DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR ABSORBING IMPACTS

The present invention relates to devices and systems for absorbing impacts and in particular to devices and a system for absorbing impacts and protecting surfaces from contact with pallets, pallet trolleys, and the like.

Background of the Invention

The warehousing and storage of food items commonly involves the necessity of providing an environment between -4 ⁰ C and 1O ⁰ C. In order to provide such an environment, large scale refrigeration systems are installed in locations such as food warehouses, supermarkets and the like.

Such large scale refrigeration installations typically involve an entrance where goods can be moved in and out of the refrigerated area through a door allowing an individual moving the goods to pass through the door into the refrigerator installation. Furthermore, the entrance or door to these installations is large enough to accommodate the movement of pallets of goods on pallet trolleys in and out of the refrigeration installation. The walls of the refrigeration installations are often composed of material with excellent insulation properties and typically include a combination of sliding doors and other arrangements in order to maintain thermal efficiencies in order to provide a constant internal temperature within the refrigeration installations.

Such walls and door arrangements are typically quite vulnerable to large impacts due to the nature of the materials used in their construction. Due to the frequency of goods being moved in and out of these installations by means of pallet trolleys and the like, impacts on doorframes, sliding doors and the interior walls of these refrigeration installations are very common. Given that pallets often contain quite heavy loads, these impacts can have significant momentum and can cause significant damage to the components making up the refrigeration installation.

Accordingly, there is a need to protect the associated components of such a refrigeration system from impacts from pallets and pallet trolleys moving in and out of the refrigeration installation.

Pallets of goods moving on pallet trolleys are also associated with many different industrial, wholesale and retail situations. As a result, there is a large number of building structures that may also be vulnerable to impacts from pallet trolleys, or pallet trolleys carrying goods or other devices used to transport goods. Accordingly, there is a need to protect any other structure that is vulnerable to relatively frequent impacts of this nature.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect the present invention provides a device for protecting a doorframe, the device including: a main body portion including an end surface that is substantially perpendicular to the main body portion; a substantially planar base portion that is fixed to the main body portion and includes attachment means for securing the base portion to a surface; and, an impact absorbing portion that is coupled to the end surface and extends laterally thereto.

Preferably, the impact absorbing portion is in the form of a substantially planar surface and is coupled to the end surface via a first cylindrical portion wherein the substantially planar surface is fixed to one side of the first cylindrical portion and the end surface is fixed to the other side of the first cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the substantially planar surface is supported by one or more supporting portions, the one or more supporting portions being located between the substantially planar surface and the end surface. Preferably, the one or more supporting portions continue along the length of the substantially planar surface extending laterally from the end surface. More preferably, the one or more supporting portions are also fixed to the

first cylindrical portion along a portion of the circumference of the first cylindrical portion between the substantially planar surface and the end surface.

Preferably, there is a second cylindrical portion that is fixed to the end of the substantially planar portion that extends laterally from the end surface. Preferably the one or more supporting portions are also fixed to a portion of the circumference of the second cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the end surface includes a return portion that extends in a substantially perpendicular direction parallel to the main body portion. In this form, the main body portion, end surface and return portion form a U shape. Preferably, the return portion is fixed to the base portion.

Preferably, the main body portion further includes a tail portion at the other end from the end surface. Preferably the tail portion extends at an obtuse angle from the main body portion and is also fixed to the base plate.

The device for protecting a doorframe is substantially L shaped (or a mirror image thereof), whereby the main body portion is positionable along the length of a wall immediately before a doorframe. In this position, the impact absorbing portion extends beyond the end surface at right angles to the main body portion and is positioned in front of the doorframe to absorb any impacts from objects moving through the door opening. Preferably, the doorframe protector is at a height sufficient to absorb impacts from pallets, pallets trolleys or other pallet transporters.

