BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure.

Terrorist attacks by means of vehicles driven at high speed in crowded pedestrian areas, typically in city-centre streets and symbolic locations, have generated the need for solutions capable of preventing or at least limiting the scope of these acts.

Following numerous terrorist attacks, barriers such as Jersey barriers or flower boxes have been installed in some cities to protect pedestrian areas and other sensitive zones to prevent or limit further terrorist attacks using motor vehicles to run into crowds

However, Jersey barriers and other barriers in concrete or metal materials currently used to prevent access to an area by unauthorised vehicles have drawbacks and limitations of a technical and also aesthetic nature.

From the technical viewpoint, Jersey barriers, and other barriers constituted by solid forms resting on the ground, base their protective capability on their weight, but are unable to ensure an adequate defence unless they are connected to each other or to the ground, and can therefore be crashed through with relative ease; instead, metal barriers base their protection on the capability to provide an irremovable obstacle and are much more resistant, but typically require major foundations and deep ground anchorages that are difficult and expensive to implement, especially in old town centres. The first are therefore used much more in old towns and in urban centres, particularly due to the greater simplicity and flexibility in installation. A Jersey barrier roughly 3 m long, for example, weighs approximately 1.5 - 2.0 t, while a concrete flower box can weigh from 150 kg to 900 kg depending on size.

When a barrier of this type is simply stood on the ground, unlike the classic laying of Jersey walls in a road configuration with chain fastenings connecting each Jersey barrier to the next, it can be easily moved or even thrown by a vehicle hitting it.

In fact, by simulating, for example, a 3,000 kg vehicle travelling at 50 to 70 km/h, and assuming that the structure of the vehicle absorbs 30-40% of the energy through deformation during the impact, all of the remaining energy is transmitted to the Jersey or concrete type barrier, which however is rigid and non-deformable, and only stands on the ground. For this reason, all of the remaining energy results in a violent movement of the barrier for tens of metres, especially on smooth or slippery surfaces, such as sett for example. Perhaps the vehicle stops, but the barrier is hurled, like a curling stone on ice, and can therefore cause serious injury to persons standing in the space affected by the barrier’s movement.

Another drawback of Jersey barriers and other known types of barriers is constituted by the negative landscaping impact, especially when installed in old town centres, because they appear like some kind of bare concrete wall in the middle of other areas of scenic interest, namely historic, cultural or architectural.

Known types of barriers also provoke human feelings of“anxiety and fear” due to their obvious function of protection, which contributes to a feeling of being under continuous attack.

FR 2 710 229 A1 describes a flower box for street furniture, actually a large box for flowers comprising a container, arranged inside the box, a mask arranged on the periphery, and a three-dimensional frame arranged between the container and the mask. The mask comprises a facing element mounted removably on the frame, which can constitute a modular system such that the frame can be superimposed and/or juxtaposed with another frame. FR 2 710 229 A1 describes a flower box for street furniture and not capable of acting as a safety barrier.

US 2009/001334 A1 and US 2006/237913 A1 describe structures that can be filled with water used as ballast.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to provide a barrier structure that, first of all, is technically efficient, i.e. effectively capable of stopping a vehicle and preventing the devastating effects of a possible attack.

Within the scope of this aim, one object of the invention is to provide a barrier structure that has an extremely low landscaping impact

Another object is to provide a barrier structure that can be a street furniture component and that can be integrated with different functional elements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure that can be produced using elements and materials that are commonly available commercially and that is also competitive from an economic standpoint.

This and other objects, which shall be described in greater detail hereinafter, are attained by a barrier structure with a high capacity for absorbing kinetic energy, achieved through the considerable deformability of the system combined with minimum movement on the ground.

The above-mentioned structure is characterized in that it comprises a shell designed to contain a frame in which multiple weights are suitably positioned and which surrounds a tank; said tank being designed to contain a volume of water, gel or other material and also defining one or more compartments designed to contain soil for plants; said frame having a high deformation capacity.

