Flexible tensioned crash barrier

Abstract

The invention is an elongate crash barrier extending along the carriage way of a road. It has a plurality of vertically spaced apart elongate retention members such as straps extending parallel the carriage way to help retain a vehicle errant from said road from passing beyond the retention members. The crash barrier further has a plurality of retainers held captive to said retention members yet able to slide along the retention members with an errant vehicle.

1 . A roadside crash barrier configured for deflecting errant vehicles that impact the crash barrier, the barrier comprising:
 at least one elongate tensioned flexible strap comprising a planar face facing the road in use and at least one retainer operatively connecting the strap to a supporting arrangement, or a portion thereof, that is configured to support the retainer at a height above the ground in use pre-impact,   wherein the retainer is configured to release from the supporting arrangement during or after impact from an errant vehicle on the barrier and remain movably connected to the strap such that the retainer is free to move along a length of the strap together with a contacting surface of the impacting vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movement of a released retainer along the length of the strap together with the impacting vehicle provides a protective sheath between the contacting surface of the vehicle and the strap. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of retainers and plurality of corresponding supporting arrangements along a length thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each retainer of at least some of the plurality of retainers is successively collected by an impacting vehicle as it moves along a length of the barrier so as to provide a protective sheath between the contacting surface of the vehicle and the strap. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the impacting vehicle continues to collect successive retainers of at least some of the plurality of retainers as it moves along the barrier the vehicle is deflected away therefrom and/or the vehicle's movement is substantially arrested. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the protective sheath so formed during impact of the errant vehicle substantially inhibits at least some penetration of the straps into the contacting surface of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , where the strap's elongate direction extends parallel the road, or lane of a road, in use, and/or wherein the planar face has a normal direction facing the road, and/or wherein the planar face is perpendicular a surface of the road, and the barrier is configured to deflect errant vehicles back towards the road. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is configured to be tensioned to between 200 kN and 400 kN. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the planar face comprises a surface that is relatively smooth, and/or continuous along the length of the strap. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is composed of two distinct straps sandwiched together. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is relatively flexible and pliable, and/or has low stiffness. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supporting arrangement is a rigid, semi-rigid, or deformable barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a connection between the retainer and the supporting arrangement or portion thereof is configured as a weak point to allow disconnection therefrom at a predetermined force or movement. 
     
     
         15 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supporting arrangement comprises a mount to which the retainer is releasably connected, and an upright to which the mount is releasably connected, the retainer being configured to release from the mount and/or the mount being configured to release from the upright, upon the impact from the errant vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The barrier as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a retainer assembly of an outer retainer and at least one an inner retainer between which the strap is sandwiched in a manner so as to permit sliding movement of the retainer assembly along the strap after its release from the supporting arrangement or portion thereof.