PROTECTIVE BARRIER SYSTEM FOR GO-KARTING CIRCUITS

Abstract

 The protective barrier system for go-karting circuits proposed in this invention is formed by a series of protective panels where each panel that forms the section is in charge of absorbing part of the energy generated in the impact. It is preferably manufactured with high-density polyethylene separated in panels of at least 4.20 m, where the panels present on one of its borders a male-end profile and on the other border a female-end profile that allows connecting a similar panel and in the areas of greater impact the system has a buffering element formed by a spring (8) connected to a rod (9) that is fastened to the track by means of a rectangular base (10) by means of a large number of long bolts (11) and where the buffering element (7) is fastened, in turn, to the protective panel by means of a strip or flat (12).

Description

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The protective barrier system for go-karting circuits proposed in this invention is formed by a series of protective panels separated in sections of at least 4.20 m, where the panels present on one end a male-end profile and on the other end a female-end profile which permit connecting with a similar panel. The complete system is completed with a buffering element in the areas of higher impact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are problems derived from the use of used tires and other types of barriers comprised by plastic blocks in go-karting circuits, since in case of an impact of a go-kart type vehicle, it sometimes produces overturning or sliding under these protective systems.

[0003] In the state of the art, there are solutions such as that described in the Spanish utility model U201120031 which reveals a protective barrier for go-karting circuits with some characteristics essentially constituted by the following elements divided into sections: upper tube, composed of a tube of resistant and deformable plastic material such as P.E. with an approximate diameter of 16 cm; a lower tube, composed of a tube of resistant and deformable plastic material such as P.E. with an approximate diameter of 16 cm; a middle tube, composed of a tube of resistant and deformable plastic material such as P.E. with an approximate diameter of 5 cm; anchorage between tubes by means of a bar in which almost at its ends two curved pieces are fastened to the tubes by their through bolts and nuts. The bar presents lock nuts at each end. The middle tube is crossed by the bar; exterior panels composed of the same resistant and deformable material as the bars, situated between the upper and lower tubes on both sides and throughout the section and fastened to the middle tube by some through bolts; a support plate composed of a plate of resistant and non-deformable material that takes the shape of the exterior lateral panel and where it is anchored with a strong bolt (13), which in turn is solidly fastened to a clamping tower, in turn anchored to the solid floor by means of four thick bolts; intermediate ferrules, composed of short tubes of resistant material of a diameter slightly less than that of the upper and lower tubes so that when they are introduced in both ends of the two sections they will serve to connect them.
A problem that this type of barrier presents is that in some cases, especially when they are placed on the tightest curves of the circuits, when the go-karts leave the correct path and hit the barrier, they can be caught between the lower part of the barrier and the floor.

[0004] This happens especially on those curves in which the go-karts are driven at higher speeds and also hit the protective barrier head on, not sideways as occurs in other less conflictive sections of the circuit.

[0005] In addition, when one of the vehicles is caught by the protective barrier, it is necessary for a circuit worker to approach and extract him from the position in which he has been caught in order to put him back on the track.

[0006] The utility model U201095707 reveals a protective edging applied to go-karting circuits that is used in combination with a protective barrier that has at least some longitudinal protective elements of polyethylene. Preferably these protective elements are spindle-shaped to better absorb the impact in case one of the vehicles leaves the track and reaches the protective edging and ends up hitting the protective barrier. The protective edging is composed essentially of a contact plate and a fastening piece. The contact plate is a flat plate with an upper face and a lower face intended to remain in contact with the floor, and this lower face can have a sunken part used to receive the end of a fixing element. Preferably this contact plate is of polyethylene.

[0007] The fastening piece is connected to the contact plate and to the protective barrier, ensuring in this way that the protective edging is not going to move even though one of the vehicles on the circuit leaves the track and gets on the contact plate. Thus the protective edging is always in the correct position with respect to the protective barrier and there is no danger of leaving the circuit or remaining in the middle of it (which could cause accidents). As with the edging of the invention described herein, the go-karts that hit the protective barrier never remain trapped; it is not necessary for any worker of the circuit to enter it to get the kart back on the track. Therefore, it improves the safety not only of the go-kart users (or the pertinent vehicles in each case) but also of the circuit workers. After the impacts, the protective barrier recovers its initial position without the intervention of the circuit operators, and furthermore, it is not necessary to reposition the protective edging because they are connected to the barrier.

[0008] This invention deals with a continual barrier of P.E. in sections of at least 4.20 m, of 40 cm in height and 17 cm in width, which are joined together through a connector system that is fastened by a special long bolt.

[0009] This barrier delimits the circuit or is installed in those impact zones that are desired to be protected and are held with some springs that are supported by some metallic pieces that present a tubular anti-elevation system, with this being a novelty in the world of karting. These springs are placed every 4 m of distance from each other, fastened to the proposed protective barrier, or, in such case, at a sufficient distance to absorb perfectly the impacts of a kart.

[0010] Thanks to this invention, a noteworthy improvement is achieved in the safety of the go-karting or speed circuits as described in the previous paragraphs and they can also save personnel costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order to complement the description that is made and with the purpose of achieving a better understanding of the invention's characteristics, in accordance with a preferred example of its practical realisation, a set of drawings accompanies it as an integral part of this description in which the following is represented as an example but is not limited to it:

Figure 1.

