WO2005090687A1

WO2005090687A1 - Rotating impact ring

Info

Publication number: WO2005090687A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerard Kiely
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-24
Filing date: 2005-03-23
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-24

Abstract

An impact absorbing barrier (1) including a plurality of interconnected modular segments (2) held together by unification means, the barrier being adapted for fitment to a roadside object (3) via rotational attachment means (4), such that the barrier (1) surrounds the roadside object, and can rotate around it. In the event that a vehicle collides with the barrier, the barrier will absorb some of the energy from the impact while simultaneously deflecting the vehicle around the object by rotating around the object.

Description

ROTATING IMPACT RING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an impact-absorbing barrier.

BACKGROUND ART

Many people have lost their lives in road accidents where the vehicle they have been travelling in is involved in an impact with a fixed roadside obstacle such as a tree, utility pole, or guardrail.

There has also been an increasing usage of bollards, posts and other items intended to prevent vehicle encroachment onto footpaths and the like.

Many of these roadside fixtures behave inelasticly when a vehicle collides with them, that is they do not absorb any of the energy of the impact. Consequently, when a vehicle hits one of these roadside fixtures, even if the impact is a relatively low speed, low impact collision, the vehicle invariably suffers considerable damage. Higher speed impacts result in heavy damage to the vehicle, and serious injury, and even death for the occupants.

Various devices have been devised to absorb the energy of an impacting vehicle. Typical of such devices are barrels filed with compressible materials, usually these barrels are oriented in an ordered array in an attempt to prevent vehicles from impacting the fixed objects. Because of the size of these barrels, they are generally not suitable for use around roadside obstacles of the type outlined above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an impact-absorbing barrier that overcomes or at least substantially ameliorates the problems associated with the impact barriers of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an impact-absorbing barrier that will deflect a vehicle colliding with a fixed object around the object, while absorbing some of the energy of the impact.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one form of this there is proposed an impact-absorbing barrier including a plurality of interconnected modular segments held together by unification means, the barrier being adapted for fitment to a roadside object via rotational attachment means, such that the barrier surrounds the roadside object, and can rotate around it.

Preferably, the barrier is a disc that forms a ring around the roadside object.

Preferably, each modular segment is a sector, having an inner circumference edge, and an outer circumference edge, bounded by two equi-distant radii edges.

Preferably, the radii edges have interconnection means incorporated therein.

Preferably, the interconnection means comprise complementary male and female portions, each segment having one edge with a male portion, and one with a female portion. Preferably, the interconnected modular segments have a deformable shell that is filled with energy absorbing material.

In a further form, the deformable shell defines a plurality of separate compartments that are filled with energy absorbing material.

Preferably, different compartments within the shell are filled with materials providing varying degrees of impact energy absorbance.

Preferably, the deformable shell is made from a plastic material.

Preferably, the unification means is a strip of material run around the circumference of the disc so as to hold the segments together.

Preferably, the rotational attachment means comprises a collar adapted to secure each segment of the assembled disc to the object via its inner circumference edge such that the disc lies in a substantially horizontal plane, while allowing the disc to rotate freely relative to the object.

Preferably, different segments of the impact-absorbing barrier are filled with materials providing varying degrees of impact energy absorbance.

Preferably, one or more segments may be of a different size to the remaining segments forming the barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with respect to the preferred embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein;

Figures 1 a and b are isometric views of the impact-absorbing barrier in isolation, Figure 2 is an isometric view of the impact-absorbing barrier in Figure 1 , showing it in normal use,

Figures 3a and b are isometric views of the impact-absorbing barrier in Figure 1 ,

Figures 4a and b are cross-sectional views through the impact-absorbing barrier, illustrating different methods of mounting the ring to a light pole,

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a segment of the impact-absorbing barrier according to a further form of the invention,

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through the segment shown in Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the segment of the impact-absorbing barrier in Figure 6, in use.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now referring to the illustrations, and in particular to Figures 1 a and b, and Figure 2, where there are a plurality of impact-absorbing barriers 1 , each barrier taking the form of a disc that forms a ring around a roadside fixture, each disc comprising a plurality of interconnected modular impact segments 2, fitted to a roadside light pole 3 via means of a collar 4, that permits the ring 1 to rotate about the pole 3.

Each modular impact segment 2 is a sector when viewed from above, having an inner circumference edge 5, and an outer circumference edge 6, bounded by two equi-distant radii edges 7a and 7b. One radii edge has a female slot 8 incorporated therein, and the other edge 7b, has a complementing male portion 9 fixed thereto. The outer circumference edge 5, has a slot 10 incorporated therein as well. Each impact-absorbing barrier is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of modular segments 2 via the corresponding male and female portions 8 and 9, around the collar 3, and then wrapping a steel band 11 around the outer circumference of the newly created ring 1 , such that the steel band 11 is seated in the slot 10 in the outer circumference of the ring 1.

Referring now to Figure 4a, where the impact-absorbing barrier, is shown fitted to a pole 3 via means of the collar 4. It is to be understood by a person skilled in the art that these collars, can be adapted for fitment to pre-existing objects, objects of varying size, and they can be adapted to accept however many impact absorbing barrier rings are determined necessary for the application, in a vertically stacked arrangement. The collar 4 illustrated, is adapted to accept one impact absorbing barrier ring 1 , and it has top and bottom flanges 25, 30, which are horizontally spaced far enough apart that the modular impact segments 2 can fit between them. The modular impact segments can then be bolted to the collar 3 via these flanges 25 and 30. The impact absorbing barrier ring is kept at an appropriate height by a second supporting collar 35, that is bolted to and/or through the pole 3. The lower flange 30 of the collar 4 rests upon this supporting collar 35, and is free to rotate relative to both it and the pole 3.