Preferably, the attachment means for securing the base portion to a surface is in the form of a bolt arrangement wherein the bolts are fixed to and protruding from the surface and then through corresponding openings in the planar base portion. Preferably, there are a series of bolts that are arranged along a line of symmetry in the general direction of the impact. Preferably the height of the impact absorbing portion is between 10 and 30cm from ground surface and more preferably 15 and 25cm from a ground surface.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a bollard for protecting a sliding door, the bollard including: a substantially cylindrical main body portion including an impact portion on a curved surface of the cylindrical main body portion, a substantially planar base portion that is fixed to the main body portion and includes attachment means for securing the base portion to a surface, wherein the base portion includes a further supporting region extending beyond the cylindrical main body portion on the opposite side of the impact portion.

Preferably, the attachment means for securing the base portion to a surface is in the form of a bolt arrangement wherein the bolts are fixed to and protruding from the surface and then through corresponding openings in the planar base portion. Preferably, there are a series of bolts that are arranged along a line of symmetry in the general direction of the impact.

Preferably, the bollard is positioned whereby the bollard is fixed to a surface adjacent to a sliding door and prevents impacts from acting on the door associated with items moving through the door opening. In this way, the bollard may also act as a guide whereby a person moving goods through the opening associated with the sliding door may determine where the opening is due to the position of the bollard. According to one form, the sliding door is associated with a commercial scale refrigeration system.

Preferably, the bollard is positioned in combination with a device for protecting a doorframe whereby both a sliding door and the associated doorframe are protected from impacts associated with items moving through the door opening.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a device for protecting a wall, the device including: a main body portion including a base surface with attachment means for securing the base surface to a surface adjacent the wall, a substantially planar impact surface

substantially at right angles relative to the base surface; and an impact absorbing portion extending at an angle of between 5 to 175 degrees from the impact surface. Preferably the impact absorbing portion extends from the impact surface at an angle of 55 to 85 degrees. Preferably, the impact absorbing portion extends from the impact surface in the general direction of the base surface.

By incorporating one or more of the above aspects of the present invention, there is provided according to a further aspect, a system for absorbing impacts and/or protecting surfaces and/or components of large scale installations which may arise due to the movement of items, such as for example pallets on pallet trolleys in and out of the installation. The system includes positioning devices for protecting a doorframe around one or both sides of a sliding doorframe associated with an entry into the installation. On the doorframe side including the sliding door, a bollard may be positioned such that the bollard and device for protecting the doorframe inhibit any contact from items moving in and out of the installation from impacting on the sliding door and/or the doorframe. In addition, the system includes positioning devices for protecting walls around the internal periphery of the installation to prevent items coming into contact with the walls of the installation.

The installation may be any type of structure that is subject to relatively frequent movements of pallet trolleys, typically carrying pallets of goods, moving in and out and around the structure. According to one form, the installation is a large scale refrigeration system that permits the movement of goods in and out of the refrigerated area by means of pallet trolleys.

Brief Description of the Figures

The present invention will become better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a device for protecting a doorframe in

accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view from above of a device for protecting a doorframe in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a view from above of a bollard in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a bollard in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a device for protecting a wall in accordance with another aspect of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a device for protecting a wall in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a photograph of a device for protecting a doorframe positioned together with a bollard;

Figure 8 is a photograph of a device for protecting a doorframe positioned together with a bollard in association with a sliding door; and

Figure 9 is a photograph of devices for protecting a wall.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a device 1 for protecting a doorframe. The device 1 includes a main body portion 5 which includes an end surface 10 extending in a perpendicular direction from the main body portion 5. The main body portion 5 and end surface 10 are fixed by means of welding point 65 to a base plate 40. The base plate 40

is able to be secured to a ground surface (not shown). Bolts can be secured into the ground surface which then cooperate with openings 60 appearing in the base plate.

