WO2003104568A1

WO2003104568A1 - Guide rail

Info

Publication number: WO2003104568A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/002265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Pulfer; Wolfgang Schüler
Original assignee: Weleco Ag
Priority date: 2002-06-06
Filing date: 2003-05-28
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Also published as: EP1513983A1; AU2003241084A1; CH694335A5

Abstract

The guide rail (1) comprises a plurality of rail segments (3) connected end to end by fastening means (10). The segments (3) comprises on one end an end section (4) with a reduced cross section the outside dimensions of which corresponding to the inside dimensions of the opposite end (5) of the segment (3) such that adjoining rail segments (3) can be connected by telescoping and fastening. This allows a quick and easy dismounting and replacement of damaged individual rail segments due to a reduced number of screw connections (10) required.

Description

Guide rail

Field and background of the invention

The present invention relates to a safety arrangement in the form of a guide rail for fixing to a plurality of posts along the boarder of streets. The guide rail is composed of a series of longitudinal rail segments fixed end to end by fastening means. The segments have a C-shaped cross section or are pipes with rectangular cross section.

In prior art guide rails the individual segments are connected together by prismatic tongues whose outside dimensions correspond to the interior cross section of the rail segments. They are fastened to both adjoining ends of the rail segments by screws.

This type of mounting is expensive and time consuming on the construction site. Dismounting, as well, is time consuming since for removing a single rail segment about 40 screw connections have to be removed. After accidents on divided highways this often is not possible because of the urgency to remove parts which would endanger traffic. For this reason the damaged guide rails at the site of the accident are often simply cut off with welding torches or cutting discs.

Summary of the invention

The present invention substantially reduces or avoids the above mentioned disadvantages of prior art safety arrangements. The required number of fastening means is substan- tially reduced as well as the time for mounting and dismounting which is simplified. Nevertheless the strength of the connection is at least as high as or higher than in prior art systems.

A prime aspect of the present invention consists of a safety arrangement in the form of an elongated guide rail for fixing on posts. The guide rail comprises a plurality of longitudinal rail segments connected together end to end by fastening means. The segments have a C-shaped cross sec- tion or are pipes with rectangular cross section. Each segment has on one end an end section with reduced cross section the outside dimensions of which corresponding to the inside dimensions of the opposite end such that adjoining rail segments can be connected by telescoping and fasten- ing.

By this means an easy joining of the rail segments is achieved. No prismatic tongues are required and only half of the fastening means, e.g. bolts and nuts, are necessary. The reduced number of fastening means also reduces the risk of vehicles getting caught in an accident.

The reduction in cross section of the end section may be achieved by cold forming, preferably by forging in a die. The resulting interior structural deformations and aniso- tropic properties lead to an increased strength of the end section. Therefore the strength of the connection of adjoining rail segments is at least as high or higher than the prior art connection with a separate tongue.

Preferably the end section is at least twice as long as the overlapping length of adjoining rail segments. This way a single rail segment can easily and quickly be removed from a row of rail segments and be replaced by a new rail segment in a case of damage.

If the overlapping length is defined by aligned bores no additional makings are required to define that length. Preferably the fastening means are screw elements, e.g. bolts and nuts. These screw elements are readily available in the required strength and shear resistance, if required in stainless steel. Other fastening means are also possible but are more cumbersome in use and/or have a lower strength.

Preferably the C-cross section comprises an upper and a lower thigh which are connected on one side by a strap and extend on the other side into flanges which are parallel to the strap. This shape results in optimum strength at low weight per unit length.

If some of the screw connections are offset from a common plane of the others the strength of the connection can be increased because more screw connections can be arranged without hindering the mounting.

