AU727100B2

AU727100B2 - A frame, a frame system and a method of forming a frame system

Info

Publication number: AU727100B2
Application number: AU20135/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terry Alan Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-08
Filing date: 1997-05-08
Publication date: 2000-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-08
Also published as: AU2013597A; NZ286541A

Description

1- P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: Terry Alan TAYLOR Terry Alan TAYLOR CARTER SMITH BEADLE 2 Railway Parade Camberwell Victoria 3124 Australia A FRAME, A FRAME SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF FORMING A FRAME SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us 1q A FRAME, A FRAME SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF FORMING A FRAME SYSTEM The present invention relates to a frame system, in particular a safety frame system for use at road works or construction sites. The present invention also relates to a frame system which can be used for other temporary fencing or division purposes.

It is often necessary to separate or divide off a particular area at a road works site or a construction site. To do this a robust, easily erected, flexible and easily transportable means of providing a fence or frame system is desired.

to Previous means of fencing off a selected site have included use of a brightly coloured plastic mesh or netting which may be draped between posts. While easy to transport and erect, such mesh or netting tends to sag and does not *provide a robust barrier between the public or workers and the site area.

Also known is the use of wooden barriers. In such an arrangement, a rail is S tsuspended horizontally between two end supports. Such means is robust, i and provides a substantial barrier between the public and the site area.

However, wooden barriers are not easy to transport and are inflexible if the site area needs to be modified.

0o 0 0e"i Another common means of fencing off a particular site is the use of brightly o coloured cones which sit on a wide base around the site area. These cones are easy to transport, easy to place around the site area and easy to move if the site area is modified. However, such cones do not provide a robust barrier between the public or workers and the site area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame or a frame system which overcomes or minimises the abovementioned problems or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of forming a frame system or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame o capable of attachment to at least one adjacent frame, each frame comprising a rigid outer frame member to which at least one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means are affixed.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame system comprising: •o at least two adjacent frames, being engageable by means of at least one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of :i forming a frame system, including the steps of: interlocking adjacent frames by way of a swivel locking o mechanism, the swivel locking mechanism comprising at least one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means, and manipulating the frames to form the desired frame system.

Further aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a side view of a frame with two base feet; Figure 2 shows a) a plan view and b) a side view of a base foot of the frame shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a) a side view and b) a plan view of a swivel o locking pin; Figure 4 shows diagrammatically a swivel locking mechanism comprising a swivel locking pin of a frame as shown in Figure 1 and a hinge on an adjacent frame; *Figure 5 shows schematically a) and b) two possible frame systems; ••ooo Figure 6 shows schematically bracing between adjacent -"frames; o.

Figure 7 shows schematically in a) and b) a further bracing means; .Figure 8 shows schematically a further bracing means which is adapted to hook onto a frame or a frame system; Figure 9 shows schematically a light box which is attachable to a frame or frame system.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a frame of the present invention is referenced generally by 1. The frame 1 preferably comprises a rigid outer frame member -4la, which may be covered with a wire mesh or netting 2.

At one end of the frame 1 are two hinges 3 which are fixed onto the frame in some suitable manner. For example the fixing may be by way of a weld but is not restricted to this particular manner of fixing. In the embodiment illustrated S two hinges 3 are positioned on the frame at given points 4.

At the other end of the frame 1 there are two swivel locking pins 5. The locking pins 5 are preferably located at positions which allow for engagement with corresponding hinges 3 on an adjacent frame, as will be further described below. Each locking pin 5 in the embodiment illustrated is rotatable by 3600 around the adjacent rigid outer frame member 1 a.

In the embodiment shown .in the accompanying drawings, the frame 1 may be provided with base feet 6. A base foot 6 is further illustrated in Figure 2. The base foot of the particular embodiment illustrated may be moulded or pressed from steel to form a convex surface relative to the ground on which the frame

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o: is resting. The rigid frame member 1 a rests on top of the base feet as illustrated in Figure 1. The base foot 6 of this particular shape provides stability on uneven ground. It is not intended to restrict the base foot to a UU0 circular disk, any suitable shape is envisaged.

S. A base foot 6 may optionally have further attachment means for securing the i frame to the ground. In the embodiment illustrated the base foot has holes 7 for securing such further attachment means. The attachment means may be bolts or pins but are not restricted to these means alone, for example sandbags may be used for providing temporary securement of the base foot to the ground.

In the embodiment illustrated each base foot 6 has protruding from its upper surface a rod 8 which is inserted into the shaft of frame 1 to provide securement and stabilisation means for the frame. It is not intended that the Sbase foot 6 be restricted to having only one rod 8 protruding from its upper surface.

