The present invention concerns a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers.

The invention relates to the field of road safety and in particular to the maintenance within the roadway of vehicles that are out of control and that are heading out of the way.

It is known that road safety barriers are passive restraint and safety devices adapted to maintain the vehicles within the road and/or the carriageway, with the aim to improve safety by reducing the effects of accidents due to skidding. A road safety barrier can be realised with a guardrail system or with the so-called New Jersey barriers, depending on the specific cases regulated by legislation. In the present invention, the term road safety barriers will refer specifically to the barriers of the guardrail type, constituted by a plurality of posts vertically fixed into the ground, generally made of metallic material or wood, and connected by bi- wave or tri-wave tapes of metal material or by wooden beams.

In case of accident, any type of road safety barrier transfers to the ground on which it is anchored all or part of the pressure due to the impact of colliding vehicles.

It follows that the greater the consitence of the ground and the lower is the risk that this can crack due to the thrust exerted by the post. Excessive ground subsidence may be the cause of the malfunction of road safety barrier.

A ground is appropriate when it provides, with null or controlled displacements at the basis, the elastic behavior of the barrier posts, or when, collapsing, it provides the engagement of the plastic hinge of the posts at a depth of piling predetermined by the designer of the barrier, or better, when owing the initial type tests (ITT) of the device, the depth of piling detected during testing with live impact tests.

If the ground has no characteristics suitable to properly support the posts of the barrier, or it is not possible to build a new road with suitable margin performance (compatible with the directions of the initial type tests (ITT) of the products used) it is necessary to recover the existing one, improving its mechanical characteristics.

Alternatively to the recovery, in order to ensure the correct ground- post behavior it is necessary to act on the posts of the barrier so as to increase the resistant surface of the ground-post system, increasing the depth of piling of the posts and/or expanding the opposing surface between posts and ground.

In practice, it is quite difficult to have on road embankments made of grounds having performance comparable to those available at the time of initial type tests (ITT) of the product used in the test areas where the safety barriers are tested (the legislation on road safety devices and the initial type testing are aimed at providing to the players on the market the information necessary for comparing the products available with reference to a standardized testing environment; for the correct use of the devices it is essential to provide for the design of their applications on the road, while also taking into account the criticality arising from the presence of grounds incapable of ensuring the same constraint conditions encountered within the ITT).

In fact, in the first place the geometry is disregarded, because as a rule at the test fields the devices are tested in the absence of the slope on the back of the installation, and therefore the contribution of the support to the translation of the post is unlimited and not particularly affected by the shear phenomena.

In addition, the texture of the ground is higher, because the testing laboratories are equipped with grounds having high quality particle size and as compacted as to provide mechanical performance above average even for a very good road, and in fact at the test fields operation are conducted with grounds having a deformation modulus of 70-90 MPa, while for a good road values are reached of the ground deformation modulus comprised between 40-50 MPa. Better compaction results in the formation of the plastic hinge of the post at lower depths than it might be in the reality of the roads in the presence of less compacted ground: for equal piling, a deeper hinge is matched with a higher propensity of posts to rotate in the ground and to slip off. The easier the post rotates, the lower will be the contribution offered by the same in terms of passive resistance to impact and to the maintenance of the longitudinal elements of the barrier raised from the ground, so as not to be bypassed from the impinging vehicle.

From the foregoing it is clear that the road edge is a critical variable in the design of the systems of road safety barriers, which is not only conditioned by the presence or less of a slope, but also by the mechanical quality of grounds that constitute it.

In this context it is included the solution according to the present invention, which aims to provide a valid alternative to the already described methods of intervention, which consists of applying an auxiliary anchor capable of integrating and overcoming the mechanical deficiencies of the base support and which does not need to increase the resistant surface of the ground-post system and even to make use of the recovery of the road margin.

These and other results are obtained according to the present invention by proposing a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers that can keep the hedge ground inactive, because it allows to transfer the forces transmitted from the post to the road pavement in front. As a rule, the road pavement is able to offer greater mechanical resistance relative to the ground. Therefore, by ensuring proper support of the post to the device of aid to the support of the present invention and a suitable anchorage of said device to the road pavement it is possible to allow that the same poles, and consequently the safety barrier, can work as expected.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers that can overcome the limits of road safety barriers according to the prior art and to obtain the technical results previously described.

