EP2500509A2

EP2500509A2 - Anchoring assembly and gate comprising such an assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2500509A2
Application number: EP12152869A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Rudolf Ruigrok
Original assignee: CRH Fencing and Security Group BV
Current assignee: HERAS B.V.
Priority date: 2011-01-28
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2012-09-19
Also published as: NL2006088C2; EP2500509A3

Abstract

Anchoring assembly for anchoring at least one tensioning wire which runs through or along a profile for tensioning, comprising: a tension transmitting part for transmitting a tension in the tensioning wire to the profile; at least one conical sleeve connected to the tension transmitting part, through which conical sleeve a tensioning wire can be passed in each case; for each conical sleeve a wedge through which the tensioning wire can be passed, the wedge being adapted to be received in the conical sleeve in order to clamp the tensioning wire; and a safety cover adapted for connection to the conical sleeve and/or to the tension transmitting part over an outer end of the tensioning wire extending through the conical sleeve for the purpose of transmitting a force exerted on the safety cover by the tensioning wire to the tension transmitting part.

Description

The present invention relates to an anchoring assembly for anchoring a tensioning wire, cable or rod which runs freely through or along a profile for the purpose of tensioning this profile, and particularly for tensioning a tensioning wire, cable or rod at an end of a horizontal beam of a gate. The invention also relates to a gate, in particular a sliding gate, comprising such an anchoring assembly.
The term tensioning wire will be used below to refer generally to an elongate tensionable means such as a tensioning wire, cable or rod, and the skilled person will thus appreciate that in the context of the present application the term tensioning wire must be given a functional interpretation.
NL 8302007 describes a gate (sliding gate or swing gate) with a horizontal beam and a number of vertical bars. The horizontal beam is a tubular profile provided with a series of holes for receiving the vertical bars. Provided in the tubular profile is a tensioning wire or tensioning rod carried through transverse holes of the bars. Additional tensioning wires or rods are typically further provided in order to contribute toward the stiffness of the beam. One end of each tensioning wire is provided with a head part which is fixed to one end of the tubular profile. The other end of the tensioning wire is provided with tensioning means supporting on an end part mounted in the other end of the tubular profile. The gate is tensioned by the tensioning wire with tensioning means to the extent that the gate no longer "sags". In the case of a sliding gate this is the basis for light running of the gate. In the existing systems there is a risk of danger in the case the wire snaps or breaks loose, since this wire will then typically shoot out of the gate.
The present invention has for its object to provide an anchoring assembly of the type stated in the preamble which is safer than the prior art assemblies and which reduces the risk of accidents resulting from breaking of a tensioning wire.
The invention provides for this purpose an anchoring assembly of the type stated in the preamble which comprises a tension transmitting part for transmitting a tension in the tensioning wire to the horizontal beam, at least one conical sleeve connected to the tension transmitting part, a wedge for each conical sleeve, and a safety cover. A tensioning wire can be passed through each conical sleeve and clamped by the wedge which can be received in the conical sleeve. The safety cover is adapted for fastening to the conical sleeve and/or to the tension transmitting part over an outer end of the tensioning wire extending through the conical sleeve.
If a tensioning wire in the profile were to break, the elastic energy of the wire will be absorbed by deformation of the tension transmitting part, wherein the connection between the conical sleeve and the tension transmitting part on the one hand and the fastening of the safety cover round the conical sleeve and/or to the tension transmitting part on the other will ensure that the wire does not shoot out of the profile. The invention can be used particularly to tension a horizontal beam of a gate, but can equally well be used in profiles of other constructions, such as road signs above motorways, and more generally in any construction where a profile must be tensioned in safe manner using at least one tensioning wire running freely through or along the profile for tensioning thereof.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the safety cover is adapted to make contact with the outer end of the tensioning wire extending through the conical sleeve. Note that the invention also works in the case there is a small distance between the safety cover and the outer end of the tensioning wire. After all, a wire which snaps will in this case also be unable to develop sufficient speed to break the connection between the safety cover on the one hand and the conical sleeve or the tension transmitting part on the other.
According to a preferred embodiment, the safety cover is provided with an internal screw thread and the conical sleeve is provided with a complementary external screw thread. The safety cover can in this way be screwed onto the conical sleeve. The skilled person will however appreciate that other techniques can also allow a firm attachment and that such fastening techniques also fall within the scope of the invention. A safety cover could for instance also be provided in the form of a plate which fits over the outer end of the tensioning wire and can be fastened by bolts to the tension transmitting part. In the case of a plurality of tensioning wires this plate could also fit over the outer ends of the different tensioning wires, so providing as it were one safety cover for the plurality of tensioning wires.
