Moveable barrier apparatus for roadway

• US 4,004,857 A
• Filed: 09/19/1975
• Issued: 01/25/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Eschen Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Eschen Jr
• Inventors: Eschen, Robert M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Byers, Jr., Nile C.
• Application Number:
  US05/614,916
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/9, 404/12, 404/13, 404/1, 256/13.1, 256/64
• US Class Current: 404/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 15/006 Lane control by movable lane separating barriers, e.g. shiftable barriers, retractable kerbs E01F15/12 takes precedence; by crossable lane separators E01F9/594; Apparatus or barriers specially adapted therefor, e.g. wheeled barriers wall-type modules E01F15/08

Abstract

Moveable barrier apparatus is disclosed for use in controlling traffic along parallel lanes of a roadway. The apparatus includes elongate channels which are embedded in the roadway transversely of the lanes at spaced-apart positions. Carrier cars are mounted by roller bearings for movement lengthwise within each channel, and posts which are mounted on the cars extend upwardly above the roadway through slots formed along the channels. An elongate upstanding barrier is mounted on the posts to form a divider between adjacent lanes of the roadway. Actuators are mounted in each of the channels for moving the cars and posts lengthwise of the channels for selectively changing the transverse position of the barrier. In one embodiment the actuator comprises a single hydraulic ram, and in another embodiment the actuator comprises a pair of telescoping hydraulic rams positioned on opposite sides of the car within the channel. A lane transition zone is provided in which the actuators are operated through differential strokes so that the lane division defined by the barrier follows a curved or slanted path. In the transition zone sliding joints are provided to accommodate displacement of the ends of the barrier sections relative to the posts. The control means for conjointly operating the actuators includes a parallel fluid circuit. Releasable connectors are provided in the circuit to facilitate coupling with a mobile source of fluid pressure.

Claims

1. Moveable barrier apparatus for dividing parallel lanes of a roadway, comprising the combination of a plurality of spaced-apart elongate channels embedded in the roadway and extending transversely of the lanes, a car mounted for longitudinal movement within each channel, an elongate upstanding barrier mounted above the roadway for movement with the cars, the barrier extending in a direction lengthwise of the lanes, actuator means within each channel, the actuator means being interconnectted between one end of the respective channel and the car which is associated therewith, said actuator means associated with each channel comprising a pair of extensible hydraulic rams, each ram having a head end and a rod end, with the rams being positioned on opposite sides of the associated car and horizontally oriented at substantially right angles with the barrier, means for connecting one end of each of the rams to opposite ends of the respective channels and for connecting an opposite of each of the rams to the associated cars, and control means for operating the actuator means to conjointly move the cars to selected positions within the channels whereby the barrier is carried to a selected transverse position which divides the roadway into parallel traffic lanes, said control means including means for hydraulically locking the rams when the barrier is fixedly positioned whereby shock forces impacting upon either side of the barrier are carried through and resisted by the hydraulic fluid locked within the rams and thereafter by the channels and roadway.

2. Moveable barrier apparatus as in claim 1 which includes means for yieldably connecting a first portion of the barrier in a lane transition zone to a first series of the cars, and the actuator means moves the series of cars through predetermined differential distances whereby said first barrier portion is caused to assume a curved or slanted path relative to the remaining portion of the barrier.

3. Moveable barrier apparatus as in claim 2 which includes circuit means for directing fluid under pressure in parallel to the ram means, and means for throttling fluid flow in the circuit means whereby the strokes of the hydraulic ram means are moved through said differential distances.

4. Moveable barrier apparatus as in claim 1 in which the control means comprises circuit means for directing fluid under pressure in parallel flow to a series of adjacent rams for conjoint extension and retraction thereof, the circuit means including releasable connector means adapted for connection with a moveable source of fluid under pressure.

5. Moveable barrier apparatus for dividing parallel lanes of a roadway, comprising the combination of a plurality of spaced-apart elongate channels embedded in the roadway and extending transversely of the lanes, a car mounted for longitudinal movement within each channel, an elongate upstanding barrier extending in a direction lengthwise of the lanes, means forming an elongate slot opening upwardly through each channel, a plurality of upstanding posts, each post being mounted on a respective car and extending upwardly through the slot in the associated channel, a portion of the barrier comprising a lane transition zone formed of a plurality of barrier panels each of which is positioned between a pair of adjacent posts, actuator means within each channel, the actuator means being interconnected between one end of the respective channel and the car which is associated therewith, control means for operatinng the actuator means to conjointly move the cars to selected positions within the channels whereby the barriers are carried to a selected transverse position which divides the roadway into parallel traffic lanes, and yieldably joint means for interconnecting at least one end of each barrier panel to its associated post whereby differential transverse movement between pairs of adjacent posts in the transition zone is compensated for by relative movement at each joint between the associated barrier panel and post.

6. Moveable barrier apparatus as in claim 5 in which the yieldable joint means comprises pin means mounted on and extending outwardly from the posts in the transition zone, together with means forming horizontal slots in said one end of each barrier panel with the horizontal slots being slidably mounted on the pins for accommodating displacement of the barrier panels relative to the posts during differential transverse movement of the posts in the transition zone.