MXPA01004889A - Improved removable barrier construction - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable barrier construction, provided with tensioning and quick releasing systems for coupling to a metal fixed barrier, specifically designed for closing under safety conditions and quickly reopening passages provided in motorway traffic dividers.

Description

IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF REMOVABLE BARRIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved removable barrier construction for removably closing motorway passages. As is known, the highways, roads and in general, roads provided with two lanes of traffic, are protected in a central traffic divider system, by security barriers, which can be made of concrete aggregate material, possibly reinforced concrete, or more generally, of metallic materials, depending on the characteristics to retain vehicle traffic and for general safety as defined by national and European regulations. The aforementioned protective elements are interrupted in a conventional manner, in the pre-established spacings, with paved areas to allow vehicles in transit to change the traffic lane, depending on the conditions provided. These regions are conventionally known as traffic divider passages and have an average length of 20 to 40 m. The frequency with which the mentioned passages are formed through the road barrier will depend on the environmental conditions, the maintenance requirements of the road, the provision of exits or similar, and usually, it will correspond to approximately one step for every 2 km of freeway. In this way, the mentioned passage will represent an interruption through the lateral protection for the vehicles provided by the security barrier. This interruption is very dangerous, since possible accidents caused by a crossing of a vehicle through a barrier passage, even if it is at a comparatively low speed, will have very damaging effects on vehicle traffic. In fact, in this case, an uncontrolled vehicle making this crossing will often be hit against one or more vehicles arriving from the opposite direction in the other lane of the road; Then, the sum of the kinetic energy of the vehicles that are impacted will be detrimental to the passengers of the vehicle. Due to the disadvantages mentioned above, it has been considered to suppress the mentioned passages and / or to close the passages with fixed constructions such as fixed, conventional barriers. However, this solution would be unsuitable for emergency vehicles or snow removal vehicles in general, which are frequently required to change lanes on the road, for example, in the case of a serious accident that obstructs a roadway lane for several hours. and in the case of prolonged maintenance, such as is necessary to provide a lane of opposite direction in the opposite traffic route. Therefore, these requirements must be adapted to the safety requirements of motorway users, who are obliged to adopt an efficient closure system that can be easily and quickly removed as needed. The removable, conventional, metal barriers of the prior art, on the other hand, have not been found as satisfactory to meet the requirement of a quick and easy opening, since they require the disassembly of a large number of coupling elements. These coupling elements, moreover, will be subjected to the contaminating effects and atmospheric agents effects, susceptible to prevent their proper operation. The cable barriers, fixed, as they are used in several countries with good results from a safety point of view only, such as for example, the barrier described in EP 369659 (Britisyh Ropes), on the other hand, can not be Easily adapt to provide easily removable systems and in addition, this previous barrier will not easily adjust to existing barrier systems. A cable barrier system, which has been specifically designed to solve the aforementioned problems, has been described in the previous Italian Patent No. 1,270,041 of Snoline, in which, however, some of the problems of the problem have not been completely solved. security and management, mentioned previously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems, by providing a barrier construction to removably close freeways and similar passages, which is adapted to withstand impacts, with a safety complete, as provided by the international rules for small and medium weight vehicles, for example, motor vehicles and buses, and that can also be easily removed, as necessary, without requiring complex constructional tools. Within the aforementioned purpose, a main object of the present invention is to provide a barrier construction which, due to its specifically designed structural characteristics, is very reliable and safe in its operation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a barrier construction that can be easily manufactured starting from readily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from an economic point of view. According to one aspect of the present invention, the purpose and objects mentioned above, as well as still other objects, which will become more evident later, are achieved by an improved barrier construction to removably close road passages. , characterized in that the barrier construction comprises at least two lining cables, separated from each other and restricted at various points, the cables that enter into an existing metallic barrier or transitional assembly, metallic, and that are coupled, in their portions terminals, to tension mounts arranged within the barrier, or within transition metal handles, since the barrier is a concrete barrier. These cables, since they are located at a height included between a maximum and minimum level of the longitudinal strip of the metal safety barrier, fixed are preferably, and at least partially, covered by plastic materials, of box-like elements, which they comprise, at several points thereof, ground support elements, or plastic or woven film sleeve elements, in which case separate ground support feet are provided. In each case, between the cables, a plurality of restricting elements are provided to prevent the cables from separating from each other at their terminal portion, the restriction elements that are distributed by the same plastic elements or preferably by coupling elements. metallic elements comprising rod elements secured by screws, small cables or the like. In order to facilitate the opening operation, the cables are advantageously constituted by two or more parts of cable, for example, coupled in the center of the motorway passage or in the terminal portions thereof, by a quick connection system , such as, for example, that described in EP 369659. The cables, which enter the two terminal portions of