Barrier device for the temporary blocking of a roadway

Claim 1

A barrier device for temporary blocking of a roadway having a surface to prevent passage of a vehicle through said device comprising (a) a plurality of barrier elements located sufficiently close to one another so that said vehicle cannot pass therebetween, said barrier elements having an aligned position, in which said barrier elements are substantially flush with said surface, and an erect position, in which said barrier elements extend substantially vertically from said surface; (b) each of said barrier elements being pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to a direction of movement on said roadway; (c) each of said barrier elements pivotably mounted on a counter element, at a point below said surface, said counter element being substantially below said surface whereby a plurality of pivots is formed, (d) said pivots linked to a rod adapted for reciprocal movement substantially parallel to said surface and perpendicular to said direction whereby, when said rod is in a first position, said barrier elements are in said aligned position and, wherein said rod is in a second position, said barrier elements are in said erect position; (e) each of said barrier elements having, at each end thereof, a first protruding portion and a second complementary recessed portion; (f) said first protruding portion of each of said barrier elements, whcn said barrier elements are in said aligned position, overlying and resting upon said second recessed portion of an adjacent barrier element thereto directly above the axis of said adjacent barrier; whereby said vehicle can be blocked when said barrier elements are in said erect position and permitted to pass when said barrier elements are in said aligned position.