Method of producing a concrete road safety traffic barrier

Abstract

The invention pertains to the field of safety traffic barriers, temporary or permanent ones, in particular traffic barriers produced in a continuous forming process, so called slip forming. Method of producing a concrete safety traffic barrier (4) comprising the steps of: a) securing at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) in a manner to prevent movement thereof during forming of the safety traffic barrier (4), where the first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and the second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) are positioned on the forming track of the safety traffic barrier (4), and preferably with a plurality of first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b), at least one of the first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one of the second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b) are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other; b) forming of the safety traffic barrier (4) comprising at least one segment (5, 6), form a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming safety traffic barrier (4) is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within a section between at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) in a manner that at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) become enclosed within the concrete mix and upon curing of the concrete mix at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) is permanently secured to the cured concrete mix (1).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The subject-matter of the invention pertains to the field of safety traffic barriers, temporary or permanent ones, in particular traffic barriers produced in a process of continuous forming, so called slip forming.Prior art

[0002] Document DE 102006056182 B4 discloses a barrier built of wall elements and wall couplers composed of supporting elements and rotational pins which are received in the seats in the wall elements.

[0003] Document EP 2281088 B2 discloses a barrier the elements of which are coupled by means of a vertical protrusion at one end of the barrier element and a seat groove positioned at the other end of another barrier element.

[0004] In the prior art, solutions are known for barriers used for construction and repairs of public roads, manufactured outside the construction site in manufacturing plants, and supplied to the place where they are built-in.

[0005] In the prior art, methods are known for providing a possibility to make a barrier directly in a process of slip forming, along with a possibility to detach and then re-assemble them in another, target site or at the same site.Summary of the invention

[0006] It is the aim of the invention to produce safety traffic barriers in slip forming technology, which are produced at the site where they are built-in or arranged or at a short distance from the place where they are to be used, along with a possibility to detach and re-join them, with a small amount of work.

[0007] The invention provides a method of producing a concrete safety traffic barrier. The method comprises step a) of securing at least one first terminal element and at least one second terminal element in a manner to prevent movement thereof during forming of the safety traffic barrier. The first terminal element and the second terminal element are positioned on a forming track of said safety traffic barrier. Preferably, with a plurality of first terminal elements and secondary terminal elements, at least one of the first terminal elements and at least one of the second terminal elements are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other. The method also comprises step b) of forming a safety traffic barrier comprising at least one segment made of a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming the safety traffic barrier is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within the section between at least one first terminal element and at least one second terminal element so that the at least one first terminal element and the at least one second terminal element become enclosed by said concrete mix and upon curing of the concrete mix at least one first terminal element and the at least one second terminal element are durably coupled with the cured concrete mix. Preferably, in step a) a reinforcement of the safety traffic barrier is arranged to prevent movement in parallel to the base of said traffic barrier, between the successive coupled first terminal elements and second terminal elements. Preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface on which the safety barrier is formed. More preferably, said reinforcement is to that to enable detachment from the surface. More preferably, by means of a sleeve or a bar, enclosed by the concrete mix in step b).

[0008] Preferably, said reinforcement is a mesh, a wire, a GRP reinforcement, or is included in the concrete mix in a form of a distributed reinforcement.

[0009] Preferably, in step a) the first terminal element and / or second terminal element are secured to the subgrade.

[0010] Preferably, step b) is implemented on a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix.

[0011] Preferably, steps a) and b) are carried out at a site where safety traffic barrier is to be finally positioned.

[0012] Preferably, after step b) step c) is carried out comprising dismembering of the safety traffic barrier. Dismembering is effected so ast upon dismembering at least two segments of the safety traffic barrier are created, and more specifically, an Nth segment and an (N+1)th segment, where the end of the Nth segment comprises a first terminal element and a second terminal element, and the end of the (N+1)th segment comprises a first terminal element and a second terminal element, and the Nth segment and the (N+1)th segment are mutually connected, preferably by means of releasably coupling of the second terminal element and the first terminal element.

[0013] Preferably, step c) is carried out when said concrete mix is cured.

[0014] Preferably, steps a) and b) are carried out at a temporary site, and after step c) step d) is carried out comprising transporting of said segments of said safety traffic barrier a target site.

[0015] Preferably, in step b) the final shape of the safety traffic barrier is formed.

[0016] Preferably, after step b) step e) is carried out for securing of at least one additional element in said concrete mix is performed. Preferably, the additional element is a reflective element, glass microballs, additional fixation, lighting.