The tension transmitting part is typically intended for placing against an end of a profile, and preferably comprises a substantially vertical middle leg dimensioned to extend as far as the lower edge of the profile and a substantially horizontal portion connected thereto and dimensioned to extend to the two side edges. An elastic tension in the wire can in this way be properly transmitted to the beam. According to a possible advantageous embodiment, the tension transmitting part has substantially the form of a T. The horizontal portion is preferably provided with a first end part with a first hole for passage of a first tensioning wire and with a second end part with a second hole for passage of a second tensioning wire, wherein a first conical sleeve is provided on the first end part and a second conical sleeve on the second end part. Although this is an advantageous construction, the skilled person will appreciate that other constructions with one tensioning wire or with more than two tensioning wires can be envisaged which also fall within the scope of the invention. The anchoring assembly can thus be intended for placing against an open end of a profile, wherein the tension transmitting part is adapted to substantially wholly cover the open end.
According to a preferred embodiment, the or each wedge is a multipart wedge, for instance a two-part or three-part wedge. This has the advantage that the wedge does not have to be pushed over the wire, but can be arranged around the wire close to the desired location, thereby avoiding "scraping" along the wire and "filling" of the wedge.
According to a preferred embodiment, the or each conical sleeve has a first and a second end and a passage for a tensioning wire between the first and second ends, wherein the or each conical sleeve is provided at its first end with screw thread; and the tension transmitting part is provided in each case with a hole with a complementary screw thread. The conical sleeve can in this way be easily fastened with screws to the tension transmitting part. The skilled person will appreciate that other connecting techniques are possible and that the at least one conical sleeve and the tension transmitting part can also be manufactured integrally. The conical sleeve preferably has a conical inner wall between the first and the second ends, the diameter of which decreases from the second end in the direction of the first end. The present invention further relates to a gate with a horizontal beam and a number of vertical bars, wherein the horizontal beam is a tubular profile through which runs at least one tensioning wire. The gate is distinguished in that an anchoring assembly according to any of the above described embodiments is mounted against an end of the horizontal beam.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the gate, the horizontal beam is provided along its length with a first and a second guide channel for a first and a second tensioning wire. The first and second tensioning wires are preferably arranged close to the upper wall and close to respectively a first and second side wall of the horizontal beam. The horizontal beam can be provided with a series of holes for receiving the vertical bars and in the tubular profile an additional tensioning wire can be provided which is carried through transverse holes of the bars.
According to an advantageous embodiment particularly suitable for long gates, the horizontal beam is assembled from a plurality of mutually connecting tubular profiles. In the case the horizontal beam is a lower horizontal beam and the gate further comprises an upper horizontal beam, both the lower and the upper longitudinal beams can each be assembled from a plurality of mutually connecting tubular profiles. Each tubular profile is then preferably aligned relative to an adjacent tubular profile using a plurality of centering pins extending in longitudinal direction of the tubular profile. Such a centering pin is intended to protrude partially into a first tubular profile and partially into an adjacent second tubular profile. The at least one tensioning wire extends through the plurality of adjacent tubular profiles and clamps the plurality of profiles against each other. Each centering pin preferably comprises a first part with a first diameter and a second part with a second, larger diameter, wherein the second diameter is such that the second part can be fixed clampingly in an opening of a tubular profile, while the first part can be received smoothly in a similar opening in an adjacent tubular profile.
The invention further relates to a centering pin for use in a gate as described above.
The invention also relates to a gate comprising a horizontal beam and a number of vertical bars or connecting means, wherein the horizontal beam is a tubular profile through which runs at least one tensioning wire, wherein an anchoring assembly is mounted against an end of the horizontal beam; wherein the horizontal beam is assembled from a plurality of mutually connecting tubular profiles; and wherein each tubular profile is aligned relative to an adjacent tubular profile using a plurality of centering pins, wherein each centering pin protrudes partially into a first tubular profile and partially into an adjacent, second tubular profile of the plurality of tubular profiles, and wherein the at least one tensioning wire clamps the plurality of profiles against each other.
