Multi-purpose precast barrier

Abstract

A barrier to vehicular passage is described. The barrier is cast from dense, heavy material and has a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces. The barrier forms (A) a top and a bottom surface, which are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface. Methods of use of the barrier or a plurality of barriers are also described.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A barrier to vehicular passage cast from dense, heavy material having a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein the barrier forms: 
 (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and    (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface.    
     
     
         2 . A barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the side surfaces comprise opposing first and second lateral surfaces and opposing front and back surfaces and wherein (a) the front surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 25 to about 55 degrees, (b) the back surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 0 to about 30 degrees, and (c) the first and second lateral surfaces are each inclined from vertical at angles in the range of about 20 to about 50 degrees.  
     
     
         3 . A barrier according to  claim 2  which defines a bore extending from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface, the bore being sized and configured to receive a linking element passing through the bore in order to link two or more other barriers to the barrier.  
     
     
         4 . A barrier according to  claim 2  which comprises anchoring means for anchoring the barrier at a point proximate to an imaginary axis formed along the intersection of the bottom and back surfaces, so that, upon sufficient impact to the front surface by a vehicle, the barrier will rotate substantially about the imaginary axis.  
     
     
         5 . A barrier according to  claim 4  which defines one or more openings in one or more of the six surfaces.  
     
     
         6 . A barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the anchoring means comprises an anchor pin attached to and extending from the support surface under the barrier.  
     
     
         7 . A barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the one or more openings are threaded.  
     
     
         8 . A barrier according to  claim 1  which forms at least one slot defined by the bottom surface, which slot extends from the central region of the bottom surface to at least one opening in one of the non-vertical side surfaces.  
     
     
         9 . A barrier according to  claim 8  which forms two slots on one non-vertical side surface, which two slots are sized and configured to accommodate forks of a fork lift.  
     
     
         10 . A barrier according to  claim 7  wherein a threaded eyebolt is threaded into the threaded opening.  
     
     
         11 . A barricade system for impairing vehicular passage into a restricted area comprising: 
 (A) two or more barriers cast from dense, heavy material forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein each barrier forms (1) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (2) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface, and (3) a bore extending from one side surface to the opposing side surface, and    (B) at least one linking element extending through the bores of each of the two or more barriers,    wherein each of the barriers is sized and configured such that the forward motion of a vehicle impacting the barrier will be impeded by inertia of the impacted barrier together with inertia of the linked barriers.    
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11  further comprising a fence attached to one or more of the two or more barriers.  
     
     
         13 . A method of impairing vehicular passage into a restricted area, which method comprises: 
 (1) positioning at a perimeter of the area at least one barrier cast from dense, heavy material forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein the barrier forms (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (B) a first and a second lateral surface, and (C) a front and a back surface wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of the front surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the back surface, and    (2) anchoring the barrier at a point proximate to an imaginary axis formed along the intersection of the bottom surface and the back surface,    such that, upon sufficient impact to the front surface by a vehicle, the barrier member rotates substantially about the imaginary axis, the bottom surface pivots up and back under the vehicle, the vehicle is lifted upon the barrier and further forward motion of the vehicle is impaired.    
     
     
         14 . A method of limiting vehicular access to a designated area comprising 
 (1) positioning at a perimeter of the area a plurality of barriers cast from dense, heavy material each forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces wherein each barrier forms (1) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (2) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface, and (3) a bore extending from one side surface to the opposing side surface, and    (2) linking the plurality of barrier members to one another by passing a linking element through each of the bores,    such that the forward motion of a vehicle impacting the barrier will be impeded by inertia of the impacted barrier together with the inertia of the barriers linked thereto.    
     
     
         15 . A mold for forming at least one barrier from a dense, heavy material, wherein the barrier so formed forms a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces comprising: 
 (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and    (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface.    
     
     
         16 . A mold according to  claim 15 , wherein the side surfaces comprise opposing first and second lateral surfaces and opposing front and back surfaces and wherein (a) the front surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 25 to about 55 degrees, (b) the back surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 0 to about 30 degrees, and (c) the first and second lateral surfaces are each inclined from vertical at angles in the range of about 20 to about 50 degrees.  
     
     
         17 . A mold according to  claim 15 , wherein the barrier so formed also defines a bore extending from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface, the bore being sized and configured to receive a linking element passing through the bore.  
     
     
         18 . A mold according to  claim 15 , wherein the barrier so formed defines two slots on one non-vertical side surface, which two slots are sized and configured to accommodate forks of a fork lift.