EP1484448A2 - Abdeckelement für Autobahnbarrieren oder Schutzplanken - Google Patents

Abdeckelement für Autobahnbarrieren oder Schutzplanken Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1484448A2
EP1484448A2 EP04425385A EP04425385A EP1484448A2 EP 1484448 A2 EP1484448 A2 EP 1484448A2 EP 04425385 A EP04425385 A EP 04425385A EP 04425385 A EP04425385 A EP 04425385A EP 1484448 A2 EP1484448 A2 EP 1484448A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover element
guardrail
cover
layer
sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04425385A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1484448A3 (de
Inventor
Stefano Masinelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1484448A2 publication Critical patent/EP1484448A2/de
Publication of EP1484448A3 publication Critical patent/EP1484448A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
    • E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
    • E01F15/04—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of longitudinal beams or rigid strips supported above ground at spaced points
    • E01F15/0461—Supports, e.g. posts
    • E01F15/0469—Covers, e.g. of ground surface around the foot
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
    • E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
    • E01F15/04—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of longitudinal beams or rigid strips supported above ground at spaced points
    • E01F15/0453—Rails of materials other than metal or concrete, e.g. wood, plastics; Rails of different materials, e.g. rubber-faced metal profiles, concrete-filled steel tubes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cover element for highway barriers or guardrails.
  • the present invention also relates to a cover module for highway barriers or guardrails comprising one or more of such cover elements, and also relates to a highway barrier or guardrail cover made from such elements or cover modules.
  • Highway barriers of the type widely known as guardrails are fixed rails, usually made from sheet steel or a similar metal material, positioned alongside roadways with the purpose of containing or correcting, at least within certain limits, the trajectory of a vehicle leaving the roadway in the event of an accident.
  • guardrail the term now most commonly and widely used.
  • guardrails consists of a series of uprights or vertical supports positioned at a regular distances from each other to which one or more rails are attached by fixing means such as bolts or other devices.
  • These rails are in turn made from one or more shaped metal plates which are positioned at various heights generally corresponding to the centres of gravity of the most common types of motor vehicle.
  • the rails are manufactured in sections of set lengths (usually between three and four metres) which partially overlap and are joined to each other with flat-head bolts.
  • guardrails present numerous sharp, cutting edges and protrusions. These could be very dangerous to motorcyclists or cyclists in the event of an accident, a fall or a skid where the motorcycle or cycle collides with the guardrail. Quite frequently following such collisions, motorcyclist and cyclists suffer permanent disability or serious injury caused by the presence of these sharp, cutting edges.
  • Guardrails made from sheet metal are now so widely used that their substitution with other barrier types (for example, those made from concrete) which do not present sharp, cutting and potentially hazardous edges is considered too complicated and expensive.
  • the aim of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings described above by providing a cover element for highway barriers or guardrails which could be used to make cover modules or covers for motorway barriers or guardrails. These could be applied directly to existing guardrails and thus reduce the hazard described previously.
  • a further aim of this invention is to provide a cover element for highway barriers and guardrails which has a simple structure and which is easy to apply following, in particular, a method described in this invention.
  • a further aim of this invention is to provide a cover element for highway barriers or guardrails which could be manufactured, at least in part, with recycled material.
  • the cover element 1 for highway barriers or guardrails is made from material which is at least partially shock absorbent.
  • the cover element 1 is made mainly from an elastic material, preferably rubber.
  • the cover element 1 has a preset length corresponding to at least one lengthways section of a guardrail 2 and comprises a first portion 10 and a second portion 11.
  • the first portion 10 can be located on the front part 20 of a guardrail 2 facing a roadway 3 and has a height sufficient to cover the front part 20 of the guardrail 2 at least from the ground 4 to the maximum height of the guardrail 2 itself.
  • the second portion 11 is connected to the first portion 10 and can be located over the upper part 21 of the guardrail 2 and has a width sufficient to cover at least the entire width of the upper part 21 of the guardrail 2.
  • the cover element 1 has, on the part opposite the guardrail 2 and at least corresponding to the entire first portion 10 and the entire second portion 11, a continuous outer surface that is without sharp edges.
  • fixing means 12 for attaching the cover element 1 to the guardrail 2.
  • the cover element 1 also comprises a third portion 13, connected to the second portion 11, that can be located on the rear part 22 of the guardrail 2 opposite the roadway 3 and which has a height sufficient to cover the rear part 22 of the guardrail 2 at least up to a preset distance of the maximum height of the guardrail 2 itself.
  • the third portion 13 extends at least to the ground 4.
  • the continuous outer surface without sharp edges of the cover element 1 can be extended for the entire third portion 13. This maximises the protection offered to the body of any person who might collide with the section of guardrail 2 covered by the covering element 1.
  • the fixing means 12 can be of various types known to expert persons.
  • the means can act between the body of the cover element 1 and the parts of the guardrail 2, or between the body of the cover element 1 and the ground 4. It is of the greatest importance that they do not have sharp or protruding parts facing directly towards the roadway 3 and are not covered by the first and second portions 10, 11.
  • a convenient feature of the first portion 10 comprises a contact flap 100 in contact with the ground 4 which is bent towards the guardrail 2 when the cover element 1 is applied to the guardrail 2.
