Introduction This invention relates to a portable temporary barrier, and in particular to a barrier for use with traffic cones.

Traffic cones are widely used to direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic, for example, where works to roads or paving, road painting, hedge cutting, etc. is being carried out. However, any disturbance from vehicles or pedestrians will cause the traffic cones to move or to fall and roll around causing a hazard of themselves and exposing the hazard they were supposed to protect. Instead of traffic cones larger barriers and fencing may be used to provide a more stable barrier, however, these are relatively bulky and heavy, posing problems with transport and deployment - generally requiring at least two workers to set up and remove.

A number of different barriers for use with traffic cones have been previously proposed. JP 2001003326 discloses a barrier bar or rod for mounting between a pair of spaced-apart traffic cones to form a barrier. The barrier bar has an elongate tubular body with mounting rings at each end of the body to receive a top portion of each traffic cone to mount the barrier bar between the traffic cones.

British patent specification GB2263122 discloses a hazard warning barrier comprising a conical post upstanding from a base, an adapter engagable with a top of the post and a sleeve engagable with a lower portion of the post, each of said adaptor and sleeve having vertical slots to receive ends of boards to form rails between two spaced-apart conical posts.

In GB2446402 there is disclosed a road cone adaptor for mounting at an apex of a traffic cone. A coupling element on the adaptor engages and supports an end of a barrier panel suspended between two spaced-apart traffic cones on which road cone adaptors are mounted.

GB2122239 discloses a traffic cone and an associated barrier panel having hooks at each end to engage with associated slots made in a side wall of the traffic cone. This is not ideal as a particular specialised traffic cone design is required having slots matching the hooks at the ends of the barrier panel to mount the barrier panel on the traffic cone. GB1405780 discloses a road traffic barrier comprising a board or plank and an associated pair of mounting brackets, each of which is demountably engagable with a top of a traffic cone to support the plank therebetween.

The present invention is directed towards providing an improved portable temporary barrier or use with traffic cones.

Sywmary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a portable temporary barrier for use in cooperation with traffic cones, said barrier including an elongate barrier body having mounting means for complementary releasable engagement with a pair of spaced- apart traffic cones for mounting the barrier between said traffic cones, characterised in that the mounting means comprises a pair of spaced-apart through-holes in the barrier body located intermediate the ends of the barrier body.

Advantageously the barrier of the invention is readily easily mounted between traffic cones to provide a more secure temporary barrier at hazards and prevent the displacement of the traffic cones. The through-holes conveniently allow the barrier to be quickly dropped onto the traffic cones and their inboard location provides more even support for the barrier body throughout its length.

In another embodiment each through-hole is tapered, with a top of the through-hole being narrower than a bottom of the through-hole. In a further embodiment each through-hole has a frusto-conical bore. Conveniently the bore corresponds in taper to the tapered outside face of associated traffic cones.

In another embodiment each through-hole is located at a distance of between 20% and 35% of the length of the barrier body from a centre of the barrier body. ln another embodiment each through-hole is located at a distance of 25% of the length of the barrier body from the centre of the barrier body.

In another embodiment each through-hole is adapted to engage a traffic cone intermediate a top and a bottom of the traffic cone.

In another embodiment the barrier has complementary inter-engagable formations at each end of the barrier body which are engagable with another barrier or barriers to link the barriers together.

In another embodiment the complementary inter-engagable formations are pivotally engagable with associated formations on other barriers.

In another embodiment interconnected barriers are pivotally interengagable for pivotal movement through at least 90° and may allow pivotal movement of at least 180°. This allows flexibility in delineating the site of a hazard.

In another embodiment the complementary interengagable formations comprise male and female connectors. Preferably a male connector and a female connector are provided at opposite ends of the barrier body. Thus, a single barrier design can be provided. However, if desired similar connectors could be provided at each end of the barrier but this would necessitate two barrier designs which is less attractive from a manufacturing point of view. In another embodiment the connectors comprise a plug and a complementary socket. The plug and socket may be cylindrical to facilitate relative swivelling of interconnected barriers.

In another embodiment each end of the barrier has a step for overlapping stepped interengagement of the ends of interconnected barriers.

In another embodiment, steps are provided at opposite ends of the barrier which face in opposite directions such that ends of two barriers are nestably engagable by means of the steps. Preferably, at least bottom faces of the barriers are substantially aligned when the two barriers are nestably engaged. Both bottom and top faces of the barriers may be substantially aligned when the two barriers are nestably engaged.

In another embodiment, each step has a flat engagement face substantially parallel to a bottom face of the barrier body. The flat engagement face may be substantially parallel to both top and bottom faces of the barrier body.

