EP1994228A1 - Connecteur flexible pour poteaux et montants - Google Patents

Connecteur flexible pour poteaux et montants

Info

Publication number
EP1994228A1
EP1994228A1 EP07709201A EP07709201A EP1994228A1 EP 1994228 A1 EP1994228 A1 EP 1994228A1 EP 07709201 A EP07709201 A EP 07709201A EP 07709201 A EP07709201 A EP 07709201A EP 1994228 A1 EP1994228 A1 EP 1994228A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connecting device
mounting plates
elements
pole
pressure
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Withdrawn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
EP07709201A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kjell Arne Malo
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.)
Euromast AS
Original Assignee
Euromast AS
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 Euromast AS filed Critical Euromast AS
Publication of EP1994228A1 publication Critical patent/EP1994228A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/631—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanently deforming when deflected or displaced, e.g. by vehicle impact
    • E01F9/635—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanently deforming when deflected or displaced, e.g. by vehicle impact by shearing or tearing, e.g. having weakened zones

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a connecting device as stated in the introductory part of claim 1 , for supporting structures such as poles, posts and the like, for use at roadways. Further the invention relates to such support structures which are integrated to such a connecting device.
  • Such connecting devices for poles/posts and the like can be used for traffic information and/or lighting purposes, for example for traffic signs, light signals, antennas, full-size or half-size portals, street lighting, road railings and other components intended to break or be yieldable and absorb shock energy according to given criteria upon accidental collision.
  • a vehicle In the HE-class a vehicle will be completely cushioned and retarded in a controlled manner to a low exit velocity. In the LE-class the automobile will also be retarded in a controlled manner to an exit velocity, without the severe requirements of the HE-class.
  • the structure In the NE- class there is no requirement for energy absorption and retardation of cars, however, the structure is required to be cut off immediately at an impact and shall skid away. This usually is called a break-away-system.
  • the same release system at the base may be used, but the energy absorbing systems LE and HE normally connect the poles to provide sufficient energy absorption. Yielding pole structures are needed for other transport systems, as antenna and lighting systems at airports and also in other transport systems.
  • Prior art Norwegian patent specification 160458 describes an extruded pole with a casing and rods adjusted for structural interaction and which are interconnected so that the connection is disrupted when the post is exposed to a local stress of a predetermined magnitude in the transverse direction.
  • inner grooves are arranged, which form fracture lines, and at least on some of the sides of the casing are arranged open channels divided by reeds projecting into them.
  • the rods are attached to the channels, preferably under pretension of the clamping reeds.
  • a disadvantage of the design with two loose shear rings is the vulnerability to friction.
  • a connecting device is desirable, which is not vulnerable in regard of friction, due to the use of long, parallel load elements with "stilt effect", which are overturned when the shear load exceeds a predetermined value.
  • a common drawback for said known units is that the same structural element provides stiffness and strength for all deformation modi and that these known units do not provide satisfactory control of strength and stiffness.
  • connection in US patent specification 4,269,384 (Saeed 1981) a structure with breakable connections is described.
  • One such connection (claims 14 and 15) consists of splice bolts, extended channels or claws with narrower mouth openings than the bolt diameter and a spacer between the tubular ends to be spliced. The claws are attached to the tubes to be connected.
  • the intermediate element consists of a thin tubular element which is made frangible by longitudinal slits or holes. This design has its stiffness due to the larger cross section of the frangible tubular element relative to the tubes to be connected. In case the cross sections of the tubes do not coincide, intermediate plates have to be used, which can be welded, e.g. to the intermediate element without losing the function of the new design.
  • This function may be used by making the connection break down due to pressure making the weakened tubular element break.
  • the outer forces providing such pressure may be bending or compressive forces.
  • the present technical problem needs the highest possible bending strength and the release of the connecting device by low shearing forces, but not by compressive forces. This design will not solve the present technical problem.
  • slip-base or "Texas Universal Triangular Slipbase System (TUTSS)"
  • TTSS Texas Universal Triangular Slipbase System
  • Typical slip base options are described e.g. in US patent specifications 6,868,641 (Connor 2005) and 6,540,196 (Ellsworth 2003). It consists mainly of two stiff triangular planar plates, one of which is connected to a base and the other with the pole. The triangular shear plates are interconnected with three bolts, one at each corner.
  • the bolts are arranged in slots which are outwardly open and have an angle of opening allowing the expelling of the bolts from the slot if one plate is moved relatively to the other parallel to the plane of the plates with a shearing movement.
