Control barrier systems

Portable control barriers for use in sporting or entertainment events having a lightweight housing formed of a resiliently deformable material. Each housing has an interior surface defining an internal chamber that can be selectively filled with a ballast. In one embodiment, the housing has opposing end walls, opposing sidewalls, and a substantially flat bottom wall. A spline and groove are each positioned on one of the opposing end walls. The spline and groove are configured to interlock adjacently positioned barriers. In yet another embodiment, a spout and receiving aperture are positioned on opposing end walls. In this embodiment, the spout of one barrier can be received in sealed fluid communication with the receiving port of an adjacent barrier, thereby allowing fluid communication of the ballast between adjacent barriers. Finally, in yet another embodiment, the bottom wall of the housing can be arched so as to form a passageway extending through the barrier. The bottom wall has a surface that is complementary to the top surface of the housing so that a plurality of barriers can be nestably stacked.

 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a portable housing formed of a resiliently deformable material and having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal chamber, the housing further comprising:

(i) a first sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion;

(ii) a second sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion, the top portions of the first sidewall and the second sidewall being connected;

(iii) a bottom wall extending between the bottom edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

(iv) a pair of opposing end walls; and

(v) means for interconnecting in fluid communication the end walls of opposing barriers to enable simultaneously filling with a ballast the internal chamber of each of the opposing barriers from one of the barriers;

(b) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast;

(c) means for draining the ballast from the chamber; and

(d) means for removably attaching a display substantially flush against and recessed into one of the sidewalls.

2. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for removably attaching a display comprises a pair of opposing retention lips formed on the exterior surface of one of the sidewalls, the retention lips each projecting to define a slot formed between the retention lip and the exterior surface of the housing.

3. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is arched so as to define a passageway longitudinally extending through the housing.

4. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is substantially flat.

5. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier further comprises:

(a) a pair of opposing end walls; and

(b) means for mechanically interconnecting the end walls of adjacent barriers so that the strength of the connection increases as the internal chamber of the barriers are filled with the ballast.

6. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a resiliently deformable material.

7. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a light permeable display mounted on the first side wall of the barrier; and

(b) means positioned between the light permeable display and the first side wall of the barrier for illuminating the light permeable display.

8. A control barrier as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for illuminating the light permeable display comprises:

(a) a florescent light bulb recessed within the first side wall of the barrier; and

(b) means for energizing the florescent light bulb.

9. A control barrier as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) an LCD display mounted on the first side wall of the barrier; and

(b) means for energizing the LCD display.

10. A control barrier configured to hold a thin flexible display having a pair of opposing outside edges, the barrier comprising:

(a) a portable housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal chamber, the housing further comprising:

(i) a first sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion;

(ii) a second sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion, the top portions of the first sidewall and the second sidewall being connected; and

(iii) a bottom wall extending between the bottom edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

(b) a pair of opposing retention lips formed on the first sidewall, each retention lip projecting so as to define a slot formed between the retention lip and the exterior surface of the first sidewall, each slot being recessed within the first sidewall so as to be blocked at each end by the first sidewall, the pair of retention lips being positioned so that as the display is flexed, the pair of opposing outside edges of the display can individually be received within the slots of the pair of retention lips; and

(c) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast.

11. A control barrier as recited in claim 10, wherein the bottom wall is arched so as to define a passageway longitudinally extending through the housing.

12. A control barrier as recited in claim 11, wherein the exterior surface of the first sidewall and the second sidewall have a combined configuration that is substantially complementary to the shape of the bottom wall so that a plurality of barriers can be nestably stacked.

13. A control barrier as recited in claim 10, wherein the bottom wall is substantially flat.

14. A control barrier as recited in claim 10, wherein the barrier further comprises:

(a) a pair of opposing end walls; and

(b) means for mechanically interconnecting the end walls of opposing barrier so that the strength of the connection increases as the barriers are filled with the ballast.

15. A control barrier as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for extending the height of the control barrier.