In another embodiment, a stepped wall at an inner end of the engagement faces is substantially perpendicular to the engagement face. The stepped wall may be curved. Alternatively, the stepped wall may be a flat wall. In another arrangement, the stepped wall is V-shaped.

In another embodiment, an inner end of the step has a concave face.

In an alternative embodiment, an inner end of the step has a flat face.

In another embodiment, an inner end of the step has a V-shaped face having an apex at a central longitudinal axis of the barrier body and swept away side faces extending outwardly and away from an end of the barrier body. In another embodiment the ends of the barriers are nestable together.

In another embodiment each end of the barrier has a rounded profile and an associated rounded concave receiver portion for nesting ends of the interengaged barriers together.

In another embodiment the barrier has means for receiving ballast.

In another embodiment the ballast receiving means comprises a tray formed in the barrier body.

In another embodiment the barrier has a hollow interior to receive liquid ballast.

In a further embodiment reflective strips are mounted along each side of the barrier body. In another embodiment, complementary interengagable formations are provided on a top face and on a bottom face of the barrier body for stacking a number of barriers together. In another embodiment, the complementary interengagable formations comprise one or more projections on one of the top face and the bottom face which are engagable within an associated recess or recesses in the other of the top face and the bottom face. In a further embodiment, a drainage hole is provided at a bottom of the tray extending downwardly through the barrier body to the bottom face to facilitate drainage of water from the tray.

In another embodiment, through holes are provided extending through the barrier body for tying a sign on the barrier body by means of cable ties or the like.

In another aspect the invention provides a barrier system comprising a plurality of traffic cones interlinked by a number of the barriers. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable temporary barrier according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is another perspective view showing an underside of the barrier shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the barrier;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the barrier; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the barrier taken along the line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing a mounting through-hole portion of the barrier;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the barrier shown in use mounted between a pair of traffic cones;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the barrier and cones shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a barrier system comprising a number of barriers according to the invention and traffic cones; Fig. 10 is an elevational view of another barrier according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the barrier shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the barrier shown in Fig. 10 taken along the line

XII-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective partially cut-away view of the barrier shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing barriers of the invention in use;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing barriers of the invention in use;

Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view of an end portion of another barrier of the invention;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of a barrier according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 18 is an elevational view of a barrier according to a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another barrier according to the invention; and Fig. 20 is an end elevational view of a further barrier according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 8 thereof, there is illustrated a portable temporary barrier according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for use in cooperation with traffic cones 2. The barrier 1 has an elongate barrier body 3. Mounting means, comprising a pair of spaced-apart through- holes 4 in the barrier body 3 are releasably engagable with a pair of spaced-apart traffic cones 2 (as shown in Fig. 7) for mounting the barrier 1 between the traffic cones 2.

The barrier body 3 has a flat top face 6 and a flat bottom face 7 which are substantially parallel. The top face 6 and bottom face 7 are interconnected by a flat front face 8 and a flat rear face 9 to form a body of generally rectangular section or box section.

The through-holes 4 are located intermediate the ends of the barrier body 3, in this case being positioned approximately one quarter of the length of the barrier 1 inwardly from each end of the barrier 1 or outwardly from a centre of the barrier body 3.

Each through-hole 4 extends vertically through the barrier body 3 between the top face 6 and bottom face 7 and has a frusto-conical tapered bore 10. The taper is approximately 8° as shown in Fig. 6 with the bore 10 being narrower at the top than at the bottom. The diameter of the through-hole 4 at the top face 6 is 85mm and at the bottom face 7 is 104mm, the distance between the top face 6 and the bottom face 7 being about 77mm. This bore 10 is adapted to engage and snugly seat the barrier 1 on the traffic cones 2 as shown in Fig. 7 intermediate a top and a bottom of each traffic cone 2.

A reflective strip 15 (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) is mounted along each of the front face 8 and rear face 9 of the barrier body 3 to provide a hazard warning,

A ballast receiving tray 16 is formed in the centre of the barrier body 3 between the through-holes 4 and open at the top face 6 of the barrier body 3. A sandbag or possibly a metal ballast weight can be mounted in the tray 16 to increase the stability of the barrier 1 in use.

