U.S. patent application number 17/280640 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for temporary barrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Oxford Plastic Systems Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Oxford Plastic Systems Limited. Invention is credited to Christopher James Whiteley.
Application Number | 20220042262 17/280640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220042262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whiteley; Christopher
James |
February 10, 2022 |
Temporary Barrier
Abstract
A temporary barrier is described which comprises a barrier panel
(12) supported upon feet (14), wherein the barrier panel (12)
comprises a plurality of barrier panel components (16, 18), the
barrier panel components (16, 18) being arranged side-by-side and
being secured to one another using an upper elongate reinforcing
member (20), the panel components (16, 18) being of plastics
material form.
Inventors: |
Whiteley; Christopher James;
(Oxfordshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oxford Plastic Systems Limited |
Oxfordshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Oxford Plastic Systems
Limited
Oxfordshire
GB
|
Appl. No.: |
17/280640 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
April 5, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2019/051015 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2021 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/02 20060101
E01F013/02; E04F 11/18 20060101 E04F011/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2018 |
GB |
1815885.7 |
Claims
1. A temporary barrier comprising a barrier panel supported upon
feet, wherein the barrier panel comprises a plurality of barrier
panel components, the barrier panel components being arranged
side-by-side and being secured to one another using an upper
reinforcing member at a panel edge opposite the feet, the panel
components being of plastics material form.
2. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper reinforcing
member is of a length sufficient that it extends over at least half
the width of the barrier panel.
3. A barrier according to claim 2, wherein the upper reinforcing
member is of a length sufficient that it extends over at least
three quarters of the width of the barrier panel.
4. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper reinforcing
member is of pultruded form.
5. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper reinforcing
member is of a fibre reinforced plastics material.
6. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the barrier panel
components are further secured to one another using a lower
reinforcing member.
7. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or more panel
components comprise an upper rail, a lower rail, and a series of
uprights extending between the upper and lower rails and extending
substantially parallel to the end post.
8. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or more panel
components comprise and end post.
9. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein the upper rail is of
hollow form.
10. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein the upper rail has
windows formed therein through which the hollow interior thereof is
exposed.
11. A barrier according to claim 10, wherein the upper rail
includes windows opening to one face of the panel component which
are arranged to alternate with windows opening to the opposite face
of the panel component.
12. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein the lower rail is of
hollow form having windows formed therein through which the hollow
interior thereof is exposed, and/or wherein the lower rail includes
windows opening to one face of the panel component which are
arranged to alternate with windows opening to the opposite face of
the panel component.
13. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein the upper reinforcing
member is located within the hollow interior of the upper rail,
and/or wherein the lower reinforcing member is located within the
hollow interior of the lower rail.
14. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein certain of the uprights
are of hollow, tubular form provided with alternating windows.
15. A barrier according to claim 7, wherein upright reinforcing
members are located within hollow interiors of certain ones of the
uprights.
16. A barrier according to claim 15, wherein the feet are mounted
upon projecting lower ends of the upright reinforcing members.
17. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein two or more panel
components are self-complementary to each other.
18. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or more panel
components have C2 rotational symmetry about an axis extending
perpendicular to the upper and lower edges of the panel component,
and/or wherein one or more panel components have C2 rotational
symmetry about an axis midway between the upper and lower edges of
the panel component.
19. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing members
are secured in position using screws, nuts and bolts or other
threaded fasteners, rivets, or adhesives.
20. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the panel components
are of moulded plastics material form, and wherein at least two
panel components are identical to one another.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a temporary barrier, and in
particular to a temporary barrier intended to restrict pedestrian
access to predetermined areas.
[0002] There are a number of applications in which it is desired to
restrict pedestrian access to areas. By way of example, temporary
barriers are commonly used in crowd control and management
applications, to restrict access to areas in which works are being
undertaken or in which equipment is being stored, or for other
purposes. In such applications, one form of temporary barrier in
common use takes the form of a steel barrier panel supported upon a
pair of feet. Each foot takes the form of an inverted V-shaped
tubular steel element, the apex of which is welded or otherwise
secured to the panel. The panel takes the form of a length of steel
tube bent to take on a substantially rectangular form defining
upper and lower rails, and end posts. A series of uprights are
welded between the upper and lower rails, the uprights each
extending substantially parallel to the end posts.