According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a gate comprising a horizontal beam through which at least one tensioning wire preferably runs for the purpose of tensioning the horizontal beam, wherein the horizontal beam is assembled from two or more mutually connecting tubular profiles of a substantially constant cross-section; and wherein a strengthening assembly is provided close to mutually connecting outer ends of a first and a second adjacent tubular profile. The strengthening assembly comprises a first coupling piece and a second coupling piece, which in the mounted position are coupled to each other by means of a spacer part. The first coupling piece has a cross-section substantially complementary to the cross-section of a first part of the tubular profile such that it is slidably receivable in the first part of the tubular profile. In similar manner the second coupling piece has a cross-section substantially complementary to the cross-section of a second part of the tubular profile such that it is slidably receivable in the second part of the tubular profile. The first and second coupling pieces can in this way be partially inserted into an outer end of a first tubular profile and partially into an adjacent outer end of a second tubular profile, wherein the spacer part couples the first and second coupling pieces to each other. Each tubular profile can further be aligned relative to an adjacent tubular profile using a plurality of centering pins, wherein each centering pin protrudes partially into a first tubular profile and partially into an adjacent second tubular profile of the plurality of tubular profiles. The strengthening profile ensures that, even in the case of heavy torsional forces on the connection between the tubular profiles, bending and/for cracking of internal ribs or channels for receiving the centering pins are avoided.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the first and/or the second coupling piece are embodied as a tube with a first open end and a second open end, the first and second open ends being adapted to co-act with respective first and second opposite side walls of a tubular profile, this such that the first and second coupling pieces can be received by sliding in an outer end of a tubular profile and are held fixedly therein as a result of the complementary shaping of at least a part of the peripheral edge of the first and second open ends and the shaping of the first and second side walls. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the edges of the open ends can be easily cut in the desired shape, for instance by laser cutting.
According to an advantageous embodiment, each tubular profile of the horizontal beam is provided on its inner wall with a number of protruding continuous ribs or channels, and each coupling piece is provided on its outer wall with recesses having a shape complementary to that of the ribs or channels.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the spacer part is a rod, for instance a threaded rod which protrudes in the mounted position through an opening in the first coupling piece and through an opening in the second coupling piece, and is secured using a first nut which supports against an outer wall of the first coupling piece and a second nut which supports against an outer wall of the second coupling piece.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the first and/or the second coupling piece are provided with threaded bores for receiving screws for fixing the strengthening profile in the first and second mutually connecting tubular profiles.
The invention also relates to the strengthening assembly itself for use in a gate or in a similar application wherein a plurality of horizontal tubular profiles are connected to each other.
The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a number of non-limitative exemplary embodiment of an anchoring assembly and gate according to the invention with reference to the accompanying Drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of a first embodiment of a gate according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anchoring assembly at the end of a horizontal beam of a gate;
Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the anchoring assembly of figure 2 in the mounted position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a gate according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an anchoring assembly at the end of a horizontal beam of a gate;
Figure 6 is a cut-away perspective view of the gate of figure 4 by way of illustration of the multipart upper and lower beams;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an end of a tubular profile of the upper horizontal beam of the gate of figure 6 in which centering pins are received;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an end of a tubular profile of the lower horizontal beam of the gate of figure 6 in which centering pins are received;
Figure 9 shows a cross-section through a centering pin;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of an end of a tubular profile of the lower horizontal beam of the gate of figure 6 in which an embodiment of a strengthening assembly according to the invention is also used in addition to centering pins;
Figure 11 is a perspective detail view of the strengthening assembly of the embodiment of figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a longitudinal section through two mutually connecting tubular profiles in which an embodiment of a strengthening assembly according to the invention is received; and
Figure 13 is a view along line XIII-XIII of figure 12.