Referring now to Figure 4b, where an alternate means of mounting the impact absorbing barrier ring 1 to a pole 3 is shown. In this case there are discs 32 and 34 positioned above and below the impact ring 1 respectively. The modular impact segments can then be bolted to the discs 32 and 34. The impact absorbing barrier ring is kept at an appropriate height by a pair of RHS steel angles 36 and 38 that are bolted to and/or through the pole 3. The lower disc 34 rests upon these RHS angles, and is free to rotate relative to both these and the pole 3. Each of these mounting schemes can include supporting legs 41 , which allow the impact absorbing barrier ring to support weight if desired, so that the ring can double as a seat or bench, or even a pot planter or the like.

The modular impact segments 2 may have a shell made from a durable, deformable plastic material 45 such as polyethylene, alternatively they may be made from a metallic material or even fiberglass.

These shells are then filled with an appropriate impact absorbing material such as a foam or rubber 50. Alternatively, the shells can be left hollow, or an impact absorbing composite structure could be used; or a material such as sand, shredded tyre pieces, or shredded recycled plastic could be used, depending on the application.

Combinations of segments 2 containing fillings of varying impact absorbency can be used to create an impact absorbing barrier ring that will provide varying degrees of energy absorbency at differing points on the ring. This might be desirable for impact absorbing barrier rings that are to be used on objects that are proximate to high-speed roads such as highways or freeways, where vehicles will be approaching the object and ring from one direction, at high speed. It is considered that a variance in the impact properties of the impact ring segments would assist to deflect a vehicle around the object. For instance, the segments facing traffic are adapted to accept the brunt of the impact, and deflect the vehicle to the segments on either side, which may be filled with a material that is less elastic, so as to deflect the vehicle away from the object.

In an alternate form of the invention, each segment 60 could be comprised of a plurality of annular compartments 65 each filled with impact absorbing fillings. These compartments could then be removed by cutting them from the segment. Removing compartments from the inner circumference would allow the ring to be adapted for fitment to a larger object. Removing compartments from the outer circumference would allow the ring to be adapted to situations where the ring would otherwise encroach on the thoroughfare.

A further advantage of constructing ring segments from a plurality of annular compartments is that different compartments can be filled with various impact absorbing materials. For example, the outermost compartments 70 could be filled with a material of high-energy absorbency, while successively inwardly segments 75 and 80, might be filled with materials of progressively lessened energy absorbency.

It is considered that the modularity of such an impact absorbing barrier ring offers significant advantages. Firstly, it allows an impact absorbing barrier ring to be specifically adapted to a given application, and it allows this to be done easily, on site. Secondly, if a portion of the impact absorbing barrier ring is damaged, only the damaged segments need be replaced.

Compartmented segments could have annular slotted apertures 85 running between compartments and through the segment. Steel bands or cables could then be passed through these apertures further strengthening the impact ring. These slotted apertures could be used secure a segment of a greater radius 90 to the remainder of the segments 95 that comprise a ring 100. Once again, this would prove to be of advantage in instances where it would be desirable to provide an absorbing barrier ring with greater energy absorbency characteristics at one point on the ring.

A further application for the invention might use a plurality of impact absorbing barrier rings fitted to a plurality of spaced apart vertical uprights for the purpose of forming a roadside barrier or guardrail.

It is considered therefore that a rotating impact absorbing barrier ring such as that described herein would prove to be of considerable benefit in reducing the instances of death and severe injury associated with vehicular impacts with roadside objects.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

1. An impact-absorbing barrier including a plurality of interconnected modular segments held together by unification means, the barrier being adapted for fitment to an object via rotational attachment means, such that the barrier surrounds the object, and can rotate around it.

2. The impact-absorbing barrier as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that the barrier is a disc that forms a ring around the object.

3. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that each modular segment is a sector, having an inner circumference edge, and an outer circumference edge, bounded by two equidistant radii edges.

4. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the radii edges have interconnection means incorporated therein.

5. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the interconnection means comprise complementary male and female portions, each segment having one edge with a male portion, and one with a female portion.

6. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the interconnected modular segments have a deformable shell that is filled with energy absorbing material.

7. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the deformable shell defines a plurality of separate compartments that are filled with energy absorbing material.

8. The impact-absorbing barrier as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that different compartments within the shell are filled with materials providing varying degrees of impact energy absorbance.

9. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the deformable shell is made from a plastic material.

10. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the unification means is a strip of material run around the circumference of the disc so as to hold the segments together.

11. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the rotational attachment means comprises a collar adapted to secure each segment of the assembled disc to the object via its inner circumference edge such that the disc lies in a substantially horizontal plane, while allowing the disc to rotate freely relative to the object.

12. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that different segments of the impact-absorbing barrier are filled with materials providing varying degrees of impact energy absorbance.

13. The impact-absorbing barrier as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that one or more segments may be of a different size to the remaining segments forming the barrier.

14. An impact-absorbing barrier as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying representations.