Patent Description:
It also relates to an interlocking temporary street barrier system comprising at least a first street barrier and a second street barrier.

Such a temporary street barrier and such an interlocking street barrier system is known from <CIT>. The therein described street barrier is intended to warn pedestrians from obstacles and to restrict access to dangerous areas. It suffers from the drawback that it is lightweight and cannot withstand forces from e.g. a car hitting the street barrier, even at low speeds.

Another known temporary street barrier is provided with a concrete base portion and a steel railing on top and provided with a complicated interconnection means for connecting such street barriers to one another. High precision is needed during connecting neighbouring street barriers to one another and may cause injuries to hands and fingers during the connection process.

A temporary street barrier according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is previously known from <CIT>. A temporary street barrier with interconnectable barrier elements configured to carry detachable upper railing portions is disclosed in <CIT>.

In recent years the security of road workers has been highlighted on roads with fast traffic, such as motorways, where large and heavy road barriers are used for the purpose of separating the traffic from the road workers. However, this has not been the case for street workers in populated areas, such as cities and villages, where the safety of pedestrians instead has been emphasized.

The object of the invention is to improve the security for street workers in low speed areas, in particular in populated areas, not only as a barrier against vehicles, but also during interconnection of the street barriers.

The above identified object is achieved by a street barrier of the initially described kind as defined by claim <NUM>, having thus the features that.

said latch bar is slidably arranged through said open end from a distal position to a proximal position outside said proximal end of said elongated beam.

The latch bar comprises a handle provided with a first locking means, said elongated beam being provided with an elongated slot adapted to allow a sliding movement of the handle from a distal position to a proximal position, said elongated slot being provided with a second locking means for locking said handle in said proximal position. Hereby, the street barrier is allowed to be connected to a neighbouring street barrier in a secure manner.

It is also achieved by an interlocking street barrier system as defined by claim <NUM>, having thus the features that the distal end of the hollow elongated beam of said second street barrier is adapted to receive the latch bar of the elongated beam of said first street barrier.

Hereby is achieved that the temporary street barrier system as well as single street barriers are able to mechanically absorb a collision by a car at low speed, for protecting the street workers behind the barrier. Furthermore is achieved a street barrier and a street barrier system being easily and readily interconnected to neighbouring street barriers.

Suitably, said latch bar is lockable in at least said proximal position. Hereby, a stable connection of the street barrier to a neighbouring street barrier is achieved.

Preferably, wherein said latch bar is lockable in said distal position. Hereby, a secure handling of the street barrier is achieved.

Preferably, said second locking means of the slot comprises a through-hole having a diameter larger than the width of the slit, said first locking means being provided with a cylindrical or frusto-conical member adapted to fit inside said second locking means. Hereby is achieved a locking means being allowed to be operated easy and readily.

Suitably, said connection means comprises an open opposite end of the elongated beam, said elongated beam extending substantially from said proximal end and substantially to the distal end of said elongated body, said open opposite end being hollow and adapted to receive a latch bar of a neighbouring street barrier. Hereby is achieved a reinforcement of the connection of the street barrier in relation to a neighbouring street barrier.

Preferably, said base means comprises a diverging portion, diverging away from said upright portion, said diverging portion comprising a housing defining a cavity in a direction away from said upright portion, said cavity having a substantially triangular cross-section, said diverging portion being provided with a support means for supporting the base portion on a surface. In particular, said housing defines a further cavity between said elongated beam and said diverging portion, said further cavity having a substantially rectangular cross-section. Hereby is achieved a stable support for the street barrier.

Suitably, wherein said housing comprises at least inside said cavity a material of high density, such as concrete, sand, stone, cast iron, steel or lead.

Hereby is achieved a high mass and a low centre of gravity.

Preferably, at least a part of said upright portion comprises a framework, said framework being encompassed by said elongated beam, a proximal upper bar, substantially vertical in use, a distal upper bar, substantially vertical in use and connected to proximal and distal ends of said elongated beam, and a crossbar, arranged parallel to said elongated beam and interconnecting the upper ends of said proximal vertical bar and said distal vertical bar. Hereby is achieved a stable upright portion.

Suitably, wherein said framework comprises a grid provided with a pair of openings adapted to receive a lifting tool, such as a fork lift or a lifting roundsling. Hereby, a safe and controlled lifting and positioning of the street barrier is achieved.

Preferably, said connection means comprises an elongated adjustable strut connected at one end to the crossbar, the strut being adapted at its other end to be connected to a neighbouring street barrier. Hereby, additional stability is achieved.

