EP3497285B1 - Protection and safety device with dissipator screen fixed by a connection cable and provided with a structural frame and a mesh system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for protection and safety against the impacts of masses in free and uncontrolled progression. The device comprises an interceptor screen dissipating kinetic energy having an ability to be deformed at least in part during braking and stopping the progression of moving masses coming to strike the interceptor screen to participate in the dissipation of the energy. mass kinetics.

The invention also relates to a protection and safety system comprising a framework delimiting at least one lumen and at least one such protection and safety device.

The problem of protecting an area located downstream on the trajectory of freely advancing and uncontrolled masses has been known for many years.

In the field of protection and safety in mountainous regions, there are thus many solutions to protect areas against falling rocks or against avalanches. These solutions conventionally use means having a capacity to dissipate all or part of the kinetic energy of the intercepted masses.

While these solutions are satisfactory in the technical field for which they were designed, they do not necessarily meet the needs in terms of protection and security in other technical fields or in everyday life where other problems are likely to arise. appear.

In particular, there is a need to secure certain areas, public or at risk, such as sensitive industrial installations, for example against the impact of objects blown away by tornadoes or equipment and people against falling objects or shock waves. .

It is known to provide a framework delimiting at least one lumen to be protected, located upstream of the area to be protected along the trajectory of the masses, and an interceptor screen consisting of a mesh or a net fixed to its periphery directly on the outline of the light delimited by the framework so as to obscure this light.

Depending on the area to be protected and / or the possibly blown objects against which it is expected to be protected, the specific specifications to which it is necessary to respond may vary and become much more drastic than in the field of protection in mountainous areas, for example in terms of braking distance or puncture.

In particular, the specifications imposed by certain project owners may require the protection and safety device to simultaneously comply with multiple constraints, namely the hypothesis of a strong punching effect of the impact of a reference tube with a very high energy that can reach several tens of kilojoules to dissipate under a limited deformation, sometimes less than 1.5 m.

However, if the tests and the numerical simulations conventionally standardize the impact zones positioned at a certain admissible distance from the edges and the corners of the surface of the interceptor screen, this distance is not controlled in reality. It becomes difficult to estimate the behavior of the protective device in an impact situation near edges or corners. It is known to add armor plates in the corners, but they only partially solve the problem. When we represent the evolution of the equivalent force to be taken up globally by the conventional interceptor screen (mesh or net linked on its periphery to a framework by shackles, this boundary condition being considered as articulated but not deformable) under the reference impact previously mentioned as a function of the distance between the impact zone and the edge of the surface of the interceptor screen, it is observed that the equivalent force increases almost exponentially as the distance decreases. In other words, the closer the impact is to the edges and corners of the interceptor screen, the greater the equivalent reaction force, in particular due to an almost zero deformation capacity in this area, making the deceleration infinite.

Thus, near the perimeter, there is a critical distance threshold where the force to be taken up by the interceptor screen is likely to exceed its own resistance capacity.

The situation is even more critical for devices where the intercepting screen is composed of at least two superimposed layers if they are disjoint. Indeed, depending on the interval separating the two layers, the first layer sinks first without coming into contact with the second layer. Geometrically, the second layer is therefore mobilized late and while the first layer is already heavily used, or even when it has already been able to reach its breaking limit. At worst, the device then acts, not in a coordinated manner, but as if it were equivalent to a successive sequence of monolayers whose These capacities are mostly consumed before the next one comes to reinforce it or even just replace it if the rupture has already been reached: in the absence of an effective cooperation of the different layers, the apparent resistance is therefore greatly reduced. In these situations, the problem of resistance near the edges and corners of the interceptor screen is essential.
A protection and safety device for protecting an opening is known by KR 2011 0092116 A .

The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks listed above.

In this context, there is a need to provide a protection and safety device of the aforementioned type, which is simple to manufacture and install, efficient and resistant in an impact situation, in particular over the entire surface to be protected, while remaining economical, light and transposable to different load-bearing frames, even existing ones.

To this end, a device is proposed for protection and safety against the impacts of masses in free and uncontrolled progression comprising an interceptor screen dissipating kinetic energy having an ability to deform at least in part during braking and stopping. of the progression of the moving masses coming to strike the interceptor screen to participate in the dissipation of the kinetic energy of said masses, according to claim 1.

