Field of invention

The present invention relates to a modular crash barrier system for impact absorption

Background of the invention

During warehouse operations, an important issue is that of protecting pedestrians, workers and valuable or otherwise delicate equipment and resources from harm. An example of a hazardous environment is warehouses where humans are working in proximity with operating forklifts and/or similar vehicles. Even though measures are taken towards establishing certain physical structures or work routines aiming at resolving such issues, it is nearly impossible to foresee and prevent all accidents in a dynamic workplace.

In order to overcome these issues, there exist in the current state of the art different crash barrier systems. These systems are supposed to not be a part of a permanent structure of a workplace, but rather be placed in areas of high risk when the need arises.

However, the solutions in the current state of the art suffer from numerous drawbacks. Not only are crash barriers often cumbersome and difficult to assemble, they are also not adaptable for a variety of situations, e.g. when a barrier system needs to cover a more complicated geometry or protect against vehicles of varying sizes and shapes. Furthermore, crash barrier systems aiming at solving the problem of difficulty of assembly thereof by providing separate parts that are subsequently joined together, encounter problems with unsatisfactory strength of the barrier, especially at the joints. Summary of the invention

In view of the above, there is a need for a modular crash barrier system that is not only easier to assemble and more adaptable, but also provides a stronger assembled structure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a modular crash barrier system for impact absorption is provided, the system comprising: at least one post having a longitudinal direction, the at least one post being elastically deformable, the at least one post comprising at least one attachment groove defined by an inner wall and a first and a second side wall, the at least one attachment groove extending in the longitudinal direction; a protrusion arranged in the at least one attachment groove and connected to the inner wall, the protrusion having an extension along the longitudinal direction; at least one transverse barrier element comprising at least one attachment element slideably arrangeable within the at least one attachment groove for engagement with the protrusion; wherein the inner wall, in an assembled state of the modular crash barrier system, is more prone to deformation than the first and second side wall in response to a force applied to the at least one post and caused by an impact to the transverse barrier element.

The term “Elastically deformable” is within the context of the present application to be understood as being adapted to deform in a way such that a shape at a resting state is regained after the cause of deformation is removed. Thus, that the at least one attachment groove of the at least one post is adapted to deform during impact absorption entails that a resting state of the groove is regained after impact absorption. The deformation may e.g. be characterized by right angles of the groove being sharper or wider when the attachment groove is deformed. The deformation of the attachment groove leads to the attachment element, which is arranged within the groove, being pinched, gripped or otherwise compressed therein such that it is latched within the groove. The crash barrier may therefore be self-latching or self-locking such that the subjection thereof to a force, i.e. the absorption of impact, increases the mechanical resilience of the crash barrier. The deformation is reversible. Hereby, the modular crash barrier system is capable of absorbing repeated impacts without losing the ability to do so. Furthermore, since the inner wall is more prone to deformation than the first and second side wall in response to a force applied to the at least one post and caused by an impact to the transverse barrier element, the system is especially adapted to absorb impact in directions perpendicular to the inner wall.

The post is thus made of a flexible, elastic or otherwise deformable material such that the post is adapted to deform e.g. during impact absorption, such as when hit by a vehicle. The post may be made from a plastic material, or a combination of plastic materials, or comprise a plastic material. Alternatively, the post is made of a rubber material. Alternatively, the post is made of a combination of plastic material and rubber material.

The protrusion may comprise discrete protrusion elements spaced along said longitudinal direction of the at least one post.

The transverse barrier element may be made of the same type of material as the post.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the at least one attachment element may have a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of the at least one attachment groove.

Hereby, the at least one attachment groove is substantially filled up by the at least one attachment element. Thus, any deformation of the groove causes a higher compression force on the attachment element.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system may comprise a first post and a second post, wherein each of the first and the second post comprises at least one attachment groove, wherein the at least one transverse barrier element comprises a first attachment element and a second attachment element, and wherein the first attachment element is arranged at a predetermined height within the at least one attachment groove of the first post and wherein the second attachment element is arranged at a predetermined height within the at least one attachment groove of the second post such that the at least one transverse barrier element is arranged between the first and the second post at a predetermined height.

The predetermined height of the transverse barrier element may e.g. be chosen anywhere along the longitudinal extension of the first and the second posts. In this way, a crash barrier system according to the present invention is more adaptable, since the height at which the transverse barrier element is situated is freely chosen.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system may further comprise at least one spacer element slideably arrangeable within the at least one attachment groove.

