Adjustable foundation for supporting a post and an arrangement for improved safety at road equipment

Abstract

Foundation (1) comprising a base part (10) and an anchoring part (19), the latter fixedly connected to the base part (10) with a first end (21) and comprising a second end (22) arranged for receiving a post (100). The anchoring part (19) comprises anchoring portions (20) arranged at a distance (a) from each other, and the anchoring portions (20) comprise first through holes (22a). The foundation (1) comprises an anvil plate (30) per each anchoring portion (20) which comprises at second through holes (31) with one nut (32) per second through hole (31). The nuts (32) are fixedly arranged on the anvil plates (30), and each anvil plate (30) is slidably attached to the anchoring portion (20). To attach the post (100) to the anchoring portions (20), bolts (50) are used, wherein the at least one first through holes (22a) and the at least one second through holes (31) are arranged to receive one of the plurality of bolts (50).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a foundation to be used for supporting a post, for example a road lighting post, a post for a road sign or the like. The inventive foundation is improved such that the post may be adjusted in relation to the foundation. The invention further relates to an arrangement for improved safety in connection to support structures for road equipment.Background art

[0002] In connection to road signs, road lighting and other permanent road equipment, EN-standards related to collision safety for road equipment and its support structures are developed. The road equipment referred to in this application concern posts of different kind, which are attached to the ground by a foundation which at least partly is made of metal.

[0003] The European standard EN 12767 concerns a test method for road equipment and its support structures and specifies performance requirements and defines levels in passive safety to reduce the severity of injury to occupants of vehicles impacting head-on with the permanent road equipment support structures. Depending on the post and its support structure, and how the total design behaves at the impact test, it will be classified in either of three levels of passive safety according to injury of the occupants of the colliding vehicles. These classes are NE, LE and HE which means Non, Low or High Energy absorption. In some road types, where there is no or low probability that a post, which upon a collision leaves its foundation, will hit another vehicle or person, the lowest class NE may be enough. The support structure (i.e. foundation) and the post may together contribute to the energy absorption such as the energy absorption is taken care of by the support structure and the post together. At a non-energy absorption design (NE), the post may be allowed to leave the foundation and by that the post do not contribute to the total energy absorption. If the foundation is arranged with its substantial parts into the ground, i.e. not protruding enough above the ground surface to take up collision force, the NE-design do not contribute to absorb energy from the collision. To provide this energy absorption, to lower speed of the vehicle after the crash, but in a safe manner, the support structure should be a LE- or HE-classed structure.

[0004] The posts which are to be supported by a foundation may be of different kinds. This application mainly concerns so-called soft posts for example suitable for road lighting purposes and the like. Common materials of the foundation are metal or concrete and combination thereof. A disadvantage with the use of concrete, is that concrete has a large carbon dioxide footprint and worse working conditions during assembly of the foundation and post as well as due to safety aspects. Production of concrete as well as transport of heavy foundations made of concrete drives the environmental impact on the planet and as a step towards using less carbon dioxide during production of posts and foundations, the applicant strives to eliminate concrete from their products. The applicant has a granted patent, EP4006232B1, which concerns a foundation of metal and an arrangement for improved safety in connection to support structures for road equipment, such as lighting posts and the like, which eliminates the use of concrete and with high safety, where the foundation and the arrangement meet the demands of the highest class HE in EN 12 767. This is achieved by a foundation which comprises a circumferential wall, enclosing an interior space, and a number of centering means arranged at the wall between an upper and lower end of the wall, and protruding in the radial direction, inwards into the interior space. The centering means are arranged to center an end portion of a post in the interior space and the foundation further comprises at adjusting means, arranged to adjust a post accommodated in the interior space relative the wall in the radial direction. Such a solution provides a possibility to center and then adjust a post into the foundation which is an advantage since the solution allows a certain degree of misalignment of the foundation relative the vertical upright using position of the post. This patented solution is very good since it eliminates the use of concrete, provides adjustment of the post when inserted into the foundation and provides high security. Despite this, there is also a need of an alternative solution with a simpler and more cost-efficient design. Another disadvantage with some types of known foundations and the connection to the post is that moisture may be trapped inside the hollow post since the connection of the post to the foundation is more or less sealed, for example by a connection plate or foot plate, or by that the post rest with its lower end on the top of the concrete foundation or a top cover.

