(19)
(11) EP 3 098 351 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
31.01.2018 Bulletin 2018/05

(21) Application number: 16171353.2

(22) Date of filing: 25.05.2016
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E01F 15/04(2006.01)

(54)

FIXING DEVICE FOR GUARDRAIL AND METHOD OF JUNCTION OF GUARDRAIL PORTIONS USING SAID DEVICE

BEFESTIGUNGSMITTEL FUER EINE LEITPLANKE UND VEFAHREN ZUR VERBINDUNG VON LEITPLANKENELEMENTEN MIT DIESEM MITTEL

DISPOSITIF DE FIXATION POUR GLISSIÈRES ET PROCÉDÉ DE LIAISON DES GLISSIÈRES UTILISANT UN TEL DISPOSITIF


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 29.05.2015 IT UB20150967

(43) Date of publication of application:
30.11.2016 Bulletin 2016/48

(73) Proprietor: Ticopter SA
6982 Agno (CH)

(72) Inventors:
  • BURZI, Emanuele
    12064 La Morra (IT)
  • MONTELEONE, Mauro
    6990 Cassina d'Agno (CH)

(74) Representative: Galassi, Alessandro 
PGA S.p.A. Milano Succursale di Lugano Via Castagnola 21C
6900 Lugano
6900 Lugano (CH)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 0 687 774
GB-A- 2 497 811
AT-B- 344 778
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Field of the invention



    [0001] The present invention generally refers to the sector of road safety devices, and in detail concerns a guardrail fixing device.

    [0002] The present invention also concerns a method of junction of guardrail portions by means of the above device.

    Background art



    [0003] The usage of guardrail for protecting roads is universally known.

    [0004] It is further known that guardrails are subject to be joined by so-called "joints" for ensuring the continuity of protection along the entire length of the road.

    [0005] The traditional joints are nothing more than simple bars provided with slotted holes, that neither provide the right safety nor allow for a correct adaptation to the thermal dilation of the guardrail.

    [0006] In fact, the applicant observed that the guardrails are subject to two macrotypes of deformations, macrotypes that are based on the deformation speed itself. The first macrotype is exactly the thermal dilation, that is a type of deformation which is very slow. The second macrotype, instead, is the deformation due to impact, characterized in contrast to a significantly higher speed.

    [0007] The applicant knows guardrail junction systems of a more advanced type, one of which is produced by Freyssinet. It deals with a junction realized with a pre-contraction strand, permanently anchored to an end of the device on a first steel block (so-called passive) arranged in a junction between two guardrails. The device furthermore comprises a second block, so-called active, fixed to the adjacent junction. The strand, that passes also through the active block, is prolonged also over this last in such a way to allow the operation of the junction in normal conditions, being therefore capable of freely move within the active block without impeding the opening or closure of the junction of the barrier.

    [0008] In case of accident, in proximity of the device it takes place a strain that tends to separate the anchoring blocks of the device, and this activates the functioning of the device itself that firmly anchors the strand in the active block.

    [0009] The device produced by Freyssinet is complex and lowly effective in managing the blockage of the two guardrail portions in case of impact. Nonetheless, the device produced by Freyssinet is not newly usable in case of impact, since the active block rests damaged.

    [0010] Moreover, GB2497811A discloses a guardrail junction system able to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the members in use to make such junction. A spring is connected to the members through a load sensitive coupling which in use is arranged to lock the system, and thereby prevent movement between the adjacent members when the relative rate of movement between the adjacent members exceeds a pre-determined value such as in a crash or impact situation. The load sensitive coupling is realized by a hydraulic cylinder provided with a lock off valve.

    [0011] The system disclosed in GB2497811A is effective only by calibrating very gently the fluid passing through the hydraulic cylinder and the lock off valve and is usually subject to hygroscopic problems know for such kind of fluids.

    [0012] Other systems are disclosed, for example, in EP0687774A1 or AT344778B, but they relate to very complex and less effective system, employing respectively cable or hydraulic clock systems.

    [0013] The scope of the present invention is therefore to describe a guardrail fixing device that allows to solve aforementioned drawbacks.

    [0014] A further scope of the present invention is to describe a method of junction of guardrail portions which allows to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and advantageously allows to meet the guardrail thermal dilations or contractions without for this leaving space for failures or risk that the vehicle exits from portions of road wherein said guardrail misses.

