Road barrier

Abstract

Road barrier (1) comprising: a series of foundation posts (2), which are adapted to be substantially entirely embedded in the ground in a substantially vertical position, one spaced side by side the other along the lateral edge of the road or carriageway; a series of supporting posts (3), separate and distinct from the foundation posts (2), which are adapted to be inserted / fitted each into the upper ends (2a) of a respective foundation post (2), so as to protrude cantilevered above the ground preferably while remaining in a substantially vertical position; and a series of oblong crossbeams (4), which are firmly fixed to the supporting posts (3) in a substantially horizontal position and one after the other, so as to form a longitudinal containment rail (5) that extends along the lateral edge of the carriageway at a predetermined height above the ground (P).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Italian patent application No. 102024000006355 filed on March 21, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a road barrier.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to a programmed-deformation, metal road barrier, to which the following disclosure will explicitly refer without thereby losing in generality.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] As is known, road barriers are fixed structures that are placed along the lateral edge of the carriageway and are adapted to hold, within the carriageway, a car or other vehicle for transporting goods and / or persons of medium to large dimensions, which should accidentally impact against the same road barrier.

[0005] Among the most popular road barriers on the market there are the programmed-deformation metal road barriers.

[0006] These road barriers, traditionally called "guard-rails", are basically made up of a series of supporting posts, which are made of metal and are stuck into the ground so as to remain firmly in a vertical position, spaced side by side to one another along the lateral edge of the carriageway; and of a series of ribbonlike crossbeams with a double- or triple- wave profile, which are made of metal, are fixed to the supporting posts in a horizontal position and one after the other, at a predetermined height above the ground, and are butt-fixed to one another by means of through bolts, so as to form a longitudinal containment rail, which extends seamlessly along the lateral edge of the carriageway.

[0007] More specifically, the ribbonlike crossbeams with double- or triple- wave profiles are fixed to the supporting posts so that the longitudinal containment rail is roughly at the same height as the bumpers of cars and other vehicles for transporting goods and / or persons travelling on the roads.

[0008] Clearly, the supporting posts and ribbonlike crossbeams with a double- or triple- wave profile are specifically structured and dimensioned to retain, within the carriageway, a car or other vehicle for transporting goods and / or persons of medium to large dimensions, which might accidentally impact against the road barrier in the event of an accident.

[0009] Unfortunately, the retention capacity of this type of road barrier is strongly influenced by the morphological characteristics of the terrain in which the supporting posts of the road barrier are driven, with all the problems that this entails.

[0010] In fact, it is well known that if the supporting posts are driven into a ground with poor geotechnical reaction properties, in the event of impact the road barrier cannot absorb the kinetic energy of the vehicle as per the design specifications, because the supporting posts are simply unrooted and extracted from ground without undergoing substantial plastic deformations. Deformations that would significantly contribute to the dissipation of the kinetic energy of the vehicle impacting the road barrier.

[0011] In order to overcome this drawback, when this type of road barrier is to be placed along a bank or embankment with poor geotechnical reaction properties, it is generally necessary to carry out concrete injections or other ground-consolidation works before driving the supporting posts.

[0012] Consolidation works that obviously have non-negligible costs, with the increase of the road-barrier installation costs that follows.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aim of the present invention is to realise a programmed-deformation metal road barrier that can be installed along banks having poor geotechnical reaction properties, without requiring costly ground-consolidation works.

[0014] In accordance with the above-mentioned aims, according to the present invention there is realized a road barrier as defined in claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any of the claims dependent thereon.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a segment of a road barrier realized according to the teachings of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the road barrier shown in Figure 1, from a different viewpoint and with parts removed for clarity's sake; Figure 3 is a side view of the road barrier shown in Figures 1 and 2, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, number 1 denotes as a whole a road barrier adapted to be installed along the lateral edge of a road or carriageway, with the function of retaining, within the same road or carriageway, a car or other motor vehicle for transporting goods and / or persons of medium to large dimensions, which should accidentally impact against the same road barrier 1.

