Improved panel, in particular comprising a door

Technical Field

This invention refers to a barrier panel, in particular to delimit road or railway infrastructures and the like, of the type comprising a door.

Prior Art Barrier panels comprising a door are known to prior art, these panels comprising an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and a first and a second side vertical members extending between these upper and lower horizontal members and having an opening, or positioning area, for a panel element forming the pivoted part, or wing, of a door constituted by a fixed frame, in the shape of a doorway and made in the body, or sheet, of the panel, and which, however, weakens the structure of the panel sheet and is not in itself sufficiently rigid, with consequent excessive deformation and strain for the structural parts of the panel.

In known types of door panels, the side vertical members of the panel extend, in use, between the corresponding transversal portions of panel supporting means and present a respective side wall which is positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means.

Between the front face of the respective side vertical member and the transversal wall of the supporting section bar is a rigid metal bracket which is fixed to the corresponding vertical member and acts to compensate the distance, or play, between the vertical member and the supporting section bar.

This construction of the compensating means is, however, predefined and for the insertion of the panel in the housing formed by the double T section bars normally used to support the panel, and is affected by the presence of play, even minimal, between the front end of the bracket and the opposite flange of the supporting section bar. In this case, the vibrations and the air displacement caused by the passage of trains or other vehicles result in undesired knocks to and strain on the panel structure. In general, however, the known type of panels with a door are too rigid and not sufficiently resistant, with consequent problems of fatigue and of the panel slipping out of its housing constituted by the supporting section bars, as a result of the strain or vibrations which are particularly severe along high-speed train lines.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention provides a barrier panel, in particular for road or railway infrastructure and the like, especially of the type comprising a door, the latter comprising an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and a first and a second side vertical member between these upper and lower horizontal members and having at least one positioning area for a panel element constituting the pivoted part, or wing, of a door; the side vertical members extending, in use, between the corresponding transversal portions of panel supporting means and having a respective side wall positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means; characterised in that the respective side vertical member is provided with interposing means between the respective side wall of the vertical member and the corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means.

In this way, even in the presence of high levels of stress, the panel is prevented from slipping out of the housing constituted by the supporting means.

It is provided a barrier panel, in particular for road or railway infrastructure and the like, especially of the type comprising a door, the latter comprising an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and a first and a second side vertical member between these upper and lower horizontal members and having at least one positioning area for a panel element constituting the pivoted part, or wing, of a door; the side vertical members extending, in use, between the corresponding transversal portions of panel supporting means and having a respective side wall positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means; characterised in that means are provided for engagement of a corresponding transversal portion of the supporting means, that extend perpendicularly from a respective front wall of the side vertical member and which constitute means for compensating the distance between the front face of the vertical member and the transversal portion of the supporting means, the engagement means having an elastic layer for engaging the supporting means. In this way, the vibrations between the panel with the door and the lateral supports are absorbed.

It is provided a barrier panel, in particular for road or railway infrastructure and the like, especially of the type comprising a door, the latter comprising an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and a first and a second side vertical member between these upper and lower horizontal members and having at least one positioning area for a panel element constituting the pivoted part, or wing, of a door; the side vertical members extending, in use, between the corresponding transversal portions of panel supporting means and having a respective side wall positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means; characterised in that means are provided to abut a corresponding transversal portion of the supporting means which extend perpendicularly from a respective rear wall of the side vertical member.

In this way, the vibrations between the panel with the door and the lateral supports are absorbed.

It is provided a barrier panel, in particular for road or railway infrastructure and the like, especially of the type comprising a door, the latter comprising an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and a first and a second side vertical member between these upper and lower horizontal members and having at least one positioning area for a panel element constituting the pivoted part, or wing, of a door; the side vertical members extending, in use, between the corresponding transversal portions of panel supporting means and having a respective side wall positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular portion of the supporting means; characterised in that it presents at least one intermediate vertical member which extends and is fixed between the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member.

In this way, a particularly resistant structure is obtained for the panel, suitable to avoid material fatigue problems. These and additional advantageous aspects of this panel are described in the accompanying claims.

