U.S. patent application number 13/516321 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for separating element for traffic surfaces.
This patent application is currently assigned to REBLOC GMBH. Invention is credited to Mathias Redlberger.
Application Number | 20120269574 13/516321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43827389 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120269574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Redlberger; Mathias |
October 25, 2012 |
SEPARATING ELEMENT FOR TRAFFIC SURFACES
Abstract
A separating element for traffic surfaces, which is preferably
made of concrete, has at least one connecting element (5, 6) on
each opposite end face (4), via which connecting element the
separating element can be connected to an adjacent separating
element (1, 20). At least one projection (41, 43) is arranged on
one end face (4) and at least one recess (42,44) is arranged on the
other end face, wherein a projection (41, 43) is inserted into a
recess (42, 44) of an adjacent separating element (1, 20) in order
to transmit forces acting in the plane of the end face (4) from one
separating element (1, 20) to the adjacent separating element (1,
20).
Inventors: |
Redlberger; Mathias;
(Modling, AT) |
Assignee: |
REBLOC GMBH
GARS AM KAMP
AT
|
Family ID: |
43827389 |
Appl. No.: |
13/516321 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
January 17, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AT2011/000024 |
371 Date: |
July 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 15/083 20130101;
E01F 15/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/6 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/02 20060101
E01F013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2010 |
AT |
A 79/2010 |
Claims
1. Separating element for traffic surfaces that is made preferably
of concrete and that on opposite end faces (4) has at least one
connecting element (5, 6) at a time with which it can be connected
to a subsequent separating element (1, 20), characterized in that
on one end face (4), there is at least one projection (41, 43), and
on the other end face, there is at least one depression (42, 44),
one projection (41, 43) engaging one depression (42, 44) of a
subsequent connecting element (1, 20) in order to transfer the
forces acting in the plane of the end face (4) from one separating
element (1, 20) to the subsequent separating element (1, 20).
2. Separating element according to claim 1, wherein the projection
(41, 43) consists of metal, preferably of steel, or is covered with
a plate made of metal, preferably steel.
3. Separating element according to claim 1, wherein the depression
(42, 44) consists of metal, preferably of steel, or is covered with
a plate made of metal, preferably steel.
4. Separating element according to claim 1, wherein the projection
(41, 43) and/or the depression (42, 44) is located on a rigid
compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) on one end face (4).
5. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the compression
plates (11) are attached in the region of lateral outer edges (9)
of the end faces (4).
6. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein there is one
compression plate (13, 21, 40) that passes from one lateral outer
edge (9) to the other lateral outer edge (9).
7. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the compression
plate(s) (11, 13, 21, 40) are located on one lower edge of the end
faces (4).
8. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the compression
plate(s) (11, 13, 21, 40) with clips (14) and/or plates (17, 23)
extend(s) around the lateral outer edges (9) except for
longitudinal sides (15, 16, 22) of the separating element (1,
20).
9. Separating element according to claim 8, wherein it has lower
side surfaces (15) that are arranged at a right angle to a bottom
surface and oblique surfaces (16) that adjoin over the side
surfaces and that are tilted at an angle of less than 90.degree.,
preferably at an angle of between 45.degree. and 75.degree., to the
bottom surface, and wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21)
with clips (14) and/or plates (17, 23) extend(s) around the lateral
outer edges (9, 9') except for the side surfaces (15) and oblique
surfaces (16).
10. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the
compression plate(s) (11, 13) extend around one lower edge of the
end face (4) except for the bottom surface.
11. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein at least one
end face (4), preferably both end faces (4), have a middle region
(7) and side regions (8), wherein the middle region (7) is located
at a right angle to a vertical longitudinal middle plane of the
separating element (1), wherein compression surfaces (11) on
compression plates (11) on the side regions (8) are arranged at an
angle (.alpha.) of less than 90.degree. to the vertical
longitudinal middle plane, and wherein the compression plates (11)
are located at least on the lower edge of the side regions (8).
