US2060128A - Highway guard - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 10, 1936. Q w. F. SCHULZ ,0

HIGHWAY GUARD Filed June 7, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheei 2 Nov. 10, 1936. w, E SCH Z 2,060,128

HIGHWAY GUARD Filed June '7 1935 :5 Sheets-Sheet a Pawnee Nov. 10, 1936 l PATENT OFFICE" monwar GUARD Walter F. Schulz, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Truscon Steel Company, Youngstown, 0hio,'a

q 'p ration of Ohio Application June 7, 1935, Serial No. 25391 1o Claims. (crass-13.1)

This inventionrelates to highway guards which are arranged at one side of the road shoulder to prevent vehicles out of control from leaving the highway'and thereby minimizing the consequent damage.

Primarily, the invention is directed to improvements in the type of guard utilizing a flexible sheet metal strip or guard rail having its opposite ends anchored by heavy duty spring devices to the end posts, while the intermediate portions of the strip are supported by brackets movably mounted on the roadside face of intermediate.

posts. In that connection a distinctive object of the invention is to provide positive means for insuring sliding and rocking movement of the strip supporting brackets relative to the intermediate posts even though the bolts which connect the brackets to the posts are drawn tight so that the strip can freely expand and contract under temperature changes and also to insure that when the strip is deflected under impact the force of the blow will be freely transmitted to the end. or terminal posts and absorbed by the terminal springs which are the sole tensioning means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strip supporting bracket including novel rein-' forced buffer sections which will yield only under direct impact imposed on the strip at ornear the bracket position, said buffer elements being .so arranged that the flange portions thereof may be readily and rigidly connected to the guard strip and the attaching plate of the bracket without requiring awkward manipulation of tools,

thereby greatly facilitating assembly and installation.

- In addition to the foregoing general and'special objects, it is proposed to make the offsetting brackets and buffer supports in such a way that they can only be installed in the proper manner by unskilled labor to insure reliable functioning of the strip, thereby eliminating the possibility the noyel construction, combination andarrange ment of parts hereinafter more; fully described, i1-

lustrated and claimed.

bodying the present improvements.

. tion shown inFig. 8.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shownin the accompanying drawings, in which:---

Figure 1 is-a top plan viewof a guard rail em- Figure 2 is a side elevation of the construction 5 shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the brackets connecti 1g the guard strip to an intermediate post.- 10

1 Figure 4 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 51s a front elevation, partly in section of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the clamping,

, in "Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the construc- Figure 11 is a detail cross-sectional view of the modified washer and bracket plate.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective' view of the modified washer.

Similar reference characters designate corre- 30 sponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings the invention includes a guard rail or strip A comprising a plurality of sheet metal strip 35 sections securely connected together to provide the desired length of continuous guard rail for the particular installation. The extreme ends A of the continuous strip are connected by spring tensioning devices designated generally as B to the 40 end posts or so-called dead men C, so that the entire strip or rail A is held under tension throughout fromend to end solely from the devices B at the posts positioned at the extreme end of each installation. For the purpose of movably supporting the strip or guard rail A at intermediate locations suitable filler posts D are provided at spaced intervals between the'end posts Cand the strip or guard rail is connected thereto .by novel supporting brackets E. 4

' One of the distinctive features of the invention is to provide a fool-proof installation in the sense that the strip or guard rail can only be supported by brackets connected to intermediate posts in such a way that the brackets may move Y or shift a limited distance relative to the post to compensate for expansion or contraction of the strip or guard rail and to also shift or move when the strip is subjected to impact thereby torelieve the strain on the strip between adjacent posts receiving the bulk of the impact and insuring transmission of the force of the impact to the end spring devices B. Consequently, the present arrangement serves to more equally distribute and cushion the force of a moving load, striking the guard rail, over the entire structure as distinguished from concentrating or focusing the strain on a localized portion of the strip and the brackets of adjacent posts. I

Referring first to the features of construction which carry into effect the foregoing desirable features, it may be pointed out that the brackets E which support the strip or guard rail on an intermediate post each include a pair of arc shaped resilient members l|. These members have the crown of their are or arch shaped portions 2 adjacent each other, thereby presenting out-turned flanges 4 and 5 respectively for connecting with a bracket plate 6 and the strip or guard rail A. It will be apparent that since the spring members open outwardly, ready means of access is provided to the bolts or other fastenings 4' which connect the flanges 4 with the back bracket plate 8 and also to the fastenings 5 which connect the flanges 5 with the guard rail. A workman installing the device may readily assemble the fastenings in place and due to the ample clearance p vided by the relatively widely spaced flanges 4 and 5 can readily manipulate his wrench or other tool to quickly tighten the nuts on the fastening bolts.