[0003] Such temporary barriers are relatively expensive and heavy,
being fabricated from steel. Furthermore, if excessive loadings are
applied to parts thereof, for example if the feet thereof are run
over by a vehicle, they tend to become permanently bent which can
lead to the barriers becoming difficult to nest or stack for
efficient transportation and storage, and may also result in the
barriers having sharp projecting parts that could present a hazard
to pedestrians close to the barrier.
[0004] One option for reducing the weight and cost of the barrier
may be to fabricate it from plastics materials. However, the
barrier panel is typically of sufficiently large dimensions that
manufacture thereof by injection moulding or the like is not
practical.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a temporary
barrier in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with
known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced effect.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a
temporary barrier comprising a barrier panel supported upon feet,
wherein the barrier panel comprises a plurality of panel barrier
components, the barrier panel components being arranged
side-by-side and being secured to one another using an upper
elongate reinforcing members at a panel edge opposite the feet, the
panel components being of plastics material form.
[0007] The upper reinforcing member is preferably of a length
sufficient that it extends over at least half the width of the
barrier panel. More preferably, it extends over at least three
quarters of the width of the barrier panel. The upper reinforcing
member is preferably of pultruded or extruded form. It is
preferably of a fibre reinforced plastics material.
[0008] The barrier panel may comprise a first barrier panel
component and a second barrier panel component. The barrier panel
may comprise more than two barrier panel components.
[0009] It will be appreciated that by fabricating the barrier panel
in the form of two or more panel components arranged side-by-side,
fabrication using a moulding process is simplified as the size of
each component to be moulded is much reduced compared to a
single-panel mould for a barrier panel of the same size as the
combined assembled barrier panel components. Using a reinforcing
member at or close to the panel edge opposite the feet, i.e. the
upper edge of the panel when the panel is supported on its feet, to
secure the panel components to one another results in the panel
being of good strength, resistant to bending as a result of the
application of side loadings thereto.
[0010] The reinforcing members provide a strong connection between
the components and resist bending at the joint between the panel
components and bending of each individual panel component. An upper
reinforcing member, ie a reinforcing member at the upper edge,
provides a structural support at the location of the panel that is
subjected to the relatively frequent loads, in particular persons
leaning on the panel and/or staff carrying the panel.
[0011] In some embodiments, the barrier panel components are
further secured to one another using a lower reinforcing
member.
[0012] The lower reinforcing member is preferably provided at or
near a lower panel edge, i.e. the edge on which the feet are
located. The provision of a lower reinforcing member in addition to
the upper reinforcing member increases the stability of the barrier
further.
[0013] In some embodiments, one or more panel components comprise
an upper rail, a lower rail and a series of two or more uprights
extending between the upper and lower rails and extending
substantially parallel to the end post.
[0014] The uprights are spaced apart to provide, in use, vertical
barrier elements.
[0015] In some embodiments, one or more panel components comprise
an end post. In a two-panel-component barrier, each panel component
may comprise an end post.
[0016] The upper rail is preferably of hollow form and may have
windows formed therein through which the hollow interior thereof is
exposed. The windows opening to one face of the panel component are
preferably arranged to alternate with those opening to the opposite
face of the panel component with the result that the upper rail is
of shut through form. Such a form is relatively simple to
manufacture using moulding techniques.
[0017] The upper reinforcing member is preferably located within
the hollow interiors of the upper rail.
[0018] Similarly, the lower rail is preferably of hollow form,
having windows formed therein arranged in an alternating fashion.
The lower rail may be provided with engaging features configured to
allow adjacent barrier panel components to mutually engage each
other at the lower rail. By way of example, they may be secured in
position using screws, nuts and bolts or other threaded fasteners,
rivets, or adhesives.
[0019] If present, the lower reinforcing member is preferably
located within the hollow interiors of the lower rail.
[0020] The, or both, reinforcing members may be secured in position
using any suitable technique. By way of example, they may be
secured in position using screws, nuts and bolts or other threaded
fasteners, rivets, or adhesives.
