This invention relates to barrier apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to barrier apparatus for use on a carriageway for preventing a vehicle from passing from one side of the barrier to an opposite side of the barrier, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the barrier apparatus of the present invention can be used to prevent, or at least hinder, any object, person, animal or vehicle from passing from one side of the barrier to an opposite side of the barrier for use in any application, such as for example, a security barrier, a barrier to separate a pedestrian area from another pedestrian area or from a road, a road barrier and/ or the like.

A barrier can be provided of any required length and is typically comprised of a plurality of barrier sections joined together in an end to end manner. An example of a conventional barrier section is shown in figure 1. This barrier 2 is typically formed from concrete and has two opposing side walls 4, 6, a top wall 8, a base wall 10 on which the barrier is supported in use, and two end walls 12, 14. A recessed portion 16 is defined in each side wall 4, 6 a spaced distance below top wall 8 to define a "t-shaped" upper section. This recessed portion is provided to help prevent a vehicle riding up the barrier following impact of the vehicle with the barrier in use. Two spaced apart connection members 18 are provided on each end wall 12, 14 and protrude outwardly therefrom. The connection members 18 are welded to the concrete end walls. Each connection member 18 has an aperture 20 defined therein for the location of a connection pin therethrough in use. The connection members 18 at one end of a barrier section are connected to the connection members at an end of an adjacent barrier section via a connection pin in use.

A problem with this type of barrier section is that the connection members are permanendy attached to the barrier section, thereby extending the overall length of the barrier section and requiring a space longer than the barrier section side wall itself to store and/or transport the barrier section in use. In addition, the protruding connection members can be dangerous to pedestrians and/ or vehicles in certain applications, particularly when the barrier section forms an end barrier of a run of barriers joined in an end to end manner.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide improved barrier apparatus.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using improved barrier apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided barrier apparatus, said barrier apparatus including at least one barrier member having a base wall on which the barrier member is supported in use, a top wall opposite to said base wall, two opposing side walls provided between the top and base walls, and two opposing end walls provided between the two side walls, and wherein at least one connection member is provided at at least one of said end walls for allowing connection of the barrier member to an adjacent barrier member in use, characterised in that the at least one connection member is provided on or associated with a connection panel, and said connection panel is detachably attached to the end wall of the barrier member in use.

Thus, the barrier member of the present invention allows removal of the connection panel and end connection member(s) in use, thereby reducing the space taken up by the barrier member compared to prior art barrier members for the purposes of transport and/or storage. This is significant because in some applications it allows the barrier members to be located in standard shipping containers, which is not always possible with prior art barriers. In addition, removal of the connection panel allows different types of connection panels to be joined to the barrier member, thereby allowing different items of apparatus and/ or equipment to be joined to the barrier member in use, such as one or more fence panels, different barrier member types and/or the like. Furthermore, the barrier member can be more easily adapted to its application of use. For example, if the barrier member is to be located at the end of a line of barrier members joined in an end to end manner, the connection panel can be removed to prevent risk of injury or damage to pedestrians or vehicle as a result or a user accidentally contacting the protruding connection member(s).

Preferably the connection panel, when fitted to the end wall, is arranged to be parallel or substantially parallel to the end wall. Further preferably the connection panel, when fitted to the end wall, is arranged to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the side wall.

Preferably the connection panel is a plate, plate like, sheet, or sheet like member.

Preferably the connection panel is made from any or any combination of metal, plastic, rubber and/ or the like.

Preferably the connection panel has a rear surface for engaging with a surface of the end wall of the barrier member in use, and a front surface which faces away from the end wall when the opposite rear surface is engaged to the end wall of the barrier member in use.

Preferably at least the rear surface of the connection panel is flat, planar, substantially flat or substantially planar.

Preferably the at least one connection member protrudes outwardly from the connection panel, and preferably from a front surface of the connection panel.

Preferably the at least one connection member is joined, attached, detachably attached or integrally formed to the connection panel, and further preferably to the front surface of the connection panel.

In one embodiment attachment means or at least one attachment member is provided on or associated with the connection panel for allowing detachable attachment of the connection panel to the end wall of the barrier member in use. Preferably the attachment means or at least one attachment member includes any or any combination of one or more clips, nuts and bolts, screws, inter-engaging members, apertures, welding, adhesive and/ or the like.

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of spaced apart apertures are defined on the connection panel for the location of bolts therethrough in use to allow attachment of the connection panel to an end wall of the barrier member.