[0005] As an alternative solution, the applicant has presented a solution in the European patent application EP21195583.6, which presents a design of the foundation which meets the demands of the highest class HE in EN 12 767, but with an improved and simplified design, which also utilizes packed ground material around the foundation as a part of the energy absorbing part. One drawback with that solution is that it has no solution to adjust the post in relation to the foundation, i.e. to adjust the post to be exactly vertical. The solution may also need to be further improved regarding strength and / or optimized material use.Summary of invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a foundation for supporting a post for road equipment and an arrangement for improved safety in connection to support structures for road equipment, such as road lighting posts road signs or the like, wherein the foundation and the arrangement design meet the demands of the highest class HE in EN 12 767. These objects of are achieved by the independent claims of the application.

[0007] According to an aspect, a foundation arranged for supporting a post in a substantially upright manner, is disclosed. The foundation has an elongate extension direction which in a using position is a substantially vertical direction. The foundation comprises a base part, which is arranged to be at least partly positioned into a ground material. This may be a foot a plate or the like, made of concrete or steel, for example. Further, an anchoring part, with a first end and an opposite second end, is fixedly connected with its first end to the base part and the second end is arranged for receiving the post (i.e. also holding the post in a fixed manner). The anchoring part comprises at least three anchoring portions arranged at the second end of the anchoring part, the anchoring portions are arranged for fixed attachment of the post to the anchoring part, wherein each anchoring portion comprises at least one first through hole, arranged for receiving a fixation means like a bolt or the like. To be able to hold the post in a robust way, each of the at least three anchoring portions is arranged at a distance from the others of the at least three anchoring portions, preferably evenly distributed around the "circumference" of the foundation to hold the post in a plurality of positions around the circumference of the post. The foundation further comprises an anvil plate per each of the at least three anchoring portions of the anchoring part, which anvil plate each comprises at least one second through hole and one nut per second through hole. The nut(s) is / are fixedly arranged on the anvil plate coaxial with the respective at least one second through hole. Each anvil plate is slidably attached to a respective one of the at least three anchoring portions, that is, slidable in the elongate extension direction. The anvil plate is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions in a position where the at least one second through hole of the anvil plate is in substantially aligned position with the at least one first through hole of the anchoring portion, this to make it possible to further align the anvil plate with the through hole of the anchoring portion. The foundation further comprises a plurality of bolts, one bolt per the at least one first through hole, per the at least three anchoring portions. Thus, the at least one first through hole of the at least three anchoring portions, and the at least one second through hole per anvil plate are arranged to receive one of the plurality of bolts, i.e., one bolt per first and second through hole and each of the bolts is to cooperate with a respective one of the nuts of the respective anvil plate, such that the post can be fixedly connected to the at least three anchoring portions.

[0008] In the previous patent application EP21195583.6, referred to in the background, a number of advantages is presented, such as a solution without concrete, controlled behavior in the event of a car crash which meets the highest class HE in EN 12 767, a resilient construction which together with packed soil material enables a controlled force absorption, etc., which was a far better solution compared to prior art solutions. On top of that, the present invention provides easier mounting of the post to the foundation since the anvil plate is already mounted at the backside (inside) of the anchoring portion and further, higher strength of the fixed connection between the post and foundation is achieved, due to the use of the slidable anvil plate at each anchoring portion. At prior art solutions, which use one or more screws only, to connect the port with the foundation, only bearing stress can be used to calculate the possible impact force transferable from the post to the foundation. By using an anvil plate, also friction force between the anchoring portion of the anchoring part and the anvil plate, may be used, wherein the foundation and post may cope with higher impact forces. This may be used to optimize the material / materials in the foundation (and post) which may lead to lower cost and lower environmental impact. By using slidable anvil plate / plates in cooperation with each anchoring portion, the post further may be adjusted such that the post is exactly vertical, when mounted to the foundation. It is also possible to re-adjust the post later, for example if the post is exposed for wind or any other force which has caused the post to deviate from the vertical line.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the at least one first through hole of each anchoring portion is elongate in the elongate extension direction, preferably at least such that a play of 5-10 mm is achieved in the extension direction. By using elongate first through hole of each anchoring portion and slidable anvil plate / plates in cooperation with each anchoring portion, the post may be adjusted such that the post is exactly vertical, when mounted to the foundation. It is also possible to re-adjust the post later, for example if the post is exposed for wind or any other force which has caused the post to deviate from the vertical line. The elongate first through hole of each anchoring portion further provides easier mounting of the post, since the anvil plate more likely is aligned with the first through hole when holding the post in a vertical position, ready to be mounted to the foundation.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions comprises a first area which extends outwards from each of the at least one first through hole of the anchoring portion. The first area faces the respective anvil plate when the respective anvil plate is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions, and the first area is free from surface coating (for example paint or zinc). The respective anvil plate per each of the at least three anchoring portions comprises a second area, which extends outwards from each of the at least one second through hole of the anvil plate. The second area faces the anchoring portion of the anchoring part, wherein the second area also is free from surfing coating (paint or zinc). Normally, posts and foundations made of metal, have a surface coating like zinc or paint, to protect them from rust. When producing the foundation, a limited area around the holes of the anchoring portion and anvil plate, on the surfaces which face each other, is either protected by some protection device during coating, or is polished (for example sanded), to ensure it is free from coating, i.e. a free metal surface is provided around the holes on the sides of the anchoring portion and anvil plate, which face each other. For example, an "area" around the holes of the anchoring portion and of the anvil plate of the surfaces facing each other, 5-15 mm around the holes are free from coating. When calculating the strength of the joint between the post and the foundation and comparing the joint according to the invention (anvil plate and surfaces free from coating) with a joint which only has screws and all surfaces have a coating (like zinc), a significantly higher strength may be achieved. If the joint is of a kind where the force (for example from wind) may be taken care of by friction (for example when using oval holes or other relevant applications) or a combination of bearing stress and friction, and the contact surfaces between the parts of the joint are coated for example by zinc, the contribution from friction must be reduced with 90% (i.e. a friction coefficient of 0.1 is used). But if the surfaces are free from coating and thus have "clean" contact between the materials (i.e. steel against steel), the friction coefficient may be changed from 0.1 to 0.5-0.7, which is a significant higher contribution when for example using oval holes, where only friction contribution can be used (when using round holes bearing stress is used). This inventive solution is by that far better than prior art solutions. Another advantage, to have a limited area around the holes, which is free from coating, for example when using zinc, compared to have a large area (for example the complete contact surface), is that the area "heals" itself. Surfaces surrounded by zinc normally gets "healed" by that zinc "bleeds" further onto surfaces free from coating and exposed for oxygen, wherein surfaces tend to get a rust protection over time, while the contact surface (not exposed to oxygen) maintains the solid "grip" between the surfaces free from coating. The are free from coating preferably extends at least in correlation to the "play" in which the anvil plate is slidable along the anchoring portion of the anchoring part.

