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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
BARRIER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/062207
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A barrier unit comprises a base member and a separate panel member, the base member and panel member cooperating with one another, in use, such that the base member holds the panel member in an upright configuration.

Inventors:
WHITELEY CHRISTOPHER (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2007/004481
Publication Date:
May 29, 2008
Filing Date:
November 23, 2007
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OXFORD PLASTIC SYS LTD (GB)
WHITELEY CHRISTOPHER (GB)
International Classes:
E01F15/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO1993012300A11993-06-24
Foreign References:
US20020014619A12002-02-07
FR2786211A12000-05-26
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BAILEY, Richard, A. (27 Imperial SquareCheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1RQ, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:

Claims

1. A barrier unit comprising a base member and a separate panel member, the base member and panel member cooperating with one another, in use, such that the base member holds the panel member in an upright configuration.

2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the base member is of hollow construction.

3. A unit according to claim 2, wherein the base member includes an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof.

4. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel member is of hollow construction.

5. A unit according to claim 4, wherein the panel member includes an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof.

6. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base member includes at least one recess adapted to receive a projection of the panel member to secure the panel member thereto.

7. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, farther comprising connector means for interconnecting the panel member with a similar, adjacent panel member.

8. A unit according to claim 7, wherein the connector means comprises a peg located adjacent one edge of the panel member and a socket located adjacent an opposite edge of the panel member, the socket being shaped to receive the peg of an adjacent, similar panel member.

9. A unit according to claim 8, wherein the panel member is hollow and the socket forms a conduit leading to an opening in the panel member, which permits the introduction of ballast material into the hollow interior thereof.

10. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, farther comprising connector means for interconnecting the base member with a similar, adjacent base member.

11. A unit according to claim 10, wherein said connector means comprise a lug on a base member and a recess on an adjacent base member, the lug, in use being received by said recess, such that the movement between adjacent barrier units is restricted.

12. A unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said lug is generally L-shaped and said recess in use is adjacent the ground,

13. A unit as claimed in either of claims 11 or 12, wherein said recess is sized so as to permit a range of angles subtended by said interconnected adjacent barrier units.

14. A unit claimed as in any of claims 10 to 13 dependant on any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the means for interconnecting the base member with a similar, adjacent base member and the means for interconnecting the panel member with a similar, adjacent panel member co-operate such that, in use, it is not possible to separate the adjacent connected barrier unit from the barrier unit without separating the respective base and panel member of either the barrier unit or the adjacent barrier unit.

15. A unit according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein there are means of locking the panel member to the base member.

16. A unit according to the preceding claims, wherein the base member incorporates a recess or cut-out to accommodate the positioning of a similar adjacent barrier unit base member if the angle subtended by the barrier unit and the adjacent barrier unit is not 180 degrees.

17. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one vent formed through the panel member.

18. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 8 where the barrier unit also comprises a surface for the attachment of reflective material.

19. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a bracket for supporting a light source.

20. A unit according to any of the previous claims wherein the base member and panel member are shaped so as to only permit the panel member to be supported by the base member in one particular relative orientation.

21. A barrier unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A barrier comprising a plurality of barrier units as claimed in any of the preceding claims and secured to one another in an end-to-end configuration.

Description:

Barrier

This invention relates to an apparatus for the provision of a temporary barrier.

It is often necessary to provide means of diverting the course and flow of both traffic and pedestrians, as a result of, but not limited to, maintenance work. It is preferable that these means are temporary, so that they may be put in place before the maintenance work is carried out and removed after completion.

The current technique utilised is that of the use of temporary barriers of heavy-duty, high visibility coloured plastic construction. These barriers consist of a plurality of similar barrier units linked to one another. Each barrier unit comprises a single hollow unit, of generally cuboidal shape, sized so as to be easily visible to, and provide sufficient obstruction to, that which is to be diverted. The barrier units are hollow so enable their filling with ballast, for example sand or water, to anchor them in place when in the desired position and to provide extra stability.

These existing barrier units have two main disadvantages in that, first, due to their hollow construction, they are very space inefficient and hence occupy a large volume of space when they are to be stored or transported; secondly, they have an adverse effect on the environment as, due to the requirement that they be of high visibility coloured composition, they must usually be manufactured from virgin plastic and hence little or no recycled material can be used in their construction.

Both of these drawbacks to the current barrier unit design result in an increase in costs: both in transportation/storage and in manufacture.