The barrier 1 has complementary interengagable formations forming swivel connectors, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, at each end of the barrier body 3 which are engagable with another barrier 1 or barriers 1 to link the barriers 1 together as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, conveniently an extended interlinked barrier around a hazard such an opening in the ground for example may be provided. Conveniently also the swivel connectors 20 are pivotally engagable allowing pivotal interconnection of adjacent barriers 1 through up to 180°, or in some cases greater than 180°. In this case, the swivel connectors 20 comprise a cylindrical male plug 22 and a complementary cylindrical female socket 23 at opposite ends 24, 25 of the barrier body 3. Both the plug 22 and socket 23 are located along a central longitudinal axis of the barrier body 3. In this case the distance between the centres of the through-holes 4 is 1040mm and the nominal length of the barrier body 3, that is the distance between the pivot axes of the plug 22 and associated socket 23, is 2080mm. That is, the spacing between the through-holes 4 is about half the nominal length of the barrier body 3 and each through-hole 4 is located at a distance of about 25% of the nominal length from the centre of the barrier body 3, or in other words located at a distance of about 25% of the nominal length inwardly from an end of the barrier body 3. The overall length of the barrier body 3 is 2280mm

It will be noted also that each end 24, 25 of the barrier body 3 has a stepped configuration for overlapping stepped nesting interengagement of the ends 24, 25 of the barrier body 3 when two barriers 1 are interconnected as shown in Fig. 9 so that the top faces 6 and bottom faces 7 of the barriers 1 are essentially flush. Each end 24, 25 of the barrier body 3 has a rounded profile and an associated rounded concave receiver 26 for nesting the ends 24, 25 of the interengaged barriers 1 together. The stepped swivel connectors 20 are provided at opposite ends of the barrier 1 and face in opposite directions such that ends of the two barriers 1 are nestably engagable by means of the stepped swivel connectors 20 with at least bottom faces 7, and in this case, both the bottom faces 7 and the top faces 6 of the barriers 1 are substantially in alignment, as shown in Fig. 9.

Each step forming a swivel connector 20 has a flat engagement face 28 substantially parallel to the bottom face 7 of the barrier body 3. A stepped wall 29 at an inner end of the engagement face 28 is substantially perpendicular to the engagement face 28.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8 a rounded concave recess 26 is provided by the stepped wall 29. This will limit the mutual pivoting of interconnected barriers 1 to an arc of about 90°. However, as shown in Fig. 9, a flat wall 29 with a straight face 27 may be provided instead of the concave recess 26 at an inner end of the step which would allow mutual pivoting between barriers 1 through an arc of about 180°. Thus, barriers 1 can be mounted and interconnected perpendicular to each other as shown in Fig. 9. It is also envisaged that by cutting away side edges of the straight face 27, the barriers 1 might swivel through an arc of greater than 180°. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 16, in which a V-shaped stepped wall 29 is provided at an inner end of the engagement face 28. The V-shaped wall 29 has an apex 47 at a central longitudinal axis of the barrier body 3 and swept away side faces 48 extending outwardly and away from an end of the barrier body 3.

In use, it will be appreciated that the barriers 1 are readily portable and can easily be handled by a single individual. They are also relatively compact and therefore easily transportable. On site, dropping the barrier 1 onto a pair of cones 2 is readily easily and quickly carried out to establish a more rigid and secure perimeter at a hazard for example. In this regard also the interlocking of the ends of the barriers 1 greatly assists in that a continuous barrier blocking access to the hazard can be provided. As the interlocked barriers 1 swivel relative to each other, various configurations surrounding a hazard can be set up as required with a number of the cones 2 and the barriers 1. If required, ballast can be mounted on the barriers 1 by way of a sandbag or the like mounted in the ballast tray 16 on each barrier 1. Advantageously the barriers 1 when set up as illustrated in Fig. 9 provide a continuous visibte line for motorists and pedestrians alike. Cones 2 supporting the barriers 1 are spaced equidistantly and at a maximum spacing distance of about half the barrier length to provide good support for each barrier 1 and the overall barrier system construction. The reflective strips 15 provide a clear indication of the barrier system. It will also be appreciated that the barrier system can be readily easily and quickly dismantled and reassembled as required around different hazards. Furthermore, the barriers 1 are readily compatible with conventional traffic cones which are in widespread use. It will be appreciated that the barrier 1 described above is preferably made of a moulded plastics material, however, any other suitable material, including metals, wood or fibreglass, for example, may alternatively be used.

The term "traffic cone" as used throughout this patent specification should be taken to include the various road cones, safety cones, pylons, construction cones and delineator cones available and, in addition, should be taken to include also tubular or cylindrical bodied devices and delineators used to define or cordon off work areas, or control pedestrian or vehicular traffic and the like. The various dimensions recited herein in relation to the embodiments described are given by way of example only. These dimensions may be varied for differing applications or possibly to meet different regulatory requirements in different countries. Also, the mounting through holes 4 in the barrier body 3 may be of any suitable dimension and shape to cooperate with and mount the barrier 1 on the supporting cones 2 or delineators on which the barriers 1 are mounted in use. For example, the through holes 4 may have a cylindrical bore 10 rather than a conical bore 10. Further, the amount of taper in the bore 10 might vary for different applications.

