U.S. patent application number 09/866549 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for side guard fence.
Invention is credited to Nilsson, Hakan.
Application Number | 20020014620 09/866549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20279870 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020014620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nilsson, Hakan |
February 7, 2002 |
Side guard fence
Abstract
A side guard fence comprises a plurality of posts arranged at a
mutual distance along the edge of a carriage way and being
substantially vertically anchored. The fence further comprises
substantially horizontal, longitudinal fence members that are
attached to the posts and are arranged at mutually spaced apart
distances from each other in the vertical direction. The posts are
positioned in the slope outside the carriage way or supporting
reserve. In some arrangements, the horizontal fence members are
anchored to the post by retaining members that are adapted to
retain the horizontal fence members during forces caused by
collision in a longitudinal direction of the fence members and to
release the horizontal fence members when acted upon by forces
generated by collisions against a post to which the horizontal
fence members are attached. A method of forming a side guard fence
is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Nilsson, Hakan; (Vastra
Frolunda, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
20279870 |
Appl. No.: |
09/866549 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/12 20130101;
E01F 15/06 20130101; E01F 15/0476 20130101; E01F 15/0461
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/59 |
International
Class: |
E04H 017/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 26, 2000 |
SE |
0001990-1 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A side guard fence that comprises a plurality of posts arranged
at a mutual distance along an edge of a carriage way and
substantially horizontal, longitudinal fence members attached to
the posts and arranged at mutually spaced apart distances from each
other in a vertical direction, the posts being anchored in a
substantially vertically direction in a slope located outside the
edge of the carriage way.
2. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the posts are also
positioned outside a supporting reserve of the carriage way.
3. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the slope has an
inclination that is larger or equal to 1:6.
4. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the posts are mounted
without foundations directly in a ground material of the slope.
5. A side guard fence as in claim 4, wherein the posts are mounted
within pre-made holes formed in the ground material.
6. A side guard fence as in claim 4, wherein the posts are mounted
within holes formed by ramming the posts into the ground
material.
7. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the posts extend at
least 60 centimeters into a ground material of the slope.
8. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein there are more than
two horizontal fence members and the mutual spaced apart distances
between two adjacent horizontal fence members are substantially
equal and substantially constant.
9. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the fence has a number
of horizontal fence members that is dependent on a distance at
which the posts are located from the carriage way.
10. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the horizontal
members are steel ropes.
11. A side guard fence as in claim 1, wherein the horizontal fence
members of the fence are anchored to the posts by retaining members
that are adapted to retain the horizontal fence members during
forces caused by collision in a longitudinal direction of the
horizontal fence members, but to release the horizontal fence
members when acted upon by forces generated at collision against a
post to which the horizontal fence members are anchored.
12. A side guard fence as is in claim 11, wherein the retaining
members comprise downwardly angled slots provided in the posts and
in which the horizontal fence members are received.
13. A side guard fence as in claim 11, wherein the retaining
members comprise hooks that are inserted in slots formed in the
posts, the horizontal fence members being passed, through the hooks
and the hooks being adapted to come loose from the slots at
collision forces by deformation of at least one of the hooks or
edges of the slots.
14. A side guard fence as in claim 13, wherein the hooks have two
ends that are bent in opposite directions, the ends being
positioned inside the slots in a mounted position of the hooks, the
hooks near one of its ends being provided with an additional bend
permitting the hooks to be hung in the slot with one end outside
the slot during positioning of the horizontal fence member in the
hooks.
15. A side guard fence as in claim 11, wherein the retaining
members comprise substantially vertical slots provided in the
posts, the horizontal fence members being received in the slots,
the mutual spaced apart distances being determined by spacing
members that are fitted in at least one of said slots.
16. A side guard fence comprising a plurality of posts arranged at
a mutual distance along an edge of a carriage way, the posts being
substantially vertically anchored, the fence also comprising
substantially horizontal, longitudinal fence members that are
attached to the posts and are arranged at mutually spaced apart
distances from each other in a vertical direction, wherein the
horizontal fence members are anchored to the posts by retaining
members that are adapted to retain the horizontal fence members
during forces caused by collision in a longitudinal direction of
the fence members and to release the horizontal fence members when
acted upon by forces generated by collisions against a post to
which the horizontal fence members are anchored.
17. A side guard fence as in claim 16, wherein the retaining
members comprise downwardly angled slots provided in the posts, the
horizontal fence members being received in the slots.
