TECHNICAL· FIELD

This invention relates to roadway barrier apparatus and more particularly to an improved apparatus incorporating pivotally connected roadway barrier modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pivotally connected roadway barrier modules are well known and interconnection between the modules is commonly accomplished by use of connector pins hingedly connecting the roadway barrier modules .

Under certain conditions a connector pin of conventional type is subject to a ratcheting load that can push the pin up and out of position during pickup and placement of the barrier. It is known to put a retaining clip on the pin but it is cumbersome and difficult to apply and remove. Further, such an approach has challenges with forces. In some cases special tools are required to place or remove the connector pin.

The following patent documents disclose arrangements which are believed to be representative of the current state of the art in this field: U.S. Patent No. 9,068,382, issued June 30, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 8,939,675, issued January 27, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 7,708,492, issued May 4, 2010, U.S. Patent No. 6,837,647, issued January 4, 2005, U.S. Patent No. 5,412842, issued May 9, 1995, U.S.

Patent No. 5,040,268, issued August 20, 1991, U.S. Patent No. 4,828,425, issued May 9, 1989, U.S. Patent No. 4,806,044, issued February 21, 1989, U.S. Patent No. 3,874,029, issued April 1, 1975, U.S. Patent No. 7,393,154, issued July 1, 2008, U.S. Patent No. 6,632,044, issued

October 14, 2003, and French Patent No. FR2826024, dated

October 29, 2004.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The roadway barrier apparatus of this invention includes a first roadway barrier module having a double- ended first module body and upper and lower first module connector brackets extending from each end thereof. The upper and lower first module connector brackets are spaced a fixed vertical distance from one another and define aligned first module bracket apertures.

The apparatus also includes a second roadway barrier module having a double-ended second module body and upper and lower second module connector brackets extending from each end thereof. The upper and lower second module connector brackets are spaced a fixed vertical distance from one another and define aligned second module bracket apertures .

The first module body and the second module body are disposed with opposed ends thereof spaced from one another. The upper first and second module connector brackets thereof are in overlapping relationship and the lower first and second module connector brackets are in overlapping relationship with the first module bracket apertures and the second module bracket apertures being aligned.

A spring biased hinge pusher member is slidably connected to the first module body and extends toward the second module body.

A pivot pin is positioned between the first module body and the second module body in the aligned apertures of the first and second module bar connector brackets and extends through said upper and lower first and second module connector brackets.

The pivot pin has a circumferentially extending groove. The pivot pin includes a pivot pin top portion above the topmost upper module connector bracket and the spring biased hinge pusher member is positioned in the circumferentially extending groove to limit upward movement of the pivot pin and prevent disengagement of said pivot pin from the overlapping upper and lower connector brackets due to ratcheting effect caused by relative motion between the first and second roadway barrier modules. Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly including a pivot pin constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in operative association with a spring biased hinge pusher member positioned in a guide structure;

Fig. 2 shows two roadway barrier modules connected by the pivot pin of the present invention extending through connector brackets of the modules, the assembly illustrated in Fig. 1 located in a cavity of the roadway barrier modules ;

Fig. 3 is a front, elevational view illustrating one of the roadway barrier modules having the pivot pin positioned in and extending through the upper and lower connector brackets thereof ;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, elevational view of the drawing portion indicated in Fig. 2 by reference numeral 4; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the assembly hinge pusher member and spring, the guide structure shown in dash lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to roadway barrier apparatus comprising a plurality of pivotally connected roadway barrier modules, the roadway barrier modules interconnected by structure of the present invention. Two such roadway barrier modules 10 and 12 are shown, but it is of course to be understood that they typically are utilized in a longer string of roadway barrier modules.

The illustrated arrangement includes roadway barrier modules 10, 12 of like construction. Each roadway barrier module has a double-ended module body 14. In the illustrated embodiment the roadway barrier module bodies are of steel reinforced concrete but the principles of this invention apply to other module body constructions. Each roadway barrier module has an elongated upper module connector bracket 16 extending from both ends thereof. Lower module connector brackets 18 of the barrier modules also extend from both ends of the module body, the upper and lower module connector brackets spaced from one another and defining aligned module bracket apertures 20.

The module bodies 14 of the roadway barrier modules 10, 12 are disposed with opposed ends thereof spaced from one another and the upper first and second module connector brackets 16, 18 thereof in overlapping relationship. The module bracket apertures thereof are aligned, as is conventional.

In the drawings an assembly 26 is shown positioned in a cavity of module bodies 14. The assembly 26 includes a hinge pusher member 28, a spring 30 and a guide structure 32 which accommodates the hinge pusher member 28 and spring 30. The pusher member 28 in the assembly in second module 12 is urged in the direction of the module body 14 of roadway barrier module 10.

A pivot pin 40 is positioned between the module bodies 14 of roadway barrier modules 10, 12. The pivot pin 40 is in the aligned apertures 20 at the ends of the module body connector brackets 16, 18 and extends through both the overlapped upper and lower module connector brackets.

The pivot pin 40 has the circumferentially extending groove 44 defined by upper circular chamfered surface 46 and lower circular chamfered surface 48. The hinge pusher member 28 is positioned in the groove 44 to limit upward movement of the pivot pin and prevent disengagement of the pivot pin from the overlapping upper and lower connector brackets due to ratcheting effect caused by relative motion between the first and second roadway barrier modules. The pin contact surface 50 of the hinge pusher member engages the pin between the upper and lower chamfered surfaces . The path and placement of the hinge pusher member 28 is controlled by a guide projection 52 attached to the hinge pusher member 28 and positioned in a slot 54 of the guide structure.

The chamfered circular surfaces facilitate removal of the pin from the module connector brackets when desired.