Abstract: A cable reel comprising a drum and side flanges molded of plastic is of sufficient size, strength and rigidity to carry loads in excess of 10,000 lbs. without significant distortion or flattening. The required strength and rigidity are achieved by molding the side flanges so that they tend to assume a dished configuration that is substantially flattened when the side flanges are bolted by tie-rods to the ends of the drum all of which prestresses the side flanges. The tie rods have threaded ends for receiving bolts that secure the side flanges to the drum and serve to reinforce the final structure. During curing of each reel component while it is still in the mold, shrinkage of the component is resisted so as to increase the strength of the component. The drum comprises at least two sections and the reel may be easily disassembled and the parts stacked for storage and shipment as a compact package.

Abstract: A post for supporting a crash barrier rail is disclosed. The post is a one piece plastics moulding comprising a leg from the upper end of which projects a shoulder having an outer face which is shaped to conform to the inner face of the rail. The post has a flat upper face for driving the post into the ground. A nut is moulded into the post and a passage extends between the outer face of the shoulder and the nut for receiving a bolt by means of which the rail is fixed on the post. A transverse passage may be moulded into the shoulder to provide a ligament joining the lower part of the outerface of the shoulder to the leg. This ligament will yield preferentially when the rail undergoes impact, providing increased elasticity to the barrier. The leg may be provided with a peripheral recess at which the leg will shear preferentially. The post may be moulded of recycled plastics.