AU2015100326A4 - Post Protector - Google Patents

Abstract

A roadside post protector (10) comprises at least two generally solid part-annular components (14, 16) made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around a post (12), with the at least two part-annular components forming a first annulus of material when joined together and encircling the post. The annulus (10) typically has a substantially cylindrical external shape. The protector may include a second annulus (20) of material having an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the first annulus, the second annulus comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components (22, 24) made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around the first annulus, in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape, to form, with the first annulus, a composite post protector of increased thickness. 22-

Description

1 Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2014900901 filed on 17 March 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field [0002] This invention relates to a post protector, particularly, but not exclusively for highway use. Background [0003] Post protectors well known for use in industrial settings, in mining, in areas where fork lifts operate in car parks and also in sporting applications to cover goal posts. In the majority of applications, particularly in sporting applications, their function is to cushion the post and limit damage to a person colliding with the post. [0004] There are few existing post protectors which are designed for highway use. Those that are tested and approved as attenuators for highway use tend to be expensive and bulky and are custom made to fit particular posts. They can also be difficult and time consuming to install. While bulky post protectors are needed to achieve acceptable deceleration values when the post is hit by a motorcyclist, that bulk causes cars impacting the protector to become unstable and take unpredictable paths. [0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. Summary [0006] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a protector for a post or the like comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around a post, with the at 2 least two part-annular components forming a first annulus of material when joined together and encircling the post in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape. [0007] The protector may include a second annulus of material having an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the first annulus, the second annulus comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around the first annulus, in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape, to form, with the first annulus, a composite post protector of increased thickness. [0008] The expanded polystyrene (EPS) is typically spray coated with polyurethane at a thickness of 1-2mm to provide waterproofing, UV protection and to contain the EPS in the event of an impact. [0009] As an alternative to EPS it would be possible to use other materials such as foamed polyurethane. [0010] Further protectors/layers of increasing size may be provided to provide third, fourth fifth etc., layers of impact absorbing material to increase the depth of protection around the post. In this way the protection can be customised to provide road authorities with a choice of protection at any site. The thickness of each layer will typically be the same - a minimum of about 50mm radial thickness. [0011] A major advantage of the invention is that if the first layer provides a consistent outer diameter an shape, only the first layer needs to be custom made to suit the shape of the post and the subsequent layers can be standardised. [0012] In a related aspect, the present invention also provides a method of fitting a post protector to a roadside post or the like comprising the steps of: [0013] locating a first layer of protective material around the post, the first layer comprising at least two part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around a post, with the at least two part-annular components forming an annulus of material encircling the post in use and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape; and 3 [0014] locating a second layer of protective material around the first layer of protective material the first layer comprising at least two part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around the first layer, with the at least two part-annular components forming an annulus of material encircling the post in use and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape. [0015] The present invention also encompasses a combination of a roadside post or the like and a protector for a post or the like the post protector comprising at least two generally solid part annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene located around the post, with the at least two part-annular components forming a first annulus of material encircling the post, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape, and at least a second annulus of material having an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the first annulus, the second annulus comprising at least two generally solid part annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured located around the first annulus to form, with the first annulus, a composite layered post protector. [0016] Whilst EPS is a preferred impact absorbing material it will be appreciated that other materials with similar properties may be used. The materials and thicknesses forming the coatings for the EPS may be varied. Brief Description of the Drawings [0017] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of a first post protector; and Figure 2 shows a second post protector layer. Detailed Description [0018] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a first annular post protector 10 for covering a hexagonal shaped post 12. The post protector comprises two semi-annular portions 14 and 16, made from EPS (expanded polystyrene) coated with a polyurethane spray. The polyurethane 4 layer typically has a thickness of 1-2mm and is formed using a two pass spray. The polyurethane layer provides a number of benefits making the semi-annuli much more robust than if they were simply uncoated or bare EPS. This makes the annuli easier to handle pack and transport. More importantly, the coating waterproofs the EPS, provides resistance to damage from UV radiation and tends to retain and hold the EPS together in the event of damage being caused to the post protector in the event of an impact. The annuli are solid and may be generally rigid (but compressible in the event of an impact) and do not need to be flexible or to bent into shape to fit the post. [0019] When making post protectors for highway use, the bulk/thickness of the post protector is critical since it is the bulk that provides the deceleration when the post is struck. This is most critical when a motorcyclist hits the post. To prevent, or minimise the risk of brain damage to the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist's head has to decelerate within certain critical criteria. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is a known measure of the likelihood of head injury arising from an impact. [0020] Although in the preferred embodiment the EPS is spray coated with polyurethane, it will be appreciated that it may be coated with other suitable materials to provide ease of handling and waterproofing including, but not limited to other sprayed or painted coatings, and canvas type fabrics/tarpaulins such as the polyethylene based polyfabric "CANVACON". [0021] The semi-annuli 14, 16 shown in Figure 1 have a 60mm inner diameter di and a 160mm outer diameter d 2 . As shown, when placed around the post 12 having a hexagonal cross-section, the post is enclosed by a protective layer of EPS having an external diameter dl of 160mm and a thickness t of 50mm. Typically a layer 18 of a protective flexible material such as a canvas type fabric, tarpaulin or the like is wrapped around the annulus. The preferred material is CANVACON. The external shape of the protector is cylindrical. In the event that a thicker layer of EPS is required to increase the bulk of the post protector, a second annular post protector 20 may be placed around the post and post protector 10. [0022] The second post protector also comprises two semi-annuli 22, 24 each of which have a 165mm inner diameter d 3 and a 265mm outer diameter d 4 . This increases the bulk of the protection on the post and increases the depth of EPS surrounding the post by another 50mm providing a total depth of EPS surrounding the post of 100mm. Again the external shape of the 5 protector 20 is cylindrical. Again a layer 26 of CANVACON or the like is wrapped around the annulus. [0023] Typically, a larger third annular post protector (not shown) may be provided which can in turn fit over the second post protector again comprising two semi-annuli having a 270 mm inner diameter and a 375mm outer diameter. This can be fitted around the second post protector to increase the bulk of the post protector yet further. [0024] Similarly, a fourth post protector (not shown) may be provided which can in turn fit over the second post protector again comprising two semi-annuli having a 375 mm inner diameter and a 480 mm outer diameter. This can be fitted around the third post protector to further increase the bulk of the post protector. [0025] In this way, it is possible to easily fit or retro-fit post protectors to roadside posts. The inner diameter of the first post protector may be custom made to suit the external shape of the post to be covered. If the cross-section of the post is circular, or near circular, the inner diameter will be circular. If the post is hexagonal a circular inner diameter may also be used, although it may also be custom made to suit the hexagonal post. For a square section post, the internal shape of the first post protector will be square. [0026] Each first layer will provide a minimum acceptable level of cover or material thickness e.g. 50mm, in the described examples. Second third and even fourth additional layers are then layered over the first layer to increase the protection to a desired level of performance to provide a desired HIC, for example. Because the system is modular it is easy to install and fit to a required level of protection. [0027] Although the post protectors described above will typically be of uniform thickness and present a cylindrical exterior shape it will be appreciated that the protectors may not have uniform thickness and may have different external shapes for example when the post is adjacent a wall or other object or may block pedestrian flow. [0028] Clearly, the size and thickness of the annuli may be varied from that described above. [0029] The density of the expanded polystyrene may vary but is typically in the range of 10 to 200 Kg/M 3 most typically in the range of 11-30kg/m3 . The density of the layers may be varied 6 to achieve optimum performance. For example the outer annuli may be less dense and more easily compressed than the inner layers. In this way the initial deceleration of the person starts more slowly. [0030] Other variations are possible. In one variant, the one or more of the layers may be rotatable relative to the other layers. Rotation of at least the outer layers relative to the inner layers may assist in deflecting a person (or object) colliding with the post and reducing the damage caused to the person. [0031] The shape of at least the outer most annulus may be other than circular and could for example be elliptical, oval or the like. [0032] Different impact absorbing materials other than EPS may be used. For example foamed polyurethane may be used. This product has the advantage that the density can be varied and a skin is formed on the exterior of the moulded product, meaning that it is not necessary to further coat the product. [0033] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (17)