According to a particular embodiment, the structural frame has a closed contour.

According to another embodiment, the mesh network is formed by one or more layers of a net or a mesh having a plurality of cables or wires crossed to delimit a plurality of meshes distributed over the surface of the mesh network.

According to another particular embodiment, the connecting cable extends around the periphery of the structural frame, on the outside of the latter and over its entire periphery.

According to another particular embodiment, the connecting cable alternately passes through friction passages integrated into the structural frame and the fixing members intended to be fixed to the frame.

According to another particular embodiment, each fixing member is formed by a shackle in which the connecting cable passes through.

According to the invention, the fixing elements comprise, in addition to the connecting cable, on the one hand a plurality of fusible fixing lugs with predetermined rupture under load, integral with the structural frame while being staggered along its perimeter, and d 'on the other hand a plurality of clamping members where each clamping member is able to ensure the tightening of one of the fixing lugs against the framework, in particular by bolting.

According to another particular embodiment, each edge of the structural frame is formed by a metal profile having a cutting section having at least two opposite side flanks facing each other encasing a corresponding peripheral edge of the mesh network .

According to another particular embodiment, each edge of the structural frame comprises a plurality of elements for retaining one of the meshes of the mesh network, each coming to be housed individually in a corresponding mesh of the mesh network.

According to yet another particular embodiment, each retaining element consists of a spacer bolt connecting the two lateral sides of the metal section.

According to yet another particular embodiment, the closed loop formed by the connecting cable comprises, over its length, at least one energy dissipator.

According to a particular embodiment, the interceptor screen comprises a covering material of the tarpaulin or cladding type arranged across the opening delimited by the structural frame, in addition to the mesh network.

A protection and safety system is also proposed comprising a framework delimiting at least one slot and at least one such protection and safety device, the fixing members of which are connected to the framework in such a way that the screen. interceptor is positioned across said lumen.

According to a particular embodiment, the connecting cable provides a non-rigid connection between the framework and the structural frame allowing a predetermined relative displacement according to the six degrees of freedom between the framework and the structural frame without breaking the cable. connection during any displacement of the structural frame and any plastic deformation of the structural frame induced by the impact of the mass intercepted by the mesh network.

• la Figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un exemple de dispositif de protection et de sécurité selon l'invention,
• la Figure 2 illustre, en perspective, une partie de l'écran intercepteur utilisé dans le dispositif de la Figure 1,
• la Figure 3 représente une partie du réseau maillé de l'écran intercepteur,
• les Figures 4 et 5 montrent la simulation numérique dans l'hypothèse d'un impact au centre de l'écran intercepteur pour une surface à occulter de 3,8 m par 3,6 m,
• les Figures 6 et 7 montrent la simulation numérique dans l'hypothèse d'un impact situé à 40 cm du bord intérieur de l'ossature pour une surface de l'écran interpecteur de 3,8 m par 3,6 m,
• les Figures 8 et 9 montrent la simulation numérique dans l'hypothèse d'un impact situé à proximité du coin (à 40 cm des deux bords sécants de l'ossature) de l'écran intercepteur pour une surface à occulter de 2,5 m par 2,5 m,
• la Figure 10 montre la simulation numérique dans l'hypothèse d'un impact situé au centre de l'un des bords du cadre de structure de l'écran intercepteur,
• la Figure 11 illustre la simulation numérique dans l'hypothèse d'un impact situé exactement au coin du cadre de structure de l'écran intercepteur,
• et la Figure 12 représente la distribution de l'énergie d'impact, en fonction du temps, entre l'impacteur, l'écran intercepteur, le câble de liaison et l'ossature.

The invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 is a top view of an example of a protection and safety device according to the invention,
• the Figure 2 illustrates, in perspective, part of the interceptor screen used in the device of the Figure 1 ,
• the Figure 3 represents part of the mesh network of the interceptor screen,
• the Figures 4 and 5 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact at the center of the interceptor screen for a surface to be obscured of 3.8 m by 3.6 m,
• the Figures 6 and 7 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact located at 40 cm from the interior edge of the framework for an area of the interpector screen of 3.8 m by 3.6 m,
• the Figures 8 and 9 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact located near the corner (40 cm from the two intersecting edges of the framework) of the interceptor screen for a surface to be obscured of 2.5 m by 2.5 m ,
• the Figure 10 shows the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact located at the center of one of the edges of the frame of the interceptor screen,
• the Figure 11 illustrates the numerical simulation in the hypothesis of an impact located exactly at the corner of the structural frame of the interceptor screen,
• and the Figure 12 represents the distribution of impact energy, as a function of time, between the impactor, the interceptor screen, the connecting cable and the framework.