    Summary of the invention



    [0015] According to the present invention is realized a fixing device for guardrails, suitable of being interposed between a first and a second portion of guardrail, characterized in that it comprises at least one first configuration of lower longitudinal extension and a second configuration of greater extension, wherein said second configuration of greater extension takes place when said device is longitudinally stretched following an impact of a vehicle against one of said two guardrail portions;
    said device comprises elastic means operating in combination with a hydromechanic organ linearly extensible and causing a selective blocking of the longitudinal extension on said second configuration of greater extension according to a speed and/or impulse of force exerted between a first and a second end of said device, and in particular when said speed and/or impulse of force exerted exceeds a predetermined threshold value realizing an inertial block.

    [0016] According to the present invention, said hydromechanic organ is a piston, linearly extensible, secured in correspondence of a first end thereof to an end of said device and to a second end thereof opposed to said first end, in correspondence of said elastic means on a rotating support in turn secured to said elastic means.

    [0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, said device is characterized in that said threshold value is determined in accordance to a retention force exerted by said elastic means and by a viscous friction force exerted by said piston.

    [0018] According to an aspect of the present invention, said rotating support is pivoted on the body of said fixing device; said pivoting takes place on a pin arranged in such a way to detect a rotation axis orthogonal respective to a plane onto which said device extends between said first and said second configuration.

    [0019] According to the present invention, said means of selective blocking further comprises a toothed bar, having a first and a second end; in said first end said bar comprises a plurality of teeth suitable for being engaged on an blocking arm of said rotating support, wherein said blocking arm has a terminal portion opposed respective to the portion jointed to the principal body of said rotating support provided with at least an engagement tooth; in said second end said toothed bar is jointed to an extensible plunger of said piston.

    [0020] In detail, said toothed bar linearly moves on a predefined path and moves parallel to said piston.

    [0021] In detail, said blocking arm engages on said plurality of teeth when said speed and/or impulse of force exerted exceed a predetermined threshold value, with an extension of said piston causing a compression and/or extension of said elastic means.

    [0022] According to an aspect of the device object of the present invention, said elastic means are configured for keeping said supporting element in a neutral position centrally defined respective to a plurality of unstable positions wherein said support rotates respective to said neutral position, said supporting element being capable of pivoting respective to said neutral position centrally defined.

    [0023] According to the present invention, said piston comprises a plunger secured to a first end of said device in turn configured for being rigidly jointed to a first portion of guardrail; said device comprises a principal body detecting a second end opposed to said first end, said second end being joined to a second portion of guardrail.

    [0024] Preferably, said device - in correspondence of the said first and second end - comprises fixing plates respectively to said first and second portion of guardrail; said fixing plates comprising a plurality of holes suitable for housing means of pivoting on said guardrail portions.

    [0025] According to the present invention it is further realized a method of junction of guardrail portions, characterized in that it comprises the installation of the device according to the present invention, further characterized in that it comprises, before the step of installation of said device between a first and a second portion of guardrail not connected each other, a step of calculation of a speed of thermal dilation of said guardrail portions, a subsequent step of calculation of speed of deformation of at least one of said guardrail portions following an impact of the vehicle against thereto, said speed of deformation being calculated in relation to the position of said device with said guardrail; said method comprising furthermore a step of calculation of a maximum threshold speed or force impulse such that to cause said blockage of longitudinal extension of said device in accordance to said speed of deformation and in accordance to an elastic constant of said elastic means in combination to a coefficient of viscosity of said hydromechanic organ linearly sliding, so that a speed of deformation below said threshold keeps said device free to extend. Preferably, said method comprises a step of calculation of a an angle of rotation necessary to said arm of said supporting element for coming into contact with said plurality of teeth of the said toothed bar, and a calculation of a coefficient of compression and/or extension of at least one of said elastic means in accordance to said rotation angle.

    Description of the figures



    [0026] The invention will now be described referring to the annexed figures wherein:
    • Figure 1 shows a lateral section view of the fixing device for guardrails in a first configuration of use;
    • Figure 2 shows a front view of the device of figure 1;
    • Figure 3 shows a lateral section view of the fixing device for guardrails in a second configuration of use;
    • Figure 4 shows a detail of the fixing device for guardrails according to the present invention.

    Detailed description of the invention



    [0027] With reference to figure 1, with the reference number 100 is shown in its complex a fixing device for guardrails, in detail for disjointed portions of a guardrail by means of the realization of a selective inertial blocking.

    [0028] The device 100 comprises a principal body 101 a boxed structure detecting a first end wherein there is a plate 102 of fixing to a first portion of guardrail.