  • a thin plate of Teflon (trademark) or a similar material may be arranged for two reasons: to reduce the friction between the plates and/or prevent the displacement of the bolts during normal use. The last requirement is based on the need for the untightened bolts to let the slip base function upon a collision occuring. Thus the bolts should not have pretension.
  • One shear plate has to slide against the other and the bolts have to be moved completely out of the slots before the shear plate with the pole is released.
  • slip bases are not suitable as release mechanism for poles designed for energy absorption (HE or LE) because it will not allow rotation of the foot of the pole due to the impact between said shear plates, because the lack of free space there between.
  • slip base designs with e.g. two square, planar plates with four bolts, preferably one in each corner. Reference is had to the website of US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
  • the mounting of the tension elements (which may be pretension bolts) through openings may, however, involve considerable inconvenience as the bolts have to be fractured and/or torn out to release the connecting device and have the upper base plate with the pole mounted, released. This implies strong restrictions in the use of bolts and thus in the static capacity of the connecting device.
  • the main object of the invention is to provide a connecting device between a base and a carrying structure, such as a mast or a pole or similar, as mentioned above, respectively a complete carrying structure, which is considerably improved in respect of yielding and the capacity for energy absorption and one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above.
  • the connecting device can provide an important additional function, providing energy absorption and retarding of a car or another vehicle.
  • the invention should also make the carrying structure comply to the requirements for yielding poles and/or the requirements for energy absorption for impact loads, as defined e.g. in EN 12767.
  • a further object is that the connecting device should not reduce the rigidity of the carrying structure or limit the required load capacity of the carrying structure at normal loads, such as wind. It should be simple and low cost in installation and maintenance. It is also important that the performance is predictable, reliable and repeatable over a long period of time.
  • the invention is a connecting device to be mounted between a pole or a similar structure and a base.
  • the invention is stated in claimi , while claims 2-11 states particular advantageous features or modifications, claim 12 defines a connecting device with an anchoring device to be used with energy absorbing poles, and claim 13 relates to a compound carrying structure. Further details of the invention are mentioned in the succeeding description of embodiments, but the invention is not restricted thereto.
  • carrier structure is used as a common term for a carrying element rising or projecting from a base, the connecting device and the base.
  • the rising or projecting element is in the following simply referred to as a "pole".
  • pole may cover any vertical, horizontal or inclined projecting element which may be arranged at a roadway as independent or integrated carrying means.
  • the pole can have various embodiments, such as a pillar for a road sign, a light mast or a non-vertical element carrying a road fence or another road guard.
  • connecting device is meant the parts connecting the base and the pole, being separate parts or being totally or partly integrated in the elements to be connected.
  • anchoring device is meant the parts providing the anchoring between a base and the pole, being a wire, a cable or another bendable member.
  • base is meant any structure which the pole can be connected to.
  • the invention allows the separation of all important functions in respect of strength and rigidity for a yielding carrying structure.
  • the invention is provided with separate structural elements to ensure the different load effects from normal loads, such as wind and gravity, as well as impact, e.g. upon the collision of a vehicle.
  • minimum and maximum strength and rigidity may be substantially independently designed.
  • an integrated, yielding connecting device is created, with known combinations of qualities and predictable performance.
  • the invention may be mounted both on new carrying structures, as masts and poles, and on existing structures, with a separate base or similar carrier.
  • the composite yielding connecting device comprises two or more mounting plates which are connected by elements consisting of one or more pressure members, one or more tension members, one or more shear members and zero, one or more anchoring members for axial load, and various bolts, nuts, washers etc.
  • the invention combines the advantageous property which is also utilized in the slip base systems, that the bolts (the tension members) can be released without breaking, tearing or breaking, by being mounted in slots which are open ended at the exterior.
  • the invention will also allow for mounting the tension elements in slots being open to an interior opening.
  • the invention will utilize the advantageous properties known from Norwegian Patent Specification 316629 by using one or more extended pressure elements providing a stilting function between said mounting plates and thus no dependence on friction for relative movement of said plates in their plane. The resistance against this stilt effect is determined by the length of the pressure elements, by the form of the surface of contact against the mounting plates and the degree of tension of the tensioning elements.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically the disintegration principle of the connector (vertical section),
