Abstract:
A system for anchoring concrete safety barriers on bridges and roads, can be cast in place or pre-cast by manufacturers. However, in the prior art, concrete in the pocket of the concrete safety barriers in which bolts attach the barrier to the bridge deck has a tendency to fail when excessive loads are applied. The present invention solves this problem by lining the pocket with a steel plate reinforced by shear studs or welded steel rods in a number of different configurations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/327,309, filed Oct. 9, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an improved system for anchoring concrete safety barriers on bridges or roads.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Safety barriers on bridges and roadways are an essential part of basic road and highway construction. These barriers are frequently used to separate sections of an area and to prevent drivers from dangerous ledges. These safety barriers are made of various materials, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are attached to the road or bridge using various methods. This is reflected in the related art.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,009 issued on Sep. 4, 1990 to Roger C. Kellison, describes narrow silica fume concrete road barriers having reflector-bearing caps facing outward from an anchor system placed in a series of recesses formed on one side of the barrier in the shoulder. The anchor rod is placed in the assumed precast vertical mounting holes in the shoulder with a plate or washer and are placed into drilled holes in the road surface. A hardening liquid securing agent is poured into the drilled holes. The barriers are distinguishable for not recognizing the problem of deteriorating fasteners and emphasizing the mounting of reflectors on one side of the barrier.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,635 issued on Jul. 29, 1997 to Gordon A. Nagle, describes a concrete barrier with a special reinforcement basket of steel rebar for reinforcing concrete barriers having toe regions of increased strength. Above the toe regions on one or both sides is a shoulder region with windows or gaps between the rebar providing uninterrupted passage of holes in the concrete for anchor bolts angled vertically. The concrete road barrier is precast in a plant and brought to a site and anchored. Another barrier is a median barrier shown in cross-section as a truncated triangle with anchor pockets alternating on opposite sides, wherein each pocket contains an anchor pocket having bolt holes angled from both base regions to the center line and the floor of the parapet.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,336 issued on Aug. 12, 1986 to Robert A. Slaw, Sr., describes a union for concrete units intended to be used to couple a precast concrete parapet to a substantially flat concrete roadway surface. The precast concrete member has a partial inwardly flaring longitudinal groove and sequential coupling rods which extend within the groove. U-shaped rods also extend from the deck within the groove sequentially. A locking bar is inserted longitudinally through the groove in locking relationship with the coupling rods and the U-shaped deck rods. Grout is then injected throughout the longitudinal groove and allowed to harden, thus providing a sealed and locked joint. The structure also requires a longitudinal bottom groove and numerous interlocking rods.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,140 issued on Mar. 16, 1999 to Leo J. Yodock, Jr. et al., describes a barrier device comprising a resilient plastic cover with interconnected walls to be filled with a ballast material such as water, sand, or rubber. The symmetrical device has stabilizer sections in the intermediate section on both sides for anchoring with stakes having heads. The barrier device is distinguishable for being limited to plastic covers fillable with the various materials.  