A spacer element may be arranged above or below the attachment element of the transverse barrier element within the groove. The spacer element may e.g. assist in arranging the attachment element at a certain height.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, all portions of the at least one attachment groove not occupied by the at least one attachment element, in the assembled state, may be occupied by the at least one spacer element.

Hereby, unoccupied space of any groove is filled with spacer element, such that the post is made more rigid. By making the post more rigid, the inner wall of the attachment groove is even more prone to deformation than the first and second side wall in response to a force.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system may further comprise at least two spacer elements and at least two transverse barrier elements, wherein each of the at least two transverse barrier elements comprises a first and a second attachment element, wherein each of the first attachment elements is arranged at a predetermined height within the at least one attachment groove of the first post, wherein each of the second attachment elements is arranged at a predetermined height within the at least one attachment groove of the second post, and wherein one of the at least two spacer elements is arranged within the at least one attachment groove of the first post between the first attachment elements, spacing them along the longitudinal direction of the first post, and wherein the other of the at least two spacer elements is arranged within the at least one attachment groove of the second post between the second attachment elements, spacing them along the longitudinal direction of the second post.

By providing a crash barrier system with two spacer elements and two transverse barrier elements, the two barrier elements can be spaced from each other at both posts, i.e. the respective attachment elements are spaced at both posts. They may be spaced by the same amount, i.e. arranged at the same distance from each other, such that the two transverse barrier elements are parallel. Alternatively, the two attachment elements at one post may be spaced differently, such that the two transverse barrier elements are not parallel. For example, a first transverse barrier element may be substantially perpendicular to at least one of the posts, whereas the other transverse barrier element is arranged at an angle with regards to the first transverse barrier element.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a transverse direction of the transverse barrier element may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the post when the at least one attachment element is arranged within the at least one attachment groove of the at least one post.

The transverse barrier element may have a length component that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post that is larger than the length component of the transverse barrier element that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post.

Alternatively, the transverse barrier element is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. If the crash barrier system comprises two transverse barrier elements, they may be angled differently with respect to one post. For example, they may be arranged in a cross-like manner.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the protrusion may have an extension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein a cross-section of the protrusion at a first end portion thereof may have a width smaller than a cross-section of the protrusion at a second end portion thereof, wherein the second end portion is more distal to the inner wall of the at least one attachment groove than the first end portion.

The protrusion may have a substantially triangular cross-section. Alternatively, the protrusion may have a substantially droplet shaped crosssection. Hereby, the protrusion has at least one surface at least partially facing the inner wall of the groove, such that the attachment portion may be provided with a better grip of the protrusion.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the at least one protrusion may have a mushroom-shaped cross-section across the transverse extension of the at least one protrusion.

By providing a protrusion having a mushroom like-cross section, the protrusion is at least partially enclosing a subgroove of the groove, which subgroove it defines. This allows for an attachment element arranged within any subgroove to be restricted in movement in any plane at least partially enclosed by the protrusion, but not restricted in any other direction. The protrusion may only at least partially enclose the subgrooves in the plane of the cross-section. The protrusion may alternatively enclose the subgrooves, or at least one subgroove, in more directions or planes, such as in a direction angled with regards to the longitudinal axis.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the mushroomshaped cross-section may comprise two undercut engagement surfaces facing the inner wall.

Hereby, the protrusion has at least one surface at least partially facing the inner wall of the groove, such that the attachment portion may be provided with a better grip of the protrusion.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the at least one attachment element may comprise at least two attachment portions, and wherein the at least two attachment portions are slideably arrangeable within a respective one of a first and second subgroove of the attachment groove separated by the protrusion.

By providing an attachment groove comprising two subgrooves, a larger area is available for the attachment element of the transverse barrier element to be in contact with the attachment groove. Thus, a stronger connection between the transverse barrier element and the post may be achieved.