    [0029] In detail, the plate 102 develops along a plane which is orthogonal respective to that of the principal body, and is provided with holes 103, positioned on its four edges, for introducing the pins or equivalent means of engagement and fixing on the guardrail itself.

    [0030] Inside the principal body 101 is furthermore comprised a piston 120, provided with a cylinder fixed to said principal body and a plunger linearly extensible respective to said cylinder. Said plunger ends in an end thereof opposed respective to that which is introduced in the cylinder, on a second end of the device in turn provided with a plate 102, laying on the same plane of the other plate 102 and as it possessing a plurality of holes 103 positioned on its four edges for the introduction of pins or equivalent means of engagement and fixing to the guardrail itself.

    [0031] The plate 102 is jointed to the plunger of the piston 120 by means of a bracket 104a that is oriented orthogonally respective to the plate itself thereby resulting among the other jointed to this last, and that is provided with a hole for the engagement with the piston.

    [0032] Clearly, the relative position of plunger or cylinder of the piston shall not be intended as limiting, in fact so that the elements could be in contrast installed - cylinder secured to the second end of the device and plunger secured to principal body 101 of the device 100 - without modifying the operation of the device object of the present invention.

    [0033] For said reason the device 100 object of the present invention, is therefore linearly extensible, between at least one first and a second position, in such a way to being capable to adapt in joining exactly in correspondence of the plates 102 a couple of guardrail portions whose distance could not be always equal.

    [0034] Figures 1 and 3 show respective configurations of a minimum and maximum linear extension of the device 100 object of the present invention in a resting condition, that is not being "photographed" in a dynamic motion condition of its mobile portions.

    [0035] In detail, not only the distance between the two guardrail portions is not the same due to the fact that their relative position could variate from case to case, but also because the guardrails, being realized in metallic material, are subject to thermal dilations that, precisely into the direction of maximum extension thereof, are far from being negligible.

    [0036] The cylinder of the piston 120 is jointed to the principal body 101 not directly but with the interposition of a supporting element 150 rotating respective to a pin fixed on the principal body and extending along a direction orthogonal respective to the direction and the plane along which the device 100 is capable of linear extend therein.

    [0037] In detail the supporting element 150 pivots respective to a central resting position, onto which is retained by two opposed springs 140, each one having a first end directly fastened on the principal body 101 and a second end fastened to a wing 170 of said supporting element 150.

    [0038] Clearly, the use of springs shall not be considered limitative, since they can be substituted by equivalent elastic means without for this departing from the operation described into the present description.

    [0039] The two springs 140 preferably but in a non-limiting extent are of the same type, for ensuring that the force of rotation of the supporting element 150 respective to the central position is equivalent into both the clockwise and anticlockwise rotation direction (this last being defined by the arrow A in figure 3).

    [0040] Therefore, in case the supporting element 150 is rotated respective to the central position of equilibrium, a first of the two springs 140 is compressed while the second is extended.

    [0041] Consequently, any rotated position of the supporting element 150 - both in clockwise that in anti-clockwise direction - is per se unstable, since the force of compression and respectively extension exerted by the springs 140 on the wing 170 is so that the supporting element 150 tends to return into the same starting position.

    [0042] The supporting element 150 comprises a toothed arm that is suitable for engaging on a toothed portion 104d of a toothed bar 104.

    [0043] The toothed bar 104 is arranged below than the supporting element 150, and the arm 151 faces towards said lower direction on a side of the supporting element 150 that, once observed the annexed figures, results being on its left side. The constraint of the piston 120 on the supporting element takes further place on the opposite side, and that is from the right.

    [0044] The toothed bar 104 extends at least partially within said principal body 101 and has an end portion opposed respective to the toothed portion 104d that is jointed to the plate 102 of the second end of the device object of the present invention, and is therefore further jointed also to the terminal portion of the stem of the plunger of the piston 120. The toothed portion 104d of the said toothed bar 104 faces towards the arm 151 of the supporting element 150.

    [0045] In detail, therefore, during the rotation of the supporting element 150 respective to the own central equilibrium position, if the rotation takes place in anti-clockwise direction the arm 151 engages on the toothed portion 104d impeding further extensions of the device 100.

    [0046] In contrast, a rotation in clockwise sense, causes a distancing of the arm 151 respective to the toothed bar 104, rendering this last free of sliding back within the principal body 101.

    [0047] The device 100 object of the present invention therefore operates on a selective blocking of the elongation of the first end respective to the second. Said selective blocking is an inertial block generated according to an action of force of extension exerted on the device 100 and a contrasting action to the extension itself operated by the assembly of the piston 120 and of the springs 140 with the rotating supporting element 150. Said selective blocking allows for causing a free adaptation of the length of the device 100 object of the present invention to the extension or contraction of the guardrails due to a thermal dilation, but at the same time allows for blocking the elongation of the device in case of impact of a vehicle against the guardrail or against the device itself.

    [0048] In fact, the thermal excursion and impact elongation are characterized by an elongation speed (for example in mm/h) and impulse of force strongly different, in the order of 100 or more times. The speed of extension of a guardrail following of impact is closer to the magnitude order of a meter per second than to some mm/h as in the case of the thermal dilation.

    [0049] The selection of a threshold of intervention for the selective blocking, that is a threshold of maximum speed or impulse of force, is scientifically calculated in accordance to the viscosity and force which is necessary to extend the piston 120 in relation to the force of compression and extension (elastic constant) of the springs 140.

    [0050] Therefore the speed and impulse force caused by the thermal elongation or contraction of the guardrail is such that it causes a traction force on the plate 102 of the second end so that to extend the piston 120 without causing a compression/extension of the springs 170 that causes a rotation of the supporting element 150 so that to make the arm 151 rotate up to engage on the toothed portion 140d of the toothed bar 140.

    [0051] In this configuration the device object of the present invention finds itself therefore in a first configuration of free extension, wherein the means of selective blocking in accordance to a speed and impulse of force do not become operative for blocking the longitudinal extension of the device 100 itself.

    [0052] Therefore before a phase of installation of said device 100 between the two guardrail portions of a same side of the road, at first it shall proceed with a compared analysis of the elastic constant of the springs, of the viscosity of the piston 120 and of the coefficient of elongation of the guardrail portions themselves. Only then the springs and the piston are selected in accordance to the aforementioned analysis, in such a way that modifications in the extension of the device 100 due to thermal dilations or contractions do not cause a blockage of the device itself (second configuration).

    [0053] In detail, considered the rotation of the supporting element for causing the blockage, it is therefore performed a step of calculation of a an angle of rotation necessary to said arm of said supporting element 150 for coming into contact with the plurality of teeth 104d of the toothed bar 104, further calculating a coefficient of compression and/or extension of at least one of said elastic means or springs 140 in accordance to said rotation angle.

    [0054] Then in the phase of installation, if necessary, it takes place a manual elongation of the device, from the configuration of minimal extension (figure 1), conveniently used for transporting the device 100 itself, to a further configuration with greater extension, so that the plates 102 are in proximity of the guardrail portions to be jointed and can be fixed thereto.

    [0055] Then the device object of the present invention is ready to operate.

    [0056] In contrast, in case of impact of a vehicle on the guardrail or on the device 100 itself, the speed of elongation or the impulse of force are such that the viscosity of extension of the piston 120 exceeds that of the compression/extension of the springs 140, that consequently cause a rotation in anti-clockwise direction (arrow A, figure 3) of the arm 151 of the supporting element 150 so that to render its end engaged on the toothed portion 104d of the toothed bar 104.

    [0057] Consequently the device blocks, acting as an element of rigid union between two guardrail portions one another separated.

    [0058] This is particularly advantageous, since it impedes that the guardrail bends up to the point of causing an exiting of the vehicle from the road path, allowing at the same time for adapting separate guardrail portions without risking deformations due to the thermal contraction or extension thereof.

    [0059] In detail, the device 100 object of the present invention is furthermore reusable. In fact, following of the block caused by the compression of the springs 140, in case the impulse of force ceases or anyway goes below the predefined threshold, the rotating supporting element 150 returns into the resting position wherein the forces of the two counterposed springs equal one another, and the arm 151 rigidly jointed thereto disengages the toothed bar 104, that can newly return to extend or include itself within the principal body in accordance to thermal compression or dilation phenomena of the guardrail portions thereto jointed on the plates102.

    [0060] This is particularly advantageous since excepting accidents capable of breaking the device 100 of the present invention, said device automatically returns into the first configuration wherein it supports the thermal dilation or contraction of the guardrail portions, without needing human intervention.

    [0061] Not only the costs of substitution are reduced, but eventual costs of re-initialization into the first configuration are therefore canceled.

    [0062] The advantages of the device object of the present invention are clear in view of the preceding description.