In addition the current design of some single piece barrier units results in the easy detachment of barrier units from one another whist in use. This leads to not only a reduction in the strength of an assembled barrier, but also in reduced security, as barrier units may be stolen, moved or vandalised.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier unit comprising a base member and a separate panel member, the base member and panel member cooperating with one another, in use, such that the base member holds the panel member in an upright configuration. The base member may be of hollow construction, and may include an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof, thereby anchoring the base member in position. The panel member is conveniently of hollow construction, and may include an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof.

The base member may include at least one recess adapted to receive a projection of the panel member to secure the panel member thereto.

Connector means may be provided for interconnecting the panel member with a similar, adjacent panel member. The connector means may comprise a peg located

adjacent one edge of the panel member and a socket located adjacent an opposite edge of the panel member, the socket being shaped to receive the peg of an adjacent, similar panel member.

At least one vent may be formed through the panel member, thereby reducing wind resistance.

The invention also relates to a barrier comprising a plurality of barrier units of the type described hereinbefore secured to one another in an end-to-end configuration.

Desirably, the panel member is composed of virgin material, whilst the base member comprises recycled material. Due to the high visibility nature of the panel member it is not usually possible to manufacture this component purely from recycled material. Manufacturing the base member from recycled material, at least in part, not only reduces the burden of manufacture on the environment, but also reduces fabrication costs.

Conveniently, resilient means of releasably attaching the panel member to the base member are provided, preferably comprising a protrusion from the panel member and a corresponding recess in the base member.

Desirably, projection and recess elements of the panel member which co-operate with similar projections and recesses of adjacent barrier unit panel members to

releasably join adjacent barrier units are such that they act as a hinge allowing the barrier unit to pivot around an adjacent barrier unit, whilst attached, from a first position where the panel member and panel member of an adjacent barrier unit subtend an angle of 180 degrees, to a second position where the panel member and panel member of an adjacent barrier unit subtend an angle of 90 degrees. This enables a barrier constructed from said barrier units to have a non-linear form and also enables the construction of enclosures.

Advantageously, said base member comprises connector means to, in use, secure the base member to a similar adjacent base member, wherein said connector means comprise a lug on a base member and a recess on an adjacent base member, the lug, in use being received by said recess, such that the movement between adjacent barrier units is restricted.

Preferably, said recess is sized so as to permit a range of angles subtended by said interconnected adjacent barrier units.

Desirably, the means for interconnecting the base member with a similar, adjacent base member and the means for interconnecting the panel member with a similar, adjacent panel member co-operate such that, in use, it is not possible to separate the adjacent connected barrier unit from the barrier unit without separating the respective base and panel member of either the barrier unit or the adjacent barrier unit. This increases the security of the barrier in use by preventing undesirable separation of barrier units from the barrier.

Advantageously, there are means of locking the panel member to the base member.

The base member may incorporate a recess to accommodate the positioning of an attached adjacent barrier unit base member if the angle subtended by the barrier unit and the attached adjacent barrier unit is not 180 degrees.

Preferably, the base member and panel member are shaped so as to only permit the panel member to be supported by the base member in one particular relative orientation between the two.

Desirably, the barrier unit also comprises means for the attachment of a light- emitting device, which will aid the discernability of the barrier in low light conditions.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a barrier unit according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a panel member component of the barrier unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a base member component of the barrier unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the barrier unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the barrier unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first end of a base of a barrier unit according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second end of the base shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a side view of the barrier unit shown in Figure 6.

The barrier unit illustrated in the accompanying drawings, indicated generally by 10, comprises two main components: a hollow base 12, as best seen in Figure 3; and a hollow panel member 14, as best seen in Figure 2. The base 12, the colour of which is unimportant, is fabricated from heavy-duty plastic, which may consist at least partially of recycled material. The panel member 14, which must usually be of high visibility construction so that it is obvious to pedestrians and/or traffic, is preferably fabricated from virgin heavy-duty plastic. This is due to the fact that it is often not possible to manufacture good quality high visibility coloured plastic solely from recycled material. The two-part construction, where the base 12 is manufactured partially from recycled material, reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing the barrier unit 10, when compared to that of a barrier composed entirely of virgin material. As the material of the base may also cost less than that of the panel member 14, the cost of manufacturing the barrier in a two-part manner is also reduced. Further, by manufacturing the base 12 from relatively low cost recycled material, the base 12 can be manufactured using an increased quantity of material than would be the case if virgin material were used, thereby increasing the self-ballasting capability of the product without significantly increasing cost.