[0021] The reinforcing members are preferably positioned at or near
the upper and lower edges of the barrier panel. In use, horizontal
features may be used as stepping features, in the manner of ladder
rungs that could be used to climb the barrier. By providing the
reinforcing members vertically spaced apart as much as possible,
for instance with a distance of around 70-100 cm between the upper
and lower edges, they are less suitable for climbing.
[0022] Certain of the uprights are preferably of hollow, tubular
form. They may be provided with alternating windows in a manner
similar to the upper and lower rails. Preferably, upright
reinforcing members are located within the hollow interiors of
these ones of the uprights. The feet may be mounted upon projecting
lower ends of the upright reinforcing members. The upright
reinforcing members are conveniently of circular cross-section,
received in such a manner as to be rotatable relative to the panel
components. Rotation or angular movement of the reinforcing members
may allow rotation or angular movement of the feet to occur, for
example to allow the feet to be moved to a stowed position for
transportation or storage.
[0023] The panel components are conveniently of moulded plastics
material form. In one embodiment, the temporary barrier comprises
two panel components that are identical to one another, allowing
these panel components to be fabricated using a single mould. In
one embodiment, the temporary barrier comprises two types of panel
components wherein the panels of each type are identical, allowing
the panel components to be fabricated using two mould types. For
instance, a panel may comprise two end-barrier panel components and
one or more mid-barrier panel components. In that case, the two end
barrier panel components may be identical and the mid-barrier panel
components may be identical to each other. However, this need not
always be the case.
[0024] In one embodiment, the temporary barrier comprises two or
more rows of panel components. For instance, temporary barrier may
comprise two rows, a lower row of two panel components and an upper
row of two panel components, in a 2 by 2 configuration. The panels
of two adjacent rows may be stabilised by a central reinforcing
member. The central reinforcing member may extend horizontally. The
central reinforcing member may constitute an upper reinforcing
member for the lower row and a lower reinforcing member for the
upper row. The central reinforcing member may extend vertically. It
will be understood that a temporary barrier with a 2 by 2
configuration comprises four panel components. The panel components
may be identical to each other, each with two outer edges and two
inner edges, arranged and rotated such that the panels abut at
their inner edges. It will be understood that a temporary barrier
may have any number of rows. The number of panel components per row
may differ. The type of panel components may differ. For instance,
a temporary barrier may comprise a lower row of 8 barrier-type
panel components arranged side-by-side and an upper row of 2
fence-type panel components arranged side-by-side.
[0025] In some embodiments, two or more panel components are
self-complementary to each other.
[0026] Barrier panel components, for instance if made from the same
mould, may be identical in shape. In that case, it is preferable if
they are or comprise self-complementary portions. Such
self-complementary portions may be, preferably, in the
component-to-component engaging surfaces, such that a component of
the same shape can engage with another component of the same shape.
Having panel components of the same shape facilitates assembly, as
a barrier panel can be assembled from any of the identical
components, without having to check that the correct corresponding
components were selected, because complementary components
correspond to each other.
[0027] In some embodiments, one or more panel components have C2
rotational symmetry about an axis extending perpendicular to the
upper and lower edges of the panel component.
[0028] It will be understood that the upper and lower edges are
those edges of a panel that, after assembly, are facing up or down
when the barrier panel is supported on its feet.
[0029] This facilities assembly because a panel component does not
need to be oriented with a particular side to the left or
right.
[0030] In some embodiments, one or more panel components have C2
rotational symmetry about an axis midway between the upper and
lower edges of the panel component.
[0031] This facilities assembly because a panel component does not
need to be oriented with a particular side facing up.
[0032] In embodiments, the end most ones of the uprights are
moulded with engaging features that, in use, cooperate with the end
most upright of the other of the panel components.
[0033] Preferably, if integrally moulded, the engaging features are
self-complementary to allow and end panel component to interact
with a 180-degree rotated end panel component of identical shape.
In some embodiments, engaging features may be fixed to a panel
component after moulding. This facilitates the use of the same
mould type while allowing differing engagement features (such as
hook and latch type engagements).