16. A control barrier configured to hold a thin flexible display having a pair of opposing outside edges, the barrier comprising:

(a) an elongated, substantially U-shaped housing, the housing comprising:

(i) an exterior surface including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a configuration substantially complementary to the top surface to enable stacked nesting of a plurality of barriers; and

(ii) an interior surface defining an internal chamber;

(iii) a pair of retention lips projecting from the top surface so that each retention lip defines a slot formed between the retention lip and the top surface, each slot being recessed within the top surface so as to be blocked at each end by the top surface, the pair of retention lips being positioned so that as the display is flexed, the pair of opposing outside edges of the display can individually be received within the slots of the pair of retention lips;

(iv) a fill hole communicating with the internal chamber to enable selective filling of the internal chamber with a ballast; and

(v) a drain hole communicating with the internal chamber to enable selective draining of the ballast from the internal chamber.

17. A control barrier as recited in claim 16, wherein the barrier has a height in a range between about 3 feet to about 4 feet.

18. A control barrier as recited in claim 16, further comprising a support rib formed on the exterior surface of the housing.

19. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a housing having a first end wall, a second end wall, opposing sidewalls, and an interior surface defining an internal chamber;

(b) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast; and

(c) means for interconnecting in fluid communication the end walls of opposing barriers to enable simultaneously filling with a ballast the internal chamber of each of the opposing barriers from one of the barriers, the means for interconnecting comprising:

(i) a spout having an exterior surface projecting from the first end wall to an end face, the end face defining an opening to a channel extending through the spout so as to be in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing; and

(ii) a receiving port having an interior surface recessed within the second end wall of the housing, the receiving port being in fluid communication with the internal chamber and being configured to receive the spout of the first end wall of an adjacent barrier.

20. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising an annular gasket positioned between the receiving port and the spout when the spout is received within the receiving port to effect a fluid tight seal therebetween.

21. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising means for draining the ballast from the interior chamber.

22. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the control barrier is formed of a resiliently deformable material.

23. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising means for extending the height of the barrier.

24. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising a cap to selectively seal the spout on the barrier.

25. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising a plug to selectively seal the port on the barrier.

26. A control barrier as recited in claim 19, further comprising means for removably attaching a display substantially flush against one of the sidewalls.

27. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a housing having a first end wall, a second end wall, opposing sidewalls, and an interior surface defining an internal chamber;

(b) a spout having an exterior surface projecting from the first end wall to an end face, the end face defining an opening to a channel extending through the spout so as to be in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing;

(c) a receiving port having an interior surface recessed within the second end wall of the housing, the receiving port being in fluid communication with the internal chamber and being configured to receiving the spout on the first end wall of an adjacent barrier;

(d) means for effecting a fluid tight seal between the receiving port and the spout when the spout is received within the receiving port; and

(e) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast.

28. A control barrier as recited in claim 27, wherein the means for affecting a fluid tight seal comprises a gasket positioned between the spout and the receiving port when the spout is received within the receiving port.

29. A control barrier as recited in claim 27, further comprising means for draining the ballast material from the internal chamber.

30. A control barrier as recited in claim 27, further comprising means for removably attaching a display substantially flush against one of the sidewalls.

31. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal chamber;

(b) means for filling the internal chamber of the first wall with a ballast;

(c) a second wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal chamber;

(d) means for hingedly connecting the first wall to the second wall; and

(e) means for mechanically interconnecting first walls of adjacent control barriers so that the strength of the connection increases as the first walls are filled with the ballast.

32. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, further comprising means for extending the height of the first wall.

33. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, further comprising means for removably attaching a display substantially flush against the exterior surface of the first wall.

34. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, further comprising means for draining the ballast from the internal chamber of the first wall.

35. A control barrier as recited in claim 34, wherein the means for draining comprises:

(a) a drain hole extending through the exterior surface and communicating with the internal chamber of the first wall; and

(b) a cap for selectively sealing off the drain hole.

36. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, wherein the means for mechanically interconnecting adjacent control barriers comprises each of the first walls having:

(a) a first end wall

(b) a foot projecting from the first end wall;

(c) a second end wall;

(d) a notch formed on the second end wall, the notch being formed to receive the foot from the first end wall of an adjacent barrier; and

(e) means for locking the foot within the notch.

37. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, further comprising:

(a) a light permeable display mounted on the exterior surface of the first wall; and

(b) means positioned between the light permeable display and the first wall for illuminating the light permeable display.

38. A control barrier as recited in claim 31, further comprising:

(a) an LCD display mounted on the top surface of the barrier; and

(b) means for energizing the LCD display.

39. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a portable housing formed a resiliently deformable material and having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining an internal chamber, the housing further comprising:

(i) a first sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion;

(ii) a second sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion, the top portions of the first sidewall and the second sidewall being connected; and

(iii) a bottom wall extending between the bottom edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

(b) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast;

(c) means for draining the ballast from the chamber;

(d) means for removably attaching a display substantially flush against one of the sidewalls;

(e) a pair of opposing end walls; and

(f) means for interconnecting in fluid communication the end walls of opposing barriers to enable simultaneously filling with a ballast the internal chamber of each of the opposing barriers from one of the barriers.

40. A control barrier comprising:

(a) a housing having an exterior surface extending between opposing end walls and an interior surface defining an internal chamber, the exterior surface comprising:

(i) an exposed top surface; and

(ii) a covered bottom surface, the bottom surface being substantially U-shaped and defining a passageway extending between the opposing end walls; and

(b) means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast; and

(c) means for mechanically interconnecting adjacent barriers so that the strength of the connection increases as the barriers are filled with the ballast.

41. A control barrier as recited in claim 40, wherein the means for mechanically interconnecting adjacent barriers comprises each of the barriers having:

(a) a U-shaped first end wall

(b) a foot projecting from the first end wall;

(c) a U-shaped second end wall;

(d) a notch formed on the second end wall, the notch being formed to receive the foot from the first end wall of an adjacent barrier; and

(e) means for locking the foot within the notch.

2. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable, reusable, control barriers, and more particularly, barrier systems for use with activities such as athletic events which require a temporary, predefined field layout or for use with entertainment events having a stage where a discreet distance between spectators and the stage is desired to be maintained.

3. The Relevant Technology

Control barriers are used in a variety of situations. For example, control barriers can be selectively positioned at special events, such as parades, to help direct people in a desired direction. Alternatively control barriers can be put up to help limit access to select areas. In yet other embodiments, control barriers can be put up to define an entertainment stage or the boundaries of a playing field. For example, control barriers can be used to define the boundaries of a soccer field or an ice skating rink.

Conventional control barriers have long comprised individual sawhorse type barriers or collapsible V-shape barricades. Such barriers, however, have limited use since they are generally lightweight and easily tipped over. This can be a problem when large crowds are encountered or when the barriers are being used on a playing field where they might get bumped. Furthermore, such barriers are typically not connected and often have spaces or gaps extending therethrough. As such, it is possible for individuals to either slip between or through the barriers.

Other barriers comprise various gates or walls which are constructed. Such barriers, however, require extensive time to assemble and disassemble. In yet other alternative embodiments, concrete barriers have been used. Although such barriers are not easily tipped over, such barriers are extremely heavy. As such, they are difficult to move and place in desired locations. Often, special equipment such as fork lifts or cranes are required. Furthermore, concrete barriers can be both difficult and expensive to move over large distances and require a large area to store. Finally, concrete barriers can be dangerous in that they are rigid and non-forgiving when impacted by a person.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide improved control barriers which are relatively light in weight for ease of transportation yet may be ballasted after positioning to provide a heavier barrier.

It is another object of the present invention to provide improved control barriers that have sufficient weight to prevent being knocked over or pushed aside by bearing crowds.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide control barriers having sufficient height to control access to a defined area while permitting a spectator to view the defined area.

It is another object of the present invention to provide control barriers which may be easily positioned in the desired configuration and selectively locked into place.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide control barriers which will yield slightly upon impact to lessen the damage to an object or individual colliding with the barrier.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a barrier system which may be easily unballasted and reused.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide improved control barriers that can be moved by hand.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide improved control barriers that can be stored in relatively small areas.

Finally, it is yet another object of the present invention to provide improved control barriers that are reusable.