  • Fig. 2 shows a simple embodiment of the invention with an external recess (vertical and horizontal section,
  • Fig. 3 shows an embodiment with three tensioning elements and three groups of pressure elements
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment with four tensioning elements and four groups of pressure elements
  • Figure 5 shows a mounting plate for mounting three tensioning elements in internal openings
  • Figure 6 shows a mounting plate for mounting four tensioning elements in internal openings
  • Figure 7 shows a connecting device with an anchoring device mounted thereto.
  • the invention is show schematically in Figure 1 , illustrating the invention with three vertical sections through the yielding connecting device, with a situation of normal use to the right, with a collision situation in the middle, and with the succeeding disintegration or release of the connecting device to the left.
  • a pressure element 3 or the pressure elements depending on the geometrical dimensions, imply a small increase in the distance between the mounting plates 1 , 2 and thus resistance against movement due to the increased load on the tension elements 4.
  • This and the pretension from the tension elements 4 provides the connecting device with the desirable stiffness in the normal state of use.
  • the horizontal pressure-force component of the pressure element 3 will, however, also increase correspondingly, bringing no substantial change in the horizontal forces and thus the external force needed for ensure a relative horizontal movement will not be influenced by the slanting of the tension elements 4 and of the pressure elements 3. Further displacement brings further slanting of the pressure elements 3 and thus a further reduction of the distance between the plates, but no change in the resulting horizontal forces. An additional external moment will not change this, as it brings no net force contribution in either direction, and the friction has no effect.
  • the invention additionally requires an anchoring device, as chains, wires, clamps, or another linked device taking axial forces, but insignificant moments.
  • the pressure elements 3 should be chosen sufficiently long to allow for a necessary rotation of the mounting plates for energy absorbing poles.
  • Figure 2 shows a more detailed embodiment of the invention, with triangular mounting plates 1 , 2 which in vertical section corresponds to the schematic drawings of Figure 1 and the function is thus described.
  • Figure 2 shows the upper mounting plate 2 being attached to a pole 9 and the lower mounting plate 1 being attached to a base 8, which may be a tube pressed into the ground or another pole.
  • the two mounting plates 1 and 2 are connected by pressure element 3 and three tension elements 4. There is no anchoring device to make the structure function as a NE structure.
  • the pressure element 3 has circular and plane contact faces 6 being parallel to a plane of the mounting plates 1 , 2 and the pressure element 3 has constant cross section 7 over its length.
  • the three tension elements 4 are mounted in slots 5 arranged at the edge of the plates, being present in both the upper mounting plate 1 and the lower 2. A washer may be added if necessary.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device shown in Figure 2, being more suitable for NE light poles, being provided with holes 14 in both mounting plates 1 , 2 to allow the pulling of light cables in the base tube 8, through the mounting plates 1 , 2 and into the pole 9.
  • the pressure elements 3 are grouped in groups of three. These groups are arranged as close to the tension elements 4 as possible.
  • the design of each of the pressure elements 3 may be as shown in Figure 2.
  • Multiple pressure elements 3 are grouped together with enclosing ribbons, or by an enclosing tubular structure. Such an enclosing structure may also attach them to a tension element 4. This may be suitable for mounting, corrosion, esthetics or to avoid wrong mounting.
  • the pressure elements may also be practical to arrange the pressure elements in a matrix of a group of pressure elements which are to be included with a tension element. Manufacturing considerations will mainly decide such choices, and a common, easily releasable holding matrix for all elements connecting the mounting plates is preferable. Such holding matrixes are not shown in the drawing, as they are subordinate to the function of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows, similar to Figure 3, an alternative of the connecting device which may be suitable for light poles or other poles with electrical cables, due to the holes 14 of the mounting plates 1 , 2.
  • a squared base of concrete or steel 8 is used, which is connected to the lower mounting plate 1 by bolts 15 which are provided with washers and nuts.
  • the mounting plates 1 , 2 are geometrically different and are connected with four tension elements 4 realized by bolts with head 11 and nut 12 and further with oblong washers 13.
  • the tension elements 4 are arranged in external recesses or slots 5, which are located at the corners of the upper mounting plate 2, and at the sides of the lower mounting plate 1.
  • the pressure elements 3 are arranged in groups as described for Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 shows a horizontal section through a connecting device with a triangular mounting plate.
  • This design can be used both for the upper mounting plate 2 and the lower 1.
  • the tension elements 4 are arranged in internal slots 5 provided by furnishing a triangular opening 14 in the mounting plates 1 , 2, and the internal corners are utilized as recesses 5.
