Background of the Invention Many different types of barriers are known for preventing movement past it or directing traffic (people or vehicles). One type of such barriers comprises rigid sections such as concrete panels which are fixed to each other in an end to end relationship to form a continuous barrier. It will be appreciated that such barriers are difficult to transport and erect and as a result it is not always viable to use them, especially as temporary barriers.

In other cases tape (usually polymeric tape) is used to form barriers for example around road works in the road. Although such barriers are easy to transport and usually not difficult to erect they are not always effective.

They usually only provide scant warning since the tape is not always highly visible. Furthermore, such barriers do not effectively keep objects out and small children may for example acddently move past or through it and get

injured.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an alternative barrier.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention a barrier device comprises a barrier member in the form of a flexible sheet of woven or knitted material having apertures therethrough to allow air to move through; and at least one marking section of flexible sheet material secured to the barrier member which in use serves as a marking or a carrier of markings.

The woven or knitted material of the barrier member may comprise an open woven or knitted pattern to provide the apertures through the sheet.

Preferably between about 20% and 85% of a unit area of the material is made up by apertures, more preferably between about 50% to 80%. In one preferred embodiment of the invention between about 60% to 75% of a unit area of the material is made up by apertures.

It will be appreciated that the apertures in the barrier member allows air to move through the sheet which reduces wind resistance of the barrier

member, which in turn makes it easier to erect or support the barrier in windy conditions. It will also be appreciated that the apertures make it difficult for markings to be made on the woven or knitted sheet of the barrier member or alternatively such markings will have a reduced visibility as a result of the apertures therethrough. Accordingly the at least one section of flexible sheet material is secured to the barrier member.

The barrier device preferably includes fastening means for fastening the barrier member to support means. In one form of the invention the fastening means may comprise a cord which is woven or knitted into the barrier member and exposed at spaced intervals. Preferably, the barrier member comprises an elongate sheet and the barrier device includes two cords extending along the length of the barrier member, the cords extending adjacent to edges defined by the barrier member. The exposed portions of the two cords may be located directly opposite one another so that two directly opposite exposed portions can be engaged by support means such as a pole for supporting the barrier member in an upright position.

The exposed portions of cord may be exposed on one or both sides of the barrier member. The spacing between the exposed portions may be between 50mm and 1000mm and preferably about 150mm. Each exposed portion of the cords may be between 20mrn and 100man in length.

The at least one marking section of sheet material may be made of a smooth material, or alternatively a densely woven or knitted material.

In one embodiment of the invention the at least one marking section may comprise a flexible strip, preferably a polymeric strip. The strip may be made of polypropylene, low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene. The strip may include printed markings thereon such as traffic related signs or, alternatively or additionally, instructions. In one embodiment of the invention the strip may include one or more chevrons thereon. In one embodiment of the invention the strips may include light reflective markings thereon.

The flexible strip may be secured directly to the barrier member. The strip may however be secured to another flexible strip provided on the opposite side of the barrier member. Alternatively, the strip may be secured to at least one other strip which is knitted or woven into the barrier member.

The strip may be secured by heat sealing or welding.

The barrier device may include at least two spaced strips. The strips may each be between 50 and 150mm wide and preferably about 100mm wide. In one embodiment of the invention the barrier member may comprise an elongate sheet with the two strips extending along the length thereof, the

cords extending adjacent to edges defined by the barrier member.

Alternatively or additionally the barrier member may comprise an elongate member and a number of separate marking sections of flexible material may be provided spaced at intervals along the length thereof. The marking sections may include reflective material thereon. Markings may be provided on the marking sections, and the markings may include markings to indicate in what direction traffic should move, for example markings such as chevrons. Alternatively the markings may comprise instructions. In one embodiment of the invention the marking sections may comprise strips, the strips may be slanted downwardly into a direction traffic should move, alternatively it may comprise arrow heads.

The separate marking sections may be secured to the barrier member in a similar way as the flexible strip.

Marking sections may be provided on opposite sides of the barrier member.