With reference to Figures 1 to 12 appended as presented summarily above, the invention relates essentially to a protection and safety device 10 against the impacts of freely advancing masses and uncontrolled. In particular, the protection and safety device 10 has the essential objective of securing certain public areas or areas at risk such as sensitive industrial installations, for example against the impacts of objects blown away by tornadoes or of equipment and people against falling. objects. These objects whose trajectory, presence and content are random, uncontrolled, unknown and unpredictable by definition, are called “masses” hereafter.

The protection and safety device 10 is mounted on a frame 11 delimiting at least one slot 12, the device 10 thus mounted obscuring all of the light to prevent the masses from passing through the slot 12.

The protection and safety device 10 comprises an interceptor screen 13 dissipating kinetic energy having an ability to deform at least in part during braking and stopping the progression of the moving masses coming to strike the interceptor screen 13 to participate in the dissipation of the kinetic energy of the masses which strike the interceptor screen 13. The interceptor screen 13 is fixed to the framework 11 by fixing elements using first and second parallel and independent means, described in detail further. The fixing of the interceptor screen 13 is made so that the interceptor screen 13 is positioned across this light 12 in order to conceal it, in particular over its entire surface.

The framework 11 is a support structure arranged upstream of a zone to be protected against the impacts of the masses according to the possible direction of displacement of these masses. The nature and design of the frame 11 can be arbitrary. For example, it is formed from steel. It may be the assembly of steel sections arranged to delimit a frame with a closed contour internally delimiting an opening constituting the slot 12 through which the interceptor screen 13 is held by the fastening elements. The light 12 is for example of rectangular shape (which is the case shown) or triangular. On the other hand, the frame 11 can be arranged so as to delimit a plurality of distinct openings 12, distributed in a network on the surface of the frame 11. The frame 11 can be flat or have a left surface, for example. in the form of a vault. Assuming a rectangular shape, the dimensions of each lumen 12 can typically vary from 2.5 m by 2.5 m until they reach at least 5 m side. For example, the assumptions for calculating Figures 4 to 7 take into account a rectangular light 12 of 3.6 m by 3.8 m.

• un cadre de structure 14 délimitant intérieurement une ouverture,
• un réseau maillé 15 dont les bords périphériques sont reliés au cadre de structure 14 de sorte à être maintenu déployé en travers de l'ouverture délimitée par le cadre de structure 14,
• et des éléments de fixation aptes à relier mécaniquement le cadre de structure 14 à l'ossature 11 dans une configuration où le cadre de structure 14 et le réseau maillé 15 sont positionnés en travers de la lumière 12 délimitée par l'ossature 11, les éléments de fixation comprenant un câble de liaison 18 agencé en boucle fermée et mécaniquement relié successivement et alternativement au cadre de structure 14 et à des organes de fixation 20 destinés à être connectés à l'ossature 11.

The interceptor screen 13 comprises:

• a structural frame 14 internally delimiting an opening,
• a mesh network 15 whose peripheral edges are connected to the structural frame 14 so as to be kept deployed across the opening delimited by the structural frame 14,
• and fixing elements capable of mechanically connecting the structural frame 14 to the frame 11 in a configuration where the structural frame 14 and the mesh network 15 are positioned across the slot 12 delimited by the frame 11, the elements fixing comprising a connecting cable 18 arranged in a closed loop and mechanically connected successively and alternately to the structural frame 14 and to fixing members 20 intended to be connected to the frame 11.

The invention also relates to a protection and safety system comprising the frame 11 delimiting at least one slot 12 and at least one such protection and safety device 10, the fixing members 20 of which are fixed to the frame 11 of. such that the interceptor screen 13 is positioned across said lumen 12.

In this system, the connecting cable 18 is thus mechanically connected successively and alternately to the structural frame 14, in particular via rubbing passages 19 mentioned below, and to the framework 11 via the fixing members 20. attached to the frame 11.

Preferably, the structural frame 14 has a closed contour, even if this arrangement is not exclusive.