12. Separating element according to claim 11, wherein one
connecting element (5, 6) of one separating element (24) with one
connecting element (5, 6) of a subsequent separating element (1,
20, 24) defines a pivot, and wherein the pivot is located in one
plane (30) of the compression surfaces (10) of the compression
plates (11).
13. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein an optionally
wedge-shaped spacer element (34) is attached to at least one
compression plate (21).
14. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the
compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21) on the side that points toward
the interior of the separating element (1, 20, 24, 40) has/have
projections (12).
15. Separating element according to claim 14, herein the
projections (12) are setbolts, clamps, or the like.
16. Separating element according to claim 4, wherein the
compression plates (11, 13, 21, 40) consist of metal, preferably of
steel.
17. Separating element according to claim 8, wherein sections of a
compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) that are located on one end face
(4) and sections of the compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) that are
located on one longitudinal side (15, 16, 22) or the bottom surface
consist of elements that have been joined to one another by
welding.
18. Separating element according to claim 1, wherein it has a
roughly I-shaped cross-sectional shape.
19. Separating element according to claim 5, wherein there is one
compression plate (13, 21, 40) that passes from one lateral outer
edge (9) to the other lateral outer edge (9).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a separating element for traffic
surfaces that is made preferably of concrete and that on opposite
end faces has at least one connecting element at a time with which
it can be connected to a subsequent separating element (AT 405 851
B and EP 1124014 A).
[0002] These separating elements are conventionally coupled to one
another by suitable connecting elements in order to form a
continuously closed guide wall. These elements that are connected
to one another in the end region or on the end faces are generally
mounted freely on the foundation. The so-called retaining system
acquires its serviceability by the resulting tension member action
of this chain that is formed from the separating elements and is
able to repel colliding vehicles.
[0003] Before the connecting apparatus consisting of the connecting
elements that have been joined to one another is loaded in tension
by a colliding vehicle and the retaining system builds up its
tension member action, upon impact first a transverse force arises
that is higher, the heavier and faster the colliding vehicle. The
force is directly fed mainly into that separating element in which
the initial contact between the vehicle and the retaining system
occurs. This separating element is first displaced by the
transverse force, the bordering separating elements being displaced
at the same time in a correspondingly vigorous impact. This
displacement, due to the positive locking of the connecting
apparatus, feeds a corresponding transverse force into the
connecting apparatus and into the region of the concrete element in
which the connecting elements are incorporated. This transverse
force loads the connecting apparatus in a form for which it can
only be to some extent dimensioned with difficulty. Furthermore,
this briefly occurring transverse force can lead to damage in that
region of the concrete element in which the connecting apparatus is
incorporated.
[0004] Therefore, the object of the invention is to devise a
separating element of the initially named type that improves the
transmission of the transverse forces from one separating element
to a bordering separating element.
[0005] This object is achieved with a separating element of the
initially-named type in that on one end face, there is at least one
projection, and on the other end face, there is at least one
depression, a projection engaging a depression of a subsequent
separating element in order to transfer the forces acting in the
plane of the end face from one separating element to a subsequent
separating element.
[0006] The at least one projection that engages one depression of a
subsequent separating element makes it possible to better control
the force acting on the connecting apparatus and the transfer of
the transverse forces that occur between the elements and to route
the transverse forces out of the generally more sensitive
connecting apparatus to other sites in the end face, for example
into the base region of the separating elements, where the elements
are generally made more solid.
[0007] Another advantage of the at least one projection that
engages one depression of a subsequent separating element is the
effect that the separating elements in the case of collision in the
junction region cannot be displaced relative to one another.
