U.S. patent application number 15/504959 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for support unit for forming a temporary roadway.
The applicant listed for this patent is LINEBACKER UK LIMITED. Invention is credited to Robert Arthur ELSE, Lyle SHUERT.
Application Number | 20170241084 15/504959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51726891 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170241084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ELSE; Robert Arthur ; et
al. |
August 24, 2017 |
SUPPORT UNIT FOR FORMING A TEMPORARY ROADWAY
Abstract
A support unit (10) is connectable together with similar such
units to form a temporary roadway. A plurality of upwardly
extending and tapering recesses (18) are provided on a lower
surface (20) of the support unit (10) to provide engagement with
the ground. Locking arrangements and respective flanges and
corresponding recesses are provided on the sides of the support
units (10), for interconnecting adjacent such units (10).
Inventors: |
ELSE; Robert Arthur; (Castle
Donington, GB) ; SHUERT; Lyle; (Birmingham,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LINEBACKER UK LIMITED |
Stansted |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
51726891 |
Appl. No.: |
15/504959 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
March 12, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2015/050727 |
371 Date: |
February 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0056 20130101;
E01C 5/20 20130101; E01C 5/005 20130101; E01C 11/02 20130101; E01C
9/086 20130101; E01C 5/001 20130101; E01C 2201/12 20130101; E01C
5/006 20130101; E01C 5/22 20130101; F16B 5/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 9/08 20060101
E01C009/08; E01C 11/02 20060101 E01C011/02; E01C 5/22 20060101
E01C005/22; E01C 5/00 20060101 E01C005/00; E01C 5/20 20060101
E01C005/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2014 |
GB |
1414866.2 |
Claims
1-64. (canceled)
65. A support component, comprising: a support unit having an
underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pair of sides,
and a plurality of connection arrangements; the first pair of sides
comprising a first side and a second side, the first side and the
second side being positioned opposite each other on the support
unit, the second pair of sides comprising a third side and a fourth
side, the third side and the fourth side being positioned opposite
each other on the support unit, the plurality of connection
arrangements being positioned on at least one of the first side,
the second side, the third side, and the fourth side; the underside
surface comprising a plurality of recesses are engageable with a
ground surface and the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into
the support unit in an upward direction.
66. The support component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of
recesses each comprise a first portion and a second portion, the
first portion extending from the underside surface at a first
angle, the second portion extending from the first portion at a
second angle, the second angle being greater than the first
angle.
67. The support component of claim 66, wherein the second portion
is axially offset relative to the first portion.
68. The support component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of
recesses are substantially square in plan view.
69. The support component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of
recesses each have a closed top surface.
70. The support component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of
recesses limit sinkage of the support unit into the ground surface
when material from the ground surface enters the plurality of
recesses.
71. A support component, comprising: a support unit having an
underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pair of sides,
and a first plurality of connection arrangements, the first
plurality of connection arrangements each comprising a cam surface,
the underside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable
with a ground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly
into the support unit in an upward direction; wherein a second
plurality of connection arrangements on a second support unit is
engageable with the first plurality of connection arrangements to
urge together the support unit and the second support unit.
72. The support component of claim 71, wherein the plurality of
recesses each comprise a first portion and a second portion, the
first portion extending from the underside surface at a first
angle, the second portion extending from the first portion at a
second angle, the second angle being greater than the first
angle.
73. The support component of claim 71, wherein the plurality of
recesses each have a closed top surface.
74. The support component of claim 71, wherein the plurality of
recesses limit sinkage of the support unit into the ground surface
when material from the ground surface enters the plurality of
recesses.
75. The support component of claim 71, wherein the first plurality
of connection arrangements are positioned along at least one side
of the support unit.
76. The support component of claim 71, wherein each of the second
plurality of connection arrangements is rotatable relative to each
of the first plurality of connection arrangements to connect the
first plurality of connection arrangements to the second plurality
of connection arrangements.
77. The support component of claim 71, wherein the second plurality
of connection arrangements is insertable into the first plurality
of connection arrangements.
78. The support component of claim 71, wherein each of the first
plurality of connection arrangements comprises a diametrically
extending opening, wherein a portion of each of the second
plurality of connection arrangements is insertable into the
diametrically extending opening.
79. A support component, comprising: an underside surface, the
underside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable
with a ground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly
into the support component in an upward direction; a first pair of
opposing sides, the first pair of opposing sides comprising a first
plurality of connection arrangements, the first plurality of
connection arrangements each comprising a cam surface, wherein a
second plurality of connection arrangements on a second support
component is engageable with the first plurality of connection
arrangements to urge together the support component and the second
support component; a second pair of opposing sides, the second pair
of opposing sides comprising at least one recess, the at least one
recess comprising at least one mounting hole, the at least one
mounting hole containing a trapped nut.