The woven or knitted material of the barrier member may include warp yarns or pillar stitches which in use extend horizontally when the barner is erected and are spaced from one another by between 5 to 20mm, and preferably by about 9mm.

The horizontally extending warp yarns may be connected to one another by weft yarns. At least two weft yarns may be provided every 5 to 12mm, and preferably about every 7mm.

The yarn from which the woven or knitted material is made may be made of a polymeric material, and preferably of polyethylene. The barrier member may be any suitable colour. In one form of the invention the barrier member may be orange.

The barrier device is preferably supplied in roll form, and the scope of the invention extends to the barrier device in this form.

The barrier device may also include at least one support means for supporting the barrier member in an upright position.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of manufacturing a barrier device includes the steps of knitting or weaving a barrier member of flexible sheet material and with apertures therethrough; and securing at least one section of flexible sheet material thereon which in use serves as a marking or a carrier of markings.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is plan view of a length of a barrier device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the barrier device of Figure 1 in roll form; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the barrier device of Figure 1 in an erected form; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier device of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of part of the barrier member according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of part of the barrier member according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier member of any one of Figures 1 to 6; and Figure 8 is a plan view of a length of barrier device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments Referring now to Figures 1 to 7, a barrier device 10 comprises a barrier member 12 in the form of a flexible sheet of knitted material with apertures 12.1 therethrough to allow air to move through. Sections of flexible sheet material in the form of three strips 14 are secured to the barrier member 12 whereupon markings are provided.

The knitted material of the barrier member 12 comprises an open knitted pattern to provide the apertures 12.1 through the sheet. About 60% to 75% of a unit area of the material is made up by apertures 12.1.

The barrier device 10 includes fastening means in the form of two cords 16.1 and 16.2 for fastening the barrier member 12 to support means 26 in the form of poles. The cords 16.1 and 16.2 are knitted into the barrier member 12 and is exposed at spaced intervals. In Figure 5 the barrier member 12

includes eyelets 18 which expose the cord 16.1 on both sides of the barrier member 12. Similarly eyelets may also be provided for the cord 16.2. In Figure 6 the cord 16.1 is exposed on one side only and the cord 16.2 may be similarly exposed.

The cords 16.1 and 16.2 extend along the length of the barrier member 12 adjacent to the operatively upper edge and lower edge of the barrier member 12. The exposed portions of the cords 16.1 and 16.2 are located directly opposite one another in order that two directly opposite exposed portions can be engaged by a pole 26.

The three polymeric strips 14 are flexible and are preferably made of polyethylene. The strips 14 include markings in the form of printed chevrons thereon. The chevrons may be light reflective and in one embodiment of the invention they may be highly light reflective to increase visibility at night.

The polymeric strips 14 are secured to the barrier member 12 by providing strips 14 on both sides of the barrier member 12 directly opposite to each other and heat sealing or welding them together. In this way markings are provided on both sides of the barrier member 12. The chevrons on opposite sides may point in opposite directions.

It will be appreciated that if the barrier member 12 is turned upside down in order that the cord 16.1 is located at the bottom and the cord 16.2 is located at the top, the chevrons will be pointing in an opposite direction.

The barrier member 12 consists of operatively horizontally extending pillar stitches 20 spaced from one another by about 9mm, and connected to one another by weft yarns 22. The pitch of the weft yarns 22 is about 7mm.

The yarn of the pillar stitches 20 and the weft yarns 22 are preferably made of polyethylene. The colour of the back member 12 may be any suitable colour such as for example orange. The orange colour provides the barrier device 10 with high visibility.

As shown in Figure 2 the barrier device 10 may be provided in roll fonn.

With reference to Figure 8 the barrier device 80 is similar in all respects to the barrier 10 except that strips 14 of marking sections are not provided but instead separate marking sections 81 are provided at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier member 12. The marking section 81 may be made of flexible sheet material which is highly reflective and are in the form of arrow heads.

It will be appreciated that many variations in detail are possible without thereby departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In one such variation the barrier device 80 may include additional markings sections provided directly below or above the sections 81. Strips 14 may also be provided.