Suitably, said connection means comprises a lockable hinge means provided with a first hinge member adapted to be introduced into a proximal hollow bar of said base means and with a second hinge member adapted to be connected to a neighbouring street barrier, wherein said hinge means is provided with a releasably connected locking means for locking the hinge member in a predetermined position. Hereby a stable connection of the street barrier to a neighbouring street barrier is achieved. Furthermore is achieved a possibility of positioning the street barrier at an angle in relation to a neighbouring street barrier.

Preferably, the interlocking street barrier system comprises an adjustable strut releasably connected to the first street barrier and the second street barrier. Hereby, additional stability of the system is achieved.

Suitably, the interlocking street barrier system comprises a lockable hinge means releasably connected between the first street barrier and the second street barrier. Hereby, additional stability of the system is achieved. Furthermore is achieved that a single barrier is allowed to be removed e.g. from the middle of the street barrier system.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the appending drawings, in which.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a temporary street barrier <NUM> comprising an elongated body <NUM> having a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>.

The elongated body <NUM> comprises a frame structure <NUM> of metal. The frame structure <NUM> comprises an elongated beam <NUM> having a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> is part of an upright portion <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>. A proximal beam <NUM> extends vertically upwards from the proximal end <NUM> of said elongated beam <NUM> and a distal beam <NUM> extends vertically upwards from the distal end <NUM> of said elongated beam <NUM>. A crossbar <NUM> is arranged to interconnect the upper end 19a of the proximal beam <NUM> with the upper end 19b of the distal beam <NUM>. The frame structure <NUM> furthermore includes a framework <NUM> in the form of a metal grid <NUM>, extending between the elongated beam <NUM>, the crossbar <NUM>, the proximal beam <NUM> and the distal beam <NUM>. reinforcing the frame structure <NUM> and furthermore allows viewing through the frame structure <NUM>.

In order to allow secure lifting and positioning of the street barrier <NUM>, the grid <NUM> is provided with a pair of openings 21a, 21b intended to receive the fork of a fork lift or a lifting roundsling,.

Of course, the framework <NUM> may instead of the grid <NUM> comprise one or more metal bars connected angularly in relation to the elongated beam <NUM> and the crossbar <NUM> and/or the proximal beam <NUM> and/or the distal beam <NUM>.

Underneath the elongated beam <NUM>, a base means <NUM> extends downwards towards a lowermost portion <NUM>, where a support means <NUM> is provided. The support means <NUM> comprises one or more support members <NUM> of a material providing a high friction against the street, such as rubber or a suitable polymer. In order to allow water from heavy rainfall to flow underneath the street barrier, the support members <NUM> are connected to the base means <NUM> in such a way that it protrudes vertically from the lowermost portion <NUM>, hereby creating a distance between the base means <NUM> and the ground.

The base means <NUM> comprises a hollow housing <NUM> of sheet metal extending vertically towards the lowermost portion <NUM> from the elongated beam <NUM> to the support means <NUM>, between a proximal bar <NUM> and a distal bar <NUM>. The proximal bar <NUM> is preferably, but not necessarily aligned with the proximal beam <NUM>. Likewise, the distal bar <NUM> is preferably, but not necessarily aligned with the distal beam <NUM>. The proximal bar <NUM> and the distal bar <NUM> are hollow at least towards the bottom thereof.

As more clearly shown in <FIG>, the proximal bar <NUM> is provided with a connection means <NUM> in the form of a lockable hinge means <NUM> of metal comprising a first hinge member 36a of circular cross-section adapted to be introduced from below into the open end of the proximal bar <NUM> and a second hinge member 36b of circular cross-section adapted to be introduced from below into the open end of a distal bar of a neighbouring street barrier. The first and second hinge members 36a, 36b are interconnected by an interconnection member 36c. For connection of the hinge means <NUM> to the proximal bar <NUM>, the hinge member 36a is provided with a through-hole 37a (see <FIG>) and the proximal bar <NUM> is provided with a corresponding through-hole 37b. The through-holes 37a, 37b are adapted to receive a screw 38a to be tightened by means of a nut 38b. Correspondingly, the second hinge member 36b is provided with a through-hole <NUM> for connection by means of a screw and a nut to the distal bar of a neighbouring street barrier.

Likewise, the distal bar <NUM> of the described street barrier <NUM> is provided with a corresponding through-hole 37a for connection thereof by means of a screw and a nut 38a, 38b to the hinge means of a further neighbouring street barrier.

As more clearly shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of the base means <NUM> is divided into an upper portion <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM>. The upper portion <NUM> comprises a pair of plates 44a, 44b of sheet metal arranged parallel and at a distance from one another, and interconnected at its top <NUM>. The parallel plates 44a, 44b create an upper cavity <NUM> having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The parallel plates 44a, 44b are part of the upright portion <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>.

