SE544956C2

SE544956C2 - Guiderail for a roadway barrier system

Info

Publication number: SE544956C2
Application number: SE2151109A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Grzegorz K Kaniewski; John Harald Systad; Lars M Holstad
Original assignee: Vik Oersta As
Priority date: 2019-02-13
Filing date: 2020-02-12
Publication date: 2023-02-07
Also published as: NO346926B1; SE2151109A1; NO20211094A1; WO2020167138A1; NO20190201A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guiderail (100) for use in a roadway barrier system. The guiderail comprises at least two posts (110) and at least two continuous rails (120). The at least two posts are adapted to be fixed to a supporting surface and the atleast two continuous rails are adapted to be arranged at a distance from each other to the at least two posts (110). Each continuous rail comprises at least two elongated elements (121). The guiderail further comprises a link (130) adapted to be connected to and arranged between the at least two continuous rails. The guiderail is characterized in that each continuous rail further comprises at least one connecting coupling (140) adaptedto connect and receive the at least two elongated elements in lengthwise direction.The at least two elongated elements are being threaded with their opposite ends onto the at least one connecting coupling and wherein the opposite ends being arranged face-to-face in an end-to-end relation.

Description

Technical Field of the invention The present invention relates to a guiderail for a roadway barrier system for enhancing roadway safety. More specifically, the system is designed for preventing a vehicle from escaping outside the road and/or changing direction and being thrown out and into the roadway and consequently being a danger for other vehicles. The guiderail for a roadway barrier system comprises supporting posts arranged to be installed into the ground, mounted onto a supporting surface or onto or into a foundation or that the posts has a base plate mounted that may be mounted onto a concrete construction, along the pathway of the planned roadway barrier system to be installed, with at least two continues rails adapted to be arranged a distance from each other in heights and carried by the supporting posts. A link is adapted to be connected to and arranged between the at least two continuous rails. ln the case of a collision, the guiderail is designed in such a way that the car will follow and slide on the guiderail in a smooth way without danger of being hooked by the rails and without the guiderail being deformed in such a way that the vehicle will be thrown over the rail itself.

Background for the /nvention Roadway barriers and safety systems, such as guiderails, are designed to enhance safety on the roads and to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatal incidences caused by automotive vehicles. They shall keep the vehicle within the roadway and prevent them from colliding with dangerous obstacles such as trees, cliffs, rocks, signs, bridge supports, buildings, entering into deep water etc..

Reports and analysis of accidents often show the absence of roadway barriers, such as rails, in connection to fatal accidents by driving off the road or into parallel driving lanes. Roadway barriers could preferably be used in any case where the side area of the road cannot be secured. Such barriers shall be used in order to secure the vehicle from driving off the roads, but also to secure other road users, such as approaching or parallel traffic or cyclists and pedestrians, and also to protect near road constructions such as buildings, railways, playgrounds, parking areas, passing places etc..

Common roadway barrier systems are constructed using guiderails with elongated elements of different cross section mounted on spaced wood or steel posts. Roadway barrier systems may be used at places where the aesthetic, e.g. in order to make as little fingerprint as possible, is of great important or high transparency through the barrier system is aimed to be important, in order to have a clear overview of the traffic at crossroads, roundabouts and in urban areas like cities etc.. Such systems often comprise longitudinal circular profiles, or other smooth and clean profiles; oval, rectangular, squared, rounded, closed profiles or open profiles like a C-profile or W-profile. The barrier system often comprises elongated elements lengthwise connected and mounted on posts, preferably in two approximately parallel heights, with upper and lower elongated elements, where the distance between the posts can play a significant role in regard to safety, but where the number of vertical posts play a significant role in regard to cost.

JP 85150823 U describes a protective fence wherein a pillar of a square tube is provided with a horizontal tube insertion hole. A Horizontal tube is to be inserted into the horizontal tube insertion hole of the pillar.

KR 101182975 B1 describes a guardrail wherein an element is installed between an upper and lower rail to prevent the upper rail and the lower rail from spreading up or down in a vehicle crash.

KR 200501 11539A describes a vehicle protection rail to be installed on the road. A rail reinforcing plate is installed between longitudinal guard rail plates of the vehicle protection rail for distributing the load applied to the guard rail plates due to i.e. the collision of a vehicle.

