Patent ID: 7329067

Claim:
A retractable road median ( 10 ), comprising: A) a median assembly ( 20 ) comprising a substantially flat top wall ( 22 ), sidewalls ( 24 ) and ( 26 ), and base ( 28 ), said sidewalls ( 24 ) and ( 26 ) are in a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and they have longitudinal top edges ( 40 ) and ( 42 ) respectively, said top wall ( 22 ) is in a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to said base ( 28 ), and said base ( 28 ) has ends ( 30 ) and ( 32 ); B) a frame assembly ( 50 ), comprising side frames ( 52 ) and ( 54 ) having transversal wall ( 60 ) perpendicularly mounted thereto, and side frames ( 56 ) and ( 58 ) having a transversal wall ( 64 ) perpendicularly mounted thereto, said side frames ( 52 ) and ( 54 ), and said transversal wall ( 60 ) forming a first H cross-section, and said side frames ( 56 ) and ( 58 ) and said transversal wall ( 64 ) forming a second H cross-section, said frame assembly ( 50 ) also comprises base ( 68 ), said first and second H cross sections each defining a channel or rail where said median assembly ( 20 ) travels vertically upon, said frame assembly ( 50 ) further comprising angled lateral walls ( 152 ), ( 154 ), ( 156 ), and ( 158 ) that are fixed to said side frames ( 52 ), ( 54 ), ( 56 ) and ( 58 ), respectively, said transversal wall ( 60 ) has a through opening ( 62 ), and said transversal wall ( 64 ) has through opening ( 66 ); C) a longitudinal base assembly ( 120 ) comprising angled lateral walls ( 122 ) and ( 124 ) with respective sidewalls ( 126 ) and ( 128 ) extending therefrom, and longitudinal edges ( 134 ) and ( 136 ), said angled lateral walls ( 122 ) and ( 124 ) are in a predetermined obtuse angle with respect to said side walls ( 126 ) and ( 128 ), and said angled lateral walls ( 122 ) and ( 124 ) are hingedly mounted to supporting frames ( 138 ) and ( 140 ) respectively with longitudinal hinges ( 130 ) and ( 132 ) that are fixed to said sidewalls ( 126 ) and ( 128 ); and D) a winch assembly ( 70 ) having means to retract said median assembly ( 20 ) into a cavity below a surface traveled upon by motor vehicles from an extracted position to a retracted position, to allow said motor vehicles to cross over it, and vise versa.