EP2354313B1

EP2354313B1 - Fixing system for posts for vertical traffic sign elements and the like

Info

Publication number: EP2354313B1
Application number: EP10382017.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eduardo San Miguel Garcia
Original assignee: Ebro-Same Sl
Current assignee: Ebro-Same Sl
Priority date: 2010-02-01
Filing date: 2010-02-01
Publication date: 2015-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-01
Also published as: PT2354313E; EP2354313A1; ES2546978T3

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention is comprised in the technical field of vertical traffic signs and, particularly, in the sector of vertical sign elements comprising posts anchored in the ground such as regulation traffic, hazard, informatory, and construction signs, indicative markers and bollards which are arranged in streets, roads, highways, expressways, airport runways, and the like.

Background of the Invention

Vertical sign elements comprising posts anchored in the ground such as regulation traffic, hazard, informatory, and construction signs, indicative markers and bollards are indispensable elements for traffic safety in streets, roads, highways, expressways, airport takeoff and landing runways, and the like. They are arranged in large numbers and, since they are close to cars, motorcycles and trucks in the case of road traffic and close to aircraft in the case of airport runways, they are exposed to such vehicles hitting them with more or less force, whereby the posts bend or even break altogether rather frequently. For this reason, the posts and their anchors, due to their large number existing and the great frequency with which they experience impacts, must be cost-effective both in terms of their manufacture and in terms of their maintenance costs, both at the level of first installation and when the posts which are damaged must be replaced with new ones. On the other hand, the structure of such posts, including their anchor in the ground, must have a balance between sufficient solidity so as to resist strong gusts of wind, acts of vandalism and impacts of a lesser degree, and sufficient weakness so as to give way or bend after a certain impact force in order to prevent damage to vehicles and, in the case of the motorcycles, also to motorcyclists who are especially exposed to experiencing injuries.
A large number of posts and post anchors with the intention of achieving the qualities mentioned above are known. Patent documents EP-A-1676960 , EP-A-1911912 , JP-A-20011132272 , JP-A-2006022495 , JP-A-2007297897 JP-A-2009007142 , JP-A-2009068235 , US-A-5400997 , US-A-5625988 , US-A-5848502 and WO-A-00/39402 and many others describe anchors for posts comprising a base element which is anchored in the ground provided with an inner housing in which the lower end part of the post is immobilized by means of bars, wedges, or other elements which are arranged in the base element. The patent document GB-A-2272717 describes a bollard which threaded onto a bolt emerging from a base element and document FR-A-2893957 describes a fixing system comprising an O-shaped profile screwed to a piece of concrete arranged in the ground, in which the post for a traffic sign is screwed. On the other hand, in order to allow posts to give way to insignificant impacts, posts or anchors for posts have been designed comprising pivoting elements such as springs or flexible inserts, such as those described, for example, in patent documents DE-A-102008045788 , FR-A-2641557 , FR-A-1388584 , FR-A-2836166 , JP-A-6220815 , JP-A-6173226 , JP-A-2004/332284 , JP-A-2003106011 , WO-A-99/49140 , WO-A-2006/070788 and WO-A-2007/125137 .
Other patent documents, such as documents FR-A-2914329 , GB-2431955 , US-A-4133125 , US-A-5125194 and US-A-6516573 , for example, describe posts with controlled break areas by means of weakened areas or special attachments.
DE202006008338U discloses a fixing system for posts for vertical traffic sign elements and the like with the features of the preamble of claim 1.
The fixing systems or anchors described in these documents do not combine a simple and cost-effective structure with a firm anchor of the post in the ground and with an easy assembly of the post.