[0017] Preferably, in step a), with a plurality of first terminal elements and second terminal elements, the first terminal element of the (N+1)th segment and the second terminal element of the Nth segment are mutually spaced apart.Advantageous effects of the invention

[0018] The invention enables producing of safety barriers at their target application sites, without any necessity of transferring them from the production site. Producing directly at the application site enables reduction of costs, in particular the costs of transporting barrier systems, and reduction of the production costs of safety barriers. The subject method reduces adverse impact onto the environment of heavy equipment required for their transport and installation.Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will be presented more closely with reference to the enclosed drawings where: Fig. 1 shows a single segment of a safety traffic barrier; Fig. 2 shows a safety traffic barrier comprising more than one segment. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0020] The invention provides a method of producing a safety traffic barrier 4, comprising the steps of: a) securing at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 in a manner to prevent their movement thereof during forming of said safety traffic barrier 4, where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are positioned on a forming track of the safety traffic barrier 4, and preferably at least one of the first terminal elements 2 and at least one of the second terminal elements 3 are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other in a releasable manner; b) forming of a safety traffic barrier 4 from a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming safety traffic barrier 4 is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within a section between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 in a manner that the at least the first terminal element 2 and second terminal element 3 become enclosed by the concrete mix. Upon curing of the concrete mix, at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 are durably coupled with the cured concrete mix 1.

[0021] It should be noted that the method indicated in the subject disclosure may be used for producing single segments of a safety traffic barrier 4 - in such a case, as shown in fig. 1, a ready-made segment has only one first terminal element 2 at one end and a second terminal element 3 at the other end and the two elements, when the concrete mix is cured, will be coupled with each other by the cured concrete mix 1 in the final safety traffic barrier 4. In fig. 1, showing a single segment, the safety traffic barrier 4 is equal to the segment.

[0022] A safety traffic barrier 4, comprising a plurality of segments 5, 6 therein, is shown in fig. 2, where the Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6 are illustrated. It should be indicated that fig. 2 shows solely a portion of a safety traffic barrier 4 (without the (N-1)th segment and the (N+2)th segment), and it is possible to produce a safety traffic barrier 4 comprising at least two segments 5, 6 or more. In the case of producing a safety traffic barrier 4 which comprises more than one segment 5, 6 therein, the second terminal end element 3a of the Nth segment 5 is preferably coupled releasably with the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, etc. - this way a long, uniform safety traffic barrier 4 is formed which comprises segments 5, 6 therein which when dismembered may be transported individually, and the first terminal elements 2a, 2b and second terminal elements 3a, 3b are positioned in suitable places already to enable subsequent mounting of thus prepared segments 5, 6 of the safety traffic barrier 4. This scheme is used analogously in production of a greater number of segments 5, 6.

[0023] The releasable coupling is effected between the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, and thus joining the Nth segment 5 with the (N+1)th segment 6. The Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6, where one end of the Nth segment 5 comprises the second terminal element 3a, and the other end of the (N+1)th segment 6 comprises the first terminal element 2b. The Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6, mutually joined with each other by releasable coupling of the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6. In this configuration, the first terminal element 2a of the Nth segment 5 may be further joined with the second terminal element of the (N-1)th segment (not shown in the drawings), and the second terminal element 3b of the (N+1)th segment 6 may be joined with the first terminal element of the (N+2)th segment (not shown in the drawings), to create the final safety barrier 4 comprising more than two segments 5, 6. Operational configuration should be understood as a releasable coupling of the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 and the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 in the final safety traffic barrier 4 during standard operation. Additionally, it should be emphasized that with a plurality of segments 5, 6 it is possible for the extreme terminal elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, which are arranged at the beginning and / or at the end of the safety traffic barrier 4, to have a different shape than the remaining terminal elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b.

[0024] It should be also noted that the general features of the structure of the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 apply to the first terminal element 2a of the Nth segment 5, the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5, and the second terminal element 3b of the (N+1)th segment 6, respectively. These reference marks may be used interchangeably.

[0025] It should be noted that the first terminal element 2, similarly as the second terminal element 3, are not commented here, since the specific construction thereof is not important from the point of view of the invention. Terminal elements 2, 3 are known in the prior art and a person skilled in the art will be aware both of the way in which they should be ended at the side of the cured concrete mix 1 to ensure durable anchoring of the terminal elements 2, 3 in the cured concrete mix 1, and of the way how they should be structured to ensure a possibility to connect the consecutive segments 5, 6 in a manner that a stroke by the car against the safety barrier does not cause detachment of the individual segments 5, 6 therefrom. Safety traffic barriers 4 are known and thus it seems that a person skilled in the art should be able to cope with such a task based on his / her knowledge, but for the sake of complete disclosure, exclusively as an example, an embodiment of the first terminal element 2 may be mentioned which has a form of a protruding plate which enters the other terminal element 3 having a form of a pocket. The plates may be shape-fastened, for example, upon insertion from the top the shape prevents removal along the safety traffic barrier 4, but the plate may be also connected to the pocket by means of a screw and a nut or a lock. At the side of the connection of the terminal elements 2, 3 to the cured concrete mix 1, such terminal elements 2, 3 may be ended with shapes which when coated with the concrete mix and curing cannot be detached. As regards the issue of preventing movement of the terminal element this may be effected, for example, by means of a sleeve in the terminal elements 2, 3, one or more, in which sleeves a bar secured to the subgrade is arranged, for example a reinforcement bar driven into the ground or by means of anchors secured to the subgrade. This solution prevents movement of the terminal elements 2, 3 during forming of a safety traffic barrier 4, while it still will be possible, during subsequent transporting, to lift the individual segments 5, 6 upwards. It should be noted that the above provided solutions are solely exemplary, and a person skilled in the art will be aware of other possible ways in which terminal elements may be made. It should be indicated that a solution is possible wherein the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 have the same shape.

