One-piece base for a guardrail post and kit comprising such a base

Abstract

The single-piece base, for a guardrail upright having at least one collar, comprises: - a flat sole comprising at least one hole for fixing to a surface against or on which the guardrail upright is fixed and - a housing for the upright, between two extensions parallel and perpendicular to the flat sole, opening onto an opening at one end of the extensions opposite the flat sole, each extension having a through hole, the axes of the through holes being coincident. The flat sole has an axis called the "longitudinal axis" and an axis called the "generatrix" parallel to the housing and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The housing comprises at least one groove parallel to the axis of the generatrices formed in at least one extension, each groove being configured to receive a collar of the guardrail upright.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-piece base for a guardrail upright, a guardrail upright and a kit comprising such a base and such an upright. It applies, in particular, to the field of guardrails and more particularly to guardrails for technical areas, i.e. areas not accessible to the public. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] There are several ways to fix guardrails: top mounting, also called "French style", in which the base for the guardrail upright is placed on the surface to be protected, surface mounting, also called "English style", in which the base for the guardrail is placed on a surface perpendicular to the surface to be protected, offset surface mounting, also called "English style with distance from the wall", similar to surface mounting but in which the base creates a space between the guardrail upright and the perpendicular surface on which it is fixed.

[0003] To date, many manufacturers use a specific fixing base for each fixing method mentioned above.

[0004] Also known are the Italian patent application IT 2022 0001 8123 and the European patent application EP 2 772 596. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a base monobloc for a guardrail upright having at least one collar, which comprises: a flat sole comprising at least one hole for fixing to a surface against or on which the guardrail upright is fixed and a housing for the upright, between two extensions parallel and perpendicular to the flat sole, opening onto an opening at one end of the extensions opposite the flat sole, each extension having a through hole, the axes of the through holes being merged; in which the flat sole has an axis called "longitudinal axis" and an axis called "generatrices" parallel to the housing and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and in which the housing comprises at least one groove parallel to the axis of the generatrices formed in at least one extension, each groove being configured to receive a collar of the guardrail upright.

[0007] Thanks to these provisions, the guardrail post can be fixed in the French, English or offset English style, depending on the positioning of the guardrail post in the housing, a bolt positioned through the through holes allowing the guardrail post to be locked in position. In addition, the collar and the groove reinforce the fixing of the guardrail post.

[0008] In embodiments, the housing comprises at least one pair of two grooves parallel to the axis of the generators, each positioned on a different extension, the grooves being positioned symmetrically in the housing.

[0009] Thanks to these provisions, the guardrail upright and the base can be positioned without any constraints on the installation direction.

[0010] In embodiments, at least one groove is positioned at the junction between the housing and the flat sole. Thanks to these arrangements, a guardrail upright comprising a collar at the end of a profile can be mounted in the base.

[0011] In embodiments, the dimension of the housing along the axis of the generators is equal to the dimension of the housing along an axis normal to the flat sole minus the dimension of a groove positioned at the junction between the housing and the flat sole.

[0012] Thanks to these provisions, collars, formed at the ends of the profile of a guardrail upright, allow the upright to be mounted and held in position in the base, according to two configurations, French and English.

[0013] In embodiments, the housing comprises at least two pairs of two grooves parallel to the axis of the generatrices, each groove of a pair of grooves being positioned on a different extension, the grooves of a pair of grooves being positioned symmetrically in the housing, the axis of the orifices passing through the extensions being equidistant from a pair of grooves and from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole.

[0014] Thanks to these provisions, the guardrail amount can be positioned offset or not.

[0015] In embodiments, the axis of the holes passing through the extensions is at the same distance from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole as from the edge perpendicular to the axis of the generatrices closest to these holes.

[0016] Thanks to these provisions, the same guardrail upright collar can, depending on the offset configuration or not, rest on the ends of the extensions or be held in a groove in the base.

[0017] In embodiments, the dimension of the housing along the axis of the generators is equal to the dimension of the housing along an axis normal to the flat sole minus the dimension of a collar of the upright of the guardrail.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, when the guardrail upright is positioned in the French style, the collars also form a guiding and holding support on either side of the housing.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a guardrail upright configured to be fixed to a base which is the subject of the invention, which has a substantially rectangular profile and is provided, at at least one corner of the profile, with a collar.

[0020] In embodiments, the distance between the axis of a through hole formed in the profile of the upright and one end of the upright is equal to the distance between the axis of the holes passing through the extensions and the bottom of the housing closest to the flat base. Thanks to these arrangements, the same guardrail upright collar can, depending on the offset configuration or not, be supported on the ends of the extensions or be held in a groove in the base.

[0021] In embodiments, the width of the profile between two collars formed on the same flat surface of the profile is equal to the dimension of the base between its ends normal to the axis of the generatrices. Thanks to these arrangements, when the guardrail upright is positioned in the French style, the collars also form a guide and holding support on either side of the housing.