    [0063] It is finally clear that to the object of the present invention additions, adaptations or variants obvious for a technician expert in the art can be brought, without for this departing from the scope of protection provided by the annexed claims.


    Claims

    1. A fixing device (100) for guardrails, suitable for being interposed between a first and a second portion of guardrail, wherein it comprises at least one first configuration of lower longitudinal extension and a second configuration of greater longitudinal extension, wherein said second configuration of greater extension takes place in case said device (100) is longitudinally slowly stretched by said portions of guardrail due to their thermal dilation; said device (100) comprises elastic means (140) operating in combination with a hydromechanic organ (120) which is a linearly extensible piston (120) causing a selective blocking of a longitudinal extension of said fixing device (100) according to a speed and/or impulse of force exerted between a first and a second end of said fixing device (100), in case said speed and/or impulse of exerted force exceed a predetermined threshold value realizing an inertial block, characterized in that the fixing device (100) further comprises a rotating support (150) and a toothed bar (104), for causing said selective blocking, the toothed bar (104) having a first and a second end; at said first end said toothed bar (104) comprises a plurality of teeth (104d) suitable for being engaged on a blocking arm (151) forming part of the rotating support (150), wherein said blocking arm (151) has a terminal portion opposed to a portion joined to a principal body of said rotating support (150) which is provided with at least an engagement tooth; wherein said second end of said toothed bar (104) is joined to an extensible plunger of said piston (120); and wherein said piston is at a first end thereof secured to an end of said device (100) and is at a second end thereof, opposed to said first end, in correspondence to said elastic means (140), secured on said rotating support (150), which in turn is secured to said elastic means (140); and wherein said selective blocking is an inertial block generated according to an action of force of extension exerted on the fixing device (100) and a contrasting action to the extension itself operated by the assembly of said piston (120) and of said elastic means (140) with said rotating support (150).
     
    2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said threshold value is determined in accordance to a retention force exerted by said elastic means (140) and by a viscous friction force exerted by said piston (120).
     
    3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said rotating support (150) is pivoted on the body of said fixing device (100); said pivoting takes place on a pin arranged in such a way to define a rotation axis orthogonal respective to a plane onto which said device (100) extends between said first and said second configuration.
     
    4. Device (100) according to one or more claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that said toothed bar (104) linearly moves on a predefined path and moves parallel to said piston (120).
     
    5. Device (100) according to one or more claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that said blocking arm (151) engages on said plurality of teeth (104d) in case said speed and/or impulse of force exerted exceeds a predetermined threshold value, with an extension of said piston causing a compression and/or extension of said elastic means (140).
     
    6. Device (100) according to one or more claims from 1 to 5, characterized in that said elastic means (140) are configured for keeping said supporting element in a centrally defined neutral position respective to a plurality of unstable positions wherein said rotating support (150) rotates respective to said neutral position, said rotating support (150) being capable of pivoting respective to said centrally defined neutral position.
     
    7. Device (100) according to one or more claims from 1 to 6, characterized in that said piston (120) comprises a plunger secured to a first end of said device (100) said first end in turn configured for being rigidly jointed to a first portion of guardrail; said device (100) comprises a principal body (101) having a second end opposed to said first end, said second end being joined to a second portion of guardrail.
     
    8. Device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises, in correspondence to the said first and second end of said principal body (101), fixing plates (102) respectively joinable to a first and second portion of guardrail; said fixing plates (102) comprising a plurality of holes (103) suitable for housing means of pivoting on said guardrail portions.
     
    9. Method of junction of guardrail portions, characterized in that it comprises the installation of the device (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-8 and furthermore comprising, before the step of installation of said device (100) between a first and a second portion of guardrail disconnected to one another, a step of calculation of a speed of thermal dilation of the said portions of guardrail, a subsequent step of calculation of speed of deformation of at least one of the said portions of guardrail following of an impact of the vehicle against the same, said speed of deformation being calculated in relation to the position of said device (100) with said guardrail; said method comprising furthermore a step of calculation of a threshold of maximal speed or impulse of force capable of causing said block of longitudinal extension of said device (100) in accordance to said speed of deformation and in accordance to an elastic constant of said elastic means (140) in combination to a coefficient of viscosity of said hydromechanic organ (120) linearly sliding, so that a speed of deformation below said threshold keeps said device (100) free to extend.
     