[0026] An important requirement is to provide a shape for the terminal element 2, 3, to enable the use of a slip forming technology - in practice, which means that the terminal elements 2, 3 cannot protrude at the sides of the safety traffic barrier 4 outside the shape defined by the cross-section of the safety traffic barrier 4 made of the cured concrete mix 1. Also preferably, terminal elements 2, 3 have simple shapes to enable easy detachment and obtaining individual segments - straight lines, possibly small number of cavities, etc. are recommended - a person skilled in the art will be aware of shapes of the cured concrete mix 1 or a concrete mix which will be easy to be removed, and for which shapes that task will be difficult and time-consuming. Detachment should be understood as any operation which enables dismembering of the segments 5, 6 from each other - this may be, for example, cutting of the cured concrete mix 1, but this may be also removal of an uncured concrete mix 1 before curing thereof.

[0027] It is a general assumption that the terminal elements 2, 3 should be secured so that during pouring of the concrete mix thereupon the terminal elements 2, 3 are not going to change their position and the mould is suitable for pouring the concrete mix into them without moving the terminal elements 2, 3. In absence of such securing, the terminal elements 2, 3 might move and this would affect adversely the production process. Such a safety traffic barrier 4, upon curing of the concrete mix, may be used, and when it is no longer needed, it is possible do dismember the individual segments 5, 6 and transport them to another site.

[0028] The first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are preferably positioned one relative to the other in an operational configuration where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are mutually coupled with the use of suitable means resulting from the structure of the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3. This solution makes it possible to create at once the entire safety traffic barrier 4 which may be dismembered into smaller segments 5, 6 later on. It should be also noted that with the use of this technology individual segments may be produced - in such a case a segment of a safety traffic barrier 4 will be ended with the first terminal element 2 at one side, and at the other side it will be ended with the second terminal element 3.

[0029] Forming track of a safety traffic barrier 4 is a path traversed by a forming mould. The track may be a straight line, an arc or another curve which enable the use of slip forming doe suitable forming of the concrete mix.

[0030] In another example, preferably the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are arranged along one line and spaced apart so that during pouring the concrete mix the concrete mix is positioned between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3, which is the subsequent first terminal elements 2 and second terminal elements 3 are not in the operational configuration, and there is a space between them. In the example of fig. 2 this would mean that at least between the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 concrete mix or another filling is arranged and the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 are not in the operational configuration and they are separated from each other. Concrete mix or cured concrete mix 1 positioned between the Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6 may be removed manually or by means of dedicated tools, and the shape of the terminal elements may be selected more arbitrarily. Nevertheless, such a solution will be less than optimum because of some amount of concrete mix lost due to the necessity to remove it finally.

[0031] In this example, in step a) a reinforcement of the safety traffic barrier 4 is arranged in a manner to prevent movement in parallel to the base of the safety traffic barrier 4, between the successive first terminal elements 2 and second terminal elements 3, preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface on which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed. Even more preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface by means of a sleeve which is enclosed by the concrete mix in step b). The reinforcement is secured to the sleeve and then the around the sleeve the concrete mix is poured. In this example, the reinforcement is a welded mesh or a twisted wire. The purpose of the reinforcement is to stiffen the safety traffic barrier 4 and to improve the mechanic parameters thereof. For example, reinforcement bars are driven into the ground and sleeves are applied thereon. To the thus secured sleeves, the reinforcement is secured and the concrete mix is poured. In this configuration, upon pouring of the concrete mix, the reinforcement bars remain in the ground and it is possible to lift and shift the cured concrete mix 1 along with the sleeve and the reinforcement. In another embodiment, the reinforcement is within the cured concrete mix 1 in a form of a distributed reinforcement. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art may propose other solutions, where for example sleeves are arranged in the subgrade, and the reinforcement is secured to the bars.

[0032] In this embodiment, in step a) the first terminal element 2 and / or the second terminal element 3 is secured to the ground, and it is possible to implement the method on any other subgrade. It is possible to operate on asphalt, concrete, aggregate or soil, but also a solution is conceivable that has specially prepared seats for terminal elements 2, 3 on its base and within such a space a safety traffic barrier 4 is produced. Additionally, step b) may be implemented on a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix. In still another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out at the site where safety traffic barrier 4 is to be finally positioned. This enables time savings, reduction of the carbon footprint and reduction of production costs of a safety traffic barrier 4.

