AU2019203215A1 - Wheel Stop, Set of Parts for Forming Same, and Package Including Said Set - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a set of parts for forming a wheel stop comprising a body anchorable to the ground in a parking area such that it can abut at least one wheel of a vehicle being parked in said area, whereby the vehicle is confined to a designated space within said area, the set comprising pieces which are arrangeable or interengageable end-to-end to define the body. CD C:I m~ co.

Description

Wheel Stop, Set of Parts for Forming Same, and Package Including Said Set

The present invention relates to a wheel stop and to a set of parts for forming such a wheel stop. The invention also relates to a package comprising packaging and said set contained in the packaging.

A wheel stop, also commonly termed a parking chock or parking stop, is a barrier anchored to the ground within a parking space, such as a parking bay, to limit the travel of a vehicle into the space. Specifically, the wheel stop is arranged to abut the wheels of a vehicle parking in the space in the event that the vehicle is driven as far as a threshold position (beyond which it is not to be further driven) in the space - e.g. so that the vehicle cannot hit an object, such as a sign, kerb or other vehicle, adjacent to the space. Typical uses of wheel stops include: to control kerb overhang where inconvenient or hazardous for pedestrians; to inhibit contact with an end barrier or high kerb; and to inhibit encroachment into an opposing parking space.

There is an ongoing need in the art to improve wheel stop design, including for the purposes of ease of packaging/shipping and/or versatility.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of parts for forming a wheel stop comprising a body anchorable to the ground in a parking area such that it can abut at least one wheel of a vehicle being parked in said area, whereby the vehicle is confined to a designated space within said area, the set comprising pieces which are arrangeable or interengageable end-to-end to define the body.

Preferably, ends of the pieces are configured with interlockable connectors so as to be interengageable end-to-end. Preferably, the pieces comprise a central piece configured at opposite ends thereof with ones of said connectors, and outer pieces configured at laterally inner ends thereof with others of said connectors each of which is interlockable with a respective one of the connectors at said opposite ends such that the body is defined. Preferably, the pieces are configured such that each outer piece is engageable with the central piece at either end of the central piece such that the body is defined.

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-2Preferably, the connectors comprise interlockable first and second connectors. Preferably, each first connector is male and each second connector is female.

Preferably, the first and second connectors comprise tongue and groove connectors respectively.

Preferably, the opposite ends of the central piece are configured with the female or groove connectors and the laterally inner ends of the outer pieces are configured with the male or tongue connectors or vice versa.

Preferably, the or each second connector comprises at least one void, the first connector interlockable with that connector comprises at least one connector portion, and the or each connector portion is arranged to be received in a respective said void such that the second and first connectors interlock. Preferably, the or each void opens through the end configured therewith in a direction along a transverse axis, whereby the second connector and the first connector with which it is interlockable can be interlocked by movement of one of them relative to the other along that axis.

Preferably, the or each second connector includes at least one aperture which extends into a respective said void thereof and the or each first connector interlockable therewith includes at least one bridge, the or each bridge connecting a respective said connector portion with body portion of the piece which includes that connector portion and being arranged to be received in a respective said aperture extending into the void in which that connector portion is received. Preferably, the aperture comprises a slit or slot which opens through the end configured therewith in a direction along a transverse axis, whereby the second connector and the first connector with which it is interlockable can be interlocked by movement of one of them relative to the other along that axis.

Preferably, the transverse axis extends top-to-bottom.

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-3 Preferably, the void opens through opposite sides of said end, through each of which sides said transverse axis extends, such that the movement can be in either direction along that axis.

Preferably, each piece comprises a body portion and wherein the connectors are arranged at ends of the body portions. Preferably, each body portion is integral with the or each connector arranged at an end thereof.

Preferably, the set includes one or more reflectors provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that the wheel stop when anchored to the ground is reflective to light from at least one light of the vehicle in a manner such that light reflected by the wheel stop is visible to a driver of the vehicle during the parking thereof. Preferably, one or more said reflectors are provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that one of opposed lateral sides of the wheel stop is reflective to said light of the vehicle approaching the wheel stop from a direction in which said one side faces. Preferably, one or more said reflectors are provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that the other lateral side of the wheel stop is reflective to said light of the vehicle approaching the wheel stop from a direction in which said other lateral side faces.