The above objects are provided by the control barriers of the present invention which comprise a portable elongated housing formed from a resiliently deformable semi-rigid material. The housing has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an internal chamber that can be filled with a ballast such as water. The housing further comprises a first sidewall having a bottom edge for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion. Likewise, the housing includes a second sidewall having a bottom edge resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion, the top portion of the first sidewall and the second sidewall being connected. Furthermore, a bottom wall extends between the bottom edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. In one embodiment, the bottom wall is substantially flat. In an alternative embodiment the bottom wall is arched so that a passageway extends through the housing. Where the bottom wall is arched, the bottom wall has a bottom surface that is complementarily configured to the top surface of the housing. In this manner, a plurality of barriers can be nestably stacked by receiving the bottom surface of one barrier on the top surface of another barrier.

In another embodiment, the barriers have opposing end walls. A spline projects from one of the end walls while the opposing end wall has a groove that is complementary to the shape of the spline. In this configuration, the spline of one barrier can be received within the groove of an adjacent barrier. As the ballast is inserted within the internal chamber of the barriers, the spline radially expands while the groove constricts so as to form a mechanical interconnection.

In yet another embodiment, a spout projects from one of the end walls. The spout has a passageway extending therethrough and being in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the barrier. The opposing end wall has a receiving port that is also in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the barrier. In this manner, a spout from one barrier can be connected in fluid communication with the receiving port of an adjacent barrier. In this embodiment, fluid filled within one of the barriers flows into the adjacent barrier through the fluid spout so as to simultaneously fill each of the barriers.

In one embodiment, the present invention also provides for a display recess to be formed on one of the sidewalls of the barrier. A display, such as an advertising sign, can be positioned within the display recess so as to be substantially flush with the top surface of the barrier. The display can be a conventional sign or a programmable LCD screen. In yet another embodiment, the display can be light permeable and fluorescent lights can be positioned behind the light permeable display for illumination thereof.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment the crowd control barrier of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a crow control barrier showing a display vertically projecting therefrom.

FIG. 3A is an elevated side view of the crowd control barrier in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view showing hidden lines of the crowd control barrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of the crowd control barrier shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is an elevated side view of the crowd control barrier in FIG. 2 prior to receiving ballast.

FIG. 4B is an elevated side view of the crowd control barrier shown in FIG. 4A after receiving ballast.

FIG. 4C is an enlarged side view of the crowd control barrier in FIG. 4B crimping a structural member.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of a barrier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of adjacent barriers having a spline and groove.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of adjacent barriers having an L-shaped spline and groove.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of adjacent barriers having a T-shaped spline and groove.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of adjacent barriers having a dove-tailed shaped spline and groove.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of one embodiment of a pair of adjacent barriers having pegs and corresponding slots positioned on opposing end walls.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of alternative embodiments of barriers having structures for rotatably connecting the barriers.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a barrier showing a spout and a receiving aperture.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a pair or adjacent barriers wherein a spout of one barrier is received within a receiving aperture of an adjacent barrier.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a display recess on a barrier.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the display recess shown in FIG. 12 having a display and a cover received thereon.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pair of straight barriers attached to a curved barrier.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a plurality of curved and straight barriers interconnected to form an oval shape.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a barrier having a display recess.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a barrier.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a plurality of the barrier shown in FIG. 17 being nestably stacked.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the barrier showing FIG. 17 wherein fluorescent light bulbs are used to illuminate a light permeable display.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the barrier shown in FIG. 17 wherein a programmable LCD display is mounted on the barrier.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a crowd control barrier.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged partially cut away perspective view of the control barrier shown in FIG. 21 taken along section lines 22--22 thereof.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a plurality of the control barriers shown in FIG. 22 in a collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a straight control barrier 12 is disclosed as comprising an elongated housing 19 having an exterior surface 15. Exterior surface 15 is defined in part by opposing sidewalls 20 and 22, opposing end walls 16 and 17, and a substantially flat bottom wall 14. Sidewall 20 comprises a bottom edge 6 for resting on a ground surface and an opposing top portion 5. In like manner, sidewall 22 is shown as comprising a bottom edge 4 and a top portion 3. Sidewall 22 further comprises a base portion 9 that rises initially vertically to an outside corner 11 and then transitions into an intermediate wall portion 24. Wall portion 24 slopes radially inward from the corner 11 and terminates at a curved top juncture 8 that connects top portion 5 of sidewall 20 and top portion 3 of sidewall 22. As will be discussed later in greater detail, formed on portion 24 is a display recess 41.