Similarly, the positioning of the through holes 4 on the barrier body 3 might vary for different applications and these mounting holes 4 may be provided at any suitable location along the barrier body 3 inboard of the swivel connectors 20 at each end of the barrier body 3.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 13 there is shown another barrier according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. This barrier 30 is essentially the same as the barrier 1 described previously with the exception that in this case, the through-holes 4 are formed by cylindrical bores 32 extending between the top face 8 and bottom face 7 of the barrier body 3. In this case also the distance between the centres of the through-holes 4 is 000mm and the nominal length of the barrier body 3, that is the distance between the pivot axes of the plug 22 and associated socket 23 is 2000mm. The overall length of this barrier body is 2200mm,

Referring now to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, a pair of the barriers 1 is shown in use engaged with cones 2 and being adjusted by a workman 40, It will be noted that the positioning of the through-holes 4 relative to the end of each barrier 1 is such that tops of the cones 2 projecting through the holes 4 can be reached by the workman 40 to reposition the setup of the cones 2 and barriers 2. Thus, it is desirable that the through-holes 4 which engage the cones 2 are positioned within an arm's-length reach of the end of the barrier 1 which typically will be within about 300-750 mm of the end of the barrier 1. It will of course be appreciated that the through-holes 4 may be positioned at any suitable location along the length of the barrier 1.

It will also be appreciated that the barrier 1 could be manufactured in different lengths for different uses. For example, barriers 1 for road traffic management may be provided in longer lengths where there might be large numbers of barriers 1 deployed in long chains. Greater length would allow faster, more stable and more flexible reconfiguration. Barriers 1 required for pedestrian traffic might be somewhat shorter. It is also envisaged that to allow some length adjustability of the barriers, the barriers may be of telescopic design comprising two or more mutually telescoping parts.

Fig. 19 shows another barrier 45 wherein with regard to the ballast receiving tray 16 in the barrier 1 , drainage holes 46 extending from the tray 16 through the barrier body 3 are provided to prevent rain collecting in the ballast receiving tray 16. It is also envisaged that through-holes extending through the barrier body 3 may be provided to facilitate the hanging of warning signs or the like on the barrier 1 by means of cable ties for example. In this regard the drainage holes 46 for the ballast receiving tray 16 may be designed to provide this function also. It may be desirable to mount traffic safety flares such as LED road traffic flares on one or more of the barriers 1 during use. In this regard, an indent or recess may be provided at the top face 6 of the barrier body 3 to more securely mount the traffic flare on the barrier 1. This might possibly be incorporated in the receiving tray 16. Instead of, or in addition to, the recess to receive the traffic flare a steel plate may be mounted on the barrier 1 to cooperate with a magnetic base of the traffic flare to secure the traffic flare on the barrier 1. Ideally, if such a steel plate were mounted on the barrier body 3 it would be recessed into the top face 6. To discourage people from sitting on the barriers 1 while they are in use, it is envisaged that the top face 6 of the barrier body 3 may be of triangular section or equivalent to provide an apex top on the barrier body 3. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 20 which shows a barrier 49 according to another embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, various projections of any desired shape may be provided on the top face 6 which would make it uncomfortable to sit on the top face 6 of the barrier body 3.

Referring now to Fig. 17, there is shown another barrier according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. This is largely similar to the barriers described previously and parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, complementary inter-engagable formations are provided on a top face 6 and a bottom face 7 of the barrier body 3 to facilitate stacking a number of the barriers 50 together for ease of handling and storage. In this case the inter-engagable formations comprise an upstanding ridge 51 on the top face 6 and a corresponding indented recess 52 in the bottom face 7 with which the ridge 51 is nestable engagable. Thus, conveniently, a number of the barriers 50 can be joined together for ease of handling and storage within a vehicle for transport to and from sites at which the barriers 50 might be used. Referring now to Fig. 18 another barrier indicated generally by the reference numeral 60 is shown. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. This is largely similar to the barrier described previously with reference to Fig. 15, however, in this case a rail or ridge 61 of toothed configuration is provided on the top face 6 of the barrier 60. In addition to facilitating interconnection of two barriers 60, the toothed rail 61 will discourage people from sitting on the barrier 60.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.