Barrier device with side wall reinforcements and connection to crash cushion

Abstract

A barrier wall comprises a number of barrier devices connected end-to-end each having an external reinforcement structure wherein the end-most barrier device in the barrier wall is coupled to a crash cushion by a transition device.

1 . A barrier wall, comprising:
 a number of barrier devices connected end-to-end, an end-most one of said barrier devices being formed with opposed side walls, a first beam extending along one of said side walls of said end-most barrier and a second beam extending along the other of said side walls thereof;   a crash cushion;   a transition device for connecting said end-most barrier to said crash cushion, said transition device comprising:
 (i) a first coupling assembly coupled at one end to said first beam extending along one side wall of said end-most barrier and at an opposite end to said crash cushion; 
 (ii) a second coupling assembly coupled at one end to said second beam extending along said other side wall of said end-most barrier and at an opposite end to said crash cushion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The barrier wall of  claim 1  in which said first coupling assembly comprises a first leg having opposed ends, a first coupler connected between one end of said first leg and an end of said first beam of said barrier device, a first end connector connected to the other end of said first leg, and a first support connected between said crash cushion and said first end connector. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier wall of  claim 2  in which said first support is an I-beam. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier wall of  claim 3  further including a mounting plate located between said I-beam and said first end connector, said first end connector being affixed to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier wall of  claim 1  in which said second coupling assembly comprises a second leg having opposed ends, a second coupler connected between one end of said second leg and an end of said second beam of said barrier device, a second end connector connected to the other end of said second leg, and a second support connected between said crash cushion and said second end connector. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier wall of  claim 5  in which said second support is an I-beam. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier wall of  claim 6  further including a mounting plate located between said I-beam and said second end connector, said first end connector being affixed to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier wall of  claim 1  in which said first coupling assembly comprises a first support mounted to said end wall of said crash cushion, a first end connector coupled to one end of said first beam extending along one side wall of said end-most barrier, and a mounting plate located between and connected to said first support and said first end connector. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier wall of  claim 1  in which said second coupling assembly comprises a second support mounted to said end wall of said crash cushion, a second end connector coupled to one end of said second beam extending along said other side wall of said end-most barrier, and a mounting plate located between and connected to said second support and said second end connector. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier wall of  claim 1  further including a first thrie beam connected between said crash cushion and one of said side walls of said barrier device and a second thrie beam connected between said crash cushion and the other of said side walls of said barrier device. 
     
     
         11 . A barrier wall, comprising:
 a number of barrier devices connected end-to-end to form a wall having an end-most barrier, each of said barrier devices including:
 (i) a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior, 
 (ii) at least one opening extending through said hollow interior from one of said side walls to the other of said side walls; 
 (iii) a mounting bracket extending through said at least one opening; 
 (iv) a first beam coupled to said mounting bracket and extending along one of said side walls, and a second beam coupled to said mounting bracket and extending along the other of said side walls; 
   a number of ground anchors, each of said ground anchors being connected to said mounting bracket of a selected one of said barrier devices and having a base adapted to be secured to a surface upon which said barrier devices rest;   a crash cushion;   a transition device for connecting said end-most barrier to said crash cushion, said transition device comprising:
 (i) a first coupling assembly coupled at one end to said first beam extending along one side wall of said end-most barrier and at an opposite end to said crash cushion; 
 (ii) a second coupling assembly coupled at one end to said second beam extending along said other side wall of said end-most barrier and at an opposite end to said crash cushion. 
   
     
     
         12 . The barrier wall of  claim 11  in which said first coupling assembly of said transition device comprises a first leg having opposed ends, a first coupler connected between one end of said first leg and an end of said first beam of said barrier device, a first end connector connected to the other end of said first leg, and a first support connected between said crash cushion and said first end connector. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier wall of  claim 11  in which said second coupling assembly comprises a second leg having opposed ends, a second coupler connected between one end of said second leg and an end of said second beam of said barrier device, a second end connector connected to the other end of said second leg, and a second support connected between said crash cushion and said second end connector. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier wall of  claim 11  in which said first coupling assembly comprises a first support mounted to said end wall of said crash cushion, a first end connector coupled to one end of said first beam extending along one side wall of said end-most barrier, and a mounting plate located between and connected to said first support and said first end connector. 
     
     
         15 . The barrier wall of  claim 11  in which said second coupling assembly comprises a second support mounted to said end wall of said crash cushion, a second end connector coupled to one end of said second beam extending along said other side wall of said end-most barrier, and a mounting plate located between and connected to said second support and said second end connector. 
     
     
         16 . The barrier wall of  claim 11  further including a first thrie beam connected between said crash cushion and one of said side walls of said barrier device and a second thrie beam connected between said crash cushion and the other of said side walls of said barrier device.