WO2018063004A1

WO2018063004A1 - Flexibly resilient barrier

Info

Publication number: WO2018063004A1
Application number: PCT/NO2017/050250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Johan RØD
Original assignee: Marine Aluminium As
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-09-27
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: NO20161575A1; NO342480B1; CN109952403A; EP3519632A4; KR20190058525A; EP3519632A1

Abstract

A flexibly resilient barrier (1) formed from several posts (2) interconnected by at least one elongated railing element (5) is described, wherein each post (2) is elastically tiltable in first and second directions transversely to the longitudinal direction of the railing element (5), from an upright normal position around first and second post rotation axes (251, 252), respectively, which are parallel to each other and are horizontally spaced apart, and the post (2) is connected to a base (3) by means of several post-supporting means (26) which, with their centre axes, form the respective post rotation axes (251, 252) and provide vertical sliding connections between the post (2) and the base (3), the post (2) being elastically tiltable, in the first direction, around the first post rotation axis (251) and the post (2) being elastically tiltable, in the second direction, around the second post rotation axis (252).

Description

A FLEXIBLY RESILIENT BARRIER

The invention relates to a flexibly resilient barrier formed from several posts interconnected by at least one elongated railing element.

There is often a need to separate areas from adjacent areas with barriers which can take great loads from moving objects that are out of control of an operator, for example vehicles or other rolling objects, and a swinging, hanging load being moved by a lifting device. It is a great advantage if a barrier is designed in such a way that the energy taken by the barrier at the collision with the object gives the smallest possible extent of lasting deformation of elements from which the barrier is formed, so that the function of the barrier is maintained.

From the field of railing it is known to use longitudinal metal profiles that, when being run into by a vehicle, transmit the absorbed energy to several posts that are rigidly fixed to a supporting surface. The use of yielding posts, for example in the form of plastic tubes, is known. It is also known to cover longitudinal railing elements with an elastic material, for example rubber, to dampen the strain at the impact of the moving object against the railing.

The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

The object is achieved through the features that are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

The invention provides a barrier which stands up from a supporting surface and is formed from several mutually parallel posts which are fixed to the supporting surface, and wherein, at least on one side of the posts, an elongated railing element is attached, extending continuously between at least two of the posts, and wherein each post is tiltably attached around first and second post rotation axes which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the barrier and symmetrically around a centre plane through the post, there being formed, in a base fixed to the supporting surface, substantially vertical sliding tracks for supporting means attached to the post and with centre axes coinciding with said rotation axes. Each of the sliding tracks is preferably formed as arcuate slots with centres of curvature coinciding with the opposite post rotation axes when the one or more respective supporting means is/are supportingly abutting in a lower position in its/their slot(s). The post may thereby be rotated transversely to the longitudinal direction of the barrier outwards from a normal position, which will usually be perpendicular to the supporting surface and, in its normal position, stand vertically.

Each post is provided with one or more elastic elements providing a downward load on the post to bring the post into its neutral position by swinging the post around the rotation axis of the one or more supporting means supportingly abutting in the lower end portion(s) of the one or more respective sliding track(s). In a preferred embodiment, the elastic element is formed from a flat strap, typically a textile strap, which is attached to the post at a vertical distance above the rotation axes in or symmetrically around the centre plane of the post, preferably as an endless textile strap which has been laid around an upper attachment in the post and around a lower attachment arranged in the base, both attachments being horizontally centred between the sliding tracks. It is an advantage if the attachments have rounded abutment surfaces against the flat strap, typically by the attachments being formed from elements with circular cross sections.

The lower attachment is typically vertically adjustable to allow a prescribed tautening of the elastic element to be provided. A barrier for the protection of installations on a facility for the production of oil or gas will typically be dimensioned to withstand a load of 40 kJ transversely to the longitudinal direction of the barrier.

It is an advantage if the post is formed as a framework formed from two identical plate elements which are interconnected by said upper attachment for the elastic element and possible brackets for attaching the railing elements to the post.

In a lower portion, the post is preferably branched to give a sufficiently large distance between said rotation axes, independently of the dimensions of the other portions of the post.