           [0010]    U.S. Design Patent No. 385,362 issued on Oct. 21, 1997 to Joseph R. Rossetti, describes a portable modular fluid-fillable plastic barrier comprising a substantially rectangular form having four blind grooves on the right side, four inclined grooves on the left side, a cylindrical lug on one end, a centered groove on the opposite end, three holes on top, a longitudinal groove intersecting two orthogonal grooves, an elongated key on one end face and a cooperating key-way on the opposite end face for joining with another keyed barrier.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,010 issued on Apr. 28, 1987 to Bengt O. Almer et al., describes the joining of two improved concrete blocks intended to serve as a roadway defining member in the shape of an elongate horizontal concrete body having an elongated vertical triangular cross-sectional shape with one bottom face and two symmetrical side faces. The blocks have precast a vertical confining groove on both ends and two pairs of U-shaped reinforcement iron hooks with upper threaded pins and lower angular pins for combining with a steel tube inserted into the circular throughbore formed by the joined grooves. A steel retaining plate is placed on top in the precast depression and bolted down on the threaded pins. The joining system is distinguishable for requiring embedded hooks and a vertical steel tube connector.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,475 issued on Nov. 20, 1990 to Bertin Castonguay et al., describes a precast curb system comprising concrete cubes having a vertical fastening projection with a vertical groove on their rear surfaces for anchoring with construction nails. The concrete substrate is drilled to insert the anchor nails. The curb system is distinguishable for anchoring with nails.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,786 issued on Jul. 21, 1992 to Randall House et al., describes a pre-cast traffic barrier comprising a profiled and reinforced concrete block having a bottom surface with a longitudinal channel for installing on a concrete retaining wall embedded in a roadway surface. The irregularly shaped barrier in cross-section has U-shaped anchoring bars from the retaining wall to form an oval key-way which receives a locking bar. Grout is injected throughout the channel to provide a sealed and locked joint. The traffic barrier is distinguishable for utilizing an embedded retaining wall.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,884 issued on Sep. 6, 1991 to Marino Girotti, describes a concrete roadway traffic barrier incorporating coupling devices at each end which are mating troughs and T-shaped members formed during the casting process. The barrier is distinguishable for lacking any fastening means to the roadway.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,665 issued on Nov. 11, 1997 to M. Carl Lembo, describes a concrete roadway barrier formed from half-sections placed back to back to form modules and connected by horizontal bolts. A cable for each module extends through the aligned axial passages of each half-section to connect the half-sections together with a polyvinyl chloride shock absorbing means. The cable is held at intervals with a cable tie-down arm having a side opening for the cable and a cable anchor, which has a U-bolt supporting a cylindrical base placed in the concrete slab. The barrier is distinguishable for having a significantly different fastening means to the roadway.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,757 issued on Mar. 22, 1994 to Don L. Ivey et al., describes a safety end barrier for concrete road barriers comprising a low profile block having a thicker end with a recessed trough to allow two bolts to connect horizontally to the end of another low profile barrier. The barrier decreases in height to the tip with spaced apertures to be optionally staked down with steel rods or dowels. The barrier is distinguished for its unusual shape and vertical anchoring means.  
           [0017]    U.K. Patent Application No. 2 237 313 A granted on May 1, 1991 granted by William M. Morgan, describes a modular concrete traffic barrier unit comprising a symmetrical cross-section containing steel reinforcement means and vertical end slots for linking with a removable flat rectangular post. Reflectors and a light are placed on the sides of the barrier unit. The barrier unit is distinguishable for requiring posts and lacking attachment features to the ground.  
           [0018]    Japan Patent Application No. 3-267421 granted on Nov. 28, 1991 for Tokusaburo Ishimoto et al., describes the connection of precast concrete barriers by fasteners in the indented regions on the top wings and in the bottom feet. The fastening structure is distinguishable for being limited to combining concrete barriers end to end.  
           [0019]    Japan Patent Application No. 4-289328 granted on Oct. 14, 1992 for Nobuyuki Kuroyanagi, describes the method of installing vertical installation concrete foundations by placing a water string in the precast top grooves of each concrete block. The disclosure is distinguishable in lacking disclosure as to the anchoring of the concrete foundation blocks.  
           [0020]    Although each of the described patents outline important and novel features of various types of bridge and road barriers, the concrete barriers outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,635 issued to Nagle are particularly useful. Unfortunately, the toe region of the Nagle barrier is prone to wear as the barrier is exposed to increasing loads. Such a solution to this problem would improve the Naglel barrier substantially and result in a barrier that would be more useful for people in the road and highway construction field.  
           [0021]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0022]    The invention is an improved system for anchoring concrete safety barriers on bridges and roads. These concrete barriers can be placed between the sections and at the ends of a protected bridge and can be or pre-cast by manufacturers. These concrete safety barriers have pockets in which bolts extend through to attach the concrete barrier to the bridge or road surface. Unfortunately, these pockets have a tendency to fail when loads are applied. The present invention solves this problem by lining the pockets with a steel plate reinforced by shear metal studs or welded steel rods for accommodating concrete barriers with a variety of different configurations.  