    10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a step of calculation of a an angle of rotation necessary to said blocking arm (151) of said rotating support (150) per coming into contact with said plurality of teeth (104d) of the said toothed bar (104), and a calculation of a coefficient of compression and/or extension of at least one of said elastic means (140) in accordance to said rotation angle.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) für Leitplanken, die zum Einfügen zwischen einem ersten und einem zweiten Abschnitt der Leitplanke geeignet ist, wobei sie zumindest eine erste Konfiguration von geringerer Längserstreckung und eine zweite Konfiguration von größerer Längserstreckung aufweist, wobei die zweite Konfiguration von größerer Längserstreckung stattfindet, falls die Vorrichtung (100) aufgrund ihrer thermischen Ausdehnung durch die Abschnitte der Leitplanke längs langsam gestreckt wird;
    wobei die Vorrichtung (100) Elastikmittel (140) aufweist, die in Kombination mit einem hydromechanischem Organ (120) arbeiten, das ein linear ausfahrbarer Kolben (120) ist, der eine selektive Blockierung einer Längserstreckung der Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) gemäß einer Geschwindigkeit und/oder einem Impuls einer Kraft verursacht, die zwischen einem ersten und einem zweiten Ende der Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) ausgeübt wird, falls die Geschwindigkeit und/oder der Impuls der ausgeübten Kraft einen vorbestimmten Schwellenwert überschreitet, der einen Trägheitsblock realisiert,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) ferner eine Drehstütze (150) und eine Zahnstange (104) aufweist, um die selektive Blockierung zu bewirken, wobei die Zahnstange (104) ein erstes und ein zweites Ende aufweist, wobei das erste Ende der Zahnstange (104) eine Mehrzahl von Zähnen (104d) aufweist, die zum Eingriff an einem Blockierarm (151) geeignet sind, der ein Teil der Drehstütze (150) bildet, wobei der Blockierarm (151) einen Endabschnitt aufweist, der einem mit einem Hauptkörper der Drehstütze (150) verbundenen Abschnitt entgegengesetzt ist und mit zumindest einem Eingriffszahn versehen ist; wobei das zweite Ende der Zahnstange (104) mit einem ausfahrbaren Stößel des Kolbens (120) verbunden ist; und
    wobei der Kolben mit seinem ersten Ende an einem Ende der Vorrichtung (100) gesichert ist und mit seinem dem ersten Ende entgegengesetzten zweiten Ende, entsprechend den Elastikmitteln (140), an der Drehstütze (150) gesichert ist, die wiederum an den Elastikmitteln (140) gesichert ist; und
    wobei das selektive Blockieren ein Trägheitsblock ist, der gemäß einer Wirkung einer Erstreckungskraft, die auf die Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) ausgeübt wird, und einer kontrastierenden Wirkung auf die Erstreckung selbst, die durch die Baugruppe des Kolbens (120) und der Elastikmittel (140) mit der Drehstütze (150) betätigt wird, erzeugt wird.
     
    2. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schwellenwert gemäß einer Rückhaltekraft bestimmt ist, die durch die Elastikmittel (140) und durch eine mit dem Kolben (120) ausgeübte viskose Reibkraft ausgeübt wird.
     
    3. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drehstütze (150) an dem Körper der Befestigungsvorrichtung (100) angelenkt ist; wobei die Anlenkung auf einem Zapfen erfolgt, der derart angeordnet ist, um eine Drehachse orthogonal zu einer entsprechenden Ebene zu definieren, auf der sich die Vorrichtung (100) zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Konfiguration erstreckt.
     
    4. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem oder mehreren Ansprüchen von 1 bis 3,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Zahnstange (104) auf einem vordefinierten Weg linear bewegt und sich parallel zu dem Kolben (120) bewegt.
     
    5. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem oder mehreren Ansprüchen von 1 bis 4,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Blockierarm (151) an der Mehrzahl von Zähnen (104d) eingreift, falls die Geschwindigkeit und/oder der Impuls der ausgeübten Kraft einen vorbestimmten Schwellenwert überschreitet, wobei das Ausfahren des Kolbens eine Kompression und/oder Erstreckung der Elastikmittel verursacht.
     
    6. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem oder mehreren Ansprüchen von 1 bis 5,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Elastikmittel (140) konfiguriert sind, um das Stützelement in einer mittig definierten Neutralstellung in Bezug auf eine Mehrzahl von unstabilen Stellungen zu halten, wobei sich die Drehstütze (150) in Bezug auf die Neutralstellung dreht, wobei die Drehstütze (150) in der Lage ist, in Bezug auf die mittig definierte Neutralstellung zu schwenken.
     
