BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to movable water or sand ballasted protection barriers for applications such as pedestrian protection, traffic work zone separation, airport runway divisions, and industrial commercial uses.
Ballasted protection barriers of the type described herein are known in the prior art, and disclosed in patents assigned to the Applicant in the present application, namely, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,811,024, 7,866,913, 7,931,422, 8,235,625, 8,376,651, 8,491,217, and 8,783,999, all of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference, in their entirety.
However, existing barriers of this type are not easily configured and arranged to form protected areas defined by barrier modules connected to one another using the standard single shared-pin connection, because adjacent connected barrier modules can only be angled to one another to a small extent, limited by engagement of the corners of the adjacent barrier modules. Once one barrier module is rotated beyond an insignificant angle, relative to the connected barrier module, its corner will be prevented from further rotation by its engagement with the corner of the adjacent connected barrier module.
For example, as shown in prior art FIG. 1, two barrier modules 10 are joined together in a conventional manner well known in the art, by means of a single pin connector (not shown) which is disposed through aligned pin receiving holes 12 on a plurality of interweaved lugs or knuckles 14 disposed on the joined ends of each barrier module 10. A problem with this conventional lug connection system is shown in FIG. 1, in that when a user tries to rotate one of the barrier modules 10 relative to the other one to which it is joined, rotation is limited by abutment of respective corners 10a forming the joined end of each barrier module 10. This makes it difficult to use joined barrier modules 10 to form an enclosed or partially enclosed protected area using a relatively small number of barrier modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in a particular aspect, to a dual-pin connection system for joining two barrier modules together to form an arrangement of barrier modules, wherein the barrier modules may be arranged at an angle with respect to one another. Each barrier module comprises a plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of the barrier module to be joined to a second barrier module. The connecting lugs have pin receiving holes disposed therein. The dual-pin connection system includes a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin. Each of the first and second pins being adapted to be inserted through a plurality of aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the vertically-spaced lugs on one of the barrier modules to be joined together.
In certain embodiments, a center post extends upwardly from the top portion. In some embodiments, the center post is joined to portions of the first and second pins extending upwardly from the top portion. The upwardly extending portions of the first and second pins are joined to an upstanding supporting fence post forming a part of a fence accessory disposed atop the barrier module to which the respective first or second pin is secured.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement of barrier modules joined together at respective ends thereof, which includes a first plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a first barrier module and aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the first plurality of connecting lugs. A second plurality of connecting lugs is disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a second barrier module, aligned pin receiving holes being disposed in the second plurality of connecting lugs. A dual-pin connector joins the first and second barrier modules together, comprising a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin. The first pin extends through the aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the first plurality of connecting lugs and the second pin extends through the aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the second plurality of connecting lugs to join the first and second barrier modules together.
In certain embodiments, a center post may extend upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector. The center post may be joined to portions of the first and second pins extending upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector.
In some embodiments, the upwardly extending portions of the first and second pins may be joined to an upstanding supporting fence post forming a part of a fence accessory disposed atop the barrier module to which the respective first or second pin is secured.
In still another aspect of the invention, there is described a method for creating separate zones in traffic areas using a plurality of portable and movable ballasted barrier modules. The method comprises steps of disposing a first barrier module and a second barrier modules adjacent to one another and providing a dual-pin connector having a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin. Further method steps include inserting the first pin through aligned pin receiving holes disposed in vertically spaced lugs disposed on an end of the first barrier module, and inserting the second pin through aligned pin receiving holes disposed in vertically spaced lugs disposed on an end of the second barrier module, so that the first and second barrier modules are joined by the dual-pin connector. For certain embodiments including fence accessories, the dual-pin connector further comprises a center post extending upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector, which is joined to portions of the first and second pins which extend upwardly from the top portion of the dual pin connector. In such cases, the method further comprises steps of using a first bracket to secure the first upwardly extending pin portion to a first fence accessory disposed on top of the first barrier module, and using a second bracket to secure the second upwardly extending pin portion to a second fence accessory disposed on top of the second barrier module.