As also depicted in FIG. 1, barrier 12 comprises an interior surface 13 defining an internal chamber 18. Positioned near end wall 16 and extending through junction 8 so as to communicate with chamber 18 is an fill hole 25. In one use, fill hole 25 comprises a means for filling the internal chamber with a ballast. By way of example and not by limitation, the ballast can include sand, water, or other types of liquids, for keeping barrier 12 in a desired location. In alternative embodiment, fill hole 25 can of course be positioned at other locations such as sidewalls 20 and 22 or end walls 16 and 17. A plurality of support ribs 43 are also formed on sidewall 22. Ribs 43 help to prevent the deformation of sidewall 22 as ballast is filled within chamber 18. As such, displays positioned within recess 41 are not substantially deformed.

The present invention also provides means for draining the ballast from internal chamber 18 when it is desired to relocate or reposition barrier 12. As depicted in FIG. 1, the draining means can comprise a drain hole 21 extending through base portion 9 and communicating with chamber 18. A drain plug 27, preferably recessed within housing 19, selectively seals off the drain hole 21. In alternative embodiments, drain hole 21 can be positioned in different locations, although preferably near bottom wall 14. Furthermore, it is noted that fill hole 25 used to fill chamber 18 can also be used as the drain means. For example, the ballast can be pumped out of fill hole 25 or barrier 12 can be tipped so that the ballast flows out of fill hole 25.

A second fill hole 23 is positioned near end wall 17 and extends through junction 8. Fill hole 23 can be used for the same purpose as fill hole 25. FIG. 1 also discloses a cylindrical plug 31 having a base 42 sized to be received within fill hole 23 and an enlarged annular flange 44 radially extending out from plug 31. Flange 44 is sized to rest on junction 8 when base 42 is received within hole 23. A recess 46 extends though flange 44 and into plug 31. A separate plug 31 can also be received within fill hole 25 so that flange 44 is biased against junction 8. The function of plug 31 is further discussed below.

FIG. 2 discloses an alternative embodiment of barrier 12. As depicted in FIG. 2, junction 8 comprises a flat top wall 26 connecting sidewalls 20 and 22. Furthermore, barrier 12 is shown as comprising a pair of drain plugs 31 positioned near opposing ends near barrier 12.

The present invention also provides means for extending the height of barrier 12. By way of example and not limitation, plug 31 is received within both of fill holes 23 and 25 so that flanges 44 rest on top wall 26. Poles 48 can then be received within each of recesses 46 to support poles 48 in a vertical orientation. Finally, a cross member 50 can be supported between poles 48. Cross member 50 can comprise any one of a number of structures such as signs, netting, displays, or the like.

As also depicted in FIG. 2, barrier 12 preferably has a length "L" in a range between about 4 feet to about 7 feet, a width "W" in a range between about 3 feet to about 5 feet, and a height "H" in a range between about 3 feet to about 5 feet. In the preferred embodiment, height H of barrier 12 is greater than the height of the hip of 90 percent of the population. As such, height H is preferably in a range between about 3.5 feet to about 4.0 feet. The preferred height helps to preclude the majority of the population from easily stepping or crossing over barrier 12.

The dimensions of barrier 12 can vary based on the intended use of barrier 12. In the preferred embodiment, however, the dimensions are such that barrier 12 has a weight in a range between about 40 pounds to about 60 pounds when barrier 12 is absent of any ballast. Such a weight range allows barrier 12 to be easily moved by hand by a single individual.

Barrier 12 is preferably made by a rotational molding process. Alternatively, other molding processes such as injection molding can also be used. Furthermore, barrier 12 is preferably made of a resiliently deformable plastic material having strong, semi-rigid and energy absorbing properties. Such materials include linear or cross link-plastics, preferably polyethylene. The materials are selected from a polymeric group which will deform under internal pressure but will not fail in a brittle manner. If applicable, the material can also be selected so that exterior surface 15 can be substantially smooth to reduce abrasions from collisions of players or crowds pushing against barrier 12.