When the barrier is provided with several parallel railing elements that are arranged in a vertically spaced-apart manner, it may be an advantage if the upper railing element, possibly, if the barrier is provided with railing elements on both sides, the upper pair of railing elements is rotatably attached to the posts around horizontal rotation axes in a manner corresponding to that described for the attachment of the posts above, but turned upside down. The upper railing element, possibly the upper pair of opposite railing elements, is fixed to a railing bracket which is rotatably attached around first and second bracket rotation axes which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the barrier, there being substantially vertical sliding tracks formed in the post for supporting means fixed to the railing bracket and with centre axes coinciding with said bracket rotation axes. Each of the sliding tracks is preferably formed as arcuate slots with centres of curvature coinciding with the opposite bracket rotation axes when the one or more respective supporting means is/are supportingly abutting in an upper position in its/their slot(s). The railing bracket may thereby be rotated transversely to the longitudinal direction of the barrier downwards from a neutral position, which will usually be perpendicular to the post and, in a normal situation, lie horizontally. Each rotatable railing bracket is provided with one or more elastic elements which provide an upward load on the railing bracket to bring the railing bracket into its neutral position by swinging the railing bracket around the rotation axis of the one or more supporting means supportingly abutting against the upper end portion(s) of the one or more respective sliding track(s).

The invention is defined by the independent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention relates more specifically to a flexibly resilient barrier formed from several posts interconnected by at least one elongated railing element, characterized by each post being elastically pivotal in first and second directions transversely to the longitudinal direction of the railing element, from an upright normal position around, first and second post rotation axes, respectively, which are parallel to each other and are arranged in a horizontally spaced-apart manner, and the post being connected to a base by means of several post-supporting means forming, with their centre axes, the respective post rotation axes and providing vertical sliding connections between the post and the base, the post being elastically tiltable, in the first direction, around the first post rotation axis, and the post being elastically tiltable, in the second direction, around the second post rotation axis.

The post-supporting means may project perpendicularly from a branched lower post end portion and extend through elongated slots formed in post mounts extending up from the base.

The elongated slots may be circularly curved, a radius of curvature being equal to the perpendicular distance between the centre lines of opposite slots. The elongated slots may be circularly curved, the first post rotation axis coinciding in a lower position with the centre of curvature of the slot of the second post rotation axis, and vice versa.

The post may be formed from two plate-shaped elements, each provided with a divergently branched lower end portion and connected to each other by several spacer elements.

The post-supporting means may be formed as a bolt extending through at least two post mounts and at least one post branch.

An elastic element may be connected to a portion of the base arranged between the post rotation axes and a portion of the post arranged over the post rotation axes. The longitudinal axis of the elastic element may be arranged centrically between the post rotation axes and perpendicularly to a plane coinciding with the post rotation axes when the barrier is in its normal position.

The elastic element may be formed of an endless flat textile strap with a first loop portion surrounding a spacer element arranged in the post, and a second loop portion surrounding a vertically adjustable lower attachment arranged between the post rotation axes.

In what follows, an example of a preferred embodiment is described, which is visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a perspective drawing of a section of a barrier formed from posts with railing elements on both sides;

Figure 2 shows an end view, on a larger scale, of the barrier in a normal position;

Figure 3 shows an end view of the barrier swung out to one side, affected by a horizontal force component against an upper railing element; and

Figure 4 shows a side view of a section of the barrier.

Reference is first made to figure 1, in which a flexibly resilient barrier 1 is fixed to a supporting surface 6 to protect an object 7. The barrier 1 is formed of upper and lower railing elements 51, 52 attached to several posts 2, in the example shown with railing elements 51, 52 arranged on each one of two opposite sides of the posts 2.

Each post 2 is secured to a base 3 which is fixed to the supporting surface 6. Reference is now made to figures 2 and 4. The posts 2 are formed of two profiled post elements 21 which are formed from a plate material, for example aluminium, and which are joined together by means of intermediate spacer elements 22 and railing brackets 23. Lower portions of the post elements 21 are branched, shown here as separate plate elements 211, each with two post branches 212 forming a coupling interface against the base 3.

The railing elements 51, 52 are shown here as salient, lying U-profiles providing sufficient rigidity. The railing elements 51, 52 are typically formed from extruded aluminium profiles which are arranged to grip over projecting end portions of the railing brackets 23, to which the railing elements 51, 52 are fixed. The railing elements 51, 52 are padded with an elastic coating 53, typically a rubber material vulcanized onto them. The top face of the upper railing elements 51 is also provided with an elastic hollow profile 531 providing a further padding.

The base 3 includes upstanding post mounts 31 corresponding to the branches 212 of the post 2, shown here as a lug arranged on either side of each branch 212. The post mounts 31 are provided with arcuate slots 311 forming sliding tracks for supporting means 26 of the post 2. In the embodiment shown, the supporting means 26 are formed as two parallel bolts extending through two pairs of post mounts 31 and the corresponding post branches 212 and being axially secured by means of fasteners 261, shown here as spring pins extending through bores in the end portions of the bolts 26 and resting supportingly against the outer post mounts 31. The central axes of the supporting means 26 form first and second post rotation axes 251, 252. The slots 311 exhibit a width that allows the supporting means 26 to be moved in the longitudinal direction of the slots 311. The slots 311 have circularly rounded end portions. The slots 311 have a radius of curvature with its centre coinciding with the opposite post rotation axis 251, 252, respectively, when the respective supporting means 26 are abutting against the lower end portions of the corresponding, opposite slots 311. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the slots 311 cover sectors of approximately 15°, that is to say the post can be swung out by approximately 15° from its normal position according to figure 2.