This invention also refers to a mechanism, or means, for engaging or compensating the panel, and to an interposing mechanism, or means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other characteristics of the panel are clearly described in the claims listed below, and their advantages will become clearer from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent non-binding examples of embodiments of the invention; in which: figure 1 shows a front schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section view along the line O-O in figure 1 of the first preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; - figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section view along the line N-N in figure 1 of the first preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section view along the line P-P in figure 1 of the first preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section view of a part of figure 4 of the first preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 6 shows an enlarged schematic side view relative to a preferred embodiment of the interposing element according to the invention; figure 7 shows an exploded schematic view relative to a perpendicular element for engaging the supporting means, according to a first preferred embodiment; figure 8 shows a schematic cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a stop element; figure 9 shows a schematic cross-section view of a part of the upper 5 horizontal member area, with particular illustration of the elastic supporting means for an upper supported panel; figure 10 shows a vertical cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of a reinforcement rib of a corresponding infill sheet; figure 11 shows a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the panel l o according to the invention; figure 12 shows a cross-section view along the line H - H of the second preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 13 shows a front view of a third preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

15 - figure 14 shows a horizontal schematic cross-section view along the line B- B of figure 13, of the third preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 15 shows a front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

20 - figure 16 shows a horizontal schematic cross-section view along the line M- M of figure 15, of the third preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; figure 17 shows a schematic side view relative to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; figure 18 shows a schematic side view relative to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment 10 of a barrier panel, in particular a barrier to delimit road or railway infrastructure and the like, which can be used alongside communication routes, such as roads, highways and railways, especially to acoustically insulate them from the surrounding environment.

The panel 10 is, in particular, the type comprising a door and comprises an upper horizontal member 20, a lower horizontal member 24 and a first and a second outer side vertical member 28, 32, which extend between the upper and lower horizontal members 20 and 24.

The panel 10 also presents an infill body with a prevalently two- dimensional development, having at least one area or opening for the positioning of a door 40 which can be passed through in a direction perpendicular or longitudinal to the body of the panel and comprising a pivoted panel or wing and a corresponding fixed frame, better explained in the description which follows. hi use, the side vertical members 28, 32 extend between the corresponding transversal portions, or flanges, 13a, 13a of corresponding panel supporting means, which can be formed by corresponding metal section bars in the shape of a double "T" section bar 13, which extends vertically and has a respective perpendicular core 13b, between the transversal flanges 13a, 13a, as shown schematically in figure 4.

As shown in particular in figure 4, the side vertical members 28, 32 have a respective outer side 28a, 32a, which is positioned to face a corresponding perpendicular core 13b of the respective supporting means 13.

Advantageously, the respective side vertical member 28, 32 is provided with means, or a mechanism, for interposing 50 between the respective outer side 5 28a, 32a of the vertical member 28, 32 and the corresponding perpendicular core 13b of the supporting means 13.

These interposing means 50 are in the form of elastic means, and, in particular, in the form of a plurality of vertically spaced interposing elements fixed to the respective side wall 28a, 32a of the respective outer side vertical member l o 28, 32, as can be seen in figure 1.

In particular, the interposing element 50 constitutes corresponding means of elastic contact, being made entirely from elastic material, in particular from EPDM.

As can also be seen with reference to figure 5, the interposing element

15 comprises an engagement portion 50a, in the form of a solid and compact body, with an outer cylindrical profile and a flat engagement surface, and is in the form of a squat body, that is to say the diameter is greater than the height of the engagement body 50.

The interposing element 50 also comprises an extension and stop portion

20 50b which is inserted in a corresponding hole in the respective side wall of the vertical member 28, 32, its insertion end having a widened and pointed head and a rod portion, with a reduced diameter, connecting the widened and pointed head to the main portion 50a of the elastic interposing element 50.

In this way, even in the presence of high levels of stress, the panel is prevented from slipping out of its housing constituted by the supporting means, and the knocks imparted by the panel on the supporting section bar 13, due to the vibrations to which the panel is subjected, are absorbed.

A second preferred embodiment 120 of interposing means is shown in figure 17. As shown, the interposing element 120 comprises advantageous engagement means for a corresponding perpendicular portion 13b of the supporting means 13, which extend perpendicularly from a respective side wall

28a of the respective side vertical member of the panel.

In particular, these engagement means are in the form of a solid element 120a, preferably in elastic material, with a slightly conical side profile, which narrows starting from the surface of the panel with which it is associated, and having a free end side 120' a of engagement with the supporting means 13b.

The engagement body 120a is also centrally hollow and recessed at 120"a, to allow the insertion of a self-tapping fastening screw 120b, which passes through a hole 19 in the corresponding side wall 28a of the panel vertical member and, cooperating with a corresponding washer 120c, provided on the inside of the side wall 28a of the respective side vertical member of the panel, secures the body 120a to the panel.

In practice, the screw 120b spreads out its longitudinal fins 12Od, engaging them with the washer 120c.