Figure 3 of the embodiment illustrates plan and side views of a swivel locking means The swivel locking means is typically but not necessarily formed from an oversized tube 9. Such oversized tube may be circular or square in cross section, but would preferably enable free rotation about the outer rigid frame member la.

*e a The oversized tube 9 has a fixed pin 10 or some equivalent locking means ••co fixed to it. Fixing may be by way of a weld, but is not necessarily limited to 1 such a manner of fixing.

use, each swivel locking pin or swivel locking means 5 may be lifted up and down in a vertical direction relative to the frame 1. Each swivel locking pin may therefore be lifted up and rotated to lock into an adjacent hinge 3. In the i embodiment illustrated the bottom swivel locking pin 5 is orientated on the a.

2 frame 1 in reverse to the top swivel locking pin 5. It is not intended that the bottom swivel locking pin be restricted to this particular orientation. It is envisaged that both swivel locking pins 5 could be orientated in the same -6- *r C

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manner.

The swivel locking means 5 provides a swivel locking mechanism to interlock hinges 3 on adjacent frames, to form a frame system. The swivel locking mechanism and frame system are further illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4 illustrates a frame system which is a particular embodiment of the invention. The frame system is formed from adjacent frames which are interlocked by way of the hinge means 3 on a frame engaging with the swivel locking means 5 on an adjacent frame. The swivel locking pin is interlocked with the adjacent hinge by rotating the swivel locking means and lifting the swivel locking means to enable the swivel locking pin to be in a position to engage with the adjacent hinge.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate further embodiments of a frame system in which any number of frames are interlocked through the swivel locking means 5 and the hinge means 3, forming a frame system of a desired shape. Figure illustrates a particular embodiment in which a reflector 11 is positioned horizontally across a frame to provide further visibility.

It will be appreciated that an extension of the frame system illustrated in Figure 5b may become less stable as the number of frames in the extension increases. It is envisaged that the frame system be further braced by pushing the adjacent frames closer together by physically rotating the swivel locking mechanism of the adjacent frames so that the frames overlap slightly. This particular embodiment is illustrated in Figure 6.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate an additional bracing means which may be used to support a long extension of frames. The bracing means 12 contains upper and lower hooks 13 which fit over the outer rigid frame member 1 a. The bracing means 12 may be further stabilised by a base foot 6 or sand bag if required.

SFigure 8 illustrates an additional bracing means which may be hooked over a frame or a frame system via a hook 14. The bracing means comprises a piece of tubing 13 through which a stake can be inserted. The stake can be hammered into the ground to provide additional securement. The additional bracing means may be further secured to the tubing 13 by virtue of a securing i means 16, preferably a threaded securing means.

It is envisaged that a bracing means of the type illustrated in figure 8 may be affixed to a frame or frame system on a more permanent basis if necessary.

For example the hook 14 could be removed and the tube 15 could be welded S* onto the rigid outer frame member la.

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's 1 Figure 9 illustrates a particular embodiment of a lighting means which is S0 attachable to a frame or frame system of the present invention. A hook 17 on a light box 18, which houses a light (not shown), provides a convenient means for securing a light to a frame or frame system.

:It will be appreciated that the frame sizes may vary and the construction material of the frame may be chosen to suit a particular purpose. In the embodiment illustrated the frame system is constructed from galvanised steel pipe. For example it would be possible to use square tubing, aluminium tubing or heavy duty plastics tubing.

-8- It will also be appreciated that the size and shape of the base feet may be modified. In the particular embodiment of this invention the base foot is constructed from a steel plate, however it is envisaged that other materials would also be suitable, for example the foot could be moulded from concrete, S other metals or plastics.

It will also be appreciated that the swivel locking pins and hinges may be restricted to one on each end of the frame depending on the frame size. On larger frames it may be desirable to have more than two swivel locking pins and hinges interlocking on adjacent frames on each end of the frame. On a larger frames it will also be appreciated that an extra vertical support may be required in the middle of the frame between the upper and lower horizontals of the rigid outer frame member 1 a to provide further rigidity and support to :the frame.

It will also be appreciated that warning signs, reflectors and lights may be Is attached on the frame system to provide improved visibility during the day and night.

S S S S° It will also be appreciated that the frames in a frame system may be locked or secured together by a padlock securement wire or a spring type clip, to :reduce the opportunity for theft or unnecessary uplifting.

0 2.o It is further envisaged that a suitable hole may be drilled through the end of a swivel locking pin which extends beyond the engaged hinge on the adjacent frame. It is envisaged that the drilled hole will provide means to secure a -9co .r

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padlock, a securement wire or a spring type clip. The securement of a padlock, a securement wire or a spring type clip through the hole will prevent the disengagement of the swivel locking pin and the hinge.

