FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector of delimiting barriers of infrastructural zones from the surrounding environment for delimiting communication carriageways such as for example motorways or railways.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A delimiting barrier for infrastructural zones from the surrounding environment for delimiting communication carriageways is known from document DE 41 26 239. It comprises a plurality of plates, comprising a first plate and a second plate, which are distributed along an extension direction of the barrier and which are supported by corresponding support means, in the form of uprights which prolong perpendicularly in height. The first plate and the second plate are fixed to a respective upright by connecting means and have respective end lateral portions reciprocally superposed in a transversal direction to the extension direction of the barrier.

The connecting means, in turn, comprise an L-shaped first blocking element and a second L-shaped blocking element, transversally facing the first blocking element, for blocking the end lateral portions of the first plate and the second plate to one another. Further, the connecting means comprise a screw for blocking the first blocking element and the second blocking element to the upright.

With the aim of fixing the first plate and the second plate, in the known barrier the first plate, the second plate, the first blocking element and the second blocking element each comprise a through-hole: by inserting the screw in the through-holes the first blocking element, the first plate, the second plate and the second blocking element will be fastened to the upright.

With the aim of ensuring a correct distribution of the tensions on the first plate and the second plate to an adequate blocking pressure it is important for the first blocking element and the second blocking element to have a certain abutment surface against the first plate and the second plate.

Given the conformation of the first blocking element and the second blocking element of the barrier, the only solution for effectively increasing the abutment surface is to increase the overlapping surface between the first plate and the second plate.

However, this implicates an increase in costs (given a same final length of the barrier more plates will be needed) and a less attractive appearance of the barrier, especially in the case of transparent or translucent plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above, the aim of the present invention consists in providing a delimiting barrier for infrastructural zones from the surrounding environment for delimiting communication carriageways which obviates the above- mentioned drawbacks.

The above aims are obtained by three different embodiments of a barrier according, respectively to claims 1 , 5 and 7.

With the use of a single profiled plate element having an S-shaped transversal section, the barrier of claim 1 increases the abutment surface of the connecting means against the plates due to the presence of the interposed portion between the first plate and the second plate. Therefore the barrier of the invention does not require an increase in the overlap between the first plate and the second plate with the aim of increasing the abutment surface of the connecting means to distribute the tensions better.

A further advantage of the above-described embodiment of the barrier is that it can include fixing means that are not visible to a person moving along the communication carriageway along which the barrier is arranged. This advantageously enables obtaining a barrier having considerable aesthetic appeal and wherein the fixing means, not being directly reachable from the communication carriageway along which the barrier is arranged, also function as an anti-theft device.

The barrier of claim 5, owing to the use of the first shim element and the second shim element, enables conforming the first blocking element and the second blocking element as simple flat plates, and increasing the abutment surface of the first blocking element and second blocking element without increasing the overlap between the first plate and the second plate.

The barrier of claim 7, owing to the use of blocking elements conformed so as to contact both the first plate and the second plate, enables increasing the abutment surface of the first blocking element and the second blocking element effectively without increasing the overlap between the first plate and the second plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the following of the present description, according to what is set down in the claims and with the aid of the appended tables of drawings, in which:

- figure 1A illustrates a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figure 1 B illustrates a rear view of the first preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figures 2A and 2B illustrate corresponding views of a detail of the preceding views 1A and 1 B, with a particular illustration of the connecting means of the plates to the uprights;

- figure 3 illustrates a front view of a detail of the first preferred embodiment of the barrier;

- figure 4 illustrates a section view of figure 3 along section A-A;

- figure 5 illustrates a section view of figure 3 along section B-B; - figure 6 illustrates a section view of figure 3 along section C-C;

- figure 7 illustrates a section view like that of figure 5 illustrating an embodiment of the barrier having a different upright;

- figure 8A illustrates a front view of a second preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figure 8B illustrates a rear view of the second preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figures 9A and 9B illustrate corresponding perspective views of a detail of the preceding views 8A and 8B, with a particular illustration of the connecting means of the plates to the uprights;

- figure 10 illustrates a front view of a detail of the second preferred embodiment of the barrier;

- figure 11 illustrates a section view of figure 10 along section D-D;

- figure 12 illustrates a section view of figure 10 along section E-E;

- figure 13 illustrates a section view of figure 10 along section F-F;

- figure 14A illustrates a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figure 14B illustrates a rear view of the third preferred embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention;

- figures 15A and 15B illustrate corresponding perspective views of a detail of the preceding views 14A and 14B, with a particular illustration of the connecting means of the plates to the uprights;

- figure 16 illustrates a front view of a detail of the third preferred embodiment of the barrier;

- figure 17 illustrates a section view of figure 16 along section G-G; - figure 18 illustrates a section view of figure 16 along section H-H;

- figure 19 illustrates a section view of figure 16 along section l-l;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the tables of drawings, reference numeral (1) denotes a delimiting barrier for infrastructural zones from the surrounding environment for delimiting communication carriageways object of the present invention.