  • This structure can not be used for slip base systems, as there is no distance between the mounting plates and inner bolts will imply a locking. This creates no problem for the invention, as the distance between the plates will allow the bolts to stay away from the plates at the release of the connecting device.
  • six separate pressure elements 3 with square section which may well be grouped close to the tension elements 4.
  • the tension elements may be provided with head and nut 11 , 12, and washers if desirable.
  • the number of openings'! 6 are arbitrary according to need, adapted to be used for e.g. attaching the lower mounting plate 1 to a base 8, and the upper mounting plate to e.g. a triangular girder pole.
  • Figure 6 shows a circular mounting plate 1 or 2, with a squared opening 14.
  • the restrictions to the geometrical design of the mounting plates are minor, as long as there are internal and/or external slots 5 which can be used as attachment points for the tension elements 4.
  • the two recesses or internal corners or recesses 5 used for a tension element 4 should mainly have the same direction of the opening angle.
  • the connection device can be arranged inside a pole with a circular section and the dimension of the circumference 17 of the plate to weld the pole to the circumference or on the upper side of the plate.
  • the mounting plate 1 , 2 can be attached to the pole 9 or the base 8 with e.g. four bolts 15 with washers and nuts engaged through openings 16 in the mounting plates 1, 2.
  • the mounting plates may have multiple openings 16 which may be used for other purposes or other equipment or for attaching a anchoring device, which may be of interest for energy absorbing poles.
  • FIG 7 shows the embodiment of Figure 4, but with an additional anchoring device according to claim 12.
  • the anchoring device consists of a chain with one link, realized by two half links 18, 19.
  • the two half links 18, 19 are catching each other and provided with threaded ends. They are attached to the mounting plates 1 , 2 respectively through openings 16 with e.g. nuts 20 and washers 21 , alternatively by welding.
  • the anchoring device Upon a collision occuring the anchoring device does not influence the connecting device before it has lost its bending stiffness and is primarily intended for energy absorbing structures.
  • the pressure elements 3 are tensioned by the tension elements 4.
  • the rigidity may thus be increased without increasing the strength. This separates the strength and rigidity properties from the properties upon unintended collision occurring.
  • the connecting device Upon a collision of a vehicle with the carrying structure the function is as follows: • The connecting device will disintegrate upon a predetermined size of the shear force at the connecting device being exceeded.
  • the connecting device provides a substantially moment free link provided that the anchoring device is arranged according to claim 12.
  • the connecting device has an integrated anchoring device
  • the energy absorption will mainly be effected through deformation work of the pole, said connecting device being active to provide rotation and displacement of the foot to remain as intended at collision. This will depend on class (HE, LE) and the pole properties.
  • the anchoring device By excluding the anchoring device, the opportunity to absorb large energies in the pole and the connecting device provides a NE-system (non energy absorbing).
  • the function of the connecting device may be selected by changing minor details in the embodiment.
  • the embodiment of the connecting device may be altered by combining the different elements so they are joined with relatively great independence.
  • the connecting device has a distance between the mounting plates 1 , 2. This distance should be chosen up to half the diameter of the upper mounting plate to provide an optimal result as a moment free link for energy absorbing systems.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
  • Devices Affording Protection Of Roads Or Walls For Sound Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de connexion flexible pour poteaux sur des routes, l'extrémité supérieure d'une base (8) et l'extrémité inférieure d'un poteau (9) portant chacune une plaque de montage (1, 2) ou étant chacune intégrée à celle-ci. Les plaques de montage sont connectées avec au moins un élément de pression (3) qui maintient les plaques de montage à une distance prédéterminée, et au moins un élément de tension (4) qui vient s'appuyer contre les plaques de montage pour exercer une pression préalable axiale sur l'élément de pression pour maintenir les plaques de montage ensemble. L'élément de pression (3) est un élément allongé ayant une surface de contact étroite par rapport à la surface totale de l'élément allongé, sur chaque plaque de montage, pour procurer un effet de surhaussement selon un mouvement latéral relatif des plaques de montage. Le dispositif de connexion est mis en œuvre, en cas de collision contre le poteau (9) par un véhicule, pour réaliser un déplacement latéral relatif des plaques de montage pour donner lieu à une désintégration du dispositif de connexion. Les éléments de tension (4) sont arrangés dans des évidements (5) ou des angles intérieurs des plaques de montage.
EP07709201A 2006-01-23 2007-01-19 Connecteur flexible pour poteaux et montants Withdrawn EP1994228A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20060336A NO324580B1 (no) 2006-01-23 2006-01-23 Ettergivende forbindelsesanordninger for mast og baerestruktur
PCT/NO2007/000018 WO2007084009A1 (fr) 2006-01-23 2007-01-19 Connecteur flexible pour poteaux et montants