It will also be appreciated that a base foot 6 may be modified to include additional rods protruding from its upper surface. It is envisaged it may be necessary to have a frame system in which more than two frames require securement on one base foot. For example an additional rod protruding from a base foot may provide the opportunity for securing an extra frame on the base foot if required.

It will also be appreciated that the rigid outer frame member could be modified to include one or more connecting means which extend from the rigid outer frame member. For example the connecting means could take the form of a rod which can be inserted into a shaft of a base foot or into a groove of a base foot.

It will also be appreciated that the frames may be stacked closely together.

The swivel locking pins may be rotated to lie parallel with the frame while facing towards the middle of the frame. In this way the swivel locking pin is protected from being damaged, by being housed in the frame itself.

It is further envisaged that a frame or frame system may also be covered with a tarpaulin type fabric to shelter a particular site from wind or rain, if desired.

An advantage of the present invention is that the frame or frame system may be used on uneven ground.

An additional advantage is that the frame system and frames may be painted or coated to allow visibility during the day or at night. A further advantage of the present invention is that the frame system is robust. Furthermore, the frame or frame system is readily assembled and transportable.

S A further advantage of the present invention is that the frame system is flexible if the size or area of a site is modified.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. For example, the frame may support netting, such netting is envisaged to include netting constructed from plastics, a fabric material or metals.

S• Although this invention has been described by way of example and with *a aa.

o reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims

1. A frame capable of attachment to at least one adjacent frame, each frame comprising a rigid outer frame member, at least one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means.

2. The frame as claimed in claim 1, in which each swivel locking means comprises a swivel locking pin, the swivel locking pin capable of interlocking with a hinge means on an adjacent frame.

3. The frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the outer rigid frame member is constructed from metal or plastics material.

4. The frame as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 in which the frame is stabilised in an upright position by at least one base foot.

5. The frame as claimed in claim 4 in which the base foot stabilizes the o* :rigid outer frame member.

6. The frame as claimed in claim 5 in which the base foot stabilizes the o rigid outer frame member by a connecting means between the rigid outer frame member and the base foot.

7. The frame as claimed in any one of claims 4-6 in which the base foot is further adapted for securement to the ground by bolts, pins or stakes.

8. The frame as claimed in any one of claims 2-7 in which the swivel -12- locking pin is adapted to secure a padlock, a securement wire or a spring clip.

9. The frame as claimed in any one of claims 1-8 adapted to support, tarpaulins, wire mesh, netting, warning signs, reflectors or lights.

The frame as claimed in any one of claims 1-9 comprising two swivel locking means and two hinge means.

11. A frame system comprising at least two adjacent frames each frame being as defined in claim 1, and the adjacent frames being engageable by means of at least one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means.

12. A frame system as claimed in claim 11 in which the swivel locking means comprises a swivel locking pin, the swivel locking pin on a first frame S. being engaged with a hinge means on an adjacent frame.

13. A frame system as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 comprising at least ;two frames, the frame system being stabilised by one or more base feet.

14. A frame system as claimed in any one of claims 11-13 comprising at least two frames, the frame system being further stabilised by an additional bracing means.

A frame system as claimed in claim 14 in which the bracing means comprises a hook means which attach to an rigid outer frame member, the bracing means adapted to extend to the ground and optionally further secured to the ground by a base foot, or a sandbag. -13-

16. The frame system as claimed in any one of claims 13-15 in which the base foot is further adapted for securement to the ground by bolts, pins or stakes.

17. The frame system as claimed in claim 14 in which the bracing means comprises a hook means which attaches to an rigid outer frame member, the bracing means being adapted to enable a stake to be inserted through the bracing means and the stake secured to the bracing means by a further securement means.

18. The method of forming a frame system which includes the steps of interlocking adjacent frames by way of a swivel locking *mechanism, the swivel locking mechanism comprising at least S• one swivel locking means and at least one hinge means, and S manipulating the frames to form the desired frame system. o

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, in which the swivel locking means S.~ o• comprises a swivel locking pin.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, in which the swivel locking pin of 4• !a frame is engaged through the hinge means of an adjacent frame by sliding the swivel locking means over the rigid outer frame member and rotating the swivel locking means so that the swivel locking pin of the swivel locking means is engageable from either above or below the hinge means on an -14- adjacent frame.

21. The method as claimed in any one or claims 18-20, including the step of providing support for the frame system.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21 in which the support for the frame system is provided by a bracing means and/or one or more base feet at selected positions along the frame system to maximise stability.

23. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of figures 1-4, figures 5a, 5b, 8 and 9.

24. A frame system as claimed in any one of claims 11-17 substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of figures 4, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8 and 9. A method of forming a frame system as claimed in any one of claims 18-22, substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of the figures. DATED: 11 September 2000 Freebills Carter Smith Beadle Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: TERRY ALAN TAYLOR