The base 12 has a generally trapezoidal cross section. The base of the trapezium forms the surface which contacts the ground, or other suitable supporting surface, when the barrier unit 10 is in use. Each of the two faces which form the diagonal sides of the trapezoidal cross section of the base 12, have an orifice 16 in them located centrally with respect to the length of the base 12. These are to enable the insertion and removal of ballast material, for example sand or water, into the cavity within the hollow base 12. The extra mass provided by the ballast makes the base resistant to movement, once in its desired position, by either impact, weather or vandals. The ballast is removed to facilitate easy transportation of the barrier unit 10 when it is to be moved between locations.

The top face of the base 12 in use, opposite to that which is in contact with the ground, comprises three similar recesses 18. Corresponding protrusions 20 from the panel member 14 are sized so as to, in use, be releasably received within the recesses 18. The protrusions 20 and recesses 18 have tapered surfaces which cooperate to aid location of the panel member 14 within the base. Each protrusion 20 also comprises two cavities 24 on opposite sides of the panel member 14. These cavities 24 co-operate with corresponding resilient lugs (not shown) within the base 12 cavities 18 shaped and positioned so as to retain the protrusions 20 in the correct position within the recesses 18 and as such attach the panel member 14 to the base 12. The resilient lugs (not shown) and cavities 24 are also shaped so that, when they are inter-locked, a force can be applied to the panel member 14 which will deform the resilient lugs and enable the separation of the panel member 14 and base 12.

The ability to separate the base 12 from the panel member 14 facilitates space- efficient storage and transportation. As the panel member 14 is generally planar many of them can be stacked either next to one another or on top of each other. Base 12 has an underside shaped such that it may receive the top of an identical base 12. This enables stable space-efficient stacking of multiple bases 12 one on top of another.

The panel member 14 comprises five identical vents 26 which join the two opposing planar faces of said panel member. These vents 26 enable the passage of air from one side of the barrier to the other and as such reduce the wind resistance of the barrier unit 10. This reduces the force exerted on the panel member 14 by wind or turbulence and as such reduces the risk of the barrier unit being knocked over or unintentionally moved.

The panel member 14 also comprises a pair of recesses 28, 30 on both of the planar sides. A large recess 28 near the top, in use, of the barrier unit is provided to accommodate the attachment of, for example, retroreflective tape, for the purpose of increasing the visibility of the barrier in low light conditions. A smaller recess 30 near the bottom, in use, of the barrier unit is provided to accommodate the attachment of, for example, a reflector panel or brand logo panel as appropriate.

Towards the top of the panel member 14, and adjacent a first edge thereof, there is a generally L-shaped protrusion, which runs parallel to the planar sides of the panel

member 14. The L-shaped protrusion is composed of two parts. First, a shoulder region 32, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 12, when in use, to an extent such that it overhangs the base 12. Perpendicular to the shoulder region 32 and parallel to the planar sides of the panel member 14, there is a cylindrical peg portion 34 of the L-shaped protrusion. On a second, opposite edge of the panel member 14, there is a generally rectangular cut-out or recess 36. On the face of this recess 36 located closest to the part of the panel member from which the protrusions 20 extend there is a socket 38 sized and located so as to be able to releasably receive a peg 34 of another, identical or similar panel member 14. The socket 38 and recess 36 co-operate with the shoulder portion 32 and peg 34, respectively, of the additional identical barrier unit to facilitate the connection of the barrier units to one another in an end-to-end fashion. A plurality of such units may be interconnected to form a barrier of a desired length. Securing the barrier units 10 to one another in this way means that it is not possible to easily remove an intermediary barrier unit 10 from an assembled barrier. It is only easy to remove the barrier unit 10 with an unoccupied socket 38 at one end of the barrier, by removing the peg 34 of said barrier unit 10 from the socket 38 of the adjacent barrier unit 10. In this way, by securing the barrier units which form each end of the barrier so that they cannot be moved, it is possible to prevent the separation of individual barrier units 10 from the barrier. This constitutes an improvement in security of the barrier, by preventing its unwanted removal.

Securing the barrier units 10 to one another in an end-to-end fashion causes the produced barrier to have enhanced strength in resisting a force applied

perpendicular to an individual panel member 14, as a result of an interference fit between each peg 34 and the socket of the adjacent barrier unit 10.