Furthermore, the two subgrooves may deform differently in response to a force applied to the at least one post and caused by an impact to the transverse barrier element. For example, one subgroove may contract while the other subgroove expands, one of the two subgrooves may e.g. deform is such a manner that only one of the attachment portions of the attachment element is latched therein. An impact absorbed by the system thus deforms the subgroove in a way such that the attachment element is latched therein, and thus it has a stronger mechanical connection to the attachment groove such that the system exhibits an increased resilience with increased stress from an external force. For example, one subgroove may deform such that a side surface of an attachment portion arranged within the subgroove abuts on and presses against a side wall of the attachment groove, such that the attachment portion is latched within the subgroove. By having a subgroove deform such that the attachment portion abuts on and presses against a side wall of the attachment groove, an impact absorbed by the system deforms the subgroove in a way such that the attachment portion is latched therein, and thus has a stronger mechanical connection to the attachment groove such that the system an increased resilience with increased stress from an external force. Furthermore, the other of the at least two subgrooves may deform in an expanding manner such that a curved surface of an attachment portion abuts on and presses against a curved inner surface of the protrusion.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the at least one post comprises four attachment grooves.

By providing a post with four attachment grooves, the post may be connected to at least four transverse barrier elements each extending in a different direction than the others. In particular, the angle between each two of the four transverse barrier elements may be 90°. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system may further comprise a rigid core element configured to support the at least one post.

Hereby, the system is configured to absorb even larger impacts. The rigid core element may e.g. be made of a metal. For example, the rigid core element may be made of steel. Alternatively, the rigid core element is made of a hard plastic material. Alternatively, the rigid core element is made of wood.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular crash barrier system according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the crash barrier system in Fig.

1 comprising three posts.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a crash barrier system according to the present invention during impact absorption.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the crash barrier system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the crosssection is taken transverse to the longitudinal direction of the post. Here, the crash barrier system is in a passive state.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the crash barrier system in Fig. 4 during impact absorption. Here, the crash barrier system is in a deformed state.

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the crash barrier system in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything is specifically indicated. Even though in the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a disassembled crash barrier system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of first aspect of the present invention. The system 1 comprises a post 2, and a transverse barrier element 4.

The post 2 comprises an attachment groove 6 in which the transverse barrier element 4 is adapted to be arranged. The attachment groove comprises an inner wall 7, and a first and second side wall 21 . The inner wall, in an assembled state of the modular crash barrier system 1 , is more prone to deformation than the first and second side wall 21 .

Here, the attachment groove 6 further comprises a protrusion 8 separating the attachment groove 6 into a first and a second subgroove 6a, 6b. Here, the protrusion 8 is substantially mushroom shaped, i.e. the width of the protrusion 8 is increased along the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post 2. The protrusion 8 may have any other shape, such as a triangular shape, ellipsoid shape, hook shape etc., as long as the width of the protrusion 8 is increased along the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post 2. Here, the protrusion 8 is continuous in a longitudinal direction of the post 2. Thus, a transverse barrier element 4 may be arranged at any given height along the post 2. In other exemplary embodiments, the protrusion 8 may comprise a discrete set of protrusions along the longitudinal direction of the post 2.

In this exemplary embodiment, the post 2 is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross-section. Furthermore, the post 2 has a plurality of planes of symmetry intersecting through a central axis of the post 2. The central axis may completely coincide with a longitudinal axis of the post 2 extending along the longitudinal extension of the post 2. Here, the post 2 is symmetrical at least in the sense that every attachment groove 6 has a mirror image on the other side of the post 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the post 2 comprises four attachment grooves 6 each comprising a protrusion 8 separating each groove 6 into a respective first and second subgroove 6a, 6b. The post 2 further comprises a cavity 10 which serves to minimize the weight of the post 2.

