Barrier part for road barriers, device for placing barrier parts and method for the same

Abstract

Barrier part for road barriers, - comprising a metal profile section extending in a height, length and width direction, wherein the profile section extends in height direction from a bottom to a top side; - with a cross-section transverse to the length direction that is substantially U or V-shaped, - opened on a side intended as the bottom during use, and therefore at least partially nestable and stackable with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, - provided at the ends in the length direction with coupling parts for coupling with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, - at least one of the ends provided with a male (projecting) coupling part, and - the other end provided with at least a female (hollow) coupling part, - wherein a mechanical guide is provided that extends vertically toward the female coupling part in order to guide the male coupling part thereto.

Description

[0001] Barrier part for road barriers, device for placing barrier parts and method for the same The present invention relates to a barrier part for road barriers, a device for placing barrier parts and a method for the same.

[0002] During road construction activities, or in case of danger in general, it is common to put a barrier in place to prevent traffic from using certain lanes from a road, or to conduct the traffic in an intended way. These barriers are for temporary use, which implies that they are usually not fixed to the road, but they are used in those situations where traffic cones are found inadequate for safety of workers, so requirements are set to their stability and ability to withstand vehicles crashing into them.

[0003] Barrier parts made of plastics have been proposed, but they lack stability and can easily be damaged when being crashed. For that reason, it is common to make use of concrete elements, which take away these disadvantages, but have the disadvantage that they are heavy and voluminous, which has an impact on the number of barrier parts that can be transported with one truck, and as a result, with the total length of barrier that can be taken in one go.

[0004] Further disadvantages to the barrier parts according to the prior art are that they require multiple handling steps and in some cases even manual intervention to be mutually coupled. This goes both for the steps of placing the barrier parts, and fortheir removal, when construction works are done.

[0005] An example of a barrier part exposing the last mentioned problem is described in the French Patent publication FR2745596A1 , that shows a barrier comprising a part 10 that is said to be an end plate. This means that this plate is located behind the female coupling part 12 and therefore does not guide the male part toward the female part.

[0006] It is therefore a goal of the present invention to propose a barrier part that takes away the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The invention therefore relates to a barrier part for road barriers, comprising a metal profile section extending in a height, length and width direction, wherein the profile section extends in height direction from a bottom to a top side, with a cross-section transverse to the length direction that is substantially U or V-shaped, opened on a side intended as the bottom during use, and therefore at least partially nestable and stackable with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, provided at the ends in the length direction with coupling parts for coupling with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, at least one of the ends provided with a male (projecting) coupling part, and the other end provided with at least afemale (hollow) coupling part, wherein a mechanical guide is provided that extends vertically toward the female coupling part in order to guide the male coupling part (of a similar barrier part) thereto.

[0008] The barrier part according to the invention has several advantages over the prior art. Firstly, as it is a metal part, for instance made of steel, commercially available under the name S235 or S355, it is more robust than barrier parts made of plastics according to the prior art. As metal is stronger, it allows a stackable form with an open bottom side that allows to nest the barrier parts according to the invention. With respect to concrete barrier parts according to the prior art, the barrier parts according to the invention are a lot lighter in weight, which enables to carry a larger common length of parts on one truck, which may be 400 to 500 meters. The barrier parts themselves may for instance be about 10 meters.

[0009] The male and the female coupling parts facilitate fully automated coupling of the barrier parts. As there is a guidance provided to guide a male coupling part to a female coupling part, the barrier parts require a relatively low accuracy when being placed, which enables a fully automated placement, as will be explained into more detail further on.

[0010] The mechanical guide may in particular be configured to guide the male and female coupling parts toward an engaged position when identical or substantially identical barrier sections are moved toward each other in a vertical direction. In practice this may mean that one of the barrier sections is positioned, for instance on the road, and the other barrier part is positioned adjacent to it, with a vertical movement. During the movement in the vertical direction, the barrier parts may both be in their use orientation.

[0011] The mechanical guide may be configured to guide the male and female part to a mutually engaging position, respectless whether the male or the female part is on the barrier section that is already in position or on the barrier section that is being positioned.

[0012] The mechanical guide may be constructed such that when moving the male part toward the female part, the mechanical guide surrounds the male part closer, the closer it gets to the female part. The mechanical guide may enclose the male part in a form-fitting manner when approaching the female part. The make and the female part may engage each other in a formfitting manner when engaged our coupled.

[0013] The free space surrounding the female part may be tapered toward the female part, being at its narrowest where it is adjacent to the female part. Said free space may, together with the femalepart, form a funnel shaped or if there is a mechanical guide at both sides of the female part, an hour-glass-shaped receiving space for the male part.

[0014] Each end may comprise a male or a female coupling part, but it is also possible to have both at each side, wherein the ends of the barrier parts are of uniform shape, and do not require a specific orientation for being coupled.

[0015] The coupling parts of a barrier part according to the invention may be configured to connect the barrier parts at at least two positions that are mutually separated from each other in the height direction, in order to prevent mutual twisting of coupled barrier parts around an axis in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] As the barrier parts are prohibited to twist, they can withstand larger crashing forces, and the risk of unintentional decoupling of parts is reduced. This increases the safety of a barrier formed by barrier parts according to the invention.

[0017] There may be two separate coupling parts at different heights provided at each end of a barrier part according to the invention, or one coupling part that extends over a distance in the height direction. These two positions may differ from each other in the height direction at least 25%, preferably at least 50% and more preferably at least 75% of the total height. The further the positions differ from each other, the more resistance against torsion they provide.

[0018] The coupling parts may be situated (essentially) above and below each other, but in order to obtain a very rigid and stable connection, the barrier part according to the invention may be provided with coupling parts near the top of its Vor U shaped cross-section and one in each of the legs of the V or U shaped cross-section. There may be a female coupling part in one of the legs and a female one in the other leg.The coupling parts may be of a mutually interlocking type, and may be form fitting or essentially form fitting, with litte play. For instance, the male coupling part has a substantially jigsaw puzzle-piece-shaped cross-section in a viewing direction in the height direction. As an example it may comprise a sphere suspended by a projection. The rounded shape of the sphere avoids friction and blockage when coupling or decoupling and further helps enabling fully automated placement and removal of barrier parts according to the invention, as will be elucidated into more detail further on. Suspended means that the sphere is coupled or connected to the remainder of the barrier part with a part that projects from said remainder, with which term the U or V-shaped profile is meant.The mechanical guide may be configured to surround the male coupling part at least partly and comprises a path directed towards the female coupling part, an opening size of which decreases in the direction of the female coupling part.

[0019] The coupling parts are configured to couple or decouple with coupling parts of a similar barrier part by only a mutual vertical movement. This requires only a lowering or lifting movement to couple and decouple the barrier parts, which facilitates the automation of these steps.

[0020] To avoid the barrier being shifted in case of a crash or collision, the barrier part according to the invention may be provided on a bottom side with a friction increaser, such as a rubber support. This rubber support may extend essentially over the entire length of the barrier part, especially when the barrier is also used as a water barrier, but interruptions may be present too, for instance to drain water (rain) below the barrier.

[0021] Under certain circumstances, it is desired to move a barrier that is already positioned on the road. For instance when construction work on one lane is finished, and work on a next one is started. However, disassembling and then reconstructing the entire barrier is time consuming and therefore costly. To solve this, the barrier part according to the invention may be provided with wheels. These wheels may preferably be movable between an extended state, wherein they carry the barrier part above ground level, and a collapsed state, wherein they are retracted within the barrier part, in particular to such extend that the barrier parts are still stackable. At least some of the wheels may be capable of steering, or being pivotable, in order to allow movement of the barrier in all directions.

[0022] Furthermore, optical markings, such as yellow or red and white colours which may be reflective may be provided. There may be grooves in the length direction of the barrier parts for placement of the optical markers. These grooves ensure that the markings remain undamaged during normal use and stacking of the barrier parts.

[0023] The barrier part according to the invention may further be provided with a gripping means for a gripper for placing or removing the barrier part, such as a flange or bead. This facilitates easier handling of the barrier parts by a device for placing barrier parts.

[0024] Such device for placing barrier parts according to the invention on a surface such as a road surface may comprise a vehicle, such as a truck or semi-trailer or trailer therefor, movable in relation to the road surface in a direction of travel at a driving speed, comprising a carrier for one or more stacks of nested barrier parts, in particular wherein the longitudinal direction of the barrier parts extends in a direction of travel of the vehicle and a displacement device forengaging one of the barrier parts and placing the barrier part on the surface, in particular parallel or substantially parallel next to the vehicle, wherein the displacement device is configured to move the barrier part against the direction of travel at the driving speed while it is being lowered to the surface, so that it only moves vertically in relation to the surface.