80. The support component of claim 79, wherein the plurality of
recesses each have a closed top surface.
81. The support component of claim 79, wherein the plurality of
recesses limit sinkage of the support component into the ground
surface when material from the ground surface enters the plurality
of recesses.
82. The support component of claim 79, further comprising at least
one strap positioned in the at least one recess.
83. The support component of claim 82, wherein the at least one
strap comprises at least one hole aligned with the at least one
mounting hole of the at least one recess.
84. The support component of claim 82, wherein the at least one
strap is connectable to a recess in the second support component.
Description
[0001] This invention concerns a support component, and
particularly a support component connectable to similar components
to form a temporary roadway, and also a roadway made up of such
components.
[0002] Temporary roadways are required in a number of situations.
For instance these may be required in a construction project, and
particularly when installing a large product such as a wind turbine
or the like, which following construction will not require heavy
duty road access thereto. A temporary roadway can therefore prevent
the requirement of constructing a conventional permanent roadway or
other access.
[0003] A number of temporary roadways have already been proposed.
Metal systems have been used, but these often require the
installation of security, or require securing to avoid potential
theft of the metal roadway for scrap value. Arrangements using
plastics materials have been proposed, but these are often proved
extremely heavy and/or liable to water ingress meaning that once
wet the products can be very heavy.
[0004] According to the first aspect of the invention there is
provided a support component connectable to similar components to
form a temporary roadway, the support component including a
plurality of recesses provided in the underside in use thereof to
provide engagement with the ground, which recesses taper inwardly
in an upwards direction, with a plurality of connection
arrangements being provided for selectively connecting the support
component to adjacent such support components.
[0005] The recesses may extend over at least 30%, preferably more
than 40%, 50% or 60%, of the surface area of the underside of the
support component.
[0006] The recesses may be provided in a uniform pattern.
[0007] The recesses may comprise a first portion extending from the
underside which tapers at a first angle, and a second portion
extending from the first portion at a second angle which is greater
than the first angle.
[0008] The first angle may be between 5.degree. and 20.degree., may
be between 5.degree. and 15.degree., may be between 8.degree. and
12.degree. and may be substantially 10.degree.. The second angle
may be between 30 and 60.degree., may be between 35 and 50.degree.,
may be between 40 and 50.degree., may be between 43 and 47.degree.,
and may be substantially 44.35.degree..
[0009] The recesses may extend for between 60 and 95%, may be
between 70 and 90%, 80 and 90%, 85 and 90% and may be substantially
88.2%, of the depth of the tile.
[0010] The tile may be between 50 and 150 mm thick, may be between
50 and 100 mm thick, may be between 70 and 80 mm thick, and may be
substantially 75 mm thick.
[0011] The recesses may be at least generally square in plan view.
The second taper may have an at least generally square in plan view
configuration, and may be axially offset relative to the first
taper, and may be offset by substantially 45.degree..
[0012] Formations may be provided on the upper surface of the
support component to enhance grip.
[0013] A plurality of locking arrangements for retaining connected
adjacent support components together may be provided. The locking
arrangements may be arranged to be selectively movable between
locked and unlocked conditions, and may be arranged to urge
adjacent support components together when moving to the locked
condition.
[0014] The locking arrangements may include one or more male units
with a rotatable member on a support component, rotatingly
engageable with female units on adjacent support components. The
female units may comprise cam surfaces such that as a rotatable
member on a male unit engages therewith and is rotated, this urges
together the respective support components.
[0015] The rotatable member may comprise a head with a stem
extending therefrom, and a crossbar extending from the end of the
stem spaced from the head. A formation may be provided on the head
which can be engaged by a tool to permit rotation of the rotatable
member relative to a respective support component.
[0016] The female units may include an elongate opening through
which the rotatable member crossbar can pass when in a parallel
alignment, with the crossbar engaging against the female unit cam
surfaces when rotated from a parallel alignment after passing
through the elongate opening.
[0017] The male units may be made of a plastics material such as
for example nylon, and may include an inner metal reinforcement.
The female units may be made of a plastics material such as for
example nylon.
[0018] The support component may be at least generally rectangular
in plan view and may have one longer pair of sides and one pair of
shorter sides. The longer sides may be between 30 and 70% longer
than the shorter sides, and may be substantially 50% longer.
