LU86582A1 - MODULAR SHOCK ABSORBER SLIDING ON AN EXISTING ROAD SAFETY BARRIER - Google Patents

Description

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Title: Modular damping element sliding on an existing road safety barrier.

The invention relates to a modular element sliding on an existing road safety barrier taking up practically all the energy of an impact during a car accident.

In the prior art it is known to use modular elements intended to be placed and fixed on a road safety barrier and having a well limited length and serving for signaling purposes.

These modular elements being provided with reflecting means, can not take up practically any energy from an impact and cannot slip. They are therefore totally inadequate for absorbing the energy of a shock.

From the prior art, it is also known to use road safety barrier elements overlapping at the ends so that during an impact and under the effect of the longitudinal component the elements r partially slide over each other. allowing to take back part of the energy of the shock. These installations are expensive and complicated and do not lend themselves to being used with road safety barriers everywhere in service today.

The aim of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks, set out above, by creating a modular sliding damping element capable of putting the cars leaving the direction of travel on the road again and of damping and absorbing the energy of the shock.

The invention is therefore characterized by a modular element, inexpensive, which can be easily placed and fixed to an existing security barrier.

The invention is also characterized by a flexible monobloc extruded element, easily replaceable, reinforced with a semi-cylindrical external shape, comprising * internally a conical damping pocket, fixed by mechanical and thermal nipping. From the edges outside the barrier with a predetermined force, provided with means "for signaling possible crushing and means for visual signaling, and bearing on the barrier only along a very limited number of narrow longitudinal ranges, these ranges being specially worked to give them special properties such as a well defined roughness.

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Another important characteristic resides in the fact that the mounting of this element is done alternately with a damping element resistant to longitudinal displacements and being produced so that during an impact the damping pocket takes up the transverse component of the energy and that following at a longitudinal sliding, with friction that is controlled and calculable in advance, at the narrow support ranges of this element of the cooperation with the damping element and the following elements, the shock is practically completely absorbed.

An additional feature is that the modular element is extruded from a thermoplastic material and / or a material having special properties, for example good properties of flexibility, mechanical resistance or resistance to weathering over time. The element can also be extruded into a material comprising in a single extrusion operation, internally a layer, having the properties listed above, coming from thermoplastic or other material of any kind recovered by recycling.

(for example polyethylene PE) and externally a finishing layer (PVC for example) having special properties, for example as to color, shine, weather resistance of time, or roughness.

The modular element is also characterized by the flexibility and the mechanical resistance of its semi-cylindrical external envelope obtained, as previously explained, by the choice of the master used. Apart from that, the outer envelope can be reinforced by separate longitudinal wires, a complete mesh of longitudinal and transverse wires or strips of any kind, for example flexible steel, these wires and / or bands being incorporated in the envelope. automatically during extrusion. A combination of wires and bands is also possible.

Another characteristic of primary importance lies in the fact that the modular element comprises a cushioning pocket inside, preferably of conical shape. This pocket can be provided at both ends of the modular element by hermetically welded covers. As it acts as a shock absorber it is filled, in the simplest case, by a compressible foam or sand taking up during a shock the transverse component of the energy of the shock by compressing. It can also be filled with a liquid, for example an oil, and provided in this case with a pressure relief valve allowing the liquid to escape slowly and in a controlled manner during an overpressure. coming from a shock exerted on the pocket. It can also simply be subjected internally to a certain pressure of gas, for example air, and also provided in this case with an overpressure exhaust valve allowing the gas to escape slowly and in a controlled manner during an overpressure coming from a shock exerted on the pocket.

The bag does not necessarily have to be closed completely by lids, but can be closed only partially by rings allowing sufficient retention of the foam inside. In this case, it can also be provided inside a bag inflated under pressure or filled with liquid, this bag being in each case provided with an overpressure discharge valve described above.