[0033] In this example, after step b) step c) is carried out comprising dismembering of a safety traffic barrier 4. Dismembering or dismemberings are effected so that upon dismembering a plurality of segments 5, 6 are created. In this example, step c) is carried out upon curing of the concrete mix, by cutting since the cutting line is more aesthetically appealing than removal of uncured concrete mix before curing, and it should be noted that a person skilled in the art will be aware of existence of other method for dismembering segments 5, 6 apart.

[0034] It should be stressed that in production of long sections of a safety traffic barrier 4, of the order of several kilometres, upon dismembering a large number of segments 5, 6 is created. In the example disclosed above, this should be considered as an illustration of an idea where a uniform web of cured concrete mix 1 is dismembered into smaller segments 5, 6, with the terminal elements being already positioned inside, and such segments 5, 6 may be transported to another site and substantially without any additional technological operations it will be possible to re-assemble the safety traffic barrier 4 again.

[0035] In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out on site, and after step c) step d) is carried out which comprises transporting of segments 5, 6 of a safety traffic barrier 4 to a target site. It should be noted that the site is at a short distance to the target site, and the term short distance should be construed within the context of construction work - this will be a distance of the order of few or several meters up to several kilometres. Concrete mix requires suitable time to be used in a form of a cured concrete mix 1. Sometimes, such a safety traffic barrier 4 cannot be positioned at the final application site if still not ready to use due to its concrete mix still not being cured sufficiently. In such case, after the required time, the safety traffic barrier 4 is transferred to the desired site. It should be noted that a safety traffic barrier 4 has to be in a suitable state to be transported - this means that either it is produced in a form of individual segments and separate segments are produced or segments 5, 6 are generated upon dismembering of the cured concrete mix 1 or concrete mix.

[0036] In another embodiment, safety traffic barrier 4 reaches its final shape as a result of slip forming, and thus there are no further steps to cause any substantial change in the shape of the safety traffic barrier 4.

[0037] According to one embodiment, step b) is carried out with a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix. The use of a film or adhesion reduction of the concrete mix to the subgrade will facilitate subsequent transfer of the road traffic barrier 4 to another site.

[0038] In still another embodiment, after step b) step e) is carried out of securing of at least one additional element within the concrete mix, cured or uncured, and preferably such additional element is a reflective element, glass microballs, additional fixtures or lighting. The elements mentioned here as additional elements are exemplary and a person skilled in the art will be aware which additional elements may be added to the safety traffic barrier 4. 1 - cured concrete mix 2 - first terminal element 2a - first terminal element of the Nth segment 2b - first terminal element of the (N+1)th segment 3 - second terminal element 3a - second terminal element of the Nth segment 3b - second terminal element of the (N+1)th segment 4 - safety traffic barrier 5 - Nth segment 6 - (N+1)th segment

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]The invention provides a method of producing a safety traffic barrier 4, comprising the steps of:

a) securing at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 in a manner to prevent their movement thereof during forming of said safety traffic barrier 4, where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are positioned on a forming track of the safety traffic barrier 4, and preferably at least one of the first terminal elements 2 and at least one of the second terminal elements 3 are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other in a releasable manner; b) forming of a safety traffic barrier 4 from a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming safety traffic barrier 4 is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within a section between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 in a manner that the at least the first terminal element 2 and second ter...

Field of the invention

[0001] The subject-matter of the invention pertains to the field of safety traffic barriers, temporary or permanent ones, in particular traffic barriers produced in a process of continuous forming, so called slip forming.Prior art

[0002] Document DE 102006056182 B4 discloses a barrier built of wall elements and wall couplers composed of supporting elements and rotational pins which are received in the seats in the wall elements.

[0003] Document EP 2281088 B2 discloses a barrier the elements of which are coupled by means of a vertical protrusion at one end of the barrier element and a seat groove positioned at the other end of another barrier element.

[0004] In the prior art, solutions are known for barriers used for construction and repairs of public roads, manufactured outside the construction site in manufacturing plants, and supplied to the place where they are built-in.

[0005] In the prior art, methods are known for providing a possibility to make a barrier directly in a process of slip forming, along with a possibility to detach and then re-assemble them in another, target site or at the same site.Summary of the invention

[0006] It is the aim of the invention to produce safety traffic barriers in slip forming technology, which are produced at the site where they are built-in or arranged or at a short distance from the place where they are to be used, along with a possibility to detach and re-join them, with a small amount of work.