18. A side guard fence as in claim 16, wherein the retaining
members comprise hooks that are inserted into slots formed in the
posts, the horizontal fence members being passed through the hooks,
the hooks being adapted to come loose from the slots at collision
forces by deformation of at least one of the hooks or edges of the
slots.
19. A side guard fence as in claim 18, wherein the hooks have two
ends that are bent in opposite directions, the ends being
positioned inside the slots in a mounted position of the hooks, the
hooks near one of its ends being provided with an additional bend
permitting the hooks to be hung in the slot with one end outside
the slot during positioning of the horizontal fence member in the
hooks..
20. A side guard fence as in claim 16, wherein the retaining
members comprise substantially vertical slots provided in the
posts, the horizontal fence members being received in the slots,
the mutual spaced apart distances being determined by spacing
members that are fitted in at least one of said slots.
21. A method of forming a side guard fence, comprising the steps
of: anchoring a series of posts in a substantially vertical
direction in along an edge of a carriage way in a slope that is
located outside the edge of the carriage way, and anchoring a
plurality of horizontal longitudinal fence members to the series of
posts with retaining members that are adapted to retain the
horizontal fence members during forces caused by collision in a
longitudinal direction of the fence members and to release the
horizontal fence members when acted upon by forces generated by
collisions against a post to which the horizontal fence members are
anchored.
22. A method as in claim 21, wherein the step of anchoring a series
of posts further includes anchoring the series of posts outside a
supporting reserve of the carriage way.
23. A method as in claim 21, further including forming a series of
holes in the ground material of the slope.
24. A method as in claim 23, wherein the step of anchoring a series
of posts further includes inserting the series of posts into the
series of holes formed in the ground material.
25. A method as in claim 21, wherein the step of anchoring a series
of posts further includes ramming the series of posts into a ground
material of the slope.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to Swedish
Patent Application No. 0001990-1, filed May 26, 2000, the entire
contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a safety fence and, in
particular, to a safety fence for use with the carriage ways of
highways.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Safety fences are known in different designs and they are
often positioned between the carriage ways of highways having
carriage ways separated from each other by a central reserve. Such
road fences have been very successful and they have contributed to
a substantial reduction of accidents between opposing vehicles on
such roads.
[0004] A big risk for accidents is vehicles travelling off the road
towards the sides thereof. In order to reduce the risk of theses
types of accidents with vehicles, large costs have been undertaken
in removing trees, rocks and the like along the roads. However,
this has not always proven itself to give the intended effect.
[0005] In order to prevent a vehicle from ending up outside the
carriage way, especially at locations of particular risk for
subsequent injuries, such as, for example, at water courses, areas
with large level differences, etc., it has been suggested to
provide lateral road fences along particularly these dangerous
portions of the road. To date, fences, which were earlier developed
primarily for the central reserve, primarily have been used. As a
general rule, these posts have been arranged in foundations
directly adjacent the asphalt-paved carriage way (i.e., at the
asphalt edge or just outside this, in the so-called supporting
reserve). This means that it has not been possible to use the
supporting reserve between the road embankment or the carriage way
and the slope situated outside the supporting reserve, e.g., by
bicyclists, or by other slow-travelling vehicles, and neither as a
temporary parking area at engine failures or the like.
[0006] A purpose of the present invention is to offer a side guard
fence, which provides a solution to at least some of these
problems. Therefore, one aspect of the present invention involves a
side guard fence that comprises a plurality of posts arranged at a
mutual distance along an edge of a carriage way and substantially
horizontal, longitudinal fence members that are attached to the
posts and are arranged at mutually spaced apart distances from each
other in a vertical direction. The posts are anchored in
substantially vertically direction in a slope located outside the
edge of the carriage way.
[0007] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a simple and
reliable arrangement for anchoring the horizontal members of the
fence to the posts thereof. Thus, another aspect of the invention
is a side guard fence that comprises a plurality of posts arranged
at a mutual distance along an edge of a carriage way. The posts are
substantially vertically anchored. The fence also comprises
substantially horizontal, longitudinal fence members that are
attached to the posts and are arranged at mutually spaced apart
distances from each other in a vertical direction. The horizontal
fence members are anchored to the posts by retaining members that
are adapted to retain the horizontal fence members during forces
caused by collision in a longitudinal direction of the fence
members and to release the horizontal fence members when acted upon
by forces generated by collisions against a post to which the
horizontal fence members are anchored.