The transverse barrier element 4 comprises an attachment element 12, which element 12 is arranged on a distal end 4a of said transverse barrier element 4. The attachment element 12 is slideably arrangeable within the attachment groove 6 for engagement with the protrusion 8. The attachment element 12 is attached to the transverse barrier element 4 by a screw 14. The attachment element 12 may be attached to the transverse barrier element 4 by any other means, such as glue, nut and bolt, snap-locking etc. The attachment element 12 further comprises a first and a second attachment portion 12a, 12b adapted to be arranged within an attachment groove 6 of the post 2. The attachment element 12 may in other embodiments have only one attachment portion, or more than two attachment portions. Here, the two attachment portions 12a, 12b are adapted to be arranged within a subgroove 6a, 6b respectively. To this end, the two attachment portions 12a, 12b have a similar shape as the shape of the subgrooves 6a, 6b. The two attachment portions 12a, 12b are both elongated along a direction transverse to a longitudinal extension of the transverse barrier element 4. When the attachment portions 12a, 12b are arranged within said groove 6, their longitudinal extension coincides with a longitudinal direction of the post 2 (indicated by a dashed arrow in Fig. 1 ). The transverse barrier element 4 and the attachment element 12 are made from a plastic material, rubber material etc. The transverse barrier element 4 may be made of the same material as the post 2. In Fig. 1 there is further shown a spacer element 16 adapted to be arranged within the groove 6 of the post 2. Here, the spacer element 16 has a profile matching that of the subgrooves 6a, 6b of the post 2, such that it may fit therein. The system 1 further comprises a cap 18 for inter alia protecting the post 2 from getting soiled. The cap 18 comprises a pin 18a adapted to be arranged within the cavity 10. The cavity 10 may comprise a receiving element (not shown) adapted to receive the pin 18a such that the pin 18a is attached to the receiving element. The receiving element may e.g. be a piece of rubber comprising a through-hole adapted to receive the pin 18a or a deformable material in which the pin 18a may be arranged. The cavity 10 may further be adapted to receive a rigid core element (not shown) configured to support the post 2. The rigid core element may further be attached to the ground on which the system 1 is to be arranged, thereby anchoring the system 1 . The rigid core element may e.g. be made of a metal. For example, the rigid core element may be made of steel. Alternatively, the rigid core element is made of a hard plastic material. Alternatively, the rigid core element is made of wood.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the crash barrier system 101 according to the present invention comprising three posts 2. Here, all space not occupied by attachment elements 112 of any groove is filled with spacer element 116. Hereby, any post 102 is made more rigid. The system 101 further comprises two sets 40’, 40” of three transverse barrier elements 4 each, wherein a first set 40’ of three transverse barrier elements 4 is arranged between a first and a second post and a second set 40” of three transverse barrier elements 4 is arranged between the second and a third post. Transverse barrier elements arranged between each pair of posts may be equally spaced apart, i.e. arranged at the same lateral distance from each other, such that any two transverse barrier elements are parallel. Alternatively, any two transverse barrier elements arranged between the same posts may be spaced differently, such that the two transverse barrier elements are not parallel. For example, a first transverse barrier element may be substantially perpendicular to at least one of the posts, whereas the other transverse barrier element is arranged at an angle with regards to the first transverse barrier element. In Fig. 2, the transverse barrier elements within any of the two sets 40’, 40” are parallel to each other.

In Fig. 2, two of the four attachment grooves 106 of at least the middle post 102 both have a respective spacer element 1 16’ having substantially the same longitudinal extension as the post 102 in which they are arranged. A spacer element of substantially the same length as a post is e.g. arranged within a groove in which no transverse barrier element is arranged. Therefore, an attachment groove not being used for attachment of a transverse barrier element may in this way be protected from outside soiling.

Fig. 3 shows a crash barrier system 201 according to the first aspect of the present invention when the system 201 is subjected to external forces, i.e. absorbing an impact. The external forces are represented by the two solid arrows A1 and A2. Here, two transverse barrier elements 204’, 204” are subjected to external forces. The transverse barrier elements 204’, 204”, when subjected to external force, is absorbing the force by deforming in a direction of the force, such as the direction of the respective arrows A1 , A2. When transverse barrier elements 204’, 204” deform under an external force, the impact is translated throughout the body of the element 204’, 204” to the attachment elements 212”, 212’”, where the external force in turn is translated to the post 202. As such, an impact absorbed by the system 201 deforms the post in a way such that the attachment element 212’, 212”, 212’” is latched to the post 202, and thus has a stronger mechanical connection to the post 202 such that the system 201 has an increased resilience with increased stress from an external force A1 , A2.

Here, it is further shown that a first barrier element 204’ and a second barrier element 204” are spaced by a spacer element 216 in a vertical direction, i.e. in a direction coinciding with a longitudinal direction of the post 202.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a post 302 according to the first aspect of the present invention, the post 302 being connected to a transverse barrier element 304 through an attachment element 312. The cross-section is in Fig. 4 shown as a substantially circular cross-section, but it may also be a substantially square, rectangular or triangular cross-section, or a crosssection of any other shape. Here, three out of four attachment grooves have a respective spacer element 316 arranged within them. An attachment groove 306, divided into a first and second subgroove 306a, 306b by a protrusion 308, has the attachment element 312 of the transverse barrier element 304 arranged therewithin. The attachment groove 306 comprises a passive state and a deformed state. Here, the attachment groove 306 is shown in a passive state, i.e. a state in which the system 301 does not absorb any impact. The attachment groove 306 during a deformed state is shown in Fig. 5. As such, the attachment groove 306 is adapted to deform during impact absorption such that the attachment groove 306 transitions from the passive state to said deformed state.