As can be seen on the Figure 1 , the connecting cable 18 extends around the periphery of the structural frame 14, outside the latter and over its entire periphery.

In general, the connecting cable 18 provides a non-rigid connection between the framework 11 and the structural frame 14, in particular allowing a predetermined relative displacement according to the six degrees of freedom (three degrees of rotation and three degrees of translation) between the framework 11 and the structural frame 14 without breaking the connecting cable 18 during any movement of the structural frame 14 and any plastic deformation of the structural frame 14 induced by the impact of the mass intercepted by the mesh network 15.

According to an embodiment giving complete satisfaction in practice, and with reference to the Figure 2 , each edge of the structural frame 14 is constituted by a metal profile having a cutting section having at least two opposite side flanks facing each other encasing the corresponding peripheral edge of the mesh network 15. Each profile can be monobloc in the form of a U-section or alternatively be constituted by the assembly between them of an angle of L-shaped section and a flat profile, joined together by any known mechanical means.

In order to remain simple and economical while being particularly effective in terms of robustness, a particular embodiment provides that each edge of the structural frame 14 comprises a plurality of retaining elements 16 where each retaining element 16 retains one of the elements. mesh 17 of the mesh network 15. For this, each retaining element 16 is housed individually in a corresponding mesh 17 of the mesh network 15. As can be seen on the diagram. Figure 2 , each retaining element 16 can in particular be constituted by a spacer bolt connecting the two lateral flanks of the metal section constituting each edge of the structural frame 14. In this particular case, each retaining element 16 also participates in a very effective at the overall rigidity of the structural frame 14.

In addition to the structural frame 14 and the mesh network 15, the interceptor screen 13 therefore comprises the fixing elements which were mentioned previously and which are suitable for securing the interceptor screen 13 on the contour of the light 12. delimited by the frame 11 so as to be positioned across the slot 12 to protect the zone located downstream from the risk of impact from the masses. It has been mentioned that these fasteners included first and second parallel and independent means. The function of the first and second means is to mechanically connect the structural frame 14 to the frame 11, respectively according to a non-rigid deformable connection and according to a breakable rigid connection. Unlike the prior art mentioned in the preamble, there is therefore no direct connection between the framework 11 and the mesh network 15. The first means comprise the connecting cable 18 and the fixing members 20 mentioned above. To obtain the general shape of a closed loop, the cable 18 is for example closed on itself using a sleeving technique. Sufficient slack is provided so that the connecting cable 18 is not stretched during installation. By way of example, the cable 18 is made of metal, with a diameter of the order of 20 mm.

According to a particular embodiment, the closed loop formed by the connecting cable 18 comprises, over its length, at least one energy dissipator. Such an energy dissipator is a mechanism known per se to those skilled in the art, capable of dissipating at least part of the energy when a tensile force is applied to it. This arrangement makes it possible to offer additional elongation while also dissipating part of the kinetic energy transmitted by the mass intercepted by the interceptor screen 13.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 , the mesh network 15 is constituted by one or more layers of a net or a mesh having a plurality of cables or wires crossed to delimit a plurality of meshes 17 distributed over the surface of the mesh network 15. The particular case of the Figure 2 provides two layers of mesh or netting superimposed, possibly interconnected. The way to organize each layer and possibly to organize the link between the superimposed layers depend on the general behavior which will be sought at the time of the impact of the masses for the mesh network 15. This design can be assessed according to the knowledge of the person skilled in the art in the field and can be specified using numerical simulations which are possible in this field.

By way of purely illustrative example giving satisfaction in terms of behavior and resistance, and with reference to the Figure 3 in particular, each mesh 17 may have a diamond-type geometry, with for example a mesh angle β of the order of 50 °, or square. The diameter of the metal wire used to make the stitches 17 may be between 3 and 5 mm in high elastic limit steel. The length D of the mesh 17 is for example equal to 100 mm while its width d is equal to 70 mm.

According to a simple and effective embodiment, each fixing member 20 intended to be secured to the framework 11 is constituted by a shackle in which the connecting cable 18 passes through. Each rubbing passage 19 at which the connecting cable 18 is mechanically connected to the structural frame 14 is integrated into the structural frame 14, for example obtained by means of a cable gland member integral with one of the edges of the structural frame 14.