[0007] The invention provides a method of producing a concrete safety traffic barrier. The method comprises step a) of securing at least one first terminal element and at least one second terminal element in a manner to prevent movement thereof during forming of the safety traffic barrier. The first terminal element and the second terminal element are positioned on a forming track of said safety traffic barrier. Preferably, with a plurality of first terminal elements and secondary terminal elements, at least one of the first terminal elements and at least one of the second terminal elements are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other. The method also comprises step b) of forming a safety traffic barrier comprising at least one segment made of a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming the safety traffic barrier is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within the section between at least one first terminal element and at least one second terminal element so that the at least one first terminal element and the at least one second terminal element become enclosed by said concrete mix and upon curing of the concrete mix at least one first terminal element and the at least one second terminal element are durably coupled with the cured concrete mix. Preferably, in step a) a reinforcement of the safety traffic barrier is arranged to prevent movement in parallel to the base of said traffic barrier, between the successive coupled first terminal elements and second terminal elements. Preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface on which the safety barrier is formed. More preferably, said reinforcement is to that to enable detachment from the surface. More preferably, by means of a sleeve or a bar, enclosed by the concrete mix in step b).

[0008] Preferably, said reinforcement is a mesh, a wire, a GRP reinforcement, or is included in the concrete mix in a form of a distributed reinforcement.

[0009] Preferably, in step a) the first terminal element and / or second terminal element are secured to the subgrade.

[0010] Preferably, step b) is implemented on a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix.

[0011] Preferably, steps a) and b) are carried out at a site where safety traffic barrier is to be finally positioned.

[0012] Preferably, after step b) step c) is carried out comprising dismembering of the safety traffic barrier. Dismembering is effected so ast upon dismembering at least two segments of the safety traffic barrier are created, and more specifically, an Nth segment and an (N+1)th segment, where the end of the Nth segment comprises a first terminal element and a second terminal element, and the end of the (N+1)th segment comprises a first terminal element and a second terminal element, and the Nth segment and the (N+1)th segment are mutually connected, preferably by means of releasably coupling of the second terminal element and the first terminal element.

[0013] Preferably, step c) is carried out when said concrete mix is cured.

[0014] Preferably, steps a) and b) are carried out at a temporary site, and after step c) step d) is carried out comprising transporting of said segments of said safety traffic barrier a target site.

[0015] Preferably, in step b) the final shape of the safety traffic barrier is formed.

[0016] Preferably, after step b) step e) is carried out for securing of at least one additional element in said concrete mix is performed. Preferably, the additional element is a reflective element, glass microballs, additional fixation, lighting.

[0017] Preferably, in step a), with a plurality of first terminal elements and second terminal elements, the first terminal element of the (N+1)th segment and the second terminal element of the Nth segment are mutually spaced apart.Advantageous effects of the invention

[0018] The invention enables producing of safety barriers at their target application sites, without any necessity of transferring them from the production site. Producing directly at the application site enables reduction of costs, in particular the costs of transporting barrier systems, and reduction of the production costs of safety barriers. The subject method reduces adverse impact onto the environment of heavy equipment required for their transport and installation.Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will be presented more closely with reference to the enclosed drawings where: Fig. 1 shows a single segment of a safety traffic barrier; Fig. 2 shows a safety traffic barrier comprising more than one segment. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0020] The invention provides a method of producing a safety traffic barrier 4, comprising the steps of: a) securing at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 in a manner to prevent their movement thereof during forming of said safety traffic barrier 4, where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are positioned on a forming track of the safety traffic barrier 4, and preferably at least one of the first terminal elements 2 and at least one of the second terminal elements 3 are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other in a releasable manner; b) forming of a safety traffic barrier 4 from a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming safety traffic barrier 4 is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within a section between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 in a manner that the at least the first terminal element 2 and second terminal element 3 become enclosed by the concrete mix. Upon curing of the concrete mix, at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 are durably coupled with the cured concrete mix 1.

[0021] It should be noted that the method indicated in the subject disclosure may be used for producing single segments of a safety traffic barrier 4 - in such a case, as shown in fig. 1, a ready-made segment has only one first terminal element 2 at one end and a second terminal element 3 at the other end and the two elements, when the concrete mix is cured, will be coupled with each other by the cured concrete mix 1 in the final safety traffic barrier 4. In fig. 1, showing a single segment, the safety traffic barrier 4 is equal to the segment.

[0022] A safety traffic barrier 4, comprising a plurality of segments 5, 6 therein, is shown in fig. 2, where the Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6 are illustrated. It should be indicated that fig. 2 shows solely a portion of a safety traffic barrier 4 (without the (N-1)th segment and the (N+2)th segment), and it is possible to produce a safety traffic barrier 4 comprising at least two segments 5, 6 or more. In the case of producing a safety traffic barrier 4 which comprises more than one segment 5, 6 therein, the second terminal end element 3a of the Nth segment 5 is preferably coupled releasably with the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, etc. - this way a long, uniform safety traffic barrier 4 is formed which comprises segments 5, 6 therein which when dismembered may be transported individually, and the first terminal elements 2a, 2b and second terminal elements 3a, 3b are positioned in suitable places already to enable subsequent mounting of thus prepared segments 5, 6 of the safety traffic barrier 4. This scheme is used analogously in production of a greater number of segments 5, 6.

