The present invention relates to a post. In particular, the present invention relates to a post and parts therefor that may be used for, but not limited to, cable barriers. For ease of reference, the present invention will now be described while in use
The present invention is designed to further improve upon the applicants earlier cable barrier post covered by NZ Patent No. 546969.
The post in NZ 546969 was itself designed to overcome problems with conventional cable barrier posts for a roading network which have a single aperture (slot) extending downwards though the middle of the barrier post as shown in
In short, one of the major drawbacks with this conventional single slot construction is that in order to accommodate multiple cables, the length of the slot is relatively long compared to the length of the post. As a consequence sides of the slot have considerably less strength than the remainder of the post. Accordingly, this necessitates constructing the post in a manner that provides sufficient lateral strength to help prevent shearing or buckling of the post in this weakened region. Thus, typically posts have to have a solid construction, or use stronger materials in their construction, to compensate for the reduction of strength and this understandingly adds to their cost.
Furthermore, the location of the slot within these barrier posts makes it difficult to replace, one or more posts, that may be damaged or broken, within an erected cable barrier system. The cables have to be loosened within the cable barrier system and/or a large post hole relative to the size of the post may have to be dug to allow room for manoeuvring the new post into position, in order to insert the post into the already erected cable barrier.
However, whilst the post of NZ 546969 addressed the aforementioned shortcomings with the single slot post, the Applicant has now found that in practice, the post in NZ 546969 also has a number of shortcomings. One such shortcoming is the folding over of the top of the post, following an impact with the barrier. This ends up trapping at least one of the cables within the aperture and thus reduces the energy that can be absorbed if the cables were free to fully flex.
In addition, it also means the post cannot be re-used which is wasteful and expensive.
It would therefore be useful to have a post which improves upon the post in NZ 546969 as well as addresses the issues with the single slot post discussed earlier.
All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.
Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is a post, which includes:
The Applicant has found that utilising the same number of apertures on either side of the post allows it to function as a median barrier as it performs in the same manner no matter on what side it is impacted. The post of NZ 546969 by way of contrast can only be used as a roadside barrier. Furthermore, adopting this requirement that the same number of apertures be on either side of the post also ensures the tops of the posts don't fold over following an impact.
Preferably, the post includes two, four or six apertures on the side of the post.
According a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a post wherein the apertures do not substantially abut and are instead separated a distance X from the medial axis.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a post substantially as described above wherein the post, wherein in use, the post is hollow and includes a cap comprising:
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a further preferred embodiment the mouth may for a distal region thereof be configured to reduce:
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
With respect to
The post 1 of
In relation to
The applicant has surprisingly found that if the apertures are moved away from abutting the medial axis of the post this increases as shown in
In relation to
In
It should be appreciated that the post may come in a variety of different shapes and configurations and be made from a variety of materials without departing from the scope of the invention.
In preferred embodiments, the post may be substantially hollow.
The inventor has found that by using a substantially hollow post, with a simple design requirement of aperture placement, this contributes to the lightweight construction and/or expense of manufacture of the barrier post. Additionally, by selecting a more cost effective material, this can also contribute to the cost of manufacture.
Preferably, the post may have an elliptical cross-section.
The aperture(s) may generally come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, provided the apertures have sufficient dimension to receive and retain, and preferably when required, release a segment of the cable.
The number of apertures on the side of the post must be an even number. That is the same number of apertures needs to be on each side of the post.
In general, the side apertures may include a retaining portion which retains the cable within the aperture.
In further preferred embodiments, the retaining portion may include at least one wall portion.
In some embodiments, the retaining portion may be at least one lip that retains or helps retain the cable within the aperture.
Preferably, at least one edge of the lip(s) may be curved.
Preferably, the aperture may project downwards from the mouth of the aperture.
The opening (mouth) of the aperture may have a variety of different configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the mouth may be configured to help direct a cable into the aperture so the cable can be retained therein.
In further embodiments, the mouth may also be configured to assist the release of the cable from the aperture should a suitable force of sufficient magnitude be applied to the post and/or cable.
In general, the cable and/or post will only move a sufficient distance to cause release of the cable in the area of the cable-barrier which is directly subjected to a suitable force or the region of the cable-barrier immediately adjacent thereto.
Preferably, the force applied to the cable-barrier, may be caused by collision of a vehicle with the cable-barrier or surrounding area. However, it will be appreciated that forces from other areas may be applied to the cable-barrier, without limiting the scope of the present invention.
In further preferred embodiments, the mouth may include a surface or edge which is inclined at an angle which directs the cable either into or out of the aperture depending on which direction a force is moving the post and/or cable.
Preferably, the angle of the top surface or top edge of the mouth may be substantially 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the post.
In a further preferred embodiment the mouth may for a distal region thereof be configured to reduce:
The mouth may be configured to reduce the travel path and/or frictional contact with the cable during an ejection event in number of different ways.
In one embodiment the angle of the top surface or edge of the mouth may be substantially 45° at a proximate region thereof, and substantially 50° or more at a distal region thereof, with respect to the horizontal. Preferably, the distal region of the top surface or edge of the month may be substantially 60°-70°.
In some embodiments the bottom surface or bottom edge of the mouth may also be configured to reduce frictional contact with the post as the cable exits the aperture.
In one embodiment the bottom surface or bottom edge of the mouth may be convexly curved.
In another embodiment the bottom surface or bottom edge of the mouth may be angled downwardly from the horizontal.
The inventor has found that the above aperture shape is an advantage. In particular, the shape allows for cables to be easily removed from one or more posts in an already erected cable barrier, without the need for collapsing the whole barrier. This can be important, for example where the posts may need to be replaced due to damage from an impact. Additionally, the shape of the aperture(s) provides for release of the cables from one or more barrier posts, at a particular point of impact, rather than releasing the cables from all posts, when an impact occurs.
In preferred embodiments, there may be two elongated appendages that may be situated on opposite sides of the post.
Preferably, the elongated appendage(s) may fit seamlessly against a portion of the internal surface inside of the post.
In preferred embodiments, the elongated appendage(s) may effectively close off the opening to the aperture(s).
Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention can have a number of advantages which can include:
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
603600 | Nov 2012 | NZ | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NZ2013/000203 | 11/12/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2014/077701 | 5/22/2014 | WO | A |
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2625024 | Jun 1989 | FR |
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Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150299969 A1 | Oct 2015 | US |