Furthermore, the shape of the frame enables the connection of the structures with one another in various“island” or“chain” configurations, thus linking one element to the next, thereby considerably increasing the containment capacity of energy originating from impacts and further limiting movements of these structures on the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the subject of the present invention will become clearer through an examination of the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the present invention, shown by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded front view of the structure;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of fitting out the structure forming the subject of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing another example of fitting out the structure;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a further example of fitting out the structure;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a possible configuration of multiple structures connected to each other;

Figure 7 shows an example of a wheeled device for handling the structure;

Figure 8 is a side view, partially in section, showing the quick- connection system in the working position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an example of quick-connection system;

Figure 10 is a schematic plan view showing a series of structures to be joined via the quick-connection system;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the water tank;

Figures 12-15 show various possible configurations of multiple structures connected to each other;

Figure 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure that, according to a further aspect of the present invention, has a saw-toothed lateral edge;

Figure 17 is a perspective view that shows the structure with a saw toothed lateral edge and base with mechanical anchorage support;

Figure 18 is a partial view, in section, of the structure with a saw toothed edge;

Figure 19 is a perspective view that shows the structure with a saw toothed lateral edge and base with chemical support;

Figure 20 is an elevation view that shows the structure with a support base with mechanical anchorage on turf or similar;

Figure 21 is an elevation view that shows the structure with a support base with mechanical anchorage on an asphalt surface or similar;

Figure 22 is an elevation view that shows the structure with a support base with a biadhesive gel base on a continuous smooth surface, such as marble, or sett;

Figure 23 is an elevation view that shows the structure, according to a further aspect of the invention, fitted with orthogonal teeth on one side;

Figure 24 is a view similar to the previous one showing the structure in operation;

Figure 25 is an elevation view that shows the structure, according to a further aspect of the invention, fitted with hidden props; and Figure 26 is a view similar to the previous one showing the structure in operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With particular reference to the numeric symbols in the aforementioned figures, the kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure according to the present invention, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1 , comprises a shell 2 designed to contain a frame 3 that surrounds a tank 4.

The structure further comprises a plurality of suitably positioned weights 20 made integral with the frame 3.

The tank 4 is designed to contain a volume of water or gel and defines one or more compartments 5 designed to contain soil 6 for plants 7.

The shell 2 can be made of a plastic or metal material and is characterized by a high deformation capacity.

The frame 3, which is preferably made of metal, for example of aluminium or steel, also has a high deformation capacity.

The tank 4, which can be made of plastic for example, has at least one filler plug 8 and one or more discharge plugs 9 arranged on the bottom, for respectively introducing and discharging the water or gel 10.

The frame 3 and/or shell 2 have deformable rubber supports with a high friction coefficient, indicated by reference numeral 11.

Two or more structures 1 can be rigidly connected to each other by quick-connection means, thereby joining the various structures in a chain.

Figures 6 and 12-15 show some examples of possible configurations.

The same connections, suitably configured, could also enable fixing the structures to the ground.

Figures 8 and 9 show an example of quick-connection means, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 12, constituted by T-couplings 13 inserted in guides 14 made in a wall 15 of the shell 2 and capable of engaging a connection element 16 provided with suitable shaped slots 17.

A trolley system is provided to facilitate the handling of the structure.

Figure 7 shows an example of a trolley system, constituted by a trolley 18 that can be associated with the shell 2 and is fitted with retractable wheels 19.

According to the present invention, the barrier structure can be assembled in situ or transported completely preassembled to the place of installation.

At the place of installation, the tank 4 is filled with water, gel, or another material suitable for giving a certain weight to the structure, which shall be securely anchored to the paving due to the presence of deformable rubber supports 11 with a high friction coefficient or shall be fastened by suitable ironmongery.

The energy of a possible impact caused by a vehicle being driven against the barrier is absorbed by the deformation of the frame 3 and by the content of the tank 4, while the weight of the structure itself ensures considerable resistance to movement.

In this regard, it should be noted that the structure can be rigidly associated with other similar structures, as schematically shown in Figures 6 and 10, via quick-connection means, to form a modular barrier that is substantially unmovable.