[0011] According to an embodiment, each anchoring portion comprises a first mating surface with a first length in the elongate extension direction and a first width perpendicular to the elongate extension direction. Further, each anvil plate comprises a corresponding second mating surface with a second length in the elongate extension direction and a second width perpendicular to the elongate extension direction. The first mating surface faces the second mating surface when the anvil plate is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions, and the first mating surface of each one of the at least three anchoring portions is slightly larger than the second mating surface of the respective anvil plate, wherein the anvil plate at least is slidable in the elongate extension direction. Preferably, the mating surface is 1-8 mm wider and 5-20 mm longer. The mating surfaces preferably at least have a flat contact surface around the holes, i.e., the first area around the first through hole of the anchoring portion and the second area around the second through hole of the anvil plate, are flat. This, to ensure good contact between the respective surfaces which are free from coating, to be able to gain a strength from friction force contribution, and to use a friction coefficient of 0.5-0.7, instead of 0.1.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the respective anvil plate comprises at least one elongate third through hole, arranged to receive a fastening means (i.e. a screw or the like), and the anchoring portion of the anchoring part comprises a corresponding fourth hole arranged to receive the fastening means. This enables to pre-mount the anvil plate on the anchoring portion of the anchoring part in a way such that the anvil plate more or less is aligned with the first through hole of the anchoring portion, but still is possible to slide, by that the third through hole is elongate. Further, the fastening means may be fastened just so much (i.e. screwed) such that the anvil plate is kept in place but still is slidable. The fasting means may also be of special type, which is fastened steady to the anchoring portion, but still allows the anvil plate to slide. By this design, a faster and easier mounting of the post to the foundation is achieved.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the anchoring part comprises at least three elongate rods, each comprising the first end and the opposite second end, wherein each rod comprises one of the at least three anchoring portions at its respective second end. The rods, which have an adapted cross-sectional area and length, are fixedly attached to either the base part, and by that transfer crash force from the post to the base part. The length, dimension and number of rods, together with the dimensions (thickness, area, etc.) of the base part creates a resilient construction. The rods may preferably comprise a flat end portion, wherein the flat end portion preferably constitutes by flattened rod. Preferably, the rods are hollow. By having a hollow rod, the total weight is lowered at the same time as the rod ends may be slitted or flattened in an easy and cost-efficient way. Further, the total performance and design of the foundation, enables packing of soil material above and around the foundation. The total effect of the packed soil material together with the foundation enables a more controlled force absorption, whereby the foundation may yield in the packed soil. The soil material to be used is controlled by European standards, and normally consists of fractions of macadam with determined dimensions, and the packing of the macadam also is controlled by standardized methods. The concrete is so to speak replaced by packed macadam which allows better functionality compared to the concrete solution. This is a far better solution compared to prior art which takes care of the above-described problems.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the anchoring part is a tube cleaved in the extension direction from the second end towards the first end into at least three slits, each slit is arranged between two adjacent anchoring portions of the anchoring part. By using a slitted / cleaved tube, an alternative solution with the same advantages as the alternative with rods, are achieved, and the slits provide a flexibility similar with the rod alternative. The anchoring portions are positioned spaced apart from each other, i.e., like upwardly protruding tongues, extending in the extension direction of the foundation, and which are spaced apart by the slits.