An elastic element 4 forms a further connection between the post 2 and the base 3. The elastic element 4 is shown here as an endless flat textile strap 41 that has been laid around an upper mount, which is shown as a spacer element 22 between the post elements 21, and that has further been laid around a lower mount 32 arranged in the base 3. The lower mount 32 is shown here with a tautening device 33 arranged to ad- just the tensioning of the elastic element 4. By centring the elastic element and its mounts 22, 32 in the horizontal direction between the post rotation axes 251, 252, the barrier 1 will resist the same load in both directions without giving way.

When a random area of the barrier 1, for example a post 2 or a railing element 51, 52, is subjected to a horizontal load component L as is illustrated in figure 3, for example in the form of a swinging object which is being handled by a lifting device, and the torque of this load component L around one of the post rotation axes 251, 252 exceeds the torque provided by the elastic elements 4 of the barrier 1 around the same post rotation axis 251, 252, the barrier 1 will yield elastically and dampen an impact effect of the load component L. After the effect of the load component L has ceased, the barrier 1 will return to its normal position as shown in figure 2. The rigidity of the railing elements 51, 52 and their attachment to the posts 2 will decide to what extent the elastic elements 4 of several posts 2 help to absorb the impact of the load component L.

In an embodiment not shown, the railing bracket 23 of the upper railing element 51 is tiltably attached between the post elements 21 in a manner corresponding to the attachment of the post 2 to the base 3, but arranged to swing in the opposite direction, the railing bracket 23 being supported in corresponding circularly curved slots (not shown) and held elastically in a normal position against the upper end portions of the slots by means of one or more elastic elements working in the opposite direction of what has been described above about the elastic element 4 connecting the post 2 and the base 3.

It should be noted that all the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and persons skilled in the art may construct many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. In the claims, reference numbers in brackets are not to be regarded as restrictive.

The use of the verb "to comprise" and its different forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps that are not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite article "a" or "an" before an element does not exclude the presence of several such elements.

The fact that some features are indicated in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used with advantage.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A flexibly resilient barrier (1) formed from several posts (2) interconnected by at least one elongated railing element (5), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each post (2) is elastically pivotal in first and second directions transversely to the longitudinal direction of the railing element (5) from an upright normal position around first and second post rotation axes (251, 252), respectively, which are parallel to each other and are horizontally spaced apart, and the post (2) is connected to a base (3) by means of several post-supporting means (26) which, with their centre axes, form the respective post rotation axes (251, 252) and provide vertical sliding connections between the post (2) and the base (3), the post (2) being elastically tiltable, in the first direction, around the first post rotation axis (251) and the post (2) being elastically tiltable, in the second direction, around the second post rotation axis (252).

2. The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the post- supporting means (26) project perpendicularly from a branched lower post- end portion (211) and extend through elongated slots (311) formed in post mounts (31) which extend up from the base (3).

3. The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein the elongated slots (311) are circularly curved, a radius of curvature being equal to the perpendicular distance between the centre lines of opposite slots (311) .

4. The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 2, wherein the elongated slots (311) are circularly curved, the first post rotation axis (251) coinciding in a lower position with the centre of curvature of the slot of the second post rotation axis (252), and vice versa.

5. The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the post (2) is formed from two plate-shaped elements (21) which are each provided with a divergently branched lower end portion and interconnected by several spacer elements (22, 23).

6. The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the post- supporting means (26) is formed as a bolt which at least extends through two post mounts (31) and at least one post branch (212) . The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein an elastic element (4) is connected to a portion of the base (3) arranged between the post rotation axes (251, 252) and a portion of the post arranged above the post rotation axes (251, 252).

The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein an elastic element (4) is connected to a portion of the base (3) arranged between the post rotation axes (251, 252) and a portion of the post arranged over the post rotation axes (251, 252), the longitudinal axis of the elastic element (4) being arranged centrically between the post rotation axes (251, 242) and perpendicularly to a plane that coincides with the post rotation axes (251, 252) when the barrier (1) is in its normal position.

The flexibly resilient barrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein an elastic element (4) is formed of an endless flat textile strap (41) with a first loop portion (411) that surrounds a spacer element (22) arranged in the post (2), and a second loop portion (412) that surrounds a vertically adjustable lower mount (32) arranged between the post rotation axes (251, 252).