Precast Traffic Barrier Soundwall

This U.S. Nonprovisional patent application is a continuation-in-part application that claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 17/680,676, filed on Feb. 25, 2022, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/153,547 filed on Feb. 25, 2021, and are all herein incorporated by reference.

is a perspective view of adjacent segments of the traffic barrier soundwall (TBSW).

is a schematic view of the TBSW segment showing the top portion separated from the bottom portion.

is a schematic view of the TBSW segment showing the top portion attached to the bottom portion and a magnified view of a connection element for coupling TBSW segments.

is a top plan view of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a top plan view of another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a top plan view of yet another embodiment the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of yet another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of yet another embodiment of the TBSW system comprising a plurality of TBSW segments.

is a front elevation view of a portion of the TBSW system showing a sloping end segment.

is a close-up front elevation view of the TBSW system showing the sloping end segment from.

is a top plan view of a rectangular TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of an offset voided TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of an end-voided TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of another embodiment of an end-voided TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of an offset voided TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of an offset voided TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of another embodiment of a rectangular TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a rectangular TBSW segment.

is a top plan view of a sloped TBSW segment.

is a front elevation view of the sloped TBSW segment shown in.

is a top plan view of another embodiment of a sloped TBSW segment.

is a front elevation view of the sloped TBSW segment shown in.

is a detailed view of the TBSW segment showing reinforcement structure.

shows an embodiment of a lifting loop.

is cross-section view of the TBSW segment showing the assembly and rebar reinforcement.

is cross-section view of the TBSW segment showing the assembly and mesh-rebar reinforcement.

shows the wire mesh reinforcement aspect of the TBSW segment.

is a front elevation view of a voided TBSW segment accommodating a median barrier.

is a top plan view of the voided TBSW segment shown in.

is an end view of the voided TBSW segment shown in.

is an elevation view of top portion of the TBSW segment showing its reinforcement structure.

shows the top portion of the TBSW segment in cross-section, showing the rebar reinforcement structure disposed at the interior thereof.

shows the top portion of the TBSW segment in cross-section, showing the mesh-rebar reinforcement structure disposed at the interior thereof.

It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the invention. That is, the following description provides examples, and the accompanying drawings show various examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are merely intended to provide examples of the invention rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations of the invention.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be further described by the following, non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate various features. The examples are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. In addition, reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

is a perspective view of the traffic barrier soundwall (TBSW). Shown is a TBSW segment having a precast bottom portionwhich retains a precast top portion. The bottom portionis installed in the ground with reinforcement as described herein and the top portionis disposed on top of the bottom portion. In the depicted embodiment the assembled TBSW is approximately 16 feet tall, but when installed in the ground the total stanchion wall height is approximately 14 feet, with the footer 2 foot under the ground. In some embodiments, a plurality of top portionscan be stacked on one another to achieve a taller overall barrier wall. In another form, the TBSW is approximately 8 feet when installed. Each of the top portion and the bottom portion is solid and constructed as described herein below. The top portionof the TBSW includes connection plates that can be used to connect adjacent segments. In an alternative form, the top portionincludes a connection element, which in some instances comprises a PVC sleeveand a trough(), to connect adjacent segments using a connector. Connection elementis disposed proximate to a top corner on the top wall portion and is configured to receive a connector, such as a drop pin dowel, into the troughbefore sliding the drop pin dowel into the PVC connection sleeves. The drop pin dowel traverses the concentrically aligned PVC connection sleevesof the adjacent top portions, connecting the two segments. The drop pin dowel can be made of metal or non-metallic material. Material, such as, without limitation, non-shrink grout, is added to the trough. Material, however, is not introduced inside of the PVC sleeve.

is a schematic view of the TBSW showing the top portionexploded away from the bottom portion.is a close up of the bottom portionIn some embodiments, the top portionis secured to the bottom portionby a high-strength epoxy. In one exemplary form, one or more corrugated metal pipe sectionsare disposed along the top edge of the bottom portionwhich receive retaining dowel rodsextending from the bottom edge of the top portion. The pipe sectionsextend from the top edge of the bottom portion longitudinally, and are configured to receive retaining dowel rodsextending from the bottom edge of the top portion (see). As shown in, the dowel rodsextend substantially vertically and outwardly from the top edge of the top portion and are received by the embedded longitudinally extending pipe sections. In some embodiments, the pipe sectionsare filled with grout or other filler. In some embodiments, a high strength epoxy is used to secure the top portion to the bottom portion. In another form, the dowels and pipes are made of metal or non-metal material. Further still, a silicone sealant may be used around the joints to finalize the connection and to block noise transmission. In some embodiments the upper corners of each of the top and bottom portions include expansion troughsand(shown in), respectively, which allow for connection to an adjacent TBSW segment. In some embodiments, the expansion troughsandare configured to accept and retain fasteners and other hardware in order to mechanically connect adjacent segments. The troughsand/ormay also be flooded with a filler material such as grout, concrete, or epoxy in order to enhance the connection, cover hardware, and provide a finished look. In another form, the bottom portionincludes a secondary connection elementdisposed proximate to the upper corners of the bottom portion. The connection element may comprise a trough for connecting adjacent segments, particularly bottom segments, through a connector. The connector includes a drop pin dowel that is disposed in adjacent, aligned troughs, and the troughs are filled with material, such as, without limitation, non-shrink grout (). In some exemplary embodiments, the drop pin dowel is approximately 1 inch in diameter, and the non-shrink grout is 5,000 psi non-shrink grout.

are top plan views of two embodiments of the TBSW segments configured as complete soundwall barriers installed adjacent to a road, such as a highway or expressway.are corresponding front elevation views. In some embodiments, the TBSW segments include voidsto accommodate structure such as median barriers and other elements.are front elevations views of a sloped end or transition TBSW segment.

With reference to, shown are various embodiments of the TBSW segments having varying shapes and relative dimension. As shown, “Type A” segments have generally rectangular top portions to form a wall of a uniform height In some embodiments, transition segments are implemented, such as “Type B,” “Type C”, “Type D,” “Type E,” and “Type F,” which have top portionsof various shape and dimensions.

is a cutaway elevation view of the bottom portionof the TBSW showing its reinforcement structure. Here, a matrix or latticeof reinforcing bar (rebar) is disposed at the interior of the bottom portion. Also shown are one or more lifting loopsalong the top edge of the bottom portion which are used as attachment points to facilitate handling, moving, locating, and installing the segments. In some embodiments, the lifting loopsare coextensive with the rebar matrix.shows a close up of the lifting loop, with the dotted lines showing the available expansion of the loopto tie into reinforcing steel or other structure.

is a cross-section view of the bottom portionof a TBSW segment. Here it is seen that the cross-section is generally T-shaped although in some embodiments the stanchion wall (“leg” of the T) tapers outwardly on one side toward the footer(base of the “T”). The footeris configured to be disposed under the surface of the ground with the stanchion wall extending upward therefrom. Here the various rebar sections are shown disposed at the interior of the bottom portion, including the stanchion wall and footer. Also shown is the fitment of the dowel rodsof the top portioninto the pipe sectionsof the bottom portion.

Alternatively, as shown in, a combination of mesh (dotted lines) and rebar (solid lines) may be used as reinforcement, with the mesh disposed vertically along the interior of the stanchion wall and horizontally along the interior of the base section, with at least a portion of the rebar disposed perpendicular to the mesh.shows an embodiment of a mesh matrixforming at least a portion of the reinforcement.

show embodiments of the TBSW segments having voids to accommodate additional structures such as a median barrier.