Depending on at what height the connecting apparatus is provided,
due to impact in the base region, an offset often occurs between
the separating elements since the forces of friction on the
mounting surfaces act against the transverse force. This offset or
this twisting in the junction region can lead to the corners of the
separating elements in the junction region no longer pressing
against one another during the buckling that is caused by the
impact and thus no longer stiffening the system. The positive
connection of the separating elements according to the invention
keeps the end faces in their position to one another so that during
buckling/displacement of the chain and of the individual elements,
the corners continue to strike/press against one another and thus
stiffen the system. In this way, the displacement in a case of
impact is reduced.
[0008] The projection and the depression preferably consist of
metal, preferably of steel, and are located on a rigid compression
plate on the end faces of the separating element and are attached
there. The compression plate is connected to the concrete element
such that the transverse and compressive forces that occur can be
transmitted between the elements and can be routed into the
bordering element.
[0009] A symmetrical version makes it possible for the individual
elements to be removed from the closed chain and re-inserted
anywhere. This version also allows the elements to be able to be
mounted from any side.
[0010] It is preferred in the invention if compression plates are
attached in the region of lateral outer edges of the end faces.
These can be the compression plates on which the projection and/or
the depression are located, but also compression plates independent
thereof.
[0011] Separating elements of guide walls are somewhat displaced
first of all in a collision, as a result of which energy from a
collision of a motor vehicle is reduced. If the collision is so
strong that this small displacement of the separating elements is
not sufficient to reduce the energy of the impact, the separating
elements that are held together in their middle region by the
connecting elements strike one another in the region of their
lateral outer edges, as a result of which the originally
articulated connection between two separating elements becomes a
largely rigid connection. Since separating elements for traffic
surfaces are generally made of concrete and the latter breaks
relatively easily especially in the edge region, the compressive
force between two separating elements is distributed by the rigid
compression plates onto a relatively large surface region that can
be chosen by the size of the compression plates especially toward
the interior of the separating elements, as a result of which the
concrete, among others, due to the reinforcement that is present if
necessary, is able to absorb much higher compressive forces without
breaking In this way, the separating elements, especially in a
collision of heavy vehicles or of vehicles with high speed, are
able to absorb these forces in the region of the outer edges or
corners without their being destroyed to such an extent that they
can no longer accommodate loads that occur.
[0012] Instead of separate compression plates on one end face of
the separating element, especially in the region of the lateral
outer edges, in the invention it can also be provided that there is
a compression plate that passes from one lateral outer edge to the
other lateral outer edge. The advantage of this embodiment lies not
only in that a very large surface on which the forces are
distributed is created by the compression plate that passes from
one edge to the other, but also in that the compression plate acts
as a type of tension/compression member that extends from one edge
to another.
[0013] Even if it were possible for the compression plate(s) to
extend over a large part of the height of the end faces or over the
entire end face, it is generally preferred if the compression
plate(s) is/are located on one lower edge of the end faces since in
this region, the outer edges generally lie farthest apart or break
most easily.
[0014] A still more stable embodiment of the invention arises by
the compression plate(s) with clips and/or plates extending around
the lateral outer edges except for the longitudinal sides of the
separating element.
[0015] The invention is used preferably in a separating element
that is characterized in that it has lower side surfaces that are
arranged at a right angle to a bottom surface and oblique surfaces
that adjoin over the side surfaces and that are tilted at an angle
of less than 90.degree., preferably at an angle of between
45.degree. and 75.degree., to the bottom surface and in that the
compression plate(s) extend around the lateral outer edges except
for the side surfaces and oblique surfaces. In this way, the entire
edge region of the separating elements that is especially subject
to fracture is protected.
[0016] In addition, in a preferred further development of the
invention to protect the separating elements, it can be provided
that the compression plate(s) extend(s) around one lower edge of
the end face except for a bottom surface.
[0017] One especially preferred embodiment of the invention is
characterized in that at least one end face, preferably both end
faces, have a middle region and side regions, in that the middle
region is located at a right angle to a vertical longitudinal
middle plane of the separating element, in that compression
surfaces on compression plates on the side regions are arranged at
an angle of less than 90.degree. to the vertical longitudinal
middle plane, and in that the compression plates are located at
least on the lower edge of the side regions. Depending on the angle
of the side regions, guide walls with curve radii of different
sizes can be built by this embodiment of the separating
elements.