In the lower portion <NUM>, the pair of plates 44a, 44b of housing <NUM> diverge towards a bottom plate <NUM> at the support means <NUM> and creating a lower cavity <NUM> having a substantially triangular cross-section. The support members 26a, 26b may be connected to the pair of plates 44a, 44b or to the bottom plate <NUM>.

It is noted that the bottom plate <NUM> may be dispensed with. It is furthermore noted that the base means <NUM> may be comprised by a pair of parallel plates and a separate pair of diverging plates, connected to the parallel plates.

It is to be understood that the pair of plates 44a, 44b may extend in a substantially diverging manner directly from the elongated beam <NUM> towards the support means <NUM>. In that case no part of the housing <NUM> is part of the upright portion <NUM>.

It is also to be understood that the plates 44a, 44b may alternatively extend in a parallel manner from the elongated beam <NUM> towards the support means <NUM>. In such a case, the distance between the parallel plates need to be larger.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to lower the centre of gravity of the street barrier <NUM>, the upper and lower cavities <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing <NUM> are filled with a heavy material <NUM>, such as concrete, sand, stone, cast iron, steel or lead.

Of course, the housing <NUM> may instead be filled only partly, e.g. only in the lower cavity <NUM>, with a heavy material <NUM> for lowering the centre of gravity.

As shown in <FIG>, the proximal end <NUM> of the elongated beam <NUM> is hollow with an open end for allowing a connection means <NUM> in the form of a latch bar <NUM> to slidably extend through the open end of the elongated beam <NUM>. In <FIG>, the latch bar <NUM> is shown in an open or distal position and in <FIG> in a closed or proximal position.

A connection means <NUM> is provided at the distal end <NUM> of the elongated beam <NUM>, being hollow and open for allowing introduction of the latch bar <NUM> from a neighbouring street barrier. Of course, the whole elongated bar <NUM> may be hollow. Alternatively, there may be two separate elongated bars provided, one at the proximal end <NUM> and one in the distal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the latch bar <NUM> inside the elongated beam <NUM> in more detail. The elongated beam <NUM> has a square cross-section, while the latch bar <NUM> has a rectangular cross-section, hereby leaving a space <NUM> free at least above the latch bar <NUM>. An elongated slot <NUM> is arranged in the upper horizontal side of the elongated beam <NUM>.

The elongated slot <NUM> is in its ends provided with a proximal keyhole opening 56a and a distal keyhole opening 56b, respectively, each having a diameter larger than the width of the slot <NUM>. The latch bar <NUM> is connected to a handle <NUM> by means of a rod <NUM> having a diameter smaller than the width of the slot <NUM>. Between the handle <NUM> and the rod <NUM>, a locking member <NUM> is provided coaxially with the rod <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> has a larger diameter than the width of the slot <NUM>, but has at least partly a diameter smaller than that of the keyhole openings 56a, 56b. In other words, the locking member <NUM> may have a cylindrical or frusto-conical shape.

In an open or distal position, the latch bar <NUM> is locked by means of the locking member <NUM> in the distal keyhole opening 56b. Thus, in a locked or proximal position, the latch bar <NUM> is locked by means of the locking member <NUM> in the proximal keyhole opening 56a.

It is noted that the handle <NUM> and the elongated slot <NUM> may instead be arranged in a vertical side of the elongated beam <NUM>. In such a case, it is preferable that the handle <NUM> is spring loaded. Of course, the above described latch bar <NUM> may also be spring loaded as well.

<FIG> shows connection means <NUM> of the proximal <NUM> end of a first street barrier <NUM> and the distal end <NUM>' of a second street barrier <NUM>'. The latch bar <NUM> is positioned in a proximal position inside the first street barrier <NUM> and is positioned inside the elongated beam <NUM>' at the distal end <NUM>' of the second street barrier <NUM>'. The latch bar <NUM> is locked by means of the locking member <NUM> in the proximal keyhole opening 56a of the first street barrier <NUM>.

More particular, when closing the latch bar <NUM>, the handle <NUM> is lifted together with the latch bar <NUM> of rectangular cross-section towards the upper interior <NUM> of the elongated beam <NUM> of square cross-section, i.e. into a space <NUM> above the latch bar <NUM> inside the elongated beam <NUM>. When pulling the handle <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> is released from the distal keyhole opening 56b. The handle <NUM> is then pulled in a direction towards the proximal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM> until the handle <NUM> arrives at the end of the elongated slot <NUM>, i.e. at the proximal keyhole opening 56a.

