Apparatus and method for installation of support posts for a vehicle restraint system

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for installing a vehicle restraint at a desired location, the apparatus comprising a length of a pre-fabricated base unit locatable in or on the ground at the desired location, the base unit having a plurality of attachment positions at intervals for attachment thereto of at least one substantially vertical support post for supporting the vehicle restraint.

Claims

1. Apparatus for installing a vehicle restraint at a desired location, the apparatus comprising a length of a pre-fabricated base unit locatable in or on a ground surface at the desired location, the base unit having a plurality of attachment positions at intervals, wherein each attachment position is configured to receive a respective substantially vertical support post for supporting the vehicle restraint, wherein the pre-fabricated base unit consists of or substantially comprises reinforced concrete, wherein the base unit comprises longitudinally opposed rail sections with transverse portions across the base unit, the traverse portions extending between the opposed rail sections and transverse to a length of the base unit, the attachment positions being located on each of the traverse portions, and the base unit comprises a plurality of apertures to facilitate access to services located beneath the base unit, the access to the services is for inspection, maintenance or repair of the services, and the plurality of apertures are provided between each pair of adjacent transverse portions, extend through the base unit from a top surface to a bottom surface of the base unit and are dimensioned to permit maintenance and repair of services, and wherein metal reinforcing components in the base unit do not extend into the plurality of apertures.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures is provided between adjacent attachment positions of the plurality of attachment positions.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each attachment position comprises a socket in or through the base unit, the socket being adapted and configured to accommodate one of the substantially vertical support posts.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each attachment position in the base unit is adapted and configured to receive one of the substantially vertical support posts and comprises at least one integral metal anchor or fixing incorporated into the base unit before the concrete of the base unit has set, each vertical support post being securable to its respective integral metal anchor or fixing by means of a screw-threaded bolt.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein opposed ends of the base unit are shaped and dimensioned to co-operate with an end of a further base unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one end of the opposed ends of the base unit is configured to form an interlocking engagement with the end of the further base unit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one end of the opposed ends of the base unit is formed with a male member and the other opposed end of the base unit is formed with a reciprocally-shaped female member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the opposed ends of the base unit are shaped and dimensioned so as to permit the base unit to be moved in a substantially vertical plane relative to the further base unit, but so as to resist lateral relative movement of the base unit and the further base unit in the substantially horizontal plane, optionally whilst allowing pivotal movement in a horizontal plane.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with, or comprising, a pre-fabricated concrete conduit unit which provides a conduit for services beneath the base unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the conduit unit additionally provides a drainage channel for draining water from the base unit and/or an adjacent carriageway, and co-operating profiles are provided on the base unit and the conduit unit to facilitate alignment thereof.

11. A system for installing a vehicle restraint at a desired location, the system comprising a pre-fabricated base unit in accordance with claim 1, in combination with at least one support post adapted and configured for attachment to the base unit at a selected one of the plurality of attachment positions provided on the base unit.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a crash barrier adapted and configured for attachment to the at least one support post.

13. A method of installing a vehicle restraint system, the method comprising the steps of: (i) positioning a selected pre-fabricated base unit in accordance with claim 1 at a desired location; and (ii) anchoring at least one support post to the base unit.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: (iii) attaching a vehicle restraint or crash barrier to the anchored support post resulting from the performance of step (ii).

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the preliminary step of excavating a trench of length and width suitable to accommodate the base unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein spoil from the excavation of the trench is used to backfill the excavated trench after the pre-fabricated base unit has been positioned in the trench.

17. A system for installing a vehicle restraint barrier at a desired location, the system comprising a length of the pre-fabricated base unit as defined in claim 1 locatable in the ground surface at the desired location, the base unit having a plurality of reception sites for receiving at least one individual attachment unit for attachment thereto of a substantially vertical support post for supporting the vehicle restraint barrier.

18. The system according to claim 17, comprising the base unit as aforesaid in combination with one or more individual attachment units.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the individual attachment units consist, or are substantially formed, of concrete or reinforced concrete.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the reception sites on the base unit are essentially identical, and the individual attachment units are essentially identical, such that any of the individual attachment units may be received at any of the reception sites.

21. A method of installing a vehicle restraint barrier at a desired location using a system in accordance with claim 17, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a selected pre-fabricated base unit, of the system, at the desired location; b) introducing one or more individual attachment units into a corresponding number of reception sites on the base unit; and c) attaching at least one support post to each of the one or more individual attachment units; and d) affixing a vehicle restraint barrier to the at least one support post; wherein steps (a) and (b) may be performed in either order.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apertures have a rectangular shape.

