U.S. patent application number 13/849874 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for barrier system and method of assembling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to HIGHWAY CARE LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is HIGHWAY CARE LIMITED. Invention is credited to Adrian Bullock.
Application Number | 20130248791 13/849874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46086987 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130248791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bullock; Adrian |
September 26, 2013 |
BARRIER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME
Abstract
A barrier system is provided including at least one upright
barrier member and one or more cable means associated with said at
least one upright barrier member. The one or more cable means are
provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at
least one barrier member.
Inventors: |
Bullock; Adrian;
(Herefordshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HIGHWAY CARE LIMITED |
Herefordshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
HIGHWAY CARE LIMITED
Herefordshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
46086987 |
Appl. No.: |
13/849874 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/13.1 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 15/06 20130101;
E01F 15/085 20130101; E01F 15/025 20130101; Y10T 29/49826
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/13.1 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
E01F 15/06 20060101
E01F015/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2012 |
GB |
1205115.7 |
Claims
1. A barrier system, said barrier system including at least one
upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated with
said at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or
more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more
side walls of the at least one barrier member.
2. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more
cable means are substantially parallel to, adjacent to and/or
overlapping with a crash surface, impact surface or longitudinal
axis of the barrier system.
3. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein at least two
spaced apart cable means are associated with said at least one
upright barrier member.
4. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the barrier system
includes two or more upright barrier members joined together via
joining means in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier
structure.
5. A barrier system according to claim 4 wherein the joining means
includes any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more
nuts and bolts, screws, clips, spigot/socket arrangement or
inter-engaging members.
6. A barrier system according to claim 4 wherein the cable means
are provided across or span the two or more barrier members.
7. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein attachment means
are provided on or associated with the cable means and/or one or
more of the barrier members to allow attachment of the cable means
to the barrier members.
8. A barrier system according to claim 7 wherein the attachment
means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets,
clips, collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots,
inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, welding, adhesive or nuts
and bolts.
9. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein support means are
provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members
to allow support of the cable means relative to the barrier members
in use.
10. A barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the support means
can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips,
collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots, inter-engaging
members, plates, brackets, flanges, welding, adhesive or nuts and
bolts.
11. A barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the support means
is in the form of a bracket, plate and/or flange and at least one
channel or slot is defined therein for the location of a cable
means.
12. A barrier system according to claim 11 wherein the channel or
slot has two or more spaced apart recesses defined therein to allow
the cable means to be moved to one of two or more different
positions.
13. A barrier system according to claim 11 wherein the channel or
slot has a first portion provided substantially transverse or
substantially perpendicular to a second portion of the channel or
slot, an opening provided in the first portion for location of the
cable means therein in use and the second portion having a blind or
closed end.
14. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein one or more of
the barrier members are provided with an end portion including a
base portion and an outer sleeve portion.
15. A barrier system according to claim 14 wherein the outer sleeve
portion has at least one outwardly protruding flange and one or
more ends of the cable are attached to said flange.
16. A barrier system according to claim 15 wherein the at least one
outwardly protruding flange is provided adjacent a side wall of the
outer sleeve portion and one or more rib members are provided
between the outwardly protruding flange and the side wall of the
outer sleeve portion.
17. A method of assembling a barrier system, said method including
the steps of attaching one or more cable means to at least one
upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means
are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at
least one barrier member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Application UK 1205115,7
filed Mar. 23, 2012, herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a barrier system, and
particularly but not necessarily exclusively to a barrier system
designed for substantially absorbing or reducing the energy, speed
and/or movement of an object, such as a vehicle, impacting
therewith. The present invention also relates to a method of
assembling a barrier system.
[0003] It is known to provide safety barriers on the edges of
roads, such as between dual carriageways on a motorway for example,
to reduce or limit the movement or speed of a vehicle on impact
therewith. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of a vehicle
impacting with the barrier and crossing onto an opposite
carriageway or travelling off the road. It is also known to provide
barrier systems for security purposes to prevent entry of an
unauthorised vehicle, object or person into a particular
locality.