The possible removal or shifting of the structure is facilitated by the possibility of emptying the tank, via the discharge plugs 9 and also by the possible presence of the trolley system.

According to the present invention, the barrier structure can be integrated with various functional elements, of which Figures 3-5 show just a few examples.

The structure can also be integrated with autonomous day and night signs, for example, via LEDs powered by solar panels.

The structure forming the subject of the present invention can be used to make a modular barrier, even one with complex configurations and connecting different types of functional elements, such as seats, folding seats, tables, lamps, shelters, bike racks, etc.

Two examples of barrier modules are shown in the figures: a straight module and a circular module.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the structure is advantageously provided with a saw-toothed lateral edge 21 , which extends along the lower outer perimeter of the base of the shell 2.

The saw-toothed edge 21 is configured to puncture the tyres of a vehicle that hits the structure.

In fact, at the moment of impact, it is foreseen that the structure deforms and the vehicle tends to run up onto the first edge.

It is found to be advantageous to stop the vehicle’s directionality, and sometimes its traction, by making the vehicle straddle the structure.

In this way, a single block is created that increases the performance of the structure, as the weight of the vehicle is effectively added to that of the flower box itself.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the structure is advantageously provided with a support base with mechanical anchorage specifically studied for open agglomerate surfaces, such as asphalt for example.

The mechanical anchoring is obtained via saw-toothed elements 22 fixed beneath the shell 2.

The mechanical anchorage system enables to significantly increase the performance of the structure when the flower box stands on asphalt.

In practice, in addition to just friction, the saw-toothed elements 22 constitute a kind of crampon that, by biting into the asphalt, tends to block any movement of the structure.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the structure is advantageously provided with a chemical type of support base, specifically studied for continuous smooth surfaces, such as marble, sett, etc.

The chemical type support base is advantageously constituted by a biadhesive gel 23 applied on the bottom of the shell 2.

In practice, in addition to just friction, a kind of chemical gripper is formed that tends to block any movement of the structure.

The locking system using a biadhesive offers the advantage of being easily reversible when the structure is mechanically detached by removing it with hoisting means.

A further advantage of the locking system using a biadhesive is constituted in that, unlike glues, it leaves no residues and does not damage the surfaces.

Figures 23 and 24 show a further embodiment of the structure 1 that comprises an orthogonal saw-toothed lateral edge 24 on the side of the shell 2 opposite to the side provided with the saw-toothed lateral edge 21 , i.e. the side opposite to the side against which the possible vehicular impact is expected.

As schematically shown in Figure 24, if the vehicle impact should cause an inclination of the structure, the orthogonal saw-toothed lateral edge 24, which is on the side opposite to the side of impact, would bite the ground, stopping the translational movement of the structure 1.

Figures 25 and 26 show a further embodiment of the structure 1 that comprises hidden props 25. Each prop 25 is inserted within and hinged to the structure 1 at a hinge point 26.

As schematically shown in Figure 26, a possible impact of a vehicle causes deformation of the structure and, as a consequence, the props 25 that have the hinge point on the side of impact burst through the opposite side of the structure and are driven into the ground, blocking translational movement of the structure 1.

In practice, it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

A kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure has been produced that performs the task of ensuring an adequate protection from vehicles and, at the same time, constitutes an effective element of street furniture that is functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In fact, the device forming subject of the present invention, which can be aesthetically disguised as a flower box or something else, is essentially an energy absorber that uses the water/gel not just as simple ballast, as in devices of the prior art, but rather as a means to transform, at the moment of impact, the kinetic energy of the vehicle into kinetic and potential energy of the mass of water or gel.

Basically, in the present invention, the water absorbs the energy through column dissipation and/or water choking-atomization, in practice rendering the distribution of the energy on impact harmless.

This is made possible because the frame and the tank are highly deformable and able to instantaneously transfer the energy (instantaneous pressure increase in tank).

The structure forming the subject of the present invention can advantageously be made with recycled materials.

Naturally, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can vary according to needs.