[0023] The releasable coupling is effected between the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, and thus joining the Nth segment 5 with the (N+1)th segment 6. The Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6, where one end of the Nth segment 5 comprises the second terminal element 3a, and the other end of the (N+1)th segment 6 comprises the first terminal element 2b. The Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6, mutually joined with each other by releasable coupling of the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6. In this configuration, the first terminal element 2a of the Nth segment 5 may be further joined with the second terminal element of the (N-1)th segment (not shown in the drawings), and the second terminal element 3b of the (N+1)th segment 6 may be joined with the first terminal element of the (N+2)th segment (not shown in the drawings), to create the final safety barrier 4 comprising more than two segments 5, 6. Operational configuration should be understood as a releasable coupling of the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 and the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 in the final safety traffic barrier 4 during standard operation. Additionally, it should be emphasized that with a plurality of segments 5, 6 it is possible for the extreme terminal elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, which are arranged at the beginning and / or at the end of the safety traffic barrier 4, to have a different shape than the remaining terminal elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b.

[0024] It should be also noted that the general features of the structure of the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 apply to the first terminal element 2a of the Nth segment 5, the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6, the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5, and the second terminal element 3b of the (N+1)th segment 6, respectively. These reference marks may be used interchangeably.

[0025] It should be noted that the first terminal element 2, similarly as the second terminal element 3, are not commented here, since the specific construction thereof is not important from the point of view of the invention. Terminal elements 2, 3 are known in the prior art and a person skilled in the art will be aware both of the way in which they should be ended at the side of the cured concrete mix 1 to ensure durable anchoring of the terminal elements 2, 3 in the cured concrete mix 1, and of the way how they should be structured to ensure a possibility to connect the consecutive segments 5, 6 in a manner that a stroke by the car against the safety barrier does not cause detachment of the individual segments 5, 6 therefrom. Safety traffic barriers 4 are known and thus it seems that a person skilled in the art should be able to cope with such a task based on his / her knowledge, but for the sake of complete disclosure, exclusively as an example, an embodiment of the first terminal element 2 may be mentioned which has a form of a protruding plate which enters the other terminal element 3 having a form of a pocket. The plates may be shape-fastened, for example, upon insertion from the top the shape prevents removal along the safety traffic barrier 4, but the plate may be also connected to the pocket by means of a screw and a nut or a lock. At the side of the connection of the terminal elements 2, 3 to the cured concrete mix 1, such terminal elements 2, 3 may be ended with shapes which when coated with the concrete mix and curing cannot be detached. As regards the issue of preventing movement of the terminal element this may be effected, for example, by means of a sleeve in the terminal elements 2, 3, one or more, in which sleeves a bar secured to the subgrade is arranged, for example a reinforcement bar driven into the ground or by means of anchors secured to the subgrade. This solution prevents movement of the terminal elements 2, 3 during forming of a safety traffic barrier 4, while it still will be possible, during subsequent transporting, to lift the individual segments 5, 6 upwards. It should be noted that the above provided solutions are solely exemplary, and a person skilled in the art will be aware of other possible ways in which terminal elements may be made. It should be indicated that a solution is possible wherein the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 have the same shape.

[0026] An important requirement is to provide a shape for the terminal element 2, 3, to enable the use of a slip forming technology - in practice, which means that the terminal elements 2, 3 cannot protrude at the sides of the safety traffic barrier 4 outside the shape defined by the cross-section of the safety traffic barrier 4 made of the cured concrete mix 1. Also preferably, terminal elements 2, 3 have simple shapes to enable easy detachment and obtaining individual segments - straight lines, possibly small number of cavities, etc. are recommended - a person skilled in the art will be aware of shapes of the cured concrete mix 1 or a concrete mix which will be easy to be removed, and for which shapes that task will be difficult and time-consuming. Detachment should be understood as any operation which enables dismembering of the segments 5, 6 from each other - this may be, for example, cutting of the cured concrete mix 1, but this may be also removal of an uncured concrete mix 1 before curing thereof.

[0027] It is a general assumption that the terminal elements 2, 3 should be secured so that during pouring of the concrete mix thereupon the terminal elements 2, 3 are not going to change their position and the mould is suitable for pouring the concrete mix into them without moving the terminal elements 2, 3. In absence of such securing, the terminal elements 2, 3 might move and this would affect adversely the production process. Such a safety traffic barrier 4, upon curing of the concrete mix, may be used, and when it is no longer needed, it is possible do dismember the individual segments 5, 6 and transport them to another site.