[0004] Conventional safety barriers can come in many different
shapes and forms. An example of one such safety barrier includes an
upright plastic member which provides a crash surface for the
barrier. A plurality of upright plastic members are joined together
in an end to end manner to provide an elongate barrier structure.
An individual cable element is provided along the top of each
upright member section to provide a degree of longitudinal strength
to the barrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an
alternative and improved barrier system.
[0006] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of
using or assembling an alternative and improved barrier system.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at least
one upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated
with said at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one
or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more
side walls of the at least one barrier member.
[0008] Preferably the one or more cable means are substantially
parallel to, overlapping with and/or adjacent with a crash or
impact surface of the barrier system.
[0009] Preferably the one or more cable means are provided a spaced
distance below a top surface and/or above a base surface of the at
least one barrier member.
[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at
least one upright barrier member and wherein two or more cable
means are associated with said at least one upright barrier
member.
[0011] By providing two or more cable means associated with the
upright barrier member, this provides the barrier system with
improved strength, whilst providing a low cost barrier system.
[0012] Preferably the cable means are arranged to provide improved
strength in a substantially longitudinal or horizontal axis of the
barrier system.
[0013] In one embodiment the at least one upright barrier member is
provided with a base surface and a top surface and at least one of
the cable means is provided substantially parallel to the base
and/or top surface. Preferably the two or more cable means are
provided substantially parallel to the base surface, top surface,
to each other and/or to at least one of the cable means.
[0014] In one embodiment at least one of the cable means is
provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
barrier member or barrier system. Preferably the two or more cable
means are provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the barrier member or system.
[0015] Preferably the longitudinal axis of the cable means is
substantially transverse and preferably substantially perpendicular
to a vertical axis or upright portion of the barrier member.
[0016] Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced
distance apart from each other on the barrier member. Further
preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced
distance apart from each other in the vertical axis of the barrier
member.
[0017] Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced
distance apart from an external surface of the barrier member.
Further preferably the two or more cables are provided a spaced
distance apart from an external side wall of the barrier
member.
[0018] Preferably the cable means are provided a spaced distance
above or below a base edge or a top edge of the barrier member
respectively.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment three cable means are provided.
Preferably each cable means is provided a spaced distance apart
from each other on the barrier member. Further preferably each
cable means is provided substantially parallel to each other, to a
base surface and/or a top surface of the barrier member.
[0020] In one embodiment the barrier system includes two or more
barrier members joined in an end to end manner to form an elongate
barrier structure.
[0021] The two or more barrier members can be joined together via
any suitable joining means or mechanism, such as any or any
combination of welding, adhesive, one or more nuts and bolts,
screws, clips, spigot/socket formation, inter-engaging members
and/or the like.
[0022] Preferably the two or more barrier members are joined
together in an end to end manner (i.e. one end of a barrier member
is joined to an end of a further barrier member).
[0023] Preferably the cable means are provided across or span the
two or more barrier members. Thus, in this embodiment, the barrier
system is provided with increased strength and rigidity across a
number of barrier components forming the barrier system. The cable
means are preferably provided substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the joined barrier members.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment each cable means spans at least 5
or 6 barrier members.
[0025] Preferably attachment means or mechanism are provided on or
associated with one or more of the barrier members and/or cable
means to allow attachment of the cable means to the barrier means
in use.
[0026] Preferably the attachment means are provided on or
associated with one or more side walls of the one or more barrier
members.
[0027] Preferably the cable means are attached at intermediate
locations or adjacent their ends via attachment means or mechanism
to the one or more barrier members at spaced apart intervals. For
example, in one embodiment the spaced apart interval of attachment
or end cable attachment is 72 m but any suitable distance could be
provided, such as at least one point on every barrier member and/or
the like.
