AU2018223024A1 - Guard Rail Post and Improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides a post for a guard rail system including a mounting hole or slot for the connection of a guard rail to the post, the mounting hole or slot being located at an upper edge of the post or at a predetermined distance below an upper edge of the post, wherein said mounting hole or slot includes sides which are converging or diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot. (1~10 s/ 18 s

Description

Guard Rail Post and Improvements

Field of the invention [001] The present invention relates to posts for guard rails and in particular to improve the posts which assist the guard rail in performing its function during a collision.

Background of the invention [002] Prior art posts assist guard rail systems to perform their function of holding a rail in place for as long as possible during a collision by being frangible or being collapsible in a controlled manner.

[003] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention [004] The present invention provides a post for a guard rail system including a mounting hole or slot for the connection of a guard rail to the post, the mounting hole or slot being located at an upper edge of the post or at a predetermined distance below an upper edge of the post, wherein said mounting hole or slot includes sides which are converging or diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.

[005] The post can include another slot adjacent said mounting slot. The another slot can also include sides which are converging. Alternatively the another slot can have parallel sides.

[006] The mounting hole or slot can be an open or a closed hole or slot.

[007] The mounting hole or slot can be converging.

[008] The mounting hole or slot can be diverging.

[009] The present invention also provides a post for a guard rail system including a mounting hole for the connection of a guard rail to the post, the mounting hole being located at a predetermined distance below an upper edge of the post, the post including one or more apertures or slots located in the vicinity of the mounting hole and at or below the upper edge, the one or more apertures or slots being arranged relative to the mounting hole, wherein at least one of the apertures or slots includes sides which are converging or diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the aperture or slot.

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [010] The apertures or slots can be elongated closed or open slots.

[Oil] A last slot before or at the upper edge can be an open slot.

[012] Land between adjacent slots can be frangible.

[013] Land between adjacent slots can include weakened areas or portions.

[014] Land between adjacent slots can be able to be torn or sheared by a bolt which is initially located in the mounting hole as the guard rail moves upwards relatively to the post during a collision.

[015] There can be one slot or aperture which has converging sides above the mounting hole.

[016] There can be multiple slots or apertures, and each one has converging sides.

[017] There can be multiple slots or apertures, and one has converging sides, while the rest have parallel sides.

[018] The at least one of the apertures or slots is or are diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot. Alternatively, the at least one of the apertures or slots is or are converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.

[019] The present invention also provides a guard rail assembly comprising a rail and a post as described above. The rail can be bolted to the post by a bolt and a nut. The bolt can include a head and a first shank portion which is unthreaded and a second shank portion which is threaded for securing the rail to the post with a nut, the bolt being characterised by the first shank portion being substantially larger in diameter than the second shank portion whereby an external face of the first shank portion will bear against a surface of the post in the vicinity of the mounting hole.

[020] The bolt can be such that a first shank portion slidably secures the rail to the post so that the rail is free to move between the head and an external surface of the post. The bolt can be attached to the post after being threaded through the rail with a nut that is tightened to a torque which has been predetermined.

Brief description of the drawings [021] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [022] Figure 1 is a post in perspective view showing an outer surface thereof with converging hoes or slots;

[023] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section through a bolt and rail mounted in a post such that of Figure 1;

[024] Figure 3 illustrates a post similar to figure 1 with a single converging open slot above a parallel sided hole having like parts to Figure 1 being like numbered;

[025] Figure 4 illustrates a post similar to figure 1 with a single converging closed slot above a parallel sided hole having like parts to Figure 1 being like numbered;

[026] Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement of alternating converging and parallel sided slots or holes;

[027] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement of two parallel sided slots, with a final elongated converging slot;

[028] Figure 7 illustrates a post similar to Figure 3 with a single converging open slot which opens at the upper edge of the post having like parts to Figure 3 being like numbered;

[029] Figure 8 illustrates a post similar to Figure 4 with a single converging closed slot which is near to the upper edge of the post having like parts to Figure 4 being like numbered;

[030] Figure 9 illustrates a post with a single diverging open slot above two parallel sided holes;

[031] Figure 10 illustrates a post with a single diverging open slot above a single parallel sided holes;

[032] Figure 11 illustrates a post with a single diverging open slot;

