EP1378610B1 - Shock attenuator for making a protective wall at race tracks - Google Patents

Abstract

The shock absorber assembly, for the protective barriers at the walls of motor racing circuits, is an arrangement of rubber tires (P) held in place by vertical holders (32) through them within a retaining envelope. The holders are vertical tubes with mountings (35,37,38,39) to lock them together and to anchor them into the ground. The structures are held together by a tubular covering envelope (33).

Description

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing device for producing protective walls on automobile circuits.

On the car tracks, the edges of the track, mainly at the corner, are equipped with damping devices to slow down cars whose drivers have lost control. Traditionally, stacks of tires are used side by side to form a protective wall.

These tire stacks have a high absorption power, which can gradually stop a car launched at high speed, often without damage to the driver, and limit damage to the chassis of cars. However, they have drawbacks, in particular in that the holding of these stacks is precarious, and it is common that during a collision of the tires detached and are propelled possibly on spectators.

Shock absorbers are already known for use on automobile circuits. This is the case of that described in document FR 2.796.661, which consists of a wall made of an assembly of bundles subdivided into compartments, some of which, in particular those of the lower part are filled with water while the others are filled with air. Such a device is of great complexity of implementation, and does not sufficiently absorb shocks.

Document FR 2,425,503 also discloses a safety barrier consisting of the juxtaposition and the joining of modules each consisting of a stack of tires inside which is cast a material capable of exploded under the effect of a shock, and consisting of a mixture of cement and rubber. Such a barrier has the same disadvantages as those mentioned above, moreover it is not recoverable after an impact.

Also known from WO 99/39054, a safety barrier comprising a set of horizontally aligned tubes, each consisting of a row of coaxial tires held together in a retaining means, said set of tubes being enclosed in another means retaining means, said retaining means being made of coated fabrics. The tires are held against each other in rows that are kept in the aligned state. This barrier thus has an organized arrangement of tires for regulating and distributing shock absorption. However, such a barrier has the disadvantage of a very small modularity, and a little easy implementation.

Also known from FR 2,748,042 a protective wall consisting of the assembly of cylindrical modules receiving a content made of a material capable of absorbing the kinetic energy produced, such as stacked tires, and having distributed fasteners radially to allow the interconnection of said modules.

The modules are each in the form of a can closed by a lid having on its perimeter ears for fixing two by two, and also likely to be stacked on another.

If these modules are more efficient compared to other existing damping devices, they nevertheless have certain disadvantages.

A first disadvantage is the difficulty of their implementation, namely the introduction of tires in the module.

On the other hand, in case of shock, the cover can be propelled and become a dangerous projectile. Note in this regard that due to the impact exposure of the cover and the assembly area thereof, it can be common that the module is not reusable after an impact.

Another disadvantage of these modules is that they do not allow the realization of walls of more than two rows of modules, since part of their circumference does not have ears to limit aggressive areas.

The present invention aims to provide a shock absorbing device for the production of protective walls on the automotive circuit to overcome the various aforementioned drawbacks.

The shock-absorbing device for producing a protective wall on the automobile circuits that is the subject of the present invention is of the type comprising cylindrical modules and a stack of tires contained in each cylindrical module which comprises radially arranged fastening groups and arranged to allow the assembly of a module to at least one other analogue, and it is essentially characterized in that each of said modules comprises firstly a base comprising a flat bottom intended to rest on the ground and which projects centrally a cylindrical element intended to receive said stack of tires, and secondly a tubular envelope adapted to cover said stack and to be secured to said cylindrical element, and which comprises means adapted to allow the said module to be secured to the ground.

Such an envelope makes it possible to retain a stack of tires, and to prevent said stack from falling apart, while the securing means allow to anchor the wall to the ground. In case of shock, no part of the module will become a projectile.

According to an additional feature of the device according to the invention, the tubular envelope comprises an inner tubular element whose end is adapted to cooperate and to be secured to the upper end of the cylindrical element of the base.