[0028] The attachment means can include any or any combination of
one or more brackets, clips, collets, apertures, recesses,
channels, slots, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, welding,
adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like.
[0029] Preferably support means or mechanism are provided on or
associated with one or more of the barrier members to allow support
of the cable means relative to the barrier members in use.
[0030] Preferably the support means is provided on or associated
with one or more side walls of one or more of the barrier
members.
[0031] The support means can include any or any combination of one
or more brackets, clips, apertures, recesses, slots, channels,
inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, brackets, welding,
adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like.
[0032] In one embodiment the support means includes a bracket,
flange and/or plate.
[0033] Preferably the support means, bracket, flange and/or plate
is provided on a side wall of one or more of the barrier
members.
[0034] Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has at least
one channel or slot defined therein. A cable means is typically
located in the channel or slot to allow the cable means to be
supported or retained in a particular position with respect to the
barrier member in use.
[0035] Preferably the channel or slot has two or more spaced apart
recesses defined therein. The opening of the recesses typically
opens into the channel or slot. The two or more recesses can allow
different location or movement of the cable means depending on the
direction of movement of cable means following an impact of an
object or vehicle with the barrier member. For example, one of the
recesses can be used for location of the cable means in normal use
of the barrier member. At least one other of the recesses can be
used for location of or movement of the cable means therein
following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier member
and/or cable means. Thus, in one example, the cable means is
movable from one of the recesses to another of the recesses
following impact of a vehicle or object with the barrier
system.
[0036] Preferably the two or more recesses are provided a spaced
distance apart in the vertical and/or horizontal axis. For example,
the recesses could be off set from each other, substantially
aligned or non-aligned, or could be substantially opposite to each
other.
[0037] Preferably at least two of the two or more recesses are
provided on opposite sides of the channel or slot.
[0038] In one embodiment the support means, bracket or plate has
two or more channels or slots for supporting the two or more cable
means in use. Preferably the two or more channels or slots are
spaced apart in a substantially vertical axis in use.
[0039] Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has three
channels or slots for supporting three cable means in use. Further
preferably the three channels or slots are spaced apart in a
substantially vertical axis in use.
[0040] Preferably each channel or slot has at least one opening
defined in the support means, bracket or plate to allow the cable
means to be inserted therein in use.
[0041] Preferably the channel or slot has a first portion and at
least a second portion. The first portion is typically associated
with the opening of the channel or slot.
[0042] Preferably the second portion is associated with a blind or
closed end of the channel or slot.
[0043] Preferably the first portion of the channel or slot is
provided substantially transverse to and further preferably
substantially perpendicular to the second portion of the channel or
slot.
[0044] The first and second portions of the channel or slot are
typically in communication with or continuous with each other.
[0045] The barrier member can be formed from any or any combination
of material, such as wood, metal, plastic and/or the like.
Preferably the barrier member is formed from or includes steel.
[0046] The cable means can be formed from any or any combination of
material, such as metal, plastic and/or the like. Preferably the
cable means is formed from or includes steel.
[0047] The cable means can include any or any combination of
elongate material, such one or more ropes, cables, wire, chain,
strands and/or the like. The cable means can include a single cable
member or a plurality of cable members that are twisted,
intertwined, platted, abutting with each other, adjacent to each
other and/or the like.
[0048] The barrier member can be provided in any suitable size,
shape and/or design. For example, the barrier member can have any
suitable cross sectional profile. In a preferred embodiment the
barrier member has a stepped or tapered profile (i.e. at least one
step or taper is provided on a side wall of the barrier member
between a top and base surface of the barrier member).
[0049] Preferably the cable means are provided on, adjacent to or
overlapping with the tapered or stepped surface of the barrier
member.
[0050] One or more of the barrier members can have one or more
upper elements associated with or attached to the same. The one or
more upper elements can be provided to further delineate two sides
or regions of the barrier members. The upper elements can be in any
suitable form, such as one or more panels, mesh or grille members,
fence members and/or the like.
[0051] Preferably the one or more upper elements extend upwardly
above a top surface of one or more of the barrier members.