A further object of the invention is that said device can be manufactured with substantially limited costs, both as regards the production costs and as regards the management costs. Not the last object of the invention is to propose a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers which is simple, safe and reliable.

It is therefore a specific object of the present invention a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers which comprises a support element of contrasting backing of a post of a road safety barrier, said support element not being fixed to said post and being dimensioned so as to withstand in the elastic range to the thrust exerted by said post and being integral and/or coupled with at least one clamp, preferably two clamps, adapted to extend on the road pavement, a fastening system to said road pavement being coupled to said bracket.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, said support element can be selected among one or more plates, ropes, cables or steel rods, or mixed systems with ropes, cables and rods.

Alternatively, according to the invention, said fastening system comprises: glues and/or chemical binders applied to the lower surface of said at least one clamp, and/or fixing poles apt to pass through said at least one clamp and penetrate said road pavement, and/or foundation micropiles.

Furthermore, always according to the present invention, said fastening system may further comprise at least one gaffed profile, apt to overlap to said at least one clamp and penetrate said road pavement.

Still according to the invention, said fastening system may further comprise a distributor element, apt to overlap to said at least one clamp and to form a support for said glues and/or chemical binders, said fixing poles and/or said foundation micropiles and said gaffed profiles.

Finally, always according to the present invention, said device of aid to the support of road safety barriers may further comprise a shaped element, apt to couple with said support element, encircling said post.

It is evident the effectiveness of the device of the present invention, that, in the event of an impact, improves the resistance that the ground opposes the thrust exerted by the barrier posts, transferring the totality or part of the strains to the opposite road platform, rather than to the ground constituting the road margin. In practice, in the presence of inconsistent grounds or in any case grounds with insufficient mechanical characteristics to sustain and/or adequately support the poles, the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention, appropriately dimensioned and properly fixed to the road pavement, compensates to this kind of lack, serving as auxiliary anchor, so as to allow the posts to operate as expected, according to the provisions of the barrier manufacturer.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention is compatible with any type of post. Its use does not involve any adaptation of the post itself, such as the realisation of holes, welds, special processing.

In addition, the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention is constructed so as to allow the application even after the installation of the barrier. It is therefore recommended for upgrading works on existing plants, without having to act on road barrier, dismounting it, but also for new installations, as a reinforce for the posts before piling them in a ground with mechanical characteristics lower than necessary.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiment, with particular reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ,

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 3,

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 5,

- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 7,

- Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 9,

- Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 11 , and

- Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Referring preliminarily to Figures 1 and 2, in which the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by the reference number 10 and is shown applied to a post of a road safety barrier, which is instead indicated by the reference number 1 , and which is indicated inserted in the ground A, the invention provides that the post 1 backs by contrasting against a support element 11 placed in correspondence of the base of the same. In particular, said support element 11 adheres to the post 1 and sinks into the ground A to the desired depth, ie that indicated by the designer of the barrier to allow the post 1 to regularly collapse.

The support element 11 is not secured to the post 1 and is dimensioned so as to withstand in the elastic range to the thrust exerted by the post 1.

Two clamps 12 are connected to the support element 11. The clamps 12 are fixed to the support element 11 by means of a bolted joint, they are dimensioned so as to withstand in the elastic range to the thrust exerted by the support element 11 and are designed to transfer to an anchoring system, consisting of a plurality of fixing poles 13, shear forces only. In particular, the clamps 12 have the shape of an L, of variable height, depending on the depth of placing and of the size of the support element 11 , and also of variable length, depending on the distance that separates the support element 11 from the road pavement (B) and on the road pavement surface (B) itself needed to ensure the necessary strength to keep the post 1 in the proper operating position.

The clamps 12 (or the support element 11) must have a sufficient to reach the road pavement (B) and must ensure a sufficiently broad support and such as to put the road pavement (B) in the position to withstand the transferred stresses.

The fixing poles 13 sink into the road pavement (B) and are dimensioned in relation to the characteristics of the same, so as to allow the correct distribution of the loads.