One of the most important features of the invention resides in the manner of placing and fixing the modular element, having an inner envelope of special shape to the road safety barrier. This element touches the barrier only at the ends which are partially folded and pinched mechanically and thermally with a predetermined force and at the tip of the conical damping pocket. These three contact pads can be treated specially for their conferring special properties, such as a high friction property in the form of a rough surface for example or the like. The ends or edges may have a greater thickness than the rest of the envelope of the modular element in order to strengthen them.

The advantage of the fixing supported on three areas, lies in the fact that during an impact the modular element acts! as a spring assembly thanks to its flexibility in general. Also the shock absorbing pocket will be compressed during an impact, with the effect that the edges of the modular element having a tendency to unhook having as reaction that the edges grip more on the barrier opposing possible slippage. The tip of the shock absorbing pocket is also pushed against the barrier, also preventing it from sliding. With only these three narrow support areas, it has proved in practice during the tests that it is possible to provide a controlled sliding during an impact without the modular element remaining wedged on the safety barrier, even in the case where the latter has slight deformations. The edges in the support areas and on the tip of the cone are chamfered at the ends of the modular element allowing sliding on despite these small deformations of the barrier mentioned above.

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Another characteristic resides in the fact that the modular element is mounted alternately with a damping element which in the simplest case consists of a spring attached to the modular element and to a post for anchoring the safety barrier.

In other cases it is constituted by a spring mounted on the barrier itself, not touching any of the modular elements. In still other cases it consists of a bag or ring inflated under pressure or filled with a pressurized liquid and provided with a pressure relief discharge valve. This bag retained by any means also has an external shape similar to the modular elements. A very interesting case is the case where the shock absorbing pocket of the modular element is not completely closed by lids at its ends, it is provided with rings and it contains an inflated bag under pressure or filled with liquid under pressure. The initial pressure of the bag then being such that the bag exceeds the ends of the modular element in the form of small bumps.

It will then play at the same time the role of shock absorber of the transverse component of the shock and that of the damping element between the different modular elements.

Likewise, the foam protruding from the non-closed ends js or only partially closed ends of the damping pocket can also play this role of intermediate damping element.

The modular element is also characterized by the fact that the gas or the liquid contained in the pocket or in the bag is a gas or a liquid having explosion-proof properties by giving rise to a foam suffocating sparks and possible flames. The pressure relief valve is then on the surface of the modular element and serves as a sprinkler head.

An interesting variant is characterized by a shock absorbing pocket containing a bag inflated under pressure and provided towards the outside with a thinned wall. When an impact occurs, this thinned wall breaks and an inflation mechanism is started, instantly inflating the bag inside using high pressure gas from any source. The bag then pushes the car towards the road. The inflation mechanism can be started either by breaking the thinned wall under the effect of the shock or by a vibration detector. For very dangerous places this variant can be fitted with an approach speed detector, which by detecting that a car is approaching the barrier with a speed greater than a certain reference threshold, automatically triggers the instant inflation mechanism before the car hits the safety barrier. This approach speed sensor can be an optical, radar, magnetic or other device. Below this speed reference threshold, the bag then simply acts as a shock absorber as described above. The thinned wall can be partially removed after extrusion to form a window or even be omitted during extrusion. The pressure of the bag inside is then such that it already comes out slightly in the normal state of the pocket in the form of a bump.

Another variant is characterized by a cushioning pocket comprising during the extrusion a partition wall and internal support. After extrusion, the pocket is provided with rectangular windows on its face facing the roadway, the width of the windows being slightly less than the diameter of rollers forcefully introduced by these windows and bearing on the internal partition wall. These rollers which still protrude beyond the pocket serve to more easily guide a car in the longitudinal direction by their rolling movement on the internal partition wall.

The modular element is also characterized by means for signaling a possible crushing which are constituted by a vibration detector, an approach speed detector previously mentioned previously or by a pressure detector of the shock absorbing pocket or inside this pocket or any other mechanical, electrical or electronic device, and this can be combined with a transmitter transmitting remotely a coded message from the location of the accident.

An additional characteristic resides in the fact that the modular element also serves as a support for visual signaling means, either that the outer envelope is provided with a certain color, a reflective layer or glued strip, or that the element is provided during extrusion of fixing means for a reflective, phosphorescent strip, for a lamp or other signaling device.