JP 2007120208 A describes end sections for a guard pipe of a protective fence. The end sections absorb shocks when a pedestrian or a bicycle collides with such end section.

WO 2013/034789 A1 describes a tubular barrier for the protection of vehicles and people. The barrier comprises tubular elements, free from edges which can injure humans. The barrier is created to arrange longitudinal elements one on top of the other. The longitudinal elements are connected by u-shaped tubular elements connected to a vertical element which again is connected to a vertical post arranged at a supportive surface. At large scale testing of this kind of barrier systems, when the vehicle drives into the barrier, the two parallel elongated elements are often shown to tend to divide. When the profiles are separated like this, it is a risk for that the vehicle may press the profiles away from each other and that the vehicle may pass through the barrier system. Another risk is that the barrier system does not intercept the vehicle and that the vehicle continues its wrong path. The probability of the profile being separated increases with increased distance between the vertical posts and increased velocity of the vehicle.

There is therefore a need for a solution to redress and overcome this problem in order to reduce this risk and be able to make the distance between the vertical posts as large as possible. Moreover, there is a need for a guiderail in a roadway barrier system that enhances or at least maintains safety at increased post distance.

Summary of the lnvention ln the following and throughout the specification bellow, the following terms mean: The term “guiderail” refers to a roadway barrier system or a fence along a roadway, the guiderail shall primarily provide a security barrier between vehicles, vehicles and pedestrians, and other elements along the roadway.

The term “elongated element” refers to the elements extending along the length of the roadway where the guiderail is to be installed. The profile of the elongated elements are often hollow circular profiles, or other smooth and clean rounded and closed hollow profiles being oval, rectangular, square, rounded, or rounded and open and hollow profiles like C-profiles, W-profiles etc..

The term “continuous rail” refers to elongated elements configured to form a continuous lengthwise row of elongated elements forming the guiderail.

The term “post” refers to elements placed in a support surface at a given distance carrying the continuous rails.

The term “connecting coupling” refers to coupling elementjoining the ends of the elongated elements together to form the continuous rail.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a guiderail for a roadway barrier system that enhances safety for road-users when travelling on, along or close to the road.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a guiderail for a roadway barrier system that protects near road constructions.

Another object of the present invention is to decrease the number of posts in a guiderail for a roadway barrier system, while maintaining or enhancing the strength of the guiderail for a roadway barrier system. lt is also another object of the present invention to provide a guiderail for protection against high-velocity vehicles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guiderail with a low fingerprint due to an aesthetic aspect.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention is to provide guiderail being as stiff as possible.

The objective is achieved according to the invention by a guiderail for a roadway barrier system as defined in the preamble of the independent claims, having the features of the characterising portion of the independent claims.

A number of non-exhaustive embodiments, variants or alternatives of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a guiderail for use in a roadway barrier system. The guiderail comprises at least two posts and at least two continuous rails. The at least two posts are adapted to be fixed to a supporting surface and the at least two continuous rails are adapted to be arranged at a distance from each other to the at least two posts. Each continuous rail comprises at least two elongated elements. The guiderail further comprises a link adapted to be connected to and arranged between the at least two continuous rails. The guiderail is characterized in that each continuous rail further comprises at least one connecting coupling adapted to connect and receive the at least two elongated elements in lengthwise direction, wherein the at least two elongated elements are being threaded with their opposite ends onto the at least one connecting coupling and wherein the opposite ends are being arranged face-to-face in an end-to-end relation.

The link may be adapted to be connected to and arranged between two connecting couplings.

The end sections of the elongated elements may comprise recesses, where the recesses are adapted to enclose the link when the link is adapted to be connected and arranged between two connecting couplings in order not to conflict the link and enabling a face to face contact of the end sections of the elongated elements.

The elongated element has preferably a uniform hollow cross- section being a closed circular, rectangular, oval, square or rounded profile or an open profile like a C-profile, W-profile etc..

The connecting coupling and the elongated element preferably have corresponding cross-section shapes, enabling the elongated element to be threaded onto the connecting coupling.

The link may comprise means for connecting to and means for linking. The means for linking may in one aspect be rigid.

The means for linking may be a circular bolt and the means for connecting may be a weld or adhesive.