The latch bar <NUM> introduced into the elongated beam <NUM>' creates a reinforced connection and thus allows for a stable system of interlocking street barriers <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Moreover, the connection means <NUM> also comprises the above described hinge means <NUM>.

<FIG> shows connection means of a first street barrier <NUM> to a second street barrier <NUM>' by means of the latch bar <NUM> as well as by an additional connection means <NUM> in the form of an adjustable strut <NUM>, connected between the crossbar <NUM> of the first street barrier <NUM> and the crossbar <NUM>' of the second street barrier <NUM>. This allows for an even more stable connection between the two street barriers <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Furthermore, the connection means <NUM> also comprises the above described latch bar <NUM> and the above described hinge means <NUM>.

It is noted that it may be needed to position the first and second street barriers <NUM>, <NUM>' in an angle to one another. In order to allow a rigid connection, the adjustable strut <NUM> is pivotable about a pair of vertical axes 65a on the crossbars <NUM>, <NUM>' and can thus be locked in a predetermined angle between the first and second street barriers <NUM><NUM>'.

<FIG> shows a first and a second street barrier <NUM>, <NUM>* connected to one another via different connection means <NUM>.

The first street barrier <NUM> is positioned on a street <NUM>, while the second street barrier <NUM>' is positioned on a pavement <NUM> being raised in relation to the surface of the street. By dimensioning the hinge members 36a, 36b in such a way that there is a play in relation to the interior of the proximal bar <NUM> and the distal bar <NUM>', the play allows for rotation about the screws 38a. Hereby, the street barrier <NUM> is possible to arrange at a slightly different horizontal level than the street barrier <NUM>'.

The adjustable strut <NUM> connects the crossbar <NUM> of the first street barrier <NUM> to the crossbar <NUM>' of the second street barrier. In this case, however, the adjustable strut <NUM> is arranged pivotably about a horizontal axis on top of the crossbars <NUM>, <NUM>', for allowing adjustment to the different levels of the street <NUM> and the pavement <NUM> or to different levels of the street itself.

Of course a play between the latch bar <NUM> and the hollow elongated beam <NUM>' of the neighbouring street barrier allows for positioning of a pair of street barriers on different levels.

<FIG> shows the street barrier <NUM> provided an optional additional protection grid <NUM> provided with a pair of legs 76a, 76b, adapted to fit the upper end 19a of the hollow proximal beam <NUM> and the upper end 19b of the hollow distal beam <NUM>.

The elongated bar <NUM> has been described as having a square cross-section. Of course, it may instead have a circular cross-section or any other polygonal cross-section, such as triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal etc..

The latch bar <NUM> has been described as having a rectangular cross-section. Of course, it may as well have a circular cross-section or any other polygonal cross-section, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal etc..

As already described above, the latch bar <NUM> does need not have the same cross-section as that of the elongated bar <NUM>.

A street barrier system comprising a plurality of street barriers <NUM>, <NUM>' etc, each having the overall length of about <NUM>,<NUM>, an overall height of about <NUM>,<NUM> and lateral dimension of the lowermost portion of the base means <NUM> of about <NUM>,<NUM> was tested by performing collision with a car weighing <NUM><NUM> at <NUM>/h at <NUM>° angle and <NUM>° degrees angle, respectively.

Claim 1:
A temporary street barrier comprising an elongated body (<NUM>) having a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), said elongated body (<NUM>) including a base means (<NUM>) in the elongation thereof and an upright portion (<NUM>) extending from said base means (<NUM>), said distal end (<NUM>) of said upright portion (<NUM>) being provided with a connection means (<NUM>) for connection to a neighbouring street barrier, wherein
- said upright portion (<NUM>) includes an elongated beam (<NUM>) extending substantially from said proximal end (<NUM>) towards said distal end (<NUM>), said elongated beam (<NUM>) being hollow at least at the proximal end (<NUM>) thereof;
- said proximal end (<NUM>) of the elongated beam (<NUM>) comprises an open end;
- said connection means (<NUM>) comprises a latch bar (<NUM>) slidably arranged inside said elongated beam (<NUM>) at the proximal end thereof; and
- said latch bar (<NUM>) is slidably arranged through said open end from a distal position to a proximal position outside said proximal end (<NUM>) of said elongated beam (<NUM>),
characterised in that
the latch bar (<NUM>) comprises a handle (<NUM>) provided with a first locking means (<NUM>), said elongated beam (<NUM>) being provided with an elongated slot (<NUM>) adapted to allow a sliding movement of the handle (<NUM>) from a distal position (56b) to a proximal position (56a), said elongated slot (<NUM>) being provided with a second locking means (56a) for locking said handle (<NUM>) in said proximal position (56a).