AU2013201409A1

AU2013201409A1 - Improved Barrier Method and Apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2013201409A1
Application number: AU2013201409A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wayne Alfred Duckworth
Original assignee: BOYLAN NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BOYLAN NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-16
Filing date: 2013-03-11
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: AU2017276356A1; AU2019204360A1

Abstract

A barrier screen apparatus for use with a traffic barrier. The apparatus including: a base element; a substantially vertical clamping means that is coupleable to the base element; and wherein the clamping means has an open configuration for enabling receiving and 5 removal of a substantially planar screen element, and a closed clamping configuration for restraining the screen element. A barrier wall apparatus can include two or more barrier screen apparatus to define an elongate barrier screen apparatus. -- 130 ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ............. ....................... ....................... ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 1 0 5 ......................... .. ....................... .......................... ........................... .......................... ........................... .......................... ........................... ............................ ........................... ........................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................. .............................. ............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................. ................................. ................................. ................................. .................................. ................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. ................................... .................................. ................................... ................................... ................................... .................................... ................................... .................................... ...... .................. .... ............. .................................... ....................... FIG. 1A

Description

IMPROVED BARRIER METHOD AND APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to barriers and in particular to barrier screens. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a barrier screen for use with 5 traffic barriers and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 10 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 15 It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a barrier screen for use with a traffic barrier. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a barrier screen apparatus for use with a traffic barrier, the apparatus including: 20 a base element; a substantially vertical clamping means (or clamping element) that is coupleable to the base element; and wherein the clamping means has an open configuration for enabling receiving and removal of a substantially planar screen element, and a closed clamping 25 configuration for restraining the screen element. - 1 - Preferably the base element is locatable atop a traffic barrier. More preferably, the base element includes a fixing means for releasable engagement to the traffic barrier. Most preferably, the base element is releasablly bolted to the traffic barrier. Preferably, the clamping element is releasablly slidably engageable to the base element. 5 More preferably, the base element includes an aperture for receiving a portion of the clamping element. Most preferably the apparatus includes a fastening mechanism (typically associated with the base element) for releasablly fastening the clamping element in the closed configuration (with respect to the base element). Preferably, the clamping element includes a support arm element that is slidably 10 engagable with the base element, the support arm element having a first jaw element such that the support arm element can slide with respect to the base element to move the first jaw element from the open configuration to the closed configuration. More preferably, the apparatus includes a second jaw element that is opposable to the first jaw element for releasablly restraining the screen element when in the closed configuration. 15 Most preferably, the base element includes the second jaw element. Preferably, the first jaw element and second jaw element each include a retaining tab (or flange) for respectively securing the upper and lower edge of the screen element. More preferably, the first jaw element and second jaw element are relatively movable together to a closed clamping configuration. 20 Preferably, the base element includes a fastening means (or fastening element) for retaining the clamping element in a closed clamping configuration. Alternatively, the clamping element can preferably includes the fastening means. Preferably, two or more barrier screen apparatus can be aligned (or coupled together) to define an elongate barrier screen apparatus. More preferably, the elongate barrier screen 25 apparatus is located atop a plurality of aligned (or coupled together) barriers. Most preferably, the apparatus is used as a road barrier for providing a safety barrier along roadwork. -2- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1A is a side view of an embodiment barrier screen apparatus according to the 5 invention, shown atop a barrier element in a closed configuration; FIG. 1B is a side view of an embodiment barrier screen apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in an open configuration; FIG. 2A is a side view of an embodiment base element of the barrier screen apparatus of FIG. 1; 10 FIG. 2B is a front view of the base element of FIG. 2; FIG. 2C is a plan view of the base element of FIG. 2; and FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of a road barrier. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1A shows an embodiment barrier screen apparatus 100, shown atop a barrier 15 element 105. The barrier screen apparatus can be used as or with a traffic barrier. The apparatus 100 comprises a base element 110 and a substantially vertical clamping means (or clamping element) 120. The vertical clamping being coupleable to the base element. In use, by way of example only, the clamping means has a closed clamping 20 configuration for restraining the screen element (as shown in FIG. 1A) and an open configuration for enabling receiving and removal of a substantially planar screen element 130 (as shown in FIG. 1B). It will be appreciated that a plurality of barrier screen apparatus are typically used atop one or more barrier elements to support an elongate screen element. -3- The barrier screen apparatus 100 can be used as or with a traffic barrier 105. The base element 110 is typically located atop a traffic barrier, wherein the base element includes a fixing means 112 (for example in the form of a bolt fixing means) for releasablly engaging the traffic barrier 105. 5 In this embodiment, the clamping element 120 is releasablly slidably engageable to the base element 110. The base element defines an aperture 114 for receiving a portion of the clamping element, and includes a fastening mechanism in the form of a bolt 116 threadedly engaged to the body of base element and extending through to the aperture 114 for releasablly fastening the clamping element in the closed clamping configuration. 10 The bolt fastening mechanism 116 threadedly engages the body of base 110 and abuttingly engages the clamping element 120 for fastening the clamping element in the closed clamping configuration. In this embodiment, the clamping element includes a vertical support arm element 122 that is slidably engagable with the base element 110. The support arm element 122 15 having a first jaw element 128 that, as the support arm element slides with respect to the base element 110, moves from the open configuration to the closed clamping configuration. In this embodiment, the base element includes the fastening means (or fastening element) 116 for restraining the clamping element in a closed clamping configuration. 20 Alternatively, the clamping element can include the fastening means. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a second jaw element 118 that opposes the first element jaw element 128 for releasablly restraining the screen element 130 when in the closed clamping configuration. The base element 110 includes the second jaw element 118. Alternatively, the barrier can include the second jaw element. 25 It will be appreciated that the first jaw element 128 and second jaw element 118 can each respectively include a retaining tab (or flange) 129,119 for securing the upper and lower edge of the screen element 130. The first jaw element 128 and second jaw element 118 can clampingly engage the screen element 130. Alternatively, the first jaw element 128 and second jaw element 118 can define a closed clamping configuration 30 wherein the screen element 130 is retained by the retaining tabs (or flanges) 129,119. -4- FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C show an embodiment base element 110. The base element 110 can, by way of example, include a square hollow section (SHS) portion 115 that defines the aperture 114 for receiving a portion of the clamping element 5 having a suitably sized substantially square cross section. The base element 110 can, by way of example, include a fastening mechanism in the form of a bolt 116 threadedly engaged the square hollow section (SHS) portion 115, and extending through to the aperture 114. The base element 110 can, by way of example, include one or more fixing bolts 112 for 10 releasablly engaging a traffic barrier. The base element 110 can further include a support element 113 for cooperatively engaging (or coupling to) a traffic barrier. Referring to FIG. 3, an elongate barrier apparatus 300 can be defined by a plurality of barrier screen apparatus 100 that are fixed atop one or more aligned barriers 105 (which can be coupled together) for supporting one or more screen elements 130. The one or 15 more aligned barriers 105 can be coupled together. The one or more screen elements 130 are typically located end to end to define a substantially continuous barrier screen. This apparatus can typically be used as a road barrier for providing a safety barrier along roadwork. It will be appreciated that the construction of the road barrier and screen does not require 20 use of separate small parts, such as additional bolts and screws, for fastening of the barrier, which can reduce risk of parts being left on the worksite or road, and improves construction time. The screen element is typically substantially planar (for example substantially rectangular). Materials for the screen element can include any suitable building (or 25 construction) sheet material. It will be appreciated that the screen element can include any one or more of the set comprising: compressed fibre cement, plywood, and a composite material. By way of example, a composite material screen element can -5include sandwiched or laminated thermoplastic, polypropylene, fibreglass or carbon fibre face panels, with or without a honeycombed configured core. It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments provide a barrier screen for use with a traffic barrier. 5 It will be appreciated that the apparatus does not include substantial horizontal members that are parallel to the direction of the barrier. This is an advantage of this apparatus, as horizontal members can cause injury to passengers of vehicles impacting the barrier at acute angles to the direction of the barrier and or screen. The barrier screen can further provide improved safety for worker at road sites. 10 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with 15 the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill 20 in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or 25 elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means 30 comprising. -6- Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected", along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the 5 expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each 10 other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, 15 or in any other manner. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with 20 reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped 25 together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive 3o aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this - 7- Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different 5 embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific 10 details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, 15 and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. 20 It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. -8-