Preferably a recess is defined in at least one of the end walls of the barrier member and the connection panel is detachably mounted in said recess in use. The recess typically allows the at least one connection member to be provided of such a length to provide adequate strength to the same whilst reducing the length the connection member protrudes outwardly from the end wall surface of the barrier member in use. This allows adjacent barrier members to be connected together as close as possible to reduce the hkelihood of an object being located between two adjoining barrier members, such as a bomb, part of a vehicle and/ or the like. It also allows the pivot point between two adjoining barrier members to be as close as possible to the barrier members.

Preferably a recess is defined in both end walls of the barrier member and a connection panel is detachably mounted in each recess in use.

Preferably at least two connection members are provided on the connection panel and/ or protrude outwardly from the connection panel, and are a spaced distance apart.

In one embodiment two or more separate connection panels are provided at each barrier member end wall and each connection panel has at least one connection member thereon and/ or protruding outwardly therefrom.

Preferably the at least two connection members are provided a spaced distance apart along a vertical or substantially vertical axis, and/ or an axis between the base wall and the top wall of the barrier member. Preferably each connection member has an aperture defined in the same for the location of a connection pin or locking member therethrough in use.

Preferably each aperture is arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, and further preferably a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis spacing of the connection members.

In one embodiment each connection member has a recess or slot defined therein for the location of at least part of a fence panel, fence post and/or other accessory therewith in use.

Preferably the recess or slot is defined at a free end of each connection member, and further preferably at a free end opposite to the end via which the connection member is joined to the connection panel.

Preferably the connection members, recesses, slots and/ or the apertures defined in the same on an end wall are aligned or vertically aligned.

Preferably the connection member of an adjacent barrier member is brought into overlapping engagement with a connection member on a first barrier member and the connection pin or locking member is located through the apertures of the overlapping connection members of the adjacent barrier members to join the adjacent barrier members together in use.

Preferably a connection panel is provided at both ends of the barrier member.

In one embodiment the connection panels and/or the at least one connection member provided on the panels at both ends of the barrier member are identical or substantially identical to each other.

In one embodiment the at least one connection member at one end wall of the barrier member is at a different height or vertical position with respect to the base wall compared to an opposite end wall of the barrier member to allow overlapping engagement between adjacent connection members on end walls of adjacent barrier members in use. In one embodiment all the connection members of one barrier member are located between the connection members of an adjacent barrier member to which it is to be joined in use.

In one embodiment one of the connection members of a first barrier member is located between the connection members of an adjacent barrier member, and one other of the connection members of the first barrier member is located above or below the connection members of the adjacent barrier member.

In one embodiment a first recess is defined in at least one, and further preferably each, of the opposing side walls between the top wall and the base wall of the barrier member. Preferably the first recess provides a means of mechanism for preventing a wheel of a vehicle from riding up the barrier member following impact of a vehicle with the same in use.

Preferably a longimdinal axis of the first recess is parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrier member.

Preferably the first recess is defined in the or each side wall at a location nearer to the top wall than to the base wall of the barrier member.

Preferably the first recess is located so as to define a T-shaped portion at or adjacent the top of the barrier member.

In one embodiment the T-shaped portion is set back from the remaining external diameter of the side walls so that the top surface does not protrude beyond the side walls of the barrier member. This allows the barrier members to be stacked side by side next to each other whilst taking up the minimum amount of space. However, the T-shaped portion could protrude beyond the remaining external diameter of the side walls if required.

In one embodiment one or more walls defining the first recess are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each or one or more other walls defining said recess. In one embodiment one wall defining the first recess is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to two other walls defining said recess.

Preferably the two other walls of the first recess are parallel or substantially parallel to the top wall of the barrier member.

In one embodiment a second recess is defined in at least one, or each of the opposing side walls between the top wall and the base wall of the barrier member. Preferably the second recess provides a further means or mechanism, in addition to the first recess, for preventing a vehicle wheel from riding up the barrier member following an impact of a vehicle with the same in use.

Preferably the second recess is positioned below the first recess on the, or each, side wall.

Preferably the depth of the first recess is greater than the depth of the second recess on a side wall of the barrier member. The depth of the recess is typically the distance between the side wall of the barrier member defining the opening of the recess, to the wall of the recess opposite to the opening.

Preferably a longitudinal axis of the second recess is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first recess and/or barrier member.

Preferably the second recess is defined in the side walls of the barrier member nearer to the base wall than to the top wall.

Preferably the second recess is located so as to define a U or substantially U- shaped portion on each side of the barrier member.