Preferably, said reflectors are provided on or attachable to the outer pieces.

Preferably, the set is configured such that the or each reflector of the wheel stop assumes an inclined orientation to facilitate or enable the driver to see said light reflected by the wheel stop. Preferably, the or each reflector is configured in the form of a strip, plate or sheet and is provided on or attachable to a respective one of lateral side faces of the pieces which is inclined so as to assume the inclined orientation.

Preferably, the set is configured such that the wheel stop is compliant with AS/NZS2890.1:2004.

Preferably, the pieces are formed of polymer material.

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-4Preferably, each of the pieces is anchorable to the ground.

Preferably, at least one of the pieces is configured with at least one through hole arranged to receive a respective element which comprises a lower end fixable in the ground to anchor that piece to the ground.

Preferably, each of the pieces is configured with at least one through hole arranged to receive a respective element which comprises a lower end fixable in the ground to anchor that piece to the ground.

The set may include said the element(s).

In one embodiment of the invention, the pieces are each of approximately the same length. In another embodiment of the invention, the pieces comprise ones of differing length, from which at least one of the end-to-end interengageable pieces is selectable according to a length which the wheel stop is to have.

The pieces may comprise ones of differing appearance, from which at least one of the endto-end interengageable pieces is selectable according to an appearance which the wheel stop is to have.

Preferably, a face of at least one of said pieces is arranged such that one or more indicia can be selectively applied thereto so as to be displayed by the wheel stop when anchored to the ground. Preferably, the set is configured such that securable to the or each said face is a respective label displaying said one or more indicia. Preferably, the set includes plural said labels.

Preferably, the set is configured such that the wheel stop has a length of 1650±50mm.

Preferably, the set is configured such that the wheel stop has a width of about 15 cm.

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-5 Preferably, the set is configured such that the wheel stop has a height of about 90mm to 100mm.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel stop formed from said set, wherein said pieces or ones thereof are arranged or interengaged end-to-end to define said body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package comprising said set, wherein the pieces are arranged side-by-side in alternating inverted and uninverted orientations, whereby tapered or inclined side faces thereof are received one-against-another and the pieces are thus nested or meshed together.

The pieces' being nested or meshed together can contribute to compactness of the package.

Preferably, the package includes provision which holds the components of the set, particularly said pieces, together.

Preferably, the package includes packaging in an interior of which said set is contained. Preferably, a dimension of said interior parallel to a length dimension of each of the pieces is substantially equal to a length of that piece or a longest one of the pieces.

Preferably, said dimension of said interior or a dimension of the packaging parallel to a length dimension of each of the pieces is about 1650±50mm.

Preferably, each piece has a width of about 15 cm.

Preferably, a dimension of said package or said interior parallel to a height of each of the pieces is substantially equal to the height of that piece or a tallest one of the pieces.

Preferably, each piece has a height of about 9 cm.

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-6The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel stop comprising pieces engaged end-to-end in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wheel stop, likewise comprising pieces engaged end-toend, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 A is a perspective view of a central or laterally inner piece of the wheel stop of the second embodiment;

Figure 3B is a perspective view showing details of a connector with which each end of the central piece is configured;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of a laterally outer piece of the wheel stop of the second embodiment;

Figure 4B is a perspective view showing a connector with which a laterally inner end of the piece shown in Figure 4A is configured;

Figures 5A and 5B are upper and lower perspective views, respectively, showing how the connectors on the central and lateral outer pieces of the wheel stop or the second embodiment interengage; and

Figure 6 is a schematic cross sectional view showing how the pieces in the set of either embodiment mesh together in a package whereby the package is compact.

Shown in Figure 1 is a wheel stop 100 assembled from a set of parts according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wheel stop 100 comprises a robust elongate body 1 which, when anchored to the ground within a vehicle parking space, is

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-7arranged to abut at least one wheel of a vehicle and thereby confine the vehicle within the space during parking of the vehicle.

The set of parts comprises three pieces which are interengageable end-to-end to define the body 1, those three pieces consisting of a central or laterally inner piece 3 and two end or laterally outer pieces 5 each of which is connectable with the piece 3 at a respective end thereof. The body 1 has a length L of 1650mm±50mm and has, as does each of the pieces 3, 5 individually, a height H of 90mm to 100mm and a width W of about 150mm.