The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a prior art figure comprising a top view showing two barrier modules joined together;
FIG. 1A is an isometric showing two barrier modules joined together using the inventive pin connector of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a barrier module joined at each end to another barrier module using two different pin connectors constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of two barrier modules to be joined together and of the inventive pin connector shown in FIG. 1A not yet in the installed position;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of two barrier modules joined together and in a rotated orientation using the inventive pin connector shown in FIGS. 1A and 3;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the two barrier modules shown in FIG. 4 as the two barrier modules are being joined together;
FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 5, showing the inventive pin connector in its installed configuration which permits full 90 degree rotation of one of the two barrier modules respective to the other of the two joined barrier modules;
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the joined barrier modules shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a rear view similar to FIG. 7, showing the barrier modules in an aligned configuration;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the joined barrier modules of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 9 wherein one of the joined barrier modules has been slightly rotated relative to the other of the joined barrier modules, but the inventive connector pin is installed in a manner permitting close proximity of the two joined barrier modules;
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view similar to FIG. 10, with one of the joined barrier modules slightly rotated relative to the other joined barrier module;
FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a barrier module having a fence accessory installed on its upper surface, wherein the fence barrier module is joined to an adjacent barrier module utilizing an extended pin connector disposed on the fence accessory;
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of two barrier modules each having an installed fence accessory, joined together by a dual extended pin connector for permitting 90 degree rotation of the joined barrier modules, according to a principle of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a front view of the adjoined barrier modules of FIGS. 13 and 14; and
FIG. 16 is an isometric view of two barrier modules, one of them having a fence accessory installed thereon, which are joined together using the inventive pin connector shown in FIGS. 1A and 2-11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 2-16 of the drawings, there is shown a plurality of ballasted barrier modules 10 constructed in a manner well known in the prior art, and as described, for example, in the Applicant's prior patents expressly incorporated herein, in their entirety.
As noted above, the barrier modules 10 employ a conventional interlocking knuckle design for securing adjacent barrier modules 10 together. The interlocking knuckle design is a lug pin connection system, comprising a plurality of lugs or knuckles 14 disposed in interweaved fashion on each end of the barrier module 10.
When the ends of two adjacent barrier modules 10 are placed together, as shown in prior art FIG. 1, and also in FIGS. 8 and 12, for example, the complementary lugs 14 on the mating ends of the adjoined modules 10 slide between one another in interweaved fashion, due to the offset distance of each lug location. The lugs' dimensional offset permit each module 10 to be linked together with one lug atop an adjacent lug. In the illustrated embodiments, this results in a total of eight lugs on each end of the water barrier module 10 that can lock together, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Each lug 14 has a pin receiving hole 12 disposed therein, as best shown in FIG. 3. When the eight lugs 14 are engaged in a conventional manner, as shown in FIG. 1, upon the adjoining of two adjacent barrier modules 10, these pin receiving holes 12 correspond to one another. Thus, a connecting pin may be slid vertically downwardly through the corresponding pin receiving holes 12 of all eight lugs or knuckles 14 in order to lock the two adjoined barrier modules 10 together.
As noted, however, in the background of the invention, this kind of conventional attachment of the two barrier modules 10 necessarily limits an ability to rotate one module relative to the adjoined module. Consequently, the present invention comprises a dual-pin connector 16, best shown in FIG. 3, comprising a top portion 18 joining two downwardly extending pins or legs 20 and 22. With this unique dual-pin connector, two barrier modules 10 may be joined together so that they may be rotated, relative to one another, up to 90 degrees, simply by disposing one of the pins 20, 22 through the pin receiving holes 12 of the lugs 14 of the first module 10, and the second of the pins 20, 22 through the pin receiving holes 12 of the lugs 14 of the second module 10. This is shown, for example, in FIGS. 1A, 2, 6, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
More particularly, such a connection of two barrier modules 10 using the inventive dual-pin connector 16 is shown in FIG. 1A, wherein the pin or leg 20 is inserted downwardly through the pin receiving holes 12 in the lugs 14 of one of the modules 10, and the pin or leg 22 is inserted downwardly through the pin receiving holes 12 in the lugs 14 of the other of the modules 10. As can be seen from the drawing figure, this permits a firm connection of the two barrier modules 10 together, as with the conventional single-pin connection, but also provides more maneuverability so that the two barrier modules 10 may be positioned at angles up to about 90 degrees with respect to one another.