[0017] More specifically, road barrier 1 is particularly suited to be positioned, or rather installed, along a road bank or embankment 100 where the morphology of the ground has poor geotechnical reaction properties

[0018] The road barrier 1 in particular comprises: a series of advantageously substantially straight, foundation posts 2 adapted to be substantially entirely embedded in the ground / buried in a substantially vertical position, spaced side by side to one another along the lateral edge of the carriageway, or rather along the roadside bank or embankment 100; a series of advantageously substantially straight, supporting posts 3, separate and distinct from the foundation posts 2, which are adapted to be inserted / fitted each into the upper ends 2a of a respective foundation post 2, so as to protrude cantilevered above the ground preferably while remaining in a substantially vertical position; and a series of advantageously substantially straight, oblong crossbeams 4, which that are firmly fixed to the supporting posts 3 in a substantially horizontal position and one following the other, at a predetermined height above the ground P, so as to form a longitudinal containment rail 5, which extends along the lateral edge of the carriageway, or rather along the roadside bank or embankment 100, more or less parallel to the ground P beneath.

[0019] More specifically, the upper end 2a of the or each foundation post 2 of road barrier 1 is preferably provided with an oblong longitudinal cavity, which is adapted to be telescopically engaged and with clearance by the lower segment of the foundation post 2.

[0020] Preferably the length of the supporting posts 3 is moreover shorter than the length of the foundation posts 2 advantageously by at least 25%.

[0021] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in particular, at least one or, more conveniently, each foundation post 2 is preferably made of metal material, and is preferably buried / embedded in the ground so that its upper end 2a is below the surface, at a minimum distance d from the same surface greater than 0. More specifically, the distance d is preferably greater than or equal to 4 cm (centimetres) and, more conveniently, ranges between 5 and 30 cm (centimetres).

[0022] Preferably the oblong longitudinal cavity of the or each foundation post 2 moreover extends for the entire length of the same foundation post 2.

[0023] In parallel, at least one or, more conveniently, each supporting post 3 is preferably made of metal material, and is preferably telescopically inserted / fitted with clearance into the upper end 2a of the corresponding foundation post 2, advantageously so as to remain substantially coaxial or anyway parallel to the same foundation post 2.

[0024] Preferably, the space between the supporting post 3 and the corresponding foundation post 2 is moreover adapted to be filled by the ground into which the foundation post 2 is driven / embedded.

[0025] In other words, at least on the upper end 2a of foundation post 2, the ground is interposed between the supporting post 3 and the corresponding foundation post 2 so as to fix / lock / immobilise the two post to one another.

[0026] Clearly, the ground between supporting post 3 and foundation post 2 may be replaced by concrete or other filler material.

[0027] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, similarly, the oblong crossbeams 4 are preferably made of metal material, and are preferably secured in rigid manner to the lateral side of the supporting posts 3, suspended at a predetermined height from the ground P.

[0028] In addition, the oblong crossbeams 4 are preferably horizontally aligned one after the other, and are preferably also butt-fixed to one another as to form a longitudinal containment rail 5, which extends seamlessly along the lateral edge of the carriageway, or rather along the road bank or embankment 100, at a predetermined height above the ground P.

[0029] More specifically, the oblong cross beams 4 are preferably rigidly secured to the lateral side of the supporting posts 3 by the interposition of special connecting brackets 6 advantageously made of metal material, which in turn are preferably structured so as to keep the oblong crossbeams 4 roughly grazing the supporting posts 3.

[0030] In the example shown, in particular, the connecting brackets 6 are preferably structured so as to keep the oblong crossbeams 4 at a nominal distance from the related supporting posts 3 of less than or equal to 5 cm (centimetres).

[0031] In other words, the connecting brackets 6 are preferably fixed cantilevered on the lateral side of the supporting posts 3 advantageously by means of one and more anchoring through-bolts 7, and the oblong crossbeams 4 are fixed directly to the connecting brackets 6 advantageously by means of one and more anchoring through-bolts 8.

[0032] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in particular, foundation posts 2 have a length L 2 preferably ranging between 1,5 and 2,5 m (metres) and / or are preferably made of galvanised steel.

[0033] In addition, at least one or, more conveniently, each foundation post 2 preferably basically consists of or rather includes a straight metal section-bar of a predetermined length advantageously greater than 1 m (metre), advantageously with a substantially U- or C-shaped transversal cross-section.