[033] Figure 12 illustrates a post with a single diverging closed slot above two parallel sided holes;

[034] Figure 13 illustrates a post with a single diverging closed slot above a single parallel sided holes;

[035] Figure 14 illustrates a post with a single diverging closed slot;

[036] Figure 15 illustrates a post with a single diverging open slot above two diverging closed slots or holes;

[037] Figure 16 illustrates a post with a single diverging open slot above one diverging closed slot or hole;

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [038] Figure 17 illustrates a post with a single diverging vertically oriented closed slot below two diverging closed slots which are oriented at opposed angles to the vertical;

[039] Figure 18 illustrates a post with three diverging closed slots or [040] holes;

[041] Figure 19 illustrates a post with two diverging closed slots or holes;

[042] Figures 20 to 25 illustrate some of other post cross sections to which the invention can be applied.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [043] Illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 to 8 are posts 10 for a guard rail system which can be generally described as including a mounting hole or slot 14 (or 16,16.1, 18, 20), for the connection of a guard rail to the post 10, the mounting slot 14,16,18 20, being located at a predetermined distance at or below an upper edge 12 of the post 10, wherein the mounting slot or hole, in the case of Figure 1 holes 14,16,18,20; or Figures 3&4 slots or holes 14 or 16; or in the case of Figure 5 and 6 slots or holes 14 or 16 or 16.1; and in the case of Figure 7 and 8 slots or holes 14, each of which include sides S which are converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the respective slot.

[044] These converging sides S allow the post and bolt system to absorb more collision force as the land 22 between the holes or slots and the edge 12 of the post 10, or the land 22 between adjacent holes will be acted upon by both shear forces created by the vertical movement of the rail upward or axially along the length of the post 10, but also the respective lands 22 (if closed holes) will be pulled apart under tensile forces as the bolt moving upwardly forces the two sides of the slots apart.

[045] The taper or convergence of the two sides S can be set or manufactured according to the amount of energy to be absorbed, and such other factors as the compressive and shear strength of the bolt 30. It is expected that a taper of the order of 0.5 to 2 millimetres (depending upon whether the hole or slot is an open or closed hole or slot) over the height of the hole or slot will provide a satisfactory amount of energy absoption.

[046] The size or height of the land 22 and the compressive strength of the bolts 30 will be factors in the operation of the converging hole and bolt and post system.

[047] Illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, are posts 10 for a guard rail system including a mounting hole or slot 16 for the connection of a guard rail 40 to the post 10, the mounting hole

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 or slot 16 being located at an upper edge 12 of the post 10 or at a predetermined distance below an upper edge 12 of the post 10, wherein said mounting hole or slot 16 includes sides S which are converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the mounting hole or slot 14. The mounting hole or slot is an open hole or slot in the case of Figure 7, while it is a closed hole or slot 14 in the case of Figure 8.

[048] In the case of the open mounting slot or hole 14 of Figures 3 and 7, the amount of friction and absorption of collision energy will be dependent upon the elastic characteristics of the construction of the post 10 with such an open slot 14. In the case of the slots 14 of Figures 3 and 7, with a thickness of some 4mm of the Charlie post, may require the taper to be of the order of 2mm or more say 4 or 5mm. That is. The spacing of the converging sides S, or width of the slot 14, at the bottom of the slot 14, which receive the shank 36 of the bolt 30, is some 2mm (or more say 4 to 5mm) greater than the smallest width of the slot 14 at the top of the slot 14. This difference in width will determine the amount of energy that will be absorbed.

[049] In some of the posts 10 there is another slot adjacent the hole or slot selected as a mounting slot. The another slot can have sides S which are converging as illustrated in Figure 1, or alternatively the another slot can have parallel sides as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6.

[050] In general terms there is also provided a post 10 for a guard rail system which has a mounting hole 20, 18 16 or 14 in the case of Figure 1, or mounting hole 16 or 14, in the case of Figures 3 and 4, or 16, 16.1 or 14 in the case of Figures 5 or 6, for the connection of a guard rail to the post 10. The mounting hole used being located at a predetermined distance below an upper edge 12 of the post 10. The post 10 includes or one or more apertures or slots (the other holes 14,16,18,20 in the case of Figure 1, 14or 16 in the case of figures 3 and 4, or holes 14 or 16 in the case of Figure 5 and holes 14..1 in the case of Figure 6) located in the vicinity of the chosen mounting hole, and at or below the upper edge 12, wherein at least one of the apertures or slots includes sides S which are converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the aperture or slot.