[0028] The first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are preferably positioned one relative to the other in an operational configuration where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are mutually coupled with the use of suitable means resulting from the structure of the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3. This solution makes it possible to create at once the entire safety traffic barrier 4 which may be dismembered into smaller segments 5, 6 later on. It should be also noted that with the use of this technology individual segments may be produced - in such a case a segment of a safety traffic barrier 4 will be ended with the first terminal element 2 at one side, and at the other side it will be ended with the second terminal element 3.

[0029] Forming track of a safety traffic barrier 4 is a path traversed by a forming mould. The track may be a straight line, an arc or another curve which enable the use of slip forming doe suitable forming of the concrete mix.

[0030] In another example, preferably the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are arranged along one line and spaced apart so that during pouring the concrete mix the concrete mix is positioned between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3, which is the subsequent first terminal elements 2 and second terminal elements 3 are not in the operational configuration, and there is a space between them. In the example of fig. 2 this would mean that at least between the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 concrete mix or another filling is arranged and the second terminal element 3a of the Nth segment 5 and the first terminal element 2b of the (N+1)th segment 6 are not in the operational configuration and they are separated from each other. Concrete mix or cured concrete mix 1 positioned between the Nth segment 5 and the (N+1)th segment 6 may be removed manually or by means of dedicated tools, and the shape of the terminal elements may be selected more arbitrarily. Nevertheless, such a solution will be less than optimum because of some amount of concrete mix lost due to the necessity to remove it finally.

[0031] In this example, in step a) a reinforcement of the safety traffic barrier 4 is arranged in a manner to prevent movement in parallel to the base of the safety traffic barrier 4, between the successive first terminal elements 2 and second terminal elements 3, preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface on which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed. Even more preferably, the reinforcement is secured to the surface by means of a sleeve which is enclosed by the concrete mix in step b). The reinforcement is secured to the sleeve and then the around the sleeve the concrete mix is poured. In this example, the reinforcement is a welded mesh or a twisted wire. The purpose of the reinforcement is to stiffen the safety traffic barrier 4 and to improve the mechanic parameters thereof. For example, reinforcement bars are driven into the ground and sleeves are applied thereon. To the thus secured sleeves, the reinforcement is secured and the concrete mix is poured. In this configuration, upon pouring of the concrete mix, the reinforcement bars remain in the ground and it is possible to lift and shift the cured concrete mix 1 along with the sleeve and the reinforcement. In another embodiment, the reinforcement is within the cured concrete mix 1 in a form of a distributed reinforcement. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art may propose other solutions, where for example sleeves are arranged in the subgrade, and the reinforcement is secured to the bars.

[0032] In this embodiment, in step a) the first terminal element 2 and / or the second terminal element 3 is secured to the ground, and it is possible to implement the method on any other subgrade. It is possible to operate on asphalt, concrete, aggregate or soil, but also a solution is conceivable that has specially prepared seats for terminal elements 2, 3 on its base and within such a space a safety traffic barrier 4 is produced. Additionally, step b) may be implemented on a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix. In still another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out at the site where safety traffic barrier 4 is to be finally positioned. This enables time savings, reduction of the carbon footprint and reduction of production costs of a safety traffic barrier 4.

[0033] In this example, after step b) step c) is carried out comprising dismembering of a safety traffic barrier 4. Dismembering or dismemberings are effected so that upon dismembering a plurality of segments 5, 6 are created. In this example, step c) is carried out upon curing of the concrete mix, by cutting since the cutting line is more aesthetically appealing than removal of uncured concrete mix before curing, and it should be noted that a person skilled in the art will be aware of existence of other method for dismembering segments 5, 6 apart.

[0034] It should be stressed that in production of long sections of a safety traffic barrier 4, of the order of several kilometres, upon dismembering a large number of segments 5, 6 is created. In the example disclosed above, this should be considered as an illustration of an idea where a uniform web of cured concrete mix 1 is dismembered into smaller segments 5, 6, with the terminal elements being already positioned inside, and such segments 5, 6 may be transported to another site and substantially without any additional technological operations it will be possible to re-assemble the safety traffic barrier 4 again.

[0035] In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out on site, and after step c) step d) is carried out which comprises transporting of segments 5, 6 of a safety traffic barrier 4 to a target site. It should be noted that the site is at a short distance to the target site, and the term short distance should be construed within the context of construction work - this will be a distance of the order of few or several meters up to several kilometres. Concrete mix requires suitable time to be used in a form of a cured concrete mix 1. Sometimes, such a safety traffic barrier 4 cannot be positioned at the final application site if still not ready to use due to its concrete mix still not being cured sufficiently. In such case, after the required time, the safety traffic barrier 4 is transferred to the desired site. It should be noted that a safety traffic barrier 4 has to be in a suitable state to be transported - this means that either it is produced in a form of individual segments and separate segments are produced or segments 5, 6 are generated upon dismembering of the cured concrete mix 1 or concrete mix.