Figure 1 illustrates a possible embodiment of a gate, here a sliding gate 1, according to the invention. Note that the invention can also be applied to other types of gate, such as swing gates. Sliding gate 1 is provided with a lower horizontal beam 2 and an upper horizontal beam 3. Note that it is also possible to provide only one horizontal beam, which is then typically mounted somewhat higher than the lower beam in the embodiment of figure 1. The lower and upper horizontal beams 2, 3 are each provided with a number of holes for mounting vertical bars 4 therein. In the shown embodiment a large number of bars 4 are provided at a mutual pitch distance which is relatively small. According to another possible embodiment, the bars are at a greater distance from each other and sheet filling, for instance sheet filling with perforations, is provided between the bars.
Provided in the lower horizontal beam 2 are a number of tensioning wires or rods for tensioning the horizontal beam 2 such that sagging remains limited. These tensioning wires are arranged between a first outer end 21 and a second outer end 22. After tensioning, tensioning wires 5, 6 are anchored by means of an anchoring assembly 10 according to the invention, an embodiment of which is shown in figure 2.
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of an anchoring assembly 10 for anchoring two tensioned tensioning wires 5, 6 at an outer end 21, 22 of a horizontal beam 2. Assembly 10 comprises a tension transmitting part 11 for transmitting a tension in the tensioning wire to beam 2. The tension transmitting part 11 here has substantially the form of a T, although another form such as an I-shape is also possible to the extent the part is able to transmit tensions in a tensioning wire to beam 2. The tension transmitting part 11 comprises a substantially vertical middle leg 15, which is dimensioned to extend as far as a lower edge 24 of beam 2, and a substantially horizontal portion 16 which is connected thereto and dimensioned to extend to side edges 25, 26 of beam 2. The horizontal portion 16 is provided with a first end part 17 with a first hole for passage of the first tensioning wire 5 and with a second end part 17' with a second hole for passage of the second tensioning wire 6. A first conical sleeve 12 is provided on first end part 17 and a second conical sleeve 12' is provided on second end part 17'.
Each conical sleeve 12, 12' is connected to the tension transmitting part and is provided with a passage for a tensioning wire 5, 6. Conical sleeve 12, 12' is provided at a first end with screw thread 31, see figure 3, and the tension transmitting part is provided with a hole 32 with a complementary screw thread. Each conical sleeve 12, 12' can in this way be fixed firmly in the T-piece 11. The skilled person will appreciate that it is also possible to fix the conical sleeve in other manner against the T-piece. According to yet another variant, T-piece 11 and conical sleeves 12, 12' could be formed as one integral part. The conical sleeve has a conical inner wall having a diameter which increases between first end 33 and a second end 34.
A two-part wedge 13, 13' is provided for each conical sleeve 12, 12'. Wedge 13, 13' is adapted and dimensioned to be received in conical sleeve 12, 12' for the purpose of clamping tensioning wire 5, 6. Further provided for each conical sleeve 12, 12' is a safety cover 14, 14' which is adapted to be firmly attached to conical sleeve 12, 12' over an outer end of tensioning wire 5, 6 protruding through conical sleeve 12, 12'. The safety cover or cap can for this purpose be provided with an internal screw thread 35 which can co-act with a complementary screw thread on the outer jacket of conical sleeve 12, 12'. After fitting it is advantageous for the safety cover 14, 14' to make contact with the outer end of tensioning wire 5, 6 protruding through conical sleeve 12, 12'. The tensioning wire is typically cut such that it protrudes a number of millimetres, for instance 2-5 mm, out of the conical sleeve, after which the cap 14, 14' is screwed onto sleeve 12, 12' until it makes contact with the outer end of tensioning wire 5, 6.
After mounting of the anchoring assembly 10 an end cover 8 can be attached against the open end of horizontal beam 2. This end cover 8 is adapted to fit over the anchoring assembly and is provided with a recess 9 in which an upright 7 (see figures 1 and 2) can be fixed.
The middle leg 15 is further provided with two holes in which a clamping part 18, 18' is clamped in each case with a cage nut 19, 19' for the purpose of fixing end cover 8, see bolts 27 which protrude through upright 7 and end cover 8. Further provided is a hole 20 which is intended for securing an additional threading wire protruding through bars 4.
