Abstract:
A tunnel structure includes a frame; a continuous plate fixed to the frame in order to protect passing-through pedestrians; supporting legs hinged to the frame; and a connecting section supported by the frame, the connecting section configured to enable the combination of multiple tunnel structures.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention concerns the idea of a Modular Pedestrian Tunnel. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    At construction sites, scaffolding or other structures are often erected to protect pedestrians and construction workers from the dangers posed by falling building material and tools. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]    In a general aspect, a tunnel structure includes a frame; a continuous plate fixed to the frame in order to protect passing-through pedestrians; supporting legs hinged to the frame; and a connecting section supported by the frame, the connecting section configured to enable the combination of tunnel structures. 
         [0004]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following. 
         [0005]    The tunnel structure further includes an adjustment device configured to adjust the position of each of the supporting legs along an axis where the supporting legs are hinged to the frame. 
         [0006]    The tunnel structure further includes a releasable grooved coupling device configured to connect each supporting leg to the frame in order to define an angular position of the supporting legs. 
         [0007]    The tunnel structure further includes a spring configured to keep each supporting leg combined throughout the releasable grooved coupling device. 
         [0008]    The tunnel structure further includes a releaseble grooved coupling having a length which allows two of the supporting legs to be revolving in their respective parallel axes which can be blocked in the hidden position one next to the other one. 
         [0009]    The connecting element has a crossing L-shaped profile. 
         [0010]    The connecting element includes almost one releaseble blocking element that allows to keep the supporting legs in an opening or closing position alternatively. 
         [0011]    A length of each of the supporting legs is changeable. 
         [0012]    Each of the supporting legs is hinged independently to the frame such that each supporting leg has its own angular position. 
         [0013]    The connecting section is continuous. The connecting section is configured such that a gap between the connecting section and a connecting section of an adjacent tunnel structure is closed. 
         [0014]    The connecting element is configured to enable the tunnel structure to withstand a stress resulting from the continuous plate. 
         [0015]    At least one of the supporting legs is raised when the tunnel structure is positioned next to an adjacent tunnel structure. The at least one raised supporting leg is the supporting leg next to the connecting section next to the adjacent tunnel structure. 
         [0016]    The modular pedestrian tunnel described herein can be used, for example, in order to cover pedestrian crossings in a building site, during renovation works or in case of restoration of a facade, in order to protect passing through pedestrians. 
         [0017]    It is preferable to protect pedestrians that are passing through a surrounding area or beneath a building site, in case of renovation works, in a urban area or some works carried in elevation thanks to a crane or some lifting platforms. 
         [0018]    The Modular Tunnel described herein is able to protect pedestrians from falling objects. It can be adaptable to different paths and it is also able to improve a walking person&#39;s safety. 
         [0019]    Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a Modular Pedestrian Tunnel; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a non-limiting configuration of two Tunnels&#39; assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a sectioned detail in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of some piled modules for transport and/or storing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a lower view of a detail in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a second way to produce a particular Modular Pedestrian Tunnel; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 7 to 10  show perspective views of some details in  FIG. 6 . In particular,  FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views according to the different slants of the same component; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show respectively a Tunnel module ( 1 ) and a couple of Tunnels ( 1 ) which are combined in order to protect a pedestrian crossing from falling objects, fragments, rainwater etc, for example, in case of works carried out at an elevated height from the road surface. 
         [0028]    Each module ( 1 ) is composed by a polygonal frame ( 2 ), (e.g., a rectangular frame), at least 4 supporting legs ( 3 ) which are linked to the frame ( 2 ) and a roofing ( 4 ) fixed to the frame ( 2 ). 
         [0029]    The supporting legs ( 3 ) are reflexible and, in a closed position, have a dimension that allows them to be placed, rollway, in the frame ( 2 ). 
         [0030]    In other words, the reachable cross dimension of the supporting legs ( 3 ), as to say the largest diameter that tubular legs can reach, is smaller than the thickness of the frame ( 2 ). 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the supporting legs ( 3 ) are combined to a releasable blocking element in order to keep every leg ( 3 ) in the same extracted position or in a closed position even against the action of the G-force when the Tunnel ( 1 ) is moved. For instance, in some embodiments the releasable blocking element is a small gas-filled cylinder ( 5 ) that connects the leg ( 3 ) and the frame ( 2 ). In this way, it is really simple to move, in a safe way, the above mentioned Modular Pedestrian Tunnel even for one user. 