           [0023]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved system for anchoring concrete safety barriers on bridges and roads.  
           [0024]    It is another object of the invention to provide an improved system for increasing the strength of concrete safety barriers being attached to bridges and roads.  
           [0025]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an anchoring system for a concrete barrier having a steel plate lining the pocket of a concrete barrier with shear studs or welded steel rods in a variety of specific configurations.  
           [0026]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0027]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is an overhead perspective view of a one sided system for anchoring single slope concrete safety barriers on bridges or road surfaces.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an anchoring system for anchoring single slope concrete safety barriers on bridges or road surfaces.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a single slope concrete safety barrier showing pre-cast pockets with a throughbore that will enter the bridge or road surface at an acute angle.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of a single slope concrete safety barrier with a throughbore and a steel anchor rod that will enter the bridge or road surface at an acute angle.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a safety shaped concrete safety barrier with a throughbore and a steel anchor rod that will enter a bridge at a 90 degree angle and go through the bridge and be secured to the bridge with a washer and a hexagonal nut.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an anchoring system for safety shaped concrete safety barriers showing the anchors arranged in a staggered configuration.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned elevational view of a single sloped concrete safety barrier with a throughbore and steel anchor rod that will enter the bridge or road surface at a 90 degree angle.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of single sloped concrete safety barriers showing the anchors arranged in a staggered configuration.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 is a combined partially sectioned elevational view of a common median concrete safety barrier with throughbores and steel anchors that will enter the bridge or the road surface at an acute angle on both sides of the common median concrete safety barrier. 
     
    
       [0037]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    The present invention is directed to a system for anchoring concrete safety barriers used on bridge and road surfaces that address the problem of wear and tear from the present anchoring system outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,635 issued to Nagle.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a first embodiment and configuration of a system for anchoring concrete safety barriers used on bridge and road surfaces are comprised of single sloped concrete safety barriers  10  having a crown portion  12 , a vertical rear face portion  14 , a sloping front face portion  16 , and a base portion  18  (FIG. 2) having a flat bottom  20  with a longitudinal groove  22  (FIG. 3). FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depict a single slope concrete safety barrier  10  which can go onto a bridge or road surface with throughbores  34  and steel anchor rods  36  inclined (at an acute angle) to the bridge or road surface. A plurality of regularly spaced precast indentations or pockets  24  on the sloping front face portion  16  have horizontal rectangular shelves  26 . The horizontal rectangular shelves  26  are truncated cylindrical shapes cut by the sloping front face portion  16 . A rectangular metal plate  28  which is fitted and is commensurate in size and shape with each of the horizontal rectangular shelves  26 , has a centered aperture  30  and a pair of welded metal shear studs  32  on opposite sides positioned on the horizontal rectangular shelves  26  that are precast in this position along with the throughbore  34  (FIG. 4).  
         [0040]    At the bridge or road surface site, the single sloped concrete safety barriers  10  are positioned such that holes are drilled in the bridge or road surface, with the same slope and angle as the throughbores  34 . A steel anchor rod  36 , having a threaded or integral hexagonal nut  38  and washer  40 , is positioned in the centered aperture  30  of the rectangular metal plate  28  and extends downwards and beyond the flat bottom  20  of the single sloped concrete safety barrier  10  to be inserted into a drilled hole in the surface of the bridge or road. Epoxy cement  52  (FIG. 5) is placed in the throughbores  34  and in the drilled holes in the bridge or road surface. This anchoring system has been found to be a most durable and stable positioning of single sloped concrete safety barriers  10 .  