Where relatively great stiffness is required to meet heavy impacts the back plate 6 may be of channel formation so that its upper and lower edges are ofl'set asindicated at 6'. To facilitate mounting of the bracket on the post, the body portion 5 of the plate is provided with a horizontally elongated opening or slot 1. A novel clamping washer element 8 is intended to cooperate with the plate 6 for the purpose of holding the entire bracket on the .post D and also to provide aspace in which a portion of the bracket may shift while clamped on the post. To that end the washer plate 8 is formed with a central offset shoulder portion or integral boss 9 which is substantially as high as the width of the slot but shorter than the length thereof and intended to pass through the same to take a firm bearing against the roadside face of the post D. The distance that the boss projects from the rear face of the washer is slightly greater than the thickness of the metal plate in which the opening I is made so that the boss will provide a support on which the plate can shift while the inner face of the boss or offset will engage directly with the post. The major portion or body of the washer is large enough to mask or cover the entire slot I and will thus hold the bracket plate 8 in positions or wings l of the clamping member are preferably inclined or flared outward y so that the back or bracket plate 6 may also have a relative rolling motion on the post when the guard rail is subjected to heavy impact.

That is to say, when the guard rail or strip is impacted between posts, the bracket mounting described, including the slots 1 in the back plate 6, and the forwardly inclined wings AB of the washer plate permit the bracket to have a rocking movement in the direction of the impact without undue impedance or interference to the transmission of the load directly to the end tensioning means B, and without interference to the maintenance of such tension solely from the end tensioning means B. The type of washer and bracket plate shown in Figs. 3. 4, 6 and '7, are used where specifications require the brackets to withstand maximum impact, and where it is required to have the bracket more flexible, the type of bracket plate shown in Figs. 8-10 inclusive.

The foregoing arrangement inherently compels a workman installing the bracket to mount it on the post so that it will readily shift upon demand of the strip or guard rail A. This is an important feature because assembly can not be incorrectly performed and insures that all changes in the length of the strip due to temperature variations and impact will be transmitted directly to the spring devices B at the opposite ends of the strip.

The integral boss on the washer not only saves a separate shim or spacing washer which is likely not to be used, but also cuts down the assembly operation by another step which results in time and labor saving.

With further reference to the intermediate supporting bracket E it may also be pointed out that the are shaped resilient members or springs l-l are intended primarily to serve as rail-offsetting elements, and cgndarily as buffers for an impact at or adjacent the posts. Toassist in stiflening the resilient members I-l, the same are provided at suitable intervals with inset reinforcing ribs I'-. These ribs stiffen the body of the spring members and extend substantially to the location of the fastening receiving openings in the flanges 4 and 5 so that the entire resilient member is reinforced and strengthened against collapse under direct impact.

It may be pointed out that when the buffer elements l-l of the offsetting brackets are connected to the guard strip A by the fastenings 5, the strip is rigidly connected to the offsetting bracket. Also, the buffer elements l-| can have no movement relative to each other and therefore, can not, under any circumstances, exert any tension on the guard strip in the direction of its length independently of the terminal spring tensioning devices B. In other words, the guard strip is so connected to the ofl'setting bracket that any longitudinal movement of the strip, due to impact or expansion or contraction, will carry the oilsetting brackets with it due to the slotted back plate of the bracket moving on its support or rolling thereon after the fashion of a pivot according to the character of the impact.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive all of the essential features and characteristics of the invention heretofore described are preserved. previously indicated, itmay be desirable, to meet certain requirements or specifications, to have the intermediate supporting bracket relatively flexible to be responsive to light blows or impacts. Accordingly, in that event the bracket structure E may be employed. As will be observed'from Fig. 8 the back plate of the bracket E consists of abody portion 25 adapted to fit against the face of the post andhaving washer designated generally as 21 and shown in detail in Fig. 12. As will be observed from this figure the washer includes a central offset portion 28 which forms'a shoulder lying intermediate the wing portions 29. The offset portion or shoulder 28 is intended toflt in the slot 26 to admit of the bracketplate shifting laterally on the post when the'head 30of the fastening 3| draws the washer plate against the post. In other words, the washer '21, although clamped securely to the post provides a space between the wings thereof and the post which permits of the desired movement of the bracket plate. The wings 29 of the washer overlie the metal at the sides of the. slots'26 and effectively clamp the relatively resilient bracket plate in position.

The are ,shaped buffer springs 32may also be provided with a single stiffening or reinforcing rib 33 as clearly shown'in Fig. 9, if desired, to render the same more resilient orflexible. In that connection however it may be noted that the number of, or the absence of, stiffening ribs used in a particular installation depends entirely on the requirements of the individual installation. The H arc shaped buffer springs 32 have their spaced flanges projecting outwardly so that the same may be readily connected with the portions 25 of the bracket plate by the fastenings 34 and may be also connected by the fastenings 35 with the guard rail or strip A.