As indicated above, the elements for fixing the structural frame 14 to the frame 11 comprise, in addition to the connecting cable 18, the fixing members 20 and the rubbing passages 19, second means which are completely separate and independent. These second means comprise on the one hand a plurality of fusible fastening lugs 21 with predetermined rupture under load, integral with the structural frame 14 being staggered along its perimeter, and on the other hand a plurality of clamping members where each clamping member ensures the tightening of one of the fixing lugs 21 against the framework 11, in particular by bolting.

The function of these fusible fixing lugs 21 is very different from that conferred by the connecting cable 18 arranged in the manner described above. The fusible fixing brackets 21 are rigid and ensure a rigid fixing of the frame of structure 14 to the framework 11. This is a reverse arrangement to the deformable and extendable fixing provided by the connecting cable 18, as has already been indicated. In practice, the tabs 21 provide a fixed connection in the normal state (apart from situations of interception of masses whose kinetic energy is liable to cause the predetermined breaking of the tabs 21) in order to avoid possible beating of the legs. the interceptor screen 13 with respect to the frame 11 due to normal atmospheric conditions. When a mass is intercepted by the interceptor screen 13, the fusible tabs 21 break in order to allow the first means provided by the connecting cable 18 and its mechanical connecting elements to the frame 14 and the framework 11 to act.

In a manner not shown, it is conceivable to provide, as a function of requirements, that the interceptor screen 13 may comprise a covering material of the tarpaulin or cladding type arranged across the opening delimited by the structural frame 14, in complement of the mesh network 15.

The Figures 4 to 9 then provide three examples of digital impacts, respectively at the center, near an edge and near a corner of the mesh network 15, assuming that the impact is produced by a reference tube 22 according to an energy d impact of 50 kJ at an impact velocity of 28 m / s.

The Figures 4 and 5 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact of the reference tube 22 at the center of the interceptor screen 13 for a surface to be obscured of 3.8 m by 3.6 m. The Figure 4 shows a top view and a side view of the device 10 at the time of impact and the Figure 5 shows the corresponding energy analysis as a function of the time counted from the impact. Curve C1 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the cable 18. Curve C2 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the frame 14. Curves C3 and C4 show the evolution in the time of the energy absorbed respectively by the first layer and by the second layer of the mesh network 15.

The Figures 6 and 7 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact of the reference tube 22 located 40 cm from the inner edge of the framework 11 for a surface of the interpector screen of 3.8 m by 3.6 m. The Figure 6 shows a top view and a side view of the device 10 at the time of impact and the Figure 7 shows the corresponding energy analysis as a function of the time counted from the impact. The curve C5 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the cable 18. The curve C6 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the cable. frame 14. Curves C7 and C8 show the evolution over time of the energy absorbed respectively by the first layer and by the second layer of the mesh network 15.

The Figures 8 and 9 show the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact of the reference tube 22 located near the corner (40 cm from the two intersecting edges of the framework 11) of the interceptor screen 13 for a surface to be obscured of 2, 5 m by 2.5 m. The Figure 8 shows a top view and a side view of the device 10 at the time of impact and the Figure 9 shows the corresponding energy analysis as a function of the time counted from the impact. The curve C9 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the cable 18. The curve C10 shows the evolution over time of the energy absorbed by the frame 14. The curves C11 and C12 show the evolution in the time of the energy absorbed respectively by the first layer and by the second layer of the mesh network 15.

• la courbe C13 correspond à l'énergie cinétique globale : elle confirme que le tube de référence 22 injecte au dispositif 10 une quantité d'énergie de l'ordre de 50 kJ et une restitution partielle d'une part par ce tube 22 et d'autre part par le mouvement des autres composants tels que les couches de réseau maillé,
• la courbe C14 correspond à l'énergie de déformation qui se répartit dans les composants du dispositif 10 : elle cumule la déformation élastique réversible et la dissipation plastique,
• la courbe C15 correspond à la somme du frottement entre les différents composants du dispositif de protection et de sécurité 10.

With reference to the figure 12 , a global energy analysis at the scale of the device 10 as a whole effectively makes it possible to illustrate the distribution of impact energy:

• the curve C13 corresponds to the overall kinetic energy: it confirms that the reference tube 22 injects into the device 10 a quantity of energy of the order of 50 kJ and a partial return on the one hand by this tube 22 and of elsewhere by the movement of other components such as mesh network layers,
• the curve C14 corresponds to the deformation energy which is distributed among the components of the device 10: it combines the reversible elastic deformation and the plastic dissipation,
• curve C15 corresponds to the sum of the friction between the different components of the protection and safety device 10.