Claims

1. A barrier screen apparatus for use with a traffic barrier, the apparatus including: a base element; a substantially vertical clamping means that is coupleable to the base element; and 5 wherein the clamping means has an open configuration for enabling receiving and removal of a substantially planar screen element, and a closed clamping configuration for restraining the screen element.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base element is locatable atop a traffic barrier. 10

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the base element includes a fixing means for releasable engagement to the traffic barrier.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base element is releasablly bolted to the traffic barrier.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping 15 element is releasablly slidably engageable to the base element.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the base element includes an aperture for receiving a portion of the clamping element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus includes a fastening mechanism associated with the base element for releasablly fastening the clamping 20 element in the closed configuration with respect to the base element.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping element includes a support arm element that is slidably engagable with the base element, the support arm element having a first jaw element such that the support -9- arm element can slide with respect to the base element to move the first jaw element from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus includes a second jaw element that is opposable to the first jaw element for releasablly restraining the 5 screen element when in the closed configuration.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first jaw element and the second jaw element each include a retaining flange for respectively securing the upper and lower edge of the screen element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first jaw element and the second 10 jaw element are relatively movable together to a closed clamping configuration.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the base element includes a fastening means for retaining the clamping element in a closed clamping configuration.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the clamping element includes the fastening means. 15

14. A barrier wall apparatus including two or more barrier screen apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; the two or more barrier screen apparatus being aligned to define an elongate barrier screen apparatus.

15. The barrier wall apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elongate barrier screen apparatus is located atop a plurality of aligned barriers. 20

16. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus being used as a road barrier.

17. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus being used as a road barrier for providing a safety barrier along roadwork. - 10 -