[0015] According to an embodiment, each anchoring portion comprises guiding flanges, arranged to guide the anvil plate when slidably attached to the anchoring portion. This enables a controlled sliding if the anvil plate along the anchoring portion of the anchoring part, in the elongate extension direction of the foundation.

[0016] According to an embodiment, each rod further comprises connecting parts, arranged in a position between the first and second ends of each rod, closer to the second end of each rod, in a corresponding position in the elongate extension direction as a connecting part of an adjacent rod of the at least three elongate rods, wherein connecting parts of adjacent rods are arranged to be fixedly connected to each other. The connection parts provide to set and adjust the distance between the rods, at least to some extent, but also enable to fix the rods internally such as the foundation constitutes a coherent unit, with less possibility for the rods to bend during handling and transport and during assembly to the post.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the base part comprises a base plate, with an extent transverse the elongate extension direction of the foundation, wherein the anchoring part is fixedly connected with its first end to the base plate of the base part. The base plate may comprise stiffening arrangements of different kinds. For example, the base part may be a flat plate, from which one or more plates protrudes, upwards or downwards, to facilitate a support for the base part to avoid buckling and twisting or similar behavior, when the base is subjected to forces of different kinds. The stiffening arrangement may for example be a bent part of the base plate, along outer edges of the base plate or bent parts along slits arranged perpendicular to sides of the base plate, such as the stiffening parts points towards a center of the base plate. Other options may be a rectangular or circular sheet metal part which are welded to the base plate or for example protruding plates arranged as a cross and welded to the base plate. One embodiment may comprise four similar base parts fixedly connected to each other, wherein each base part is made of one single bent steel sheet metal, wherein each base part comprises the base plate from which at least one stiffening arrangement is bent such as the stiffening arrangement protrudes perpendicular upwards from the base plate in the extension direction along a first side of the base plate. By having four similar parts, only using one bent steel sheet metal for each base part, a cost-efficient base is achieved, which is strong and withstands stress forces in a good way. Preferably, the four similar base parts are arranged as four "pieces of cake" arranged adjacent to each other and connected to each other to form a square base plate with upwardly protruding stiffening arrangements (i.e. upwardly bent steel sheet portions of the base plate). Another option may be that the base part comprises two similar base parts fixedly connected to each other, wherein each base part is made of two parts: one bent steel sheet metal part, which comprises the base plate from which at least one first stiffening arrangement is bent, such as the first stiffening arrangement protrudes perpendicular upwards from the base plate in the extension direction along a first side of the base plate, and further at least one second stiffening plate, fixedly connected at least to the base plate of the bent steel sheet metal such as the second stiffening plate protrudes perpendicular upwards from the base plate of the bent steel sheet metal in the extension direction. At least two of the at least three rods may be fixedly connected with their respective first end to the stiffening arrangements of the base parts with fixation means.

[0018] According to an aspect, an arrangement for improved safety in connection to support structures for road equipment is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a post, which at least at a first end comprises a hollow cross-section, a foundation according to any of the above described embodiments, arranged for supporting the post in a using position, wherein the post comprises a number of through holes at its first end, wherein each through hole is arranged to receive one bolt of the plurality of bolts, for fixedly connection of the post to the at least three anchoring portions of the foundation. No prior art provides an adjustable and complete arrangement with the highest class HE in EN 12 767, without the use of concrete and which arrangement yields in a controlled manner by the design of the foundation in cooperation with packed soil, to achieve a controlled force absorption and thereby lower the speed of the vehicle, to avoid severe injuries of passengers of a vehicle.Brief description of drawings

[0019] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a part of an arrangement including an inventive foundation and a post, where a lower end of the post is visible in the figure. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the foundation according to Fig. 1 with a determined volume of packed soil material defined by the dimensions of the foundation. Fig. 3 shows a zoomed view of an upper part of the foundation and a lower part of a post mounted to the foundation. Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of an anchoring portion of the foundation obliquely from above, without a mounted post but with three mounted anvil plates mounted and one anvil plate ready to be mounted to the anchoring portion. Fig. 5a shows the same view as in Fig. 4, but with all four anvil plates mounted to their respective anchoring portions. Fig. 5a shows a detailed view of the anvil plate of Fig. 4. Figs. 6a-c show an alternative solution of the foundation, where the anchoring part comprises a cleaved tube, instead of rods. Detailed description of drawings