Description of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art indicated above by means of a fixing system according to claim 1 for posts for vertical traffic sign elements and the like comprising an anchoring part which, in the assembly position for assembling the system, is inserted in a concrete block arranged in the ground, the anchoring part comprising a vertical axial cavity an upper end from which there emerges a perimetric rim resting on the surface of the ground, fixing means for fixing a post to the anchoring part immobilization means for immobilizing the fixing means in the anchoring part, a flange element with a lower plate that can be screwed to the perimetric rim of the anchoring part and a clamp comprising an attachment part and two clamping arms.
Besides assuring a secure fixing of the post, this system also allows a first easy and rapid installation of the traffic sign as well as a rapid and easy replacement of a damaged traffic sign with a new one.
In order to install the traffic sign, the lower end part of the post must simply be inserted through the clamping hole and the through hole in the lower plate of the flange element, in the vertical axial cavity of the anchoring element and the clamp arms tightened. On the other hand, to uninstall the traffic sign, the clamp arms must simply be loosened and the post extracted.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a plurality of anchoring bolts comprising respective lower parts immobilized in the perimetric rim of the anchoring part and respective threaded upper parts protruding vertically from the perimetric rim of the anchoring part and traversing respective upper assembly holes in the lower plate of the flange element. An anchoring nut is screwed on the upper part of each bolt. The lower parts of the bolts can be integral with the perimetric rim, or they can penetrate through respective lower assembly holes in the perimetric rim and comprise thickened portions, such as heads of screws, for example, having dimensions that are greater than those lower assembly holes. According to this first embodiment, the anchoring part provided with the bolts can first be introduced in the concrete before setting and after screwing the flange element to the bolts. Alternatively, it is also possible to screw the flange element to the anchoring part, introduce the post through the flange element in the axial cavity of the anchoring part, tighten the clamping screw of the flange element, positioning the assembly thus formed in a hole in the ground and finally pour concrete filling in the hole such that once the concrete is set, it fixes the assembly in the ground. It is also possible to first position the anchoring part in a hole in the ground, pour concrete filling in the hole, wait until the concrete sets and the concrete block is formed, screw the flange element to the anchoring part, introduce the post through the flange element in the axial cavity of the anchoring part, and tighten the clamp by means of the clamping screw for immobilizing the post.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the lower plate of the flange element has a plurality of upper assembly holes and the perimetric rim of the anchoring part has a plurality of lower assembly holes for the passage of respective anchoring screws anchoring the flange element and the perimetric rim to the concrete block, for example by means of respective shims introduced in the concrete block before setting or in bore holes made in the set concrete block, to then screw the flange element together with the perimetric rim to the concrete block.
According to a third embodiment of the invention, the system can comprise a plurality of anchoring bolts which respectively comprise a threaded lower part immobilized in the concrete block and a threaded upper part emerging vertically through respective lower assembly holes in the perimetric rim of the anchoring part and through respective upper assembly holes in the lower plate of the flange element. As in the first embodiment described above, an anchoring nut is screwed on the threaded upper part of each bolt. According to this third embodiment, the lower parts of the bolts can be immobilized in the concrete block by means of respective shims introduced in the concrete block before setting or in bore holes made in the set concrete block such that the flange element is screwed together with the perimetric rim to the concrete block.
These embodiments allow, on one hand, an easy and rapid first assembly of the anchoring element and of the flange element and, on the other hand, an easy and fast disassembly in the event that these elements are damaged at some point in time. To strengthen the anchor of the anchoring part in the concrete block when the concrete is setting, when the anchoring part is initially positioned in a hole in the ground in concrete that has not set, it can be provided with radial anchoring elements protruding radially from its body intended for increasing the contact surface between the concrete and the anchoring part, such as pins, ribs, projections, grooving.
When the cross section of the section of the post which is housed in the anchoring part and which is bound by the flange element has a quadrangular section, the lower through hole of the lower plate and the tightening passage have quadrangular cross sections. On the other hand, when the cross section of the section of the post which is housed in the anchoring part and which is bound by the flange element has a circular section, the lower through hole of the lower plate and the tightening passage have circular cross sections. In order to make the correct positioning of the post easier, the bottom of the vertical axial cavity of the anchoring element can be provided with a centering element, such as, for example, a centering cone sized to enter in a hollow of the post or a cavity with inverse frustoconical walls complementary to the shape of the lower end of the post.
According to the invention, the post is provided with a weakened area in a lower end part of the post.
This weakened area can comprise, for example, at least one groove, and is arranged such that when the lower end part is inserted in the inner cavity of the anchoring element, it is surrounded by the attachment part of the flange element and/or located in a section immediately above the attachment part of the flange element. This position of the weakened area has the advantages that it is concealed and that the loss of the mechanical strength of the post is compensated to a certain extent by its mechanical connection with the flange element.
It is inferred from the foregoing description that the present invention achieves the object defined above in a simple, cost-effective and reliable manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described below based on several drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a general schematic exploded perspective view showing a traffic sign and the basic components of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a general schematic perspective view showing the traffic sign fixed by means of the embodiment of the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the fixing system according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the traffic sign fixed by means of the embodiment of the system shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a schematic side elevational view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a schematic cross section view along line A-A of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the flange element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the flange element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 11 is a schematic top plan view of the flange element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 12 is a schematic front view of the flange element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the fixing system according to the present invention;
Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the traffic sign fixed by means of the embodiment of the system shown in Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a schematic top plan view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 17 is a schematic side elevational view of the lower anchoring element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 18 is a schematic cross section view along line B-B of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of the flange element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 20 is a schematic side view of the flange element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 21 is a schematic top plan view of the flange element shown in Figure 13;
Figure 22 is a schematic front view of the flange element shown in Figure 13.