the barrier on the side against the wind, with respect to the arrival traffic, and which are retained as close as possible on that side of the barrier, they are fixed, in a terminal portion of the passage, to a fixed connection assembly and, in the other, to the tension assemblies. The distance of the mentioned fixed points from the starting point of the barrier, which corresponds for example to approximately 6 meters, is that of the transition region in which other maintenance operations can be carried out, for example, in the barrier support poles, in order to modify the deformation properties thereof, to provide a gradual transition to a resiliently only operating system, constituted by the mentioned cables, to an elastic-plastic system, represented by the fixed barrier. The tension assemblies, which are arranged in a protected position, within the fixed, existing barrier or a specifically formed extension thereof, comprise a fixing construction and a manual or electrically operated crank, considering that the applied voltage will be small since it will be required only to eliminate or reduce the arrangement of the chain line that is formed between a support foot and a subsequent support foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The additional features and advantages of the barrier according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following description of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of an improved construction. barrier to removably close motorway passages, which has been illustrated, by means of an indicative example, but not limiting, in the attached drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a motorway passage provided with a barrier construction according to the present invention, as seen in elevation; Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating a highway passage with the barrier construction according to the present invention, as viewed from the top; Figure 3 is a top plan view illustrating a terminal portion of the barrier with a cable and a cable tension assembly; Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating a possible example of a cable spacing element; Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view illustrating the terminal and transition region with the tension assembly. Figure 6 is a detail view illustrating a detail of the barrier strip provided with holes. slotted cable entry; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating in detail a skin panel provided with a rest support foot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With reference to the number references of the figures mentioned above, the barrier construction to removably close motorway passages, in accordance with the present invention, which has been indicated in general by the reference number 1, comprises at least two cables, indicated by 2 that separate from each other and are made of metal cables or the like, which are coupled, in their terminal portions, under pre-tension conditions. The cables 2, in particular, are arranged at a height such as to remain within the minimum or maximum levels of the strip of the security barrier, metallic, fixed. These cables are conventionally coated, through the entire length thereof, or in portions thereof, by cladding elements 3, having desired optical properties. These elements 3 may comprise simple, fabric, sleeve elements covered by plastic materials, or hollow plastic bodies, as they are specifically contoured and possibly colored. At uniform spacings, for example, between one and four meters, feet 4 for resting or ground support are provided, these feet being generally made of lightweight plastic materials, and which can advantageously be embedded in the covering element 3 plastic, as shown in Figure 7. These cables 2 are retained in a desired vertical spacing from one by spacer elements 5, formed as metal rods controlled or formed which are secured by screws, or small metal cable runs with curved end portions , as shown in Figure 4, and which can be advantageously arranged under the coating elements 3 or embedded therein. According to a modified embodiment, the aforementioned cover elements 3 are designed to directly provide this aforementioned function as well. In order to quickly open the passage, the cables are connected at about half their length or at other points, usually comprising a terminal bar portion and a fork terminal portion, as well as a coupling pin. In this way, after the tension of the cable has been released by the crank 7, it will be possible to uncouple the closure and bend the two terminal portions on the two sides of the passage. In the terminal portions of the cables 2 are provided, on one side, a fixed connection 8 and on the other side, a tension assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, advantageously comprising a bottom or base plate 11 which is fixed to the ground when fixing bolts to be fixed inside of the barrier 9, in order to put the cable joints as tangent as possible to the internal surface of the barrier. The metal barrier 9, in particular, can be of a double-wave strip type 12, and that includes a central post 13 and, after the tension assembly 10, or respectively, the fixed joint 8, can continue with the same arrangement or be connected to another type of barrier, be it a metal or concrete barrier, for a suitable transition region. At the front of the cable fixing points, the barrier defines a terminal region 14 of transition between the cable and the barrier, for a length required to provide a gradual variation of the flexural properties in the event of an impact. In region 14, the barrier 9 is properly tapered to allow cables to pass within the barrier, through suitable slotted holes 15 provided against the wind of the strip. The strip, accordingly, can be adequately reinforced in its inner portion, which will be advantageously made by coupling a similar part, as shown in Figure 6. The terminal portions of the cables that are pre-tensioned are coupled to the element. 