[0020] In the following, a detailed description of a foundation and an arrangement according to the invention is disclosed in detail, in respect of embodiments and in reference to the accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be seen as part of general description and therefore possible to combine in any way in general terms.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an arrangement which has an improved safety concerning collision safety in the field of road equipment and its support structures. The arrangement comprises a post 100, which lower end is visible in the figure, and a foundation 1 which is arranged for supporting the post 100 in a substantially upright manner in a using position. The foundation 1 is to be arranged into the ground and has an elongate extension direction z which is similar with an axial direction of the post 100 in the using position of the foundation The foundation 1 comprises a base part 10 arranged at a lower part of the foundation 1 seen in the using position when supporting the post 100. The base part 10 comprises a base plate 11 with an extent transverse the elongate extension direction z of the foundation 1, such as forming a first area A. The base part 10 further comprises at least one, but preferably four or eight stiffening arrangements 12, each with an extent in the extension direction z of the foundation 1.

[0022] The foundation 1 further comprises an anchoring part 19, which comprises at least three, but preferably four elongate rods 23, which extend a first length I upwards from the base plate 11 in the elongate extension direction z of the foundation 1, in the using position of the foundation 1. The anchoring part 19 is attached to the base part 10 and in the preferred embodiment, each rod 23 is fixedly connected with the first end 21 of the rod 23 either to the stiffening arrangement 12 or to the base plate 11. In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1, the rods 23 are fixedly attached to the stiffening arrangement 12. The main function of the stiffening arrangement is to strengthen the base plate 11 to avoid buckling of the base plate 11 when the foundation is subjected to wind forces and crash forces during use, but as mentioned above, the fixation of the rods 23 to the stiffening arrangements 12 is another function which provides transformation of forces from the post 100, to the base plate 11 via the rods 23 and the stiffening arrangements 12. The anchoring part 19 is arranged to be attached to the post 100 by having at least three anchoring portions 20 (see Fig. 4), preferably four anchoring portions 20. In the preferred embodiment, the anchoring part 19, as mentioned comprises four rods 23, wherein each rod 23 is arranged to be fixedly connected to the post 100 with its second end 22. The second end 22 is distal from the first end 21 of the anchoring part 19 / rod 23. This may be seen in the upper part of the figure, where also a lower end of the upright post 100 may be seen. When the foundation 1 is "installed" into the ground, normally in an excavated pit, in a standardized way (according to standards within the field of road equipment), the rods 23 normally protrudes a bit above a ground surface 200. This will be explained further below.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the foundation 1 according to Fig. 1 with a determined volume V of packed soil material defined by the dimensions of the foundation. The first area A of the base plate 11, the first length I and a cross-sectional area of the elongate rods 23 and a distance a between adjacent rods 23 (see Fig. 4) are adapted such as allowing the determined volume V of soil material, preferably normative packed macadam (according to standards within the field), to be packed on top of and above the base plate 11 and around the rods 23. The determined volume V of packed soil material is determined by the first area A of the base plate 11 and at least 80-90% of the first length l of the elongate rods 23 minus the cross-sectional areas of the at least three elongate rods 23. When designing the foundation 1 to achieve the HE-class described in the background, the foundation 1 with its design together with the determined volume V of packed soil material are arranged take care of a normative force conducted to the post 100 transverse the extension direction z of the post 100, when the post 100 is fixedly connected to the foundation 1 in the using position. The base plate 11 functions as an anchor which is "fixed" in the packed macadam and the area A of the base plate 11 is adapted by its size such as the volume V is enough to take up the predetermined test force according to the standards. Further, the dimensions of the rods (length, cross-section) and the number of rods 23, are adapted to allow the determined volume V of packed macadam above the base plate 11, and the distance between the rods 23 further allows macadam to be packed around the rods 23 such as no "pockets" of air (gaps with no macadam) occurs in the volume.

[0024] By this design, a body of concrete is avoided. It is further an advantage with this design compared to using concrete, because the rods 23 may yield into the packed macadam wherein the foundation 1 gets a resilient behavior which is good when managing crash-forces. Of course, the volume V may also be slightly limited by the dimensions of the stiffening arrangements 12. The use of 80-90% of the first length l of the elongate rods 23 is preferred since the rods 23 preferably shall protrude above the ground surface 200, to allow ventilation of the post 100 and to make sure that rainwater and the like may leave the lower end of the post 100. This is discussed in detail in the applicant's European patent application EP21195583.6.

