one side or section of the road while the other side or section of the road could be opened for traffic. When a first portion of the traffic calming device is completed, this portion can be returned for traffic while the installation of the other portion of the device is made. Thus only one side of the road or street needs to be closed for traffic at a time. 
   The devices can be temporarily or permanently fixed to the ground, depending on the requirements. The modules can be anchored to the ground with vertical anchoring elements such as fixing screws or spikes, preferably using the lag bolts with shields. One or more mounting holes  14  are also provided between opposite upper and bottom surfaces of the modules to accommodate the anchoring elements. The upper side of these holes  14  can be chamfered to hide the head of the anchoring elements. 
   The ground-engaging faces of the modules can be flat or provided with various types of pockets, grooves or channels created in order to reduce the weight of the modules within the compression requirements for such product. Continuous channels through the bottom side of the whole device, preferably perpendicularly to the direction of the traffic, can also be created to accommodate cables or hoses to be passed across the device. Further, channels from front to back of the modules can be created to facilitate storm water drainage. 
   Various materials can be used to make the modules. Plastic, rubber, metal or combination thereof, and especially recycled plastic and rubber or mixture of both, are the most economical. Other materials can be used as well. The use of recycled rubber from used tires is particularly advantageous since the material is slightly flexible and resistant to wear. 
   The modules can be of the same color, for example black or any other color, but are preferably marked with various patterns created by a bright and distinct paint contrasting from the color of the modules, preferably traffic yellow or other color depending on local requirements. It is also possible to use tape or various inserts made of plastic material, rubber like material or another material having various shapes, such as square, circular, stripes, etc., on the top surface of the modules in order to increase visibility of the modules installed on a street or a road. One possibility is to provide at the surface a bright reflective material that is molded within the material of the modules. This way, the reflective material is more durable. Still, various kinds of finishes of the top surface of the modules can be utilized, preferably non-skid patterns created by a series of grooves and bumps. Security of the installation can be further increased by molding the modules with a steel plate, square or round, around the mounting holes  14 , which plate would spread the load of the anchoring element on a wider surface. 
   Depending on the requirements, various modules can be created with different profile, thickness and lateral dimensions, especially with the possibility that each module be handled by one or few installers without need for heavy lifting equipment like forklifts or cranes. Ideally, each module should have a weight not exceeding 150 lbs for an easy handling by hand. 
   The above description is therefore meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that other changes may also be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed as defined by the appended claims. For instance, the modules are limited to the exact shape of the ones shown in  FIG. 1 to 8 . Some modules, especially ones at the corner of the traffic calming devices, may have a shape that is more or less truncated. This is intended to be covered by the expression “substantially rectangular”. Also, the modules may have different sizes and some, or even all, may be square shaped. 
   The “first direction” and “second direction”, as illustrated, correspond to the transversal and longitudinal direction of the individual modules, respectively. It can also be the opposite. The first direction and the second direction are not necessarily lined to the traffic direction. 
   The complementary interlocking connectors are not limited to L-shaped flanges and recesses. Other kinds of complementary interlocking connectors can be used, including male and female connectors. Likewise, the complementary non-interlocking connectors are not limited to rectangular flanges and recesses. Pegs or elongated elements of almost any shape can be used as well. The use ground anchoring elements may be omitted in certain circumstances.