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a sliding gate 101 according to the invention comprising a lower and an upper horizontal beam 102, 103 and an array of bars 104. As stated in respect of the first embodiment, variants of the gate can also be envisaged here. A second embodiment of an anchoring assembly 110 according to the invention is arranged at outer ends 121, 122 of horizontal beam 102, see figure 5. Anchoring assembly 110 here comprises a tension transmitting part 111 which also functions to cover the open end of beam 102. Sleeves 112, multipart wedges 113 and safety covers 114 for tensioning wires 105, 106 are further provided in similar manner as in the first embodiment.
Both the lower horizontal beam and the upper horizontal beam of the gate of figure 1 or of figure 4 can be constructed from a plurality of mutually connecting tubular profiles. This is illustrated in figures 6-8 for the gate of figure 4. An end part 41 of a tubular profile 103a for upper beam 103 is shown in figure 7. In this end part 41 are provided channels 42 in which a centering pin 43 can be received in each case. Each tubular profile is aligned relative to an adjacent tubular profile using the plurality of centering pins 43, wherein each centering pin 43 protrudes partially into a first tubular profile 103a and partially into an adjacent second tubular profile 103b of the plurality of tubular profiles. Tensioning wires 105, 106 then clamp the plurality of profiles against each other. An advantageous embodiment of centering pin 43 is shown in detail in figure 9. Centering pin 43 comprises a first part with a first diameter d1 and a second part with a second, larger diameter d2. Diameter d2 is such that the second part can be fixed clampingly in a channel 42 of a tubular profile, while the first part with diameter d1 can be received smoothly in a similar channel 42 in an adjacent tubular profile. An end part 51 of a tubular profile 102a for lower beam 102 is shown in similar manner in figure 8. Here too centering pins 43 protrude into channels 52 for the purpose of aligning adjacent lower tubular profiles 102a, 102b. Figures 10-13 illustrate a further variant of a gate according to the invention wherein a strengthening assembly is provided in mutually connecting outer ends of a first and a second adjacent tubular profile 102a, 102b, typically extrusion profiles. The strengthening assembly comprises a first upper coupling piece 61, a second lower coupling piece 62 and a spacer part 63 for coupling the first and the second coupling pieces. The first coupling piece 61 has a cross-section which is complementary to an upper part of the cross-section of tubular profile 102, as best shown in figures 11 and 13. In similar manner the second coupling piece 62 has a cross-section complementary to a lower part of the cross-section of tubular profile 102. In this way coupling pieces 61, 62 can be received by sliding in tubular profile 102. Coupling pieces 61, 62 are coupled by means of a spacer part, here in the form of a threaded rod 63 which protrudes through openings in first coupling piece 61 and second coupling piece 62, as best shown in figure 12. The threaded rod is secured using a first nut 64 and a second nut 65.
The first and the second coupling piece 61, 62 are embodied as hollow tubes with a first open end 81 and a second open end 82. These open ends 81, 82 are bounded respectively by a peripheral edge 71, 72 which are adapted to co-act with respectively a first side wall 91 and a second opposite side wall 92 of tubular profile 102, see figures 11 and 13. By forming coupling pieces 61, 62 as tubular profiles with open ends 81, 82 a suitable shape can be given to the peripheral edge of these open ends in simple manner, for instance by laser cutting. Note that some clearance is typically provided between the coupling pieces and the tubular profile in order to facilitate insertion and to take account of possible tolerances. Threaded rod 63 preferably extends substantially perpendicularly of the first and second coupling pieces 61, 62. The lower coupling piece 62 is further provided on its underside with a number of holes 86 adapted to receive bolts 85 for the purpose of fixing the strengthening assembly in adjacent tubular profiles 102a, 102b, see also figures 10 and 13.
The skilled person will appreciate that the strengthening assembly according to the invention can also be embodied in other ways, for instance making use of solid instead of hollow coupling pieces or making use of coupling pieces in the form of a sheet material or profile with an adapted shape, or making use of a spacer part fixedly connected to the coupling pieces.
The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the above described exemplary embodiments, and that many variants can be envisaged which fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