The end surface 10 is attached by welding points to an impact absorbing portion 15. The impact absorption portion 15 extends laterally from the end surface creating an overall L shape for the device for protecting a doorframe 1. The impact absorbing portion 15 is made up of a flat planar elongate surface with a first cylindrical portion 20 at one end, which is attached to the end surface 10. There is also a further cylindrical portion 25 which is attached at the remote end of the impact absorbing portion 15. Additionally, there are supporting ribs 30 that run between the cylindrical portions and are attached by means of welds to the main impact absorbing planar portion 15. The end portion 10 is welded onto the supporting ribs and the first cylindrical portion 20 and thereby provides a strong bond with the main body portion 5 of the device 1.

Additionally, the main body portion includes a return portion 35 and a tail portion 45. The return portion 35 and the tail portion 45 increase the structural integrity of the main body portion 5 in order to absorb impacts received on the impact absorbing portion 15.

hi use the device for protecting a doorframe 1 is positioned adjacent a wall with the impact absorbing portion extending around and sitting immediately in front of a doorframe (shown in Figure 2). In this position, the impact absorbing portion is able to protect the doorframe from receiving any impacts from objects moving through the opening which the doorframe defines. Once an impact is received by the impact absorbing portion 15, the first cylindrical portion 20 flexes and due to its residual shape and resiliences moves back into its cylindrical shape thereby absorbing a significant quantity of the impact force. Accordingly, the cylindrical portion 20 acts as an impact absorbing mechanism. Li this way, impacts received by the impact absorbing portion are diminished prior to preceding along the line of the main body portion. As such, there is little to no force acting upon the base portion 40 or the attaching means or bolts which are passed through the base portion. With this configuration, it is possible the impact absorbing portion can receive many number of impacts of a significant momentum

which will not disrupt the device for protecting a doorframe 1 from its position attached through its base plate to the ground surface.

It is preferred that the device for protecting a doorframe is constructed of a suitable material that maintains strength whilst providing some resilience, such as for example a metal composition, such as steel. If steel is used it is preferably galvanised steel.

Referring now to figures 3 and 4 there is shown a bollard for protecting a sliding door, generally shown at 100. The bollard 100 includes a substantially cylindrical main body portion 160 which is fixed to a planar base portion 120 that is attachable to a ground surface by means of bolts protruding from the ground surface and being located through bolt receiving apertures appearing on the exterior 140 of the substantially cylindrical main body portion and apertures 145 appearing within the interior of the cylindrical main body portion. The bollard 100 includes a cylindrical main body portion 160 with an impact portion 130 which is positioned in the general direction that impacts will be received prior adjacent a sliding door associated with a refrigeration installation. Li this way, the bollard is positioned immediately prior to the sliding door preventing any objects which may be moving through the opening of the door from hitting the sliding door and potentially causing damage thereto. The planar base portion 120 includes a further supporting region extending beyond the cylindrical main body portion on the opposite side of the impact zone 130. This extending portion 125 provides additional support to the bollard to maintain structural integrity whilst absorbing impacts from objects hitting the impact zone 130.

In addition, the arrangement of the bolts 140 and 145 are along the lines of symmetry in the direction of the impacts being received by the bollard, which provides additional support and structural integrity to the bollard 100.

According to one aspect, the bollard 100 can be used in conjunction with the device for protecting a doorframe 1 and in this way prevent any impacts from being received to the sliding door and/or doorframe of a particular installation typically associated with

refrigeration systems, significantly reducing maintenance costs and increasing the operating life of the refrigeration installation. According to a preferred form the bollard may also act as a guide whereby a person moving goods through the opening associated with the sliding door may determine where the opening is due to the position of the bollard.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a device for protecting a wall 200. The device 200 consists of a main body portion 190 wherein the main body portion includes a base surface 185, which is able to secure the device for protecting a wall 200 to a ground surface (not shown). The base portion 185 can be attached to a ground surface including protruding bolts through apertures 220 depicted in Figure 6.