[0019] A main flange may be provided extending along a one of the
sides of the support component, and a corresponding main recess may
be provided by extending along the opposite side of the support
component. The recess may be dimensioned so as to receive a main
flange on an adjacent support component, such that the adjacent
components extend at least generally coplanar to each other.
[0020] The main flanges and recesses may be provided on the longer
pair of sides of the support component.
[0021] The male units may be provided on the main flanges, with the
female units provided on the main recesses.
[0022] Minor flanges and respective recesses may be provided on the
other sides of the support component.
[0023] Formations may be provided on or adjacent to the minor
flanges and minor recesses to permit adjacent support components to
be mounted together. The formations may comprise recesses, and one
or more openings may be provided through the recesses.
[0024] Lifting attachments may be provided on the support
component. The lifting attachments may comprise formations
mountable in openings in the support component. The lifting
attachments may be provided adjacent corners of the support
component. The lifting formations may be made of metal.
[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a temporary roadway, the roadway comprising a plurality of
support components according to any of the preceding twenty one
paragraphs, connected together.
[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:--
[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a
support component according to the invention, with areas of
increased detail;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the
component of FIG. 1, with areas of increased detail;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view from above of the
component of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view along the
line A to A of FIG. 3, with areas of increased detail;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view from
above of the component of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above showing
two components as shown in FIG. 1 being mounted together;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view showing two components as
shown in FIG. 1 being connected together;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of two components as
shown in FIG. 1 connected together with a third component being
connected thereto;
[0035] FIGS. 9 to 11 are sequential perspective views from above of
parts of two components as shown in FIG. 1 being connected
together;
[0036] FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views from beneath of the
parts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 being connected together, and
correspond respectively to the positions shown in FIGS. 10 and
11;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic exploded view of one of the parts
shown in FIG. 9;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view from beneath of a
section of the component of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of a smaller
part of the component of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of a feature of
the component of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view of the
feature of FIG. 17;
[0042] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of the feature of FIG.
17;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of the
feature of FIG. 17; and
[0044] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the
feature of FIG. 17;
[0045] The drawings show a support unit 10 connectable together
with similar such units to form a temporary roadway. The units 10
may be made from any suitable materials such as a plastics material
which could be high density polyethylene.
[0046] The support units has a generally rectangular configuration,
and in this example have a pair of longer sides 12 which are 3 m
long, and a pair of shorter sides 14 which are 2 m long. The
support member 10 provides an upper support surface 16 which may be
provided with a plurality of projections or other formations or
finishes to enhance grip. A plurality of upwardly extending and
tapering recesses 18 are provided on a lower surface 20 of the
support unit 10 as will be hereinafter described.
[0047] A one of the longer sides 12 has a flange 26 extending along
the length thereof whilst the other of the longer sides 12 provides
a recess 28. The recess 28 is of a size to receive the flange 26 on
an adjacent such unit 10 such that adjacent support units 10 will
be substantially coplanar.
[0048] Five locking arrangements 30 are provided along the longer
sides 12 with five male units 32 provided on the flange 26 and five
corresponding female units 34 on the recess 28. Five spaced
openings 36 are provided in the recess 28 to each receive a female
unit 34. The female units 34 have a square base 38 with an
upstanding circular portion 30 which is a sliding fit in the
openings 36. Openings 42 are provided near each corner of the base
38 to permit mounting by screws or otherwise to the underside of
the recess 28. The circular portion 42 has a diametrically
extending opening 44 which has a wider central portion 46. Sloped
faces 48 provide arcuate downwardly facing cam surfaces 50.
[0049] The male units 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 14, comprise
a head part 52 with an upstanding hexagonal shaped projection 54
which can be engaged by an appropriate tool. A metal reinforcement
56 is embedded in the head part 52, and the reinforcement 56
comprises a planar head 58 wholly located in the head part 52 with
a shaft 60 extending therefrom and downwardly from the head part 52
as shown in FIG. 14.
[0050] On the underside of the head part 52 as shown in FIG. 14, an
upstanding circular castellated formation 62 is provided with
smaller and larger recesses 64, 66. The male units 32 also includes
a second part 68 with a central circular section 70 which has a
castellated circular formation 72 which faces towards the
castellated formation 62 and is engageable therewith with smaller
and larger projections 74, 76 engageable respectively in the
recesses 66, 68.
[0051] A central opening 78 is provided through the formation 72
through which the shaft 60 is extendible. At least the distal end
of the shaft 60 is threaded and a washer 80 can fit thereover
engageable against the underside of the section 70, with the male
unit being held together by a nut 82 engaging on the threaded shaft
60.