[0018] In one further development of the invention, the separating
elements according to the invention can be made such that one
connecting element of one separating element with one connecting
element of a subsequent separating element defines a pivot and that
the pivot is located in one plane of the compression surfaces of
the compression elements.
[0019] In one alternative embodiment that is preferred in the
invention, a separating element according to the invention can also
be characterized in that one connecting element of one separating
element with one connecting element of a subsequent separating
element defines a pivot and that one plane of the compression
surface of the compression element lies on the side of the pivot
facing away from the respective separating element. In this way,
the compression surfaces of adjacent separating elements during a
displacement do not immediately strike one another flat on the side
regions, but first in a transition region that lies further to the
inside between the middle region and the side region. When the
force that further displaces the elements and "buckles" them in
their connecting region relative to one another continues further,
subsequently the coupling that consists of the connecting elements
that have been joined to one another is stretched, and in addition,
the edge region between the middle region and the side region in
which the separating elements strike one another is deformed, as a
result of which further energy is reduced. Only afterwards do the
separating elements on the compression surfaces collide flatly as
far as the corner region and can accommodate even stronger forces
due to the larger compression surface. Briefly-occurring peak
forces/peak energies are better accommodated/reduced by this
embodiment.
[0020] This function can also be achieved or reinforced in that on
the side of a compression plate that is located on one side region,
which side is adjacent to the middle region, there is a compression
element that projects above the surface of the compression
plate.
[0021] In order to be able to adjust the size of the gap between
the side regions, in the invention an optionally wedge-shaped
spacer element can be attached to at least one compression
plate.
[0022] The separating element according to the invention can be
characterized in that the compression plate(s) on the side that
points toward the interior of the separating element has/have
connecting elements. These connecting elements, for example
setbolts, clamps or the like, can be concreted into a separating
element that conventionally consists of concrete and in this way
can ensure a very strong connection between compression plate(s)
and concrete bodies of the separating element and very good
delivery of forces into it.
[0023] Other features and advantages of the connecting apparatus
according to the invention and of the separating elements according
to the invention will become apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0024] Here:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention in an oblique view,
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the connecting region between two
separating elements according to FIG. 1 in the stretched state,
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the connecting region between two
separating elements according to FIG. 1 in the buckled state,
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention in an oblique view,
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention,
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the connecting region between two
separating elements according to FIG. 5 in the stretched state,
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the connecting region between two
separating elements according to FIG. 5 in the buckled state,
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention,
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention,
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention,
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention,
[0036] FIG. 12 shows an eighth embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention, and
[0037] FIG. 13 shows a ninth embodiment of a separating element
according to the invention with a seventh embodiment of compression
plates.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a separating element 1
according to the invention. This separating element 1 consists in
the conventional manner of an essentially trapezoidal upper part 2
and a wider, likewise essentially trapezoidal lower part 3, and a
middle part that is narrower than the upper part 2 and the lower
part 3. This yields a roughly I-shaped profile that has high
stiffness at reduced weight compared to a roughly trapezoidal
profile. Moreover, reflectors 35 or the like that are protected by
the projecting upper part 2 and lower part 3 against damage can be
attached to the middle part.
[0039] The separating element 1 according to the invention has two
opposite end faces 4 to which connecting elements 5, 6 are attached
preferably in the region of the upper part 2, and with which one
separating element 1 can be connected to further separating
elements 1 to form separating walls, guide walls or other retaining
systems on roads or other locations, as is shown in, for example,
FIGS. 2 and 3. In this respect, the separating element 1 is made as
inherently known from the prior art and can also be made like the
known separating elements largely without limitations.