Alternatively, the means for linking may be a threaded bolt and the means for connecting may comprise nuts and preferably washers. ln another alternative, the means for linking may be a partially threaded and headed bolt, where the length of the unthreaded part of the bolt may be at least a maximum possible distance between the at least two elongated elements or two connecting couplings, and the means for connecting may be at least one nut and preferably at least one washer.

The means for linking may alternatively be flexible, where the means for linking may be a wire or a chain or of other suitable flexible arrangements.

The means for connecting may comprise two rings where the means for linking is adapted to be connected to and arranged between the two rings, and where the two rings may be short segments of cylindrical profiles adapted to be threaded onto the continuous rails or two connecting couplings.

The means for linking may be adapted to be permanently connected to the two continuous rails or two connecting couplings by means of the means for connecting, where the means for connecting may be a weld or an adhesive.

The link may be arranged at and/or approximately evenly distributed anywhere between the at least two vertical posts.

The guiderail is based on a plurality of posts with a maximum post distance of preferably 6 meters and continuous rails carried by the posts, making a continuous guiderail along a roadway. However, shorter post distances at higher velocity roads, at curves, exit roads, etc., may be preferred. The continuous rails of the guiderail usually comprise several, continuous rails in heights, preferably two heights, an upper and a lower continuous rail, but not limited to two heights, it may be fewer heights, and there may be more heights.

Elongated elements are delivered at certain lengths, typically, but not limited to, 6 meters; lengths of e.g. 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters may also be available lengths. ln order to make a continuous rail, with an end-to-end connection of the elongated elements, and in order to make as stiff connection as possible, a joint, by means of a connecting element or coupling, preferably an internal tube element, is placed inside the end parts of the elongated elements in an overlapping manner. The end faces of the elongated elements meet in the end-to-end connection approximately at the middle of the connecting element/connecting coupling. The connection of the elongated elements together with the internal tube element/connecting coupling is utterly connected by fastening means, such as bolts with nuts and with or without washers, at least one at each elongated element end, but preferably two or three. The ends of the elongated elements and the internal tube element/connecting coupling have corresponding thorough bolt holes, in order to thread the bolts through both elongated elements and connecting couplings and secure the connection by means of the fastening means.

The continuous rail is built up starting with an elongated element, followed by an internal tube element/a connecting coupling threaded into the elongated element, followed by a second elongated element threaded onto the internal tube element/connecting coupling, possibly followed by internal tube elements/connecting couplings and elongated elements until desired length of the continuous rail is reached.

The new guiderail comprises a link in order to enhance and maintain strength when increasing the distance between posts. The above-mentioned problem in regard to continuous rails tending to divide when vehicles, especially at high velocity, or for vehicles of rather high weight or size, drives into the guiderail may be improved through a link placed and connected transversely between two continuous rails. Guiderails are often divided into containment levels and every guiderail system must go through extended testing in regard to be classified for use in the different containment levels. Parameters such as type of profile, profile wall thicknesses, bolt size, material, post distance, number of parallel profiles play an important and significant role in regard to the strength of the guiderail. The use of links has significantly shown to improve the strength of a guiderail at for example increased post distance. lt may be expected that safety may be maintained when the quality of other parameters is reduced, such as reduced wall thickness, bolt size etc. when introducing a number of links at a calculated distance between each post. The idea is that the link can be used and introduced on all types of continuous rails, with some modifications of the connection between the link and the element.

The post distances may vary in different cases at different parameters and the safety system may be designed in regard to such parameters or cases, the parameters or cases being for instance speed limit, slope of the road, curvatures of the road, crossroads, exit roads etc.. The strength of the guiderail may be of significant importance at such parameters or cases mentioned, but other important safety issues other than strength may also been taken into account, for example transparency of the guiderail due to sight/view of other road-users, which may be of importance in order to possess safety. ln such cases, amongst others, being able to increase pole distance may be a way to increase the transparency of the guiderail on that spot. Links may in such cases also be used in order to enhance transparency, but at the same time maintain safety. ln collision, the systems shall maintain the car on the road, firstly preventing the car from ending up in the ditch and being forced off the road, secondly the system shall preferably lead the vehicle back on the road. The car should for a period be able to slide along with the guiderail without being hooked by the guiderail.