In the embodiment shown with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the anchoring system is obtained by using, exclusively, the already said fixing poles 13. The anchorage may be improved by the use of chemical binders, poured/injected into the holes for the fixing poles 13 and, possibly, also on the lower surface of the clamps 12, enabling the surface of the clamps12 to adhere to the road pavement (B) and to contribute to the overall stability of the system by friction.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a second embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference number 10a.

According to this embodiment, the anchoring system is obtained by combining a plurality of fixing poles 13', a plurality of gaffed profiles 14, to increase the tightness of the system in the presence of less resistant pavings or in the need to operate in tight spaces.

The gaffed profiles 14 shall apply to the clamps 12 at appropriate coupling slots 15. The crampons of each gaffed profile 14, of triangular shape, may have different heights in relation to the type of desired depth of piling and functional to the specific application. Even in this case, the anchoring may be improved by the use of chemical binders, poured/injected into the holes for the fixing poles 13' and possibly also on the lower surface of the clamps 12, allowing the clamps 12 to adhere to the road pavement B and to contribute to the overall stability of the system by friction.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a third embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10b.

In this case, the clamps 12 are superimposed to a splitter element 16 designed to significantly increase the surface distribution of loads in the road pavement B.

The anchoring system is obtained by combining the fixing poles 13' of the gaffed profiles 14, applied to said splitter element 16.

The splitter element 16 is designed to increase the number of fixing poles 13' of the gaffed profiles 14 usable to ensure the stability of the system.

The gaffed profiles 14 can be applied both to the clamps 12 and to the splitter element 16, making use of appropriate coupling slits 17.

Also in this case the anchorage may be improved by the use of chemical binders, poured/injected into the holes for the fixing poles 13', and possibly also on the lower surface of the clamps 12 and splitter element 16, allowing them to adhere to the road pavement B and to contribute to the overall stability of the system by friction.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10c.

According to this further embodiment, the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention can be used by making use of a shaped element 18 in addition to the element 11. The function of said shaped element 18 is to harness the post 1 , raising the strength capacity of the support system represented by the element 11.

The element 11 and the shaped element 18 match by working with contrast on the post 1 and are made integral with each other by means of bolted joint.

Furthermore, the combination of the element 1 and the shaped element 18 performs another important function: that of preventing the post 1 to sink into the ground, wherever the texture of the same, instead, would allow it.

Referring respectively to Figures 9, 10 and 11 , 12, there is shown a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a fifth and a sixth embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10d and 10e.

These embodiments correspond to those described with reference respectively to Figures 3, 4 and 5, 6, with the addition of the shaped element 18.

Finally, referring to Figure 13, there is shown a device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10f.

This embodiment may be necessary in the presence of little resistant pavings and differs from that shown with reference to Figures 7 and 8 for the fact to strengthen the anchoring system by resorting to the foundation micropiles 19, obtained by coring the road pavement B and introducing into the same a special deep anchorage system, made of steel or concrete. In case, the fixing poles 13 can be adapted to fit in the foundation micropiles 19.

The use of the foundation micropiles is not excluded in the embodiments shown with reference to the other figures of the present description.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to fix the clamps 12 to the road pavement B directly applying the glues/chemical binders on the lower part of the clamps 12. This solution can be used in place of the fixing poles 13, 13' and/or of the foundation micropiles 19, or in combination with them.

From the foregoing description it emerges clearly that the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention is a device that applies to posts piled in the ground A, whose functional peculiarity is that of transferring the stresses generated by the post, directly to the opposite road pavement B, instead of the ground A constituting the road margin.

The road pavement B may be constituted by a mixture of aggregates and binders of (flexible) bituminous conglomerate, (semi-rigid) cemented bituminous and mixed conglomerate, (rigid) concrete slabs, however, it does not exclude the possibility of use of the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention also with artifacts to the road pavement B, provided they are comparable to it as far as mechanical ability and durability is concerned.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention must be dimensioned in all its parts to withstand the entire load transferred from the post, until reaching the plastic collapse of the post itself, according to the design specifications.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention does not involve any action on the post and the barrier to which it applies. In particular, in order to apply it, it is not necessary to remove the post nor disassemble parts of the barrier. No processes must be made on the same post, which would alter its original configuration (holes, welds etc. ...).