Brief description of the drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a guide rail along a street,

Figs. 2 to 4 show the top view and the side views, and Fig. 5 is a cross section of the connection of adjoining rail segments.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

The safety arrangement according to the present invention is a guide rail 1 shown in Fig. 1 as it is installed along a dividing strip of divided highways or along the boarders of streets. The segments 3 of the guide rail 1 are mounted on posts 2 in known manner. Each segment 3 has on one of its two ends an end section 4 with reduced substantially cylindrical or prismatic cross section of a length 2A. this end section 4 forms a single piece part with the C-shaped profile of the main part of the segment 3 via a frustro- conical or frustro-pyramidal transition section K. The end section 4 is inserted or telescoped into the non-reduced end 5 of an adjoining segment 3 with an overlapping length A which is at most half the length 2A of the end section 4.

The C-shaped profile of the segments 3 comprises an upper thigh 6, a lower thigh 8 and a strap 7 connecting the thighs 6,8 on one side.

For mounting, a first segment 3 is screwed to its posts 2. The end section 4 of the next segment is inserted into the unreduced end 5 of the first segment 3 by the overlapping length A and fixed to the first segment with screws 10 in a plane s perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the segments 3. The second segment 3 is also screwed to its posts 2. In that way guide rails 1 of any desired length can be mounted. Each of the segments 3 can be replaced individually in the guide rail 1 in that on both of its ends the screw connections 10 are removed as well as the connec- tion to the posts 2. The segment 3 to be replaced is then slid longitudinally up to the transition section K into the adjoining segment 3. A slight play between the outside dimensions of the end section 4 and the inside dimensions of the unreduced end 5 of the segments 3 allows tilting of the segment 3 to be removed and removal . The required play can easily be calculated based on the length L of the segments 3 and the overlapping length A.

The enlarged representations of Fig. 2-5 show further de- tails. On the side opposite the strap 7 the thighs 6,8 have flanges 9 which are substantially parallel to the strap 7. These flanges 9 serve as lateral guides in the telescope connection and increase the bending strength of segments 3.

As can be seen in Fig. 3 and 4 the screw connections in the flanges 9 are spaced from the plane s of the other screws 10. This simplifies mounting and improves use of space and strength of the connection.

The cross sectional view of Fig. 5 along line V-V in Fig. 4 shows the massive interlocking connection of two adjoining segments 3 with their end sections 4,5.

In a practical example of a straight guide rail 1 the segments 3 have a length L of 3996 mm, a length 2A of the end section 4 of 260 mm and an overlapping length A of 120 mm. The strap 7 is 180 mm high, the thighs 6,8 are 150 mm wide and the flanges 9 are 34 mm high. The segments are of zinc- plated steel S235 IRG 2. The guide rail meets all the requirements laid down in the guide line LS ISO" 180, part B of the Swiss federal department of environment, traffic, energy and communication, section streets, ASTRA, Bern, Switzerland.

Of course the invention can also be used along curved streets. For small radii of curvature bent segments 3 can be used.

Claims

C l a i m sWhat is claimed is

1. A safety arrangement in the form of a guide rail for fixing to posts along a boarder of streets, the guide rail comprising a plurality of longitudinal rail segments (3) being connected together end to end by fastening means (10) , the rail segments (3) having a C- shaped cross section or being pipes of substantially rectangular cross section, characterized in that each rail segment (3) on one end comprises an end section (4) with a reduced cross section the outside dimensions of which corresponding to the inside dimensions of the opposite end (5) of the rail segment (3) such that adjoining rail segments (3) can be connected by telescoping and fastening.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the end section (4) is at lest twice as long as an overlapping length (A) of adjoining rail segments (3) .

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the overlapping length (A) is defined by aligned bores through which the fastening means (10) are inserted.

4. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastening means (10) are screw elements.

5. The arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end section (4) forms a unitary single piece part with the reminder of the rail segment (3) .

6. The arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cross section of the rail segments is C- shaped and comprises an upper thigh (6) and a lower thigh (8) which on one side are connected together by a strap (7) and which on the other side comprise flanges (9) which are substantially parallel to the strap (7), and wherein the fastening means (10) extend through both flanges (9), through both thighs (6,8) and through the strap (7).

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the fastening means (10) extending through the thighs (6,8) and through the strap (7) are arranged in a common plane, and wherein the fastening means extending through the flanges (9) are spaced from that com- mon plane.