[0025] Fig. 3 and 4 shows zoomed views of an upper part of the foundation 1. In Fig. 3, a lower part of a post 100 is mounted to the foundation 1, and in Fig. 4, the post is not attached to the anchoring portions 20 of the rods 23. Fig. 5a shows the zoomed view of the upper part of the foundation 1 in Fig. 4, but with the last anvil plate 30 mounted to the anchoring portion 20 of the rod 23. Fig. 5b shows a zoomed view of one of the anvil plates 30 according to the invention.

[0026] Each rod 23 has a cross-sectional area which is hollow and each rod 23 extends the first length l upwards from the base plate (not visible in Fig.3-4) in the elongate extension direction z of the foundation 1, as mentioned above. The second ends 22 preferably ends a third distance c above the ground surface 200, to allow ventilation of the post 100 and to make sure that rainwater and the like may leave the lower end of the post 100. The second end 22 of each rod 23 has a flat end portion 22d, which substantially utilizes the anchoring portion 20, and each rod 23 is arranged to be fixedly connected to the post 100 with its respective anchoring portion 20 / second end 22 by means of preferably two bolts 50 per anchoring portion 20. Thus, the second end 22 of the respective elongate rod 23 comprises first through holes 22a, preferably two first through holes 22a per anchoring portion 20.

[0027] The post 100 comprises a number of through holes 102 at the lower end of the post 100, which are arranged to receive a respective bolt 50, for fixedly connection of the post 100 to the respective anchoring portion 20 of the rods 23. To facilitate an easy assembly of the post 100 to the rods 23, and to increase strength and provide adjustment of the post 100 relative the foundation 1, one anvil plate 30 per each of the anchoring portions 20 is pre-mounted to a back side (inside) of the respective anchoring portion 20, which inside so to speak is a first mating surface 25 of the anchoring portion 20 of each rod 23, arranged for mating contact with a second mating surface 35 of the anvil plate 30. Thus, the second mating surface 35 of the anvil plate 30 faces the mating surface 25 of the anchoring portion 20 of the rod 23. The first mating surface 25 has a first length l 25 in the elongate extension direction z and a first width w 25 , perpendicular to the elongate extension direction z, and the second mating surface 35 of the anvil plate 30 comprises a second length l 35 in the elongate extension direction z and a second width w 35 perpendicular to the elongate extension direction z. Thus, the first mating surface 25 faces the second mating surface 35 when the anvil plate 30 is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions 20. To entail the possibility for the anvil plate 30 to slide along the first mating surface 25, the first mating surface 25 of the anchoring portion 20 is slightly larger than the second mating surface 35 of the anvil plate 30. At least, the anvil plate 30 is slidable in the elongate extension direction z of the anchoring portion 20 of the rod / rods 23.

[0028] Each anvil plate 30 comprises at least one, preferably two, second through holes 31 and one nut 32 per second through hole 31. The nuts 32 are fixedly arranged on a second side 36 of the anvil plate 30, which second side 36 is opposite the second mating surface 35, coaxial with the second through holes 31, one nut 32 per second through hole 32. The anvil plates 30 are as mentioned slidably attached to a respective one of the anchoring portions 20 which means slidable in the elongate extension direction z.

[0029] The anvil plate 30 is pre-mounted to the anchoring portion 20 in a position in which the anvil plate 30 more or less is aligned with the first through hole 22a of the anchoring portion 20, but still is possible to slide (see Figs 4 and 5a). This, by that the anvil plate 30 comprises two elongate third through holes 33 arranged to receive a respective fastening means 34, and the anchoring portion 20 of the comprises two corresponding fourth holes 22b arranged to receive the fastening means 34. The fastening means 34 are preferably a special type of screw which is fastened steady to the anchoring portion 20, but still allows the anvil plate 30 to slide in the elongate extension direction z. The first through holes 22a of the anchoring portions 20 are also elongate in the elongate extension direction z, to enable a flexibility when centering the anvil plate 30 and to allow an adjustment of the post 100 to a prefect vertical position, when mounting it to the foundation, or if the post 100 must be adjusted to a vertical position, later on, if the post 100 for some reason has left its vertical position. To ensure that the anvil plate 30 may slide in the elongate extension direction z without sliding in a side direction (traverse the elongate extension direction z), each anchoring portion 20 comprises guiding flanges 26, arranged on opposite sides of the (preferably) flat first mating surface 25, to guide the anvil plate 30 id slid in the elongate extension direction z.

[0030] As mentioned, each anvil plate 30 is pre-mounted to the respective anchoring portion 20 of each rod 23, and when mounting the post 100 to the foundation when the foundation 1 is arranged into the ground, the post 100 is lifted with a crane or the like, and is centered and adjusted vertically, and then lowered towards the foundation 1. The post 100 preferably has one or several stops (not visible) which "lands" on top of the outermost end of one or more second ends 22 of the rods 23, when the post 100 is threaded around the anchoring positions 20 of the foundation 1. If the through holes 102 of the post 100 don't align with the first through holes 22a of the anchoring portions 20, a tapered rod (or the like) may be used to center the holes 102, 22a, 31 (of the post 100, the anchoring portion and the anvil plate 30) with each other before mounting the post 100 to the foundation 1. The tapered rod is inserted in the holes 102, 22a, 31 wherein these are aligned by simultaneously adjusting (pressing, pushing, lifting, lowering etc.) the post 100. Then, bolts 50 are inserted through the through holes 102, 22a and nut 51, one bolt 50 per first through hole 22a per anchoring portion 20 and is then screwed further through the second through hole 31 and nut 32 of the anvil plate 30, until the post 100 is fixedly connected to the anchoring portions 20 of the foundation 1.

[0031] The respective one of the four anchoring portions 20 comprises a first area A 22a around each first through hole 22a, which first area A 22a extends outwards from each of the first through holes 22a of the anchoring portion 20. The respective first area A 22a faces the respective anvil plate 30, when the respective anvil plate 30 is slidably attached to the respective one of the four anchoring portions 20. The first area A 22a is free from surface coating like paint or Zink, either by that the coating is removed by polishing or that the first area A 22a is protected during the surface treatment, to ensure that the first area A 22a is free from coating, i.e., has a clean metal surface. The respective anvil plate 30 per each of the four anchoring portions 20 comprises a second area A 31 which extends outwards from each of the second through holes 31 of the anvil plate 30. The second area A 31 faces the first mating surface 25 of the anchoring portion 20 and the second area A 31 is also free from surfing coating in the same way as the first area A 22a .

[0032] Each rod 23 is arranged at a distance a from each other which may be selected depending on the size of the post (i.e. the diameter of the post). Each rod 23 further comprises connecting means 24 (see Fig. 4), which are arranged in a position between the first and second ends 21, 22 of each rod 23, preferably near the second ends 22. The connecting means 24 are arranged to fixedly connect to a connection means 24 of at least one other adjacent rod 23. The connecting means 24 comprises a number of holes in different positions in which a rivet or the like may be introduced to fixedly connect the connecting means 24 to each other. By the number of holes of the connecting means 24 an adjustment of the distance a, at least near the second ends 22 of the rods 23, is possible.

[0033] Figs. 6a-c show an alternative solution of the foundation 1, where the anchoring part 19 comprises a cleaved tube 27, instead of rods. According to this alternative, the anchoring part 19 is a tube 27, which is cleaved in the extension direction z, from the second end 22 of the anchoring part 19, towards the first end 21. The tube 27 is cleaved into at least three, but preferably four slits 28, wherein each slit 28 is arranged between two adjacent anchoring portions 20 of the anchoring part 19. The slits 28 allows the tube to flex a bit, when threading / mounting the post 100 to the foundation 1, and the functionality is the same as the rod-alternative described above. This means that the tube 27 comprises all features described above, except from the connecting means 24, wherein the complete description above is appropriate for this alternative. To not repeat the text again, it is understood that the description above regarding figures Fig. 1-5b applies to Figs. 6a-c (except connecting means 24).

[0034] Further combinations and forms of the base part may for example one base plate from which one or more stiffening arrangements protrudes, and which is / are welded to the base plate or fixed in other ways to the base plate. The stiffening arrangements may for example be in the form of a pipe-like protruding circular shape, a quadratic or square form, triangular form, cross form etc.