[0040] The end face 4 of the separating element 1 has an upper
section 4a, a lower section 4b, and a middle section 4c, the middle
section 4c being tilted obliquely from the upper section 4a down
and to the outside. In this way, the upper section 4a lies in one
plane behind the lower section 4b, as a result of which the upper
sections 4a of adjoining separating elements are always spaced
apart from one another even if the lower sections 4b lie against
one another.
[0041] On the lower section 4b, there is a compression plate 40
made of steel with a projection 41 that is wedge-shaped in this
embodiment and a wedge-shaped depression 42, which each can engage
as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on one depression 42 and one
projection respectively of an opposite compression plate 40 of a
subsequent separating element when they are connected to one
another using the connecting elements 5, 6. This yields a positive
connection between the compression plates 40, which prevents
transverse displacement of the separating elements 1 on the
compression plates 40, as a result of which transverse forces can
be better transferred from one separating element 1 to a subsequent
separating element 1 and the loading of the connecting elements 5,
6 by transverse forces is reduced.
[0042] Because the lower section 4b is offset forward relative to
the upper section 4a, separating elements 1 can be easily connected
to one another or separated from one another by one separating
element 1 or the other being raised or lowered, and at the same
time the connecting elements 5, 6 can be joined to one
another/separated from one another, and one projection 41 on one
separating element 1 can be inserted into/withdrawn from one
depression 42 on the subsequent separating element 1.
[0043] On the side of the compression plate 40 facing the interior
of the separating element 1, connecting elements 12 are attached
that in this embodiment are made as setbolts that with their end
opposite the head are welded to the compression plates 40. The
setbolts 12 are cast into the body of the separating element in the
production of the separating element 1 and thus constitute a strong
connection between the compression plates 40 and the body,
generally the concrete body, of the separating element 1.
[0044] The compression plate 40 extends in the form of clips 14
around edges 9 to over the side surfaces 15 that adjoin the edges
9. The setbolts 12 are also located on the clips 14 in order to
create a strong connection of the clips 14 to the concrete
body.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows that in the illustrated embodiment, the
sections 4b of the end faces 4 of adjoining separating elements 1
when the connecting elements 5, 6 are joined to one another (shown
only symbolically in FIGS. 2 and 3) are spaced apart from one
another. Accordingly, the projections 41 do not completely engage
the depressions 42, but the surfaces of the projections 41 and
depressions 42 have a distance from one another that corresponds to
the distance of the end faces 4. This distance in the illustrated
embodiment is chosen such that the tips of the projections 41
engage only a small piece in the depressions 42.
[0046] When a separating element 1 is displaced due to the impact
of a motor vehicle, the separating element 1 as shown in FIG. 3 can
twist around the connecting region of the connecting elements 5, 6,
as a result of which a projection 41 more deeply engages the
assigned or opposite depression 42. In this way, a stable positive
connection is created between the bordering separating elements 1
that is able to accommodate transverse forces that are acting at a
right angle to the longitudinal extension of the separating
elements 1 or in the plane of the end faces 4 so that the
connecting elements 5, 6 that would otherwise have to accommodate
these transverse forces are relieved of these transverse forces. In
this way, the connecting elements 5, 6 can be optimized to the
tensile forces that are acting in the longitudinal direction of the
separating elements.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a separating element 1 that
consists, as is inherently known, of an essentially trapezoidal
upper part 2 and a wider, likewise essentially trapezoidal lower
part 3. In this embodiment, the projections 43 and depressions 44
are made semicircular. It goes without saying that also other
shapes of projections and depressions can be used, such as roughly
trapezoidal geometries, it also being possible for the projections
and depressions to combine different shapes or geometries or
proportions.
[0048] The projections and depressions in all described embodiments
can be provided only on the compression plates; the compression
plates can therefore rest largely flat on the underlying concrete.
The projections or depressions can also, however, as well as shown
in the drawings, be present on the concrete body and can be covered
and protected by the compression plates.