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1994228A1 true EP1994228A1 (fr) 2008-11-26

Family

ID=38287872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07709201A Withdrawn EP1994228A1 (fr) 2006-01-23 2007-01-19 Connecteur flexible pour poteaux et montants

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1994228A1 (fr)
NO (1) NO324580B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007084009A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2497859B1 (fr) * 2011-03-09 2016-03-09 Dekont Teknik AB Agencement déformable
NO339575B1 (no) * 2015-06-08 2017-01-09 Ferrozink Trondheim As Sammenstilling for justerbar festing av stolpe, bjelke eller lignende til fundament.
FR3041366A1 (fr) * 2015-09-17 2017-03-24 Signaux Girod Support de poteau de signalisation a securite passive
NO343828B1 (en) * 2016-06-14 2019-06-17 K Manger Konsulenttjenester As An adjustment device for a post foundation that shall be inserted into the ground, method for adjusting the position of a post connected to an adjustment device, and the use of said adjustment device.
US10526758B1 (en) * 2018-09-05 2020-01-07 Gregory Enterprises, Inc. Helical pile foundation system
WO2022109400A1 (fr) 2020-11-23 2022-05-27 Cupp Jr Mickey Duane Ensemble de support de mise de niveau de poteau de clôture, et système et procédé d'utilisation de celui-ci

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA973677A (en) * 1973-01-25 1975-09-02 John Shewchuk Coupling for break away pole bases
US4269384A (en) * 1979-05-07 1981-05-26 Daf Indal Ltd. Collapsible structures employing frangible connections
CA1245827A (fr) * 1985-05-14 1988-12-06 John Shewchuk Accouplement frangible pour socle de poteaux
US4926592A (en) * 1989-02-10 1990-05-22 Unistrut International Corp. Breakaway sign post coupling
US6540196B1 (en) * 2002-02-06 2003-04-01 Western Highway Products, Inc. Break away support structure coupling

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007084009A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO324580B1 (no) 2007-11-26
WO2007084009A1 (fr) 2007-07-26
NO20060336L (no) 2007-07-24

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