As shown, the longitudinal fins 12Od extend from the main body 120a of the engagement element and are arranged peripherically or radially to the exterior of the screw 120b, passing, together with the screw 120b, through the hole 19 in the wall 28a of the vertical member and the corresponding central hole of the washer 120c.

In practice, the inner washer 120c represents the fixing or stop element of the interposing element for the panel.

A third preferred embodiment 220 of interposing means is shown in figure 18. As shown, this interposing element 220 constitutes adjustable interposing means, in particular interposing means with an adjustable length, relative to the side wall 28a of the vertical member.

As shown, this interposing element 220 comprises advantageous engagement means for a corresponding perpendicular portion 13b of the supporting means 13, which extend perpendicularly from a respective side wall 28a of the respective side vertical member of the panel.

These interposing means comprise a rod-like element 220a, with an engagement head at its respective free end, in the form of a widened head constituted by a widened portion 220b of the rod 220a, the head having an engagement portion or layer in elastic material 220c, in the form of an elastic cap enclosing the widened head 220b.

As can be seen in figures 4 and 5, the invention also comprises advantageous compensating or engaging means, or mechanisms, for a corresponding perpendicular portion 13a, 13a of the supporting means 13, which extend perpendicularly from a respective front wall 28b, 32b of the respective side vertical member 28, 32.

Advantageously, these compensating means are adjustable compensating means, in particular adjustable in length, making it possible to move the engagement surface 55c away from or closer to the corresponding front wall 28b of the panel. By simply turning the respective rod, for example after the panel has been inserted in its housing in the supporting means 13, it is possible to securely engage the engagement surface 55c with the corresponding transversal portion 13a of the supporting means. These perpendicular compensating or engagement means comprise a rod- like element 55a with an engagement head at its free end, in the form of a widened head and constituted by a widened portion 55b of the rod 55a, the head having an engagement portion or layer in elastic material 55 c, in the form of an elastic cap enclosing the widened head. The rod-like element 55a has an outer surface which is appropriately threaded to cooperate with a corresponding threaded bush 55d, on the inside of the front wall 28b, 32b of the respective vertical member 28, 32. The inner bush 55d constitutes the fixing or connecting element of the rod 55a to the respective vertical member. Advantageous means of locking the rod in its outer extended position are also comrised, the means being in the form of a corresponding threaded nut 55e, which cooperates with the outer thread of the rod-like element 55a. The nut 55e is designed to be tightened against the front surface 28b, 32b of the corresponding front wall 28b, 32b of the respective vertical member. The rod-like element 55a extends through a corresponding hole in the outer side of the front wall 28b, 32b.

In particular, a plurality of perpendicular engagement elements are also comprised, which are distributed vertically, or reciprocally spaced, on the respective side vertical member 28, 32. Means, or mechanisms, 60 for abutting or engaging with a corresponding transversal rear portion 13a of the supporting section bar or means 13 are also comprised, these rear abutment means 60 extending perpendicularly from a respective rear wall 28c, 32c of the respective side vertical member 28, 32. As shown, these rear abutment means are in the form of a vertically elongated element 60, which substantially extends for the entire height of the respective panel and section bar 28, 32, the elongated element 60 being fixed to the respective rear wall 28c, 32c of the side vertical member and being made from appropriate elastic material, in particular from EPDM. As can be clearly seen in figure 4, these rear abutment means 60 are perpendicularly aligned with the means 55 for engaging and compensating the distance between the front surface 28c, 32c of the respective vertical member and the opposite transversal portion 13a of the supporting means 13.

As it is more clearly evident with reference to the detail in figure 5, the rear abutment means 60 are in the form of a hollow body with an arcuate and convex surface or wall 60a which engages with the corresponding transversal portion of the supporting means 13 and an opposite flat surface 60b abutting the rear wall

28c, 38c of the corresponding vertical member 28, 32.

The front and rear wall 60a, 60b of the abutment means 60 are connected together by the corresponding side walls 60c, 6Od, which diverge slightly towards the rear wall.

Means 61 for fastening the rear abutment element 60 to the rear wall 28c are also comprised, 32c of the corresponding vertical member, the means comprising a shear type rivet 61a, protruding from the flat engagement wall 6Od and designed to be inserted in a corresponding hole in the rear wall 28c, 32c of the respective section bar.

The insertion and connecting rivet 61a is fastened to the rear wall of the side vertical member by means of a corresponding widened head and plate 61b, 61c, which are provided inside the hollow body of the rear abutment means 60.