As used in the specification and appended claims, the term "semi-rigid" is defined to mean that barrier 12 may be made from a material that is capable of allowing a slight flexing when a ballast, such as water, is introduced into chamber 18. Although barrier 12 may be constructed of a rigid material which would hold its shape regardless of the interior loading of the ballast, the preferred embodiment utilizes a semi-rigid material. As will be disclosed later, the flexure of barrier 12 is useful to the locking mechanism by which barriers 12 are connected.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a pair of parallel transport slots 28 extend through sidewall 22 of barrier 12 and are recessed within bottom wall 14 a predetermined distance toward sidewall 20. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, transport slots 28 can extend through sidewall 20 a predetermined distance toward sidewall 22. Likewise, slots 28 may extend through both sidewalls 20 and 22 to allow access from either side. Slots 28 are dimensioned and spaced apart in order to receive the tines of a standard fork lift for ease in moving and transporting barriers 12. By the use of slots 28, barrier 12 may even be moved when chamber 18 is filled with a ballast.

The location of transport slots 28 in part depends on the type of activity for which barrier 12 is utilized. For example, if barrier 12 is utilized to delimit a playing field for a game, such as hockey which has a relatively small game piece, slots 28 will be formed on the sidewall opposite the sidewall defining the inside of the playing surface. This will result in the inside sidewall being solid which prevents the game piece from traveling into slots 28. Where, however, the playing piece used is large, such as in the case of soccer, or where barrier 12 is used as a barrier for crowd control at an enterprise where no game pieces are 11 utilized, the embodiment wherein transport slots 29 extend completely transversely through barrier 12 would be acceptable.

The present invention also provides means for mechanically interconnecting end walls 16 and 17 of adjacent barriers 12 so that the strength of the connection increases as internal chamber 18 of barriers 12 are filled with ballast. By way of example and not by limitation, as also depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, barrier 12 further comprises a pair of spaced parallel slots 30 recessed within bottom wall 14 and extending through end wall 16. A comparable pair of parallel slots 30 are likewise recessed within bottom wall 14 and extend through end wall 17. Slots 30 are defined in part by interior surfaces 52. Slots 30 are further positioned so that when end walls 16 and 17 of adjacent barriers 12 are abutted, such as disclosed in FIG. 2, the slots 30 on each of barriers 12 are aligned.

Slots 30 are dimensioned to snugly receive a structural member 32, as also shown in FIG. 2. For convenience, structural member 32 is preferably a standard 2".times.4" wood stud. Alternatively, other sized boards or members made from other material can be used as long as structural member 32 and corresponding slots 30 are correspondingly sized. More specifically, structural member 32 preferably has a length and cross section that enables structural member 32 to be snugly received within both slots 30 when opposing end walls 16 and 17 of a pair of barriers 12 are abutted against each other.

In practice, barrier 12, while empty of any ballast material is transported to a site where it is to be used. Barrier 12 may then be placed or otherwise positioned in the desired layout at the location where barrier 12 is needed. As barrier 12 is being positioned, structural member 32 is placed such that when end wall 16 of a first barrier 12 is positioned against end wall 17 of a second barrier 12, slots 30 in the abutting barriers 12 completely receive member 32. Once positioned, liquid or other ballast is introduced into internal chamber 18 of each barrier 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, barrier 12 is shown prior to, during, and after the introduction of ballast into chamber 18. In the empty state, shown in FIG. 4A, control barrier 12 may be easily moved and positioned into a desired configuration. Referring to FIG. 4B, as ballast 42, such as water, is introduced into chamber 18, the weight of the ballast 42 causes a slight flexure in sidewalls 20 and 22. As the pressure increases, interior surface 52 of slots 30 radially bow inward, thereby clamping firmly onto member 32, as shown in FIG. 3C. The ballast thus not only adds weight to barrier 12 to help hold barrier 12 in place, but also clamps barrier 12 onto member 32 so as to rigidly interlock adjacent barriers 12. As a result, the normal force of a crowd pushing against barrier 12 or of a player running into barrier 12 would not be sufficient to dislodge two contiguous barriers 12 from their positions.