The piece 3 comprises a body portion 3A and a pair of connectors 3B each of which is arranged at a respective end of, and integrally formed with, the body portion 3A, to the body portion 3A and connectors 3B being injection moulded from plastic. Each of the pieces 5 comprises a body portion 5A and, integrally formed therewith, a connector 5B at a laterally inner end of that body portion, the connectors 5B being interlockable with respective ones of the connectors 3A such that the thus end-to-end interengaged pieces 5, 3, 5 define the body 1. Each body portion 5A and connectors 5B integral therewith are likewise injection moulded from plastic. In the present embodiment, the connectors 3B are male and the connectors 5B are female. In other embodiments of the invention, the connectors on the central and laterally outer pieces can instead be female and male respectively, or can instead all be genderless or hermaphroditic. Also, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the number of end-to-end interengageable pieces may differ - for example that number may be two or at least four.

Each female connector 5B comprises a void 5C which extends throughout the height of the piece 5 configured therewith (so as to open through top and bottom ends of that piece). An opening or aperture 5D into the void 5C is formed through the laterally inner end of the piece 5. Each void 5C is keyhole-shaped in cross section throughout its depth. Each connector 3B is complementarily shaped in cross section throughout its depth, comprising a head portion receivable in a wide section of the void at a proximal end of that void, and a neck portion receivable in a narrow section of that void distal of the proximal section, the head and neck portions defining a connector portion and bridge respectively. Advantageously, because each void 5C opens through top and bottom sides of the

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-8respective piece 5 configured therewith, the interlock between that piece and the central piece 3 can be effected either by lowering the piece 3, such that the respective connector 3A with which it is configured is downwardly introduced, lower end-first, into the connector 5B through an upper end of the void 5C, or by lowering the piece 5 such that the void 5C is downwardly introduced, lower end-first, around the connector 3A, over an upper end thereof.

The respective male and female connectors 3B and 5B when interengaged lock the pieces together axially, i.e. along the axis of dimension L, and transversely, along the axis of dimension W.

The connectors 3B and 5B are thus interlockable tongue and groove connectors respectively.

Each of the pieces 3 and 5 is formed with a respective hole 10 extending top-to-bottom therethrough, a diameter of the hole being stepped down within the respective piece such that an upper section of the hole is sufficiently large in diameter to accommodate the head of an elongate anchoring element, such as a screw or bolt, and a lower section of the hole is sufficiently large in diameter to permit a shank of the element to pass therethrough (when the head is so accommodated), whereby a lower end of the shank projects beyond the bottom side of the piece, but sufficiently small in diameter that the head cannot be received therein, such that the element, when the projecting lower end of the shank thereof is secured in a cavity in the ground, anchors the piece to the ground. The anchoring elements 10 may be included in the set or instead provided separately. Also, without departure from the invention, each of the pieces 3, 5 may instead be provided with a stem either integrally formed with the body portion 3A/5A of that piece or formed separately from the piece and secured at an upper end thereof within that piece such that a lower end thereof projects through the bottom side of that piece to be securable in the cavity.

The piece 3 has a length L3 and each piece 5 a length L5 such that, when the three pieces 3, 5 are interlocked via the interengaging connectors 3B, 5B, the overall length L of the wheel stop 100 is realised. In the present embodiment, the length L3 is substantially

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-9the same as the length L5. More particularly, in the present embodiment, each of lengths L3 and L5 is about 600mm. Advantageously, referring to Figure 6, the pieces 3 and 5, when arranged side-by-side such that they alternate in orientation between right-way-up and upside-down with tapered/inclined side faces thereof received one-against-another, intermesh and thus can fit within a packaging box 50 the interior of which has substantially the same length dimension as the length L3 or L5 and substantially the same width dimension as the sum of the width w of the top side of the wheel stop 100/each piece and twice the width W of the base of the stop 100/each piece, a package 500 comprising the box (with the interior thereof so dimensioned) and the pieces 3,5 so arranged therein thus being particularly compact for shipment of the pieces/set, especially if the box interior has a height dimension substantially equal to the height H, as shown.