    7. Vorrichtung (100) nach einem oder mehreren Ansprüchen von 1 bis 6,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kolben (120) einen Stößel aufweist, der an einem ersten Ende der Vorrichtung (100) gesichert ist, wobei das erste Ende wiederum konfiguriert ist, um starr mit einem ersten Abschnitt der Leitplanke verbunden zu werden; wobei die Vorrichtung (100) einen Hauptkörper (101) mit einem dem ersten Ende entgegengesetzten zweiten Ende aufweist, wobei das zweite Ende mit einem zweiten Abschnitt der Leitplanke verbunden ist.
     
    8. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie dem ersten und zweiten Ende des Hauptkörpers (101) entsprechende Befestigungsplatten (102) aufweist, die jeweils mit einem ersten und zweiten Abschnitt der Leitplanke verbindbar sind; wobei die Befestigungsplatten (102) eine Mehrzahl von Löchern (103) aufweisen, die zur Aufnahme von Schwenkmitteln an den Leitplankenabschnitten geeignet sind.
     
    9. Verfahren zum Verbinden von Leitplankenabschnitten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es die Installation der Vorrichtung (100) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 8 aufweist, und ferner, vor dem Installationsschritt der Vorrichtung zwischen einem ersten und einem zweiten Abschnitt der Leitplanke, die voneinander getrennt sind, aufweist:

    einen Schritt der Berechnung einer thermischen

    Ausdehnungsgeschwindigkeit der Abschnitte der Leitplanke, einen anschließenden Schritt der Berechnung einer Verformungsgeschwindigkeit von zumindest einem der Abschnitte der Leitplanke nach einem Aufprall des Fahrzeugs gegen diese, wobei die Verformungsgeschwindigkeit in Bezug auf die Position der Vorrichtung (100) mit der Leitplanke berechnet wird; wobei das Verfahren ferner aufweist: einen Schritt der Berechnung eines Schwellenwerts einer Maximalgeschwindigkeit oder eines Impulses einer Kraft, die in der Lage ist, den Block der Längserstreckung (100) zu bewirken, gemäß der Verformungsgeschwindigkeit und gemäß einer Federkonstante der Elastikmittel (140) in Kombination mit einem Viskositätskoeffizienten des linear gleitenden hydromechanischen Organs (120), so dass eine Verformungsgeschwindigkeit unter dem Schwellenwert die Vorrichtung (100) frei gestreckt hält.


     
    10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es aufweist:

    einen Schritt der Berechnung eines Drehwinkels, der erforderlich ist, damit der Blockierarm (151) der Drehstütze (150) mit der Mehrzahl von Zähnen (104d) der Zahnstange (104) in Kontakt kommt, sowie einer Berechnung eines Kompressions- und/oder Erstreckungskoeffizienten von zumindest einem der Elastikmittel (140) gemäß dem Drehwinkel.


     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif de fixation (100) pour barrières de sécurité, convenant pour être interposé entre une première et une deuxième partie de barrière de sécurité, comprenant au moins une première configuration d'extension longitudinale inférieure et une deuxième configuration d'extension longitudinale supérieure, ladite deuxième configuration d'extension supérieure se produisant dans le cas où ledit dispositif (100) est longitudinalement lentement étiré par lesdites parties de barrière de sécurité du fait de leur dilatation thermique ;
    ledit dispositif (100) comprenant des moyens élastiques (140) fonctionnant en combinaison avec un organe hydromécanique (120) qui est un piston extensible de manière linéaire (120) provoquant un blocage sélectif d'une extension longitudinale dudit dispositif de fixation (100) selon une vitesse et/ou une impulsion de la force exercée entre une première et une deuxième extrémité dudit dispositif de fixation (100), dans le cas où ladite vitesse et/ou impulsion de force exercée excède une valeur seuil prédéterminée réalisant un bloc d'inertie, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de fixation (100) comprend en outre un support rotatif (150) et une barre dentée (104), pour entraîner ledit blocage sélectif, la barre dentée (104) présentant une première et une deuxième extrémité ; auprès de ladite première extrémité ladite barre dentée (104) comprend une pluralité de dents (104d) convenant pour être mises en prise sur un bras de blocage (151) formant une partie du support rotatif (150), où ledit bras de blocage (151) présente une partie terminale opposée à une partie jointe à un corps principal dudit support rotatif (150) qui est prévu avec au moins une dent de mise en prise ; où ladite deuxième extrémité de ladite barre dentée (104) est jointe à un poussoir extensible dudit piston (120) ; et
    où ledit piston se trouve à une première extrémité de celui-ci solidement fixé à une extrémité dudit dispositif (100) et se trouve à une deuxième extrémité de celui-ci, opposée à ladite première extrémité, en correspondance avec lesdits moyens élastiques (140), solidement fixé sur ledit support rotatif (150), qui à son tour est solidement fixé auxdits moyens élastiques (140) ; et
    où ledit blocage sélectif est un bloc d'inertie généré selon une action de force d'extension exercée sur le dispositif de fixation (100) et une action contrastante vis-à-vis de l'extension qui est produite elle-même par l'assemblage dudit piston (120) et desdits moyens élastiques (140) audit support rotatif (150).
     