In an alternative embodiment of the means for mechanically interconnecting end walls 16 and 17, FIG. 1 discloses a tongue 54 projecting from end wall 16 between slots 30 at bottom wall 14. Tongue 54 terminates at a vertical ridge 56 defining a groove 58 formed between ridge 56 and end wall 16. Furthermore, as best shown in FIGS. 5, bottom wall 14 has a receiving groove 60 recessed within bottom wall 14 and extending between slots 30 at end wall 17. Receiving groove 60 is configured to complementarily receive ridge 56 on tongue 54. Formed between groove 60 and sidewall 17 is a ridge 62. Ridge 62 is not flush with bottom 14. Rather, ridge 62 is recessed such that as end walls 16 and 17 of adjacent barriers 12 are abutted against each other, ridge 56 of tongue 54 is received within groove 60 as ridge 62 is received within groove 58 of tongue 54. In this position, bottom wall 14 of both barriers remain flush on the ground surface. As ballast is received within barrier 12, barrier 12 flexes to cause the interior surface of groove 60 to clamp against ridge 56. Tongue 54 and groove 60 can be used independently or in conjunction with slots 30 and structural member 32.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, yet another alternative embodiment of the means for mechanically interconnecting end walls 16 and 17 of adjacent barriers is disclosed. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a first barrier 64 having an end wall 17 positioned adjacent to a second barrier 66 having an end wall 16. Second barrier 66 includes a rectangular spline 68 projecting from end wall 16. Spline 68 is in part defined by an interior surface 70 that defines a recess 72 in communication with internal chamber 18. In contrast, first barrier 64 has a groove 74 recessed within end wall 17 to complementarily receive spline 68. Groove 74 also has an interior surface 76 that is in communication with chamber 18 of first barrier 64.

Before ballasting barriers 64 and 66, spline 68 is received with groove 74 to form a snug friction lock between adjacent barriers 64 and 66. Although this is not a positive lock in that barriers 64 and 66 may be separated horizontally, it does distribute loads on impact so that more than one barrier provides resistance to an impact upon barriers 64 and 66. Spline 68 and groove 74 are finished to provide a tight frictional engagement. This may be accomplished by sandblasting the polyethylene after molding or by other methods known in the art. This embodiment is constructed of heavy duty polyethylene, which not only provides rugged strength, but is also semi-rigid. As discussed previously, semi-rigid materials are preferred because of the ability of the material to expand and deform slightly upon ballasting.

This deformation is especially important as the deformation assists in the interlocking of contiguous units. Although the friction fit between spline 60 and groove 74 in the embodiment in FIG. 6A provides some resistance, upon ballasting barrier 66, the ballast causes interior surface 70 of spline 68 to radially expand. In contrast, ballasting internal chamber 18 of barrier 64 pushes on interior surface 76 of groove 74 causing groove 74 to radially constrict. As a result of the expansion of spline 68 and the constriction of groove 74, the interlocking connection between spline 68 and groove 74 is significantly increased.

A variety of different spline 68 and groove 74 configurations can be used in establishing an interlock between opposing end walls 16 and 17. For example, depicted in FIG. 6B is an L-shaped spline 78 projecting from end wall 16 and a complementary L-shaped groove 80 formed on end wall 17 of the adjacent barrier. L-shaped spline 78 and groove 80 operate to create an increased positive engagement between the spline and groove prior to ballasting of barriers 12.

In yet another alternative embodiment, depicted in FIG. 6C is a T-shaped spline 82 and an opposing T-shaped groove 84. In this embodiment, head 86 of T-shaped spline 82 may be slightly larger than mouth 88 of T-shaped groove 84. Accordingly, slight increased force may be required to insert T-shaped spline 82 within T-shaped groove 84. As a result, however, an increased connection force is obtained between the barriers. This force is further increased as the barriers are ballasted causing T-shaped spline 82 to radially expand and T-shaped groove 84 to radially constrict.

The above discussed spline and groove configurations can be used in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7, dovetailed spline 90 is vertically aligned on end wall 16 and a V-shaped groove 92 is complementarily vertically aligned on end wall 17 of the adjacent barrier 12.

