A TEMPORARY STREET BARRIER AND AN INTERLOCKING STREET BARRIER SYSTEM

Abstract

 A temporary street barrier comprises an elongated body (4) having a proximal end (6) and a distal end (8), said elongated body (4) including a base means (22) in the elongation thereof and an upright portion (9) extending from said base means (22), said distal end (8) of said upright portion (9) being provided with a connection means (29) for connection to a neighbouring street barrier. In accordance with the invention
- said upright portion (9) includes an elongated beam (12) extending substantially from said proximal end (6) towards said distal end (8), said elongated beam (12) being hollow at least at the proximal end (6) thereof;
- said proximal end (6) of the elongated beam (12) comprises an open end;
- said connection means (29) comprises a latch bar (40) slidably arranged inside said elongated beam (12) at the proximal end thereof; and in that
- said latch bar (40) is slidably arranged through said open end from a distal position to a proximal position outside said proximal end (6) of said elongated beam (12).

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a temporary street barrier comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, said elongated body including a base means in the elongation thereof and an upright portion extending from said base means, said distal end of said upright portion being provided with a connection means for connection to a neighbouring street barrier.

[0002] It also relates to an interlocking temporary street barrier system comprising at least a first street barrier and a second street barrier.

[0003] Such a temporary street barrier and such an interlocking street barrier system is known from GB 2 474 641A. 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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above identified object is achieved by a street barrier of the initially described kind, further having the features that

• said upright portion includes an elongated beam extending substantially from said proximal end towards said distal end, said elongated beam being hollow at least at the proximal end thereof;
• said proximal end of the elongated beam comprises an open end;
• said connection means comprises a latch bar slidably arranged inside said elongated beam at the proximal end thereof; and in 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.

[0008] It is also achieved by an interlocking street barrier system as initially described, further having 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] Preferably, wherein said latch bar is lockable in said distal position. Hereby, a secure handling of the street barrier is achieved.

[0012] Suitably, 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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 been hollow ad 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] Suitably, wherein said housing comprises at least inside said cavity a material of high density, such as concrete, sand, stone, cast iron, steel or led. Hereby is achieved a high mass and a low centre of gravity.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

DRAWING SUMMARY

[0023] In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the appending drawings, in which

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a street barrier provided with a latch bar in a withdrawn position;

Fig. 1B illustrates the latch bar of the street barrier of Fig. 1a in a forward position;

Fig. 2 is a magnification of a lower proximal end of the street barrier of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the street barrier along lines III-III in Fig 1a;

Fig. 4 is a magnification of the latch bar shown in of Fig. 1B;

Fig. 5 is a magnification in part of connection of a pair of street barriers;

Fig. 6 is a magnification in part of another connection of a pair of street barriers;

Fig. 7 illustrates a pair of street barriers arranged on different levels; and

Fig. 8 illustrates the street barrier shown in Fig. 1A provided with an optional protection means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figs. 1A and 1B show a temporary street barrier 2 comprising an elongated body 4 having a proximal end 6 and a distal end 8.

[0025] The elongated body 4 comprises a frame structure 10 of metal. The frame structure 10 comprises an elongated beam 12 having a proximal end 6 and a distal end 8. The frame structure 10 is part of an upright portion 9 of the elongated body 4. A proximal beam 14 extends vertically upwards from the proximal end 6 of said elongated beam 12 and a distal beam 16 extends vertically upwards from the distal end 8 of said elongated beam 12. A crossbar 18 is arranged to interconnect the upper end 19a of the proximal beam 14 with the upper end 19b of the distal beam 16. The frame structure 10 furthermore includes a framework 20 in the form of a metal grid 21, extending between the elongated beam 12, the crossbar 18, the proximal beam 14 and the distal beam 16. reinforcing the frame structure 10 and furthermore allows viewing through the frame structure 10.

[0026] In order to allow secure lifting and positioning of the street barrier 2, the grid 21 is provided with a pair of openings 21a, 21b intended to receive the fork of a fork lift or a lifting roundsling,

[0027] Of course, the framework 20 may instead of the grid 21 comprise one or more metal bars connected angularly in relation to the elongated beam 12 and the crossbar 18 and/or the proximal beam 14 and/or the distal beam 16.

[0028] Underneath the elongated beam 12, a base means 22 extends downwards towards a lowermost portion 23, where a support means 24 is provided. The support means 24 comprises one or more support members 26 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 26 are connected to the base means 22 in such a way that it protrudes vertically from the lowermost portion 23, hereby creating a distance between the base means 22 and the ground.