[0052] The second part 68 also comprises a cross piece 84 extending
radially on opposite sides of the central circular section 70. A
profiled metal reinforcement 86 is provided within the second part
68 extending across the cross piece 84 with a through hole to
receive the shaft 60.
[0053] Five circular recesses 88 are provided in the flange 26 in
positions corresponding to the openings 36. A smaller central hole
90 is provided through each of the recesses 88. The male units 32
can be fitted together with the head part 52 located in the
respected recess 88, with the formations 62, 72 and shaft 60
extending through the hole 90.
[0054] A smaller flange 92 and corresponding recess 94 are provided
respectively along the shorter sides 14. Three elongate recesses 96
are provided in the upper support surface 16 adjacent the smaller
flange 92 and three corresponding elongate recesses 98 are provided
in the upper support surface 16 adjacent each of the smaller
recesses 94. The recesses 96, 98 extend parallel to the longer
sides 12. The recesses 96 which extend over the top of the flange
92 are longer than the recesses 98 which extend adjacent to the
recess 94.
[0055] Two mounting holes 100 are provided in the recesses 96
extending over the flanges 92, whilst one mounting hole 100 is
provided in the recesses 98. A trapped nut 101 may be provided
immediately below the holes 100. A plurality of straps 102 are
provided which are sliding fits in the recesses 96, 98, and can
wholly locate in the recesses 96 when not required. A pair of holes
104 are provided in the straps 102, with spacing corresponding in
position to the holes 100 in the recesses 96 when not in use. To
connect adjacent units 10, the holes 104 can be located over the
outer mounting holes 100 in the recess 96, and the mounting holes
100 in the recess 98. Bolts (not shown) are provided for retaining
the straps 102 in position.
[0056] Profiled openings 106 are provided adjacent each corner of
the support unit. Each opening 106 comprises a relatively narrow
entry leading to a wider part, and to a further distal narrower
part. The profiled openings 106 can receive metal lifting members
108 which are profiled to locate in the openings 106 and with a
cross member 110 extending across the wider part of the openings
106 to which a line means can be connected.
[0057] As indicated a plurality of recesses 18 are provided in the
underside of the support unit 10. The recesses 18 have a generally
square profile and have a first portion 112 which tapers inwardly
upwards at an angle of 10.degree. and extends for 47.63 mm. A
second tapering portion 114 extends from the first portion 112. The
second portion 114 is again of a square cross section but is
rotated through 45.degree. relative to the first portion. The
second portion 114 tapers at 44.35.degree. for a further 18.52 mm.
These dimensions are for a unit 10 which is 75 mm thick.
[0058] In use, adjacent support units 10 can be mounted together by
the respective male units 32 engaging with the female units 34.
When initially engaged this provides a loose fit between adjacent
units 10 which can be important, and can be particularly so on
uneven ground where it is not possible to accurately align adjacent
units 10.
[0059] The locking arrangements 30 can then be moved to a closed
position by rotating the male units 32 such that the cross piece 84
engages against the cam surfaces 50 progressively urging the two
support units 10 closer together. A lip may be provided towards the
end of the cam surfaces 50 such that when the cross piece 84 moves
therepast this retains the locking arrangements 30 in a locked
condition.
[0060] With the support units 10 mounted together along their
longer sides 12 this may provide a temporary roadway of required
width. It may though be required to mount further support units 10
to the side to provide an increased width roadway or a particular
location. In this instance with the respective smaller flanges 92
engaging in the respective smaller recesses 94, the support units
10 can be held together by the straps 102 being mounted extending
across adjacent support units 10, and engaging in the respective
recesses 96, 98.
[0061] There are thus described support units for forming a
temporary roadway, and a temporary roadway formed from such support
units. The recesses 18 provide good grip on underlying ground, but
their tapering profile has been found to provide sinkage to a
certain degree only in the ground, and thereafter further material
cannot enter the recesses 18 thereby retaining the support units 10
in a required position at a required height relative to the
surrounding ground.
[0062] As noted the fact that the locking arrangements can be
interconnected in a relatively loose condition and then fully
tightened, means that adjacent support units 10 can readily be
interconnected even on uneven ground. The lifting members 108
permit the units 10 to be mechanically moved, or handled using
appropriate tools engaging with the lifting members.
[0063] It is to be realised that various modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance
different locking arrangements could be provided, and arrangements
other than straps described above could be used. The recesses in
the underside of the support units could take a different form. The
support units may be a different size.
[0064] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw
attention to those features of the invention believed to be of
particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant
claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or
combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in
the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed
thereon.
* * * * *