1. A protector for a post or the like, comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material configured to locate around a post, with the at least two part-annular components forming a first annulus of material when joined together and encircling the post in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical or part cylindrical external shape.

2. A protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing material is expanded polystyrene having an external coating, preferably a layer of polyurethane having a thickness of 1-2mm.

3. A protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing material is a foamed polymer, preferably polyurethane.

4. A protector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a layer of material wrapped around the first annulus.

5. A protector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a second annulus of material having an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the first annulus, the second annulus comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material configured to locate around the first annulus, in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape, to form, with the first annulus, a composite post protector of increased thickness.

6. A protector as claimed in claim 5 further including a third layer of material wrapped around the second annulus.

7. A method of fitting a post protector to a roadside post or the like comprising the steps of: locating a first layer of protective material around the post, the first layer comprising at least two part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material configured to locate around a post, with the at least two part-annular components forming an annulus of material encircling the post in use and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape; and locating a second layer of protective material around the first layer of protective material the first layer comprising at least two part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material configured to locate around the first layer, with the at least two part-annular components forming an annulus of material encircling the post in use and having a substantially rounded external shape. 8

8. A method of fitting a post protector to a roadside post as claimed in claim 7 further including the step of: locating a third layer of protective material around the second layer of protective material the first layer comprising at least two part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material such as expanded polystyrene configured to locate around the first layer, with the at least two part-annular components forming an annulus of material encircling the post in use and typically having a substantially rounded external shape.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 8 further including the step of wrapping a layer of fabric around the first and/or second annuli.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the impact absorbing material is expanded polystyrene having an external coating, preferably a layer of polyurethane having a thickness of 1-2mm.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the impact absorbing material is a foamed polymer, preferably polyurethane.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the rounded external shape is cylindrical.

13. A protector or method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the part-annular components are semi-annular.

14. A combination of a roadside post and a protector for the post, the protector comprising at least two generally solid part-annular components made from an impact absorbing material configured to locate around a post, with the at least two part-annular components forming a first annulus of material when joined together and encircling the post in use, and typically having a substantially cylindrical external shape.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein the impact absorbing material is expanded polystyrene having an external coating, preferably a layer of polyurethane having a thickness of 1-2mm.

16. A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein the impact absorbing material is a foamed polymer, preferably polyurethane.

17. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, further including a layer of material wrapped around the first annulus.