  • the fixing means 12 (for example, one or more pins, bolts or screws) can act on the contact flap 100 and the ground 4 so as to be hidden from the roadway 3 by the first portion 10, as illustrated in figures 2 and 9.
  • the cover element 1 is fixed to the ground 4 without leaving any potentially hazardous cutting edges at the level of the ground 4.
  • a matching flap 130 can be provided on the third portion 13 in the case where the third portion is extended to the ground. In this case, however, it will not be necessary to fold the flap towards the guardrail 2 when the cover element 1 is applied to the guardrail 2 itself.
  • a further advantage here, as illustrated in figures 2 and 9 is that the matching flap 130 is folded away from the guardrail (in other words, folded in the same way as flap 100) in order to facilitate the fixing of the third portion 13 to the ground 4 by means of the fixing means 12 once the cover element 1 has been applied.
  • the cover element 1 comprises at least one flexible sheet 14 of elastic material (preferably rubber) that is bent over the guardrail 2 so as to define at least the first and second portions 10, 11 of the cover element 1.
  • the flap 100 can be obtained by directly folding the sheet 14 along its edge on the part corresponding to the first portion 10.
  • the sheet 14 once it has been bent over the guardrail 2, has a height sufficient to extend over the rear part 22 of the guardrail 2 at least to a distance determined by the maximum height of the guardrail 2.
  • the sheet 14 should extend so that it at least touches the ground 4 on both sides of the guardrail 2.
  • the sheet 14 defines the first and second portions 10 and 11 and at the same time the third portion 13 of the cover element 1.
  • the matching flap 130 can be obtained by directly bending the sheet 14 along the sheet edge that will make contact with the ground 4 on the side of the guardrail 2 that is opposite to the roadway 3.
  • the sheet 14 can be a solid, single layer material or, preferably, could be a material with a layered structure.
  • the sheet material comprises at least a first and second layer 140, 141 firmly joined together and where the first layer 140 is solid.
  • the primary purpose of the first layer 140 is to give the cover element 1 a continuous outer surface without any sharp edges, thereby making this characteristic substantially independent of the structure of the second layer 141.
  • the second layer 141 can therefore fulfil a more structural function and in particular among other things has the function of absorbing and resisting impacts.
  • the second layer 141 does not necessarily have to cover the entire area of the sheet 14. It is sufficient that it covers at least all the area corresponding to the first portion 10 of the cover element 1 and at least part of the area corresponding to the second portion 11. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 10, it covers at least all the area corresponding to both the first and the second portions 10, 11 and also at least a small part of the area corresponding to the third portion 13 of the cover element 1 (where this is present).
  • the second layer 141 can be made particularly thick and resistant, while the first layer 140, which is not joined to the second layer 141, can give the sheet 14 as a whole the necessary flexibility for it to be mounted over the guardrail 2.
  • the sheet 14 can include a third solid layer 144 with an area and shape which is substantially similar to that of the first layer 140 and which is solidly joined to the second layer 141 at those points where this is present and to the first layer 140 at those points where the second layer 141 is not present.
  • the sheet 14 has a structure with two layers only. This occurs mainly in the third portion 13 (where this is present, as illustrated in figure 10) and/or in that part of the second portion 12 that is not touched by the second layer 141.
  • This two-layer zone of the sheet 14, formed by directly joining the first and third layers 140, 144, can be used to give the sheet as a whole the good elasticity necessary to enable its mounting over the guardrail 2.
  • this zone facilitates the trimming of surplus material from the sheet 14 in the case where the sheet extends to touch the ground 4 on the side of the guardrail 2 opposite the roadway 3.
  • FIG 10 illustrates, with reference to a cover element 1 already mounted on the guardrail 2, an example of sheet 14 where the second layer 141 only partly covers the area of the sheet 14 itself.
  • the second layer 141 could be extended to the entire area of the sheet 14.
  • the second layer 141 is composed of a composite layer.
  • the second layer 141 comprises first strips 142 of elastic material which are parallel and substantially adjacent to each other and which are of a preset thickness and width.
  • the first strips 142 are positioned in the first portion 10 of the cover element 1 so that their lengthways extension is substantially vertical. In this case, their lengthways extension can constitute the height of the second layer 141 of the sheet 14.
  • the first strips 142 are made from material taken from used motor vehicle tyres 5.
  • the first strips 142 are made from a portion of tread 50 of used tyres 5, removed from the tyres 5 and laid flat.
  • the portion of tread 50 includes at least part of the reinforcing fabric thus advantageously giving the sheet 14 a particular mechanical resistance.
  • the portions of tread 50 used for the first strips 142 are removed from radial tyres 5.
  • the first strips 142 obtained in this way have a very limited curvature across their lengthways extension so that once they are laid flat, practically their entire width can be used without creating any flatness problems to the second layer 141 or as a consequence to the sheet 14.
  • Using worn tyres 5 requiring recycling is particularly advantageous. Used tyres 5 are produced in enormous quantities given the large number of motor vehicles in circulation. The recycling of used tyres, in the absence of partial recycling solutions such as the one proposed in the present invention, is a serious and costly problem.
  • the basic material for making the first strips 142 is therefore in plentiful supply, is easy to obtain and is economical.
  • the second layer 141 also comprises second strips 143 of elastic material, placed crossways to the first strips 142 and joined to them.
  • the first and second strips 142, 143 are interwoven like the weave of a textile.
