(19)
(11) EP 1 384 821 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
28.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/05

(21) Application number: 03015691.3

(22) Date of filing: 21.07.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7E01F 15/08
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK

(30) Priority: 22.07.2002 IT TO20020637

(71) Applicant: MARCEGAGLIA S.p.A.
I-46040 Gazoldo degli Ippoliti (Mantova) (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Donini, Massimo
    Viale Sarca 336 20126 Milano (IT)

(74) Representative: Robba, Pierpaolo et al
INTERPATENT S.R.L., Via Caboto No.35
10129 Torino
10129 Torino (IT)

   


(54) Protective metallic barrier for road carriageways


(57) A metal traffic barrier (1) for roadways comprises a plurality of modules (2), each made up by a plurality of uprights (4) and a mantle (3) having a New Jersey profile secured to the uprights (4). The mantle (3) is formed of a metal sheet which in the portion (3a) preceding the one having the maximum inclination (3a), is provided with longitudinal relieves (7) and indentations (8) that stiffen the metal sheet and eliminate the risk of overturning a vehicle impacting against the barrier (Fig. 2).




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a metal (safety) traffic barrier for roadways, of the type known as "New Jersey barrier".

[0002] A New Jersey barrier is made up by a plurality of modules or modular members connected to one another at their ends, each module having a profile facing the side of traffic, comprising a series of sections being differently inclined with respect to a vertical plane, so that the module width increases when going downwards from the top to the base. The transverse vertical cross-section is substantially shaped as two superimposed trapezia (double trapezium), namely an isosceles trapezium in a barrier located at the middle of a roadway, or a rectangle trapezium in a side barrier, or a scalene trapezium. Thanks to this shape the barrier acts onto the steering wheels of an impacting vehicle so as to redirect it along its right travel direction preventing the vehicle from invading the opposed roadway.

[0003] At the beginning New Jersey barriers were built of concrete. Subsequently, mainly in view of an employment in situations where a light weight or the barrier is important, metal barriers have been proposed, particularly of galvanised steel.

[0004] Examples of New Jersey steel barriers are disclosed in EP-A 0 428 097, EP-A 0 575 705, US-A 5 145 278 and WO-A 95/03453.

[0005] The modules of these metal barriers comprise upright members for anchoring the module to the ground and a metal sheet section or mantle secured to the upright members and made of a painted galvanised sheet, suitably folded to form the above discussed profile. The metal sheet of the portions forming the profile is smooth.

[0006] The resistance of the barrier to the impacts of light vehicles is provided by the thickness of the metal sheet, typically thicker than 2 millimetres, while the resistance to the impacts of heavy vehicles is provided by longitudinal reinforcing members.

[0007] These known mantles exhibit some drawbacks.

[0008] A first drawback concerns the safety: actually, under certain conditions, the profile concavity of a New Jersey metal barrier with a smooth surface can favour the overturning of an impacting vehicle.

[0009] A second drawback is that the metal sheets requires a subsequent painting step after the press forging step through which the desired profile is imparted to the metal sheet. As a matter of fact, the existing machinery can only forge previously painted sheets with a thickness lower than 2 millimetres whereas, as pointed out above, the required mechanical resistance dictates the use of sheets thicker than 2 millimetres. A separate painting step increases the manufacturing costs. Moreover the hue of the painted modules may be not uniform, conferring to the barrier an apparently undulated appearance that is both anaesthetic and annoying for the driver.

[0010] According to the invention there is provided a metal traffic barrier of the above discussed type, wherein the mantle is realised so as to eliminate the risk of overturning an impacting vehicle and to ensure a desired resistance even with a metal sheet of reduced thickness, whereby an already painted metal sheet can be subjected to the forming process, with consequent economic and aesthetical advantages.

[0011] According to the invention this object is achieved by providing a traffic barrier module having at least one relief and at least one indentation in the barrier portion disposed above the most inclined portion, said relief and indentation extending longitudinally for the whole length of the module.

[0012] Preferably, the traffic barrier module provides for a plurality of said longitudinal (lengthwise) relieves and said at least one indentation is defined by adjacent relieves.

[0013] For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a traffic barrier according to the invention; and
  • Fig. 2 is a cross section view along line A-A of Fig. 1.


[0014] As illustrated in the drawings, a metal traffic barrier according to the invention, indicated as a whole by reference 1, comprises a plurality of modules or modular members 2 connected to one another at their ends by hinge means, not shown in the Figure.