Reducing number of posts may reduce the number of obstacles. ln collision, the guiderail is designed in such a way that the car will follow and slide on the guiderail in a smooth way without danger of being hooked by the rails and without the guiderail being deformed in such a way that the vehicle will be thrown over the rail itself.

Short Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective prior art of a guiderail for a roadway barrier system.

Figure 2 shows schematically and in perspective a typical guiderail for a roadway barrier system of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a segment of a guiderail for a roadway barrier system where the links may be arranged in the elongated elements.

Figure 4 shows a segment of a guiderail for a roadway barrier system where the links may be arranged in the connecting couplings.

Figure 5 a-b shows a first embodiment of a link installed together with two connecting couplings arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the link may be represented by a partially threaded and headed bolt, and at least one nut and with or without at least one washer.

Figure 6 a-b shows a second embodiment of a link installed together with two elongated elements arranged at a distance from each other, where the link may be represented by a full threaded bolt and where the elongated elements may be kept together and at a distance by means of at least four nuts and optionally also corresponding numbers of washers.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a link installed together with two connecting couplings arranged at a distance from each other, where a bolt, preferably a circular bolt, permanently connected to the two connecting couplings may represent the link.

Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a link installed together with two elongated elements where the link may comprise a bolt rigidly connected to two cylindrical shaped rings one at each opposite side of the bolt and where the two rings with the bolt in between may be threaded onto two parallel elongated elements.

Figure 9 shows how elongated elements may be lengthwise, in longitudinal direction, connected by means of connecting couplings with a preinstalled link as described in the first, second, third or fourth embodiment.

Figure 10 a-b shows a close up of how elongated elements with circular cross-sections may be lengthwise, in longitudinal direction, connected by means of connecting couplings with a preinstalled link in the connecting coupling as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment and as described in figure 7 above.

Figure 11 a-b shows the same close up as in figure 8 a-b, where the elongated elements with circular cross-sections may be replaced by elongated elements with square cross-sections.

Figure 12 shows a close up of how elongated elements are lengthwise, in longitudinal direction, connected by means of connecting couplings, with a preinstalled link in the connecting coupling.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the invention The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. lnstead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology, method, and structure of a guiderail for a roadway barrier system assembling parts of a guiderail system. However, the embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to such type of products but may also be used for other types of elements to be assembled in a rigid manner.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or Characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective prior art of a typical guiderail 100 for a roadway barrier system comprising posts 110 with an upper continuous rail 120 and a lower continuous rail 120 at a distance to the upper continuous rail 120 wherein the upper continuous rail 120 and lower continuous rail 120 are attached to posts 110, where the number of posts 110 is at a minimum at least two, arranged at a distance from each other.

Figure 2 shows schematically and in perspective a typical guiderail 100 for a roadway barrier system of one embodiment of the present invention. The guiderail 100 may comprise a number of posts 110 arranged with spaced relation and interconnected by a continuous rail 120, preferably in two heights of continuous rails 120, but it is not restricted to two heights of continuous rails 120, it may be only one height and it may be more heights. As indicated in figure 2, the continuous rails 120 may utterly be interconnected by links 130, connected to and arranged between the continuous rails 120, interconnecting the continuous rails 120, shown in figure 2 with two heights. Different embodiments of the links 130 and a lengthwise connection between elongated elements 121 and connecting couplings 140 (not shown) of the continuous rails 120 in a row will be described in more detail below. As indicated in ﬁgure 2, the continuous rails 120 of at least two heights are interconnected with a link 130 perpendicular to the at least two heights of continuous rails 120. Figure 2 shows the links 130 arranged approximately in the middle of and between two and two posts 100, but it is not restricted to this position, they may be arranged at any other position including the position of the posts 1 10 as well.