Reference numbers identifying the following elements can be seen in these drawings:

1: anchoring part
1a: vertical axial cavity
1b: upper end
1c: perimetric rim
2: concrete block
3: ground
3a: surface of the ground
4: post
4a: lower end part
4b: weakened area
5: traffic sign
6: flange element
6a: lower plate
6b: clamp
6c: attachment part
6d, 6e: clamping arms
6f: lower through hole
6g: tightening passage
7: clamping screw
8: anchoring bolts
8a: lower part of the anchoring bolt
8b: threaded upper part of the anchoring bolt
8c: lower assembly holes
8d: upper assembly holes
8e: anchoring nuts
9: centering projection

Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1 and 2 show a traffic sign -5- fixed to the upper part of a hollow post -4- the lower end part -4a- of which comprises a section which is provided with a weakening groove -4b- and the basic components of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention. The weakening groove -4b- is arranged such that when the lower end part -4a- is inserted in the inner cavity of the anchoring element, it is located between the lower plate and the attachment part of the flange element and/or surrounded by the attachment part of the flange element -6- and/or in a section immediately above the attachment part -6c- of the flange element -6-. This position of the weakened area -4b- has the advantages that it is concealed and that the loss of the mechanical strength of the post -4- is compensated to a certain extent by its mechanical connection with the flange element -6-.
As can be seen, the fixing system comprises an anchoring part -1-which, in the assembly position of the system, is inserted in a concrete block -2-arranged in the ground -3-. The anchoring part -1- comprises a vertical axial cavity -1a- for housing a lower end part -4a- of a post -4- of the traffic sign -5-and an upper perimetric rim -1 c- resting on the surface -3a- of the ground -3-. The vertical axial cavity -1a- has a cross section complementary to the cross section of the lower end part -4a- of the post -4-. The system furthermore comprises a flange element -6- anchored in the perimetric rim -1c- of the anchoring part -1- which immobilizes the post -4- in the vertical axial cavity -1a-of the anchoring part -1-.
In the first preferred embodiment of the fixing system shown in Figures 3 to 12, it can be seen that the flange element -6- comprises a lower plate -6a-that can be screwed to the perimetric rim -1c- of the anchoring part -1- and a clamp -6b- comprising an attachment part -6c- integral with the lower plate -6a-as well as two clamping arms -6d, 6e- projecting towards one another from the attachment part -6c- which can be tightened by means of a clamping screw -7-.
The lower plate -6a- has a lower through hole -6f- of circular cross section that can surround a section of the lower end part -4a- of the post -4-also of circular cross section. There is also defined between the clamping arms -6d, 6e- a tightening passage -6g-, also of circular cross section, in which the post -4- is bound when the clamping screw -7- is tightened. The lower through hole -6f- and the tightening passage -6g- have respective cross sections complementary to outer cross sections of respective sections of the post -4-that they surround when the post -4- is inserted in the vertical axial cavity -1a-of the anchoring part -1-.
As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing system shown therein also comprises a plurality of anchoring bolts -8- comprising respective lower parts (8a) immobilized in the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part and respective threaded upper parts -8b- protruding vertically through respective lower assembly holes -8c- in the perimetric rim -1c- of the anchoring part -1- and through respective upper assembly holes -8d- in the lower plate -6a- of the flange element -6-. The perimetric rim -1 c- of the anchoring part -1- and the flange element -6- can thus be attached to one another by tightening respective anchoring nuts -8e- screwed on the threaded upper part -8b- of each bolt -8-.
To assemble the traffic sign -5- with the post -4-, it can first be introduced in the anchoring part -1- provided with the bolts -8- in the concrete block -2- that has not set and after the setting by screwing the flange element -6- to the bolts -8-. Alternatively, it is also possible to screw the flange element -6- to the anchoring part -1-, introduce the post -4- through the flange element -6- in the axial cavity -1a- of the anchoring part -1-, tighten the clamp -6b- by means of the clamping screw -7-, position the assembly thus formed in a hole in the ground -3- and finally pour concrete filling in the hole such that once the concrete is set as a block -2-, it fixes the assembly in the ground -3-. It is also possible to first position the anchoring part -1- in a hole in the ground -3-, pour concrete filling in the hole, wait until the concrete sets and the concrete block -2- is formed, screw the flange element -6- to the anchoring part -1-, introduce the post -4- through the flange element -6- in the axial cavity -1a- of the anchoring part -1-, tighten the clamp -6b- by means of the clamping screw -7-.
To aid in correctly inserting the lower end part -4a- of the post -4- in the vertical axial cavity -1 a- of the anchoring part -1-, the bottom of the vertical axial cavity -1 a- is provided with a centering cone -9- which enters in a lower part in the inner hollow in the lower end part -4a- of the post -4-.
The second preferred embodiment of the system which is shown in Figures 13 to 22 basically differs from the first preferred embodiment described above in that it is adapted to a hollow post -4- of quadrangular cross section such that the respective cross sections of the vertical axial cavity -1a- of the anchoring part -1-, of the lower through hole -6f- in the lower plate and of the tightening passage -6g- of the flange element -6- are, logically, also quadrangular. Therefore the reference numbers seen in Figures 13 to 22 identify the same elements as those explained above in reference to Figures 2 to 12.
To strengthen the anchor of the anchoring part -1- in the concrete block -2- when the concrete is setting, the anchoring part -1- can be provided with anchoring elements (not shown in the drawings) protruding radially from its body intended for increasing the contact surface between the concrete and the anchoring part -1-, such as pins, ribs, projections, grooving or the like.