Anchoring assembly for anchoring at least one tensioning wire which runs through or along a profile for tensioning, comprising:
- a tension transmitting part for transmitting a tension in the tensioning wire to the profile;

- at least one conical sleeve connected to the tension transmitting part, through which conical sleeve a tensioning wire can be passed in each case;

- for each conical sleeve a wedge through which the tensioning wire can be passed, the wedge being adapted to be received in the conical sleeve in order to clamp the tensioning wire; and

- a safety cover adapted for connection to the conical sleeve and/or the tension transmitting part over an outer end of the tensioning wire extending through the conical sleeve for the purpose of transmitting a force exerted on the safety cover by the tensioning wire to the tension transmitting part.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the safety cover is adapted to make contact with the outer end of the tensioning wire extending through the conical sleeve.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the safety cover is provided with an internal screw thread and that the conical sleeve is provided with a complementary external screw thread, this such that the safety cover can be screwed onto the conical sleeve.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the safety cover can be fixed against the tension transmitting part.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims intended for placing against an end of a profile, which end has a lower edge and two side edges, characterized in that the tension transmitting part comprises:
- a substantially vertical middle leg dimensioned to extend as far as the lower edge; and

- a substantially horizontal portion connected thereto and dimensioned to extend to the two side edges.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the horizontal portion is embodied with a first end part with a first hole for passage of a first tensioning wire and with a second end part with a second hole for passage of a second tensioning wire, wherein a first conical sleeve of the at least one conical sleeve is provided on the first end part and a second conical sleeve of the at least one conical sleeve is provided on the second end part.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-4 intended for placing against an open end of a profile, characterized in that the tension transmitting part is adapted to substantially wholly cover the open end.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the tension transmitting part has substantially the form of a T.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the or each wedge is a multipart wedge.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the or each conical sleeve has a first and a second end and a passage for a tensioning wire between the first and second ends, wherein the or each conical sleeve is provided at its first outer end with screw thread; and that the tension transmitting part is provided in each case with a hole with a complementary screw thread.
Anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the conical sleeve has a first and a second end and a conical inner wall between this first and this second end, the diameter of which decreases from the second end in the direction of the first end, which first end is connected to the tension transmitting part.
Gate, comprising a horizontal beam and a number of vertical bars or connecting means, wherein the horizontal beam is a tubular profile through which runs at least one tensioning wire, wherein an anchoring assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims is mounted against at least one end of the horizontal beam.
Gate as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the horizontal beam is provided along its length with a first and a second guide channel for a first and a second tensioning wire, and that an assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims is provided for anchoring the first and second tensioning wires.
Gate as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the horizontal beam has an upper wall, a first side wall and second side wall and that the first and second tensioning wires are arranged close to the upper wall and close to respectively the first side wall and the second side wall.
Gate as claimed in any of the claims 12-14, characterized in that the horizontal beam is provided with a series of holes for receiving the vertical bars and that in the tubular profile an additional tensioning wire is provided which is carried through transverse holes of the bars.