Methods for the manufacture of a module for use in a crash barrier and assembly of the crash barrier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9528232-B2
Application number	US-201615193785-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2016
Priority date	Aug 26, 2014
Publication date	Dec 27, 2016
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a module suitable for use in a crash barrier includes adhering first and second cellular foam blocks to opposite sides of a diaphragm and wrapping a wrap layer around a periphery of the first and second cellular foam blocks. In one embodiment, the wrap layer is configured as a metal cover member. Methods of assembling a crash barrier include one or more of positioning a plurality of modules end to end, supporting the modules with a base, covering a junction between adjacent modules with a connector, and/or coupling a mounting portion to the base.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of manufacturing a module for use in a crash barrier, the method comprising:
coupling first and second cellular foam blocks to opposite sides of a diaphragm; and
applying a wrap layer around a periphery of said first and second cellular foam blocks.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a sealant layer to said wrap layer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said sealant layer comprises a joint compound.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising applying a coating over said sealant layer.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said coating comprises a urethane primer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm comprises a mounting portion extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said first and second cellular foam blocks.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said wrap layer comprises a permeable material.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said wrap layer comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein said applying said sealant layer comprises permeating said plurality of apertures with said sealant layer and adhering said sealant layer to said first and second glass cellular blocks.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said wrap layer comprises a fiberglass mesh.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein said coupling said first and second cellular foam blocks to opposite sides of a diaphragm further comprises permeating said plurality of apertures with an adhesive and adhering said first and second cellular foam blocks to said opposite sides of said diaphragm.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm comprises an expanded metal sheet.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said adhesive comprises a gypsum cement product.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second cellular foam blocks define front and rear ends and opposite sides of said module, and wherein said wrap layer covers a top, said front and rear ends and said opposite sides of said module.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said wrap layer comprises a cover member made of metal.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said cover member is made of aluminum.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said cover member comprises a side cover and a top cover separate from said side cover, and covering one of said front and rear ends and said opposite sides of said module with said side cover, and covering said top and the other of said front and rear ends with said top cover.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said top cover comprises a flange extending from a periphery thereof and overlapping portions of said side cover with said flange.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising positioning a bottom bracket comprising a pair of flanges underneath said module and connecting said pair of flanges to said opposite sides of said module.

19. A method of assembling a crash barrier comprising positioning a plurality of modules made in accordance with claim 1 end to end, supporting said plurality of said modules with a base, covering a junction between adjacent modules with a connector, and connecting said connector to said adjacent modules.

20. A method of assembling a crash barrier comprising supporting a module made in accordance with claim 6 on a base, and coupling said mounting portion to said base.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said mounting portion comprises a guide member, and wherein said base comprises a support surface supporting a bottom of said module and a longitudinal track, wherein said guide member is received in said track.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said track comprises a cavity and a slot opening upwardly from said cavity, and said guide member comprises a leg portion extending through said slot and a foot portion received in said cavity, wherein said foot portion is shaped so as to not be removable through said slot.

Assignees

• Texas A & M Univ Sys

Inventors

• Alberson Dean C
• Bullard Jr D Lance
• Buth C Eugene
• Brackin Michael S

Classifications

• E01F15/085

  using metal · CPC title

• E01F15/088

  Details of element connection · CPC title

• E01F15/086

  using plastic, rubber or synthetic materials · CPC title

• E01F15/08

  essentially made of walls or wall-like elements (E01F15/10, E01F15/12 take precedence){; Cable-linked blocks} · CPC title

• E01F15/083 Primary

  using concrete · CPC title