[0052] Preferably at least one crash or impact surface is defined
on an outer surface of the barrier member. The crash or impact
surface is typically arranged so as to reduce or limit the affect
of impact of a moving object or vehicle therewith, and to dissipate
the energy from said impact. Further preferably the at least one
crash surface is provided on a side wall of the barrier member. The
side wall is typically provided between a base and top wall or edge
of the barrier member.
[0053] The at least one crash surface and/or side wall of the
barrier member can be or can include a substantially vertical
surface, angled surface, concave surface, convex surface, W-shape
and/or the like.
[0054] In one embodiment at least one of the cable means are
provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash
or impact surface. Preferably at least two of the cable means are
provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash
or impact surface.
[0055] Preferably the cable means are provided at or adjacent an
external surface of the barrier member. However, it will be
appreciated that the cable means could be provided internally of
the barrier member if required.
[0056] The barrier member can be substantially hollow,
substantially solid or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the
cable means are provided in an internal cavity of one or more of
the barrier members.
[0057] The barrier member can be free standing or can be secured to
a ground surface on which it is located in use via securing means.
The securing means can include any or any combination of welding,
concrete, adhesive, one or more pins, nuts and bolts,
inter-engaging members and/or the like.
[0058] Preferably the base of the barrier member is located on a
ground surface in use and further preferably the base of the
barrier means is secured to the ground surface via the securing
means.
[0059] Two or more barrier members can be connected together in an
end to end manner via connection means. The connection means can
include any or any combination of one or more nuts and bolts,
screws, welding, adhesive, inter-engaging members, plates,
complementary spigot and socket formation and/or the like.
[0060] In one embodiment locking means are provided on or
associated with or towards a free end of the cable means for
locking the cable means to one or more of the barrier members in
use. For example, the locking means could include any or any
combination of a collet, inter-engaging members, clip and/or the
like.
[0061] In one embodiment the barrier system and/or a barrier member
can be provided with an end barrier section for use in securing one
or more of the cable means thereto in use.
[0062] In one embodiment the end barrier section includes a base
portion and an outer sleeve portion. The base portion can be
attached to, detachably attached to or integral with an end wall of
a barrier member. The outer sleeve portion can be attached to,
detachably attached to or integral with the base portion.
[0063] Preferably the outer sleeve portion has an outwardly
extending flange with one or more apertures defined therein through
which one or more of the cable means are located in use. Locking
means can be used to lock the cable means to the flange or adjacent
the flange in use. Preferably the flange is provided substantially
vertically or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of
the barrier system.
[0064] In one embodiment one or more ribs are provided between a
side wall and the outwardly extend flange of the outer sleeve
portion. Preferably a plurality of ribs are provided at spaced
apart intervals on the flange and a cable means is located between
two spaced apart ribs.
[0065] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of assembling a barrier system, said method
including the steps of attaching one or more cable means to at
least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more
cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side
walls of the at least one barrier member.
[0066] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an end section or portion for use with a barrier
system.
[0067] The barrier system of the present invention can be used for
any application where a barrier is required to prevent or reduce
the likelihood of a person, animal, vehicle or object and/or the
like from passing from one location to another location. In a
preferred embodiment the barrier system is used as a vehicle
barrier system to limit or prevent travel of a vehicle from one
locality to another locality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0069] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrier system according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in
FIG. 1;
[0071] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in
FIG. 2;
[0072] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the support means shown in the
barrier system in FIGS. 1-3;
[0073] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end section of a barrier
member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0074] FIGS. 6a-6c show a left perspective view, a right
perspective view and an end view of the barrier member in FIG. 5
respectively; and
[0075] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the end section of the
barrier member in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a barrier
system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
barrier system 2 includes a plurality of upright barrier members 4
joined together in an end to end manner to form a substantially
elongate barrier, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0077] Each barrier member 4 typically comprises a base surface 6,
a top surface 8, side walls 10, 12 and end walls 14. In this
embodiment, the base and top surfaces 6, 8 are substantially planar
surfaces, although it will be appreciated that one or more
accessories or attachments can be located on or associated with
either surface in use. The side walls 10, 12 are stepped and each
includes a lower side wall section 11 and an upper side wall
section 13 with a step 15 defined between the two portions. The
lower side wall section 11 has a larger cross sectional width to
that of the upper side wall section 13. The side walls of the upper
side wall section 13 have a narrowing taper from base surface 6 end
towards top surface 8 end. The base surface 6 is located on a
ground surface 16 on which the barrier is to be located in use. The
side walls 10, 12 of the barrier members typically act as crash or
impact surfaces of the barrier system. Thus, the side walls are
arranged so as to reduce the affect of an impact of a moving object
therewith, such as for example a vehicle, and to dissipate the
energy from said impact.
