Safety Trailer

Abstract

The present invention is directed to differing embodiments of safety trailers, which have first and second platforms and a safety wall positioned therebetween. The platforms and safety wall define an area protected from vehicular incursions.

1 . A safety trailer comprising:
 first and second platforms interconnected by an extendible and retractable safety wall;   wherein the safety wall includes first and second sections, with the first section telescopically received in the second section;   wherein the safety wall is moveable from an undeployed configuration, wherein the safety wall is retracted, to a deployed configuration, wherein the safety wall is extended to define a protected work area for maintenance personnel;   wherein the first and second platforms each include a ballast, which is positioned on the trailer to offset, at least substantially, the weight of the safety wall;   wherein the safety wall is moveable from a first side of the first and second platforms to a second side of the first and second platforms by rotatable arms, wherein said rotatable arms can engage a channel or retainer to provide added strength to the safety wall.   
     
     
         2 . The safety trailer of  claim 1 , wherein the safety wall comprises a plurality of interconnected structural members in the form of tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The safety trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the safety wall comprises a tube-in-tube arrangement with very tight clearance between the engaged tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The safety trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the tubes have a circular or arcuate cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The safety trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the tubes have a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The safety trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second safety wall portions are positioned one-on-top-of-the-other on a common side of the safety trailer to define a partially protected work space having ingress or egress to workers and equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The safety trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second safety wall portions are positioned on separate sides of the safety trailer to define a fully protected and enclosed work space. 
     
     
         8 . A safety trailer comprising:
 first and second platforms interconnected by an extendible and retractable safety wall;   wherein the safety wall comprises independently movable first and second safety wall portions, and each of the first and second safety wall portions includes first and second sections, with the first section telescopically received in the second section;   wherein the safety wall is moveable from an undeployed configuration, wherein the safety wall is retracted, to a deployed configuration, wherein the safety wall is extended to define a protected work area for maintenance personnel;   wherein the first and second platforms each include a ballast, which is positioned on the trailer to offset, at least substantially, the weight of the safety wall;   wherein each of the first and second safety wall portions includes a pair of corresponding rotating arms, with a rotating arm of each of the first and second safety wall portions rotating about a common pivot, the rotational axis of which lies in a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the safety trailer.   
     
     
         9 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the safety wall is rotatable, by the rotating arms about front and rear pivots to either side of the safety trailer. 
     
     
         10 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second safety wall portions are positioned one-on-top-of-the-other on a common side of the safety trailer to define a partially protected work space having ingress or egress to workers and equipment. 
     
     
         11 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second safety wall portions are positioned on separate sides of the safety trailer to define a fully protected and enclosed work space. 
     
     
         12 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the safety wall comprises a plurality of interconnected structural members and an exterior panel 
     
     
         13 . The safety trailer of  claim 12 , wherein the safety wall includes upper and lower gussets to provide additional structural support to the exterior panel. 
     
     
         14 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the safety wall comprises a plurality of interconnected structural members in the form of tubes. 
     
     
         15 . The safety trailer of  claim 14 , wherein the safety wall comprises a tube-in-tube arrangement with very tight clearance between the engaged tubes. 
     
     
         16 . The safety trailer of  claim 14 , wherein the tubes have a circular or arcuate cross section. 
     
     
         17 . The safety trailer of  claim 14 , wherein the tubes have a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         18 . The safety trailer of  claim 8 , wherein said rotatable arms can engage a channel or retainer to provide added strength to the safety wall.