[0034] The invention will further be described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary
barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are front, side and top views of the
barrier of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating parts of the FIG. 1
barrier;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a further illustration of the FIG. 1 barrier;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating part of the FIG. 1
barrier;
[0040] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views illustrating elements
of the part of the barrier shown in FIG. 7 along the sections 8-8,
9-9, and 10-10 indicated in FIG. 7;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary
barrier in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the FIG. 11 barrier;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a panel component of
the FIG. 11 barrier;
[0044] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating another panel component
of the FIG. 11 barrier;
[0045] FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views illustrating
elements of the part of the barrier shown in FIGS. 11-14; and
[0046] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary
barrier in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a temporary barrier 10 is
illustrated, the barrier 10 being intended for use in applications
in which it is required to restrict pedestrian access to certain
areas. By way of example, it may be used in crowd management or
control applications, to restrict pedestrian access to areas in
which access is restricted for safety reasons, for example because
works are being undertaken in those regions, or in a range of other
applications. The barrier 10 comprises a barrier panel 12 supported
upon a pair of feet 14. The expressions "upper" and "lower" are
understood with reference to the panel in its intended in-use
configuration, standing on its feet 14, corresponding to the
reading orientation of FIG. 1.
[0048] The panel 12 is of multi-part form, comprising a first panel
component 16 and a second panel component 18 arranged in a
side-by-side configuration and secured to one another using an
upper elongate reinforcing member 20. Optionally, the first and
second panel components may be further secured to one another
using, as shown herein, a lower elongate reinforcing member 22. The
panel components 16, 18 are of moulded plastics material form
manufactured by, for example, injection moulding. It will be
appreciated that, as the panel 12 is of multi-part form, and in
particular as it is made up of first and second panel components
16, 18, the components of the panel 12 are each of sufficiently
small dimensions that they can readily be manufactured using
injection moulding or compression moulding techniques, for
example.
[0049] The panel components 16, 18 are substantially identical to
one another, and so only one of them will be described herein in
further detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the panel component 16 comprises
an upper rail 24, a lower rail 26 and an end post 28. A series of
uprights 30 extends between the upper and lower rails 24, 26, the
uprights 30 extending substantially parallel to the end post
28.
[0051] The upper and lower rails 24, 26 are of substantially square
cross-section, hollow form, as shown in FIG. 9 (showing a section
of the upper rail 24), and are formed with a series of windows 32
spaced apart along the length of the respect rail 24, 26. The
windows 32 are formed so that some of them open to one face of the
component 16, and others of them open to the other face of the
component 16. The windows 32 are arranged in an alternating
fashion. The rails 24, 26 are thus of a shut through form, lending
themselves to manufacture using plastics material moulding
techniques in a relatively simple and convenient manner. FIG. 9
also illustrates in section the upper elongate reinforcing member
20 extending through the hollow upper rail 24, one side (the
left-hand side in the reading orientation of FIG. 9) of the hollow
upper rail 24 showing in section a window 32 through which the
elongate reinforcing member 20 is visible.
[0052] The end post 28 is of H-shaped cross-sectional form, as
shown in FIG. 8. Most of the uprights 30 are similarly of H-shaped
cross-sectional form, but are of smaller dimensions than the end
posts 28 (see also FIG. 15 described below). H-shaped cross
sections are suited for injection moulding. The H-shaped cross
section is symmetric and therefore provides the same appearance at
either side of the panel when assembled. Other cross-sections may
be used.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the upright 30 aligned with the
associated foot 14 is of a different design to the remainder of the
uprights 30 in that it is of hollow tubular form formed with
windows 34 arranged in an alternating fashion similar to the
windows 30.
[0054] The reinforcing members 20, 22 are of hollow, substantially
square cross-sectional shape, of dimensions allowing them to be
fitted within the hollow rails 24, 26. Conveniently, they are of
pultruded or extruded form, preferably of a fibre reinforced
plastics material. The material is conveniently brightly coloured.
