Low profile barriers

Abstract

A barrier includes a housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast, the housing having a central body extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The barrier includes a first projection projecting outward from the first end of the central body and a second projection projecting outward from the second end of the central body. The first projection and the second projection are configured so that for identical housings the first projection of one housing can overlap the second projection of the other housing while the floor of both housings are resting on a common support surface and one housings can be selectively positioned relative to the other over an angle in a range between at least +45° and −45°.

1 . A barrier comprising: 
 a housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast, the housing comprising: 
 a central body having a floor and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and an opposing second end;  
 a first projection projecting outward from the first end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the first projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; and  
 a second projection projecting outward from the second end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the second projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, wherein the first projection and the second projection are configured so that for identical housings the first projection of one housing can overlap the second projection of the other housing while the floor of both housings are resting on a common support surface and one of the housings can be selectively positioned relative to the other over an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the one housing and the longitudinal axis of the other housing in a range between at least +45° and −45°; and  
   means for mechanically engaging the first projection of the housing with the second projection of the identical housing in a releasable fashion when the first projection is overlapping the second projection.    
     
     
         2 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when the floor of the central body is disposed in a horizontal plane, the bottom surface of the first projection and the top surface of the second projection are each disposed in at least substantially horizontal planes.  
     
     
         3 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the first projection is disposed in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the second projection or is disposed above the top surface of the second projection.  
     
     
         4 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the central body has a top wall positioned opposite the floor and a pair of opposing side walls extending between the floor and the top wall, the central body having a maximum height extending between the floor and the top wall in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches and a maximum width extending between the opposing side walls in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging comprises: 
 a first engager projecting from one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection; and    a first pocket recessed on the other one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection, wherein the first engager and the first pocket are configured so that for identical housings the first engager of one housing can be received within the first pocket of the other housing.    
     
     
         6 . The barrier as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first pocket comprises an annular channel.  
     
     
         7 . The barrier as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging further comprises: 
 a second engager projecting from the same surface as the first engager, the second engager being spaced apart from the first engager, wherein the first and second engagers and the annular channel are configured so that for identical housings the first and second engagers of one housing can be received within the annular channel of the other housing.    
     
     
         8 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging comprises: 
 a first engager and a spaced apart second engager projecting from one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection; and    a first pocket and a second pocket recessed on the other one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection, wherein the first and second engagers and the first and second pockets are configured so that for identical housings the first and second engagers of one housing can be received within the first and second pockets of the other housing.    
     
     
         9 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging comprises: 
 a first engager projecting from one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection; and    a plurality of spaced apart pockets recessed on the other one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection.    
     
     
         10 . The barrier as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pockets comprises at least six pockets disposed in a substantially circular pattern.  
     
     
         11 . The barrier as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging further comprises: 
 a second engager projecting from the same surface as the first engager, the second engager being spaced apart from the first engager, wherein the first and second engagers and the plurality of spaced apart pockets are configured so that for identical housings the first and second engagers of one housing can be received within an opposing pair of pockets within the plurality of pockets of the other housing.    
     
     
         12 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mechanically engaging comprises: 
 a passage extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the first projection; and    an elongated fastener extending down through the passage and projecting below the bottom surface of the first projection.    
     
     
         13 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first projection and the second projection are configured so that for identical housings one of the housings can be selectively positioned relative to the other over an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the one housing and the longitudinal axis of the other housing in a range between at least +90° and −90°.  
     
     
         14 . The barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first projection and the second projection are configured so that for identical housings one of the housings can be selectively positioned relative to the other over an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the one housing and the longitudinal axis of the other housing in a range between at least +120° and −120°.  
     
     
         15 . A barrier comprising: 
 a housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast, the housing comprising: 
 a central body having a floor and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and an opposing second end;  
 a first projection projecting outward from the first end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the first projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, a passage extending through the first projection from the top surface to the bottom surface;  
 a second projection projecting outward from the second end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the second projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, the bottom surface of the first projection being disposed in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the second projection or being disposed above the top surface of the second projection,  
   a first engager projecting from one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection;    a plurality of spaced apart pockets recessed on the other one of the bottom surface of the first projection or the top surface of the second projection; and    an elongated fastener adapted to extend down through the passage on the first projection and project below the bottom surface of the first projection.    
     
     
         16 . The barrier as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the central body has a top wall positioned opposite the floor and a pair of opposing side walls extending between the floor and the top wall, the central body having a maximum height extending between the floor and the top wall in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches and a maximum width extending between the opposing side walls in a range between about 6 inches and about 14 inches.  
     
     
         17 . The barrier as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pockets comprises at least six pockets disposed in a substantially circular pattern.  
     
     
         18 . The barrier as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first projection and the second projection are configured so that for identical housings the first projection of one housing can be selectively coupled to the second projection of the other housing over an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the one housing and the longitudinal axis of the other housing in a range between at least +45° and −45° 
     
     
         19 . A barrier comprising: 
 a housing having opposing side walls extending between a top wall and a floor, the housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast;    a pair of spaced apart fork lift channels recessed on the floor and extending between the opposing side walls; and    a first bracket mounted on the top wall so as to upwardly project therefrom, the first bracket being aligned with one of the pair of fork lift channels such that for identical housings at least a portion of the first bracket of one housing is received within one of the pair of fork lift channels of the other housing when the floor of the one housing is seated against the top wall of the other housing.    
     
     
         20 . The barrier as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a first recess formed on the top wall, the first bracket being positioned within the first recess.  
     
     
         21 . The barrier as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a second bracket mounted on the top wall so as to upwardly project therefrom, the second bracket being aligned with the other of the pair of fork lift channels.  
     
     
         22 . The barrier as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a light removably mounted to the first bracket.  
     
     
         23 . The barrier as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the housing has a maximum height extending between the floor and the top wall in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches and a maximum width extending between the opposing side walls in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches.  
     
     
         24 . The barrier as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the housing comprises: 
 a central body having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and an opposing second end;    a first projection projecting outward from the first end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the first projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; and    a second projection projecting outward from the second end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the second projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, the bottom surface of the first projection being disposed in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the second projection or being disposed above the top surface of the second projection.    
     
     
         25 . A barrier comprising a housing having a first sidewall and an opposing second side wall, each sidewall extending between a top wall and a floor, the housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast, the housing having a maximum height extending between the floor and the top wall in a range between 6 inches to about 14 inches and a maximum width extending between the opposing side walls in a range between about 6 inches to about 14 inches, the first side wall having a sloped portion so that the distance between the sloped portion of the first side wall and the second side wall is greatest near the floor than near the top wall, a reflective tape or coating being attached to the sloped portion of the first side wall.  
     
     
         26 . The barrier as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the angle of slope is in a range between about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees.  
     
     
         27 . The barrier as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the housing comprises: 
 a central body having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and an opposing second end;    a first projection projecting outward from the first end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the first projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; and    a second projection projecting outward from the second end of the central body along the longitudinal axis, the second projection having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, the bottom surface of the first projection being disposed in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the second projection or being disposed above the top surface of the second projection.