The wheel stop 100 includes reflectors 20 on opposed lateral sides of the body 1, one of those lateral sides being shown in Figure 1, the reflectors 20 on the other lateral side being identically arranged, to reflect light from front or rear lights of a vehicle driven forwardly or reversed, respectively, towards the wheel stop 100 (and, more particularly, the side of that wheel stop which faces the vehicle) during parking of the vehicle. Each reflector 20 is configured in the form of a sheet, strip or plate and secured to a respective one of opposed inclined lateral side faces 7 of the pieces 5. The reflectors 20 within the set can be preapplied to the pieces 5 or instead separate from them for attachment to the faces 7 - e.g. during assembly/installation of the wheel stop 100. Depending on the application, it may be that only two reflectors 20 are provided - applied or attachable to the inclined faces 7 on only one lateral side of the body 1. The reflectors 20 may be attached to the pieces 5 via any suitable means - e.g. adhesive and/or fasteners. Each side face 7 may be configured with a perimetric step whereby an inner portion of that side face is inset, that inner portion and the step defining a shallow recess arranged to receive the reflector 20, and having a perimeter complementary to that of the reflector 20, such that the face of the reflector 20 is flush with the portion of side face 7 remaining exposed when the reflector 20 is so applied.

The central piece 3 also has opposed lateral side faces 8, one of which is illustrated in Figure 1, the side faces 8 being inclined such that each is substantially flush with the side

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-10faces 7 adjacent each end thereof on the same lateral side in the assembled wheel stop 100. Each side face 8 defines a display area 9 over which one or more display elements defining or bearing one or more indicia may be applied. The/each display element may comprise, for example, a panel or decal bearing the indicia/indicium or a respective part thereof, or a sticker or label defining or bearing the indicia/indicium or a respective part thereof. The side face 8 may be configured with a perimetric (e.g. rectangular, as illustrated) step whereby an inner portion of that side face is inset, that inner portion and the step defining a shallow recess arranged to receive the display element(s) when applied to the side face 8, whereby the visible surface(s) of the display element(s) is/are substantially flush with the portion of the side face 8 outside of the display area 9.

The display element(s) may be attached to the piece 3 via any suitable means - e.g. adhesive and/or fasteners. Provision of a display area on only one, rather than each, of the side faces 8 is possible without departure from the invention.

The display element(s) may be included in the set and can be pre-applied to the piece 3 or instead separate from it for selective attachment to the face(s) 8 - e.g. during assembly/installation of the wheel stop 100.

Shown in Figure 2 is a wheel stop 200 assembled from a set of parts according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wheel stop 200 comprises a robust elongate body Γ which, when anchored to the ground within a vehicle parking space, is arranged to abut at least one wheel of a vehicle and thereby confine the vehicle within the space during parking of the vehicle.

The set of parts from which the wheel stop 200 is to be formed comprises three pieces which are interengageable end-to-end to define the body Γ, those three pieces consisting of a central or laterally inner piece 3' and two end or laterally outer pieces 5' each of which is connectable with the piece 3' at a respective end thereof. The body Γ has a length L' of 1650mm±50mm and has, as does each of the pieces 3', 5' individually, a height H of 90mm to 100mm and a width W of about 150mm.

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- 11 Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the piece 3' comprises a body portion 3A' and a pair of connectors 3B' each of which is arranged at a respective end of, and integrally formed with, the body portion 3A', the body portion 3A' and connectors 3B' being injection moulded as a single piece from plastic. Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, each of the pieces 5' comprises a body portion 5 A' and, integrally formed therewith, a connector 5B' at a laterally inner end of that body portion, the connectors 5B' being interlockable with respective ones of the connectors 3B' such that the thus end-to-end interengaged pieces 5', 3', 5' define the body Γ. The body portion 5A' and connectors 5B' are also injection moulded as a single piece from plastic. In the present embodiment, the connectors 3B' are female and the connectors 5B' are male. In other embodiments of the invention, the connectors on the central and laterally outer pieces can instead be female and male respectively, or can instead all be genderless or hermaphroditic. Also, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the number of end-to-end interengageable pieces may differ - for example that number may be two or at least four.