The main body portion 190 also includes a substantially planar impact surface that is at an angle 195 of approximately 85-90°. In addition, the main body portion 190 also includes an impact absorbing portion 210 which is in the shape of a return in the direction of the base surface 185. The angle 180 between the impact absorbing portion and the substantially planar impact surface is 85°.

The overall configuration of the device for protecting a wall 200 is an elongate shape that is capable of protecting a substantial length of a wall from impacts. In addition, a plurality of these devices may be attached together through attachment means 230 which consists of apertures with a corresponding bolt arrangements to align the devices accordingly.

Once an impact is received on the impact surface of the device for protecting a wall, the impact absorbing portion 210 being at an angle of 85° to the impact surface 190 substantially diminishes the flex with which the device rotates around angle 195. hi this way, the device 200 is able to withstand numerous impacts which may be directed towards a wall which is immediately adjacent the device for protecting a wall.

hi line with the above, each of the above described components, the device for

protecting a doorframe 1, the bollard 100 and the device for protecting a wall 200 may be used in a system to protect the surfaces associated with an installation, such as for example, a large refrigeration installation that is subject to frequent impacts from trolleys carrying pallets in and out of the refrigerated area. As these installations are typically damaged as a result of heavy impacts from pallets being moved, the system can effectively prevent these impacts from damaging the components of the refrigeration installation, thereby reducing the necessity to conduct frequent maintenance. The system increases the longevity of the operating life of the refrigeration installation and provides that all seals such as doors and the like are maintained in good working order, thereby also increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration installation.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9 there are shown various photographs of embodiments of the devices and systems for absorbing impacts in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring specifically to Figure 7 there is shown a device for protecting a doorframe in conjunction with a bollard. As can be seen from the photograph, the device for protecting a doorframe is positioned such that the impact absorption portion is directly in front of the base area of the doorframe with the base plate running at 90° down the side of the wall extending from the doorframe. In this configuration, the device for protecting a doorframe can receive impacts and absorb these coming from pallet trolleys moving in and out of the opening defined by the doorframe. In conjunction with the device for protecting the doorframe, the bollard is positioned on the other side of the base plate of the device for protecting a doorframe. In this position, the bollard provides a guide as well as an impact absorbing function for an operator moving goods on a pallet trolley through the opening defined by the doorframe. In such a configuration it is not possible for the pallet trolley to impact the doorframe between the device for protecting a doorframe and the bollard causing damage.

Referring now to Figure 8 there is also shown a device for protecting a doorframe and a bollard which are positioned in an alternative embodiment. In this form, the device for protecting a doorframe and the bollard are positioned so as to allow the movement of a sliding door to pass between the bollard and the device for protecting a doorframe. Such

a configuration still does not allow pallet trolleys carrying goods to impact on either the sliding door when it is in a closed position and/or the doorframe of the opening. In this form again the bollard may be used as a guide for a person moving goods with a pallet trolley whereby they can determine where the opening is through which they are trying to pass the goods. In conjunction with the bollard and the device for protecting the doorframe there is also depicted devices for protecting a wall which are joined by means of bolt attachments to the bollard in this particular embodiment. These devices are shown to pass along the length of the sliding door whereby there is a return portion moving towards the wall of the particular structural installation in this instance. Such a device is in place such that goods being moved within the structure do not impact on the walls of the structure.

The device accomplishes this by providing an impact surface with a return at the top of the impact surface which is at an angle of approximately 80 to 85° extending from the impact surface which allows impacts which are received at an isolated portion of the impact surface to be dispersed along the length of the device for protecting a wall thereby dissipating the force along the body of the device without impacting on either its overall shape or its base plate configuration attached to the bottom surface of the structure.

Referring now to the photograph appearing at Figure 9 there is also shown another embodiment of the device for protecting a wall. In this case, long sections can be seen which are attached together and which also have a connecting portion which moves around the corner part of the structure wishing to be protected from impacts received from goods being moved around the structure on pallet trolleys.

Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.