In this way, the vibrations between the panel with the door and the transversal walls, or flanges, 13a, 13a of the supporting section bars 13 are effectively absorbed.

As shown, the door-panel also comprises an intermediate vertical member 36, which extends vertically and is fixed to the upper 20 and lower horizontal member 24, in the same way as the side vertical members 28, 32.

The connection between the vertical members and horizontal members is provided by means of corresponding bolt connections.

This provides a particularly resistant structure for the panel, suitable for a better distribution of the strain and making it possible to avoid problems of material fatigue.

Together with a respective side vertical member 32, this intermediate vertical member 36 constitutes an area for the positioning of an element 40 forming a door. Together with a respective side vertical member 28, this intermediate vertical member 36 also constitutes an area for the positioning of a corresponding closing or infill panel 46.

As can be clearly seen with particular reference also to figures 2 and 3, the upper horizontal member 20 is in the form of an "H" shaped section, with a horizontal core 20a and opposite vertical flanges 20b, 20c.

The lower horizontal member 20 is, in turn, in the form of a "C" shaped section, which also has a horizontal core 24a and respective vertical flanges 24b, 24c, which face, or extend, downwards starting from the horizontal core 24a. In addition, the vertical members 28, 32, 36 are in the form of respective rectangular tubular sections, in particular a rectangular section bar that extends transversally to the panel, that is to say with the section having the respective long portion which extends along a transversal direction, or along the main extension plane of the panel 10. The tubular sections 28, 32, 36 constituting the respective vertical members present a respective connecting flange, which extends from a respective side wall 28d, 32d, 36a, 36d of the section bar, these flanges being identified by the reference numbers 29, 33, 37, 38 in the accompanying drawings and constituting connecting means for the respective elements constituting a corresponding infill panel 46 and a corresponding door 40.

In practice, the side vertical members comprise an outer longitudinal side wall 28a, 32a, an inner longitudinal side wall 28d, 32d, from which corresponding transversal connecting flanges 29 and 33 extend, and opposite front 28b, 32b and rear walls 28c, 32c. The intermediate vertical member, in turn, comprises opposite longitudinal side walls 36a, 36d, from which corresponding transversal connecting flanges 37 and 38 extend, and opposite front 36b and rear walls 36c.

As can be clearly seen with reference to figures 2 and 3, corresponding connecting flanges 21, 22, 25 also extend from the corresponding upper and lower horizontal members 20, 24.

As shown, the connecting flanges 21, 22, 25, 29, 33, 37, 38 extend from their respective section bars towards the interior of the respective open area.

As illustrated, at the insertion area of the infill panel 46, the upper horizontal member 20 has a vertical connecting extension flange 22 which is attached to the core 20a of the horizontal member 20.

At the insertion area of the door 40, the upper horizontal member 20 also has a horizontal plate 2Od, which extends between the flanges 20b, 20c of the upper horizontal member 20 and from which a vertical connecting extension flange 22 extends for a corresponding door 40.

As it can be seen from the figures, the connecting flanges are in the form of strips which extend transversally, or vertically, substantially for the entire width of the respective open area.

As it can be seen with particular reference to figures 2 and 4, the door 40 comprises a fixed frame 42, which supports a pivot frame, or wing, 44, that mounts a corresponding infill panel 45, in particular a first and a second infill panel interposed by a horizontal section of the pivot frame, or wing, in which the fixed frame is securely connected to the panel support structure, that is to say to its corresponding transversal 20 and vertical member section bars 32, 36. The fixed frame 42 of the door obviously has respective side vertical members 43b, 43c and an upper horizontal member 43a.

The pivot frame, or wing, in turn has respective supporting section bars, respectively constituting an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, a central horizontal member and side vertical members which are respectively identified with the reference numbers 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e.

As shown, the respective section bars of the fixed frame 42 and the section bar constituting the vertical member and upper horizontal member of the pivot frame, or wing, 44 are in the form of generally quadrangular tubular section bar with a recessed corner. hi particular, the respective section bars of the fixed frame and the pivot frame of the door have respective transversal two-layer connecting flanges which extend from the side walls of the respective section bar.

To block a fixed sheet 46, or a door panel sheet 45 in place, a corresponding sheet stop element is used, fixed to the corresponding side wall of the section bar with which it is associated. This sheet stop element is identified with the reference number 65 in the accompanying drawings.

As it can be seen, hi particular in figure 8, this sheet stop element 65 is in the form of an open section, generally "C" shaped, with its open end 65a constituting a support housing for a rivet 66 for engagement with a corresponding hole in the side wall of the respective section bar.

