GB2571079A - Roadplate - Google Patents

Abstract

A roadplate is described which comprises a steel sheet 10 of generally square or rectangular form, an anti-skid sheet 12, and a frame 14 extending around the periphery of the steel sheet 10, the frame 14 being composed of frame members 16, each of which defines a channel 30 adapted to receive an edge part of the steel sheet and an edge part of the anti-skid sheet, securing the edge part of the anti-skid sheet in position. The frame may comprise a ramp 28 and there may be deformable projections or pimples on the underside of the lower wall 20. Corner pieces may be secured to the frame members by screws.

Description

This invention relates to a roadplate for use in covering a trench, hole, excavation or other opening in a roadway, footpath or the like.

It is commonplace to cover trenches, holes, etc, formed in roadways or footpaths, when work is not being undertaken in the trenches, holes, etc, to allow the continued use of the roadway or footpath. Traditionally, the roadplates used to cover such trenches, holes, etc, especially in roadway applications where the loads which must be borne by the roadplate can be relatively high, take the form of a sheet of steel which is positioned over the trench, hole or the like. The sheet of steel will typically be of reasonably large thickness and of dimensions sufficient to cover the trench, hole or the like and an area surrounding the trench, hole or the like. The thickness must be sufficient to ensure that, for a given size of roadplate, the material is capable of bearing the weight of vehicles which will normally pass along the roadway without excessive deflection thereof.

As the thickness of the material of a roadplate of the type outlined above will typically be relatively great, a bump is experienced as a vehicle’s wheel ride onto, and subsequently off of, the roadplate. This is undesirable, in part because it reduces the comfort of passengers within the vehicle and could potentially cause damage to the vehicle, and also because the impact between the vehicle’s wheel and the edges of the roadplate may apply a load to the roadplate urging the roadplate to move. Such movement could result in the roadplate being insufficiently supported by the ground surface surrounding the trench, hole, etc, and so result in the roadplate becoming unstable and potentially incapable of safely bearing the weight of a vehicle. It is known to locate plastics materials ramps adjacent the edges of the roadplates, but these have to be laid down in a separate operation to the positioning of the roadplate, and so the use of such ramps is inconvenient.

Furthermore, where steel sheets or the like are used a roadplates, there is a risk that the wheels of vehicles may skid when supported by the roadplate as the surface of a steel sheet roadplate is typically smooth and slippery, especially when wet. It is known to affix sand or grit to the surface of a roadplate, using a suitable adhesive, to reduce the risk of slipping or skidding, but the sand or grit tends to wear off and so requires replacement periodically, which is expensive and inconvenient.

It is an object of the invention to provide a roadplate in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with roadplate as outlined hereinbefore are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a roadplate comprising a steel sheet of generally square or rectangular form, an anti-skid sheet, and a frame extending around the periphery of the steel sheet, the frame being composed of frame members, each of which defines a channel adapted to receive an edge part of the steel sheet and an edge part of the anti-skid sheet, securing the edge part of the anti-skid sheet in position.

Conveniently, the anti-skid sheet is further adhered to the steel sheet.

It will be appreciated that such an arrangement is advantageous in that the risk of a vehicle skidding or slipping on the roadplate is reduced by the presence of the anti-skid sheet. The anti-skid sheet is securely attached to the steel sheet, but can be replaced, if necessary, by removal of the frame removal and replacement of the anti-skid sheet and subsequent reattachment of the frame.

Each frame member is conveniently shaped to define a ramp whereby vehicles can pass onto and from the roadplate, in use. In such an arrangement, as the frame is secured to the remainder of the roadplate, no separate operation of laying down ramps is required. The provision of the ramps reduces the risk of movement of the roadplate, in use, enhances the comfort of vehicle passengers and reduces the risk of damage to vehicles passing over the roadplate.

The steel sheet may include openings to assist in lifting and maneuvering thereof. The openings are conveniently positioned adjacent the edges of the steel sheet in positions which are covered by the frame, and the frame is preferably provided with openings which align with the openings of the steel sheet. If desired, securing pins may be driven through the openings and used to secure the roadplate to the underlying ground surface.