  • the second strips 143 can be placed substantially parallel to each other, at a preset distance from each other, each second strip 143 passing alternately above, below and then above again, the layer of first strips 142 at the first consecutive strips 142, as illustrated in the figures 5 and 6.
  • Figure 6 shows two possible weaves of this type. The top illustration in the figure shows a slightly less rigid version while the bottom illustration shows a more rigid version.
  • first and second strips 142, 143 should preferably be joined together in such a way as to guarantee the maximum flatness of the sheet 14.
  • the various layers of the sheet 14 can be joined together in various ways including, for example, by gluing, welding, stapling or similar methods. Gluing and welding are to be preferred as are all the joining methods which do not involve the creation, on the outer face of the first layer 140, of projections, protrusions or anything which might prove hazardous in the event of impact with the human body. The same methods could also be used to bind the first strips 142 and the second strips 143 together; in this case, given the presence towards the outside of at least the first layer 140, fewer precautions need to be taken in order to prevent any surface irregularities (which will in any case later be covered by the first layer 140 and by a third layer 144 where one is present).
  • cover element 1 can also comprise a reinforcing element 15 applied directly to the upper part 21 of the guardrail 2 and constituting a support over which the sheet 14 can be folded and stretched when it is applied to the guardrail 2.
  • the lower part of the reinforcing element 15 can have a lower part shaped to match those zones of the upper part 21 of the guardrail 2 to which it is fixed in order to facilitate application.
  • the reinforcing element 15 can be made from polystyrene, polyurethane or any other material suitable for the purpose.
  • the surface of the first portion 10 facing towards the roadway 3 could carry reflector elements 6 or, preferably, be stamped with reflective paint areas 7.
  • the invention includes the production of cover modules 8 for highway barriers or guardrails where each module comprises a cover element 1 according to one of the embodiments described previously.
  • Each cover module 8 can comprise two or more cover elements 1 joined together.
  • each module 8 can have a single cover element 1 and can also have more complex modules 8.
  • Each cover module 8 has a preset length. Preferably, this length must be inversely proportional to the curvature of the guardrail 2 to which the module 8 is applied. This method would facilitate the production of guardrail covers 2 also for very tight corners in a road.
  • the average length for a module cover 8 is between one and two meters including the ends.
  • each cover module 8 As those described above (or single cover elements 1 where each single cover module 8 comprises a single cover element 1) it is easy to produce covers for existing guardrails 2, making these safe without having to substitute them.
  • a further advantage is that each cover module 8 (or each cover element 1 where the module 8 comprises one element only) is removable. Given that the structure is modular it will be quick and economical to repair any sections damaged following an impact or an accident.
  • the cover element 1 is made in the form of a flexible sheet 14, and in particular when the sheet 14 has a length such that when folded on the guardrail 2 the third portion 13 extends to at least touch the ground 4, the assembly of the cover element 1 (and as a consequence of the relative module 8) can very simply be performed as follows.
  • the sheet 14 is laid out on the ground in front of the guardrail 2 facing the roadway 3, with the first layer 140 (or, in other words, with the outer surface which once the cover element 1 has been assembled will be on the opposite side of the guard rail 2) facing the ground 4.
  • the fixing means 12 for example, bolts or pins.
  • the flexible sheet 14 is raised towards the guard rail 2 (as indicated by the dashed line in figure 8) and is bent over the guardrail upper part 21 (as indicated by the full line in figure 8) until the sheet 14 extends to touch the ground 4 on the opposite part of the guardrail 2 to the roadway 3.
  • the fixing means 12 used to fix the flap 100 to the ground 4 thus remain hidden between the flexible sheet 14 and the guardrail 2.
  • the sheet 14, now firmly stretched, is bent upwards to form the matching flap 130 of the third portion 13 and fixed in position with the fixing means 12.
  • Any surplus material which remains on the length of the flexible sheet 14 after the fixing means 12 of the third portion 13 (and indicated by the dashed line with the reference number 145 in figure 9) can be cut off.
  • This operation in the case of a sheet 14 with a layered structure, can be easier if the surplus length comprises the single first layer 140 only or, at the most, the joint between the first and third layers 140, 144.
  • Figure 8 illustrates the intermediate stage of raising, tensioning and bending the sheet 14 over the guardrail 2.
  • Figure 9 illustrates the final assembly stage, with the final fixing of the sheet 14 to the ground 4 by means of the matching flap 130 on the third portion 13.
  • the invention has considerable advantages.
  • the invention makes existing highway barriers much more safe for motorcyclists and cyclists without requiring the total substitution of the barrier.
  • the cover elements used for making the single cover modules or the entire cover have a particularly simple and flexible structure in sheet form and would be easy to manufacture on a large scale and also to cut to the size required.
  • the sheets themselves have a resistant core which could be produced, economically and effectively, almost entirely of recycled material such as the tread of used motor vehicle tyres.
  • the modular design of the cover thus obtained enables easy repair of short sections which may be damaged for any reason.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
EP04425385A 2003-06-06 2004-05-27 Abdeckelement für Autobahnbarrieren oder Schutzplanken Withdrawn EP1484448A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITRN20030015 2003-06-06
ITRN20030015 ITRN20030015A1 (it) 2003-06-06 2003-06-06 Elemento di copertura per barriere stradali o guardrails, modulo di copertura e copertura realizzati con detto elemento.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1484448A2 true EP1484448A2 (de) 2004-12-08
EP1484448A3 EP1484448A3 (de) 2005-12-28