    2. Dispositif (100) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite valeur seuil est déterminée selon une force de rétention exercée par lesdits moyens élastiques (140) et par une force de friction visqueuse exercée par ledit piston (120).
     
    3. Dispositif (100) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit support rotatif (150) pivote sur le corps dudit dispositif de fixation (100) ; ledit pivotement ayant lieu sur une tige disposée d'une manière telle qu'elle définit un axe de rotation orthogonal par rapport à un plan sur lequel ledit dispositif (100) s'étend entre ladite première et ladite deuxième configuration.
     
    4. Dispositif (100) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite barre dentée (104) se déplace linéairement sur un chemin prédéfini et se déplace parallèle audit piston (120).
     
    5. Dispositif (100) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit bras de blocage (151) se trouve en prise sur ladite pluralité de dents (104d) dans le cas où ladite vitesse et/ou impulsion de force exercée excède une valeur seuil prédéterminée, avec une extension dudit piston entraînant une compression et/ou une extension desdits moyens élastiques (140).
     
    6. Dispositif (100) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens élastiques (140) sont configurés pour maintenir ledit élément de support en une position neutre centralement définie par rapport à une pluralité des positions instables où ledit support rotatif (150) tourne par rapport à ladite position neutre, ledit support rotatif (150) étant capable de pivoter par rapport à ladite position neutre centralement définie.
     
    7. Dispositif (100) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit piston (120) comprend un poussoir solidement fixé à une première extrémité dudit dispositif (100) ladite première extrémité à son tour configurée pour être jointe de manière rigide à une première partie de la barrière de sécurité ; ledit dispositif (100) comprenant un corps principal (101) présentant une deuxième extrémité opposée à ladite première extrémité, ladite deuxième extrémité étant jointe à une deuxième partie de la barrière de sécurité.
     
    8. Dispositif (100) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend, en correspondance avec ladite première et deuxième extrémité dudit corps principal (101), des plaques de fixation (102) pouvant être respectivement jointes à une première et une deuxième partie de barrière de sécurité ; lesdites plaques de fixation (102) comprenant une pluralité de trous (103) convenant pour loger un moyen de pivotement desdites parties de barrière de sécurité.
     
    9. Procédé de jonction de parties de barrière de sécurité, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'installation du dispositif (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 8 et en outre comprenant, avant l'étape d'installation dudit dispositif (100) entre une première et une deuxième partie de la barrière de sécurité déconnectées l'une de l'autre, une étape de calcul d'une vitesse de dilatation thermique desdites parties de barrière de sécurité, une étape ultérieure de calcul de la vitesse de déformation d'au moins l'une desdites parties de barrière de sécurité suite à un impact du véhicule contre elle, ladite vitesse de déformation étant calculée en relation à la position dudit dispositif (100) avec ladite barrière de sécurité ; ledit procédé comprenant en outre une étape de calcul d'un seuil de vitesse ou d'impulsion de force maximales capables d'entraîner ledit bloc d'extension longitudinale dudit dispositif (100) selon ladite vitesse de déformation et selon une constante élastique desdits moyens élastiques (140) en combinaison à un coefficient de viscosité dudit organe hydromécanique (120) coulissant linéairement, de sorte qu'une vitesse de déformation inférieure audit seuil maintient ledit dispositif (100) libre de s'étendre.
     
    10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape de calcul d'un angle de rotation nécessaire audit bras de blocage (151) dudit support rotatif (150) pour entrer en contact avec ladite pluralité de dents (104d) de ladite barre dentée (104), et un calcul d'un coefficient de compression et/ou d'extension d'au moins l'un desdits moyens élastiques (140) selon ledit angle de rotation.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description