[0049] The end face 4 of the separating element 1 of FIG. 5 has a
middle region 7 and two side regions 8. The middle region 7 and the
two side regions 8 in this illustrated embodiment lie in one plane,
the middle region having roughly the width of the upper part 2 and
the side regions 8 occupying the area by which the lower part 3
projects laterally over the upper part 2.
[0050] On the side regions 8, on the end face 4, compression plates
11 made of metal, preferably stainless steel, are attached and in
the illustrated embodiment extend from the middle region 7 to
lateral outer edges 9 of the end face 4. The compression plates 11
can be seated either on side regions that are flush with the middle
region 7 and consequently project with the plate thickness over the
middle region 7 or can be inserted into depressions whose depth
corresponds roughly to the plate thickness so that the free
compression surface 10 of the compression plates 11 is flush with
the surface of the middle region 7. One projection 41 is attached
to one compression plate 11, and one depression 42 is made on the
other compression plate 11. On the opposing end face 4,
corresponding compression plates 11 that are likewise not shown
with one projection 41 and one depression 42 each are attached so
that adjoining separating elements 1 can be connected to one
another analogously to the manner as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0051] The connection between two separating elements 1 is shown
once in the stretched state (FIG. 6) and once in the buckled state
(FIG. 7) in FIGS. 6 and 7, similarly to as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The middle region 7 is aligned at a right angle to a vertical
longitudinal middle plane; conversely, the side regions 8 are
located at an angle .alpha. of less than 90.degree. to the vertical
longitudinal middle plane. For two separating elements 1 that are
aligned flush with one another, there are thus V-shaped openings
between the side regions 8 that are opposite to one another. In
this embodiment, the compression surfaces 10 of the compression
plates 11 are located on the side regions 8 at an angle .alpha. of
less than 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the separating
element 1, the planes of the compression surfaces 10 passing
roughly through the pivot between the connecting elements 5, 6. In
this way, the compression elements 11 with their projections 41 and
depressions 42 adjoin one another flatly when the separating
elements 1 are twisted against one another to the degree as shown
in FIG. 7.
[0052] When the separating elements 1 are pivoted as shown in FIG.
7, the compression plates 11 with their compression surfaces 10
adjoin one another flatly so that for a continuously acting force
F, for example in the direction shown in FIG. 3 or 7, the
compressive forces acting between the two separating elements 1 in
the region of the compression plates 11 are delivered over a large
area into the concrete body of the separating elements 1 so that
premature breaking-off of an affected corner region of the
separating elements 1 can be prevented.
[0053] In the embodiment of the separating element 1 according to
the invention that is shown in FIG. 8, the basic shape corresponds
to that of FIG. 5. Instead of two separate compression plates,
however, in this case there is a single compression plate 13 [with]
one projection 41 and one depression 42, which extends from one
edge 9 of one side region 8 to the other edge 9 of the other side
region 8. The compression plate 13 consists preferably of a
one-piece steel plate that is again connected on the side regions 8
via setbolts 12 to the concrete body.
[0054] The embodiment of FIG. 9 is very similar to the embodiment
of FIG. 8, the compression plate 13 extending in the form of clips
14 around the edges 9 to over the side surfaces 15 that adjoin the
edges 9. There are also setbolts 12 on the clips 14 in order to
create a strong connection of the clips 14 to the concrete
body.
[0055] The embodiment of FIG. 10 represents a further development
of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in which the compression plate 13 in
the form of plates 17 extends in addition around extensions 9' of
the outer edges 9 in the region of side oblique surfaces 16 of the
lower part 3. The oblique surfaces 16 are as is known tilted at an
angle of less than 90.degree., preferably at an angle of between
45.degree. and 75.degree., to the bottom surface of the separating
element 1. The above-described setbolts 12 are also attached to the
plates 17.
[0056] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, a bottom plate 18,
which also like the one already described is connected securely
with setbolts 12 to the concrete body of the separating element 1,
is attached to the compression plate 13 in addition to the clips 14
and the plates 17 on the bottom surface of the separating element
1.