Description

(1) The invention will now be further described by way of illustrative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 1B is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, with additional accessories;

(4) FIGS. 1C and 1D are illustrations of the layout of integral steel reinforcement bars within one embodiment of the invention, as seen from above (1C) or one side (1D);

(5) FIG. 1E is an illustration of an alternative layout of integral steel reinforcement bars within an embodiment of the invention, as seen from above;

(6) FIG. 2A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 2B is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A;

(8) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a system for installing a vehicle restraint system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

(9) FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a further embodiment of a system for installing a vehicle restraint system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

(10) FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of yet another embodiment of a system in accordance with the invention for installing a vehicle restraint system;

(11) FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of part of another embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a base unit of use in the present invention; and

(13) FIGS. 9A-9C are various views of yet another embodiment of a base unit in accordance with the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

(14) A first embodiment of the invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 1A. The apparatus comprises a pre-fabricated base unit 2 of reinforced concrete. The base unit is about 8 m long, 1000 mm wide, and 200 mm deep. A first end of the base unit is formed with a projecting male member 4, whilst an opposed second end of the base unit 2 is formed with a re-entrant female member 6. The male member 4 and the female member 6 are reciprocally shaped, so that the male member 4 of a base unit 2 can be received within the female member 6 of another base unit 2 so as to create an interlocking engagement, which permits relative movement of the two base units in a substantially vertical plane, but resists relative lateral movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

(15) The base unit comprises four attachment positions 8-8, which are at a fixed interval of 2000 mm. Each of the attachment positions 8-8 comprises an identical socket through the entire depth of the base unit 2. As best seen in FIG. 1B, each socket is provided with a removable steel liner or sleeve, locatable within the socket and extending beneath the base unit 2 into the ground below. The socket is of rectangular cross-section, shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain the liner or sleeve, which is in turn shaped and dimensioned to receive the end of a commercially-available Z-section support post of common and conventional design.

(16) Each attachment position 8-8 is provided in a respective rung 10-10 across the base unit. Between adjacent rungs 10-10 is a large aperture 12-12 formed in the base unit. Additional smaller apertures 14,14 are provided towards opposite ends of the base unit. The highly apertured nature of the base unit facilitates access to, and inspection, maintenance or repair of, any services underlying the base unit 2 when it is in situ along the edge of a road carriageway.

(17) In order to use the apparatus, a trench of suitable dimensions is excavated at the desired location and the base unit is lowered into the trench. A steel sleeve or liner 16 (seen in FIG. 1A) is placed in each of attachment positions 8-8 and driven into the ground, and a support post is then inserted into each steel sleeve or liner 16. The dimensions of the sleeve or liner are such that a widely-used, commercially available support post may be snugly received within the sleeve or liner 16, so as to be firmly anchored by the sleeve and base unit. The mass and rigidity of the base unit 2 allows the support posts to be firmly anchored without driving the posts to the depth of penetration which would be required in the absence of the base unit.

(18) Once the support posts have been anchored to the base unit, the spoil excavated in the digging of the trench may be partially or wholly back-filled on top of the base unit 2, depending on the requirements of the constructor, and the vehicle restraint barrier or crash barrier is attached to the anchored support posts by wholly conventional means (e.g. nuts and bolts).

(19) In the embodiment illustrated, the sleeve or liner 16 is shaped and dimensioned so as to snugly receive a conventional 17049 mm Z section post.

(20) FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate an embodiment generally similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1A/1B (although shorter, and with fewer rungs 10 and apertures 12), and like components are denoted with common reference numerals. The Figures illustrate the internal arrangement of the integral steel reinforcing bars provided in the base unit. These comprise four parallel pairs of main bars 3 along the long axis of the base unit, which are joined by a plurality of transverse members, of which a representative example is denoted by reference numeral 5. The transverse members are situated within the rungs 10. All the bars 3, 5 are of conventional H10 size. It is apparent from the Figures that the reinforcement bars do not protrude into the apertures 12.