         [0041]    Since concrete safety barriers in general, are made in different configurations and different cross-sectional shapes, the actual placement of the steel anchor rod  36  will vary at the footing of each specific concrete safety barrier. However, the precast pockets  24  for the single sloped concrete safety barriers  10  are essentially uniform in shape and construction and are formed during pre-casting of the single sloped concrete safety barriers  10 , along with the rectangular metal plate  28 , steel anchor rod  36  and its pair of metal sheer studs  32 . However, the steel anchor rod  36  is inserted at the placement site when holes must be drilled into the bridge or road surface in alignment with the slope and angle of the steel anchor rod  36 . In this embodiment of the invention, an acute angle is formed at the placement site where respective holes are drilled into the bridge or road surface. In an additional embodiment, a 90 degree angle is formed with a throughbore  34  and a steel anchor rod  36  vertical to the bridge or road surface. This additional embodiment is illustrated and discussed in greater detail in FIG. 7.  
         [0042]    According to FIGS. 5 and 6, a safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  is depicted with multiple sloping sides  44  and precast pockets  46  alternating on opposite sides. This is distinguished from a single sloped concrete safety barrier  10  previously discussed. In FIG. 5, a bridge surface  48  is illustrated with a throughbore  50  and a steel anchor rod  36  vertical (at a 90 degree angle) to the bridge, which is anchored by a rectangular metal plate  28 , a pair of metal shear studs  32  and is precast in the safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42 . In this embodiment, the anchor rod  36  has another hexagonal nut  38  and washer  40  threaded onto the bottom end to secure to the bridge surface  48 . The mating surfaces of the safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  and the bridge surface  48  along with the spaces between the steel anchor rod  36  and the throughbores  50  in the safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  and the bridge surface  48  are also filled with epoxy cement  52  for greater security. This embodiment is similar to the concrete safety barrier depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,635 issued to Nagle, with the throughbore  50  of the safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  in this application also going vertically straight down at a right angle into the bridge or road surface  48 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment and configuration of a single sloped concrete safety barrier  10  with throughbores  34  and steel anchor rods  36  vertical (at a 90 degree angle) to the bridge or road surface. Like the first embodiment of the single sloped concrete safety barrier  10 , epoxy cement  52  is also placed in the throughbores  50  and on the steel anchor rods  36  on the bridge or road surface. As depicted in FIG. 8, the single sloped concrete safety barriers  10  show vertically arranged and alternating anchor rods  56  on opposite planar sides  58  with pockets  60  having a different configuration due to the planar sides of the single sloped concrete safety barrier  10 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 depicted a common median concrete safety barrier  62 , that has the physical characteristic of having a single slope that is on both sides. In FIG. 9, an additional embodiment which can go onto a bridge or road surface with throughbores  34  and steel anchor rods  36  inclined (at an acute angle) to the bridge or road surface is provided on each side of the common median concrete safety barrier  62 . Additionally, another embodiment regarding the common median concrete safety barrier  62  can be used with a bridge or a road surface that is provided with a throughbore  50  and a steel anchor rod  36  vertical (at a 90 degree angle) to the bridge or the road surface. As with the previous embodiments, epoxy cement  52  is again used to further secure the common median barrier  62  in the throughbores  50  and on the steel anchor rods  36 . There is also epoxy cement  52  provided between the common median concrete safety barrier  62  and the bridge or the road surface.  
         [0045]    Other embodiments (not shown) include a safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  on a bridge or road surface with a throughbore  50  and a steel anchor rod  36  vertical (at a 90 degree angle) to the bridge or road surface that is not secured by a hexagonal nut  38  and washer  40  on the end of the steel anchor rod  36 , such as in FIG. 5. Another embodiment includes a safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  with a throughbore  50  and a steel anchor rod  36  that is inclined (at an acute angle) to the bridge or road surface. Both additional embodiments also utilize epoxy cement  52  to better secure the throughbores  50  and the steel anchor rods  36 . There is also epoxy cement  52  provided between the safety shaped concrete safety barrier  42  and the bridge or the road surface.  
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any embodiment within the scope of the following claims.