With reference to figures 14A-19, a first preferred embodiment of the barrier (1) of the invention is described.

In accordance with the first embodiment, the barrier (1) comprises a plurality of plates, comprising a first plate (2) and a second plate (3), which are distributed along an extension direction (X) of the barrier (1) and which are supported by corresponding support means (4), in a form of uprights (4) which are prolonged perpendicularly in height, which first plate (2) and second plate (3) are fixed to a respective upright (40) by connecting means (5).

The first plate (2) and the second plate (3) have respective end lateral portions (2a, 3a) reciprocally superposed in a transversal direction (Y) to the extension direction (X) of the barrier (1);

The connecting means (5) comprise: receiving means (50) of the end lateral portion (2a, 3a) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) in a form of a single profiled plate element (51) having an S-shaped transversal section which enables defining a first receiving seating (52) and a second receiving seating (53), transversally distanced from one another, for receiving respectively the end lateral portion (2a, 3a) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3); fixing means (54) for fixing the receiving means (50) to the upright (40).

The above-mentioned barrier (1) not only increases the abutment surface of the connecting means (5) against the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) because of the particular conformation of the receiving means (50), but also reduces production costs: the receiving means (50), being in a single body, enable a reduction in production costs.

In particular, the support means (4) in the form of uprights (4) are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the extension direction of the barrier (1). The uprights (4), however, can be perpendicular or inclined with respect to the ground.

Further, the fact that the single profiled plate element (51 ) defines the first receiving seating (52) and the second receiving seating (53) enables a simplification and an increase in rapidity of mounting a barrier (1), further reducing costs.

The profiled plate element (51) is preferably defined by: a first end portion (60), frontal and longitudinally extended, which engages the front face of the first plate (2); a second end portion (61), rear and longitudinally extended, which is opposite the first end portion (60) and which engages the rear face of the second plate (3); an intermediate longitudinal portion (62) which engages the opposing faces of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3); a first transversal connecting portion (63) between the first end portion (60) and the intermediate portion (62) which defines the bottom of the first receiving seating (52); a second transversal connecting portion (64) between the second end portion (61) and the intermediate portion (62) which defines the bottom of the second receiving seating (53).

The fixing means (54) of the receiving means (50) to the upright (40) can comprise stem means (55). In particular, with reference to figure 17, the stem means (55) comprise a first stem element (55a) and a second stem element (55b). For example, the fixing mean (54) can be a bolt and screw system.

The stem means (55) can be fixed to the second end portion (61 ) of the profiled plate element (51) and the upright (40). With the aim of fixing the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) to the upright (40), it is advantageously not necessary to include holes or recesses or grooves in the first plate (2) and the second plate (3). In the above-described embodiment, the fixing means (54) of the barrier (1) are not visible to a person moving along the communication carriageway along which the barrier (1) is arranged. This advantageously enables obtaining a barrier (1) having considerable aesthetic appeal. Further, as the fixing- means (54) are not reachable from the communication carriageway along which the barrier (1) is arranged, the fixing means (54) also function as an anti-theft device.

The single profiled plate element (51) preferably has a disc shape (for example circular, oval or elliptical). This enables an optimal distribution of the tensions while advantageously avoiding dangerous concentrations.

In particular, the first end portion (60), the second end portion (61) and the intermediate portion (62) are substantially disc-shaped (for example, circular, oval or elliptical).

The first receiving seating (52) and the second receiving seating (53) are preferably conformed so as to enable free dilation of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3).

With reference to figures 8A-13, a second preferred embodiment of the barrier (1) of the invention is described.

In accordance with the second embodiment, the barrier (1 ) comprises a plurality of plates, comprising a first plate (2) and a second plate (3), which are distributed along an extension direction (X) of the barrier (1) and which are supported by corresponding support means (4), in a form of uprights which are prolonged perpendicularly in height, which first plate (2) and second plate (3) are fixed to a respective upright (40) by connecting means (5).

The first plate (2) and the second plate (3) have respective end lateral portions reciprocally superposed in a transversal direction (Y) to the extension direction (X) of the barrier (1).

The connecting means (5) comprise: receiving means (50) of the end lateral portion (2a, 3a) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) which comprise a first blocking element (70) and a second blocking element (71) transversally opposite one another so as to block between them the end lateral portions (2a, 3a) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3), which first blocking element (70) and second blocking element (71) are in a form of plate element; fixing means (54) of the first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) to the upright (40);

Further the barrier (1) comprises: a first shim element (72) positioned between the face of the first blocking element (70) and the face of the second plate (3), flanked to the first plate (2) in a longitudinally distanced position from the respective lateral edge of the first plate (2), and exhibiting a same width as the first plate (2); a second shim element (73) positioned between the face of the second blocking element (71) and the face of the first plate (2), flanked to the second plate (3) in a longitudinally distanced position from the respective lateral edge of the second plate (3), and exhibiting a same width as the second plate (3).