(21) FIG. 1E is a plan view of a further embodiment illustrating the internal arrangement of integral steel reinforcing bars provided in the base unit. The arrangement is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 1C (and like components are denoted with common reference numerals). The arrangement of reinforcing bars illustrated in FIG. 1E is slightly more extensive than in FIG. 1C. In particular, there are two or three transverse bars at the opposed ends of the base unit, and an extra reinforcing bar is provided within the rungs 10, 10, 10 at the respective attachment positions to provide additional strength at those locations. The reinforcing bars are of conventional H10 or H12 size.

Example 2

(22) A second embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 2A. The embodiment is generally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, and like features are denoted by common reference numerals.

(23) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, each attachment position 8-8 placed at intervals of 2000 mm comprises a shallow rectangular recess within which is preferably located a thin steel plate (about 3 mm in depth). The thin steel plate avoids the need for a conventional on-site poured grout pad, which takes time to install and additional time to cure. A surface-mounted support post is mounted at the indicated attachment position. The mounting is typically performed by drilling a plurality of holes into the pre-fabricated base unit 2. The support post, with its attached (e.g. welded) base plate, is then anchored by inserting a plurality of metal bolts, studs or other fasteners through the base plate on the support post into screw-threaded engagement with a corresponding metal anchor or fixing secured in the base unit 2.

(24) If desired, one or more of the attachment holes in the base unit 2 may be pre-drilled in the pre-fabricated base unit 2 prior to delivery to the construction site, or less preferably each of the attachment holes is drilled in situ. More preferably the metal anchors or fixings are incorporated into the base unit at the concrete-casting stage, which avoids the need to drill holes for the fixings after the concrete has set.

(25) Accordingly, with preferred embodiments of the invention, there is no requirement for on-site drilling, or grout pad curing, which in turn means there is no requirement for on-site testing of the anchors, and the vehicle restraint/crash barrier can be installed immediately after the posts have been anchored to the base unit 2. This is not possible with conventional methods of installing vehicle restraint systems. (Also, with conventional methods, a return visit is required to remove the shuttering used to form the shape and position of the poured grout padsthis is avoided by the present invention).

(26) In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the attachment positions 8-8 are shown offset from the centre line of the base unit. However, it is equally feasible for the attachment positions to be located along the centre line of the base unit. In other embodiments, where it is intended to locate two crash barriers e.g. along a central reservation, the base unit may comprise a pair of attachment positions at each of the rungs 10, the attachment positions being offset to opposite sides of the centre line, so as to allow the anchoring of two rows of support posts, with a respective crash barrier being attached to each row of support posts.

Example 3

(27) Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The system comprises a base unit 2, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B, together with a plurality of vertical support posts 20-20. Each support post 20-20 is a conventional Z-section steel post, which is received in a respective one of the corresponding attachment positions 8-8 (shown in FIG. 1A) and the associated sleeve or liner 16 (shown in FIG. 1B).

(28) A conventional horizontal steel crash barrier can be attached to the support posts 20-20 by nuts and bolts, the support posts being apertured to permit the passage of suitably sized bolts.

(29) A further example of a system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. The illustrated example comprises a base unit 2, of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. At each of the plurality of attachment positions on the base unit is a vertical support post 20-20. These are anchored to the base unit 2 via their integral base plate, of the type used conventionally to anchor a surface-mounted post. The support posts 20-20 with welded base plate are anchored to the base unit 2 by two-part metal bolts sunk into holes drilled into the base unit 2. A bottom part or anchor is positioned in the base unit; and a top part is passed through a pre-formed hole in the base plate and into screw-threaded engagement with the bottom part or anchor. Conveniently the bottom part or anchors are incorporated into the base unit at the casting stage, which avoids the need for subsequently drilling holes into the base unit, after it has set, to accommodate the anchors. Four two-part bolts are used, one at each corner of the base plate, and a liquid synthetic resin is used to fill the residual volume. The resin is allowed to cure, such that the base plates, and their attached support posts 20-20, are firmly anchored. A conventional W-section steel crash barrier 22, is then attached in a substantially horizontal plane to the substantially vertical support posts 20-20. Again, the attachment is by use of conventional fixings, such as nuts and bolts.

(30) It will be noted that the base unit 2 in FIGS. 2A/2B and FIG. 4 differs in certain details from the base unit 2 shown in FIGS. 1A/1B and FIG. 3. An obvious difference is the absence of sockets penetrating through the entire depth of the base unit in FIGS. 2A/2B/4. In addition it can be seen that, because the system in FIG. 4 requires the use of base plates, having a relatively wide base, to attach the vertical support posts 20 etc., the transverse members 10 are substantially wider than the corresponding transverse members of the base unit shown in FIG. 3.