It will be appreciated that with the reinforcing members 20, 22
positioned within the hollow rails 24, 26, parts of the reinforcing
members 20, 22 will be exposed, to be visible through the windows
32, as illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 1 and
shows the upper and lower elongate reinforcing members 20, 22 and
upright reinforcing members 36, 38 (for more detail on the
reinforcing members, see additional description with reference to
FIGS. 7 to 10) with cross-hatching; the cross-hatching is intended
to illustrate their visibility through alternating windows 20 in
the barrier panel components, but it will be understood that the
reinforcing members may not necessarily exhibit a visible
cross-hatching pattern, and may be of a single colour. One or more
of the reinforcing members may be of a contrasting colour relative
to the colour of the barrier panel component to provide improved
visibility. For instance, the reinforcing members may be of a
bright colour, and/or have light-reflecting properties. To provide
illustrative examples, the barrier panel components may be of any
suitable colour such as orange, dark grey or black, or any colour
desired by a customer, and the reinforcing members may be of bright
yellow or white reflective colour. By being recessed within the
rails, the reinforcing members are somewhat better protected than
paint, coating or stickers applied directly to the surface of the
barrier panel, while still providing good visibility.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the reinforcing members 20, 22 are
of a relatively great length, extending over at least half of the
width of the panel 12, and preferably extending over significantly
more of the width than this. Each of the reinforcing members 20, 22
is thus located partly within the respective rail of the first
panel component 16, and partly within the respective rail of the
second panel component 18. By way of example, the reinforcing
members 20, 22 may extend over three quarters, or more, of the
width of the panel 12. The reinforcing members 20, 22 are secured
within the rails 24, 26 using any suitable technique. By way of
example, screws or nuts and bolts or other threaded fasteners may
be used, extending through appropriately positioned openings formed
therein. Alternatively, rivets could be used, or suitable adhesives
may be used. It will be appreciated that these techniques represent
examples of suitable securing techniques and that other techniques
may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The
substantially square cross-section prevents rotation of the
reinforcing members 20, 22. Furthermore, a reinforcing member may
be inserted with any of the flat surfaces up. This reduces the need
for an alignment step during assembly. However, other
cross-sections may be used. In embodiments, the reinforcing members
20, 22 are hollow, solid, or of H-section profile.
[0056] It will be appreciated that with the reinforcing members 20,
22 secured in position, the reinforcing members 20, 22 serve to
secure the panel components 16, 18 to one another. Furthermore,
they provide reinforcement or strengthening to the panel 12,
resisting bending or deformation of parts thereof. The position of
the reinforcing members 20, 22 near the upper and lower edges,
respectively, provides a climb-impeding configuration because of
the absence of stepping surfaces between the upper and lower
rail.
[0057] Upright reinforcing members 36, 38 are located within the
hollow uprights 30, and have the feet 14 fitted to the lower ends
thereof. The upright reinforcing members 36, 38 are of circular
cross-sectional shape and are free to rotate relative to the
associated uprights 30. Consequently, the feet 14 attached thereto
may be rotated between in use and stowed positions. The upright
reinforcing members may have other suitable profiles, for instance
a square profile.
[0058] Turning to FIGS. 11 to 17, another embodiment of a temporary
barrier 10A is illustrated. The temporary barrier 10A is similar to
the above-described temporary barrier 10. The temporary barrier 10A
comprises two types of barrier panel components. In FIGS. 11 to 17,
numerals with a suffix -A and same numeral as in FIGS. 1-10 are
used to identify similar components.
[0059] The temporary barrier 10A comprises a barrier panel 12A
supported on two feet 14A. The barrier panel 12A comprises two end
panel components 16A which are identical to each other and
constitute a first type of panel component, and a plurality (here:
six) of mid panel components 18A that are identical to each other
and constitute a second type of panel component. The panel
components 16A and 18A are arranged in side-by-side configuration
and secured in succession by an upper reinforcement member 20A and
a lower reinforcement member 22A, although it will be understood
that the lower reinforcement member 22A may be optional. The end
panel components 16A are reinforced by upright reinforcing members
36A and 38A, respectively. The panel components 16A and 18A are of
moulded plastics material form manufactured, for instance, by
injection moulding or compression moulding. Each of the panels is
of smaller construction than the entire barrier panel 10, rendering
it more readily suitable for manufacture by moulding.