[0015] The modules 2 are made up by a panel surface or mantle 3 of galvanised and painted metal sheet, and by a plurality of upright members 4, shown with dashed line in Fig. 1.

[0016] The mantle 3 is shaped in such a way that the cross section profile of a module, as it is typical in these barriers, is substantially shaped as two superimposed trapezia (isosceles trapezia in traffic barriers to be located along the road centre line as a divider as the one shown in the Figure, or rectangle trapezia in case of side barriers) with such a profile widening when moving downwards, and with a lower half portion providing for a change of inclination that widens the barrier supporting base, adapted to act onto the wheels of an impacting vehicle for redirecting it into its proper travel direction. The mantle portion forming the inclined or oblique side of the upper trapezium is indicated by 3a, whereas the portion forming the inclined side of the lower trapezium is indicated by 3b. Openings or cuts 5 are formed in the portion 3b for the passage of anchor means for securing the module to the road surface. Below the portion 3b there is provided a substantially vertical portion 3c reaching the ground and adapted to fit a road seat, if any.

[0017] Conventional longitudinal reinforcing members, schematically shown at 6, are associated in a known manner to the mantle, for providing the barrier with the desired resistance against the impacts of heavy vehicles.

[0018] According to the invention, at least the (shock-absorbing) upper portion 3a of the surface of the mantle 3 has a fret pattern profile, with at least one longitudinal relief 7 and at least one longitudinal indentation 8 extending for the whole length of each module 2.

[0019] Preferably, there is provided a plurality of relieves 7, with each indentation 8 being defined between two of said relieves.

[0020] In the above illustrated conditions, the cross-section profiles of the relieves and the indentations are equal. In the Figure a trapezoidal cross-section profile has been represented, particularly that of an isosceles trapezium. Of course different cross-section profiles are possible, e.g. rectangular, square, arcuated, triangular profiles, and so on.

[0021] It is further possible to use profiles of the portion 3a in which the indentations are formed in a central area of a zone defined between two relieves and are joined to these latter by flat portions. In such cases the cross-section profiles of the relieves can be different from those of the indentations.

[0022] The fret pattern or "Greek key" profile confers to the mantle an improved resistance to collisions, whereby the mantle can be formed as a metal sheet thinner than that conventionally used in metal barriers. For example, a sheet with a thickness of 1.8 millimetres can be employed.

[0023] This way not only the overall weight of each module is reduced, but a previously painted galvanised plate or iron sheet can be used, thus eliminating the painting step of the formed sheet. As pointed out above, this reduces the general manufacturing costs and further allows to get modules with a uniform appearance, thus eliminating the unpleasant and annoying "waving" effect, typical of traffic barriers assembled with modules that have been painted after their shaping.

[0024] The presence of ribs, in addition to providing a reinforcement of the structure, makes the barrier less prone to cause the overturn of the vehicles in case of collision.

[0025] Moreover, the indentations 8 can be used for example to accommodate cat's eyes and/or other devices.

[0026] It is evident that the preceding description has been supplied as a mere and non-limiting example of the invention and that modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Particularly, the barrier upper portion 3b could be substantially vertical. Additionally, although Figure 1 shows a traffic barrier to be used as a roadway divider, the invention can be applied in side barriers provided with a single collision surface.


Claims

1. A metal traffic barrier for roadways, of the New Jersey type, comprising a plurality of modules (2) each formed by a mantle (3) fixed to a plurality of upright members (4) and having a profile comprising a plurality of portions (3a, 3b, 3c) having different inclinations with respect to a vertical plane, the inclination being maximum in correspondence of a portion (3b) in the lower half of the module (2), whereby the cross-section of said module (2) widens from the top of the barrier (1) towards its base, characterized in that at least one portion (3a) of said profile, disposed above said portion of maximum inclination (3b), provides for at least one relief (7) and at least one indentation (8), both said relief and indentation longitudinally extending along the whole length of the module (2).
 
2. A metal traffic barrier as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one portion (3b) comprises a plurality of parallel relieves (7).
 
3. A metal traffic barrier as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said at least one indentation (8) is defined by adjacent longitudinal relieves (7).
 
4. A metal traffic barrier as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one relief (7) and said at least one indentation (8) have a transverse cross-section selected from the group of trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular, circumferentially arcuated or ellipsoidally arcuated.
 
5. A metal traffic barrier as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed by a metal sheet with a thickness smaller than 2 millimetres.
 
6. A metal traffic barrier as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that it is formed by a metal sheet painted in advance.
 




Drawing