Ballasted protection barriers and methods

Abstract

An arrangement of barrier modules is joined together at respective ends thereof, to provide movable water or sand ballasted protection barriers for applications such as pedestrian protection, traffic work zone separation, airport runway divisions, and industrial commercial uses. The arrangement includes a first plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a first barrier module and aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the first plurality of connecting lugs. A second plurality of connecting lugs is disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a second barrier module, with similar aligned pin receiving holes being disposed in the second plurality of connecting lugs. A dual-pin connector joins the first and second barrier modules together, comprising a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-pin connection system for joining two barrier modules together to form an arrangement of barrier modules wherein the barrier modules may be arranged at an angle with respect to one another, and each barrier module comprises a plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of the barrier module to be joined to a second barrier module, the connecting lugs having pin receiving holes disposed therein, the dual-pin connection system comprising:
 a top portion;   a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion; and   a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin;   each of the first and second pins being adapted to be inserted through a plurality of aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the vertically-spaced lugs on one of the barrier modules to be joined together.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-pin connection system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising a center post extending upwardly from the top portion. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-pin connection system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the center post is joined to portions of the first and second pins extending upwardly from the top portion. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-pin connection system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the upwardly extending portions of the first and second pins are joined to an upstanding supporting fence post forming a part of a fence accessory disposed atop the barrier module to which the respective first or second pin is secured. 
     
     
         5 . An arrangement of barrier modules joined together at respective ends thereof, comprising:
 a first plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a first barrier module, aligned pin receiving holes being disposed in the first plurality of connecting lugs;   a second plurality of connecting lugs disposed in a vertically-spaced arrangement on an end of a second barrier module, aligned pin receiving holes being disposed in the second plurality of connecting lugs;   a dual-pin connector joining the first and second barrier modules together, comprising a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin;   the first pin extending through the aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the first plurality of connecting lugs and the second pin extending through the aligned pin receiving holes disposed in the second plurality of connecting lugs to join the first and second barrier modules together.   
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of barrier modules as recited in  claim 5 , and further comprising a center post extending upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of barrier modules as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the center post is joined to portions of the first and second pins extending upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of barrier modules as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the upwardly extending portions of the first and second pins are joined to an upstanding supporting fence post forming a part of a fence accessory disposed atop the barrier module to which the respective first or second pin is secured. 
     
     
         9 . A method for creating separate zones in traffic areas using a plurality of portable and movable ballasted barrier modules, comprising:
 disposing a first barrier module and a second barrier modules adjacent to one another;   providing a dual-pin connector having a top portion, a first pin extending downwardly from the top portion, and a second pin extending downwardly from the top portion in spaced relation to the first pin;   inserting the first pin through aligned pin receiving holes disposed in vertically spaced lugs disposed on an end of the first barrier module; and   inserting the second pin through aligned pin receiving holes disposed in vertically spaced lugs disposed on an end of the second barrier module, so that the first and second barrier modules are joined by the dual-pin connector.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the dual-pin connector further comprises a center post extending upwardly from the top portion of the dual-pin connector, which is joined to portions of the first and second pins which extend upwardly from the top portion of the dual pin connector, the method further comprising:
 using a first bracket to secure the first upwardly extending pin portion to a first fence accessory disposed on top of the first barrier module; and   using a second bracket to secure the second upwardly extending pin portion to a second fence accessory disposed on top of the second barrier module.