The securing means of the casing at the base are thus arranged inside the stack of tires, and protected in case of shock, which promotes reuse.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the means capable of enabling the envelope to be secured to the ground consist of tabs or the like protruding outwardly from its lower part, and intended to allow the passage of means able to be driven into the ground.

According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the fastening groups which allow the joining of several modules to one another consist of peripheral reliefs capable of interlocking, and which are associated with locking means by keying.

According to a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the envelope is divided diametrically into at least two parts, a first portion having a vertical succession of alternating reliefs recessed and protruding, and a second part which also presents a vertical succession of alternating reliefs recessed and protruding but with an offset so as to be complementary to those of said first portion to allow reciprocal engagement, while said protruding reliefs are pierced with holes vertical axes may be aligned during said interlocking so as to allow the introduction of a rectilinear piece.

According to another particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the envelope is divided diametrically into at least two parts, a first part which has in its median region at least one protruding relief, and a second part which presents with and other of its median region protruding reliefs, so as to allow the embedding or projecting reliefs of the first part of an envelope between the protruding reliefs of the second part of another envelope, while said protruding reliefs are pierced with vertical axis holes capable of being aligned during said embedding so as to allow the introduction of a rectilinear piece.

According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the fastening groups for securing a module to at least one other, are adapted to achieve said fastening with a certain clearance so as to allow the creation of curved walls.

According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the envelope is made of molded low-density polyethylene.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the peripheral reliefs which are able to fit into the tubular envelope are shaped so as to enable them to conform to the shapes of a guardrail in order to make a wedge against a such slide.

The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will become clearer from the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawing, which represents several non-limiting embodiments thereof.

In the attached drawing:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a wall constructed with a first embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic perspective and exploded view of this same first embodiment of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 represents a schematic perspective view of a protective wall constructed with a second embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

FIG. 4 represents a schematic perspective view of a protective wall constructed with a third embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a top view of the same wall.

Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view along a vertical plane of a portion of the same wall.

FIG. 7 represents a diagrammatic perspective and exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there can be seen a protective wall for equipping the edge of the track of a motor circuit, and which consists of the assembly of damping devices 1 according to the invention.

Referring also to Figure 2, it can be seen that a damping device 1 comprises two parts, namely a base 10 comprising a flat bottom 11 intended to rest on the ground and the center of which emerges axially a cylindrical part 12, and a upper part consisting of a casing 13 of tubular form.

The base 10 and the casing 13 are made of a synthetic material, preferably low density polyethylene, and are formed by rotational molding.

The cylindrical piece 12 is intended to receive a stack of tires, not shown, while the casing 13 is intended to cover this stack.

It will be noted that, as will be described more precisely later, the casing 13 has superiorly and centrally a tubular recess 14 adapted to cooperate with the cylindrical part 12 in order to secure the base 10 and the casing 13 .

The envelope 13 is provided with means for securing the ground, which consist of lugs 15 adapted to receive appropriate anchoring means sunk into the ground.

The envelope 13 is also provided with means for fastening to one or more envelopes 13, which consist of studs 16 protruding from the periphery at different heights, and each pierced by a hole 17 of vertical axis. The alignment of one or more holes 17 of the pads 16 of a casing 13 with one or more holes 17 of the pads 16 of another casing 13 makes it possible to secure two damping devices 1 by introducing a bar B or analog, which may consist of an extruded polyethylene tube.

The multiplication of the pads 16, associated with the angular variation of their position, makes it possible to envisage numerous configurations of the wall made with damping devices 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a protective wall consisting of the assembly of damping devices according to the invention can be seen according to a second embodiment 2.

A damping device 2 also comprises two parts, a base, not visible, intended to receive a stack of tires, not shown, and an envelope 20.

The damping device 2 differs essentially from the damping device 1 in producing the means for securing one envelope to another.