[0025] Such displacement device may for instance comprise two arms that are rotatable with respect to a trailer that carries barrier parts, or a robot, each configured for lifting the barrier parts from the trailer and placing them on the floor or road, or vice versa.

[0026] The displacement device may furthermore configured such that it can charge and discharge barrier parts from another trailer. When barriers need to be positioned or removed that are composed of more parts than the amount fitting on one trailer, this takes away the need of providing multiple trailers with displacement devices.

[0027] In order to facilitate charging and discharging of barriers in a sideward direction, it is convenient when a side wall of the trailer can be opened. Therefore, according to the present invention, the sidewalls may be movable, in particular with a combined movement in the width and the height direction, so that it forms a shield in the (shown) open position. The barrier parts (not shown) may then be placed on the floor level between the wall and the trailer. For charging and discharging the trailer, the wall may be folded entirely upward.

[0028] The device for placing barrier parts according to the invention therefore allows to place the barrier parts while uninterruptedly moving in the direction of travel, as the displacement device is configured to move the barrier part against the direction of travel at the driving speed while it is being lowered to the surface, so that it effectively makes a vertical movement only, which allows the barrier parts to mutually couple. The device may be configured to place several barrier parts in succession, positioning their ends at a coupling distance from each other, wherein a coupling distance is the distance at which the coupling parts fall into each other due to their mutual vertical displacement.

[0029] For determining where and when a next barrier part is to be positioned, a measuring device, such as a cart for scanning the already placed barrier parts and for detecting markers thereon may be provided.

[0030] To assure safety when working on or next to a highway lane, the device according to the invention may be provided with a truck or trailer mounted attenuator, a shock absorbing buffer.It may further be configured to place a barrier part at an angle to the direction of travel, in order to create a curvature in the thus formed barrier. A control device may be provided for determining the driving speed and adjusting the speed of placing successive barrier parts thereto, and / or for limiting the driving speed so that the displacement device can keep up with the speed of placing barrier parts.

[0031] For making curves, relatively short but straight barrier parts may be used, that are coupled to one another under a (small) angle, to follow the curves of the lane.The invention also relates to a method for placing barrier parts on a surface such as a road surface, comprising picking up the barrier parts from a stock while driving, and placing them on the surface with a movement that is only vertical relative to the surface, wherein the coupling parts of the barrier parts are being coupled.

[0032] The invention will now be elucidated into more detail with reference to the following figures. Herein:

[0033] Figures 1A-1C show a side view and two perspective views on a barrier part according to the present invention;

[0034] Figures 3A-3F show a device for placing barrier parts performing a method according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 shows a top view of a curved barrier formed with barrier parts according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 4 shows a top view of a barrier parts according to the invention;

[0037] Figure 5 shows a cross section of a barrier part with wheels according to the invention; Figure 6Ashows a trailerwith a first displacement device accordingto the invention; Figure 6B shows a trailerwith a second displacement device accordingto the invention; Figure 7 shows a trailerwith a movable side wall accordingto the invention; and Figure 8 shows a measuring device accordingto the invention. Figure 1 A shows a side view of two coupled barrier parts 1 , 2 accordingto the present invention. The barrier parts 1, 2 each comprise a metal profile section extending in a height H, length L and width W direction, wherein the profile section extends in height direction H from a bottom B to a top T side, with a crosssection transverse to the length direction that is substantially U or V-shaped, opened on a side intended as the bottom during use, as visible at bottom B height H in figures 1 B and 1 C, and therefore at least partially nestable and stackable with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, provided at the ends in the length direction with coupling parts 3, 4 for coupling with identical or substantially identical barrier sections, wherein one of the ends is provided with amale (projecting) coupling part 3, and the other end is provided with a female (hollow) coupling part 4, wherein a mechanical guide 5 is provided that extends vertically toward the female coupling part 4 in order to guide the male coupling part 3 (of a similar barrier part) thereto.

[0038] In the barrier parts 1 , 2 the male coupling part has a substantially puzzle-piece-shaped crosssection in a viewing direction in the height direction, as it comprises a sphere 3B suspended by a projection 3A. The mechanical guide 5 comprises a path 5A directed towards the female coupling part. Figure 1 c shows that the mechanical guide 5 is configured to at least partly surround the male coupling part and comprises a path 5B directed towards the female coupling part, an opening size of which decreases in the direction of the female coupling part, indicated with 5B. The path 5B therefore acts as a funnel.

[0039] The coupling parts 3, 4 are configured to couple or decouple with coupling parts of a similar barrier part by only a mutual vertical movement, which means in the height direction H.