[0078] Securing means in the form of pins (not shown) are used to
secure each barrier member to the ground surface or a plurality of
barrier members to a ground surface (i.e.
[0079] secure every `n` barrier member, where n=integer). In one
example, the barrier members are secured at 72 m intervals or when
the barrier members undergo a change in direction. Connection means
in the form of nuts and bolts 18 are used to engage adjacent
barrier members 4 together in an end to end manner, such that end
walls 14 of adjacent barrier members are in abutment with each
other.
[0080] In accordance with the present invention, cable means are
provided to increase the strength and rigidity of the barrier
system along the longitudinal axis thereof (i.e. in a substantially
horizontal axis, as shown by arrow X). In this embodiment, the
cable means comprises three cables 20, 22, 24 which are a spaced
distance apart in the vertical axis (i.e. between base surface 6
and top surface 8). Each cable 20, 22, 24 is substantially parallel
to each other and to the top and base surfaces 8, 6 of the barrier
members. The cables are a spaced distance above the base edge 6 and
a spaced distance below the top edge 8 in this embodiment).
[0081] More particularly, cables 20, 22 are provided adjacent but a
small spaced distance apart from the upper side wall portion 13 of
the barrier member and cable 24 is provided adjacent but a small
spaced distance apart from the lower side wall portion 11. In the
illustrated embodiment the cables 20-24 are provided on one side
only of the barrier member but they could be provided on both sides
of the barrier member if required.
[0082] The cables 20-24 typically span 5 or more barrier members,
thereby providing longitudinal strength to the barrier system over
a number of barrier components. This is in contrast to the prior
art wherein a single cable is provided over a single barrier
component.
[0083] Attachment means in the form of an attachment plate 26 is
provided at the ends of a section of a plurality of barrier members
(i.e. in this embodiment adjacent the ends walls of the 1.sup.st
and 10.sup.th barrier, as shown in FIG. 1) to attach the cables
20-24 to the barrier system. The attachment plate 26 is bolted to a
side wall 10, top surface 8 and bottom surface 6 of the barrier
members in such a manner that it protrudes outwardly of side wall
10. The longitudinal axis of the plate is substantially parallel to
the vertical axis. Three apertures (not shown) are defined in the
plate 26 at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof
(i.e. between the upper surface 8 and base surface 6). The ends of
a cable 20-24 are located through an aperture on plate 26 and are
locked in position using a collet 29.
[0084] Support means in the form of a support plate 28 is provided
on each barrier member 4 to support the cables 20-24 in position
with respect to the barrier member. Although only one support plate
28 is provided per barrier in the illustrated embodiment, it will
be appreciated that any number of support plates, or even no
support plates, can be provided on one or more of the barrier
members as required. The support plate 28 is bolted to a side wall
10, top surface 8 and base surface 6 of the barrier member in such
a manner that is protrudes outwardly of side wall 10. The
longitudinal axis of the plate 28 is substantially parallel to the
vertical axis. Three slots 30 are defined in the plate 28 at spaced
apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof (i.e. between the
upper surface 8 and base surface 6). The slots are arranged so as
to prevent the cable becoming detached from the barrier member or
slots in use.