[0029] The base means 22 comprises a hollow housing 28 of sheet metal extending vertically towards the lowermost portion 23 from the elongated beam 12 to the support means 24, between a proximal bar 30 and a distal bar 32. The proximal bar 30 is preferably, but not necessarily aligned with the proximal beam 14. Likewise, the distal bar 32 is preferably, but not necessarily aligned with the distal beam 16. The proximal bar 30 and the distal bar 32 are hollow at least towards the bottom thereof.

[0030] As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the proximal bar 30 is provided with a connection means 29 in the form of a lockable hinge means 34 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 30 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 34 to the proximal bar 30, the hinge member 36a is provided with a through-hole 37a (see Fig 1A) and the proximal bar 30 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 37 for connection by means of a screw and a nut to the distal bar of a neighbouring street barrier.

[0031] Likewise, the distal bar 32 of the described street barrier 2 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.

[0032] As more clearly shown in Fig 3, the housing 28 of the base means 22 is divided into an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 43. The upper portion 42 comprises a pair of plates 44a, 44b of sheet metal arranged parallel and at a distance from one another, and interconnected at its top 45. The parallel plates 44a, 44b create an upper cavity 46 having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The parallel plates 44a, 44b are part of the upright portion 9 of the elongated body 4.

[0033] In the lower portion 43, the pair of plates 44a, 44b of housing 28 diverge towards a bottom plate 52 at the support means 24 and creating a lower cavity 48 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 52.

[0034] It is noted that the bottom plate 52 may be dispensed with. It is furthermore noted that the base means 22 may be comprised by a pair of parallel plates and a separate pair of diverging plates, connected to the parallel plates.

[0035] It is to be understood that the pair of plates 44a, 44b may extend in a substantially diverging manner directly from the elongated beam 12 towards the support means 24. In that case no part of the housing 28 is part of the upright portion 9.

[0036] It is also to be understood that the plates 44a, 44b may alternatively extend in a parallel manner from the elongated beam 12 towards the support means 24. In such a case, the distance between the parallel plates need to be larger.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, in order to lower the centre of gravity of the street barrier 2, the upper and lower cavities 46, 48 of the housing 28 are filled with a heavy material 49, such as concrete, sand, stone, cast iron, steel or led,

[0038] Of course, the housing 28 may instead be filled only partly, e.g. only in the lower cavity 48, with a heavy material 49 for lowering the centre of gravity.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1B, the proximal end 6 of the elongated beam 12 is hollow with an open end for allowing a connection means 29 in the form of a latch bar 40 to slidably extend through the open end of the elongated beam 12. In Fig 1A, the latch bar 40 is shown in an open or distal position and in Fig. 1B in a closed or proximal position.

[0040] A connection means 29 is provided at the distal end 8 of the elongated beam 12, being hollow and open for allowing introduction of the latch bar 40 from a neighbouring street barrier. Of course, the whole elongated bar 12 may be hollow. Alternatively, there may be two separate elongated bars provided, one at the proximal end 6 and one in the distal end 8 of the elongated body 4.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows the latch bar 40 inside the elongated beam 12 in more detail. The elongated beam 12 has a square cross-section, while the latch bar 40 has a rectangular cross-section, hereby leaving a space 41 free at least above the latch bar 40. An elongated slot 54 is arranged in the upper horizontal side of the elongated beam 12.

[0042] The elongated slot 54 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 54. The latch bar 40 is connected to a handle 58 by means of a rod 60 having a diameter smaller than the width of the slot 54. Between the handle 58 and the rod 60, a locking member 62 is provided coaxially with the rod 60. The locking member 62 has a larger diameter than the width of the slot 54, but has at least partly a diameter smaller than that of the keyhole openings 56a, 56b. In other words, the locking member 62 may have a cylindrical or frusto-conical shape.

[0043] In an open or distal position, the latch bar 40 is locked by means of the locking member 62 in the distal keyhole opening 56b. Thus, in a locked or proximal position, the latch bar 40 is locked by means of the locking member 62 in the proximal keyhole opening 56a.