         [0032]    The tunnel module ( 1 ) (see  FIG. 5 ) also includes a safety device which can be added to the gas-cylinder ( 5 ) in order to block supporting legs in an opened or closed position. In particular, the safety device includes a removable pin ( 15 ). 
         [0033]    In order to allow the highest freedom of use, when two or more elements are linked together ( 1 ), every supporting legs ( 3 ) is reflexible in an independent way from the other legs ( 3 ). In this way, passing through pedestrians will be able to walk freely in a wide area without altering the stability of the tunnel ( 1 ). 
         [0034]    Supporting legs ( 3 ) show an adjustable length and are also telescopic. The fact that supporting legs ( 3 ) are reflexible in an independent way allow the tunnel module to be placed in a loose ground, or on architectural elements like street furniture, plant pots, steps or stairways, etc. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of a profiled element ( 6 ) which includes every sides of the frame ( 2 ) with a proper personal design. Every section ( 6 ) includes a main body ( 7 ), a mainly rectangular cable with a cross-section, outgoing sections ( 8 ) from the main body ( 7 ), a blocking element ( 9 ) placed in the opposite position of the sections with reference to the main body ( 7 ). 
         [0036]    In particular, the connecting sections ( 8 ) have a cross section that allows a combination that opposes the removal of two assembled Tunnels ( 1 ). 
         [0037]    Generally, the connecting sections ( 8 ) are continuous along the same section ( 6 ) in order to prevent and protect people from the falling of objects and/or rainwater because of G-force during the transition of a pedestrian between a Tunnel ( 1 ) and the other next. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the connecting sections ( 8 ) have an L-shaped cross section that is composed of a wing constrained to the main body ( 7 ) and the other free wing. In other embodiments, connecting sections  8  may have differently shaped cross sections. 
         [0039]    In the opposite side of the connecting sections ( 8 ), the connecting section ( 6 ) shows a blocking element ( 9 ) in order to fix the frame ( 2 ) to the roofing ( 4 ), for example, a plane plate made of polymeric material like translucent polycarbonate or another thermoplastic polymer. 
         [0040]    The main body ( 7 ) has a closed cross section which also has a central part ( 10 ) or two upper and lower parts ( 11 ), ( 12 ) with a design where the above mentioned Modular Pedestrian Tunnel ( 1 ) shows the supporting opened legs ( 3 ). 
         [0041]    The upper part ( 11 ) and the lower one ( 12 ) are in reference to the central part ( 10 ) along the direction in which the connecting sections ( 8 ) allow the connection between two Modular Tunnels ( 1 ). 
         [0042]    Both the upper section ( 11 ) and the lower one ( 12 ) have a connecting section ( 8 ). In this way, the same sections ( 8 ) will be leant out in reference to the central part ( 10 ) allowing a simple assembly. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the main body ( 7 ), connecting sections ( 8 ) and the blocking element ( 9 ) are made thanks to a die process or other manufacturing process. 
         [0044]    Furthermore, connecting sections ( 8 ) are moved away in a cross direction with reference to a rectilinear axis of every sections allowing, in this way, the creation of a rigid tie. 
         [0045]    The rigid tie opposes the twisting movement created by the force of weight, for instance, of the roofing ( 4 ) in order to oppose the separation of two connected Tunnels ( 1 ). 
         [0046]    In the opposite side of the connecting section ( 8 ), the upper section ( 11 ) supports the blocking section ( 9 ) which is composed by wings, ( 13 ) and ( 14 ). These wings are embossed and spaced out at a greater or equal height of the thickness of the roofing ( 4 ) allowing, in this way, a slide combination. 
         [0047]    In addition to this, when the Tunnel ( 1 ) is being used, the wing which is burdened with the roofing&#39;s weight ( 4 ) is spaced out from the lower section ( 12 ) at an height which allows the supporting legs ( 3 ) to be placed, rollway, when they are in the position shown in  FIG. 2  with a dotted line. 