The advantage to this embodiment is that the barriers 12 have a positive lock and cannot be pulled apart horizontally. This is especially beneficial in applications where high pressures are expected to impact the barriers. The disadvantage of the positive lock is that each barrier 12 must be lifted above the level of the previous barrier 12 in order to effect the interlocking engagement. As a result of the positive interlock, however, it may not be desirable to ballast each barrier 12. For applications where a high load is expected, each barrier 12 can be ballasted. In other applications, however, it may be desirable to ballast only every third barrier 12 to take full advantage of the positive interlock of the intervening barriers. In applications where barriers 12 form a curved wall such as when used to surround a temporary ice rink, the positive interlock function of both this dove-tail arrangement and the other interlocking arrangements described herein allow for the use of the barrier wall without any ballasting. The curve of the rink and the positive interlock prevent the barriers from being separated or from being toppled. This provides for a very strong, yet lightweight wall which can be easily moved.

Yet another embodiment of the means for mechanically interconnecting adjacent end walls 16 and 17 is illustrated in FIG. 8. In contrast to the previous embodiments where the spline and groove run either vertically or horizontally along end walls 16 and 17, in FIG. 8 the spline comprises a pair of pegs 94 positioned on end wall 16. A pair of grooves 96 having a configuration complementary to pegs 94 are recessed within end wall 17. During use, adjacent end walls 16 and 17 of barriers 12 are merely pressed together so that pegs 94 are received within grooves 96, thereby forming a frictional interlock. As with other embodiments, however, when a ballast is introduced within barriers 12, the semi-rigid material from which barriers 12 are constructed deforms slightly to radially expanding pegs 94 and radially constrict grooves 96, thereby increasing the frictional engagement between barriers 12.

It is noted that barriers 12, depicted in FIG. 8, are an alternative configuration to the barriers 12 previously disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, whereas sidewall 20 of barrier 12 in FIG. 1 is substantially vertical, sidewall 20 of the barrier 12 in FIG. 8 comprises a vertical base portion 96 and a sloping portion 98 that extends from base portion 96 to a top portion 100. Sidewall 22 is substantially as disclosed with barrier 12, shown in FIG. 2.

Depicted in FIG. 9 is another structure for interconnecting adjacent end walls 16 and 17 of a pair of barriers 12. As disclosed in FIG. 9, each barrier 12 comprises a vertically elongated channel 102 recessed within end wall 16. Projecting from channel 102 is a middle hinge portion 104 having a channel 106 vertically extending therethrough. Projecting from sidewall 17 is a top hinged portion 108 and a bottom hinged portion 110 each having a channel 106 extending therethrough and being complementarily aligned. Hinged portions 108 and 110 define a recess 112 positioned therebetween and configured to complementarily receive middle hinge portion 104 so that each of channels 106 are complementarily aligned. With hinged portion 104 received between hinged portions 108 and 110, peg 114 can be received through channels 106 to interlock adjacent barriers 12. In this embodiment, adjacent barriers 12 are able to hingedly rotate around the longitudinal axis of peg 114.

The present invention also provides means for interconnecting in fluid communication end walls 16 and 17 of opposing barriers 12 to enable simultaneously filling with a ballast internal chambers 18 of each of the opposing barriers 12 from one of the barriers 12. By way of example and not by limitation, depicted in FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a barrier 12. Projecting from sidewall 17 is an annular spout 162 having an exterior surface 164. Spout 162 extends to an end face 166. End face 166 defines an opening 168 to a channel 170 that extends through spout 162 so as to be in fluid communication with internal chamber 18. Encircling and radially projecting out from exterior surface 164 of spout 162 is a flexible gasket 172.

Formed on opposing end wall 16 is a receiving port 174 having an interior surface 176. Receiving port 174 also has an opening 178 which enables fluid communication between receiving port 174 and internal chamber 18.

As better depicted in FIG. 11, interior surface 176 of receiving port 174 is sized to snugly receive spout 162 so that gasket 172 effects a sealed fluid communication between spout 162 and receiving port 174. In this embodiment, as intern