Curve C16, corresponding to the sum of curves C13 to C15, is substantially constant, which clearly shows a constant sum of energy corresponding to the transfer of energy in its various forms.

These elements confirm the capacities of the protection and safety device 10 described above to be effective at any point on the surface of the interceptor screen 13, in particular thanks to an equivalent level of deformation of the order of one meter whatever. or the impact position. This level is obtained by the deformation of the structural frame 14 and the adaptability of the connection via the connection cable 18, of which it can be observed on the energy curves as a function of time that their contributions are of the order or even more. larger than that of each of the mesh network layers 15.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 now, the protection and safety device 10 also works for impacts positioned at the limit of the framework 11 and / or on the structural frame 14. The Figure 10 shows the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact by the reference tube 22 located at the center of one of the edges of the structural frame 14 of the interceptor screen 13, in particular according to a top view and a side view . On the other hand, the Figure 11 illustrates the digital simulation in the hypothesis of an impact by the reference tube 22 located at the corner of the structural frame 14 of the interceptor screen 13. In both cases, the protection and safety device 10 collects the 'kinetic energy transmitted by the reference tube 22, by elastic or plastic deformation and by friction, without breaking the cable 18, the frame 14 or the mesh network 15, which guarantees good protection downstream of the device 10 in the direction of displacement of masses.

The protection and safety device 10 described in this document allows the structural frame 14 to constitute an extension of the frame 11 in the load-bearing and support function, via the connecting cable 18, while allowing mobility and movement. of the structural frame 14 which improves the absorption capacity, and thus has many advantages, including from an operational point of view.

First, it is possible to adapt its tailor-made design exactly on the one hand to correctly obscure the corresponding lights and on the other hand to bring it as close as possible to the desired performance. It is also possible to adapt the number, density and position of the fasteners 20.

Furthermore, the layers of the mesh network 15 are perfectly collaborative thanks to the structural framework 14 which also provides a function of stacking the layers and of inter-layer linkage. The number of retaining elements 16 for the meshes 17 on the frame 14 can be optimized as a function of the areas of the surface of the interceptor screen 13, in particular with respect to the location of the corners and of the rubbing passages 19.

On the other hand, the available deformation is maximum thanks to scalable boundary conditions to offer an effective solution at any point of the surface of the interceptor screen 13, while maintaining a strong mechanical chain, ensuring a two-way transmission of the framework 11 to the fasteners 20, the fasteners 20 to the connecting cables 18, the connecting cable 18 to the rubbing passages 19 and therefore to the structural frame 14, from the structural frame 14 to the mesh network 15 via the retaining elements 16. It is possible to provide that the whole of the structural frame 14 is bolted via corner brackets and including at the level of the rubbing passages 19.

In addition, the mass of the structural frame 14 contributes to limiting the speed experienced during the transmission and to the conservation of the momentum during impact.

The protection and security device 10 also offers a margin of resistance by optimizing the deceleration and therefore the levels of effort within the mesh network layers. This allows the use of lightweight screens or nets for better efficiency without especially making the solution heavier compared to the prior art despite the addition of the frame 14 and the cable 18.

Furthermore, the framework 11 is preserved by limiting the stresses and making the armor plates in the corners unnecessary while allowing impacts at absolutely any point on the surface of the interceptor screen 13.

Advantageously, the protection and safety device 10 can be directly adapted to the measurements of the light 12 to be obscured and be completely assembled in the factory (by assembling the frame 14, the mesh network 15 and the connecting cable 18) according to a assembly allowing maximum modularity.

The assembly, disassembly and any reassembly of the protection and safety device 10 are very simple to implement on the site; it suffices to tighten the fuse fixing brackets 21 and to connect the fasteners 20 to the connecting cable loop 18.

Optionally, it is possible to provide a hinge on certain fixing lugs 21 to allow direct access by pivoting the structural frame 14 to an open configuration relative to the frame 11 without requiring complete disassembly and facilitating access to equipment located downstream of the protection and safety device 10 and therefore protected by the latter.

Advantageously, the overall cost including supply, implementation and use is optimized.

Furthermore, the weight of the protection and safety device 10 may be equivalent to the weight of a double layer of cable nets sized to withstand the same impact. On the contrary, and the mass contribution of the structural frame 14 decreasing relatively with the surface area of the light 12 to be obscured, the weight saving can even reach 10 to 15% for large surfaces to be obscured: the dimensioning, in particular seismic, of the load-bearing frames n ' is not put in question and the protection and safety device 10 is perfectly transposable to a framework initially provided for another interceptor screen.

The protection and safety device 10 is easy to handle while guaranteeing intrinsic strength, for simple, rapid and therefore inexpensive installation.

Advantageously, having its own frame 14, the protection and safety device 10 can also be used in a framework 11 of curved shape to fit into a generally non-parallelepipedal shape. Likewise, triangular modules can be declined from basic rectangular modules.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described above, but by the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. A protection and safety device (10) against the impacts of masses in free and uncontrolled progression comprising a kinetic energy dissipating intercepting screen (13) having an ability to be at least partially deformed during the braking and stopping of the progression of the moving masses striking the intercepting screen (13) to participate in the dissipation of the kinetic energy of said masses, the intercepting screen (13) comprising a structural frame (14) internally delimiting an opening, a mesh network (15) whose peripheral edges are linked to the structural frame (14) so as to be kept deployed across the opening delimited by the structural frame (14), and fastening elements capable of mechanically linking the structural frame (14) to a framework (11) in a configuration where the structural frame (14) and the mesh network (15) are positioned across an aperture (12) delimited by the framework (11), where the fastening elements comprise fastening members (20) intended to be connected to the framework (11) and a connecting cable (18) arranged in a closed loop and mechanically linked to the fastening members (20), characterized in that the connecting cable is mechanically linked successively and alternately to the structural frame and the fastening members and in that the fastening elements further comprise, on the one hand, a plurality of fusible fastening tabs (21) with predetermined breaking under load, secured to the structural frame (14) by being staggered along the perimeter thereof, and on the other hand, a plurality of clamping members where each clamping member is capable of ensuring the clamping of any of the fastening tabs (21) against the framework (11).
2. The protection and safety device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural frame (14) has a closed contour.
3. The protection and safety device (10) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the mesh network (15) is constituted by at least one layer of a net or of a wire netting having a plurality of intersecting cables or threads to delimit a plurality of meshes (17) distributed over the surface of the mesh network (15).
4. The protection and safety device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting cable (18) extends at the periphery of the structural frame (14), outside thereof and over the entire perimeter thereof.
5. The protection and safety device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting cable (18) alternately passes through rubbing passages (19) integrated into the structural frame (14) and through the fastening members (20) intended to be fastened to the framework (11).
6. The protection and safety device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that each fastening member (20) is constituted by a shackle in which the connecting cable (18) passes therethrough.
7. The protection and safety device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each edge of the structural frame (14) is constituted by a metal profile having a cutting section having at least two opposite lateral flanks, which are facing each other, encasing a corresponding peripheral edge of the mesh network (15).
8. The protection and safety device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each edge of the structural frame (14) comprises a plurality of retaining elements (16) of any of the meshes (17) of the mesh network (15), each being individually housed in a corresponding mesh (17) of the mesh network (15).
9. The protection and safety device (10) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that each retaining element (16) is constituted by a spacer bolt linking the two lateral flanks of the metal profile.
10. The protection and safety device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the closed loop formed by the connecting cable (18) comprises, over its length, at least one energy dissipator.
11. The protection and safety device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the intercepting screen (13) comprises a covering material of the tarpaulin or cladding type arranged across the opening delimited by the structural frame (14), in addition to the network mesh (15).
12. A protection and safety system comprising a framework (11) delimiting at least one aperture (12) and at least one protection and safety device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, whose fastening members (20) are connected to the framework (11) so that the intercepting screen (13) is positioned across said aperture (12).
13. The protection and safety system according to claim 12 characterized in that the connecting cable (18) ensures a non-rigid connection between the framework (11) and the structural frame (14) enabling a predetermined relative displacement according to the six degrees of freedom between the framework (11) and the structural frame (14) without breaking the connecting cable (18) during any displacement of the structural frame (14) and any plastic deformation of the structural frame (14) induced by the impact of the mass intercepted by the mesh network (15).

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