Frangible barrier

Abstract

A frangible boom assembly for vehicular tollway barriers is mounted to a boom actuating apparatus for pivotal movement between a barrier position transverse to a direction of traffic flow and a generally upright position to allow an authorised vehicle to pass. The frangible boom assembly is pivotally mounted to the actuation apparatus whereby in use, contact between a vehicle and the boom, when in a barrier position, causes said boom to swing away from the vehicle in the direction of traffic flow to reduce the possibility of damage to the boom member and/or the vehicle.

1 . A frangible boom assembly comprising: 
 a tubular boom member receivably located in a tubular socket, said tubular socket being supported in a mounting for pivotal movement about an upright axis; and    a boom mounting associated with said tubular socket, said boom mounting extending orthogonally to said upright axis.    
     
     
         2 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular boom member is comprised of an aluminium or aluminium alloy metal.  
     
     
         3 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular boom is of a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         4 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular boom has a generally circular cross-section.  
     
     
         5 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular boom is a neat sliding fit into said tubular socket.  
     
     
         6 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular boom is releasably located in said tubular socket.  
     
     
         7 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mounting comprises a bracket member attachable, in use, to a boom actuator.  
     
     
         8 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular socket is supported in said boom mounting for pivotal movement by socket and spigot members aligned on said upright axis.  
     
     
         9 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the boom mounting means suitably includes removable fasteners extending transversely of said boom orthogonal to said upright axis.  
     
     
         10 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said tubular boom, in use, is pivotal from a barrier position, transverse to a direction of flow of traffic, to a free position substantially parallel to the direction of flow of traffic.  
     
     
         11 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said boom is retainable in said barrier position by releasable engagement means.  
     
     
         12 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said boom includes cushioned impact absorption means extending over at least portion of its unsupported length.  
     
     
         13 . A method of mounting a boom member to a boom actuation apparatus, said boom actuation apparatus being operable to selectively move said boom member between a barrier position transverse to a direction of traffic flow and a generally upright position to allow an authorised vehicle to pass, said method characterised in that the boom member is pivotally mounted to said actuation apparatus about an upright pivotal axis when said boom member is in a barrier position whereby in use contact between said boom member in a barrier position and a vehicle moving past said boom actuating apparatus causes said boom member to swing away from said vehicle in the direction of flow of traffic.