[0034] More in detail, at least one or, more conveniently, each foundation post 2 preferably comprises: a straight metal section-bar 10 with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section; and a transversal metal band 11 that extends like a bridge between the two wings of the straight metal section-bar 10, along a limited section of the straight metal section-bar 10, so as to locally form a segment with tubular structure.

[0035] The corresponding supporting post 3, in turn, is adapted to engage the longitudinal groove of the straight metal section-bar 10, advantageously up to reach and cross the tubular-structured segment delimited by the transversal metal band 11.

[0036] More specifically, the transversal metal band 11 has a width preferably ranging between 5 and 15 cm, and preferably extends like a bridge between the two wings of the straight metal section-bar 10 at a predetermined distance w from the upper end 2a of the foundation post 2 advantageously ranging between 15 and 25 cm (centimetres).

[0037] In the example shown, in particular, the transversal metal band 11 is preferably approximately 10 cm wide, is preferably directly welded to the straight metal section-bar 10, and is preferably arranged at a distance w of approximately 20 cm (centimetres) from the upper end 2a of the foundation post 2.

[0038] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in parallel, the supporting posts 3 have a length L 3 preferably ranging between 1,5 and 2 m (metres) and / or are preferably made of galvanised steel.

[0039] In addition, at least one or, more conveniently, each supporting post 3 preferably basically consists of or rather includes a straight metal section-bar of a predetermined length advantageously greater than 1 m (metre), and advantageously with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section.

[0040] More in detail, at least one or, more conveniently, each supporting post 3 preferably comprises a straight metal section-bar 13 with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section, which is advantageously dimensioned so as to be telescopically fitted with clearance into the straight metal section-bar 10. Clearly, the straight metal section-bar 13 could also have an IPE, HE, sigma profile, etc..

[0041] Preferably, the supporting posts 3 are moreover driven into the ground present inside the upper end 2a of foundation post 2, so that the protruding section has an overall length advantageously ranging between 80 and 130 cm (centimetres), and more conveniently equal to about 100 cm.

[0042] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the oblong crossbeams 4, on the other hand, have an overall length preferably ranging between 4 and 6 m (metres), and more conveniently equal to about 5 m (metres), and / or are preferably made of galvanised steel.

[0043] Preferably oblong crossbeams 4 moreover have a nominal width ranging between 45 and 55 cm (centimetres) and more conveniently equal to about 50 cm.

[0044] In addition, the oblong crossbeams 4 are preferably located at a minimum height h above the ground P advantageously ranging between 40 and 60 cm (centimetres), and more conveniently equal to about 50 cm.

[0045] Consequently, the longitudinal containment rail 5 is at a minimum height h above the ground preferably ranging between 40 and 60 cm (centimetres), and more conveniently equal to about 50 cm.

[0046] Preferably the oblong crossbeams 4 furthermore have a substantially ribbonlike structure

[0047] In addition, the oblong and ribbonlike crossbeams 4 preferably overlap one to the other at their respective ends, and are preferably secured in rigid manner to one another by means of at least one or, more conveniently, a plurality of connecting through-bolts 14 that are adapted to tighten one against the other the ends of two consecutive oblong crossbeams 46.

[0048] More specifically, at least one or, more conveniently, each oblong crossbeam 4 preferably comprises a straight metal section-bar 15 with a ribbonlike structure and advantageously with a double- or triple- wave profile.

[0049] The longitudinal containment rail 5, therefore, preferably has a double- or triple- wave profile.

[0050] With particular reference to Figure 3, preferably the connecting brackets 6 in turn consist of ribbonlike metal slats that are bent into a substantially Ω (omega) shape and are advantageously arranged with the two ends in abutment on the lateral side of the supporting post 3. Preferably even the ribbonlike metal slats are made of galvanised steel.

[0051] Operation of the road barrier 1 is similar to that of road barriers with supporting posts driven into the ground with high geotechnical reaction properties.

[0052] Experimental tests, in fact, have shown that the foundation posts 2, during the impact of the car with road barrier 1, forces supporting posts 3 to bend plastically at ground level P, as if the supporting posts 3 were driven into a ground with high geotechnical reaction properties.

[0053] In this way, the road barrier 1 is able to absorb at best the kinetic energy of the vehicle impacting against the road barrier 1.

