Traffic Channelizer with Flexible Divider Members

Abstract

A modular system for separating traffic into discrete zones includes a plurality of rail segments pivotally secured to rail mounts. The mounts are configured for rapid and straightforward coupling of rail segments thereto. Moreover, the mounts may be quickly installed and de-installed from a road surface. The overall system therefore provides a physical barrier system that is easily installed and easily modifiable into desired arrangements. Its modular construction of any number of a plurality of distinct rail segments further facilitates customized channelizing design. The modular system includes flexible divider members connectable to the mounts through angled bracket flanges to define visible and aesthetically pleasing physical separation of the traffic into discrete zones.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular system for separating traffic into discrete zones, said modular system comprising:
 a plurality of mounts anchorable to a road surface, each defining a mount axis substantially perpendicular to a road surface;   a plurality of rail segments that are pivotally securable to respective mounts for pivoting about respective said mount axes, each of said rail segments having a length between first and second ends along a length axis and a rail plane passing through the length axis and extending along the respective said mount axes;   a bracket having a base portion and a connection flange extending from the base portion, the bracket being securable to the mount; and   a flexible divider member having first and second ends defining a length therebetween, at least one of the first and second ends being securable to the connection flange of the bracket to extend in spaced relationship with the respective rail segment.   
     
     
         2 . The modular system as in  claim 1 , including one or more brackets defining a plurality of connection flanges, with the first and second ends of said flexible divider member being securable to respective first and second connection flanges. 
     
     
         3 . The modular system as in  claim 2 , including a plurality of brackets, each securable to a respective mount. 
     
     
         4 . The modular system as in  claim 3  wherein the flexible divider member extends between respective connection flanges of the spaced apart first and second brackets. 
     
     
         5 . The modular system as in  claim 4  wherein the respective connection flanges of the first and second brackets are spaced apart by a flange spacing dimension that is less than the respective divider member length. 
     
     
         6 . The modular system as in  claim 4 , including a plurality of flexible divider members, each coupled to two connection flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The modular system as in  claim 6  wherein the two connection flanges coupling the respective flexible divider member are spaced apart by a flange spacing dimension that is less than the respective flexible divider member length. 
     
     
         8 . The modular system as in  claim 1  wherein said mounts include a plate anchorable to the road surface and a post extending from said plate along the mount axis. 
     
     
         9 . The modular system as in  claim 1 , including a delineator securable to a respective said bracket to extend axial along the mount axis from the respective mount. 
     
     
         10 . The modular system as in  claim 9 , including a flexible joint for securing said delineator to said respective mount. 
     
     
         11 . The modular system as in  claim 10  wherein said flexible joint is rubber and extends from a bottom end of the delineator. 
     
     
         12 . The modular system as in  claim 11  wherein said flexible joint permits elastic deflection of the delineator from alignment with the mount axis. 
     
     
         13 . The modular system as in  claim 1  wherein the connection flange extends at an angle with respect to the base portion. 
     
     
         14 . The modular system as in  claim 13  wherein the angle is between 15-90°. 
     
     
         15 . A modular system for separating traffic into discrete zones, said modular system comprising:
 a plurality of mounts anchorable to a road surface, each defining a mount axis substantially perpendicular to a road surface;   a plurality of rail segments that are pivotally securable to respective mounts for pivoting about respective said mount axes, each of said rail segments having a length between first and second ends along a length axis and a rail plane passing through the length axis and extending along the respective said mount axes;   an upright securable to a respective said mount to extend at least partially along or parallel to the mount axis from the respective mount; and   a flexible divider member having first and second ends defining a length therebetween, the first and second ends being securable to one or more of the upright and respective ones of the mounts so as to at least in part extend in spaced relationship with the respective rail segment.   
     
     
         16 . The modular system as in  claim 15 , including a plurality of brackets each having a base portion and a flange portion extending from the base portion, the base portion of the bracket being securable to the upright or selected ones of the mounts. 
     
     
         17 . The modular system as in  claim 16  wherein the flange portion extends at an angle of between 15-90° with respect to the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The modular system as in  claim 17 , wherein the flexible member is securable between the respective flange portions of a first bracket and a second bracket of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         19 . The modular system as in  claim 18  wherein the respective connection flanges of the first and second brackets are spaced apart by a flange spacing dimension that is less than the respective divider member length. 
     
     
         20 . The modular system as in  claim 19 , including a flexible joint for securing the upright to the respective mount, and wherein said flexible joint permits elastic deflection of the upright from alignment with the mount axis.