The invention is also characterized in that the modular element can be easily adapted to various profiles of the existing security barrier. This is how it can be adapted during extrusion to a double barrier superimposed in height. Also during extrusion, the modular element which preferably has a length of between one and two meters, can be bent slightly while still hot, allowing it to be perfectly adapted to the different radii of curvature of the safety barrier.

The outer envelope is not necessarily semi-cylindrical, but can take any shape, in particular a more flat shape.

The invention is also characterized in that the number of support pads can be different, by three. In one of the variants this number is five and the shock absorbing pocket then comprises two flat parts at the ends, and a conical shape in the middle or else a very flared conical pocket touching the barrier on the external curvatures. These two cases make it possible to give the modular element increased stability and at the same time make it possible to make the most of the flexibility and the mechanical strength of the safety barrier itself.

In another variant, the shock absorbing pocket is ·. consisting of a single flat part and the number of narrow support areas then being four.

This case gives rise to the same advantages as the previous variants.

In the spirit of the invention, other variants are possible or imaginable with a different number of bearing pads.

Another important characteristic resides in the fact that the wall thickness of the modular element can be adapted according to the applications and the required stability. It can vary between 5 and 15 millimeters or more.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, representing some preferred modes and forms given by way of nonlimiting examples in which: FIGS. 1a, 1B and IC represent two profiles of, barrier of existing road safety and a front view of one of these profiles after assembly.

- Figure 2 shows a section of the modular element according to the invention.

"-8- - Figure 3 shows a section of another embodiment of the modular element according to the invention.

- Figure 4 shows a section of a modular element with a bag inside.

- Figure 4bis is a front view of Figure 4 - Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of a road safety barrier with the modular elements placed.

- Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of the end of one of the support pads.

* - Figure 7 shows another variant in section of the modular element with rollers.

- Figure 8 shows a section of a modular element adapted to a double safety barrier. '·.

- Figure 9 shows a variant of a modular element comprising 5 support areas.

- Figure 10 shows yet another variant of a modular element also with 5 support areas.

- Figure 11 is a variant of a modular element comprising 4 support areas.

Figure IA and IB each represents a section of a most common existing safety barrier with their corresponding dimensions. Figure IC shows a front view of one of these barriers mounted along a road.

Figure 2 shows a section of a modular element (1) extruded in one piece and mounted on a safety barrier (2). The support points (3) are reduced here to three very narrow ranges, i.e. two end edges and the tip of a conical shock absorbing pocket (4). The edges (5,6) are partially folded and pinched mechanically and thermally with a predetermined force. The edge (6) is made thicker to strengthen it. The support pads can be specially treated to give them special properties, such as a high coefficient of friction (for example by making them very rough). The conical damping pocket (4) is filled with a compressible foam (8) allowing during its deformation to take up the transverse component of the impact energy. This shock absorbing pocket -9- (4) can also be provided with a bag (9) inflated with air or any other gas or filled with a pressurized liquid such as an oil. An element (7) integral with the modular element is used to fix elements (10) for visual or other signaling.

Figure 3 shows a section of a modular element comprising elements (1,2) incorporated during the extrusion in the walls to reinforce them in order to give it good properties of flexibility and mechanical resistance. The elements (1) are constituted by separate longitudinal wires or by a complete grid of longitudinal and transverse wires. The elements (2) consist of metal strips or other material having good properties of flexibility and mechanical resistance.

FIG. 4 shows a modular element provided with a bag inflated with air or any other gas or filled with a liquid under pressure, such as an oil. An overpressure discharge valve is directed towards the outside making it possible, in the case of a gas or liquid having explosion-proof properties, to smother sparks and possible flames. The thin wall (3) which breaks during an impact, lets out the inflated bag (4) instantly allowing to push a car towards the road again. The thin wall (3) can also be partially removed after extrusion to create a window and the pressure in the bag is then such that it comes out slightly already in the normal state (5) through the window.