16 of fixed support on the anchor plate 11. The pretensioning operation, in particular, is carried out by a rigid crank 7 with the assembly 10 and provided, for example, with a removable handle or any other suitable fastening system, in order to prevent vandalism. As the desired tension has been achieved, the cable end portion is fixed to the support 16 by two fixing pins. As shown, the cable 2 is provided with an elongated, terminal slot 20, coupled to a latching system 21 comprising two overlapping plates 22 provided with a plurality of longitudinal holes, the plates engaging a tang 23 engaging the cable slot 20. At the opposite end of the tang 23, a washer 25 is provided as for the sliding thereof of the service cable 26 included in the crank 7 connected to the construction 10. In this way, when operating the crank 7, the plates 22 they are put into the holes formed through the fixed construction 10, whereby these plates can be coupled to the fixed construction by two coupling pins. The construction 10, in particular, is connected to the bottom plate 11 and the latter is coupled to the ground by a coupling connector arranged to provide the required longitudinal anchoring force and a small resistance in the transverse direction, whereby the construction it will not provide any dangerous reaction in the event of a side impact against the barrier 12. If a fixed, concrete barrier is provided, then the system can be used easily by replacing the portion that joins the passage, by a suitable length adapted to promote a gradual transition between the different rigidity properties by a metal barrier and the related terminal assembly, of the same type. In a further embodiment, in which it is necessary to protect the terminal assembly against possible frontal impacts, the terminal portion of the terminal assembly may be of a type of impact absorption, and may be constructed by any suitable, existing method. From the above description, it will be evident that the invention fully achieves the purpose and objects proposed. In particular, it is pointed out that the present cable system has been designed to withstand an impact at an angle of a vehicle, - as provided by the recent European rules, with exclusively dynamic deformation, thereby directing the vehicle to retain the vehicle in its traffic lane. In addition, the arrangement of the cable joints with respect to the barrier has been specifically designed to provide a gradual deformation of the barrier, eliminating in this way any "hard" point that would be very dangerous for the passengers of the vehicle.

With respect to possible maintenance and modification operations, in the installation of the barrier, these modifications to the barrier of the cable system can be easily carried out by a maintenance team that includes only two people, with the help of a trolley. service. Likewise, if the passage must be opened, then the same operator can easily release the tension of the cables, decoupling the assembly, and rapidly folding the system itself on both sides. According to the preferred embodiments, the cables have a height from the ground between 200 and 1000 mm and a distance of 500 to 700 mm is preferably arranged. Additionally, these cables can be replaced by chains or other rigid linear elements, coupled together by hinge assemblies. In order to return to the most visible barrier in the barrier passage, the cable coating elements can be colored to clearly display the traffic closure. The invention, as described, is susceptible to various modifications and variations, all of which will come within the inventive idea. In addition, all these details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In the practice of the invention, the materials used, as well as the size and contingent forms, can be any, depending on the requirements.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A removable barrier construction, to close passages present between fixed obstacle barriers of a motorway, the removable barrier comprises at least two separate cables, characterized in that a first end of a first cable is coupled to a fixed point, the The second end of the first cable is provided with an opening means that can be opened, a first end of a second cable is provided with an opening means that can be opened, the second end of the second cable is coupled to a tension assembly, that the cables are arranged at a fixed distance corresponding to the height of the fixed barrier and that the cables enter the fixed barrier at a point included between a terminal assembly and the voltage. A barrier construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the cables enter the fixed barrier on the windward end of each traffic direction. 3. A barrier construction according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the cables extend along an interior surface of the fixed barrier. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a terminal portion of the fixed barrier is modified by tightening it and reinforcing it to allow the cables to enter the barrier. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portion of the fixed barrier has a flexural strength which provides a gradual transition between the deformability of the cables and that of the fixed barrier. 6. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openable connection is arranged at half the length of the passage. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openable connection is arranged in a terminal portion of the passage section. 8. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cables are coated, through the passage section, by plastic coating elements. 9. A barrier construction according to claim 8, characterized in that the cladding elements are made of polyethylene box-like elements. 10. A barrier construction according to claim 8, characterized in that the cladding elements are made of sheath, fabric, plasticized elements. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, through the length of the passage, the passages are provided with ground support feet that are not restricted to the ground. 12. A barrier construction according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the cladding elements are embedded in the terrestrial support elements. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable separating elements comprise contoured spacing rods fixed by screws. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable separating elements comprise small steel cables restricted in their terminal portions. 15. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating elements are embedded in the coating elements. 16. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cables are tensioned and coupled to a structure fixed to the ground and that they can be folded under a lateral impact. 17. A barrier construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable tension assemblies are operated by manually or electrically operated cranks. 18. A barrier construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrier construction comprises a metal transition region coupled to an existing concrete barrier. 19. A barrier construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed barrier end assembly comprises a front impact protective element. A barrier construction according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cables comprise chains or rigid linear elements coupled to each other by hinge assemblies.