[051] The apertures or slots can be elongated closed or open slots as in the case of slots of Figure 3 and 4 or 14 in the case of figure 6.

[052] A last slot before or at the upper edge can be an open slot 14 as in the case of

Figure 3 or 7.

[053] Land 22 between adjacent slots is frangible, while if desired, land 22 between adjacent slots have weakened areas or portions 22.1, so that the land 22 between adjacent slots

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 can be able to be tom or sheared by a bolt which is initially located in the mounting hole as the guard rail moves upwards relatively to the post 10 during a collision.

[054] Where multiple slots or holes are provided any slot or aperture which has converging sides can be located above or below a parallel or converging mounting hole 16 as illustrated in Figure 1 by hole 14, if hole 16 is used as a mounting hole; or slots 16 below hole 14 in the case of Figures 3 and 4 if holes 16 are used as mounting holes; or holes 16 when used as a mounting hole in the case of Figure 5; and hole 16 or 16.1 in the case of figure 6 can be used as a mounting hole.

[055] The post 10 can have one or a multiple number of slots or apertures, and the or each one has converging sides, as in the case of Figure 1, 7 and 8.

[056] The post 10 can have multiple slots or apertures, and one has converging sides, while the rest have parallel sides, as in the case of Figures 3 to 6.

[057] Now to describe in more detail, there is illustrated in Figure 1 the post 10 which is substantially of a C-shaped cross- section 12. The post 10 has in one side four holes or apertures 14, 16, 18 and 20. Any one of these holes can be a mounting hole, but depending upon the design criteria it is expected that the holes to use as a mounting hole are holes 20, 16 and 18. The holes 14,16 18 and 20 are approximately 60mm to 80mm in length and at their bottom end are of a diameter or width being approximately the diameter of the threaded shank 36 of a bolt 30 as illustrated in Figure 2.

[058] The slots or holes 14, 16 18 and 20 are coaxially arranged between the upper edge of the post 10 and the lower most hole 20.

[059] The slots or holes 14,16 18 and 20 of Figure 1 are of substantially the same width shape and taper as each other and have their central longitudinal axes collinear with each other and with the central longitudinal axis of which ever hole or slot is being used as a mounting hole to receive the bolt.

[060] Between adjacent hole or slot 20 and slot 18, and slots 18 and 16, and slots 16 and

14, and hole 14 and edge 12, are lands 22 which are sized so as to enable a bolt 30 mounted in the mounting hole 20 (or 18, 16 or 14) if acted upon by a substantial upward force, such as may occur in a collision, that the lands 22 will break or fracture, as a rail 40 is forced upward relative to the post 10 and the bolt 30 moves through the slots separating lands 22 or otherwise deforming them to fracture.

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [061] If desired the lands 22 can be weakened by holes 22.1 drilled or formed at either end of the land 22 or by weakened areas 22.1 such as might be formed by V-shaped grooves and the like. For example lines of weakness 22.1 on the land 22 can be such as those illustrated in Figure 1.

[062] Whilst figure 1 has multiple slots, a single slot with a single land between it and the top of the mounting hole 14 can be provided, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, giving a bolt 30 a clear run from the start of the single land 22 to the top of the post 12.

[063] Illustrated in Figures 9 to 19 are embodiments of posts 10, which include diverging slots or holes 14 at or near the upper edge 12 of the post 10, as follows:

in the case of figure 9, a diverging open slot 14 with multiple parallel sided holes or apertures 16;

in the case of figure 10 a diverging open slot 14 with one parallel sided hole or aperture 16;

in the case of figure 11, only a diverging open slot 14 at the top edge 12;

in the case of figure 12 a diverging closed slot 14, below the upper edge 12, with a multiple of parallel sided slots 16;

in the case of figure 13 a diverging closed slot 14, below the upper edge 12, with a single of parallel sided slots 16;

in the case of figure 14 a diverging closed slot or hole 14, below the upper edge 12;

in the case of Figure 15 a diverging open slot 14 with multiple diverging holes or apertures 16 18 etc;

in the case of Figure 16 a diverging open slot 14 with a single diverging hole or aperture 16; in the case of Figure 17 a diverging closed slot 14 with radiating diverging holes or apertures 16 which are at angles on either side of a virtual vertical axis;

in the case of Figure 18, a multiple number of vertically aligned diverging closed slots or apertures 14, 16 and 18;

in the case of Figure 19, a two vertically aligned diverging closed slots or apertures 14 and 16.

