Panel Assembly For Traffic Noise Barrier Wall

Abstract

A panel assembly for a traffic noise barrier wall of the type including opposing slots formed in pairs of vertically-mounted posts is described. The panel assembly includes a sheet, which may be transparent, and a frame disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet. Side portions of the frame capture at least a portion of the side edges of the sheet and are received within the opposing slots in drop-down fashion.

1 . A traffic noise barrier wall comprising:
 a first vertically-mounted post including a first slot disposed therein, the first slot extending lengthwise along a side of the first post;   a second vertically-mounted post spaced apart from the first post, the second post including a second slot disposed therein, the second slot extending lengthwise along a side of the second post; and   a first panel assembly extending between the first and second posts, the first panel assembly including a sheet of material having top, bottom, and side edges forming a perimeter of the sheet, and   a frame disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet including top, bottom, and side portions, wherein side portions of the frame capture at least a portion of the side edges of the sheet, the side portions of the frame being received within the first and second slots in drop-down fashion, wherein each of the side portions of the frame includes a base portion disposed outside one of the side edges of the sheet, said base portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section, first and second flanges disposed on the base portion, the first and second flanges forming at least a portion of a channel for capturing the side edge of the sheet, wherein at least the base portion is received in one of the first and second slots.   
     
     
         2 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet has a thickness substantially less than a width of each of the first and second slots. 
     
     
         3 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet has a thickness less than a thickness of the first flange and less than a thickness of the second flange. 
     
     
         4 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein an elastomeric gasket is disposed between the outer surfaces of the side portions of the frame and surfaces forming the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion and the first and second flanges are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         6 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges are formed from tubing coupled to a plate forming the base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein an elastomeric gasket covers at least a portion of the side edge of the sheet captured within the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion is disposed outside the entire perimeter of the sheet, and the channel formed by the base portion and the first and second flanges capture a portion of each of the top, bottom, and side edges of the sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second panel assembly extending between the first and second posts; and   a connecting bracket positioned between said first and second panel assemblies, said connecting bracket including a center portion, said center portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section, two pairs of first and second flanges extending from opposite sides of said center portion, the first and second flanges forming at least a portion of a channel for capturing the top and bottom edges of the sheets.   
     
     
         10 . The traffic noise barrier wall of  claim 9 , wherein the sheets of said first and second panel assemblies are formed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         11 . A panel assembly for a traffic noise barrier wall of the type including opposing slots formed in pairs of vertically-mounted posts, the panel assembly comprising:
 a sheet of material having top, bottom, and side edges forming a perimeter of the sheet, said sheet having a sheet thickness that is less than each of said first slot width and said second slot width, and   a frame disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet including top, bottom, and side portions, wherein side portions of the frame include a base portion disposed along one of the side edges of the sheet, said base portion having substantially square outside portions that are connected to define a central channel and an overall substantially u-shaped cross-section, each of said outside portions including a connecting portion, wherein said central channel captures at least a portion of the side edges of the sheet.   
     
     
         12 . A panel assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said connecting portion has a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . A panel assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the sheet is formed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         14 . A panel assembly system for a traffic noise barrier wall of the type including opposing slots formed in pairs of vertically-mounted posts and vertically stacked panel sheets, the panel assembly comprising:
 at least two panels of material having top, bottom, and side edges forming a perimeter of each panel, each panel having a thickness that is less than each of said first slot width and said second slot width; and   a frame disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet including top, bottom, and side portions, wherein side portions of the frame include a base portion disposed along one of the side edges of the sheet and first and second flange portions projecting outward from the base portion on opposite sides of the sheet to define a channel between said first and second flange portions for capturing at least a portion of the side edges of the sheet, said frame having an overall thickness that is substantially equivalent to said base portion, said base portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein at least the base portion is received in one of the first and second slots, and a connecting bracket positioned between said first and second panels, said connecting bracket including male and female portions each having a substantially triangular cross-section, said male portion having a protruding portion and said female portion having a recessed portion that mates with said protruding portion, and each of said male and female portions including first and second flanges extending from a side opposite of said protruding and recessed portions, the first and second flanges forming at least a portion of a channel for capturing the top and bottom edges of the sheets.   
     
     
         15 . A panel assembly system according to  claim 14 , wherein the sheets are formed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a panel assembly for a traffic noise barrier wall of the type including opposing slots formed in pairs of vertically-mounted posts, said method comprising:
 providing at least two panels of material having top, bottom, and side edges forming a perimeter of each panel;   joining a frame including top, bottom, and side portions around said perimeter of each panel;   temporarily connecting to said top portion of a first one of said at least two panels;   placing said first one of said at least two panels between one of said pairs of vertically-mounted posts so that said side portions of said first one of said at least two panels are retained within said slots of said posts, wherein said top portion is released after said first one of said at least two panels is positioned between said posts;   temporarily connecting to said top portion of a second one of said at least two panels;   placing said second one of said at least two panels between said one of said pairs of vertically-mounted posts so that said side portions of said second one of said at least two panels are retained within said slots of said posts and said second one is positioned on top of said first one, wherein said top portion is released after said second one of said at least two panels is positioned between said posts; and   removing said top portion of said second one of said at least two panels.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least two panels provided are fabricated from a transparent material.