[0057] FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the invention that is not
dissimilar to the one of FIG. 11, but with the difference that
similarly to the embodiment according to FIG. 5, it has separate
compression plates 11 that like the embodiment according to FIG. 5
have a projection 41 and a depression 42, side clips 14, side
plates 17 and bottom plates 18 that are each securely connected by
setbolts 12 to the concrete body.
[0058] It goes without saying that in all illustrated and described
embodiments of separating elements 1, on two opposite end faces 4
there can be the same or similar compression plates 11, 13 even if
this was not described in detail above. Moreover, the separating
elements 1 need not have a symmetrical cross-section, but can also
be asymmetrical.
[0059] FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of a separating element 20
according to the invention that has a simple trapezoidal shape as a
cross-sectional shape. The separating element 20 like the
separating element 1 on two opposite end faces 4 in the lower third
has a trapezoidal compression plate 21 on which a projection 41 and
a depression 42 are located and that extends over the entire width
of the end face 4 from one outer edge 9 to the other edge 9. The
two compression plates 21 are connected to one another via side
plates 23. Both the compression plates 21 and also the side plates
23 have connecting elements in the form of setbolts 12, with which
they are securely connected to the concrete body.
[0060] In all described embodiments, the compression plates, to the
extent that they are located on the end faces 4, and also the
sections that are angled to the side surfaces and to the bottom
surface are bent either from one-piece plates that are welded to
one another if necessary on the borders or edges, or they consist
of individual plates that are welded to one another.
[0061] The basic shapes of the separating elements 1, 20 of the
individual illustrated and described embodiments as well as the
shapes and the manner of attachment of the compression plates 11,
13, 21 of the individual illustrated and described embodiments can
be interchanged among one another as desired.
[0062] The previously illustrated and described embodiments of the
separating elements 1 allow a limited pivoting capacity of the
separating elements to one another, among others to be able to form
curve radii. The degree of freedom of motion that thus allows a
certain buckling angle until the compression plates adjoin another
in the case of a vehicle impact has a corresponding effect on the
displacement of the overall system (=element chain). This can
become a problem in systems that are designed to allow only a small
displacement in an impact of a vehicle, based on the case of
application.
[0063] In order to be able to solve this problem, the compression
plates 11, 13, 21, 40 in one embodiment of the invention can be
made such that in the base position of the separating elements 1,
20 (=straight mounting), they fill a possible gap between the
separating elements 1, 20 on one or both sides. If, for example, in
one curve region, a buckling is necessary, spacer elements 34 that
are arranged to be dismountable and that are attached to the
compression plate 21 or integrated in it can be removed in order to
thus form a gap that enables a certain buckling angle. One
embodiment for such a spacer element 34 is shown in FIG. 13. Here,
in addition, in the gap that is opened by buckling, therefore
opposite that side where the filling element is being removed, a
spacer element 34 can be attached that fills the resulting gap in
order to again enable immediate transfer of compressive forces. The
basic idea of these filling elements that can be attached in
different embodiments, for example point-symmetrically to the
compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40, are part of them or assume the
function of the compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40, is different
than in the known versions not a damping action, but in contrast a
rigid action that transfers the compressive forces that arise by
the buckling to the bordering separating element 1, 20 in the case
of a vehicle impact. Thus, the overall system that consists of a
series of separating elements 1, 20 becomes stiffer and opposes
displacement in the case of a vehicle impact.
[0064] In all of the above-described embodiments, one projection 41
and one depression 42 each are attached to each end face 4. It goes
without saying that only one projection 41 or one depression 42 or
more than one projection 41 or more than one depression 42 can be
located on each end face 4. Moreover, the projections 41 and
depressions 42 need not be attached to compression plates 11, 13,
21, 40, but can also be attached without compression plates 11, 13,
21, 40 or next to compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40.
* * * * *