[0040] The barrier part is provided with a friction increaser, formed by a rubber support 6, on a bottom side.

[0041] Figures 2A-2F show steps performed by a device 10 for placing barrier parts 1 , 2 as shown in figures 1 A-1 C on a surface 11 , in this case a road surface, the device comprising a vehicle 12, such as a truck or semi-trailer or trailer therefor, movable in relation to the road surface 11 in a direction D of travel at a driving speed, comprising a carrier 13 for one or more stacks 15 of nested barrier parts, in particular wherein the longitudinal direction L of the barrier parts extends in a direction D of travel of the vehicle and a displacement device 14 for engaging one of the barrier parts and placing the barrier part 2 on the road surface 11 , in particular parallel or substantially parallel next to the vehicle 12.

[0042] In figure 2A a first barrier part is positioned on the road surface 11. A second barrier element is stacked on the carrier 13 of the vehicle 12. A displacement device 14 is in a position above the second barrier part 2, ready to pick it up and to lift it from the stack.

[0043] In figure 2B the second barrier part 2 is lifted from the stack and moved by the displacement device 14 in a width direction toward a position next to the carrier 13. During this movement, it is moved over the stack 15 on the carrier 13.

[0044] Figure 2C shows the situation wherein the displacement device 14 carrying the barrier part 2 has reached the position next to the carrier 13, above the road surface 11. The barrier part 1 is still partly below the barrier part 2, but as the vehicle 12 is moving, it will pass the barrier part 1 while lowering the barrier part 2.Figure 2D shows the situation where the displacement device 14 is lowering the barrier part 2 toward the road surface 11. As the vehicle 12 had already passed the barrier part 1 , the displacement device 14 is configured to move the barrier part 2 against the direction of travel D at the driving speed while it is being lowered to the road surface 11 , so that it only moves vertically (downward) in relation to the road surface 11. As the barrier part 1 is on the road surface, the barrier part 2 also only moves vertically towards the barrier part 1.

[0045] As this is the direction in which the barrier parts 1 and 2 can be coupled, the next situation that is reached is depicted in figure 2E, showing the coupled barrier parts 1 and 2 on the road surface 11. The displacement device 14 can now release the barrier part 2 and return to its initial position as shown in figure 2A.

[0046] Figure 2F shows the displacement device 14 on its way to its initial position. Meanwhile, the vehicle moves uninterruptedly with respect to the road surface 11 and the barrier parts 1 and 2. This way, the device 10 is configured to place several barrier parts 1 ,2, etc. in succession, positioning their ends at a coupling distance from each other, wherein a coupling distance is the distance at which the coupling parts fall into each other due to their mutual vertical displacement.

[0047] Figure 3 shows how the device 10 may further be configured to configured to place a barrier part at an angle to the direction of travel, in order to create a curvature in the thus formed barrier. The vehicle 12 should then follow the curve, as the displacement device can only place barrier parts up to a limited distance from the vehicle. However, the barrier needs to form a curve before the vehicle 12 can follow said curve, as it would otherwise encounter the barrier parts while making a turn.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a top view of barrier parts 40, 41 provided with coupling parts 42, 43 near the top of its V or U shaped cross-section and one 44, 45, 46, 47 in each of the legs of the V or U shaped cross-section. There is be a female coupling part in one of the legs and a female one in the other leg.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a barrier part 50 according to the invention provided with wheels 51, 52. These wheels may preferably be movable between an extended state (shown), wherein they carry the barrier part above ground level, and a collapsed state (51 ’, 52’, shown with dashed lines), wherein they are retracted within the barrier part 50, in particular to such extend that the barrier parts are still stackable. At least some of the wheels may be capable of steering, or being pivotable, in order to allow movement of the barrier in all directions.Figure 6A shows a trailer with a first displacement device according to the invention comprising two arms 61 , 62 that are rotatable with respect to a trailer that carries barrier parts 63.

[0050] Figure 6B shows a trailer with a second displacement device according to the invention, comprising two robots 64, 65 configured for lifting the barrier parts 67 from the trailer 66 and placing them on the floor or road, or vice versa.

[0051] The displacement device 61 , 62, 64, 65 may furthermore configured such that it can charge and discharge barrier parts from another truck. When barriers need to be positioned or removed that are composed of more parts than the amount fitting on one truck, this takes away the need of providing multiple trucks with displacement devices.