Claims

1. A foundation (1) arranged for supporting a post (100) in a substantially upright manner, the foundation (1) having an elongate extension direction (z), the foundation (1) comprising: - a base part (10), arranged to be at least partly positioned into a ground material, - an anchoring part (19) with a first end (21) and an opposite second end (22), wherein the anchoring part (19) is fixedly connected with its first end (21) to the base part (10) and wherein its second end (22) is arranged for receiving the post (100), wherein the anchoring part (19) comprises - at least three anchoring portions (20) arranged at the second end (22) of the anchoring part (19), wherein each anchoring portion (20) comprises at least one first through hole (22a), wherein each of the at least three anchoring portions (20) further is arranged at a distance (a) from the others of the at least three anchoring portions (20), characterized in that the foundation (1) further comprises - an anvil plate (30) per each of the at least three anchoring portions (20) of the anchoring part (19), which anvil plate (30) each comprises - at least one second through hole (31) and - one nut (32) per second through hole (31), which nut(s) (32) is / are fixedly arranged on the anvil plate (30) coaxial with the respective at least one second through hole (31), wherein each anvil plate (30) is slidably attached to a respective one of the at least three anchoring portions (20), slidable in the elongate extension direction (z), wherein the anvil plate (30) is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions (20) in a position where the at least one second through hole (31) of the anvil plate (30) is in substantially aligned position with the at least one first through hole (22a) of the anchoring portion (20), wherein the foundation (1) further comprises - a plurality of bolts (50), one bolt (50) per the at least one first through hole (22a) per the at least three anchoring portions (20), wherein the at least one first through hole (22a) of the at least three anchoring portions (20) and the at least one second through hole (31) per anvil plate (30) are arranged to receive one of the plurality of bolts (50), one bolt per first and second through hole (22a, 31) and wherein each of the bolts (50) is to cooperate with a respective one of the nuts (32) of the respective anvil plate (30), such that the post (100) can be fixedly connected to the at least three anchoring portions (20).

2. Foundation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first through hole (22a) of each anchoring portion (20) is elongate in the elongate extension direction (z).

3. Foundation (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions (20) comprises a first area (A22a) which extends outwards from each of the at least one first through hole (22a) of the anchoring portion (20), which first area (A22a) faces the respective anvil plate (30) when the respective anvil plate (30) is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions (20), wherein the first area (A22a) is free from surface coating, and wherein the respective anvil plate (30) per each of the at least three anchoring portions (20) comprises a second area (A31) which extends outwards from each of the at least one second through hole (31) of the anvil plate (30), which second area (A31) faces the anchoring portion (20) of the of the anchoring part (19), wherein the second area (A31) is free from surfing coating.

4. Foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each anchoring portion (20) comprises a first mating surface (25) with a first length (l25) in the elongate extension direction (z) and a first width (w25) perpendicular to the elongate extension direction (z), and each anvil plate (30) comprises a second mating surface (35) with a second length (l35) in the elongate extension direction (z) and a second width (w35) perpendicular to the elongate extension direction (z), wherein the first mating surface (25) faces the second mating surface (35) when the anvil plate (30) is slidably attached to the respective one of the at least three anchoring portions (20), wherein the first mating surface (25) of each one of the at least three anchoring portions (20) is slightly larger than the second mating surface (35) of the respective anvil plate (30), wherein the anvil plate (30) at least is slidable in the elongate extension direction (z).

5. Foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the respective anvil plate (30) comprises at least one elongate third through hole (33) arranged to receive a fastening means (34), and the anchoring portion (20) of the anchoring part (19) comprises a corresponding fourth hole (22b) arranged to receive the fastening means (34).

6. Foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring part (19) comprises at least three elongate rods (23), each comprising the first end (21) and the opposite second end (22), wherein each rod (23) comprises one of the at least three anchoring portions (20) at its respective second end (22).

7. Foundation (1) according to any of claims 1 -5, wherein the anchoring part (19) is a tube (27) cleaved in the extension direction from the second end (22) towards the first end (21) into at least three slits (28), each slit (28) is arranged between two adjacent anchoring portions (20) of the anchoring part (19).

8. Foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each anchoring portion (20) comprises guiding flanges (26), arranged to guide the anvil plate (30) when slidably attached to the anchoring portion (20).

9. Foundation (1) according to any of claims 1 - 6, wherein each rod (23) further comprises connecting parts (24), arranged in a position between the first and second ends (21, 22) of each rod (23), closer to the second end (22) of each rod (23), in a corresponding position in the elongate extension direction (z) as a connecting part (24) of an adjacent rod (23) of the at least three elongate rods (23), wherein connecting parts (24) of adjacent rods (23) are arranged to be fixedly connected to each other.

10. Foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (10) comprises a base plate (11) with an extent transverse the elongate extension direction (z) of the foundation (1), wherein the anchoring part (19) is fixedly connected with its first end (21) to the base plate (11) of the base part (10).

11. An arrangement for improved safety in connection to support structures for road equipment, the arrangement comprising: - a post (100), which at least at a first end (101) comprises a hollow cross-section, - a foundation (1) according to any of the preceding claims arranged for supporting the post (100) in a using position, wherein the post (100) comprises a number of through holes (102) at its first end (101), wherein each through hole (102) is arranged to receive one bolt (50) of the plurality of bolts (50), for fixedly connection of the post (100) to the at least three anchoring portions (20) of the foundation (1).

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