Each connector 3B' comprises spaced apart upright central webs 3E1, projecting from the end of the body portion 3A' at which that connector is formed, and, arranged laterally outward of those webs, upright side webs 3E2, also projecting from the end of the body portion 3A'. Each connector 3B' further comprises upright central flanges 3F1, each of which is connected to a respective one of the webs 3E1, at a distal end of that web, and extends transverse to that web, and upright side flanges 3F2, each of which is connected to a respective one of the side webs 3E2 and projects laterally inwardly from a distal end of that web.

Each flange 3F1 has opposed portions which project laterally from the web 3E1 in opposite directions, consisting of a laterally inwardly projecting portion 3F1A and a laterally outwardly projecting portion 3F1B, the latter being bevelled so as not to project beyond the plane in which the inclined side face of piece 3' adjacent to it lies. The webs 3E1, the end of body portion from which they project, and the flange portions 3F1A bound a central void 3C1 which opens through a top end of that piece. Opposed upright edges of the flange portions 3F1A are spaced apart whereby defined between them is a slot 3D1, opening into the central void 3C1. To each side of the void 3C1, a respective one

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- 12of the webs 3E1, the side web 3E2 laterally outward of it, the end of the body portion from which those two webs project, the flange portion 3F1B projecting from the web 3E1, and the flange 3F2 projecting from web 3E2 bound a respective side void 3C2 which opens through a top end of that piece. Opposed upright edges of the flange portion 3FIB flange 3F2 are spaced apart whereby defined between them is a respective aperture, in the form of a slit or slot 3D2, opening into the side void 3C2.

Referring to Figures 4A, 4B and 5B, each connector 5B' comprises one or more upright central webs 5E1, projecting from the end of the body portion 5A' at which that connector is formed, and a central flange 5C1 which projects downwardly from an upper wall of the piece 5' (which wall defines the top side of that piece) and bilaterally outwardly from the distal end(s) of the web(s) 5E1. Each connector 5B' further comprises, to opposite sides of the web(s) 5E1 and flange 5C1, respective side webs 5E2, each projecting from the end of the body portion 5A', and side flanges 5C2 each of which projects downwardly from a respective one of inclined side walls of the piece 5' (which side walls define the inclined side faces of that piece) and bilaterally outwardly from the distal end of the side web 5E2.

The central flange 5C1 is complementarily shaped in cross section to the central void 3C1, the latter being arranged to receive the former. The flange 5C1 and web(s) 5E1 define a connector portion and bridge respectively. Similarly, each of the side flanges 5C2 is complementarily shaped in cross section to a respective one of the side voids 3C2, the latter likewise being arranged to receive the former. Each flange 5C2 and the web 5E2 to which it is connected define a connector portion and bridge respectively.

Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, interconnection of the pieces 3' and 5' is effected by relative movement between each connector 3B' and the connector 5B' which it is to receive, such that the central flange 5C1 is received, lower end-first, into the central void 3C1, and each of the side flanges 5C2 is received, lower end-first, into a respective one of the side voids 3C2, the central web(s) 5E1 thus being received in the central slot 3D 1 and the side webs 5E2 thus being received in respective ones of the side slots 3D2.

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- 13 The respective connectors 3B' and 5B' when interengaged lock the pieces together axially,

i.e. along the axis of dimension L', and transversely, along the axis of dimension W.

Each of the pieces 3' and 5' is formed with a respective hole 10' extending top-to-bottom therethrough, a diameter of the hole being stepped down within the respective piece such that an upper section of the hole is sufficiently large in diameter to accommodate the head of an elongate anchoring element, such as a screw or bolt, and a lower section of the hole is sufficiently large in diameter to permit a shank of the element to pass therethrough (when the head is so accommodated), whereby a lower end of the shank projects beyond the bottom side of the piece, but sufficiently small in diameter that the head cannot be received therein, such that the element, when the projecting lower end of the shank thereof is secured in a cavity in the ground, anchors the piece to the ground. The anchoring elements may be included in the set or instead provided separately. Also, without departure from the invention, each of the pieces 3', 5' may instead be provided with a stem either integrally formed with the body portion 3A75A' of that piece or formed separately from the piece and secured at an upper end thereof within that piece such that a lower end thereof projects through the bottom side of that piece to be securable in the cavity.