It resumes the form (4) after instant inflation during an impact. The mechanism for instantaneous inflation of the bag is already sufficiently explained in the introduction and is no longer described here.

Figure (4) bis shows a front view of the modular element of Figure 4. (3) shows the thinned part or the window cut in this thinned bet.

If the thinned part is omitted during the extrusion, then the part (3) extends (6) to the ends of the modular element. (4) represents the bag after instantaneous inflation, partially putting itself in front of the modular element to help push the car towards the road again. In (5) is shown the inflated bag in the normal state exiting in the form of a bump from the modular element, the shock absorbing pocket then being partially closed by rings (7) welded thermally or otherwise applied and allowing the bag to be retained. inside the pocket.

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FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view of a road safety barrier comprising the modular elements (1) mounted alternately with damping elements (2).

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of the end (1) of one of the support areas of the modular element m. The arrow (2) indicates the direction of possible sliding relative to the road safety barrier (3) · The edge is chamfered (4) allowing to easily pass over the small deformations (5) (here for the clarity of the enlarged drawing) of the road safety barrier (3) without getting stuck during sliding.

Figure 7 shows a modular extruded one-piece element provided inside a support wall (1) for rollers (2) introduced through windows ·.

(3) cut in the outer casing of the modular element. The width of these windows (3) is slightly less than the diameter of the rollers (2) so that the latter are forced in. The rollers slightly protrude from the outer casing so as to guide a car longitudinally by their rolling on the support wall (1). The shock absorbing pocket (4) can be provided with foam or a bag according to the characteristics described above. The right part of the figure represents a front view of this variant.

FIG. 8 represents a section of an extruded monobloc modular element (1) adapted to a double safety barrier (2,3) spperposé in height. In this case the modular element is flattened comprising either a straight piece (4) in the middle, or a piece having a slight curvature (5).

Figure 9 shows a variant of a modular element comprising 5 narrow areas (1) of support on the safety barrier. The shock absorbing pocket then has a slightly different shape comprising rectilinear parts (2) and a conical part (3).

FIG. 10 shows another variant of a modular element comprising 5 narrow areas (1) for bearing on the safety barrier. The shock absorbing pocket has the shape of a cone with a larger apex angle.

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FIG. 11 represents a variant of a modular element comprising 4 narrow areas (1) for bearing on the safety barrier. The shock absorbing pocket is limited by a rectilinear wall (2).

The variants according to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 give the modular element increased stability and at the same time make it possible to take full advantage of the flexibility and the mechanical strength of the safety barrier itself.

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Claims (43)