The envelope 20 is divided diametrically into two parts, one 21 which has a vertical succession of alternating reliefs recessed 22 and projecting 23, while the other portion 24 also has a vertical succession of reliefs alternately recessed 25 and projecting 26 but with a shift so as to allow the interlocking protruding reliefs 23 of the portion 21 of an envelope 20 in the recessed reliefs 25 of the portion 24 of another envelope 20, or also l interlocking protruding reliefs 26 of the portion 24 of an envelope 20 in the recessed reliefs 22 of the portion 21 of another envelope 20.

Moreover, the protruding reliefs 23 and 26 are pierced with holes, respectively 27 and 28, which can be brought into alignment during the aforementioned interlockings so as to allow the insertion of a bar B or the like.

Note that the ground fixing can be performed using the holes 27 and / or 28 to pass anchoring means.

In the damping device 2, the multiplication of the holes 27 and 28, associated with the angular variation of their position, allows many configurations of the wall made with damping devices 2.

Of course, the two parts constituting the damping device 2 are again made of a synthetic material, preferably low density polyethylene, and are formed by rotational molding.

Such a structure makes it possible to avoid the use of the pads 16 of the damping device 1, which can be considered as aggressive zones, so that this embodiment, like those which will be described hereinafter, enables the wall to be produced. protection of more than two rows of damping devices.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there can be seen a wall consisting of the assembly of damping devices according to the invention according to a third embodiment 3.

Referring also to Figure 6, it can be seen that a damping device 3 comprises two parts, namely a base 30 comprising a flat bottom 31 intended to rest on the ground and the center of which emerges axially a cylindrical part 32 on which is threaded a stack of tires P, and a casing 33 of tubular form covering the stack of tires P.

It can be seen in this figure that the casing 33 has superior and centrally a tubular recess 320 whose end edge is adapted to cooperate with the end edge of the cylindrical part 32 in order to secure the base 30 and the casing 33 by means of fastening means, not shown, which may for example consist of latching means.

The envelope 33 is also provided with means for fastening to one or more envelopes 33. Like the envelopes 20, the envelope 33 is divided into two diametrically, one 34 which has in its central region protruding reliefs 35, while the other portion 36 has on either side of its median region protruding reliefs 37, so as to allow the embedding of projecting reliefs 35 of the portion 34 of an envelope 33 between the reliefs protruding 37 of the portion 36 of another envelope 33.

The protruding reliefs 35 and 37 are pierced with holes 38 and 39, respectively, of vertical axes permitting the introduction of bars B for securing two envelopes 33.

It will be noted that the holes 39 of the relief 37 disposed near the ground may be intended for anchoring the damping device 3, with the aid of not shown fastening means.

The protruding reliefs 35 and 37 extend in an arc of circle over all the portions respectively 34 and 36, and they each comprise several holes 38 allowing several combinations of assembly of the damping devices 3, such as that shown in FIGS. and 5. It can thus be seen in Figure 6, the assembly of each of the devices 3 to two others.

It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the diameter of the holes 38 is much greater than that of a bar B and that of the holes 39 so as to allow a certain favorable clearance for the production of protective walls describing a curve.

As for the previous embodiments, the base 30 and the envelope 33 are made of a synthetic material, preferably low density polyethylene, and are formed by rotational molding.

Referring now to Figure 7, we can see another embodiment 4 of a damping device according to the invention. The damping device 4 has the same characteristics as the damping device 3, namely a base 40 comprising a flat bottom 41 and a cylindrical part 42, and a casing 43 intended to cover the stack of tires. The casing 33 comprises a tubular depression 420 whose end edge, not visible, is intended to cooperate with the extreme edge of the cylindrical piece 42, and it is provided with means for securing to one or more envelopes 43, it is that is to say that it is divided diametrically into two parts 44 and 46 which have projecting reliefs, respectively, 45 and 47, themselves pierced with holes 48 and 49 respectively of vertical axes permitting the introduction of bars, not shown, to secure two envelopes 43.