The piece 3' has a length L3' and each piece 5' a length L5' such that, when the three pieces 3', 5' are interlocked via the interengaging connectors 3B', 5B', the overall length L' of the wheel stop 200 is realised. In the present embodiment, the length L3' is substantially the same as the length L5'. More particularly, in the present embodiment, each of lengths L3' and L5' is about 600mm. Advantageously, the pieces 3' and 5', when arranged side-by-side such that they alternate in orientation between right-way-up and upside-down with tapered/inclined side faces thereof received one-against-another (in a manner consistent with that depicted in Figure 6), intermesh and thus can fit within the packaging box 50 the interior of which has substantially the same length dimension as the length L3' or L5' and substantially the same width dimension as the sum of twice the base width W and the width of the top side of the wheel stop 200/each piece, a package 500 comprising the box (with the interior thereof so dimensioned) and the pieces 3',5' so arranged therein thus being particularly compact for shipment of the pieces/set, especially if the box interior has a height dimension substantially equal to the height H, as shown.

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- 14The wheel stop 200 may, like the wheel stop 100, include reflectors 20 on opposed lateral sides of the body Γ, to reflect light from front or rear lights of a vehicle driven forwardly or reversed, respectively, towards the wheel stop 200 (and, more particularly, the side of that wheel stop which faces the vehicle) during parking of the vehicle. Again, each reflector 20 is configured in the form of a sheet, strip or plate and secured to a respective one of opposed inclined lateral side faces 7' of the pieces 5, and the reflectors 20 within the set can be preapplied to the pieces 5' or instead separate from them for attachment to the faces 7' - e.g. during assembly/installation of the wheel stop 200. Depending on the application, it may be that only two reflectors 20 are provided - applied or attachable to the inclined faces 7' on only one lateral side of the body Γ, and the reflectors 20 may be attached to the pieces 5' via any suitable means - e.g. adhesive and/or fasteners. Each side face 7' may be configured with a perimetric step 7A whereby an inner portion of that side face is inset, that inner portion and the step defining a shallow recess 7A arranged to receive the reflector 20, and having a perimeter complementary to that of the reflector 20, such that the face of the reflector 20 is flush with the portion of side face 7' remaining exposed when the reflector 20 is so applied.

The central piece 3' also has opposed lateral side faces 8' inclined such that each is substantially flush with the side faces 7' adjacent each end thereof on the same lateral side in the assembled wheel stop 200. Each side face 8' defines a display area 9' over which one or more display elements 9A defining or bearing one or more indicia may be applied. The/each display element may comprise, for example, a panel or decal bearing the indicia/indicium or a respective part thereof, or a sticker or label defining or bearing the indicia/indicium or a respective part thereof. The side face 8' may be configured with a perimetric (e.g. rectangular, as illustrated) step whereby an inner portion of that side face is inset, that inner portion and the step defining a shallow recess 8A arranged to receive the display element(s) when applied to the side face 8', whereby the visible surface(s) of the display element(s) is/are substantially flush with the portion of the side face 8' outside of the display area 9'. The display element(s) may be selectable according to the particular application to which the wheel stop 200 is to be put; for example, alternative display elements may define or display respective brand names and/or logos, so as to advertise

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- 15 respective owners of such names/logos, and/or define or bear information, such as indicia or wording to indicate that a parking bay in which the wheel stop 200 is for a disabled driver.

The display element(s) may be attached to the piece 3' via any suitable means - e.g. adhesive and/or fasteners. Provision of a display area on only one, rather than each, of the side faces 8' is possible without departure from the invention.

The display element(s) may be included in the set which comprises the pieces 3' and 5', and can be pre-applied to the piece 3' or instead separate from it for selective attachment to the face(s) 8' - e.g. during assembly/installation of the wheel stop 200.

The display element(s) may be selectable according to the particular application to which the wheel stop 100 or 200 is to be put; for example, alternative display elements may define or display respective brand names and/or logos, so as to advertise respective owners of such names/logos, and/or define or bear information, such as wording or other indicia to indicate that a parking bay in which the wheel stop 100 or 200 is installed is for a disabled driver. In one application, supermarkets, for example, may lease the display area as advertising space to insurance companies, banks or the like. In another application, an employer may apply to the display area one or more display elements to display the name and/or position of a respective employee for whom a parking bay in which the wheel stop 100 or 200 is placed is designated, e.g. Director, Principal or Secretary. In yet another application, the display element(s) may indicate the bay is designated for emergency services personnel, e.g. police or fire services.