[0052] Figure 7 shows that, in order to facilitate charging and discharging of barriers in a sideward direction, it is convenient when a side wall of the trailer 70 can be opened. Therefore, according to the present invention, the sidewall 71 is movable, in particular with a combined movement 72 in the width W and the height H direction, so that it forms a shield in the (shown) open position. The barrier parts (not shown) may then be placed on the floor level between the wall 71 and the trailer 70. For charging and discharging the trailer, the wall 71 may be folded entirely upward.

[0053] Figure 8 shows a schematic drawing of a measuring device 82 for determining where and when a next barrier part 80, 81 is to be positioned. The measuring device 82 is formed by a cart that is coupled to the trailer, for scanning the already placed barrier parts 80, 81 and for detecting markers thereon, such as a recess 83 formed by mechanic guides of two adjacent barrier parts 80, 81.

[0054] The embodiments described above are examples only and do not limit the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

Claims1. Barrier part for road barriers,- comprising a metal profile section extending in a height, length and width direction, wherein the profile section extends in height direction from a bottom to a top side;- with a cross-section transverse to the length direction that is substantially U or V-shaped, - opened on a side intended as the bottom during use, and therefore at least partially nestable and stackable with identical or substantially identical barrier sections,- provided at the ends in the length direction with coupling parts for coupling with identical or substantially identical barrier sections,- at least one of the ends provided with a male (projecting) coupling part, and- the other end provided with at least a female (hollow) coupling part,- wherein a mechanical guide is provided that extends vertically toward the female coupling part in order to guide the male coupling part thereto.

2. Barrier part according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling parts are configured to connect the barrier parts at at least two positions that are mutually separated from each other in the height direction, in order to prevent mutual twisting of coupled barrier parts around an axis in the longitudinal direction.

3. Barrier part according to claim 2, wherein there are two separate coupling parts at different heights or one coupling part that extends over a distance in the height direction.

4. Barrier part according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the two positions that differ from each other in the height direction are at least 25%, preferably at least 50% and more preferably at least 75% of the total height apart.

5. Barrier part according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the male coupling part has a substantially puzzle-piece-shaped cross-section in a viewing direction in the height direction and wherein the male coupling part comprises a sphere suspended by a projection.

6. Barrier part according to any of the preceding claims, comprising wheels, movable between an extended state, wherein they carry the barrier part above ground level, and a collapsed state, wherein they are retracted within the barrier part, in particular to such extend that the barrierparts are still stackable, wherein in particular at least some of the wheels are capable of steering, or are pivotable, in order to allow movement of the barrier in all directions.

7. Barrier part according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical guide is configured to at least partly surround the male coupling part and may comprise a path directed towards the female coupling part, an opening size of which decreases in the direction of the female coupling part.

8. Barrier part according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling parts are configured to couple or decouple with coupling parts of a similar barrier part by only a mutual vertical movement.

9. Barrier part according to one of the preceding claims, provided on a bottom side with a friction increaser, such as a rubber support.

10. Barrier part according to one of the preceding claims, provided with a gripping means for a gripperfor placingor removingthe barrier part, such as a flange or bead.

11. Device for placing barrier parts according to one of the preceding claims on a surface such as a road surface, the device comprising:A vehicle, such as a truck or semi-trailer or trailer therefor, movable in relation to the road surface in a direction of travel at a driving speed, comprising:o A carrier for one or more stacks of nested barrier parts, in particular wherein the longitudinal direction of the barrier parts extends in a direction of travel of the vehicle;o A displacement device for engaging one of the barrier parts and placing the barrier part on the surface, in particular parallel or substantially parallel next to the vehicle;whereinThe displacement device is configured to move the barrier part against the direction of travel at the driving speed while it is being lowered to the surface, so that it only moves vertically in relation to the surface.

12. Device according to claim 11 , configured to place several barrier parts in succession, positioning their ends at a coupling distance from each other, wherein a coupling distance is the distance at which the coupling parts fall into each other due to their mutual verticaldisplacement.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, configured to place a barrier part at an angle to the direction of travel, in order to create a curvature in the thus formed barrier.

14. Device according to claim 11 , 12 or 13, comprising a control device for determining the driving speed and adjusting the speed of placing successive barrier parts thereto, and / or for limiting the driving speed so that the displacement device can keep up with the speed of placing barrier parts.

15. Method for placing barrier parts on a surface such as a road surface according to one of claims 1-10, comprising picking up the barrier parts from a stock while driving, and placing them on the surface with a movement that is only vertical relative to the surface, wherein the coupling parts of the barrier parts are being coupled.

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