A catchment net of this type is for example known from EP-A-1 205 603. This catchment net incorporates a net consisting of rings that engage with one another, and whose two longitudinal sides are moveably held by an edge, i.e. holding each rope. The edge ropes are affixed to a number of support bodies, which are anchored in slopes, rock walls etc. Between the net and the individual support bodies additional connecting elements are envisaged, whereby the same are preferably equipped with braking means in the form of braking rings for the absorbing of dynamic energy. When a stone or similar object falls into the net, the ring bundles of the net are first moved in rows along the edge ropes just like the rings of a curtain in the direction of the impact, and therefore absorb a part of the dynamic energy. The connecting elements oppose this movement and effect a retaining of the ring rows until the braking rings are extended and the connecting elements subsequently break, whereafter the next connecting elements will be utilised when the ring rows are pulled further. The broken connecting elements can be replaced.
A net of this type has proven itself useful in practical applications, as a large part of the energy created by the impact of rocks can be absorbed without tearing the net, and without dropping the rocks that are to be blocked through the net. During the impact of the rocks the relevant ring net surface between the two support bodies adjacent to the location of the impact will become effective. The impact forces are transferred across this net section to the two support bodies, i.e. their base plates, as well as their support heads which are normally held by retaining ropes.
It is the purpose of this invention to provide a catchment net of the type described above, the construction and maintenance of which is simple and cost-effective, but which still incorporates an improved effectiveness.
With the catchment net of this invention the two holding ropes are held by the individual support bodies, can be moved in a longitudinal direction, and are tensioned at the side, whereby the net is moveably held within the support body area by running ropes extending along the support bodies and affixed to the holding ropes, so that the ring net surface absorbing the forces can be substantially enlarged in comparison with conventional catchment nets. The catchment net guarantees an optimal load distribution as well as a favourable flow of energy through the net, and therefore reduced forces across the whole of the system. The anchoring forces also are substantially smaller, so that a cost-effective foundation can be realised. In addition the installation and maintenance of the catchment net is very simple.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, whereby:
The support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10 are anchored in the slope or rock wall with their base plates 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a and project diagonally upwards and away from the same. At their free ends the support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10 are held with their support heads 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b via retaining ropes 11 anchored within the slope or the rock wall. Two retaining ropes 11 each extend diagonally to the rear in the direction of the slope or the rock wall from every support head 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. The outer support bodies, i.e. the support bodies 7, 10 allocated to the two narrow sides of the net 2, i.e. their support heads 7b, 10b are also connected with the slope or the rock wall via unhitching ropes 13.
According to the invention the holding ropes 3, 4 that hold the net 2 are held by the individual support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10 and can be moved in a longitudinal direction, namely either through the support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10, or—and preferably—on the side of the same that faces the slope or the rock wall. For this purpose round or rounded guide elements ensuring a gentle guiding are envisaged for the holding rope 3 on the individual support head 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, and for the base plates 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a on the holding rope 4. These are however not visible in
Running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, i.e. 47, 48, 49, 50 are affixed to both holding ropes 3, 4 within the area of the support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10 in such a way that—when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the net 2—one end 37a, 38a, 39a, 40a, and 47a, 48a, 49a, 50a of each of the running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 is located on one side of the relevant support body 7, 8, 9, 10, and the other end 37b, 38b, 39b, 40b, and 47b, 48b, 49b, 50b is located on the other side of the relevant support body. The running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 here freely pass the support bodies 7,8, 9, 10, namely preferably on the side that faces away from the slope or the rock wall, i.e. on the valley side, although the same can also be positioned on the side that faces the hill in exceptional circumstances.
The net 2 is moveably held directly by the holding ropes 3, 4 on the one hand, namely within the longitudinal area between the running ropes 37b, 38a; 38b, 39a; and 39b, 40a of two running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 positioned adjacently in a longitudinal direction. The net 2 is also moveably held by the relevant running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 within the support body area on the other hand and guided past the support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10. The moveable arrangement of the net 2 on the holding ropes 3, 4 and on the running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50, thanks to which the ring bundles of the net 2 can be moved in rows just like a curtain along the relevant ropes preferably occurs via glide elements looped around the edge rings and the relevant rope.
The ends of the running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 are either fixedly connected to the holding ropes 3, 4 via clip elements not shown in
If for example a rock 15 now falls into the area of the net 2 located between the support bodies 8, 9 as illustrated in
However, the holding ropes 3, 4 moveably held on the support bodies 8, 9, and therefore also the running ropes 38, 39, 48, 49 affixed to the holding ropes 3, 4 are pulled down until the connection points of the running rope ends 38a, 39b with the holding rope 3 as well as the relevant connection points of the running ropes 48, 49 with the holding rope 4 reach the support bodies 8, 9 and stop any further rope movement when a fixed connection exists between the running ropes 38, 39, and 48, 49 and the relevant holding rope 3, and 4. In this way a possible displacement of the net 2 is limited. During this phase those ring rows that were previously located on the other side of the support bodies 8, 9 and that can now move freely past the support bodies 8, 9 along the running ropes 38, 39, 48, 49 are also used.
The co-operating ring net surface is therefore substantially larger than that of conventional catchment nets with holding ropes fixedly attached to the support bodies. If the running rope ends 38a, 38b, and 39a, 39b are for example each located at a distance of 2 m from the support body 8, and 9 prior to the impact as illustrated in
The forces that are applied to the holding ropes 3, 4 during the impact into the net 2 effect an activating of the braking means 5, 6 integrated within the side area of the holding ropes 3, 4, which will effect a further energy absorption. The arrangement of the braking means 5, 6 in the side area outside of the protected zone is especially advantageous, as access for replacement purposes is especially easy.
The catchment net according to this invention with the running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 affixed to the support bodies 7, 8, 9, 10 on both sides via longitudinally moveable holding ropes 3, 4 guarantees an optimal load distribution with improved distribution onto several support bodies as well as a more favourable flow of forces through the net 2, and therefore smaller forces across the entire system. The anchoring forces are also substantially smaller, which in turn results in shorter anchor lengths and therefore a more cost-effective foundation.
If—as has already been mentioned—the running ropes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 47, 48, 49, 50 are affixed to the holding ropes 3, 4 not firmly, but moveably in such a way that friction or elastic and/or plastic distortion will create a kind of braking effect further energy can be absorbed when a certain load is exceeded during the gliding movement.
In
On the side of the support head 10a′ that faces the slope the guide elements for the upper holding rope 3′ that is tensioned at the side already mentioned above are affixed, whereby the same have here been allocated the reference numeral 55, and whereby the same are round for the protection of the moveable holding rope 3′. Similar guide elements are also envisaged at the lower end of the support body 10′ near the base plate for the lower holding rope, although these are not illustrated in
According to
The ring rows of the net gliding along the running rope, which are not illustrated in
It is of course also possible to equip the catchment net 1 according to
However, for systems for the lower energy range the braking rings envisaged for the side area of the holding ropes of the catchment net of this invention will suffice, namely just eight braking rings per approx. 40 to 50 m of blocking path.
The invention is sufficiently described with the aid of the above embodiments. It could however also be constructed differently. Instead of the running rope it is possible in principle to use rods or bands. The term running ropes can therefore also refer to such embodiments. It is also possible to provide several running ropes in one position.
Alternatively the net, the running rope, and the holding rope could be located on the side of the hill. It must however then be ensured that the net and the ropes can be displaced in the direction of the support bodies. It is of course also possible to use only one retaining rope 11 per support body.
In principle it is for example possible that the net shown in
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1546/03 | Sep 2003 | CH | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050050830 A1 | Mar 2005 | US |