[0008] Still yet another aspect of the present invention involves a
method of forming a side guard fence. The method comprising
anchoring a series of posts in a substantially vertical direction
in along an edge of a carriage way in a slope that is located
outside the edge of the carriage way and anchoring a plurality of
horizontal longitudinal fence members to the series of posts with
retaining member that are adapted to retain the horizontal fence
members during forces caused by collision in a longitudinal
direction of the fence members and to release the horizontal fence
members when acted upon by forces generated by collisions against a
post to which the horizontal fence members are anchored.
[0009] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages
achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the
invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be
understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may
be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the
invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a
manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of
advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other
objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
[0010] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope
of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of
the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention
not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s)
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other features of the invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings of the preferred
embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the
invention, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows schematically in a partial cross-section a post
of a side guard fence having certain features and aspects according
to the invention, seen in a view in the longitudinal direction of a
carriage way, which also is shown only partly.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a side guard
fence of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an alternate positioning of the post of the
side guard fence of FIG. 1, with fence members supported by
schematically shown retaining members.
[0015] FIG. 4a shows a portion of a post equipped with a retaining
member, as seen from the side.
[0016] FIG. 4b is a front view of the post with a retaining member
and a horizontal fence member supported therein.
[0017] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a portion of a post with
another type av retaining member.
[0018] FIG. 5b is a separate part incorporated in the retaining
member according to FIG. 5a.
[0019] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a portion of a post having
a further type of retaining member.
[0020] FIG. 6b is a separate part incorporated in the retaining
member according to FIG. 6a.
[0021] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a further post with another
type of retaining member.
[0022] FIG. 7b illustrates a post with a retaining member according
to FIG. 7a, as seen from above.
[0023] FIG. 8a is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6a,
showing a similar post but having slightly amended retaining
member, and
[0024] FIG. 8b shows in perspective the retaining member used in
FIG. 8a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a portion of a paved (e.g.,
asphalt-paved) carriage way 1, which at its outer edge is bordered
by an edge line 2 and outside this by a supporting reserve 3, which
still is substantially horizontal. Outside the supporting reserve
adjoins a slope 4, having an inclination, which partly is
determined by the terrain, but which preferably is 1:6 or bigger.
In contrast to what has earlier been used, a series of posts 5
(only one of which is visible in the drawing figure) has been
positioned outside the carriage way 1, as well as outside the
supporting reserve 2, and the posts instead been positioned in the
slope 4 at a distance from the supporting reserve, which distance
is at most three meters. The post 5 is preferably anchored directly
in the ground material of the slope without use of pre-fabricated
foundations or foundations cast on site, They can preferably be
rammed down or positioned in such pre-made holes, such that the
portion 5a of the post anchored in the hole preferably shall have a
depth of at least 60 centimeters.
[0026] The post 5 supports together with the other posts
incorporated in the fence, a number of substantially horizontally
arranged fence members 6, which, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
includes three parts that are preferably positioned at mutually
equal vertical distances. In the embodiment illustrated, the fence
members 6 can be made as steel ropes or wires. In modified
embodiments, the fence members 6 can be in the form of, by way of
example, thin belts or rods.
[0027] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in perspective, a series
of posts 5 of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. The posts 5 are
anchored in a slope 4 outside the supporting reserve 3 at a road
and have three horizontal fence members 6 arranged at substantially
equal distances from each other in vertical direction.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows in a view corresponding to FIG. 1 the
positioning of the post 5 at a certain distance from the supporting
reserve. In this embodiment, the post 5 includes three horizontal
fence members 6 as in FIG. 1. In contrast, a post 5', which is
illustrated with dash and dot lines, is positioned in the slope 4
farther away from the supporting reserve 3. Such a post 5' may need
a larger number of horizontal fence members 6'. In the illustrated
embodiment, the post 5' preferably includes four horizontal members
6' that are arranged such that the mutual distance between the
adjacent members 6' is about the same as the distance between the
members of the post 5. In this manner, it is ascertained that
vehicles travelling off the road at high speeds will be caught by
means of the upper horizontal fence members 6, 6', whereas vehicles
driving off at lower speed and/or at a low angle to the fence, will
hit the lower fence members 6, 6'.
[0029] FIG. 4 an and 4b illustrate an embodiment of a retaining
member for a horizontal fence member 6, which, by way of example,
is illustrated as a steel rope. The retaining member in this case
is comprises by an inclined slot 7, cut obliquely from above and
downwards in the wall of the post 5. The slot 7 is shown in FIG. 4a
from the side and in FIG. 4b from the front. A steel rope 6 is
inserted in the slot 7, which in the side perspective is shaped
almost as a horseshoe. Due to this design of the retaining member
7, a force caused by a collision in the longitudinal direction of
the rope 6 will result in that the rope 6 is retained due to the
force component urging the rope against the wall of the slot. At
collision the car is caught by the horizontal fence members 6 or
the steel ropes and when the car hits a post 5, this will be bent
in the direction of travel of the car and the steel ropes 6 and the
posts 5 are separated from each other.
