GB2442731A

GB2442731A - Two piece socket for post

Info

Publication number: GB2442731A
Application number: GB0619977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Richard Lawrence; Ivan Lane Phillips; Martin Jeffrey Batchelor; Harold Lewis Collins
Original assignee: Corus UK Ltd
Current assignee: Corus UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-10
Filing date: 2006-10-10
Publication date: 2008-04-16
Also published as: GB0619977D0

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a socket for a fence or safety rail post comprising the steps of providing a channel section 10 with at least one open end and at least one open side, a closing section 12 comprising two panels 22 24 extending transversely to each other, and joining the channel section 10 and the closing section 12 such that one panel of the closing section 12 covers at least part of the open side of the channel section 10. Preferably the closing section is a L shaped and one panel 22 of the closing section covers the open side of the channel section 10 and the other panel 24 covers the open end of the channel section 10. One corner of the channel section may be rebated thus causing a gap to be present when the channel section and closing section are joined (see Figure 3).

Description

Improvements in or relating to Vehicle Safety Barriers

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the manufacture of barrier posts. It provides a novel route to the production of a socket in which to secure the post.

BACKGROUND ART

Vehicle safety barriers for road use typically comprise one or more horizontal rails supported by posts spaced along the roadside. If a vehicle leaves the roadway for some reason, it impacts the rail and is restrained. Such barriers are a common sight on roads (etc) and are often referred to generically as "Armco".

A particular barrier may extend for several metres or many kilometres, and will include posts at a spacing of (typically) between 0. 5 and 6 metres depending on the nature and proximity of the hazard. Each post must be secured in place, usually by inserting it into a socket set into the ground at the appropriate location. There are therefore a very large number of posts and sockets in use in such barriers. Any improvement in the manufacture of such barrier components to produce them at lower cost but with the necessary mechanical properties is therefore desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a method of manufacturing a socket comprising the steps of providing a channel section profile comprising at least one open end and at least one open side, providing a closing-section profile comprising at least two panels extending transversely to each other, and joining the channel section and the L-section with a panel of the closing-section overlapping at least part of the open side of the channel section. It is also preferred that the closing-section and the channel section are joined such that the remaining panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open end of the channel section.

The present invention also relates to a kit of parts for assembly into a socket, comprising a channel section profile comprising at least one open end and at least one open side, and a closing-section profile comprising two panels extending transversely to each other. Further, the invention relates to a socket assembled from such a kit of parts, in which the channel section and the closing-section are joined such that one panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open side of the channel section and the remaining panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open end of the channel section.

The closing-section can have a long panel and a short panel; the long panel can then cover the open side and the short panel the open end.

The channel section can have a rear face, a first side face one edge of which is joined to an edge of the rear face, and a second side face one edge of which is joined to an opposing edge of the rear face. The side faces are preferably transverse to the rear face.

The end corners of the channel section can be rebated such that, when the socket is assembled, a gap is present between the channel section and the closing-section adjacent the end corner. This allows for tolerances between the channel and closing-sections, for example if there is an internal roundness in the bend of the closing-section. Alternatively, the channel section can have a non-straight end edge.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle safety barrier comprising a rail supported by a plurality of posts, at least one such post being retained in a socket as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which; Figure 1 shows the two parts required to manufacture a socket; Figure 2 shows the complete socket; Figure 3 shows an alternative channel part; Figure 4 shows a further alternative channel part; Figures 5 and 6 show views from the side and the rear of a still further alternative channel part; Figure 7 shows the flat blank from which the channel part of figures 5 and 6 is formed; and Figure 8 shows a cutting tool for the embodiment of figures 5-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figure 1, a socket for a barrier post according to the present invention is made up from a channel section 10 and an L-profile 12. The channel section 10 comprises three walls 14, 16 and 18, being a rear wall 16 on either side of which is fitted the side walls 14, 18. All three are connected together orthogonally, therefore leaving an open edge 20 which is substantially the same dimension as the rear wall 16.

The L-profile 12 comprises a wall 22 and an end cap 24. The wall 22 is sized to cover the open edge 20 of the channel section, and the end cap 24 is sized to cover the open end of the channel section. Thus, after the two parts are brought together and welded along their join 26 (fig 2), a closed-ended square section socket 28 is created. Naturally, manipulation of the dimensions, angles and shapes of the channel section and the L-profile allows the production (if desired) of other shapes of socket such as rectangular sections, trapezoidal sections, diamond or triangular sections etc. Figures 3 and 4 show alternative forms of channel section. Generally, both the channel section and the L-profile will be manufactured by bending an appropriately-shaped piece of metal (such as steel) from a flat plate to the required three-dimensional shape. This will often leave a slight roundness in the region of the bend, although the degree of roundness will depend on the quality of the bending process, the material strength, its stiffness, the material gauge etc. If the roundness of the L-profile is significant then this may interfere with the corner 30 of the channel section that fits into that corner.