The frame members are conveniently flexible to allow flexing thereof to accommodate unevenness of the underlying ground surface. The underside of the frame members may be provided with deformable projections such as pimples arranged to deform to accommodate unevenness in the underlying ground surface, and also to reduce slipping or movement of the roadplate relative to the underlying ground surface.

The frame members are conveniently interconnected by corner pieces located adjacent the comers of the steel sheet. Conveniently the frame members are secured to the corner pieces, for example by screws or by bolts.

The invention also relates to a method of replacing an anti-skid sheet of a roadplate of the type described hereinbefore comprising the steps of removing the frame, removing the anti-skid sheet from the steel sheet, applying a new anti-skid sheet to the steel sheet and reassembling the frame around the steel sheet with the edge part of the steel sheet and an edge part of the new anti-skid sheet received within the channels of the frame members.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a roadplate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating part of the roadplate in use; and

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are views illustrating steps in the process for assembling the roadplate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a roadplate is illustrated which comprises a steel sheet 10. In the arrangement shown the steel sheet 10 is of generally rectangular shape, but it will be appreciated that this need not always be the case and that it could be of generally square shape. The dimensions of the roadplate and the steel sheet 10 are chosen such that, in use, the road plate is able to extend over a trench, opening, cavity or the like formed in a roadway or footpath surface, overlying part of the ground surface adjacent the trench, opening, etc. The thickness of the steel sheet 10 is such that it is able to bear the weight of vehicles passing over the roadplate, in use. By way of example, it may be of approximately 20-30mm thickness. Adhered to the upper surface of the steel sheet 10 is an anti-skid sheet 12. The anti-skid sheet may take a range of forms. By way of example, it may comprise a fiberglass or other material mat in which grit is embedded or to which grit is adhered. Such a sheet would preferably be of thickness in the range of 12mm. However, it could take a range of other forms, for example, the anti-skid sheet 10 could comprise plastics material sheet formed with a suitably textured upper surface. The anti-skid sheet 12 is adhered to the steel sheet 10 using a suitable non-setting adhesive.

Surrounding the periphery of the steel sheet 10 is a frame 14 made up of four straight frame members 16 secured to one another at or adjacent the corners of the steel sheet 10 by corner pieces 18.

As best shown in Figure 2, each frame member 16 includes a lower wall 20, an upper wall 22 which extends substantially parallel to but spaced apart from the lower wall 20, an upstanding, interconnecting wall 24 interconnecting the upper and lower walls 20, 22, and an angled, in this case curved, wall 26, also interconnecting the upper and lower walls 20, 22 and forming a ramp 28.

The upper and lower walls 20, 22 and interconnecting wall 24 together define a channel 30 which receives an edge part of the steel sheet 10 and an edge part of the anti-skid sheet 12. The steel sheet 10 and anti-skid sheet 12 are a tight fit within the channel 30, thus the frame members 16 serve to secure the edge parts of the anti-skid sheet 12 to the steel sheet 10, assisting the adhesive in securing the anti-skid sheet 12 in position.

The underside of the lower wall 20 is provided with a series of deformable projections or pimples 32 which, in use, will bear against the underlying ground surface, accommodating unevenness in the underlying ground surface and reducing the risk of the roadplate slipping or moving relative to the underlying ground surface.

The ramp 28 defined by the wall 26 provides a smooth entry and exit for vehicles moving onto or from the roadplate, reducing the magnitude or sharpness of any bump experienced, and so enhancing the comfort of passengers and reducing the risk of damage to the vehicle. In addition, the likelihood of movement of the roadplate relative to the underlying surface is reduced.

As mentioned above, the frame 14 further comprises corner pieces 18 located at or adjacent the corners of the steel sheet 10. The corner pieces 18, like the frame members 16, each define a channel 36 arranged to receive part of the steel sheet 10 and anti-skid sheet 12, and are shaped to form a ramp 34 as a continuation of the ramp 28. Each corner piece 18 further includes a pair of projections 38. Each projection 38 is arranged to be received within a respective end part of a passage 40 formed in each frame member 16 and defined between the upper and lower walls 20, 22, the interconnecting wall 24 and the wall 26. Conveniently, the shapes of the passages 40 and projections 38 are complementary such that the projections are a tight fit within the passages 40. Each projection 40 and each frame member 16 are provided with openings 42 which align when the corner piece 18 is fitted to the adjacent frame member 16 to permit a screw or bolt (not shown) to be introduced into the aligned openings and secured in position to secure the frame members 16 and corner pieces 18 to one another to form the frame 14. As the frame 14 is assembled around the steel sheet 10 and anti-skid sheet 12, holding the steel sheet 10 and anti-skid sheet 12 captive within the channels 30, 36, it will be appreciated that the assembly of the frame 14 also serves to secure the frame 14 to the steel sheet 10 and anti-skid sheet 12.