[0060] As can be imagined, any number of mid-panel components, or
no mid-panel component, may be used to manufacture a barrier panel
of varying length. The FIG. 11 embodiment comprises eight panel
components each about one eight of the width of the barrier panel
width of known metal temporary barriers, namely six mid-panel
components and two end-panel components.
[0061] FIGS. 11 and 12 show two connector rings 42A on one end
panel component and two connector hooks 44A on the opposite end
panel component. The connector rings and connector hooks constitute
connectors for end-to-end engagement of a series of panels. The
connectors may correspond to those of known metal barriers such
that the temporary barrier of the invention is compatible in size
and end-to-end connection with known metal temporary barriers.
[0062] By providing the hooks and loops as attachable components,
this allows the same mould to be used for both end barrier panel
components and configuring one end panel component as hooked end
and another end panel component as loop end. Preferably, each end
panel component is provided with at least two connectors, e.g. two
hooks and two loops, to provide a relatively stable quasi-hinged
end-to-end connection. Preferably the hooks and loops are engagable
with a reasonable degree of play to allow adjacent connected panels
to tilt relative to each other while connected. This facilitates
the provision of a series of connected barrier panels on uneven
terrain.
[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of an end panel component
16A, and FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of a mid-panel component
18A. Each component comprises an upper rail 24A and a lower rail
26A. The upper and lower rails 24A and 26A are similar to the rails
described in relation to FIGS. 7 to 10, in that they are formed
with windows arranged on alternating sides of the fence panel
component such that the rails 24A, 26A are of shut-through form
suitable for moulding techniques. FIG. 16 shows a section through
an upper rail 24A illustrating at the right-hand side (in the
reading orientation of FIG. 16) a window 32A. The end-panel
component 18A comprises an end rail 28A with an H-profile, as
described above in relation to FIG. 7. Partway along the length of
the end rail 28A, one or more (here: two on either side of the
panel) seating surfaces 46A are provided to facilitate the mounting
of panel-to-panel connectors such as connector hooks 44A (see FIG.
12) or connector rings 42A (see FIG. 12). The end panel component
16A comprises a foot adapter 48A extending from the lower rail 26A
in extension of one of the uprights 30A that is aligned with the
associated foot 14A. The foot adapter 48A is hollow, of a shape to
receive a reinforcing member 36, 38. The exterior silhouette of the
foot adapter 48A may be round or otherwise dimensioned to engage a
socket in a foot 14A. The foot adapter 48 may include abutment
surfaces that limit axial rotation of a foot 14A. For instance, the
axial rotation may be limited to a 90 degree range or to a 180
degree range such that a foot 14A may be rotated into a stowed
position in which it lies flat with the barrier panel or into an
extended position in which it extends practically perpendicular to
the barrier panel. A 90 degree rotation range may be suitable for a
symmetrical foot and will help ensure that a foot is correctly
aligned in either a stowed or extended position when the abutment
surface is hit. A 180 degree rotation may be appropriate for
asymmetrical feet.
[0064] The adapter 48A may be integral with a barrier panel
component, e.g. integrally moulded. The adapter 48A may be fitted
to the barrier panel component after moulding. In that case, the
barrier panel component may have rotational symmetry about the
horizontal axis, as it may be imagined, such that the end panel
barrier components and any mid panel barrier components may be
assembled with any side up and the foot adapters 48A are fitted
post assembly.
[0065] The mid panel component 18A illustrated in FIG. 14 comprises
two uprights 30 and so exhibits sufficient stiffness for handling
during manufacture of the barrier panel. By providing fewer
uprights 30A per panel component, e.g. two uprights 30A as shown in
FIG. 14, the manufacturing process is more resilient against an
occasional manufacturing error in one of the uprights 30, in that a
manufacturing error in one upright affects only one easily
replaceable component of the entire barrier panel. However,
mid-barrier panels with different numbers of uprights may be used
in the invention. The uprights 30A are of H-shaped cross-section as
illustrated in FIG. 15, but may have other suitable
cross-sections.
[0066] The mid panel component 18A has two-fold symmetry in the
vertical and horizontal direction. This facilitates the assembly of
a barrier panel 10A because the mid panel component 18A will be
appropriately orientated with either side up or down and with
either side left or right.