[0022] The aims, advantages and particular characteristics of the guardrail upright which is the subject of the present invention being similar to those of the base which is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a kit which comprises at least one guardrail upright which is the subject of the present invention and at least one base which is the subject of the present invention.

[0024] The aims, advantages and particular characteristics of the kit which is the subject of the present invention being similar to those of the base which is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the base, the upright and the kit which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 represents a director of a particular embodiment of a base which is the subject of the present invention, the figure 2 represents, in perspective, the base illustrated in figure 1 , there figure 3 represents, in views along the longitudinal axis, on the one hand the base illustrated in figures 1 And 2 and, on the other hand, a guardrail amount, the base and the amount being separate, the figure 4 represents, in view along the longitudinal axis, the amount illustrated in figure 3 mounted "French style" on the base illustrated in figure 3 , without the assembly bolt, the figure 5 represents, in view along the longitudinal axis, the amount illustrated in figure 3 mounted "English style" on the base illustrated in figure 3 , without the assembly bolt, the figure 6 represents, in view along the longitudinal axis, the amount illustrated in figure 3 mounted "English style with distance from the wall" on the base illustrated in figure 3 , without the assembly bolt, the figure 7 represents, in perspective, an amount mounted "French style" on a base, the figure 8 represents, in perspective, an amount mounted "English style" on a base, the figure 9 represents, in view along the longitudinal axis, an amount mounted “English style with distance from the wall” on a base, the figure 10 represents, in view along the axis normal to the sole, an amount mounted “French style” on a base and the figure 11 represents, viewed along the axis normal to the sole, an upright mounted “English style” on a base. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0026] This description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0027] It should be noted that the figures are to scale but that the scales of the different figures may be different.

[0028] The base which is the subject of the invention is a cylinder truncated between two parallel planes perpendicular to the generatrices of the cylinder truncated. This cylinder truncated is provided with through holes. This cylinder truncated defines a support sole on a flat support. Throughout the description, the term "generatrix axis" 25 (see figure 4 ), the axis of the generators of the base cylinder, "axis normal to the sole" 26, the axis perpendicular to the plane of the base support and "longitudinal axis" 27, an axis perpendicular to the axis of the generators and to the axis normal to the sole. These three axes are therefore perpendicular two by two. The dimensions measured along the longitudinal axis 27 are called "lengths", the dimensions measured along the axis normal to the sole 26 are called "heights" or "depths" and the dimensions measured along the axis of the generators 25 are called "widths".

[0029] We observe, in figure 1 , the director of the base 10, two segments of a straight line defining a sole 11, and two extensions 12 and 13 extending perpendicular to the sole 11, separated by a housing 16. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 à 5 , optional fillets 14 and 15 serve to reinforce the extensions 12 and 13, respectively, on the side of the extensions 12 and 13 opposite the housing 16. The housing 16 preferably comprises at least one pair of grooves 17 or 18. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 à 5 , the housing 16 is provided with a groove 17 at its end closest to the sole 11 and a groove 18 substantially in the middle of its depth. The groove 17 is positioned at the junction between the housing 16 and the flat sole 11. These two grooves 17 and 18 are configured to receive one of two collars 31 and 32 of a guardrail upright 30, collars of a shape corresponding to the grooves (see figures 6 à 8 ).

[0030] The base 10 is provided with two through holes 21 and 22, on its sole 10 and two through holes 19 and 20, with axes 23 merged and parallel to the longitudinal axis 27, on each of its extensions 12 and 13. Apart from the through holes 19 and 20, the base 10 has: a symmetry with respect to a plane parallel to the axis of the generators 25 and to the axis normal to the sole 26 and a symmetry with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 27 and to the axis normal to the sole 26.

[0031] The offset of the through holes 19 and 20 relative to this latter plane and its offset relative to the pair of grooves 18 makes it possible to position a guardrail upright 30 having only one through hole 33 (see figures 3 à 6 ), according to three positions: a “French” position, illustrated in figure 4 , in which the two collars 31 and 32 are, each, in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 27 and to the axis normal to the sole 26 and rest on the symmetrical faces of the housing 16, an “English” position, illustrated in figure 5 , in which a collar 31 is housed in the pair of grooves 17 and an “English position with distance from the wall”, illustrated in figure 6 , in which the other collar 32 is housed in the pair of grooves 18.

[0032] For this purpose, as illustrated in figure 3 : the distance d1 between the axis 23 and the bottom of the housing 16 is greater than or equal to the distance d1' between the axis of the through-orifice 33 and the lower end of the upright 30, and preferably equal, which allows the lower end of the upright 30 to rest on the bottom of the housing 16, in the "French" position; the width d2 of the base 10 is less than or equal to the width d2' between the collars 31 and 32, and preferably equal, which promotes the support of the collars 31 and 32 on the edges of the housing 16, in the "French" position; the distance d3 between the axis 23 and the plane, perpendicular to the axis 25 of the generatrices, of the base 10 closest to this axis 23 (on the right in figure 3 ) is equal to the distance d3' between the axis 33 and the internal edge of the collar 31, which promotes the support of the collar 31 on this plane, in the "French" position; the distance d1 between the axis 23 and the bottom of the housing 16 is equal to the distance d1" between the axis of the through-orifice 33 and the external end of the collar 32, which allows the insertion of this collar 32 into the pair of grooves 17, in the "English" position; the distance d3 between the axis 23 and the upper edge of the housing 16 is less than or equal to the distance d3' between the axis 33 and the internal edge of the collar 31, and preferably equal, which promotes the support of the collar on the face of the base opposite the sole 11, in the "English" position;and the distance d4 between the axis 23 and the upper edge of the grooves 18 is equal to the distance d3' between the axis 33 and the internal edge of the collar 31, which allows the insertion of the collar 31 into the grooves 18, in the “English position with distance from the wall”.;

[0033] Note that the term “equal” used above is to be understood with manufacturing tolerances to allow limited mechanical play.

[0034] Thus, preferably: the dimension d2 of the housing 16 along the axis of the generatrices 25 is equal to the dimension of the housing along an axis normal to the flat sole 26 minus the dimension e of a groove 17 positioned at the junction between the housing and the flat sole 11; the housing 16 comprises at least two pairs, 17 and 18, of two grooves parallel to the axis of the generatrices 25, each groove of a pair of grooves being positioned on a different extension 12, 13, the grooves of a pair of grooves being positioned symmetrically in the housing 16, the axis 23 of the orifices, 19 and 20, which pass through the extensions being equidistant d3 from a pair 18 of grooves and from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole 11; and / or the axis 23 of the orifices, 19 and 20, which pass through the extensions 12, 13 is at the same distance d3 from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole 11 as from the edge perpendicular to the axis of the generatrices 25 closest to these orifices 19 and 20.

[0035] The embodiment illustrated in the figures 1 à 11 presents all the preferential equalities set out above. Of course, in other embodiments not shown, only some of these preferential equalities are respected.

[0036] Screws (not shown) secure the base to a support (not shown), horizontal (in the case of "French" mounting) or vertical (in the case of "English" mounting). A bolt 34 passes through the through holes 19, 20 and 33 and secures the upright 30 to the base 10.

Claims

1. One-piece base (10) for a guardrail upright (30) having at least one collar (31, 32), base characterized in thatit comprises: - a flat sole (11) comprising at least one orifice (21, 22) for fixing to a surface against or on which the guardrail upright is fixed and - a housing (16) for the upright, between two extensions (12, 13) parallel and perpendicular to the flat sole, opening onto an opening at one end of the extensions opposite the flat sole, each extension having a through orifice (19, 20), the axes (23) of the through orifices being merged; in which the flat sole has an axis (27) called "longitudinal axis" and an axis (25) called "generatrices" parallel to the housing and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and in which the housing comprises at least one groove (17, 18) parallel to the axis of the generatrices, formed in at least one extension, each groove being configured to receive a collar of the guardrail upright.

2. Base (10) according to claim 1, in which the housing (16) comprises at least one pair of two grooves (17, 18) parallel to the axis of the generators, each positioned on a different extension (12, 13), the grooves being positioned symmetrically in the housing.

3. Base (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one groove (17) is positioned at the junction between the housing (16) and the flat sole (11).

4. Base (10) according to claim 3, in which the dimension (d2) of the housing (16) along the axis of the generatrices (25) is equal to the dimension of the housing along an axis normal to the flat sole (26) minus the dimension (e) of a groove (17) positioned at the junction between the housing and the flat sole (11).

5. Base (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which the housing (16) comprises at least two pairs (17, 18) of two grooves parallel to the axis of the generatrices (25), each groove of a pair of grooves being positioned on a different extension (12, 13), the grooves of a pair of grooves being positioned symmetrically in the housing, the axis (23) of the orifices (19, 20) passing through the extensions being equidistant (d3) from a pair (18) of grooves and from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole (11).

6. Base (10) according to claim 5, in which the axis (23) of the orifices (19, 20) passing through the extensions (12, 13) is at the same distance (d3) from the end of the extensions furthest from the flat sole (11) as from the edge perpendicular to the axis of the generatrices (25) closest to these orifices.

7. Kit, characterized in thatit comprises a base according to one of claims 1 to 6 and a guardrail upright (30) configured to be fixed to the base (10), the upright having a substantially rectangular profile and provided, in at least one corner of the profile, with a collar (31, 32).

8. Kit according to claim 7, in which the distance (d1') between the axis of a through hole (33) formed in the profile of the upright and one end of the upright is equal to the distance (d1) between the axis (23) of the holes passing through the extensions (12, 13) and the bottom of the housing (16) closest to the flat sole (11).

9. Kit according to one of claims 7 or 8, in which the width (d2') of the profile between two collars (31, 32) formed on the same flat surface of the profile is equal to the dimension (d2) of the base (10) between its ends normal to the axis of the generatrices (25).

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