Collapsible traffic barricade

Abstract

An easily collapsible guardrail to separate opposing streams of traffic that includes specialized buffer blocks having chambers with two hollow interiors and with the interiors having a particular shape that promotes the movement of energy in a collapsing motion that allows the colliding vehicles to remain closer to the point of impact, minimizing any bouncing back into the moving stream of traffic. The specialized blocks are mounted to a post at two positions using staggered positioning of bolts, thereby removing the prior art single bolt that has been the cause of a lot of property damage and personal injury upon collision. The unique, staggered positioning of the bolts allows for directional movement of the vehicle away from the flow of traffic. Optionally, a specialized post can also be used that also minimizes the effects of a crash. The post is made of a rubber material that acts as a shock absorber and/or insulator. Additionally, the post can include slight relief areas that are incorporated therein that allow more flexible movement upon impact to absorb the harmful impact of a collision and help direct the forces, and thereby the vehicle, downward.

1 . A method for minimizing property damage and personal injury when a moving vehicle hits a barrier positioned between opposing streams of traffic, said barrier comprising
 a k-rail;   a post, said post having-a front side facing a first stream of traffic and a back side facing a second stream of traffic which is traveling in the opposite direction from said first stream of traffic;   a first buffer block attached to said front side of said post and attached to said k-rail, said buffer block further comprising
 a peripheral frame, said peripheral frame having a modified block shape and further comprising
 a top portion that is substantially parallel to the road; 
 a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and which faces said first stream of traffic; 
 a back portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and that is positioned against said post; 
 a bottom portion that is substantially parallel to the road; 
 a middle portion that is substantially parallel to the road and when combined with said top portion, said front portion, said back portion and said bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber that sits atop a second hollow chamber, said chambers being separated by said middle portion; 
 one or more abutting portions that extend beyond the plane of said front portion and into the direction of said first stream of traffic; 
 means for attaching said back portion to said post; and 
 means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail. 
 
   
   
   
       2 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein a second buffer block is attached to said back side of said post and attached to a second k-rail, said second buffer block further comprising
 a peripheral frame, said peripheral frame having a modified block shape and further comprising
 a top portion that is substantially parallel to the road; 
 a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and which faces said second stream of traffic; 
 a back portion that is substantially perpendicular to the road and that is positioned against said post; 
 a bottom portion that is substantially parallel to the road; 
 a middle portion that is substantially parallel to the road and when combined with said top portion, said front portion, said back portion and said bottom portion defines a first hollow chamber that sits atop a second hollow chamber, said chambers being separated by said middle portion; 
 one or more abutting portions that extend beyond the plane of said front portion and into the direction of said second stream of traffic; 
 means for attaching said back portion to said post; and 
 means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail. 
   
   
   
       3 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said post is made of multiple compound rubber. 
   
   
       4 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said post is made of recycled tires. 
   
   
       5 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said post has a metal core. 
   
   
       6 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said post has relief areas carved out of said front side facing said first stream of traffic and corresponding relief areas carved out of said back side facing said second stream of traffic wherein said relief areas further comprising
 a bottom portion; and   one or more sidewalls.   
   
   
       7 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said peripheral frame of said first buffer block is made of multiple compound rubber. 
   
   
       8 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said peripheral frame of said first buffer block is made of recycled tires. 
   
   
       9 . A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein said peripheral frame of said second buffer block is made of multiple compound rubber. 
   
   
       10 . A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein said peripheral frame of said second buffer block is made of recycled tires. 
   
   
       11 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said first buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said buffer block and is attached to said post. 
   
   
       12 . A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said second buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said second buffer block and is attached to said post. 
   
   
       13 . A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein said means for attaching said back portion of said second buffer block to said post is a bolt that fits through a hole in said back portion of said second buffer block, is affixed through said post and then fits through a hole in said back portion of said first buffer block. 
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail is a second bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front portion of said first buffer block above said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said first buffer block to said top hollow chamber and a third bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front of said first buffer block below said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said first buffer block to said bottom hollow chamber. 
   
   
       15 . A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein said means for attaching said front portion to said k-rail is a fourth bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front portion of said second buffer block above said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front portion of said second buffer block to said top hollow chamber and a fifth bolt that is positioned through a hole in said front of said second buffer block below said middle portion of said peripheral frame connecting said front of said second buffer block to said bottom hollow chamber. 
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve. 
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 12  wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve. 
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 13  wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve. 
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 14  wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve. 
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 15  wherein said hole is reinforced by a steel sleeve.