[0067] In embodiments, the upright reinforcing members 36, 38 are
of box or H-profile cross-section and may be of rectangular or
square profile. The upright reinforcing members 36, 38 may be solid
or hollow. If the hollow channel of the upright 30 is generally
rectangular, a corresponding rectangular and square profile of the
upright reinforcing member provides a closer location of the
reinforcing members 36, 38 at the windows 34. This improves
visibility of contrasting colours, particularly if it is considered
that the reinforcing member may already, by virtue of it being
located in a channel, be recessed from the outer upright surface.
The closer location of surfaces of the reinforcing members 36, 38
reduces the gaps that may otherwise be present with round
reinforcing members, which reduces the risk of entrapment or the
gaps being filled with litter. If the feet 14 are provided with
round profile sockets to receive the reinforcing members, the feet
are still rotatable even with non-round reinforcing members.
Alternatively, the channel and upright reinforcing members 36, 38
may have a round profile.
[0068] The presence of the upright reinforcing members 36, 38
further strengthens or reinforces the panel 12.
[0069] The upright reinforcing members 36, 38, like the reinforcing
members 20, 22, are preferably of fibre reinforced plastics
material form, for example manufactured by pultrusion or
extrusion.
[0070] In embodiments, the reinforcing members 20, 22 are of a
length no longer than the distance between the upright reinforcing
members 36, 38, so that the upright reinforcing members 36, 38 can
be fitted before or after assembly of the two panel components 16,
18.
[0071] In embodiments, the upper reinforcing member 20A is longer
than the lower reinforcing member 22A. For instance, the upper
reinforcing member 20A may be longer than the distance between the
upright reinforcing members 36A, 38A to provide increased stability
of the upper rail 24A.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the end most upright 30 may be
formed with projecting features 40 arranged to cooperate with the
end most upright 30 of the other of the panel components, in use.
The arrangement of projecting features 40 may be
self-complementary. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the
end most uprights 30A are arranged such that they need not come
into abutment with those of adjacent barrier panel components.
[0073] FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a temporary
barrier 10B. The temporary barrier 10B is similar to the
above-described temporary barriers 10 and 10A. In FIG. 18, numerals
with a suffix -B are used to identify similar components as in the
preceding embodiments.
[0074] The temporary barrier 10B comprises a barrier panel 12B,
which comprises two rows, a lower row 17L and an upper row 17U,
each row comprising two panel components 16B side-by-side, such
there is a total of four panel components 16B. In the present
example, each of the panel components 16B is identical, although
this is not necessarily the case in every embodiment. Each panel
components 16B is of generally rectangular, approximately square
shape and comprises two outer rails, one outer rail at a horizontal
edge and one outer rail on a vertical edge. The panel components
16B are arranged and rotated such that the inner edges of each
panel components 16B face each other and the outer rails are at the
outer edge of the barrier panel 12B. The rails are hollow and
provided with windows. When assembled, the two outer edges at the
top of the panel components 16B in the upper row 17U form an upper
rail 24B, receiving an upper reinforcement member 20B. The outer
edges at the side of the panel components 16B in the upper row 17U
and in the lower row 17L provide a hollow upright rail, one hollow
upright rail at either end of the barrier panel 12B, to receive
upright reinforcing members 36B and 38B. Likewise, the two outer
edges at the base of the panel components 16B in the lower row 17L
form a lower rail 22B, receiving a lower reinforcement member 22B.
The upper reinforcement member 20B is received within the upper
rail 24B but portions of it are visible through windows 32B in the
outer edges. Likewise, the upright reinforcing members 36B and 38B
are visible through windows 34B in the outer edges, and the lower
reinforcing member 22B received in the lower rail 26B is visible
through windows 32B in the outer edges.
[0075] Between the upper row 17U and the lower row 17L there is
provided a central reinforcing member 21B connecting the two rows.
This provides stability to the temporary barrier 10B. Although not
illustrated, the edges of the barrier panels 16B could be
configured with alternatingly offset walls structures or hoops that
can be engaged, for instance in alternating or overlapping fashion,
to provide a common hollow channel for the central reinforcing
member 21B. In that case, the walls structures may comprise windows
in the manner of the upper and lower rails to allow portions of the
central reinforcing member 21B to be visible.