[0030] FIG. 5a and 5b illustrate another design of post 5 and
retaining member 8. As shown in FIG. 5a, a post 5 is provided with
a longitudinal slot Sa and a number of substantially keyhole shaped
openings 8 situated above each other. The openings 8, pair by pair,
serve to receive a cleat-formed hook 9, which has bigger portions
10 at its ends. These bigger portions 10 have a size allowing them
to pass through the upper, wider part of each keyhole 8, whereas,
after they have been moved down in the more narrow part of each
keyhole opening, they cannot be pulled out of the openings 8. When
the fence is hit by a car these retaining members act in a manner
corresponding to the slot 7 according to FIGS. 4a and 4b, whereby
the force acting perpendicularly to the post causes the hook 9 and
the walls of the holes 8 to be deformed such that their
interconnection is interrupted.
[0031] It shall be observed that the posts according to FIG. 4a and
FIG. 5a have both been shown with only one retaining member 7 and
8, 9 respectively but in accordance with what is earlier said, it
is evident that each post can have a number of retaining members
arranged in vertical direction, which, preferably, correspond at
least to the number of horizontal fence members 6 that are needed
to be used in every individual case.
[0032] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate another embodiment of a retaining
member at a post 5. In this embodiment, the member is comprises a
number of slots 11 shaped as a reversed "figure one". In each slot
11 is inserted a cleat-like hook 12, having ends 13 bent out in
opposite directions.
[0033] As with the previous embodiment, when forces act in the
longitudinal direction of the fence members, the fence members can
move in relation to the retaining members 11, 12 and to the posts
5. In contrast, when a car hits a post and the post is bent in the
direction of travel of the car, at the same time as the car is
caught by the horizontal fence members, the ends 13 of the hook or
the walls of the hole 11 are deformed and the hook comes loose from
the post 5.
[0034] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate another embodiment. In this
embodiment, the tubular post 5 has two axially extending slots 14,
wherein the horizontal fence members or steel ropes 6 are
positioned. The mutual distance between the steel ropes 6 is
determined by spacer members 15, which are positioned in one or
both slots.
[0035] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate another embodiment. In this
embodiment, the post 5 has the same type of holes 11 for retaining
members 12' as the post in FIG. 6a. However, in this embodiment,
the retaining members 12' differ slightly from those according to
FIG. 6b. Specifically, when the horizontal fence members 6, in form
of steel ropes are mounted in the retaining members, the steel
ropes are wound off from tractor-borne rollers on which very long
and therefore heavy strands of the rope are stored. With the hook
member shown in FIG. 6b, the rope must wound off and positioned on
the ground along the series of posts. It is then necessary for
operators to walk along the fence under construction, and fit a
hook member 12 around the rope 6 for every post and then to lift
the rope up to the hole 11 in the post with the substantial weight
from the rope. This is a heavy and tiring job, and it is also quite
time-consuming, in view of the large number of retaining
positions.
[0036] The hook member 12' in the embodiment according to FIG. 8b,
has a further bend 16 positioned adjacent one of its ends 13. With
aid of this additional bend 16 it is possible to position the
retaining member or the hook 12' in the hole 11 in the post 5 such
as shown in the lower hole 11 in FIG. 8a. With hooks 12' thus
positioned in all slots 11 in all posts 5 for a distance
corresponding to the length of the steel rope 6 on a storage
roller, it is possible to lay the steel rope 6 directly in the hook
12' such as shown in the upper position of the slot 11 in FIG. 8a.
Some manual work may be required in guiding the steel rope to come
to rest in the hook member 12', but the heavy work for lifting the
hooks with the weight of the steel rope is eliminated. From the
position shown in the upper part of FIG. 8a, it is comparatively
easy work to swing up the free end of the hook 12' and insert it in
the upper part of the slot 11 and thereupon to let it slide down
until it is positioned in the same manner as the retaining member
12, shown with dash and dot lines in FIG. 6a.
[0037] Of course, the foregoing description is that of a preferred
construction having certain features, aspects and advantages in
accordance with the present invention. Various changes,
combinations, sub-combinations and modifications may be made to the
above-described arrangements without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *