Roadway Barrier

Abstract

A roadway barrier includes: (i) a longitudinally corrugated rail defining a longitudinal trough between longitudinal ridges, which rail in the region of the trough, defines an aperture: (ii) a reflector comprising: (a) a substantially V-shaped panel with a reflective surface, the panel defining a spine and a pair of arms that diverge from the spine, and the panel arms being resiliently movable between a neutral condition and a splayed condition; (b) a shaft extending from the spine of the panel, between the panel arms, wherein each panel arm is substantially planar and tapers in height from the spine towards its free end; and (c) a connector for securing to the reflector shaft. The reflector is located within the trough defined by the rail, with the reflector shaft extending through the aperture defined by the rail and secured in place by the connector, which connector induces tension within the reflector shaft, with the panel arms bearing against the rail, in the region of the trough, and maintaining the panel arms in the splayed condition.

1 . A roadway barrier including:
 a longitudinally corrugated rail defining a longitudinal trough between longitudinal ridges;   the rail, in the region of the trough, defining an aperture;   a reflector comprising:
 a substantially V-shaped panel with a reflective surface, the panel defining a spine and a pair of arms that diverge from the spine, and the panel arms being resiliently movable between a neutral condition and a splayed condition; 
 a reflector shaft extending from the spine of the panel, between the panel arms, wherein each panel arm is substantially planar and tapers in height from the spine towards its free end; and 
   a connector for securing to the reflector shaft,   the reflector being located within the trough defined by the rail, with the connector secured to the shaft such that:
 (i) the rail is disposed between: at least a portion of the connector on the one hand; and the panel on the other hand; 
 (ii) the reflector with connector secured thereto extends through the aperture defined by the rail; and 
 (iii) the connector induces tension within the reflector shaft, with the panel arms bearing against the rail, in the region of the trough, thereby maintaining the panel arms in the splayed condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel arms define an angle between them in the range of 70 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector is either a nut that is threaded onto a threaded portion of the reflector shaft or a collar that is crimped on to the reflector shaft. 
     
     
         4 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the reflector shaft includes a radial projection at or near the free end of the reflector shaft, to limit movement of the connector along the reflector shaft. 
     
     
         5 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the reflector shaft includes a radially projecting formation that extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the reflector shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 5 , wherein, when the connector is a collar, crimping of the collar causes the longitudinally extending radially projecting formation on the reflector shaft to deform. 
     
     
         7 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the reflector shaft is threaded. 
     
     
         8 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the reflector shaft defines a bore that extends substantially diametrically through the reflector shaft. 
     
     
         9 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 8 , further including a pin that is sized and shaped to travel through the bore defined by the reflector shaft, which pin inhibits relative rotation and/or axial movement of the connector and reflector shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the spine is substantially rectangular in shape and planar with minor sides at least 1 cm in length. 
     
     
         11 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the free ends of the panel arms curve away from the reflector shaft. 
     
     
         12 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 11 , wherein the reflector panel is substantially rhombus-shaped with the panel spine extending along the minor diagonal. 
     
     
         13 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 12 , further including a bowed washer located over the reflector shaft and sandwiched between the rail and the connector, and wherein the washer is rotatable about the reflector shaft such that the connector can be secured to the reflector shaft and the washer rotated relative to the reflector shaft thereby to induce tension within the reflector shaft and cause the panel arms to splay. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 13 , wherein a reflective sheet is secured to the surface of the reflector panel, opposite the surface from which the reflector shaft extends. 
     
     
         16 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 15 , wherein a secondary securing plate: (i) is secured to the reflector panel; (ii) extends between the panel arms; (iii) defines a notch through which the reflector shaft extends; (iv) is removably secured to the reflector panel; and (v) extends between the free ends of the panel arms. 
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A roadway barrier according to  claim 16 , wherein each panel arm is substantially frusto-triangular in shape.