[0054] Preferably, the installation of the road barrier 1 instead involves burying / driving into the ground each foundation post 2 advantageously so that the ground covers and preferably also completely fills the upper end 2a of the same foundation post 2, and then driving the lower segment of the supporting post 3 into the ground present within said upper end 2a. During insertion of the supporting post 3 into the foundation post 2, the ground present within the upper end 2a of the foundation post 2 compacts and consolidates locking the supporting post 3 firmly to the foundation post 2.

[0055] The advantages connected to the particular design of the road barrier 1 are noteworthy.

[0056] Thanks to the foundation posts 2, the installation of road barrier 1 along road banks or embankments 100 where the morphology of the ground has poor geotechnical reaction properties no longer requires ground-consolidation works, with the costs reduction that this entails.

[0057] In addition, the foundation posts 2 consist of components that are relatively cheap to produce, with the savings that this entails.

[0058] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the road barrier 1 described above without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] For example, in a more sophisticated embodiment, the connecting brackets 6 may be replaced by spacer elements advantageously made of metal material, or rather of galvanised steel, that are structured so as to keep the oblong crossbeams 4 at a minimum distance from the supporting posts 3 greater than 10 cm (centimetres) and advantageously also less than 80 cm (centimetres). Preferably these spacer elements moreover have a programmed-deformation structure.

[0060] Finally, the upper ends of the supporting posts 3 may optionally be connected to each other by horizontal stringers preferably made of metal material, or raver of galvanised steel.

Claims

1. Road barrier (1) comprising: a series of supporting posts (3), which are adapted to be firmly fixed to the ground (P) in a substantially vertical position, spaced side by side to one another along the lateral edge of the road or carriageway; a series of oblong crossbeams (4), which are firmly fixed to the supporting posts (3) in a substantially horizontal position and one after the other, so as to form a longitudinal containment rail (5) that extends along the lateral edge of the carriageway at a given height from the ground (P); the road barrier (1) being characterised by additionally comprising a series of foundation posts (2), separate and distinct from the supporting posts (3), which are adapted to be substantially entirely embedded into the ground in a substantially vertical position, spaced side by side to one another along the lateral edge of the road or carriageway; and in that said supporting posts (3) are inserted / fitted into the upper ends (2a) each of a respective foundation post (2), so as to project cantilevered above the ground.

2. Road barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper end (2a) of the foundation post (2) is provided with an oblong longitudinal cavity, which is adapted to be engaged telescopically and with clearance by a lower segment of the supporting post (3).

3. Road barrier according to claim 2, wherein said oblong longitudinal cavity of the foundation post (2) further extends along the entire length of said foundation post (2).

4. Road barrier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the space between the supporting post (3) and the foundation post (2) is filled by the ground in which said foundation post (2) is inserted / embedded.

5. Road barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one foundation post (2) is embedded in the ground so that its upper end (2a) is below the surface, at a predetermined minimum distance (d) from the same surface.

6. Road barrier according to claim 5, wherein said minimum distance (d) is greater than or equal to 4 cm and / or ranges between 5 and 30 cm.

7. Road barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said foundation post (2) has a length (L2) ranging between 1,5 and 2,5 m.

8. Road barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one foundation post (2) includes a first straight metal section-bar (10) of given length, advantageously with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section.

9. Road barrier according to claim 8, wherein said foundation post (2) comprises: a first rectilinear metal section-bar (10) with a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped transversal cross-section; and a transversal metal band (11) that extends like a bridge between the two wings of said rectilinear metal section-bar (10) with substantially U-shaped or C-shaped transversal cross-section, so as to form a segment with tubular structure.

10. Road barrier according to claim 9, wherein said transversal metal band (11) has a width ranging between 5 and 15 cm, and / or extends bridging the two wings of said first straight metal section-bar (10) at a distance (w) from the upper end (2a) of the foundation post (2) ranging between 15 and 25 cm.

11. Road barrier according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the supporting post (2) extends within said first rectilinear metal section-bar (10) with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section, up to reach and extend beyond the segment with a tubular structure delimited by said transversal metal band (11).

12. Road barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one supporting post (3) includes a second straight metal section-bar (13) of given length, advantageously with a substantially U- or C- shaped transversal cross-section.

13. Road barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said oblong crossbeams (4) includes a third straight metal section-bar (15) with a substantially ribbonlike structure.

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