         [0048]    In this way, ( FIG. 4 ) the Tunnels ( 1 ) can be simply piled, transported and easily placed on a flat of every vehicle because of its compactness. 
         [0049]    As displayed in  FIGS. 6-10 , there is an alternative device ( FIG. 5 ) in order to adjust and hold the angular position of the legs ( 3 ). 
         [0050]    In particular, the alternative device includes: 
         [0051]    A grooved element ( 16 ) fixed to the main body ( 7 ) under the roofing ( 4 ) thanks to a plane base ( 17 ) which is perpendicular to the axis of the above mentioned grooved element, a grooved sleeve ( 18 ) that can be used inside the grooved element ( 16 ) and fixed to its leg ( 3 ), a blocking device ( 19 ) in order to define the position of the grooved sleeve ( 18 ) along a B axis of the grooved element ( 16 ) and a spring ( 20 ) (only shown in a schematic way) in order to keep the grooved sleeve ( 18 ) in an operating position with the grooved element ( 16 ). 
         [0052]    In particular, the blocking device ( 19 ) is fixed to a distance along the B axis in order to allow the sleeve ( 18 ) to be completely independent from the grooved element ( 16 ) against the action of the spring ( 20 ) thanks to the rectilinear translation. 
         [0053]    When the Modular Pedestrian Tunnel is used, the legs ( 3 ) are in a transverse position with reference to the roofing ( 4 ), the sleeve ( 18 ) is fixed to the base ( 17 ) and it is blocked in this position thanks to the action of the spring ( 20 ). 
         [0054]    When it is necessary to put the hidden supporting legs ( 3 ) into the frame ( 2 ) the sleeve ( 18 ) must be manually brought by the action of the spring ( 20 ) towards the blocking element ( 19 ) When the sleeve ( 18 ) is not engaged by the grooved element ( 16 ), the leg ( 3 ) rotates in a way so as to became parallel to the main profiled body ( 7 ) connected to the base ( 17 ). In this position, the sleeve ( 18 ) can be again combined to the grooved element ( 16 ) and it can be angularly blocked. 
         [0055]    When two legs ( 3 ) are linked on opposite sides of the same section ( 6 ) and have a length such as to interfere when they are both closed, the device shown in  FIG. 6  is designed to allow supporting legs to be blocked both in the operating and hidden position. 
         [0056]    For instance, the extension of the grooved element along the B axis allows the sleeve ( 18 ) to be partially used, even though, in the hidden position, it is placed on the opposite side of the section ( 6 ) with reference to the other leg ( 3 ). 
         [0057]    Alternatively, it is possible to put the leg ( 3 ), which is opposite to the section ( 6 ), at a further distance, with reference to another leg ( 3 ) immediately adjacent to the section ( 6 ). This, can be made both in the extraction and in the hidden position. 
         [0058]    The aim of the Pedestrian Tunnel described herein is to protect pedestrians from accidental falling of materials, debris and/or rainwater. 
         [0059]    The above mentioned Pedestrian Tunnel is composed by a single section that can be simply transported when its legs are in an hidden position. It can be simply assembled in wide range of combinations because of its supporting legs allowing pedestrians to move freely under the Tunnel. 
         [0060]    In particular, when two sections ( 6 ) of two adjacent elements are linked together, it is possible to raise the two couples of legs ( 3 ) next to the connected sections. In fact, the special design of the Tunnel allows the complete resistance even if under bending and twisting stresses. In this way, it is possible to create various configurations removing superfluous legs. ( 3 ) 
         [0061]    Finally, it is clear that even if some modifications or variations can be made on The Pedestrian Tunnel ( 1 ), here described, it will be protected as the enclosed claim state. 
         [0062]    For example, Pedestrian Tunnels can be combined to one another to create, also, a gazebo. For instance, a gazebo may include 9 elements. In this way, a central element is completely surrounded by other elements. The connecting section ( 8 ) can withstand the load of bending and/or twisting stresses due to the weight of the central element even if, because of encumbrances, all its supporting legs ( 3 ) are closed in an hidden position. 
         [0063]    Furthermore, the above mentioned Tunnel can be used as sunshield structure in a seaside resort or as a suitable cover in order to protect a vehicle or motorcycle when is parked. 
         [0064]    It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.