All of the foregoing features are of much practical importance from the standpoint of facilitating the original installation and subsequent maintenance of the guard rail. Frequently guard rails are of considerable length but due to limitations in fabrication and in the length of transportation facilities the sections which form the completed guard rail A must be transported to the site of the installation and then assembled. The present type of intermediate post supporting bracket E contributes materially to facility in mounting adjacent sections of the strip on the bracket while limited to the spacing between supporting posts,

but a strip may be long enough to span the dis- .tance between two or more posts, the spacing of the posts being dictated by the type of installation and not by the length of strip sections. -In any event, however, the type of bracket facilitates installationv Moreover, the 'shiftable mounting of the bracket on the post adequately provides for me'etin'gthe special conditions heretofore referred to and insures that the main body of the 'strip will flcmt in a relatively horizontal position on intermediate posts while all of the relative slack and impact on the strip is taken up entirely by the-heavy duty spring devices which pull the ends 'of the entire guard rail toward the end posts.

Without further description it is thoughtthat the features and advantages of the invention will be. readily apparent to those skilled in the art,

In that connection howstrip.

and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of .con-

- struction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1.,A highway guard including .end and intermediate posts arranged at spaced intervals, a. guard strip, spring means for connecting the strip to the end posts, a bracket connected to the strip at each intermediate post, said bracket including a slotted plate adapted to contact with the post face, a washer device having an offset boss fitting in said'slot and adapted to bear directly against the post surface to provide a space for receiving the edges of the plate whereby the plate may shift'on the boss between the washer and the face of the post, and a bolt passing through said washer and the post to rgidly secure the boss of the washer thereto.

2. Inc. highway guard, a guard strip, a post, and means for mounting the strip on the post comprising, a bracket having a slot, and means for holding the bracket on the post including a fastening and an interconnected washer, the latter being of such dimensions as to mask the slot in the plate and having an integral offset portion fitting in said slot whereby the bracket is shiftably supported on the washer when the same is drawn to the post by the fastening.

3. In a highway guard, a guard strip, a post, andmeans for mounting the strip on the post comprising, a bracket having a slot, and means for holding the bracket onwthe post including a fastening and an interconnected washer, the latter being of such dimensions as to mask the slot and having outwardly flared side edge portions mediate posts arranged at spaced intervals, a

guard strip, spring means for connecting the strip to the end posts, bracket means connected to the strip at intermediate post locationsjsaid bracket means including a bracket plate and a pair of are shaped spring members, said members having their open sides turned outwardly to provide. outer bers respectively with the strip and bracket plate.

. 5. A highway guard including a guard strip, and

offsettingv bracket means for supporting the strip,

said bracket means including a plate, arc shaped spring members having their curved sides adjacent each other to provide outwardly opening tool I clearances and forming flanges for connecting respectively with the plate and with the guard strip.

6. A highway guard including a guard strip,

and offsetting bracket means for supporting the.

'7. A highway guard including a guard strip,

and oiisetting bracket means for supporting the strip, said bracket means including a plate, spring members of substantially U-shaped cross-section having their bight portions adjacent each other, said bight portions being provided with transverse stifl'ening ribs and the leg portions of said members projecting laterally outward in spaced apart relation to provide intermediate-tool clearances and also to connect respectively with the plate and with the guard strip.

8. A highway guard including end and intermediate posts arranged at spaced intervals, a guard strip; spring means for connecting the strip to the end posts, a bracket for supporting the strip on each intermediate post, each of said brackets having a slot, and means including a body having an oflset portion projecting through the slot and seating against the post to provide a space between the body and the post for slidably receiving a portion of the bracket and also to clamp the same to the post whereby said bracket can move as the strip expands and contracts under temperature changes, or under impact, to transmit guard strip movement freely to the end springs.

9. A highway guard including end and intermediate posts arranged at spaced intervals, a guard strip, spring means adapted to exert tension in the direction of the length of the strip for connecting the same to the end posts, brackets each having a slot and adapted to mount the in-' termediate portions of the strip on said intermediate posts, and a member associated with each bracket and including a body and an oflset boss adapted to project through the slot therein and to seat against the post and thereby provide clearances to slidably clamp the bracket to the post whereby each bracket may shift in the direction of the length of the strip as it expands or contracts or flexes under impact.

10. In a highway guard, a continuous guardstrip, end posts, means for tensioning the continuous guard strip in the direction of its length, and connecting the same to said end posts, intermediate posts, means for mounting the intermediate portion of the continuous guard strip on intermediate posts, said means comprising a bracket at each intermediate post rigidly connected with the continuous guard strip and having a slot, a fastening on each intermediate post a washer having an offset shoulder passing through said slot and the inner face of said shoulder seating against the roadside face of the post, the edges of said shoulder providing a guide and support on which the bracket may shift.

' WALTER F. SCHULZ.

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