Barrier system

Abstract

A barrier system is provided for absorbing the forces generated during collisions with vehicles. The system includes a plurality of interconnectable modular blocks that have a controlled rate of compression. The blocks connect with one another while allowing pivotable movement. In addition, an anchor system is provided that allows one or more blocks to be secured to the ground or to the floor, while still allowing the secured blocks some degree of pivotable movement.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A barrier comprising: 
 a plurality of pivotably coupled modular blocks, each having a compressible hollow interior and a vent.    
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an anchor having a base fixed into a position and an anchor pin rotatably coupled with one of the modular blocks and pivotably coupled to the base.    
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor further comprises a spring coupled between the base and anchor pin, wherein the spring is biased to resist pivotable movement between the anchor pin and the base.  
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the anchor further comprises: 
 a base shaft extending from the base in a direction parallel to the anchor pin; and    a plate coupling the anchor pin to the spring so that the anchor pin is offset from the base shaft.    
     
     
         5 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein each modular block further comprises: 
 a proximal end having a proximal tab depending therefrom; and    a distal end having a gap configured to receive a proximal tab from an adjoining modular block.    
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 5  wherein the proximal tab is arcuate and the gap is arcuate so that pivotable movement between two adjoining modular blocks is permitted.  
     
     
         7 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein the gap is defined by an upper distal tab having a first channel and a lower distal tab having a second channel and the proximal tab includes a third channel configured to align with both a first channel and a second channel of an adjacent modular block to receive a pin.  
     
     
         8 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein each of the modular blocks includes a side panel having a rib.  
     
     
         9 . A barrier comprising: 
 means for absorbing an impact; and    means for coupling the means for absorbing impact.    
     
     
         10 . The barrier of  claim 9 , further comprising means for anchoring the means for absorbing an impact.  
     
     
         11 . The barrier of  claim 9 , further comprising means for controlling the compression of the means for absorbing an impact.  
     
     
         12 . A modular block for use in a barrier system, comprising: 
 an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side panel, a second side panel, a proximal end and a distal end that define a hollow interior cavity;    an arcuate proximal tab depending from the proximal end and having a channel therethrough;    an upper distal tab depending from the distal end and having a channel therethrough;    a lower distal tab depending from the distal end and having a channel therethrough;    a distal gap formed between the upper distal tab and the lower distal tab, the distal gap being similar to the proximal tab; and    a vent allowing venting of the hollow interior cavity upon compression of the modular block.    
     
     
         13 . The modular block of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed on the first side panel.  
     
     
         14 . The modular block of  claim 13 , further comprising a flat panel for receiving printed matter disposed between two of the plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         15 . The modular block of  claim 12 , further comprising a cylindrical spacer having a channel therethrough and shaped so that the cylindrical spacer can be selectively received within the distal gap.  
     
     
         16 . A go-kart track barrier system comprising: 
 a plurality of pivotably interconnectable compressible modular blocks, each having a vent to control a rate of compression of the modular blocks, wherein a course of the modular blocks define at a least a portion of the go-kart track; and    an anchor having a first end that is fixed into position and second end pivotably coupled with the first end and rotatably coupled with a modular block.    
     
     
         17 . The barrier system of  claim 16  wherein each block includes a plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         18 . The barrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the ribs are positioned to correspond with an abutting surface of a go-kart.  
     
     
         19 . The barrier system of  claim 18 , wherein the abutting surface is a bumper.  
     
     
         20 . The barrier system of  claim 16 , wherein a first course of modular blocks defines an interior boundary of the go-kart track and a second course of modular block defines an exterior boundary.  
     
     
         21 . The barrier system of  claim 16 , wherein a first course of modular blocks is coupled with a second course of modular blocks with a tee connector.  
     
     
         22 . A barrier system comprising: 
 a plurality of compressible modular blocks, wherein each block includes; 
 a proximal tab having a channel therethrough and an arcuate abutting surface; and  
 an upper and lower distal tab that define a distal gap wherein the distal gap includes an arcuate receiving surface and the distal gap is shaped to receive a proximal tab from an adjoining modular block, the upper and lower distal tabs each having a channel therethrough so that a connecting pin passing through the channel of the upper and lower distal tabs of a first block and through the channel of the proximal tab of a second block pivotably couple the first block and the second block.  
   
     
     
         23 . The barrier system of  claim 22 , wherein each block further includes a vent to control a rate of compression.  
     
     
         24 . The barrier of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 an anchor having a base fixed into a position and an anchor pin rotatably coupled with the first block and pivotably coupled to the base.    
     
     
         25 . The barrier of  claim 24 , wherein the anchor pin is coupled with the one of the modular blocks by passing through the channel of the upper distal tab and through the channel of the lower distal tab of the first block.  
     
     
         26 . The barrier of  claim 25 , wherein the anchor pin also passes through the channel of the proximal tab of the second block.  
     
     
         27 . The barrier of  claim 25 , wherein the anchor further comprises a spring coupled between the base and anchor pin, wherein the spring is biased to resist pivotable movement between the anchor pin and the base.  
     
     
         28 . The barrier of  claim 27 , wherein the anchor further comprises: 
 a base shaft extending from the base in a direction parallel to the anchor pin; and    a plate coupling the anchor pin to the spring so that the anchor pin is offset from the base shaft.    
     
     
         29 . The barrier of  claim 22  further comprising tee connector to interconnect a first course of modular blocks to a second course of modular blocks.  
     
     
         30 . The barrier of  claim 22  wherein each modular block includes a plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         31 . The barrier of  claim 22 , wherein the modular block define a go-kart track.