Figure 3 and Figure 4 show a segment of a guiderail 100 for a roadway barrier system where the links 130 may be connected to and arranged between the elongated elements 121 forming two heights of continuous rails 120 as shown in Figure 3 or the links 130 may be connected to and arranged between two and two elongated elements 121 by means of a connecting coupling 140 (not shown) as shown in Figure 4. ln order to achieve the preferred length of the guiderail 100 for aroadway barrier system, several elongated elements 121 of the continuous rail 120 may be linked Iengthwise together and several posts 110 may be installed into the ground at predefined distances along the planned roadway to be installed in order for the continuous rails 120 to be connected to the post 110 at a distance above ground. Lengthwise linking of the elongated elements 121 of the continuous rail 120 may be done through one or more connecting couplings 140 (not shown), dependent on the desired length of the continuous rail 120, between each end of two adjacent elongated elements 121 of the continuous rails 120. Two and two adjacent elongated elements 121 may be threaded onto a connecting coupling 140 (not shown) followed by at least one bolt 150 (not shown) through pre-drilled holes 122, 141 (not shown) of each elongated element 121 end and each connecting coupling 140 end followed by e.g. a nut 170 (not shown) and optionally a washer 160 (not shown) for locking at opposite side. The links 130 may, as shown in Figure 3, be installed with a means for linking 132, where the means for linking may be a bolt, through a pre-drilled hole in the continuous rail 120 followed by means for connecting 131, where the means for connecting 131 may be at least one nut 134 and optionally a washer 134 for locking the means for linking 132 to the continuous rail 120 at the opposite side. The link 130 described above may in some embodiments or in combined embodiments be installed, pre-installed or permanently installed at the continuous rail 120, either at connecting couplings 140 (not shown) and/or at the elongated elements 121. Various embodiments of the link 130 will be described in more detail in the following.

Figure 5 a-b shows one embodiment of a link 130 installed together with two connecting couplings 140 arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the link comprises a means for linking 132 and a means for connecting 131, where the means for linking 132 may be represented by a partially threaded and headed bolt, as shown in figure 5a, where the length of the unthreaded part of the bolt is at least the maximum possible distance between the two connecting couplings 140, and where the means for connecting 131 connects the means for linking 132 to the two connecting couplings 140, where the means for connecting131 may be at least one nut 133 and optionally at least one washer 134. The two connecting couplings 140 may preferably be threaded on to the means for linking 132 through pre-drilled holes 141 in the connecting couplings 140, the pre-drilled holes 141 in the profiles of theconnecting couplings 140. At least one nut 133 and optionally at least one washer 134 may thereafter be screwed onto the means for linking 132 until demanded distance between the two connecting couplings 140 is achieved. The nut 133 may be screwed in any direction due to irregularity in the distances at installing the continuous rails 120 onto the post 110. The embodiment shows a link 130 installed with two connecting couplings 140, this link 130 of the embodiment is not limited to be installed with two connecting couplings 140, it may also be installed with two elongated elements Figure 6 a-b shows a second embodiment of a link 130 installed together with two elongated elements 121 arranged at a distance from each other, where the link 130 comprises a means for linking 132 and a means for connecting 131, where the means for linking may be represented by a full threaded bolt and where the elongated elements 121 may be kept together, and at a distance, by means of a means for connecting 131, where the means for connecting comprises at least four nuts 133 and optionally also corresponding numbers of washers 134. lnitially two nuts 133 may be threaded onto the means for linking 132, being a threaded bolt, to approximately the middle of the threaded bolt. Optionally, two washers 124 may be threaded onto the threaded bolt before two elongated elements 121, with pre-drilled holes 122 in the elongated elements 121, may thereafter be threaded onto the means for linking 132, one at each end of the means for linking 132, leaving the two first nuts 133 and the optionally two washers 134 initially threaded onto the means for linking 132 in between the two elongated elements 121. At each end of the means for linking 132, outside of the elongated elements 121 threaded onto the means for linking 132, optionally a washer 134 may first be threaded onto the means for linking 132 and nuts 133 may eventually be threaded on to the means for linking 132. For adjusting the distance between the two elongated elements 121 and for making a stiff connection between the elongated elements 121 and the means for linking 132, the nuts 133 can be sorewed in appropriate direction. The second embodiment shows a link 130 installed with two elongated elements 121, this link 130 of the second embodiment is not limited to be installed with two elongated elements 121; it may also be installed with two connecting couplings 140 as of figure 5 a-b.Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a link 130 installed together with two connecting couplings 140 arranged at a distance from each other, where the link comprises a means for linking 132 and a means for connecting 131, where the means for linking 132 may be a bolt permanently connected to the two connecting couplings 140 by means of the means for connecting 131. The means for connecting 131 may preferably be a weld but is not restricted to be connected by means of a weld, other appropriate means for permanently connection may be preferred, e.g. adhesive etc.. The third embodiment shows a link 130 installed with two connecting couplings 140, this link 130 of the third embodiment is not limited to be installed with two connecting couplings, it may also be installed with two elongated elements Figure 8a-b shows a fourth embodiment of a link 130 installed together with two elongated elements 121 where the link 130 comprises a means for linking 132 and a means for connecting 131 (not shown), the means for linking 132 may be a bolt rigidly connected to and arranged between two cylindrical shaped rings 135 with parallel axial axis, one at each opposite side of the means for linking 132, and where the two rings 135 with the means for linking 132 in between may be threaded onto two parallel elongated elements 121. A number of links 130 may, preferably evenly, be distributed along the whole length of the guiderail 100 at a predefined distance. Further, the link 130 may preferably be permanently fixed to the two elongated elements 121 by means of a weld, an adhesive, rivets, threaded fasteners or other suitable means. The fourth embodiment shows a link 130 installed with two elongated elements 121, this link 130 of the fourth embodiment is not limited to be installed with two elongated elements 121, it may also be installed with two connecting couplings 140. The fourth embodiment shows a means for linking 132 being a bolt, but in is not limited to be installed by means of a bolt, it may also be a flexible wire, cable or chain.