[064] Each of the posts 10 of Figures 9 to 19 are such that any of the slots or apertures can be used as mounting holes for the bolt 30. The advantage of utilising a diverging hole or aperture 14 is that by inverting the convergence of the hole 14 (compared with the hole 14 of Figures 1 to 8) from bottom to top the post 10 will work so that either the bolt can escape through either the top of the post 10 in the case of an open slot 14 of Figs 9 to 11 or 15, 16, directly through the open slot at the top of the post. Alternatively, in the case of Figs 12 to 14 or 17 to 19, by breaking the frangible lands 22 to get to the top of the post 10 or out of one of the apertures because it has a wider hole than the width of the nut which would secure the bolt 30 to

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 the post 10, allowing it to pull through and escape from the post 10. This is the case of the diverging holes of Figures 9 to 19 [065] Thus a large circular hole 22 can be provided or a square shape hole or slot being much larger than the external periphery of a nut or bolt head used to secure the rail 40 to the post

10.

[066] A standard M16 nut is 24mm AF(across flats) and the Oversize nut is 32mm AF.

Point to point, they are 27mm and 36mm respectively. Structural grade M16 nuts are roughly half way between both.

[067] The slot/aperture/hole sizes for the converging holes or slots 14 described above, measured at the bottom of the straight sides S is of the order of 18mm while it narrows to approximately 15mm at the top of the straight sides S.

[068] Whereas for the slot/aperture/hole sizes for diverging holes 14 described above, measured at the bottom of the straight sides S, is of the order of 18mm while at the top of the straight sides S is of the order of 40mm. The 40mm dimension will cover an oversize nut (32mmAF) which is used in the industry. If using the standard M16 nut the dimensions at the bottom can be 18mm while at the top 31mm will suffice to allow the nut to escape.

[069] Illustrated in Figure 2 is a cross section through an assembly of a bolt 30, post 10 and rail 40. The bolt 30 utilised to mount rail 40 to the post 10 has a head 32, a reduced shank 34 and a further reduced diameter threaded shank 36. The shank 34 forms a shoulder which will not pass through the mounting hole 14 whilst the shank 34 allows the rail to slidably move along it between the underside 33 of head 32 and the external surface of the post 10 in the vicinity of the mounting hole 14.

[070] Such a bolt rail and post assembly will ensure that the rail is secured to the post but is not clamped to the post 10 thus making it easier for the bolt 30 to slide relative to the post 10 in the mounting hole 14 and up through the lands 22 and through the adjacent slots towards the top edge 12 in the case of a collision.

[071] The last hole in the sequence where converging holes or slots are used on a post can be provided as a much wider hole so that the nut which would secure the bolt 30 to the post 10 can simply pull through and escape from the post 10. Thus a large circular hole can be provided or a square shaped hole or slot being much larger than the external periphery of a nut or bolt head used to secure the rail 40 to the post 10.

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [072] As an alternative, the upper edge or land 22 between the top edge of the upper slot and the top edge 12 of the post 10 can be removed such as shown by the dotted lines 22.1 in Figure 1 or in Figure 3, allowing the bolt 30, once it reaches the hole 22 to simply slide off the end of the post 10 without having to engage another land 22.

[073] Preferably the nut is torqued onto the bolt 30 so that the rail is secure, yet the rate of movement of the rail or the amount of force to move the rail relative the post will have to exceed a predetermined limit. Such a torque will need to be predetermined so that the rail will only move upwards when subjected to a force of collision of a predetermined amount so as to satisfy Australian and Overseas standards relating to such guard rail systems.