Shows a lateral view of the male-end profile of this invention.

Figure 2.

Shows a view of the female-end profile of this invention.

Figure 3.

Shows an exploded view of the elements that make up the barrier.

Figure 4.

Shows a view of the formed barrier.

Figure 5.

Shows a view of the buffering element connected to the barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The protective barrier system for go-karting circuits of this invention is formed by a standard barrier constructed with a spindle-shaped piece of polyethylene (P.E.) of 4.20 metres in length, without sharp edges, with a high degree of flexibility and elasticity, being highly resistant to impacts and practically unbreakable, which is connected to another similar panel by means of male-end and female-end profiles located on the ends of each panel. Each piece has dimensions of 40 cm in height by 17 cm in width. The final measurements can vary according to the needs of each circuit or track. The system presents a buffering method so that any impact will produce a movement of the protective panel against the buffering element, producing the absorption of the impact and consequently diminishing its effects. These elements are manufactured in silent-block rubber or carbon steel springs. In the areas of less impact (straight sections), the barrier is anchored by means of metallic bases that are fixed to the pavement with a vertical tube and/or steel bars, and they vertically pass through it guaranteeing its fixation. In the area where more impacts are envisaged, some metallic bases are placed with a vertical tube attached to a special carbon steel spring, fastened in turn to the tubular protective panel, allowing its verticality. The springs can be substituted by silent-block rubber systems, depending on the case.

PREFERRED REALISATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The proposed protective barrier system for go-karting circuits in this invention is formed by a series of protective panels separated in sections of at least 4.20 m, each panel forming the section is in charge of absorbing part of the energy generated in the impact. It is manufactured preferably of high-density polyethylene calculated for a greater flexibility and impact resistance. the width of each panel is at least 17 cm, with a height of at least 40 cm. The panels are designed on one end with a male-end profile (1) and on the other end with a female-end profile (2) that allow connection to a similar panel, so that the male-end profile (1) is connected to the end that contains the female-end profile (2) of another panel. In the upper part of each male-end profile (1) there is an opening (3) that allows firmly fastening the ends of each panel by means of a special long bolt (4) with its respective washer (5); where the male-end profile (1) of each panel end fits into the female-end profile (2). The connection is completed with the inclusion of a washer (5) and nut (6) in the lower part of the cavity formed by the opening (3) when the bolt (4) is inserted, which allows a secure fastening.

[0014] On surfaces of lesser impact (straight stretches) the panel is anchored by metallic bases that are fixed to the pavement with a vertical tube and/or steel bars, and vertically cross it guaranteeing its fixation. Lastly, in areas of greater impact the system has at least one buffering element (7) formed by a special carbon steel spring (8) joined to a rod (9) that is affixed to the track by means of a rectangular base (10), a large number of long bolts (11), which may be corrugated or not, depending on the surface of the track. The buffering element (7) is fastened, in turn, to the protective panel by means of a strip or flat (12) that allows its fixation by means of bolts which maintain its verticality.

[0015] The springs can be substituted by silent-block rubber which are some blocks of rubber perforated cylindrically such as those that are regularly installed in the suspension of the vehicles but of a larger size with the aim of buffering the noises and vibrations. They can be included as substitutive of the springs in areas with greater impact.

[0016] The barrier system, after absorbing the impact, returns to its original position. The system as has been described is easy to assemble and to change routes. It is also visible for the driver and spectators. The system is practically unbreakable and takes up less space than other protections; it is very absorbent to impact, avoiding the go-karts becoming immobilised against the barrier and collapsing traffic. In addition it minimises enormously the damages of an impact, for the driver as well as the vehicle.

Claims

1. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits that is characterised by having a series of protective panels separated in sections of at least 4.20 m, where each section presents on one of its borders a male-end profile (1) and on the other border a female-end profile (2) that connect with a similar section and where in each male-end profile (1) there is an opening (3); a long bolt (4) with its respective washer (5) to be inserted in the opening (3); a washer (5) and a nut (6) in the lower part of the cavity formed by the opening (3) to be inserted on the bolt (4); metallic bases that are fastened to the pavement with a vertical tube and/or steel bars; at least one buffering element (7) formed by a spring (8) connected to a rod (9) that is fastened to the track by means of a rectangular base with a large number of long bolts (11) and where the buffering element (7) is fastened, in turn, to the protective panel by means of a strip or flat (12). This piece has a guide that does not allow the raising of the spring during impact, avoiding the go-kart being able to slide below it.

2. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits according to claim 1 that is characterised in that the width of each section is at least 15 cm by a height of at least 40 cm.

3. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits according to claim 1 that is characterised in that the panel that forms the section is manufactured preferably with high density polyethylene.

4. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits according to claim 1 that is characterised in that the spring (8) is of carbon steel.

5. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits according to claim 1 that is characterised in that the large number of long bolts (11) are corrugated.

6. Protective barrier system for go-karting circuits according to claim 1 that is characterised in that the springs can be substituted by silent-block rubber systems.

Drawing