Therefore, the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention can also be simply leaning against the post, without the need to use any kind of fastening (bolted, riveted, welded, with chemical binders) between post and device. The support is obtained by means of an element 11 , of variable thickness, which may also have shapes other than rectangular, and be alternatively realised with shaped or box-shaped profiles. If necessary, the post 1 can be harnessed to the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention, thus allowing the device to support it. The shaped element 18 exerts a pressure on the post 1 that prevents it from slipping down.

The shaped element 18 has a shaped profile that can assume the characteristic "omega" shape, but does not exclude the possibility to realise it with geometries different from this, safeguarding its operation under pressure.

The clamps 12 may have welded thicknesses and/or side stiffening flaps. The side flaps of the clamps 12 may have a jagged shape to increase the tightness of the clamps 12 to the road pavement B.

The anchor clamps 12 can be coupled with one or more splitter plates 16, having variable thickness, length and width, of rectangular ofr different shape, useful for widening the extension of the contact surface between the device of aid to the support of road safety barriers and the road pavement B.

The splitter plates 16 may have welded thicknesses and/or side stiffening flaps. The side flaps 16 of the splitter plates can assume a serrated shape to increase the tightness of each splitter element 16 to the road pavement B.

The possibility is not excluded to realise the support element 11 and the clamps 12 or the support element 11 , the shaped element 18 and the clamps 12 in one piece and in a similar way to realise the clamps 12 and the splitter element 16 in a single piece, or the support element 11 , the clamps 12 and the splitter element 16 in a single piece, or even the support element 11 , the shaped element 18, the clamps 12 and the splitter element 16 in a single piece.

It is not excluded the possibility of realizing the clamps 12 or the clamps 12 and the shaped element 18 or the system of support element 11 and clamps 12, or of support element 11 , shaped element 18 and clamps 12, or of support element 11 , clamps 12 and element 16 or splitter support element 11 , shaped element 18, clamps 12 and splitter element 16 by adopting, in partial or exclusive way, also ropes, also cables or steel rods, mixed systems even with ropes, cables and rods combined to the traditional components in steel.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention anchors the road pavement B using a combined fastening system that, if necessary, sinks into road pavement B one or more poles/nails/anchor dowels 13, 13' and/or gaffed profiles 14 and makes use of chemical binders, cement mortars, abrasive surfaces in order to improve the adhesion of the poles 13, 13', of the clamps 12 and of the splitter plates 16 to the road pavement B.

The fixing poles 13, 13' are sharp rods with a side surface that is smooth or machined designed to be piled in the road pavement B. If desired, the fixing poles may be replaced by nails and/or anchor screws, or by anchor dowels, mechanical and chemical, of various kinds and sizes.

The gaffed profiles 14 are obtained from a "U" profile shaped with wings modeled as triangle to take the classic shape of the crampons. The profile can have variable dimensions, in particular the height of the triangular crampons may change in function of the requirements (from a few millimeters to several centimeters), as well as their shape, that may be in the shape of triangle or trapezoid, and their perimeter can be smooth or sawed.

It is not excluded the possibility of replacing the gaffed profiles 14 with similar shaped elements extended to a part or to the whole support surface of the clamps 12 and/or splitter element 16, directly formed on the clamps 12 and/or on the splitter element 16, or welded to them or added.

It is not excluded the possibility of replacing the gaffed profiles 14 of the systems realised with nails or cylinders or cones or sharp parts made of steel which may be applied or welded to the device (in correspondence with the clamps 12 and/or splitter element 16).

The clamps 12 and the splitter element 16 have circular and/or slotted holes for the engagement of the fixing poles 13, 13' and also can be realised by providing lateral offsets 15 and slots 17, suitable to accommodate the gaffed profiles 14.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention can also make use of deep foundation by means of foundation micropiles 19. The fastening system is then fixed to said foundation micropiles 9. The foundation micropiles 9 are made by coring the road pavement B and fixing in it posts made of steel having a different shape or injecting concrete.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention is rolled directly to the road pavement B, but can also be inserted into the same.

The device of aid to the support of road safety barriers according to the present invention is constituted by steel components, but do not exclude the use of different materials such as steel rods, cables made of stranded steel wire, carbon fiber, composite materials, stainless components.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope of protection , as defined by the appended claims.