Each of the wheel stops 100, 200 has a length of 1650±50mm and a height of 90mm to 100mm, as prescribed by section 2.4.5.4 of Australian/New Zealand Standard No. 2890.1:2004, entitled Parking facilities (AS/NZS2890.1:2004), with which standard that wheel stop complies, the entire content of which standard is incorporated herein by reference.

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- 16That said, either set may further include one or more other central pieces 3/3', and/or one or more other laterally outer pieces 5/5', the length of the body portion(s) 3A/5A / 3A75A' thereof being different from that of the outer piece 3/5 / 375' (respectively) described above, so that the length L/L' of the wheel stop is variable according to which of the alternative pieces is/are utilised in the formation of the wheel stop.

Advantageously, owing in particular to the pieces 3,5 / 3',5' in each of the wheel stops 100 and 200 being of plastic, as opposed to a denser material, the set is relatively lightweight, whereby it can be shipped comparatively inexpensively and the components thereof handled and assembled with little or no strain on an installer.

Without departure from the invention, a package comprising the nested or meshed pieces as described above may not necessarily include packaging (such as a box or wrapping); it may, for example, instead include provision - e.g. strapping or binding - which holds the components of the set, particularly said pieces, together.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (49)

1. Claims

   1. A set of parts for forming a wheel stop comprising a body anchorable to the ground in a parking area such that it can abut at least one wheel of a vehicle being parked in said area, whereby the vehicle is confined to a designated space within said area, the set comprising pieces which are arrangeable or interengageable end-to-end to define the body.
2. 2. A set according to claim 1, wherein ends of the pieces are configured with interlockable connectors so as to be interengageable end-to-end.
3. 3. A set according to claim 2, wherein the pieces comprise a central piece configured at opposite ends thereof with ones of said connectors, and outer pieces configured at laterally inner ends thereof with others of said connectors each of which is interlockable with a respective one of the connectors at said opposite ends such that the body is defined.
4. 4. A set according to claim 3, wherein the pieces are configured such that each outer piece is engageable with the central piece at either end of the central piece such that the body is defined.
5. 5. A set according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connectors comprise interlockable first and second connectors.
6. 6. A set according to claim 5 wherein each first connector is male and each second connector is female.
7. 7. A set according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first and second connectors comprise tongue and groove connectors respectively.
8. 8. A set according to claim 3 or 4 and 6 or 7, wherein the opposite ends of the central piece are configured with the male or tongue connectors and the laterally inner ends of the outer pieces are configured with the female or groove connectors.

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9. 9. A set according to claim 3 or 4 and claim 6 or 7, wherein the opposite ends of the central piece are configured with the female or groove connectors and the laterally inner ends of the outer pieces are configured with the male or tongue connectors or vice versa.
10. 10. A set according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the or each second connector comprises at least one void, and the first connector interlockable with that connector comprises at least one connector portion, the or each connector portion being arranged to be received in a respective said void such that the second and first connectors interlock.
11. 11. A set according to claim 10, wherein the or each void opens through the end configured therewith in a direction along a transverse axis, whereby the second connector and the first connector with which it is interlockable can be interlocked by movement of one of them relative to the other along that axis.
12. 12. A set according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the or each second connector includes at least one aperture which extends into a respective said void thereof and the or each first connector interlockable therewith includes at least one bridge, the or each bridge connecting a respective said connector portion with body portion of the piece which includes that connector portion and being arranged to be received in a respective said aperture extending into the void in which that connector portion is received.
13. 13. A set according to claim 12, wherein the aperture comprises a slit or slot which opens through the end configured therewith in a direction along a transverse axis, whereby the second connector and the first connector with which it is interlockable can be interlocked by movement of one of them relative to the other along that axis.
14. 14. A set according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the transverse axis extends top-to-bottom.
15. 15. A set according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the void opens through opposite sides of said end, through each of which sides said transverse axis extends, such that the movement can be in either direction along that axis.