Note also the presence of recesses 490 made in the relief projecting 47 lower, in which are formed holes 491 for the passage of anchoring means.

The damping device 4 has the particular feature that its protruding reliefs are shaped to conform to the shape of guardrails, so that they can be leaned against them.

Note that it could be the same for damping devices 2 and 3.

Claims (9)

1. Shock attenuator for making a protective wall at race tracks, of the type comprising cylindrical modules and a pile of tires (P) contained in each cylindrical module (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4), comprising securing groups (16, 17 ; 23, 26, 27, 28 ; 37, 35, 38, 39 ; 45, 47, 48, 49) arranged radially and arranged so as to allow assembling a module (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4) with at least another similar one, characterised in that each of said modules (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4) includes, at the one hand, a base (10 ; 30 ; 40) comprising a flat bottom (11 ; 31 ; 41) aimed at resting on the ground and from which centrally protrudes a cylindrical element (12 ; 32 ; 42) aimed at receiving said pile of tires (P) and, on the other hand, a tubular envelope (13 ; 20 ; 33 ; 43) capable of covering said pile and of being made integral with said cylindrical element (12 ; 32 ; 42), and including means capable of allowing making said module (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4) integral with the ground (15 ; 27; 38 ; 49).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular envelope (13 ; 20 ; 33 ; 43) includes an inner tubular element (14 ; 320 ; 420) the end of which is capable of co-operating with and of being made integral with the upper end of the cylindrical element (12 ; 32 ; 42) of the base (10 ; 30 ; 40).
3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the means capable of allowing making the envelope (13 ; 20 ; 33 ; 43) with the ground consist of lugs or the like (15 ; 23 , 27 ; 37, 39 ; 490, 491) protruding outwardly from its lower portion and aimed at allowing the passing through of means capable of being inserted into the ground.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the securing groups, which allow making several modules (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4) integral with each other consist of peripheral embosses (16 ; 23, 26 ; 37, 35 ; 45, 47) likely to be encased and which are associated to means (27, 28 ; 38, 39 ; 48, 49 ; B) for locking by key and pin.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the envelope (20) is diametrically divided into two portions, a first portion (21), which has a vertical series of alternating hollow (22) and protruding (23) embosses, and a second portion (24), which also has a vertical series of alternating hollow (25) and protruding (26) embosses, but shifted so as to be complementary to those of the first portion (21), in order to allow a reciprocal encasement, while said protruding embosses (23, 26) are drilled with holes (27, 28) with vertical axes likely to be brought into register during said encasement, so as to allow the insertion into them of a rectilinear part (B).
6. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the envelope (33 ; 43) is diametrically divided into two portions, a first portion (34 ; 44), which has in its median portion at least one protruding emboss (35 ; 45), and a second portion (36 ; 46), which has on both sides of its median portion protruding embosses (37 ; 47), so as to allow the insertion of the protruding emboss or embosses (35 ; 45) of the first portion (34, 44) of an envelope (33 ; 43) between the protruding embosses (37 ; 47) of the second portion (36 ; 46) of another envelope (3 ; 43), while said protruding embosses (35, 37 ; 45, 47) are drilled with holes (38, 39 ; 48, 49) with vertical axes likely to be brought into register during said insertion, so as to allow to insert into them a rectilinear part (B).
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the securing groups (16, 17 ; 23, 26, 27, 28 ; 37, 35, 38, 39 ; 45, 47, 48, 49) allowing making a module (1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 4) integral with another one are capable of performing said making integral with some backlash, so as to allow creating curved walls.
8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the envelope (13 ; 20 ; 33 ; 43) is made out of moulded low-density polyethylene.
9. Device according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the peripheral embosses (23, 26 ; 37, 35 ; 45, 47) capable of encasing the tubular envelope (20 ; 33 ; 43) are shaped so as to allow them to match the shapes of a safety slide with a view to create a clamping against such a slide.

Images