Example 4

(31) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a further embodiment of a system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The illustrated embodiment is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and common reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

(32) FIGS. 5A and 5B (drawn to different scales) show the system installed in situ along the outer edge of a carriageway 30. As best seen in FIG. 5B the base unit 2 is mounted above a pre-fabricated services conduit unit 32. The conduit unit 32 has a cross-section resembling conjoined adjacent letters n and u, such that the conduit unit substantially possesses rotational symmetry of order 2 about its long axis. The conduit unit is conveniently formed of concrete.

(33) The n shaped part 34 of the conduit unit 32 forms a protective arch over services 36, laid beneath the conduit unit. The services may comprise, for example, electrical cables, gas pipes and the like.

(34) The u shaped part 38 of the conduit unit 32 forms a drainage channel to drain away surface water which falls onto the structure or which drains onto the structure from the surface of the carriageway 30, which is substantially flush with the top of the base unit 2. In this way, the system can help reduce the build-up of standing water on the surface of the carriageway.

(35) One or more of the apertures 12, 14 etc. in the base unit are provided with a metal (e.g. steel) mesh which permits the passage of rain or other precipitation into the channel 38, whilst preventing the ingress of soil, leaves and the like which might otherwise partially or wholly block the channel 38.

(36) The mesh is not embedded within the concrete of the base unit 2 but is instead readily removable from the base unit, being attached thereto by releasable attachment means, such as screws, clips or the like, or simply resting on a flange or ledge portion of the base unit. The mesh has an array of square holes of about 10 mm sides, and may be covered by an optional layer of drainage-permitting material such as 20 mm flint filter stone or similar.

(37) In the illustrated embodiment, the prefabricated base unit 2 and the prefabricated conduit unit 32 are shown as separate components, the outer edges of the conduit unit 32 having a stepped profile which engages with a co-operating profile on the outer edges of the base unit 2. This engagement facilitates alignment of the base unit 2 with the conduit unit 32 such that the base unit can easily be placed in the desired position relative to the conduit unit.

(38) In other embodiments, the base unit 2 and conduit unit 32 may form a single integrated component. For example, they may be cast ab initio as a single as a single component in concrete, or they may be case separately but assembled together after manufacture for delivery onsite as a single, pre-assembled component.

Example 5

(39) FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a further embodiment of a system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The embodiment is extremely similar to that shown in FIGS. 5A/5B and common reference numerals are used to denote like components.

(40) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is largely identical to that described in Example 4 above, except that in this example, the top of the conduit unit 32 is substantially flush with the surface of the carriageway 30, and the base unit 2 is above the level of the carriageway and thus forms a kerb or edging to the carriageway. In this embodiment, as the top of the base unit 2 is above the carriageway 30, one or more drainage gaps 40 are provided along the side wall of the base unit 2 which is adjacent the carriageway, which drainage gaps 40 facilitate the passage of rain water or other liquids from the surface of the carriageway into the drainage channel 38 formed in the conduit unit 32.

Example 6

(41) Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the present example relates to an embodiment of the invention in which the support posts do not extend beneath the base unit. In such an embodiment, it is especially desirable that one or more sockets in the base unit are provided with retaining means for retaining a support post within the socket.

(42) FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of part of a base unit of such an embodiment, showing a support post in situ. FIG. 7A is shown semi-transparent, so that the positioning and operation of the retaining means can more readily be observed.

(43) The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A/B is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-2 and like components are indicated with common reference numerals.

(44) The base unit 2 comprises a plurality of sockets, each socket for receiving one end of a respective support post, and one such socket 8 is shown. The support post 20 is a conventional Z-section support post. The socket 8 is 175 mm deep and the base unit is 200 mm deep in total, such that the base unit extends a further 25 mm below the support post 20 when the support post is inserted into the socket 8.

(45) As the support post 20 is not inserted into the ground beneath the base unit but only received within the base unit, it is desirable to provide additional retaining means to help retain the support post 20 in the base unit in the event of a vehicle impacting with the vehicle restraint system.

