Cable Housing System with Angled Lid Sections

Abstract

An embedded housing system storing cables below the surface in a protected environment, with a moveable surface lid lying flush with the existing surface and following the crown or slope across the travel path. The surface lid includes lid sections extending from the housing with at least one lid section having at least one edge extending from the housing at an angle. The cables are readily raised out of the housing structure to obstruct traffic across the travel path, or lowered into the housing system to allow unobstructed traffic passage. The housing support structure is prefabricated in sections, selectively attached to match the existing crown or slope across the travel path, and then installed below the surface. Surface lid sections remain connected while opening simultaneously across the sloping travel path, using an interlocking mechanism. Rain water is inhibited from entering the housing support structure by the surface lid, but if it seeps inside, it will drain away by gravity.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A cable housing which stores at least one cable below a surface of a travel path such that traffic is unobstructed from directions on either side of the cable, and provides for the cable to be raised to obstruct traffic from directions on either side of the cable, the cable housing system comprising:
 a housing positioned below the surface of the travel path;   a plurality of surface lid sections connected to said housing, wherein at least one of said surface lid sections comprises at least one edge extending at an angle from said housing such that, in an open position, adjacent surface lid sections define a gap between said adjacent surface lid sections.   
     
     
         17 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , wherein said adjacent surface lid sections are adapted to close in a substantially flush position relative to each other. 
     
     
         18 . A cable housing according to  claim 17 , wherein the substantially flush position minimizes the gap between closed adjacent surface lid sections. 
     
     
         19 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , wherein said surface lid sections comprise opposite edges extending at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to an axis bisecting an angle formed by the gap. 
     
     
         20 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , wherein said surface lid sections are substantially trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         21 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one attachment mechanism connecting said surface lid sections to said housing, such that said attachment mechanism provides for said surface lid sections to be selectively moved relative to said housing, and said angled edge extends from said attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , wherein said housing comprises housing sections that follow a slope across the travel path. 
     
     
         23 . A cable housing according to  claim 22 , wherein said surface lid sections close across the slope of the travel path and lie substantially flush with respect to each other and the travel path. 
     
     
         24 . A cable housing according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one surface lid interlocking mechanism extending between at least two surface lid sections. 
     
     
         25 . A cable housing according to  claim 24 , the cable housing comprising at least two surface lid sections, each surface lid section comprising first and second angled edges extending from said housing on opposite sides of said surface lid section, wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is connected to the second angled edge of each surface lid section and extends under the first angled edge of an adjacent surface lid section. 
     
     
         26 . A cable housing according to  claim 24 , wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is dimensioned to slidably engage said adjacent surface lid section when said surface lid section is opened or closed. 
     
     
         27 . A cable housing system which stores at least one cable below a surface of a travel path such that traffic is unobstructed, and provides for the cable to be readily raised to obstruct traffic, the cable housing system comprising:
 a housing positioned under the surface of the travel path;   a plurality of surface lid sections connected to said housing, said surface lid sections generally lying flush with the surface of the travel path when in a closed position, said surface lid sections comprising angled edges that define gaps between adjacent surface lid sections in an open position;   at least one surface lid interlocking mechanism connecting said surface lid sections such that said surface lid sections link together when selectively moved; and   at least one attachment mechanism connecting said surface lid sections to said housing, such that said attachment mechanism provides for said surface lid sections to be selectively moved relative to said housing.   
     
     
         28 . A cable housing system according to  claim 27 , further comprising a cable positioned in said housing and extending from said housing to end supports adjacent the travel path. 
     
     
         29 . A cable housing system according to  claim 27 , wherein said surface lid sections close across a slope of the travel path and lie substantially flush with respect to each other and the travel path. 
     
     
         30 . A cable housing system according to  claim 27 , wherein said surface lid sections comprise opposite edges extending at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to an axis bisecting an angle formed by the gap between adjacent surface lid sections. 
     
     
         31 . A cable housing system according to  claim 27 , wherein said housing comprises at least two surface lid sections, each surface lid section comprising a first angled edge and a second angled edge opposite each other, wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is connected to the second angled edge of each surface lid section and extends under the first angled edge of an adjacent surface lid section. 
     
     
         32 . A cable housing system for creating a barrier to oncoming traffic across a travel path, the system comprising:
 a pair of end supports on opposite sides of the travel path;   a housing buried beneath the travel path, said housing defining cable openings at opposite ends of said housing;   surface lid sections attached to said housing by attachment mechanisms allowing said surface lid sections to open and close, wherein said surface lid sections comprise angled edges extending from said attachment mechanisms and defining gaps between said surface lid sections in an open position;   at least one cable positioned in said housing and extending through the cable openings in said housing when said surface lid sections are closed, wherein respective ends of said cable are connected to said end supports.   
     
     
         33 . A cable housing system according to  claim 32 , wherein said surface lid sections close across the slope of the travel path and lie substantially flush with respect to each other and the travel path. 
     
     
         34 . A cable housing system according to  claim 32 , further comprising at least one surface lid interlocking mechanism extending between at least two surface lid sections. 
     
     
         35 . A cable housing system according to  claim 34 , wherein said housing comprises at least two surface lid sections, each surface lid section comprising a first angled edge and a second angled edge opposite each other, wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is connected to the second angled edge of each surface lid section and extends under the first angled edge of an adjacent surface lid section. 
     
     
         36 . A cable housing system according to  claim 34 , wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is fixed to a surface lid section under said second angled edge. 
     
     
         37 . A cable housing system according to  claim 32 , wherein said cable is raised from said end supports above said surface lid sections in an open position. 
     
     
         38 . A cable housing which stores at least one cable below a surface of a travel path such that traffic is unobstructed from directions on either side of the cable, and provides for the cable to be raised to obstruct traffic from directions on either side of the cable, the cable housing system comprising:
 a housing positioned below the surface of the travel path;   a plurality of surface lid sections connected to said housing and defining a gap between adjacent surface lid sections, wherein the gap increases in width as the adjacent lid sections are raised to the open position.   
     
     
         39 . A cable housing according to  claim 38 , wherein said surface lid sections are substantially trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         40 . A cable housing according to  claim 38 , wherein said surface lid sections close across a slope of the travel path and lie substantially flush with respect to each other and the travel path.