Figure 9 shows how elongated elements 121 are lengthwise, in longitudinal direction connected by means of connecting couplings 140 with a preinstalled link 130 as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment. The connecting coupling 140 is at each end connected with a pair of elongated elements 121 by means of headed and threaded bolts 150 and corresponding nuts 170 and optional washers 160, the figure shows three at each end, but it is not restricted to three, itmight be fewer, it might be more, depending on i.e. weight and length of the elongated elements 121. The figure 9 shows the lengthwise connecting of elongated elements 121 by means of connecting couplings 140 with a preinstalled link 130; the elongated elements 121 may also be connected lengthwise with two connecting couplings without the link 130 as described above. The elongated elements 121 may, alternatively or additionally, be installed with the link Figure 10 a-b shows a close up of how elongated elements 121 are lengthwise, in longitudinal direction connected by means of connecting couplings with a preinstalled link 130 in the connecting coupling as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment and as described in figure 7 above. The end sections of the elongated elements 121 comprise recesses 124, preferably half circular recesses 124, in order to able face to face contact of the elongated elements 121, without conflicting with the link 130 between the connecting coupling on which the elongated elements 121 are threaded and guided onto in order to make a lengthwise connection of the guiderail 100. Two connecting couplings 140, here shown with the preinstalled link 130, are threaded onto two elongated elements 121. Pre-drilled holes for connecting 122, 141 the connecting couplings 140 and elongated elements 121 are aligned in orderto be able to thread bolts 150 through each connecting coupling 140 and corresponding elongated element 121. ln order to secure the connection between the connecting coupling 140 and elongated elements 121 bolts 170 and optionally washers 160 are thereafter threaded onto the threaded bolt Figure 11 a-b shows the same close up of how square elongated elements 120 are lengthwise, in longitudinal direction connected by means of connecting couplings with a preinstalled link 130 in the connecting coupling as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment and as described in figure 7 above.

Figure 12 shows a close up of elongated elements 121 which in longitudinal direction are connected by means of connecting couplings 140, with a preinstalled link 130 in the connecting coupling 140 as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment and how recesses 124 in the end sections of the longitudinal profiles 121 enclose the link 130 in order to not conflicting the link 130 and enabling a face to face contact of the longitudinal profiles' 121 end sections.

The arrangement of the links 130 is not limited to be either between the connecting couplings 140 or the elongated elements 121, it may be arranged in both the connecting couplings 140 and/or the elongated elements 121, either which is most suitable or appropriate.

The placement of the links 130 are, in any of the described embodiment, not restricted to one position, they may be arranged in any appropriate position, between and/or at the position of the post 110. Depended on the distance between the posts 110, there might be several links 130 distributed at different positions along the continuous rails 120. A number of links 130 may, preferably evenly, be distributed along the whole length of the continuous rail 120 at a predefined distance.