(46) FIGS. 7A/B show one embodiment of such additional retaining means. The transverse rung 10 is formed with a circular bore which extends fully through the width of the rung 10 to the neighbouring aperture 12 on each side. The support post 20 is formed with a similarly-sized aperture therein which, when the post is fully inserted into the socket 8, is aligned with the bore through the rung 10. This alignment permits a steel retaining pin 50 to be inserted through the transverse rung 10, and the circular aperture in the support post 20. In the embodiment shown, the bore through the transverse rung 10, and the circular aperture in the support post 20, is 20 mm in diameter, and the retaining pin 50 is 12 mm in diameter. The retaining pin is of sufficient length that it projects a little way into each of the apertures 12 adjacent to the rung 10. Each end of the pin is screw-threaded to receive a nut to fasten the pin in place, although other fastening means could be employed.

Example 7

(47) Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8.

(48) In the illustrated embodiment, a base unit 2 for use in a system in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention is formed of reinforced concrete. Unlike the embodiments described in the preceding examples, the base unit does not have transverse rungs forming an integral part of the base unit. Rather, the transverse rungs are provided by individual attachment units, which are separate, prefabricated, components of the system.

(49) The base unit 2 takes the form of a rectangular frame, with a pair of substantially identical side members 52,52, (which are mirror images of one another), which are joined at their ends by a pair of substantially identical end members 54,54.

(50) The base unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises 13 identical reception sites. Each reception site comprises a pair of dovetail-shaped recesses, one of each pair being provided in the opposed side members 52,52 of the base unit 2. In FIG. 8, a representative pair of recesses is indicated by reference numerals 56,56.

(51) In the illustrated embodiment, one of the reception sites in the base unit 2 is shown occupied by an individual attachment unit 58. The attachment unit has a main body which is of suitable dimension to be slidably received between the side members 52,52 of the base unit. The main body of the attachment unit 58 is formed with a pair of projections 60,60. The projections 60,60 are of suitable size to be snugly received within a respective one of each pair of recesses, and are of a dovetail shape reciprocal to that of the recesses. Accordingly, the attachment unit 58 may be slidably inserted into the base unit 2 but, once located within the base unit, forms an interlocking frictional engagement therewith, so as to resist relative lateral movement.

(52) It will be appreciated that, because the reception sites on the base unit are essentially identical, the attachment unit 58 could be received within any one of the reception sites provided on the base unit 2.

(53) Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the attachment unit 58 is provided with a central socket 62 in the main body of the attachment unit, which socket 62 is adapted and configured to accommodate a conventional Z-section support post, on which a vehicle restraint barrier may be mounted. However, other embodiments can be envisaged in which, for example, the attachment unit is adapted and configured to receive a substantially conventional surface-mounted support post.

(54) Typically, in use, three or four individual attachment units would be inserted into the base unit and normally would be located at regular spacings along the base unit. The individual attachment units can be introduced into the base unit after the base unit has been positioned at the desired location, or may be introduced into the base unit before it has been positioned.

(55) Finally, it is noted that the end members 54,54 of the base unit are formed with reciprocal male and female dovetail projections, which allows co-operating engagement with the ends of corresponding base units 2 at the desired location, as described in Example 1 above.

Example 8

(56) FIGS. 9A-9C are various views of a further embodiment of a base unit of use in a system/method in accordance with the invention.

(57) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a pair of base units which are in an interlocking engagement which allows for limited relative rotational or pivotal movement of the engaged adjacent base units. FIGS. 9B and 9C are plan views of the engaged portions of the base units, showing that the engagement allows for limited relative rotational or pivotal movement of the base units in a horizontal plane.

(58) Where the features shown in FIGS. 9A-9C are generally equivalent or correspond to features shown in other drawings they are indicated with common reference numerals.

(59) Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, two identical base units 2, 2a have ends adapted and configured so as to allow for at least some relative rotational or pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. The base units 2, 2a are each provided with a projecting male member 4 which has a curved face describing about 260-270 of a circular arc. The male member 4 of base unit 2 is received within the reciprocally shaped female recess 6 formed on the end of base unit 2a. The interlocking engagement created by the insertion of male member 4 into the female recess 6 prevents engagement and disengagement of the base units 2, 2a by simple relative longitudinal movement. Instead, the base units 2, 2a are engaged or disengaged by relative vertical displacement.

(60) As apparent from the Figures, the arrangement allows for some limited relative rotational or pivotal movement of the two base units 2, 2a in a horizontal plane. The angle of rotational movement permitted is increased by the presence of angled, sloping shoulder portions 66 either side of the male member 4 and, to a lesser extent, by the slightly angled sloping shoulder portions 68 either side of the female recess 6.