[0044] It is noted that the handle 58 and the elongated slot 54 may instead be arranged in a vertical side of the elongated beam 12. In such a case, it is preferable that the handle 58 is spring loaded. Of course, the above described latch bar 40 may also be spring loaded as well.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows connection means 29 of the proximal 6 end of a first street barrier 2 and the distal end 8' of a second street barrier 2'. The latch bar 40 is positioned in a proximal position inside the first street barrier 2 and is positioned inside the elongated beam 12' at the distal end 8' of the second street barrier 2'. The latch bar 40 is locked by means of the locking member 62 in the proximal keyhole opening 56a of the first street barrier 2.

[0046] More particular, when closing the latch bar 40, the handle 58 is lifted together with the latch bar 40 of rectangular cross-section towards the upper interior 41 of the elongated beam 12 of square cross-section, i.e. into a space 41 above the latch bar 40 inside the elongated beam 12. When pulling the handle 58, the locking member 62 is released from the distal keyhole opening 56b. The handle 58 is then pulled in a direction towards the proximal end 6 of the elongated body 4 until the handle 58 arrives at the end of the elongated slot 54, i.e. at the proximal keyhole opening 56a.

[0047] The latch bar 40 introduced into the elongated beam 12' creates a reinforced connection and thus allows for a stable system of interlocking street barriers 2, 2'.

[0048] Moreover, the connection means 29 also comprises the above described hinge means 34.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows connection means of a first street barrier 2 to a second street barrier 2' by means of the latch bar 40 as well as by an additional connection means 29 in the form of an adjustable strut 64, connected between the crossbar 18 of the first street barrier 2 and the crossbar 18' of the second street barrier 2. This allows for an even more stable connection between the two street barriers 2, 2'.

[0050] Furthermore, the connection means 29 also comprises the above described latch bar 40 and the above described hinge means 34.

[0051] It is noted that it may be needed to position the first and second street barriers 2, 2' in an angle to one another. In order to allow a rigid connection, the adjustable strut 64 is pivotable about a pair of vertical axes 65a on the crossbars 18, 18' and can thus be locked in a predetermined angle between the first and second street barriers 2 2'.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows a first and a second street barrier 2, 2^∗ connected to one another via different connection means 29.

[0053] The first street barrier 2 is positioned on a street 70, while the second street barrier 2' is positioned on a pavement 72 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 30 and the distal bar 32', the play allows for rotation about the screws 38a. Hereby, the street barrier 2 is possible to arrange at a slightly different horizontal level than the street barrier 2'.

[0054] The adjustable strut 64 connects the crossbar 18 of the first street barrier 2 to the crossbar 18' of the second street barrier. In this case, however, the adjustable strut 64 is arranged pivotably about a horizontal axis on top of the crossbars 18, 18', for allowing adjustment to the different levels of the street 70 and the pavement 72 or to different levels of the street itself

[0055] Of course a play between the latch bar 40 and the hollow elongated beam 12' of the neighbouring street barrier allows for positioning of a pair of street barriers on different levels.

[0056] Fig. 8 shows the street barrier 2 provided an optional additional protection grid 74 provided with a pair of legs 76a, 76b, adapted to fit the upper end 19a of the hollow proximal beam 14 and the upper end 19b of the hollow distal beam 16.

[0057] The elongated bar 12 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.

[0058] The latch bar 40 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.

[0059] As already described above, the latch bar 40 does need not have the same cross-section as that of the elongated bar 12.

Example

[0060] A street barrier system comprising a plurality of street barriers 2, 2' etc, each having the overall length of about 2,6 m, an overall height of about 1,1 m and lateral dimension of the lowermost portion of the base means 22 of about 0,4 m was tested by performing collision with a car weighing 2 000 kg at 50 km/h at 8° angle and 90° degrees angle, respectively.

[0061] The result was that the connected street barriers did not disconnect form one another, and moved only about 1 metre while absorbing the kinetic energy of the car.

Reference Numerals Used

[0062] 

2, 2'

street barrier

4

elongated body

6

proximal end

8, 8'

distal end

9

upright portion

10

frame structure

12, 12'

elongated beam

14

proximal beam

16

distal beam

18

crossbar

19a

upper end of proximal beam

19b

upper end of distal beam

20

framework

21

grid

22

base means

23

lowermost portion

24

support means

26

support member

28

housing

30

proximal bar

32, 32'

distal bar

34

hinge means

36a, 36b

hinge member

36c

interconnection member

37a, 37b

through-hole

38a

screw

38b

nut

40

latch bar

41

space

42

upper portion of base means

43

lower portion of base means

44a, 44b

pair of plates

45

top

46

upper cavity

48

lower cavity

49

heavy material

52

bottom plate

54

elongated slot

56a

proximal keyhole opening

56b

distal keyhole opening

58

handle

60

rod

62

locking member

64

adjustable strut

70

street

72

pavement

74

additional protection grid

76a, 76b

legs

Claims

1. A temporary street barrier comprising an elongated body (4) having a proximal end (6) and a distal end (8), said elongated body (4) including a base means (22) in the elongation thereof and an upright portion (9) extending from said base means (22), said distal end (8) of said upright portion (9) being provided with a connection means (29) for connection to a neighbouring street barrier, characterised in that