As shown, this section bar 65 is hi the form of an elongated section bar and comprises a perpendicular, or outer, free wall 65b, extending from which are corresponding transversal walls 65c, 65d, shaped at their ends to constitute the stop means of a shear type rivet 66, which could also be constituted, however, by a self-tapping screw (not shown).

Elastic means, in the form of respective seals identified with the reference numbers 68, 69 are also comprised, between the corresponding sheet 45, 46 and the respective stop means. These elastic means are in the form of seals 68, 69 held between the respective protruding connecting flange, which is fixed to the respective section bar, and the corresponding surface of the sheet 45, 46, and between the sheet stop element 65 and the corresponding end or surface of the sheet 45, 46. As it can be seen with reference to figure 9, the upper horizontal member has elastic means 70, for supporting an upper panel 15 on the upper surface of the respective core 20a.

In particular, these means for supporting a panel 15 are in the form of an elastic strip 70, in particular made from EPDM, preferably substantially as long as the entire length of the panel 15 and the upper horizontal member 20 .

As shown, the infill panels 45, 46 are made from insulating material, in particular from rock wool 72, inserted between corresponding shaped metal sheets, identified respectively with the reference numbers 73 and 74.

Advantageously, the respective infill panels, 45, 46 present respective reinforcement ribs 75, which are in the form of "Ω" shaped metal elements, with extension end flanges substantially level with a respective metal sheet 74.

As it can be clearly seen with particular reference to figure 10, the metal reinforcement rib 75 thus presents a flat and vertical or base wall 75a, substantially level with the metal sheet 73, and corresponding short perpendicular and horizontal walls 75b, 75c, from which corresponding flanges 75d, 75e diverge, parallel to the base wall 75a.

As shown, the panel or door has an advantageous opening handle 80, on the outside, and a pushbar handle 82, on the inside or front of the panel, fixed to the vertical members of the pivot frame. Figures 11 and 12 show a second preferred embodiment 100 of the panel according to the invention, the panel being substantially similar to the panel in the first preferred embodiment.

The components of the second preferred embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, they are identified with the same reference numbers and in order not to make this description too long they are not commented on in detail.

The panel 100 of this second preferred embodiment essentially differs from the panel of the first preferred embodiment in that the infill panels are constituted by transparent panels 145, 146, in particular glass panels, instead of insulating panels.

Figures 13 and 14 show a third preferred embodiment 200 of a panel or door, which differs from the previous embodiments above all due to the fact that it presents first and second intermediate vertical members 236, 238, delimiting an area between them for a respective door 40 and together with the side vertical members 28, 32 delimiting the respective infill panels identified with the reference numbers 246a, 246b.

The components of this third preferred embodiment are similar to those of the previous embodiments, they are identified with the same reference numbers and in order not to make this description too long they are not commented on in detail.

In this third preferred embodiment the fixed infill panels 246a, 246b, and the panels of the door 40, respectively identified with the reference number 245, are made from transparent material, in particular from glass.

In this third preferred embodiment, the reference number 200 schematically represents a mechanism for automatic closing of the door.

Figures 15 and 16 show a fourth preferred embodiment 300 of a panel or door, which essentially differs from the panels of the previous embodiments above all due to the fact that it has only the upper and lower horizontal members 20, 24 and side vertical members 28, 32, delimiting an area for a respective door 40.

The components of this fourth preferred embodiment are similar to those of the previous embodiments, they are identified with the same reference numbers and in order not to make this description too long they are not commented on in detail. In practice, the door 40 has a fixed frame and a pivot frame similar to those of the previous embodiments in which the fixed frame is fixed directly to the side vertical members and upper horizontal member of the panel.

This fourth preferred embodiment is suitable for situations in which the space between the supporting section bars 13, 13 of the barrier are very close together and do not allow the insertion of infill panels at the sides of the door.

In practice, the door 40 advantageously comprises a fixed frame 42 and a pivot frame 44, that mounts a corresponding infill panel 45, in which the fixed frame 42 is directly attached to the corresponding side vertical members 28, 32 of the panel and to the upper horizontal member 20, with identical connections to those of the previous embodiments.

According to this panel, the upper horizontal member 20 and the lower horizontal member 24 are advantageously the same distance apart as the height of the fixed frame of the door. A panel 10 is thus obtained which is very easy to handle and is extremely resistant. The invention described above is susceptible to evident industrial application; it can also be the subject of numerous modifications and variations which lie within the scope of its disclosure. All the details can also be replaced by technically equivalent elements.