FIG. 3 shows two barrier modules 10 placed at a desired orientation to one another to define and bound a protected space 24. Typically, additional barrier modules 10 will be joined to the two illustrated modules 10 in order to more fully define the protected space 24, which in some instances may comprise a completely enclosed space 24. Once in position, the dual-pin connector 16 may be installed through the pin receiving holes 12 of the lugs 14 of each barrier module 10, as described above with respect to FIG. 1A. Alternatively, the dual-pin connector 16 may be installed first, after which the modules 10 are rotated to their desired orientations.
FIG. 6 illustrates a situation wherein it is desired to maintain the two illustrated modules 10 in a linear or near-linear orientation while using the inventive dual-pin connector. In this instance, the modules may be linearly spaced from one another to accommodate the width of the connector 16, if that is a reasonable alternative, or the modules may be slightly offset from one another to permit the width of the connector 16 to be accommodated laterally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7-9. Variations of these arrangements may be employed with the modules 10 are to have an angle somewhere below 90 degrees respective to one another. Another alternative, when the barriers are to be linearly arranged, is to join them using a conventional pin connector, so that the system of joined barrier modules 10 defining the protected space 24 may be a mix of modules joined by conventional single-pin connectors and by the inventive dual-pin connector.
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a situation wherein the inventive dual-pin connector 16 is employed somewhat like a conventional single-pin connector, wherein only one of the pins 20, 22 is installed through the interweaved pin receiving holes 12, while the other pin 20, 22 simply extends downwardly along the side of the lugs 14, as shown. This is handy if only the dual-pin connectors 16 are available.
FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a second embodiment of the inventive dual pin connector, for use when a fence accessory 26, known in the art, is installed atop of one or more of the barrier modules 10. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the system for securing the fence accessory to the top surface of a barrier module 10, wherein a single-pin connector 28 is secured to an upstanding supporting fence post 30 of the fence accessory 26 by a bracket 32. The single-pin connector 28 is dropped downwardly through the interweaved pin receiving holes 12 of the two barrier modules 10 to be linearly joined, as shown in FIG. 12, thereby securing the two barrier modules together while also securing the fence accessory 26 to the barrier module 10 upon which it is disposed.
The arrangement shown in the FIG. 12 embodiment works well when the two barrier modules 10 are intended to be arranged linearly, or when a barrier module 10 having a fence accessory 26 is to be joined at an angle to a module 10 not having a fence accessory 26, wherein, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1A, 2, 3, 5-11, and 16, the pin 28 may be rested atop the upper lug 14, and the inventive dual-pin connector 16 used to join the two barrier segments together. However, when two barrier modules, each having a fence accessory 26 installed thereon, are to be joined together and arranged at a significant angle respective to one another, a different approach is needed. This problem is addressed by another embodiment of the inventive system as shown in FIGS. 13-15, wherein two barrier modules 10, each having a fence accessory 26 disposed on their top surfaces, are joined at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to one another. In this embodiment, a modified dual-pin connector 34 is employed, having two pins or legs 36, 38 joined together by a top portion or crosspiece 40. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, each of the pins 36, 38 extend upwardly, and are joined to their respective upstanding supporting fence posts 30 by vertically spaced brackets 32. Additionally, a center post 42 extends vertically generally parallel to the upper portions of the pins 36, 38 and to the fence posts 30, the center post being attached at its bottom end to the top portion 40 and by two sets of vertically-spaced brackets 44, 46 to each of the pins 36, 38, respectively.
Accordingly, although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20250237025