The peg 34 and socket 38 are cylindrical, so as to enable the angle subtended by a barrier unit 10 and an adjacent barrier unit to be varied. The variation of this angle is facilitated and limited by recess portions 40 at either end of the base 12. In the embodiment shown the recesses 40 in the bases 12 of two adjacent joined barrier units 10, will enable the barrier units to pivot around the peg 34 via which they are linked so that the angle subtended between them is between 90 degrees in one direction and 90 degrees in the opposite direction. The maximum extent of movement permitted is determined by the relative position of the barrier unit and adjacent barrier unit at which their corresponding base recess faces 40 abut. The ability to pivot barrier units around adjacent ones enables the formation of nonlinear barriers and enclosures.

The socket 38 also passes into a cavity within the panel member 14 and enables the insertion of ballast material, for example sand or water, into said cavity. The extra mass provided by the ballast assists in making the base resistant to movement, once in its desired position, by either weather or vandals. The ballast is removed to facilitate easy transportation of the barrier unit 10 when it is to be moved between locations.

In a further embodiment, similar to that previously described, the base 12 additionally comprises, at a first end, an L-shaped lug 42 as seen best in Figure 6.

The lug 42 is shaped and orientated such that it has a first portion, adjacent the base, which projects beyond the extent of the base 12. A second portion projects in a direction generally perpendicular to this. At a second end, the base 12 additionally comprises a recess 44, as seen best in Figure 7. The recess is in the form of a cut- away portion of the base 12 and is sized and shaped such that, whilst the base 12 is in use, its first end may be placed adjacent the second end of a similar base 12, the lug 42 of the first base 12 being received by the recess 44 of the adjacent base 12, and hence received by the adjacent base 12. The lug 42 and recess 44 co-operate such that the main body of each base 12 contacts the ground and also such that the adjacent bases 12 may only be separated from one another if a portion of the main body of the adjacent base 12 is removed from the ground. In this manner many bases 12 may be secured adjacent one another in an end-to-end fashion. This serves to prevent the unintentional movement of adjacent base members relative to one another.

The recess 44 is sufficiently sized so as to enable angular movement between the longitudinal axes of adjacent bases 12 in a plane generally perpendicular to the ground. This permits the angle subtended by adjacent bases 12, and hence barrier units 10, to have a range of values whilst being secured to one another. The range of angles possible is facilitated and limited in the same way as the previous embodiment by recess portions 40 at either end of the base 12.

Once the bases 12 are secure adjacent one another, panel members 14 can be inserted into the bases 12 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment,

protrusions 20 of the panel members 14 being received by recesses 18 in the base 12, whilst simultaneously panel pegs 34 are received by the sockets 38 of adjacent panel members 14. In this manner each barrier unit 10 may be secured to adjacent ones in an end-to-end fashion by both its base 12 and its panel member 14, resulting in an increase in the strength of the barrier created. Separation of adjacent barrier units 10 is a reversal of this process.

Furthermore, the lugs 42 and panel pegs 34 face one another such that when adjacent barrier units 10 are secured together it not possible to move a barrier unit 10 relative to an adjacent barrier unit 10, in the plane of the barrier 10, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base 12, without separating the panel member 14 from the corresponding base 12. This is an improvement over the previous embodiment, where it would be possible to separate adjacent secured barrier units 10 whilst they are assembled by lifting a unit 10 so that its peg 34 is removed from the relevant adjacent socket 38. As such, by ensuring that the base 12 and panel member 14 of each barrier unit 10 remain secured to one another it is possible to prevent the separation of any barrier unit 10 from an adjacent barrier unit 10. This constitutes an improvement in security of the barrier, by preventing its unwanted removal.

The barrier unit 10 may also incorporate means of ensuring that orientation of the panel member 14 relative to the base 12 when they are connected can only be such that the lug 42 on the base 12 as at the same end of the barrier unit 10 as the peg 34 on the panel member 14.

The barrier unit 10 may also comprise means of releasably attaching a light source, for example, but not limited to, a bracket or recess (neither shown).

It will be appreciated that a number of modifications can be made to the device within the scope of the invention. Examples include, but are not limited to, altering the colour, dimensions and weight of the barrier unit; altering the size and positioning of the base relative to the panel member; using different shape, size and orientation lugs 42 and recesses 44; and the addition of means of locking the base 12 and panel member 14 together.