As best shown in Figure 3c, adjacent each corner of the steel sheet 10 is formed an opening 44, corresponding openings 46 being provided in the corner pieces 18 such that, in the assembled roadplate, the openings 44, 46 align with one another. The aligned openings 44, 46 may be used during handling of the roadplate, for example to allow it to be secured to appropriate lifting equipment, and may also be used to secure the roadplate in position, for example by the use of a securing pin driven through the openings and into the underlying ground surface.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate steps in the assembly of the roadplate, Figure 3a illustrating the application of the adhesive to the steel sheet 10, Figure 3b illustrating the positioning of the anti-skid sheet 12 onto the steel sheet 10 once the adhesive has been applied thereto, and Figure 3c illustrating the fitting of the frame members 16 and corner pieces 18 to the steel sheet 10 and to one another for subsequent bolting or screwing to one another to form the frame 14.

It will be appreciated that the roadplate described hereinbefore is advantageous in that the risk of slipping or skidding of vehicles on the road plate is reduced due to the presence of the anti-skid sheet, and that the ramps reduces bumping on entry to and exit from the roadplate. The ramps, as they are secured to the steel sheet 10, do not require additional operations to be required by an operator on installing the roadplate.

In the event that the anti-skid sheet 12 becomes worn and requires replacement, then it can be replaced by simply removing the screws or bolts used to secure the frame members 16 and corner pieces 18 to one another, after which the frame 14 can be disassembled and removed from the steel sheet 10. The anti-skid sheet 12 can then be peeled from the steel sheet 10. The use of a non-setting adhesive assists in this regard. A new layer of adhesive is then applied and a new anti-skid sheet 12 applied before reassembling the frame 14 around the steel sheet 10 to secure the edges of the anti-skid sheet 12 in position.

The frame members 16 and corner pieces 18 are conveniently of molded plastics material form. Preferably, they are able to flex to conform with the shape of the underlying ground surface, accommodating unevenness therein.

It will be appreciated that whilst the description hereinbefore is of just one embodiment of the invention, a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made to the described arrangement without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A roadplate comprising a steel sheet of generally square or rectangular form, an anti-skid sheet, and a frame extending around the periphery of the steel sheet, the frame being composed of frame members, each of which defines a channel adapted to receive an edge part of the steel sheet and an edge part of the anti-skid sheet, securing the edge part of the anti-skid sheet in position.

2. A roadplate according to Claim 1, wherein the anti-skid sheet is further adhered to the steel sheet.

3. A roadplate according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each frame member is shaped to define a ramp.

4. A roadplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the steel sheet includes openings to assist in lifting and maneuvering thereof.

5. A roadplate according to Claim 4, wherein the openings are positioned adjacent the edges of the steel sheet in positions which are covered by the frame, and the frame is provided with openings which align with the openings of the steel sheet.

6. A roadplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame members are flexible to allow flexing thereof to accommodate unevenness of the underlying ground surface.

7. A roadplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the underside of the frame members are provided with deformable projections arranged to deform to accommodate unevenness in the underlying ground surface.

5

8. A roadplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame members are interconnected by corner pieces located adjacent the corners of the steel sheet.

9. A roadplate according to Claim 8, wherein the frame members are secured to the corner pieces by screws or by bolts.

10. A method of replacing an anti-skid sheet of a roadplate as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of removing the frame, removing the anti-skid sheet from the steel sheet, applying a new anti-skid sheet to the steel sheet and reassembling the frame around the steel sheet with the edge part of the steel sheet and an

15 edge part of the new anti-skid sheet received within the channels of the frame members.