- said upright portion (9) includes an elongated beam (12) extending substantially from said proximal end (6) towards said distal end (8), said elongated beam (12) being hollow at least at the proximal end (6) thereof;

- said proximal end (6) of the elongated beam (12) comprises an open end;

- said connection means (29) comprises a latch bar (40) slidably arranged inside said elongated beam (12) at the proximal end thereof; and in that

- said latch bar (40) is slidably arranged through said open end from a distal position to a proximal position outside said proximal end (6) of said elongated beam (12).

2. A temporary street barrier according to claim 1, wherein said latch bar (40) is lockable in at least said proximal position .

3. A temporary street barrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said latch bar (40) is lockable in said distal position.

4. A temporary street barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latch bar (40) comprises a handle (58) provided with a first locking means (62), said elongated beam (12) being provided with an elongated slot (54) adapted to allow a sliding movement of the handle (58) from a distal position (56b) to a proximal position (56a), said elongated slot (54) being provided with a second locking means (56a) for locking said handle (58) in said proximal position (56a).

5. A temporary street barrier according to claim 4, wherein said second locking means (56a, 56b) of the slot (54) comprises a through-hole having a diameter larger than the width of the slit, said first locking means (62) being provided with a cylindrical or frusto-conical member adapted to fit inside said second locking means.

6. A temporary street barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connection means (29) comprises an open opposite end of the elongated beam (12), said elongated beam extending substantially from said proximal end (6) substantially to the distal end (8) of said elongated body (4), said open opposite end been hollow ad adapted to receive a latch bar of a neighbouring street barrier.

7. A temporary street barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base means (22) comprises a diverging portion, diverging away from said upright portion (9), said diverging portion comprising a housing (28) of metal defining a cavity (48) in a direction away from said upright portion (9), said cavity (48) having a substantially triangular cross-section, said diverging portion being provided with a support means (24) for supporting the base portion on a surface.

8. A temporary street barrier according to claim 7, wherein said housing (28) defines a further cavity (46) between said elongated beam (12) and said diverging portion, said further cavity (46) having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

9. A temporary street barrier according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said housing comprises at least inside said cavity (48) a material (49) of high density, such as concrete, sand, stone, cast iron, steel or led.

10. A temporary street barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of said upright portion (9) comprises a framework (20), said framework (20) being encompassed by said elongated beam (12), a proximal upper bar (30), substantially vertical in use, a distal upper bar (32), substantially vertical in use and connected to proximal and distal ends of said elongated beam (12), and a crossbar (18), arranged parallel to said elongated beam (12) and interconnecting the upper ends of said proximal vertical bar (30) and said distal vertical bar (32).

11. A temporary street barrier according to claim 10, wherein said connection means (29) comprises an elongated adjustable strut (64) connected at one of its ends end to the crossbar (18), the strut being adapted at its other end to be connected to a neighbouring street barrier.

12. A temporary street barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connection means (29) comprises a lockable hinge means (34) provided with a first hinge member (36a) adapted to be introduced into a proximal hollow bar (30) of said base means and with a second hinge member (36b) adapted to be connected to a neighbouring street barrier (2'), wherein said hinge means (34) is provided with a releasably connected locking means (38a, 38b) for locking the hinge member in a predetermined position.

13. An interlocking temporary street barrier system comprising at least first street barrier (2) and a second street barrier (2') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (8) of the hollow elongated beam (12') of said second street barrier (2') is adapted to receive the latch bar (40) of the elongated beam (12) of said first street barrier (2).

14. An interlocking street barrier system according to claim 13, wherein an adjustable strut (64) is releasably connected between the first street barrier (2) and the second street barrier (2').

15. An interlocking street barrier system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a lockable hinge means (34) is releasably connected between the first street barrier (2) and the second street barrier (2').

Drawing