The lengthwise connection of elongated elements 120 in longitudinal direction by means of connecting couplings with or without a preinstalled link 130 as described in the first, second, third and fourth embodiment comprises headed and threaded bolts 150 and corresponding nuts 170 and optionally washers 160. The elongated elements 121 may preferably be joint in the end-to-end relation by means of the connecting couplings 140, where the opposite elongated element 121 ends to be joint may be threaded onto the connecting couplings 140, preferably threaded outside each end of the connecting couplings 140, where the opposite elongated element 121 ends meet face-to-face in the end-to-end relation.TableComponent Description 100 Guiderail 110 Post 120 Continuous rail 121 Elongated element 122 Pre-drilled hole for connecting 123 Pre-drilled hole for link 124 Reoess 130 Link 131 Means for connecting 132 Means for linking 133 Washer 134 Nut 135 Ring 140 Connecting coupling 141 Pre-drilled hole for connecting 142 Pre-drilled hole for link 150 Bolt for connecting elongated elements 160 Washer for connecting elongated elements 170 Nut for connecting elongated elements

Claims

1. A guiderail (100) for use in a roadway barrier system comprising - at least two posts (110) adapted to be fixed to a supporting surface - at least tvvo continuous rails (120) adapted to be arranged at a distance from each other to the at least tvvo posts (110), each continuous rail (120) comprising at least two elongated elements (121 ), - a link (130) adapted to be connected to and arranged between the at least two continuous rails (120) characterized in that each continuous rail (120) further comprises at least one connecting coupling (140) adapted to connect and receive the at least two elongated elements (121) in lengthwise direction, the at least two eiongated elements (121) being threaded with their opposite ends onto the at Eeast one connecting coupling (140) wherein the opposite ends being arranged face-to-face in an end-to-end relation.

2. The guiderail (100) according to claim 1 53, wherein the link (130) is adapted to be connected to and arranged between two connecting couplings (424 å).

3. The guiderail (100) according to clairn 2, where end sections of the elongated elements (121) comprises recesses (124), where the recesses (124) are adapted to enclose the link (130) when the link (130) is adapted to be connected and arranged between two connecting couplings (140) in order not to conflict the link (130) and enabling a face to face contact of the elongated elements' (121) end sections.

4. The guiderait (100) according to any of the preceding claims, where the elongated element (121) and the connecting coupling (140) have a uniform hollow cross-section (130) being a closed Circular, rectangular, oval, square or rounded profile or an open profile like a C-profile, W-proﬁle etc..

5. The guiderail (100) according to any of the preceding claims, where the connecting coupting (140) and the elongated etement (121) have corresponding cross-section shapes, enabling the elongated element (121) to be threaded onto the connecting coupling (ß »131-1).

6. The guideraii (100) according to one of the ctaims 1-5, where the tink (130) comprises means for connecting to (131) and means for linking (132), where the means for iinking (132) is rigid.

7. The guideraii (100) according to claim 6, where the means for iinking (132) is a circuiar bolt and the means for connecting (131) is a weld or adhesive.

8. The guiderail (100) according to claim 6, where the means for tinking (132) is a threaded bott and the means for connecting (131) comprises nuts (133) and preferably washers (134).

9. The guiderail (100) according to claim 6, where the means for iinking (132) is a partiaily threaded and headed bolt, where the iength of the unthreaded part of the bolt is at least a maximum possible distance betvveen the at least two elongated elements (121) or two connecting couplings (140), and the means for connecting (131) further comprises at ieast one nut (133) and preferabiy at ieast one washer (134).

10. The guideraii (100) according to one of the ciaims 1-5, where the iink (130) comprises means for connecting to (131), and means for iinking (132), where the means for linking (132) is flexibie.

11. The guideraii (100) according to claim 10, where the means for linking (132) is a wire or a chain.

12. The guideraii (100) according to one of the ciaims 6 or 10, where the means for connecting (131) comprises two rings (135) where the means for linking (132) is adapted to be connected to and arranged between the two rings (135), and where the two rings (135) are short segments of cylindrical profiles adapted to be threaded onto the continuous raiis (120) or two connecting coupiings (140).

13. The guideraii (100) barrier system according to one of the claims 6-11, where the means for linking (132) is adapted to be permanentiy connected to the two continuous rails (120) or two connecting couplings (140) by means of the means for connecting (131 ), where the means for connecting (131) is a weid or an adhesive.

14. The guiderait (100) according to one of the ctaims 1-13, where the iink (130) is arranged at and/or approximateiy eveniy distributed anywhere betvveen the at least two vertical posts (110).