To overcome this potential difficulty, the L-profile can be bent to shape very accurately. However, this may increase the cost of manufacture. To avoid this, the channel section can be manufactured with a small rebate to this corner as shown in figure 3 or figure 4.

Figure 3 thus shows a revised channel section in which the lower edge 32 is made non-straight. A triangular section 34 adjacent the corner 30 is removed, for example by grinding. This leaves the lower edge 32 with two sections -an original part 36 that is still orthogonal to the rear face 16, and an angled section 38 that is no longer orthogonal. This effectively removes the material of the former corner 30.

The triangle 34 could be larger or smaller. If larger, it may reach the rear face 16, thereby eliminating the original part 36 of the edge 32.

Figure 4 shows an alternative. Instead of grinding off a triangular section, a small circular section 40 of the corner 30 is removed by a circular grinder or the like. Other shapes could of course be removed from the corner 30.

However, the above examples are expected to be the most economic in practice.

A further alternative is shown in figures 5-7. In effect, the rear wall 16' of the channel section 10' is made longer than the side walls 14', 18' in that a short chamfered section 42 is allowed to project beyond the length of the side walls.

In fact, the side walls 14', 18' have been cut shorter than the rear wall 16' using a cutting tool as shown in figure 8. This profile, with a flat rear face 44 and a front face having a central flat section 46 bounded on either side by a pair of raised chamfers 48, 50 and flat sections 52, 54 either side thereof, can be used to cut successive lengths of channel section from a longer blank. Applied to a flat sheet of suitable width, the tool of figure 8 will cut successive blanks 56 as shown in figure 7, having side edges 58 defined by the width of the flat sheet, a flat top edge 60 formed by the flat rear face 4 of the tool, and a lower edge with the chamfered section 42 projecting beyond the regions 62 on either side. This blank can then be bent along the lines 64 shown dotted, to produce the channel section shown in figures 5 and 6.

It will of course be understood that many variations may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a socket comprising the steps of; providing a channel section comprising at least one open end and at least one open side; providing a closing-section profile comprising at least two panels extending transversely to each other; and joining the channel section and the closing-section with a panel of the closing-section overlapping at least part of the open side of the channel section.

2. A method of manufacturing a socket according to claim 1 in which the channel section and the closing-section are joined such that the remaining panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open end of the channel section.

3. A method of manufacturing a socket according to claim 1 in which the closing-section has a long panel and a short panel.

4. A method of manufacturing a socket according to claim 3 in which the long panel covers the open side and the short panel covers the open end.

5. A method of manufacturing a socket according to any one of the preceding claims in which the channel section has a rear face, a first side face one edge of which is joined to an edge of the rear face, and a second side face one edge of which is joined to an opposing edge of the rear face.

6. A method of manufacturing a socket according to claim 5 in which the side faces are transverse to the rear face.

7. A method of manufacturing a socket according to any one of the preceding claims in which the channel section has substantially straight side edges bounding the open side and a pair of end corners at the intersection of the end edge with the side edges, at least one end corner being rebated such that, when the socket is assembled, a gap is present between the channel section and the L-section adjacent the end corner.

8. A method of manufacturing a socket according to claim 7 in which the channel section has a non-straight end edge defining the open end.

9. A method of manufacturing a socket according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the channel section has a rear face bounded by two side faces, the rear face being longer than the side faces such that, when the socket is assembled, a gap is present between the channel section and the L-section adjacent the end corner.

10. A kit of parts for assembly into a socket comprising; a channel section profile comprising at least one open end and at least one open side; and an closing-section profile comprising two panels extending transversely to each other.

11. A kit of parts according to claim 10 in which the closing-section has a long panel and a short panel.

12. A kit of parts according to claim 11 in which the long panel covers the open side and the short panel covers the open end.

13. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 10 to 12 in which the channel section has a rear face, a first side face one edge of which is joined to an edge of the rear face, and a second side face one edge of which is joined to an opposing edge of the rear face.

14. A kit of parts according to claim 13 in which the side faces are transverse to the rear face.

15. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 10 to 14 in which the channel section has substantially straight side edges bounding the open side and a pair of end corners at the intersection of the end edge with the side edges, at least one end corner being rebated such that, when the socket is assembled, a gap is present between the channel section and the closing-section adjacent the end corner.

16. A kit of parts according to claim 15 in which the channel section has a non-straight end edge defining the open end.

17. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 10 to 14 in which the channel section has a rear face bounded by two side faces, the rear face being longer than the side faces such that, when the socket is assembled, a gap is present between the channel section and the L-section adjacent the end corner.

18. A socket assembled from the kit of parts of any one of claims 10 to 17 in which the channel section and the L-section are joined such that one panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open side of the channel section and the remaining panel of the closing-section covers at least part of the open end of the channel section.

19. A vehicle safety barrier comprising a rail supported by a plurality of posts, at least one such post being retained in a socket according to claim 18.

20. A socket substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.