1. Modular element for road safety barrier intended to be placed on a barrier at regular intervals CHARACTERIZED by an element having in its totality the properties and behavior of a shock absorber obtained thanks to its special shape and construction, being monoblock extruded and adapted to the profile of existing road safety barriers, being easily replaceable and inexpensive, being of flexible structure and of semi-cylindrical external shape, being fixed to the barrier by mechanical and thermal clamping of the external edges with a predetermined force, comprising internally a conical damping pocket, being provided with means for signaling a possible crushing and with visual signaling means, bearing on the barrier only along a limited number of very narrow longitudinal ranges and specially worked to give rise to a calculable sliding of advance, mounting being done alternately with a damping element r helping to resist longitudinal sliding, the assembly also being carried out so that during an impact the shock absorbing pocket takes up the transverse component of the impact energy and that following a longitudinal sliding of this modular element accompanied by calculable friction in advance absorbing part of the longitudinal component of the impact energy and the cooperation with the following shock-absorbing element and the modular elements (following, the impact energy is almost completely - absorbed. 2. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 1 CARACTERIS-E 'in that the modular element has a well limited length between one and two meters, preferably 1.20 meters and that the space between two modular elements that follow each other is between ten and twenty centimeters, preferably twelve centimeters. "_13_ 3. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to claim 2 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it is extruded from a thermoplastic material and / or a material having special properties, for example as regards flexibility, mechanical strength or weather resistance of time. 4. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to claim 3 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it is extruded in a material comprising in a single extrusion operation a) internally a layer having the properties according to claim 3, layer coming from any sort of thermoplastic or other material recovered by recycling b) externally a finishing layer having special properties as to color, shine, weather resistance over time and / or roughness. 5. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 4 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the inner layer is constituted by polyethylene (PE) and the outer layer by PVC; 6. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 3,4 or 5 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that its flexibility, its mechanical strength and other properties are further accentuated by the incorporation during the extrusion of reinforcing elements. 7. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 6 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the reinforcing elements are constituted by separate longitudinal wires or by a complete mesh of longitudinal and transverse wires having good properties of flexibility and mechanical resistance. . 8. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to claim 6 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the reinforcing elements consist of one or more thin strips of any suitable material, for example steel, having good flexibility and mechanical resistance properties. . 9. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 6 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the reinforcing elements are constituted by a combination of the elements according to claims 7 and 8. -14- 10. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 9 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket is filled with a compressible foam taking up the energy of the transverse component of the shock during its deformation. 11. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 9, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket is closed by lids thermally welded or otherwise applied to the ends, is filled with a liquid, by example an oil, and is fitted with one or more pressure relief valves allowing the liquid to slowly escape! during a great pressure coming from a shock. 12. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 9 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket is hermetically closed by lids thermally welded or otherwise applied to the ends, is inflated with air or any another suitable gas with a certain pressure and is fitted with one or more relief pressure relief valves allowing the air or gas to slowly escape during an impact. 13. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 10 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket is provided at each end with a ring welded thermally or otherwise applied closing it only partially. 14. Modular element for road safety barrier · I according to claim 13 CHARACTERIZED in that the shock absorbing pocket is provided inside a bag inflated with air or any other gas, the bag being provided with a or several pressure relief valves slowly allowing air or gas to escape during an impact, the end rings serving to hold the bag inside the pocket. '15) Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 13 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the shock absorbing pocket is provided inside a bag filled with a liquid, for example an oil, the bag being provided with a or several pressure relief valves slowly allowing the liquid to escape during an impact, the end rings serving to retain the bag inside the pocket. -15- 16. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim '13 CHARACTERIZED in that the end rings serve to retain the compressible foam inside the pocket. 17. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 16 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it bears on the safety barrier only in three narrow ranges, ie. on the tip of the shock absorbing pocket and on the folded edges. 18. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims from 3 to 17 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the support according to the limited number i of narrow ranges confers on this modular element a very great general flexibility which can act as a spring assembly. 19. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 18 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the support according to the limited number of narrow ranges makes it possible to provide during an impact a controlled and calculable sliding in advance . 20. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 19 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the edges of this modular element are chamfered with narrow support areas allowing safe sliding, despite possible slight local deformations of the security barrier. 21. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 20 d CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the shock-absorbing elements "" mounted alternately with the modular elements • are constituted by springs attached to the modular elements and to the anchors from the security gate itself. 22. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 20 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the damping elements mounted alternately with the modular elements are constituted by springs mounted on the safety barrier itself, possibly fixed to the latter having an external shape similar to the external envelope of the modular elements. -16- 23. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 20 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the damping elements, mounted alternately with the modular elements are constituted by bags, in the form of rings for example, inflated in air or any other gas under pressure or filled with a pressurized liquid, having an external shape similar to the external envelope of the modular elements and being provided with one or more relief pressure relief valves. 24. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 20 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the damping elements mounted alternately with the modular elements are constituted by the bags housed in the shock absorbing pockets and retained by the rings of ends, the pressure in the bags being such that the bags exceed the ends of the modular elements in the form of bumps which play the roles of the damping elements. 25. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 20 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the damping elements mounted alternately with the modular elements are constituted by compressible foam beyond the retaining end rings. 26. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 9, 12, 14, 15, 17 to 24 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the gas or the liquid contained in the shock absorbing pocket, or in the housed bag in this pocket or in the bag of the intermediate damping element is a gas or a liquid having explosion-proof properties giving rise to a gas or a foam suffocating sparks and possible flames, this gas or this liquid leaving during an impact or the pressure relief valve (s) located on the surface of the modular element or of the damping element and being directed towards the roadway, the valves playing the role of sprinkler head. 27. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 9, 12, 14 15, 17 to 24, 26 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket is provided inside an inflated bag in the air or any other gas and towards the outside of a thinned part of the wall which can be easily broken during an impact, the bag being inflated more immediately „using a gas under high pressure coming from 'Any source, the inflated bag pushing a car back towards the road. -17- 28. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 12, 14, 15, 17 to 24, 26, 27 CHARACTERIZED by le.fait that the pocket · shock absorbing is provided internally with an inflated bag air or any other gas and towards the outside of an open window cut in the thinned part of the outer envelope through which the bag inflates instantly during an impact using a gas under high pressure coming from from some source, goes out, the bag then pushing the car again towards the „roadway. 29. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to claim 27 or 28 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the thinned wall is omitted during its extrusion. 30. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claims 27, 28 or 29 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the instantaneous inflation is triggered, either by a mechanism reacting on the breakage of the thinned part of the wall, or by a vibration detector. 31. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claims 27, 28 or 29 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the mechanism for triggering instantaneous inflation is a detector of the optical approach speed, radar, magnetic or other, detecting the approaching a car with a speed greater than a predetermined threshold, triggering instantaneous inflation before the car even touches the modular element. 32. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 27 to 31 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that if the shock is not severe enough to trigger the instantaneous inflation mechanism or if the approach speed does not exceed not the required threshold, the bag simply plays the role defined in claims 14, 24 or 25. 33. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 26 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the conical damping pocket comprises during the extrusion a partition wall and internal support and is provided after the extrusion of rectangular windows on the side facing the roadway, the width of these windows being slightly less than the diameter of rollers forced into these windows and bearing on the internal partition -18- wall, the rollers projecting out of the windows exterior used to guide a car in the longitudinal direction by their rolling movements on the internal partition wall. 34. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 33 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the signaling means of a possible crushing consist of the vibration detector, the break detector or the detector of the approach speed in particular, or by a pressure detector of the inflated bag or filled with liquid or any other mechanical, electrical or electronic device, these detectors and / or devices cooperating with a transmitter making it possible to transmit a coded message from a distance the location of the accident. 35. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 34 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the visual signaling means consist of a certain color of the outer envelope, colored and glued bands, reflective layers or phosphorescent lamps, reflectors or lamps or any other signaling device. " 36. Modular element for road safety barrier according to claim 35 CHARACTERIZED in that it already provided during the extrusion of the fixing means of these strips, reflectors, lamps or other device. 37. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 36! CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it is easily adaptable ^ during extrusion to the various profiles of b, rear of existing road safety, to double barriers superimposed in height. 38. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 37 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it can be bent while still hot during extrusion allowing it to be perfectly adapted to the radii of curvature of the barrier road safety. \ • -19- 39. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 38 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the outer casing may have a semi-cylindrical shape, or a slightly flattened shape or any other shape. 40. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 38 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the folded edges have a greater thickness than the rest of the wall of the modular element, in order to give it better mechanical resistance. 41. Modular element for a road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 16, 18 I to 40 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it rests on the safety barrier in 5 narrow longitudinal ranges (FIGS. 9 and 10), the conical damping pocket being slightly modified and comprising either two flat parts at the ends and a conical shape in the middle, or a conical pocket with an enlarged angle at the center, these two cases making it possible to increase the mechanical stability of the modular element and at the same time allow you to make the most of the flexibility and mechanical strength of the safety barrier *. n itself. 42. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 16, 18 to 40 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it rests on the safety barrier in 4 narrow longitudinal ranges (fig. 11), the pocket conical damper being completely flattened, this case giving rise to the same advantages as those according to claim 41. {- _ » 43. Modular element for road safety barrier according to any one of claims 3 to 42 CHARACTERIZED by the fact that its wall thickness is adaptable during extrusion according to the application "requested and is between 5 and 15 millimeters.