The above-described second embodiment of the barrier (1 ) advantageously enables increasing the abutment surface of the first blocking element (70) against the first plate (2) and the second blocking element (71) against the second plate (3), without increasing the overlap between the first plate and the second plate, in a very simple way.

In particular, the support means (4) in the form of uprights (4) are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the extension direction of the barrier (1). The uprights (4), however, can be perpendicular or inclined with respect to the ground.

The first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) are preferably in the form of a flat disc-shaped element (for example circular, oval or elliptical).

With reference to figures 11 and 12, the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) can each comprise a recess (9, 0) with respect to the respective lateral edge and the barrier (1) can comprise reciprocal fixing means (11) for fixing the first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) to one another, which reciprocal fixing means (11) are prolonged through the recess (9, 10) defied in the first plate (2) and the second plate (3).

The reciprocal fixing means (11) advantageously simplify the mounting of the barrier (1).

The recess (9, 10) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) and the reciprocal fixing means (11) are preferably reciprocally conformed so as to enable free dilation of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3).

The fixing means (54) of the receiving means (50) to the upright (40) comprise stem means (55). In particular, with reference to figure 11 , the stem means (55) comprise a first stem element (55a) and a second stem element (55b). For example, the fixing means (54) can be a bolt and screw system.

With reference to figures 1A-7, a third preferred embodiment of the barrier (1) of the invention is described.

In accordance with the third embodiment, the barrier (1) comprises a plurality of plates, comprising a first plate (2) and a second plate (3), which are distributed along an extension direction (X) of the barrier (1) and which are supported by corresponding support means (4), in a form of uprights which prolong perpendicularly in height, which first plate (2) and second plate (3) are fixed to a respective upright (40) by connecting means (5).

The first plate (2) and the second plate (3) have respective end lateral portions reciprocally superposed in a transversal direction (Y) to the extension direction (X) of the barrier (1).

The connecting means (5) comprise: receiving means (50) of the end lateral portion of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) which comprise a first blocking element (70) and a second blocking element (71), transversally opposite the first blocking element, for blocking the end lateral portions of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) to one another, which first blocking element (70) and second blocking element (71) are in a form of plate elements; fixing means (54) of the first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) to the upright (40)

Further, the first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) each comprise: a first longitudinal portion (70a, 71a) for engaging a face of the first plate (2), a second longitudinal portion (70b, 71b) distanced from the first portion (70a, 71 a) and which is able to engage a face of the second plate (3) and a transversal connecting portion (70c, 71c) between the first portion (70a, 71a) and the second portion (70b, 7 b).

In particular, the support means (4) in the form of uprights (4) are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the extension direction of the barrier (1). The uprights (4), however, can be perpendicular or inclined with respect to the ground.

The first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) have a Z-shaped sectional configuration (meaning a transversal section).

The first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) are preferably in the form of a flat disc-shaped element (for example circular, oval or elliptical).

With reference to figures 4 and 5, the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) can each comprise a recess (9, 10) with respect to the respective lateral edge and the barrier (1) can comprise reciprocal fixing means (1 1) for fixing the first blocking element (70) and the second blocking element (71) to one another, which reciprocal fixing means (11) are prolonged through the recess (9, 10) defied in the first plate (2) and the second plate (3).

The reciprocal fixing means (11) advantageously simplify the mounting of the barrier (1).

The recess (9, 10) of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) and the reciprocal fixing means (11) are preferably reciprocally conformed so as to enable free dilation of the first plate (2) and the second plate (3). The fixing means (54) of the receiving means (50) to the upright (40) comprise stem means (55). In particular, with reference to figure 4, the stem means (55) comprise a first stem element (55a) and a second stem element (55b). For example, the fixing means (54) can be a bolt and screw system.

In accordance with all the above-described embodiments, the barrier (1) can comprise a plurality of connecting means (5) perpendicularly distanced from one another with respect to the extension direction (X) of the barrier (1).

In accordance with all the embodiments each connecting means (5) of the plurality of connecting means (5) is conformed in such a way as to fix the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) to the upright (40) at a determined point. The use of the plurality of connecting means (5) advantageously enables fixing the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) to the upright (40) at a plurality of points.

The plurality of connecting means (5) are preferably equidistant from one another.

Once more in agreement with any one of the embodiments, the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) can be made of a plastic material or a polymer material (for example of polymethylmethacrylate or polycarbonate). Alternatively, the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) can be made of glass.

Still more in accordance with any one of the above-described embodiments, the barrier (1) can comprise a seal (19) interposed between the receiving means (5) and the first plate (2) and the second plate (3).

The probability of damage to the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) is advantageously reduced, and a better seal is ensured.

Further, the barrier (1) can comprise a further seal (18) which connects the first plate and the second plate where they are not connected by the connecting means (5).

The barrier (1 ) is preferably a sound-absorbent barrier and/or a sound- insulating barrier.