Claims

Fixing system for vertical traffic sign elements and the like comprising a post (4) for a traffic sign (5); the fixing system further comprising an anchoring part (1) which, in the assembly position of the system, is inserted in a concrete block (2) arranged in the ground (3),
the anchoring part (1) comprising a vertical axial cavity (1a) and an upper end (1b) from which there protrudes a perimetric rim (1c) resting on the surface (3a) of the ground (3),
fixing means for fixing the post (4) to the anchoring part (1) and immobilization means for immobilizing the fixing means in the anchoring part (1),
the fixing means being a flange element (6) with a lower plate (6a) that can be screwed to the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part (1) and a clamp (6b) comprising an attachment part (6c) and two clamping arms (6d, 6e),
the vertical axial cavity (1a) has a cross section complementary to the cross section of the lower end part (4a) of the post (4) for housing the lower end part (4a) of the post (4) of a traffic sign (5) fixed in the vertical axial cavity (1a) by the fixing means,
the attachment part (6c) is integral with the lower plate (6a),
the clamping arms (6d, 6e) extend overhanging from the attachment part (6c) towards one another from the attachment part (6c),
the lower plate (6a) has a lower through hole (6f) that can surround a section of the lower end part (4a) of the post (4) and there being defined between said clamping arms (6d, 6e) a tightening passage (6g) in which the post (4) is bound when a clamping screw (7) is tightened,
the lower through hole (6f) and said tightening passage (6g) having respective cross sections complementary to outer cross sections of respective sections of the post (4) that they surround when the lower end part (4a) of the post (4) is inserted in the vertical axial cavity (1a) of the anchoring part (1),
characterized in that said post comprises a weakened area, and in that the attachment part (6c) is located, when the lower end part (4a) of the post (4) is inserted in the inner cavity (1a) of the anchoring element (1), in a position corresponding to the weakened area (4b) in the lower end part (4a) of the post (4), the position of said weakened area (4b) being selected from a position where the weakened area (4b) is surrounded by the attachment part (6c) of the flange element (6), and a position where the weakened area (4b) is located in a section immediately above the attachment part (6c) of the flange element (6).
Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of anchoring bolts (8) comprising respective lower parts (8a) immobilized in the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part (1) and respective threaded upper parts (8b) emerging vertically from the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part (1) through respective upper assembly holes (8d) in the lower plate (6a) of the flange element (6), screwing an anchoring nut (8e) on said upper part (8b) of each bolt (8).
Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower plate (6a) of the flange element (6) has a plurality of upper assembly holes (8d) and the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part has a plurality of lower assembly holes (8c) for the passage of respective anchoring screws anchoring the flange element (6) and the perimetric rim (1 c) to the concrete block (2).
Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of anchoring bolts (8) comprising respective lower parts (8a) immobilized in the concrete block (2) and respective threaded upper parts (8b) protruding vertically through respective lower assembly holes (8c) in the perimetric rim (1c) of the anchoring part (1) and through respective upper assembly holes (8d) in the lower plate (6a) of the flange element (6), screwing an anchoring nut (8e) on said threaded upper part (8b) of each bolt (8).
Fixing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower through hole (6f) and said tightening passage (6g) have quadrangular cross sections.
Fixing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower through hole (6f) and said tightening passage (6g) have circular cross sections.
Fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weakened area (4b) comprises at least one groove.