[0085] Each slot 30 typically has a first substantially horizontal
slot portion 32 with an opening 34 defined adjacent the edge 36 of
plate 28, and a second substantially vertical slot portion 38 with
a blind end 40. An end 44 of the first slot portion 32
substantially opposite opening 34 is joined to and end of the
second slot portion 38 opposite the blind end 40. First and second
recesses 46, 48 are provided in opposite side walls of vertical
slot portion 38. Recesses 46, 48 are not aligned and are spaced
apart in the vertical axis (i.e. recess 46 is nearer to end 44 and
recess 48 is nearer to end 42). The first recess 46 typically
supports the cable in normal use. The second recess 48 typically
supports the cable following an impact of an object or vehicle with
the barrier/cable. Thus, two cable recesses are provided for each
cable support slot to allow the cable to be supported depending on
the direction of movement of the cable following an impact (i.e. it
allows the cable to be supported following impact in at least two
different directions of the side walls of the barrier member). The
cables are typically fitted to the slots by inserting the cable
through the opening of the slot and twisting the cables into one of
the recesses in the vertical section of the slot portion.
[0086] Each cable 20-24 is typically formed from a steel cable and
provides a cost effective design which adds strength and rigidity
to the barrier system.
[0087] In the illustrated embodiment each barrier member is
typically formed from steel but it will be appreciated that other
materials could be used if required.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is illustrated an end section
100 of a barrier member 4 according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0089] The end section 100 includes a base portion 102 that is
joined to or is integral with an end barrier member 4, and an outer
cover portion 104. The base portion 102 includes a base 106, side
walls 108, 110 and an end wall 112. The side walls 108, 110
protrude outwardly from end wall 14 of barrier member 4. The upper
edges 114 of side walls 108, 110 and end wall 112 define an opening
116 to base portion 102. The base portion 102 can optionally be
secured to a floor surface on which the barrier member 4 is used
via any suitable base attachment means 118.
[0090] The outer cover portion 104 has a similar or substantially
the same cross sectional profile as the end 14 of barrier member 4.
Cover portion 104 has a top surface 120, side walls 122, 124 and an
end wall 126, and it locates over base portion 102 when assembled.
The base of cover portion 104 has an outwardly extending flange 128
that has spaced apart apertures 129 defined therein for the
location of attachment means in the form of bolts 130 in this
example. The bolts 130 and nuts (not shown) are used to secure the
outer cover portion 104 to a floor surface on which the barrier
system 2 is used. A plurality of spaced apart apertures 132 are
defined in side walls 122, 124 and end wall 126 towards the base of
cover portion 104 and attachment means in the form of nuts and
bolts 134 in this example are used to join the outer cover portion
104 to the base portion 102. Apertures 136 are defined in the side
walls 108, 110 and end wall 112 of the base portion 102 at suitable
positions which are substantially aligned with apertures 132 of the
cover portion 104 when assembled to allow the bolts 134 to pass
through both sets of apertures 132, 136 when fitted.
[0091] On one of the side walls 124 there is an outwardly
protruding flange 138 arranged substantially vertically (or
substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis) of the barrier
system 2). In the illustrated example, the flange 138 extends from
side wall 124 adjacent end 140 which locates with end 14 of the
barrier member 4. The flange 138 has spaced apart apertures 142
defined therein for the location of cables 20, 22, 24 therethrough
in use. A collet 29 can be used to lock the cables in place on the
flange 138.
[0092] Outwardly protruding ribs 144 are provided between side wall
124 and flange 138 at spaced apart intervals along the vertical
axis of the outer cover portion 104. Ribs 144 provide strength and
rigidity to the flange 138 and also act as separation means for the
cables 20, 22, 24, particularly during impact of the barrier system
2 with an object or vehicle.
[0093] The end section is used to provide a secure end fixing for
the cables 20, 22, 24 of the barrier system in one embodiment.
* * * * *