Family

ID=33156360

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04425385A Withdrawn EP1484448A3 (de) 2003-06-06 2004-05-27 Abdeckelement für Autobahnbarrieren oder Schutzplanken

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1484448A3 (de)
IT (1) ITRN20030015A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006089321A1 (de) * 2005-02-24 2006-08-31 Knut Spelitz Sicherheitseinrichtung für verkehrswege
DE202012008071U1 (de) 2012-08-24 2012-11-15 Alexander Hieber Sicherungsvorrichtung für eine Leitplanke
ES2418254R1 (es) * 2011-03-01 2013-11-27 Dominguez Francisco De Asis Fernandez Elemento de proteccion y/o senalizacion vial
CN107516427A (zh) * 2017-10-12 2017-12-26 刘猛 移动护栏、公路移动护栏及移动护栏控制方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2601296A1 (de) * 1976-01-15 1977-07-21 Heinz Hammrich Stossabsorbierende elemente zum absichern von leitplanken vorzugsweise auf automobil- und motorrad-rennstrecken
CH618488A5 (en) * 1977-02-01 1980-07-31 Hudec Imrich Peter Shock absorber for roadway safety devices
US5052850A (en) * 1990-07-17 1991-10-01 Bishop Robert J Resilient safety extension for highway barriers
WO2001046525A1 (en) * 1999-12-21 2001-06-28 The Yodock Wall Company, Inc. Apparatus for covering vehicle traffic dividers
US6444067B1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2002-09-03 Rick L. Bove Recycling process for vehicle tires

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2601296A1 (de) * 1976-01-15 1977-07-21 Heinz Hammrich Stossabsorbierende elemente zum absichern von leitplanken vorzugsweise auf automobil- und motorrad-rennstrecken
CH618488A5 (en) * 1977-02-01 1980-07-31 Hudec Imrich Peter Shock absorber for roadway safety devices
US5052850A (en) * 1990-07-17 1991-10-01 Bishop Robert J Resilient safety extension for highway barriers
US6444067B1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2002-09-03 Rick L. Bove Recycling process for vehicle tires
WO2001046525A1 (en) * 1999-12-21 2001-06-28 The Yodock Wall Company, Inc. Apparatus for covering vehicle traffic dividers

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006089321A1 (de) * 2005-02-24 2006-08-31 Knut Spelitz Sicherheitseinrichtung für verkehrswege
ES2418254R1 (es) * 2011-03-01 2013-11-27 Dominguez Francisco De Asis Fernandez Elemento de proteccion y/o senalizacion vial
DE202012008071U1 (de) 2012-08-24 2012-11-15 Alexander Hieber Sicherungsvorrichtung für eine Leitplanke
CN107516427A (zh) * 2017-10-12 2017-12-26 刘猛 移动护栏、公路移动护栏及移动护栏控制方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1484448A3 (de) 2005-12-28
ITRN20030015A1 (it) 2004-12-07

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