Preferably the height of the second recess in the direction between the top and base walls of the barrier member is longer or greater than the depth of the second recess in a direction perpendicular to the height. Preferably the height of the second recess in the direction between the top and base walls of the barrier member is greater than the height of the first recess in said side wall (in the same direction).

In one embodiment one or more walls defining the second recess are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each or one or more other walls defining said recess.

In one embodiment one wall defining the second recess is perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or greater than 90 degrees to two other walls defining said recess.

Preferably one or more feet members are provided on or associated with the base wall of the barrier member.

Preferably feet members are provided on or associated with each corner of the base wall of the barrier member.

Preferably the feet members are made from a non-slip material, rubber, plastic and/ or the like.

Preferably two or more barrier members are joined in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier in use using the connection means at opposite ends of the adjacent barrier members.

Preferably the barrier member is formed from or includes any or any combination of concrete, metal, reinforcing means or members, plastic, stone, rubber, rubber crumb and/ or the like.

The barrier member can be hollow, solid, or can be a hollow or partially hollow member that is at least partially filled with a solid or liquid. For example, the barrier member could be formed from plastic and filled with stone or water.

In a preferred embodiment the barrier member comprises a solid concrete block. In one embodiment one or more reinforcing means or members are provided in the barrier member or concrete block to strengthen the same.

Preferably the base wall of the barrier member is supported directly or indirecdy on a road surface, ground surface and/ or the like in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using barrier apparatus, said barrier apparatus including first and at least second barrier members, each barrier member having a base wall on which the barrier member is supported in use, a top wall opposite to said base wall, two opposing side walls provided between the top and base walls, and two opposing end walls provided between the two side walls, and said method including the steps of locating the first and at least second barrier members in an end to end arrangement relative to each other, joining together at least one connection member provided at an end wall on the first barrier member with at least one connection member provided at an end wall of the at least second barrier member, characterised in that the at least one connection member is provided on or associated with a connection panel, and said connection panel is detachably attached to the end wall of each of the first and second barrier members.

Preferably the connection panel is detachably attached to the end wall of each barrier member prior to the barrier members being joined together.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using barrier apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided barrier apparatus, said barrier apparatus including at least one barrier member having a base wall on which the barrier member is supported in use, a top wall opposite to said base wall, two opposing side walls provided between the top and base walls, and two opposing end walls provided between the top and base walls, and wherein first and at least second recesses are defined in each of the two opposing side walls. Preferably the first and at least second recesses are a spaced distance apart on the side walls.

Preferably a longitudinal axis of each recess is parallel to substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrier member.

It will be appreciated that the at least two recesses defined on the side walls of the barrier member can be in addition to, or independent of, the detachable connection panel provided on at least one end wall.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure 1 (PRIOR ART) is a perspective view of a conventional barrier member;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a barrier member from a first end according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the barrier member in figure 2 from a second end;

Figures 4a and 4b show a side view of two barrier members joined together in accordance with the present invention, and a partial top plan view of the joined barrier members in figures 4a respectively;

Figure 5 is as perspective view of a barrier member according to an embodiment of the present invention forming part of a cable and fence post barrier;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a barrier member according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention forming a support for a fence post;

Figures 7a and 7b show different examples of how the connection members of adjacent barrier members can be joined together in use.

Referring to figures 2 and 4a-4b, there is illustrated a barrier member 100 forming part of barrier apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The advantage of the present invention is that it has a detachable connection panel on each end wall of the barrier member for allowing connection to an end wall of an adjacent barrier member when fitted in use. The detachable nature of the connection panel has the advantages of allowing the barrier member to be connected to different barrier types, objects and/ or accessories, for use. in different applications, for allowing removal of the connection panel for transport and/or storage to reduce the overall length of the same, and to prevent injury or damage to a person or object if left protruding from the barrier member in use. The barrier member also features two separate recesses on the side walls of the same to prevent different sized vehicles from riding up the barrier following vehicle impact with the barrier in use. Although both the recesses and the detachable connection panel are shown on the barrier in the illustrations, it will be appreciated that either feature could be used independently of the other feature on a barrier member if required.

The barrier member 100 has a top wall 102, a base wall 104, two opposing side walls 106, 108 provided between the top and base walls 102, 104, and two end walls 110, 112 provided between the two side walls 106, 108 and between top and base walls 102, 104.

Each end wall 110, 112 has a recess 114 defined therein. A longitudinal axis Ύ' or height of the end wall recess is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 'X' or length of the barrier.