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16. 16. A set according to any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein each piece comprises a body portion and wherein the connectors are arranged at ends of the body portions.
17. 17. A set according to claim 16, wherein each body portion is integral with the or each connector arranged at an end thereof.
18. 18. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, including one or more reflectors provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that the wheel stop when anchored to the ground is reflective to light from at least one light of the vehicle in a manner such that light reflected by the wheel stop is visible to a driver of the vehicle during the parking thereof.
19. 19. A set according to claim 18, wherein one or more said reflectors are provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that one of opposed lateral sides of the wheel stop is reflective to said light of the vehicle approaching the wheel stop from a direction in which said one side faces.
20. 20. A set according to claim 19, wherein one or more said reflectors are provided on or attachable to at least one of the pieces such that the other lateral side of the wheel stop is reflective to said light of the vehicle approaching the wheel stop from a direction in which said other lateral side faces.
21. 21. A set according to claim 3 and claim 19 or 20, wherein said reflectors are provided on or attachable to the outer pieces.
22. 22. A set according to any one of claims 18 to 21, configured such that the or each reflector of the wheel stop assumes an inclined orientation to facilitate or enable the driver to see said light reflected by the wheel stop.

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23. 23. A set according to claim 22, wherein the or each reflector is configured in the form of a strip, plate or sheet and is provided on or attachable to a respective one of lateral side faces of the pieces which is inclined so as to assume the inclined orientation.
24. 24. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that the wheel stop is compliant with AS/NZS2890.1:2004.
25. 25. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pieces are formed of polymer material.
26. 26. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the pieces is anchorable to the ground.
27. 27. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the pieces is configured with at least one through hole arranged to receive a respective element which comprises a lower end fixable in the ground to anchor that piece to the ground.
28. 28. A set according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein each of the pieces is configured with at least one through hole arranged to receive a respective element which comprises a lower end fixable in the ground to anchor that piece to the ground.
29. 29. A set according to claim 27 or 28, including the element(s).
30. 30. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pieces are eachof approximately the same length.
31. 31. A set according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the pieces comprise onesof differing length, from which at least one of the end-to-end interengageable piecesis selectable according to a length which the wheel stop is to have.

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32. 32. A set according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the pieces comprise ones of differing appearance, from which at least one of the end-to-end interengageable pieces is selectable according to an appearance which the wheel stop is to have.
33. 33. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a face of at least one of said pieces is arranged such that one or more indicia can be selectively applied thereto so as to be displayed by the wheel stop when anchored to the ground.
34. 34. A set according to claim 33, configured such that securable to the or each said face is a respective label displaying said one or more indicia.
35. 35. A set according to claim 34, including plural said labels.
36. 36. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that the wheel stop has a length of 1650±50mm.
37. 37. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that the wheel stop has a width of about 15 cm.
38. 38. A set according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that the wheel stop has a height of about 90mm to 100mm.
39. 39. The wheel stop formed from a set according to any one of the preceding claims.
40. 40. The wheel stop formed from a set according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein said pieces or ones thereof are arranged or interengaged end-to-end to define said body.
41. 41. A package comprising a set according to any one of claims 1 to 38 wherein the pieces are arranged side-by-side in alternating inverted and uninverted orientations, whereby tapered or inclined side faces thereof are received one-against-another and the pieces are thus nested or meshed together.

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42. 42. A package according to claim 41, wherein the pieces' being nested or meshed together contributes to compactness of the package.
43. 43. A package according to claim 41 or 42, including packaging in an interior of which said set is contained.
44. 44. A package according to claim 43, wherein a dimension of said interior parallel to a length dimension of each of the pieces is substantially equal to a length of that piece or a longest one of the pieces.
45. 45. A package according to any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein the set accords with claims 3 and 36 and said dimension of said interior or a dimension of the packaging parallel to a length dimension of each of the pieces is about 1650±50mm.
46. 46. A package according to any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the set accords with claims 3 and 37 and each piece has a width of about 15 cm.
47. 47. A package according to any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein a dimension of said package or said interior parallel to a height of each of the pieces is substantially equal to the height of that piece or a tallest one of the pieces.
48. 48. A package according to claim 47, wherein the set accords with claims 3 and 36 and each piece has a height of about 9 cm.
49. 49. A package according to claim 43 or 44, or any one of claims 45 to 48 as appended thereto, wherein the packaging comprises a box.