Here, the attachment element 312 has a first and a second attachment portions 312a, 312b arranged within a respective subgroove 306a, 306b. Hereby, the attachment element 312 engages with the protrusion 308. The protrusion 308 has a longitudinal extension coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the post 302, and a transverse extension coinciding with a transverse direction of the transverse barrier element 304 between a first end portion 317 being attached to the attachment groove 306 at the inner wall 307, and a second end portion 319 distal to the first end portion 317.

As indicated in Fig. 4, there is a distance between the attachment element 312 and the inner surface of the groove, such as the distance d1 between a distal end 313, 315 of any of the two attachment portions 312a, 312b and the inner wall 307 of the groove 306. The distance d1 may e.g. be 10 mm, 7 mm, 5 mm, 3 mm or 1 mm. The distance d1 allows for a certain mobility of the attachment element 312 within the groove 306. In this embodiment, this means that a certain mobility of the two attachment portions 312a, 312b within their respective subgrooves 306a, 306b is allowed. By allowing this certain mobility, the attachment element 312 is easily movable along the groove 306 in a direction perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane in Fig. 4. This way, it is easier to place the transverse barrier element 304 at a desired height along the post 302. Furthermore, the distance d1 allows for movement in the cross-sectional plane in Fig. 4, such that the attachment element 312 e.g. may move when being subjected to external forces. The attachment portion 312a may e.g. move such that a curved surface 320 of the attachment portion 312a abuts on and presses against a curved inner surface 308a of the protrusion 308, e.g. such that the distance d1 increases.

In Fig. 5, it is disclosed how the system 301 absorbs an impact, such as an external force. As such, the attachment groove 306 is here shown in a deformed state. Here, the external force is indicated by the solid arrow A3, which in this example is influencing the transverse barrier element 304 in the cross-sectional plane. The impact from the force A3 is translated through the transverse barrier element 304, to the post 302 such that the post 302 deforms. Thus, the post 302 is here in a deformed state. In Fig. 5, it is clearly indicated that the inner wall 307 is more prone to deformation than the side walls 321 , since the inner wall 317 deforms to a larger extent than the side walls 321 . The deformation of the post is further characterized by the subgrooves 306a, 306b having shapes that differ from their respective initial shapes, i.e. the shapes of the subgrooves 306a, 306b in Fig. 4. Thus, the deformed state is characterized by the subgrooves 306a, 306b having shapes that differ from their respective initial shapes, i.e. the shapes of the subgrooves 306a, 306b in Fig. 4. The first subgroove 306a has under deformation a larger area in the cross-sectional plane, characterized inter alia by the distance d2, i.e. the distance between the inner wall 307 and the distal end 313 of the first being increased compared to d1 (shown in Fig. 4), and that the curved surface 320 of the attachment portion 312a abuts on and presses against a curved inner surface 308a of the protrusion 308. Thus, the curved surface 320 of the attachment portion 312a is adapted to be arranged in the curved inner surface 308a of the protrusion 308 such that the attachment portion 312a is latched therein. The second subgroove 306b has under deformation a smaller area in the cross-sectional plane, characterized inter alia by a side surface 322 of attachment portion 312b abuts on and presses against a side wall 321 of the attachment groove 306, such that the attachment portion 312b is latched within the second subgroove 306b. Here, a side wall 321 if the attachment groove 306 is to be understood as being a side wall of the second subgroove 306b as well. As such, an impact absorbed by the system 301 deforms the attachment groove 306 in a way such that the attachment element 312 is latched within the attachment groove 306, and thus has a stronger mechanical connection to the post 302 such that the system 301 has an increased resilience with increased stress from an external force. Thus, the system 301 may be said to be self-latching or selflocking.

Fig. 6 shows the crash-barrier system 301 in Fig. 5 from a perspective view, where the behavior of the system may be appreciated in a three-dimensional perspective.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the crash-barrier system, wherein the cross-section of the post 402 is substantially quadratic instead of substantially circular.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. The features of the described embodiments may be combined in different ways, and many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in the claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.