GB2112040A

GB2112040A - Buffers for motor vehicle parking areas

Info

Publication number: GB2112040A
Application number: GB08236204A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas H Salvin
Original assignee: BROCKHOUSE BERRY Ltd
Current assignee: BROCKHOUSE BERRY Ltd
Priority date: 1981-12-23
Filing date: 1982-12-20
Publication date: 1983-07-13
Also published as: GB2112040B

Abstract

A buffer for installation in parking areas comprising respective forward (11) and rearward (13) limbs of spring steel or the like is provided with a spacer element (30) which is carried by the forward limb (11) and adapted to engage the free end portion of the rearward limb (13) in order to maintain a minimum spacing between such limbs. The forward limb (11) may carry an impact member (40). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Buffers for motor vehicle parking areas This invention relates to buffers primarily intended for installation in parking areas for motor vehicles and the like in order to prevent or minimise damage due to vehicles colliding with boundary walls or other structural members.

One type of buffer for this purpose consists of a length of spring steel or like material which is formed into two spaced limbs, the limb which in use is disposed rearwardly being shaped so as to afford a free end portion closely adjacent to the other, forward, limb so that if the forward limb is deflected rearwardly by a force which exceeds a predetermined value, it contacts the free end portion of the rearward limb and hence encounters additional resistance to rearward movement.

The present invention is concerned more particularly with buffers of this kind, hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified.

It will be understood that a buffer of the kind specified may have a generally flat intermediate connecting portion whereby the buffer is bolted to the ground or floor (both hereinafter collectively referred to as "ground"), or alternatively the buffer may be bolted to a wall or pillar by means of a lower portion of the rearward limb, with an intermediate connecting portion supporting the forward limb.

The forward limb may in many cases carry an impact member comprising either an individual plate or pad, or a horizontally extending barrier rail which is supported at spaced intervals by a pluralityof such buffers. Where such an impact member is provided and secured to the forward limb by means of bolts or like fastenings, it is possible for the rearward end of the fastening to become engaged by the rearward limb of the buffer and become loosened, damaged or sheared off under certain circumstances.

According to the present invention, we provide a buffer of the kind specified wherein the forward limb has secured thereto a spacer element in the region in register with the free end portion of the rearward limb, whereby a minimum spacing is maintained between the two limbs so as to provide clearance for fastenings whereby an impact member may be secure to the forward limb, The spacer element preferably includes an attachment portion which is secured in face-toface relation with the rearward side of the forward limb of the buffer, and a rearwardly spaced abutment portion which is presented towards, but preferably normally spaced from, the free end portion of the rearward limb.

The free end portion of the rearward limb is preferably flat and normally parallel to the opposed region of the forward limb.

The spacer element may be of generally Jshape, having a longer limb which serves as the attachment portion and a parallel, shorter limb which serves as the abutment portion.

Alternatively, the spacer element may include a central curved part which serves as the abutment portion with flanges at each end thereof serving as attachment portions.

The spacer elements may be secured to the forward limb of the buffer by means of one or more bolts or other suitable fastenings, and where an impact member is carried by the buffer, such impact member may be secured wholly or partly by means of the same fastenings as the spacer element, or by additional fastenings.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 shows one embodiment of buffer in side elevation; and FIGURE 2 shows an alternative embodiment with an impact member attached.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a buffer in accordance with the invention comprises a length 10 of spring steel strip, or other suitable resilient material, which may be covered with a protective facing layer or sleeve (not shown) of plastics material or the like, if desired. The strip 10 is bent so as to afford an upright forward limb 11 which is preferably straight as shown, but may be shaped if required, and a forwardly inclined rearward limb 13, with a flat connecting portion 12 which serves as a base member whereby the buffer may be bolted to the ground.

The rearward limb 13 terminates in a free end portion 1 5 which is flat, parallel to, and spaced from the forward limb 11, opposite an upper region thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a spacer element 20 of inverted J-shape, is secured to the upper region of the forward limb 11 , so that a minimum spacing is, under all normal conditions, maintained between the forward limb 11 and the free end portion 15 of the rearward limb of the buffer. As illustrated, the spacer element 20 includes a longer limb 21 which serves as an attachment portion and is initially secured to the forward limb 11 of the buffer by means of at least one bolt 25 extending through aligned bolt holes 14,23, and a rearwardly spaced, parallel shorter limb 22 which serves as an abutment portion for engagement with the free end portion 1 5 of the rearward limb.As shown, the element 20 is preferably so dimensioned as to afford a small gap 26 between the shorter limb 22 and the end portion 1 5 of the rearward limb 1 3 although the element 20 may be in contact initially. The element 20 is made of spring steel, or some other suitable, substantially resilient material.

A barrier rail or other impace member may be secured to the upper end portion of the forward limbs 11 by means of bolts extending through at least the upper two bolt holes 1 4.

It will be appreciated that a bolt or other fastening securing such a barrier rail to the buffer is protected by the spacer element 20 from damage due to engagement by the free end portion 15 of the rearward limb 13 of the buffer.

In the alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 2. the spacer element is in the form of a metal strip 30 having flat end portions 31 which are secured to the forward limb 11 by means of bolts 35 extending through aligned bolt holes 14, 33, the strip including a central curved or bowed portion 32 which is spaced rearwardly away from the forward limb 11 over the middle bolt hole 14.

As impact member comprising, for example, a length of rail 40 may be secured to the forward limb of the buffer as shown in Figure 2 by means of a bolt through at least the middle bolt hole 14.

Whilst the illustrated embodiments are intended for ground mounting, buffers in accordance with the invention may also be designed for wall mounting. In this case, the connecting portion between the two limbs may be of uniformly curved shape, and the rearward limb may include a generally upright lower portion which serves as a mounting portion for securing the buffer to an upright surface, such rearward limb also including a forwardly inclined portion and a free end portion similar to that illustrated at 1 5 in the accompanying drawing.

Further, whilst the two limbs are most conveniently formed from a single length of spring steel, they could also be formed as separate blades.

Claims

1. A buffer of the kind specified wherein the forward limb has secured thereto a spacer element in the region in register with the free end portion of the rearward limb, whereby a minimum spacing is maintained between the two limbs so as to provide clearance for fastenings whereby an impact member may be secured to the forward limb.

2. A buffer according to Claim 1 wherein the spacer element includes an attachment portion which is secured in face-to-face relation with the rearward side of the forward limb of the buffer, and a rearwardly spaced abutment portion which is presented towards the free end portion of the rearward limb.

3. A buffer according to Claim 2 wherein the abutment portion of the spacer element is normally spaced from the free end portion of the rearward limb.

4. A buffer according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the spacer element is of generally Jshape, having a longer limb which serves as the attachment portion and a parallel, shorter limb which serves as the abutment portion.

5. A buffer according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the spacer element includes a curved central part which serves as the abutment portion with flanges at each end thereof serving as attachment portions.

6. A buffer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the free end portion of the rearward limb is flat and normally parallel to the opposed region of the forward limb.

7. A buffer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an impact member is secured to the forward limb.

8. A buffer according to Claim 7 wherein said impact member extends transversely and is secured to the forward limb of at least one other similar buffer.

9. A buffer of the kind specified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A buffer of the kind specified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.