[074] Whilst the above embodiments are all illustrated with respect to a C-section post other shape posts such as the “O” post known as the Ochoa post as illustrated in Figure 23, where, depending upon application, one of its central planar sections on one of its three sides can receive a slot or hole arrangement as described above. Other shape posts can be utilised with the present invention. For example, a U-shaped post as illustrated in Figure 20, where, depending upon application, any one of the three sides could be utilised to embody the above described arrangements. In figure 21 is a C-shaped or Charlie post as illustrated in Figures 1 to 19 above, and where, depending upon application, any one of its three main sides can include the above described arrangements of holes and or slots. Whereas in Figure 22 is a modified Z-shaped post, where, depending upon application, the above described arrangements of holes and or slots, could be embodied in either one or both of the parallel sides. Figure 24 illustrates a rolled hollow section or rectangular hollow section, where, depending upon application, any one of the four sides can embody the hole and or slot arrangements described above. Figure 25 illustrates a modified C-section, and like that of figure 21, depending upon application, any one of the three generally planar sides of the section can embody the hole and or slot arrangements described above.

[075] It will be understood that the invention can be applied to any generally flat face of any shaped post, such as those described above, or H-shaped or I-shaped posts, which will allow a guardrail to be secured direct to the generally flat face of the post.

[076] Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of’. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

2018223024 21 Sep 2018 [077] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[078] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (24)

1. Claims

   1. A post for a guard rail system including a mounting hole or slot for the connection of a guard rail to the post, the mounting slot being located at an upper edge of the post or at a predetermined distance below an upper edge of the post, wherein said mounting hole or slot includes sides which are converging or diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.
2. 2. A post as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting hole or slot is an open hole or slot.
3. 3. A post as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting hole or slot is a closed hole or slot.
4. 4. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said post includes another slot adjacent said mounting slot.
5. 5. A post as claimed in claim 4, wherein in said another slot also includes sides which are converging.
6. 6. A post as claimed in claim 4, wherein said another slot has parallel sides.
7. 7. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said mounting hole or slot is diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.
8. 8. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said mounting hole or slot is converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.
9. 9. A post for a guard rail system including a mounting hole or slot for the connection of a guard rail to the post, the mounting hole or slot being located at a predetermined distance below an upper edge of the post or at an upper edge of the post, the post including one or more apertures or slots located in the vicinity of the mounting hole or slot and at or below the upper edge, the one or more apertures or slots being arranged relative to the mounting hole or slot, wherein at least one of the apertures or slots includes sides which are converging or diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the aperture or slot.
10. 10. A post as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apertures or slots are elongated closed or open slots.
11. 11. A post as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, or 7 or 8 when appended to claim 4, or claim 9 or 10, wherein a last slot before or at the upper edge is an open slot.
12. 12. A post as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, or 7 or 8 when appended to claim 4, or claim 9 or 10, wherein land between adjacent holes apertures or slots is frangible.
13. 13. A post as claimed in claim 12, wherein the land between adjacent slots includes weakened areas or portions.

    2018223024 21 Sep 2018
14. 14. A post as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the land between adjacent slots is able to be tom or sheared by a bolt which is initially located in the mounting hole as the guard rail moves upwards relatively to the post during a collision.
15. 15. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein there is at least one one slot or aperture which has converging sides above the mounting hole or slot.
16. 16. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein there are multiple slots or apertures, and each one has converging sides.
17. 17. A post as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein there are multiple slots or apertures, and one has converging sides, while the rest have parallel sides.
18. 18. A post as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein said at least one of the apertures or slots is or are diverging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.
19. 19. A post as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein said at least one of the apertures or slots is or are converging in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of said mounting hole or slot.
20. 20. A guard rail assembly comprising a rail and a post as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
21. 21. A guard rail assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the rail is bolted to the post by a bolt and a nut.
22. 22. A guard rail assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the bolt includes a head and a first shank portion which is unthreaded and a second shank portion which is threaded for securing the rail to the post with a nut, the bolt being characterised by the first shank portion being substantially larger in diameter than the second shank portion whereby an external face of the first shank portion will bear against a surface of the post in the vicinity of the mounting hole.
23. 23. A guard rail assembly as claimed in the claim 22 wherein the first shank portion slidably secures the rail to the post so that the rail is free to move between the head and an external surface of the post.
24. 24. A guard rail assembly as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the bolt is attached to the post after being threaded through the rail with a nut that is tightened to a torque which has been predetermined.