A connection panel 116 is detachably attached to the rear wall of the recess 114 via attachment means. The rear wall is opposite to the opening of recess 114. The connection panel 116 is parallel to the end walls 110, 112.

The attachment means in this embodiment include a plurality of apertures 118 defined in the corners of the connection panel 116 and in the middle of the connection panel 116 for the location of bolts therethrough in use.

The connection panel 116 has a rear wall that engages with the real wall of the recess 114 and a front wall 120 that faces outwardly of the recess 114. Two spaced apart connection members 122 protrude outwardly from the front wall 120 of connection panel 116. The connection members 122 are vertically aligned. Each connection member 122 is perpendicular to the connection panel 116. The connection members 122 on each connection panel are parallel to each other. An aperture 124 is defined in the connection member 122, and is typically located adjacent the free end of the connection member.

The apertures 124 of the connection members 122 on each connection panel 116 are aligned so that a connection pin 126 can be located through both apertures simultaneously in use, as will be described in more detail below.

A first recess 128 and a second recess 130 are defined in each opposing side wail 106, 108 of the barrier member 100. A longitudinal axis of each recess 128, 130 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 'X' of the barrier member 100. The main opening to the recesses 128, 130 faces outwardly of the side walls 106, 108 in which it is defined.

The first recess 128 is nearer the top wall 102 of the barrier member 100 and the second recess 130 is nearer the base wall 104 of the barrier member 100. Both barrier members are provided to preventing vehicles from liding up the barrier member following an impact of the vehicle with the same in use. The provision of two recesses on the side walls of the barrier members, rather than one recess, provides greater prevention of a vehicle riding up the barrier member and accommodates a greater range of different sized vehicles.

The walls 132, 134, 136 defining the first recess 128 in this embodiment are perpendicular to each other to provide a U-shaped recess, although other shaped recesses are envisaged within the scope of the present application.

The provision of the first recess 128 below the top surface 102 creates a T-shaped top section to the barrier member 100. This t-shaped section allows a lifting device, such as a crane or fork lift truck to be located around the section to help lift the same in use, such as lift the same from a transport position to an in-use position. The top wall 102 does not protrude beyond the side walls of the barrier in this embodiment.

The side walls 138, 140 defining the second recess 130 are obtuse relative to the rear wall 142 of the recess 130. The recess 130 is U shaped in form, although other shaped recesses are envisaged within the scope of the present application.

Feet members 144 are provided on the base wall 104 of the barrier member adjacent each corner. The feet member prevent slippage of the barrier member on a ground surface in use and act to spread the load of the barrier member across a surface on which the barrier is placed in use.

The height of the connection members 122 on connection panel 116 are different at end wall 112 compared to opposing end wall 110 so that the connection members on the end walls of adjacent barrier members can be brought together in overlapping relationship for the location of pin 126 through the apertures 124 of the same, as shown in figure 4a.

Figure 5 shows the barrier 100 for use in supporting a cable barrier and a fence (only one fence post 146 of which has been shown for the purposes of clarity). In normal use, a fence panel is located between two spaced apart fence posts to create a barrier. The fence post 146 has two outwardly protruding bracket members 148 at a lower end thereof which are a spaced distance apart and which are located adjacent the upper surface of the connection members 122 in use. Apertures are provided in the bracket members 148 which can be aligned with apertures 124 of the connection members 122. Pin 126 is located through both the bracket member apertures and the connection member apertures to secure all the same together in use. A further bracket arrangement 150 is associated with the fence post 146 to allow two spaced apart cable members 152, 154 to be engaged with the same. Thus, barrier member 102 can provide a support base for the cable barrier and for the fence barrier. It will be noted that the cable members can be engaged with the pin 126 if required in place of or in addition to the bracket arrangement 150. Figure 6 shows an alternative barrier member arrangement in which the connection members 122 have recesses 156 provided at their free ends to allow engagement directly with a fence post 146 in use. The recesses 156 support the fence post and prevent rotation or limit movement of the fence post relative to the barrier member in use. Thus, in this embodiment, the barrier member is acting primarily as a fence post support.

Figures 7a and 7b show two examples of how the connection members of adjacent barrier members can be arranged so as to allow connection between the same. In figure 7a, the connection members 200, 200' of the first barrier member 202 are arranged so as to be located above the connection members 204, 204' of the opposite second barrier member 206 respectively. A connection pin 208 is located through the aligned apertures in the connection members 200, 200', 204, 204'. In figure 7a, the connection members 200, 200' of the first barrier member 202 are both arranged to be between the connection members 204, 204' of the opposite second barrier member 206.