[0036] In another embodiment, safety traffic barrier 4 reaches its final shape as a result of slip forming, and thus there are no further steps to cause any substantial change in the shape of the safety traffic barrier 4.

[0037] According to one embodiment, step b) is carried out with a film provided between the subgrade and the concrete mix from which the safety traffic barrier 4 is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to the concrete mix. The use of a film or adhesion reduction of the concrete mix to the subgrade will facilitate subsequent transfer of the road traffic barrier 4 to another site.

[0038] In still another embodiment, after step b) step e) is carried out of securing of at least one additional element within the concrete mix, cured or uncured, and preferably such additional element is a reflective element, glass microballs, additional fixtures or lighting. The elements mentioned here as additional elements are exemplary and a person skilled in the art will be aware which additional elements may be added to the safety traffic barrier 4. 1 - cured concrete mix 2 - first terminal element 2a - first terminal element of the Nth segment 2b - first terminal element of the (N+1)th segment 3 - second terminal element 3a - second terminal element of the Nth segment 3b - second terminal element of the (N+1)th segment 4 - safety traffic barrier 5 - Nth segment 6 - (N+1)th segment

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]The invention provides a method of producing a safety traffic barrier 4, comprising the steps of:

a) securing at least one first terminal element 2 and at least one second terminal element 3 in a manner to prevent their movement thereof during forming of said safety traffic barrier 4, where the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 are positioned on a forming track of the safety traffic barrier 4, and preferably at least one of the first terminal elements 2 and at least one of the second terminal elements 3 are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other in a releasable manner; b) forming of a safety traffic barrier 4 from a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming safety traffic barrier 4 is guided so that the concrete mix is formed within a section between the first terminal element 2 and the second terminal element 3 in a manner that the at least the first terminal element 2 and second ter...

Claims

1. A method of producing a concrete safety traffic barrier (4), comprising the steps of: a) securing at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) in a manner to prevent movement thereof during forming of said safety traffic barrier (4), where said first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and said second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) are positioned on a forming track of said safety traffic barrier (4), and preferably, with a plurality of first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b), at least one of said first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one of said second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b) are arranged in an operational configuration with regard to each other; b) forming said safety traffic barrier (4), comprising at least one segment (5, 6) from a concrete mix with the use of slip forming technology so that the mould for forming said safety traffic barrier (4) is guided so that said concrete mix is formed within a section between at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) in a manner that at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) become enclosed by said concrete mix and upon curing of said concrete mix, at least one first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and at least one second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) are durably coupled with the cured concrete mix (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step a) a reinforcement of the safety traffic barrier (4) is arranged, in a manner to prevent movement in parallel to the base of said traffic barrier (4), between the successive coupled first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b), preferably said reinforcement is secured to the surface in which said safety barrier (4) is formed, and more preferably, said reinforcement is secured to that to enable detachment from the surface, more preferably by means of a sleeve or a bar, enclosed by said concrete mix in step b).

3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said reinforcement is a mesh, a wire, a GRP reinforcement, or is included in said concrete mix in a form of a distributed reinforcement.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step a) said first terminal element (2, 2a, 2b) and / or said second terminal element (3, 3a, 3b) are secured to the subgrade.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein step b) is implemented on a film provided between the subgrade and said concrete mix from which said safety traffic barrier (4) is formed and / or the subgrade is impregnated with a release agent to reduce adhesion of the subgrade to said concrete mix.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein steps a) and b) are carried out at a site where said safety traffic barrier (4) is to be finally positioned.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after step b) step c) is carried out comprising dismembering of said safety traffic barrier (4), and said dismembering is effected so as upon dismembering at least two segments (5, 6) of said safety traffic barrier (4) are created, and more specifically, an Nth segment (5) and an (N+1)th segment (6), where the end of the Nth segment (5) comprises a first terminal element (2a) and a second terminal element (3a), and the end of the (N+1)th segment (6) comprises a first terminal element (2b) and a second terminal element (3b), and the Nth segment (5) and the (N+1)th segment (6) are mutually connected, preferably by means of releasable coupling of said second terminal element (3a) and said first terminal element (2b).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein step c) is carried out when said concrete mix is cured.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein steps a) and b) are carried out at a temporary site, and after step c) step d) is carried out comprising transporting of said segments (5, 6) of said safety traffic barrier (4) to a target site.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) the final shape of said safety traffic barrier (4) is formed.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after step b) step e) is carried out for securing of at least one additional element in said concrete mix, and preferably said additional element is a reflective element, glass microballs, additional fixation, lighting.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step a), with a plurality of first terminal elements (2, 2a, 2b) and second terminal elements (3, 3a, 3b), the first terminal element (2b) of the (N+1)th segment (6) and the second terminal element (3a) of the Nth segment (5) are mutually spaced apart.

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