[0076] As in the preceding figures, the upper and lower elongate
reinforcing members 20B, 22B and upright reinforcing members 36B,
38B are illustrated with cross-hatching; the cross-hatching is
intended to illustrate their visibility through alternating windows
32B and 34B in the barrier panel components 16B, but it will be
understood that the reinforcing members may not necessarily exhibit
a visible cross-hatching pattern, and may be of a single
colour.
[0077] The panel components 16B are of moulded plastics material
form manufactured, for instance, by injection moulding or
compression moulding. Each of the panels 16B is of smaller
construction than the entire barrier panel 10B, rendering it more
readily suitable for manufacture by moulding.
[0078] The upright reinforcing members 36B and 38B extend from the
lower row 17L to provide free ends 48B each for connection to a
foot. Each free end 48B is provided with a foot structure 14B, and
the foot structures 14B (here showing two feet 14B) can be slotted
into a further support structure such as a base block.
[0079] Although described a 2 by 2 arrangement, any number of
barrier panels may be provided side-by-side in a row. The number of
barrier panels per row may differ. The temporary barrier 10B
comprises panels of about 1.times.1 metre side length and measures
about 2.times.2 metres. Several of such barrier panels 10B may be
arranged, side-by-side, to form a temporary fence of any length.
Although the barrier panel 1B is described with a central
reinforcing member 21B that extends horizontally, some barrier
panels may comprise a plurality of upright reinforcing members. A
barrier panel may comprise both horizontal and vertical reinforcing
members if arranged in a suitable way, for instance on opposite
sides of the barrier panel to allow them to cross. Likewise, a
barrier panel may comprise one or more diagonal reinforcing
members, for instance two diagonal reinforcing members.
[0080] The temporary barrier 10, 10A and 10B described hereinbefore
are advantageous in that, as it is of plastics material form, they
are of relatively low weight and are of relatively low cost form.
In the arrangement shown, the feet 14 are of low profile form and
so do not present a significant trip hazard to pedestrians in the
vicinity of the barrier. The plastics material of the barrier is of
relatively good resilience, and so if subject to relatively low
magnitude impacts will tend to deflect and subsequently return to
substantially its original form. The manner in which it is
fabricated lends itself to the use of injection moulding techniques
through each component part being of relatively small
dimensions.
[0081] Whilst selected forms of barrier are described and
illustrated hereinbefore, a number of modifications and alterations
may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the
invention. By way of example, the rails could be of H-shaped
section, with the reinforcing members attached to faces thereof
rather than located within the hollow interior of the rails as
illustrated. The reinforcing members, rails and uprights may be of
other cross-sectional shapes to those illustrated. For instance,
the rails and/or uprights may be of round cross-section to receive
round reinforcing members. The reinforcing members may be solid or
hollow. The reinforcing members may comprise hollow channels to
receive additional reinforcing structures. The reinforcing members,
i.e. the upper reinforcing member, one or both upright reinforcing
members, and, if present, the lower reinforcing member may be made
from or comprise metal.
[0082] If desired, the feet could be fitted to the lower rail
rather than to the upright reinforcing members. The barrier panel
may be provided with any number of feet. A panel with two feet
allows for a configuration with the feet connected at the end
panels.
[0083] Features described in relation to the FIG. 11 barrier panel
may be used in the FIG. 1 barrier panel, and vice versa.
[0084] For instance, although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, once the
barrier panel components are assembled, the barrier panel 10 may be
provided with connectors such as hooks and loops for end-to-end
engagement of a series of barrier panels.
[0085] Barrier panels of the type described herein may have any
length. A typical length of a pedestrian barrier may be in the
region of 1.5 to 2 meters. Due to their likely length and because
such barriers may be installed in uneven terrain they are described
herein as being supported on feet. The feet may be constituted by
base block elements, particularly if the barrier panels are to be
installed on relatively even ground. However, the barrier panel may
also be supported on a unitary base block of sufficient dimensions.
Such a base block may itself comprise feet, for instance integral
with the base block.
[0086] A number of other modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *