GB1587311A

GB1587311A - Barrier

Info

Publication number: GB1587311A
Application number: GB1806877A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BRITISH AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
Current assignee: BRITISH AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
Priority date: 1978-05-22
Filing date: 1978-05-22
Publication date: 1981-04-01

Description

(54) A BARRIER (71) We, BRITISH AIRPORTS AUTHORITY, a body corporate organised and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the Airports Authority Act 1965, of 2, Buckingham Gate, London, SWIE 6JL, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement : This invention relates to an upstanding member for use as part of a barrier. Such a barrier may be used where one wishes to divide off, temporarily, part of an area from another part of an area. The invention also relates to a barrier using such upstanding members which are connected by at least one tape.

It is known to use a barrier consisting of a number of posts linked by rope or chain for this purpose. It is also known to use a chain or rope extending between a pair of hooks fixed to each side of a doorway or the like.

A disadvantage of these methods is that they are not adaptable to rapid re-arrangement when a space of different area or outline is to be marked off. Also the posts and the rope may become separated, and it is difficult to store the posts and rope together in a tidy manner.

According to the invention, we provide an upstanding member, for use as part of a barrier, within an upper portion of which is contained a reel of tape wound on a bobbin rotatable about an axis extending in generally the same direction as that of the upstanding member, the member having an elongated aperture in said portion out of which the tape can be drawn off the reel against a spring provided to spring-bias the bobbin in a direction tending to wind the tape onto the bobbin, the spring being located above the bobbin.

The post may also include a connection on its side opposite to the slot, to which the free end of the tape can be temporarily secured.

In one embodiment of the invention, the post is a door post and the doorpost at the opposite side of the doorway carries a connection to which the free end of the tape can be connected. In another embodiment of the invention, the post is an upstanding part of the furniture or wall in a shop or other defined area, and a facing surface within the area has such a connection.

The principal application of the invention is seen as residing in free-standing posts, and for clarity of description although not for the purpose of limitation, this aspect of the invention will now be described in more detail.

The post may have a weighted base. The tape may have a hook or an enlarged end.

In the latter case the connection may be constructed so that the enlarged end can be retained in a recess in the connection. The spring-biassed reel may be part of an assembly which is inserted into the top end of the post.

The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of an example thereof given with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification in which: Figure 1 is a vertical axial cross-section of the top part of one form of post in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section on the line Il-Il in Figure 1.

The upstanding member, also called a post, illustrated in Figure 1 is in the form of a tube 10 having three support elements such as rivets 12 extending into it at positions spaced 1200 around the periphery, towards the top end of the post. A circular plate 14 rests on these rivets and has a central aperture which receives a lower bearing 16 for a shaft 18.

A cap or plug 20 is placed in the open top end of the tube 10 and includes a bearing 22 for the top end of the shaft 18. The shaft 18 carries a bobbin 24, upon which is coiled a reel of tape 26. The axis of the bobbin 24 extends in generally the same direction as that of the tube 10. A constant tension coiling spring 28 located above the bobbin 24 has one of its ends connected to the cap 20 and the other to the shaft 18. It is arranged to apply a rotating force to the shaft 18, tending to coil the tape 26 onto the bobbin 24.

Although not shown, the shaft 18 and the bobbin 24 are connected together for rotating movement in unison by a diametral pin.

Alternatively they may be secured together in any other convenient way. The tube 10 has an elongated aperture, generally parallel to the tube axis, through which the tape passes to the exterior.

The free end of the tape is secured to a generally cylindrical block 30, seen in its extended position at 30b in Figure 1. This block is provided to enable the free end of the tape to be readily gripped and to be placed in a securely retained position within a connecting means of an adjacent post.

The illustrated form of connecting means essentially comprises a cup-shaped cylindrical member 32 secured by rivets 34 to the tube 10. The cylindrical member 32 has a vertical slot 36, Figure 2, in its outer wall, the arrangement being such that the cylindrical member 30 can be lowered into the cupshaped member 32 with the tape passing through the slot 36.

To assemble the post, the sequence of operations is simple and readily carried out.

Firstly the assembly formed by parts 20, 24, 18, 16, 22 and 14 is assembled together and it is then inserted in the open end of the tube 10. It is pushed down until the plate 14 rests on the rivets 12. Thereupon, the cap 20 is rivetted or screwed or secured in any other way to the upper end of the tube 10. As shown in Figure 2, two rivets 40 serve to connect the upstanding tube to a base.

Naturally it will be understood that the base of the post 10 is relatively massive and suitably wide to prevent the post falling over.

In use, it will be understood that the posts are placed in suitable positions and then the cylindrical member 30 is pulled out and joined to a cdnnection 32 of an adjacent post. It is an advantage of this arrangement that the tape 26 remains taut between all adjacent pairs of posts, irrespective of the spacing between them. The only limit is that posts cannot be spaced apart by a distance greater than the length of tape that can be carried on the reel 24. Moreover, there is the considerable advantage that when not in use the posts can be stacked tidily and present a neat appearance, and when they are brought into use again, there is no problem of finding a suitable rope or tape to string between them.

The upstanding member particularly described and illustrated herein offers more versatility than its conventional counterparts and, for an equivalent length, is about a third less expensive than the cheapest rigid barrier. It is also less cumbersome and morè attractive in appearance. It can be produced in any colour to fit in with decor, and the tape which may be a webbing belt can be printed with any required legend. Because the webbing belt is under tension at a constant height, the arrangement is also safer than trailing rope or chain arrangements which can be hazardous. In one example of the invention, the weight is approximately 30 lb, of which 251b is concentrated in the base for maximum stability.The self-reeling spring is chosen to provide sufficient tension to keep the belt taut while, at the same time, allowing the belt to be pulled to its limit without overbalancing the pedestal. When the belt is fully retracted, only the member 30 is visible.

The post itself may be finished with a durable coating. Possible applications envisaged include uses in industrial safety and maintenance; at receptions, conferences and exhibitions; in shops, stores, hospitals, museums, railway and bus stations and airports; in delimiting parking or storage areas; and as safety barriers for lift doors and escalators.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and illustated in this Specification, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the particular details disclosed. For example, any form of spring biassing other than a coil spring could be employed. Also, instead of the parts 30 and 32, alternative means such as a hook and eye could be used to connect the free end of the tape of one post to an adjacent post.

Although the cap 20 has been shown as solid in Figure 1, it will be appreciated that it could equally well be hollow.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An upstanding member, for use as part of a barrier, within an upper portion of which is contained a reel of tape would on a bobbin rotatable about an axis extending in generally the same direction as that of the upstanding member, the member having an elongated aperture in said portion out of which the tape can be drawn off the reel against a spring provided to spring-bias the bobbin in a direction tending to wind the tape onto the bobbin, the spring being located above the bobbin.

2. A member according to Claim 1 which includes a post and a base, the reel being contained within a hollow upper portion of the post.

3. A member according to Claim 1 or 2 including a connection on the opposite side to the aperture, to which the free end of a tape can be temporarily secured.

4. A member according to Claim 3 in which the connection consists of a cupshaped cylindrical holder having a gap in its wall parallel to its axis.

5. A member according to Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon in which the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. one of its ends connected to the cap 20 and the other to the shaft 18. It is arranged to apply a rotating force to the shaft 18, tending to coil the tape 26 onto the bobbin 24. Although not shown, the shaft 18 and the bobbin 24 are connected together for rotating movement in unison by a diametral pin. Alternatively they may be secured together in any other convenient way. The tube 10 has an elongated aperture, generally parallel to the tube axis, through which the tape passes to the exterior. The free end of the tape is secured to a generally cylindrical block 30, seen in its extended position at 30b in Figure 1. This block is provided to enable the free end of the tape to be readily gripped and to be placed in a securely retained position within a connecting means of an adjacent post. The illustrated form of connecting means essentially comprises a cup-shaped cylindrical member 32 secured by rivets 34 to the tube 10. The cylindrical member 32 has a vertical slot 36, Figure 2, in its outer wall, the arrangement being such that the cylindrical member 30 can be lowered into the cupshaped member 32 with the tape passing through the slot 36. To assemble the post, the sequence of operations is simple and readily carried out. Firstly the assembly formed by parts 20, 24, 18, 16, 22 and 14 is assembled together and it is then inserted in the open end of the tube 10. It is pushed down until the plate 14 rests on the rivets 12. Thereupon, the cap 20 is rivetted or screwed or secured in any other way to the upper end of the tube 10. As shown in Figure 2, two rivets 40 serve to connect the upstanding tube to a base. Naturally it will be understood that the base of the post 10 is relatively massive and suitably wide to prevent the post falling over. In use, it will be understood that the posts are placed in suitable positions and then the cylindrical member 30 is pulled out and joined to a cdnnection 32 of an adjacent post. It is an advantage of this arrangement that the tape 26 remains taut between all adjacent pairs of posts, irrespective of the spacing between them. The only limit is that posts cannot be spaced apart by a distance greater than the length of tape that can be carried on the reel 24. Moreover, there is the considerable advantage that when not in use the posts can be stacked tidily and present a neat appearance, and when they are brought into use again, there is no problem of finding a suitable rope or tape to string between them. The upstanding member particularly described and illustrated herein offers more versatility than its conventional counterparts and, for an equivalent length, is about a third less expensive than the cheapest rigid barrier. It is also less cumbersome and morè attractive in appearance. It can be produced in any colour to fit in with decor, and the tape which may be a webbing belt can be printed with any required legend. Because the webbing belt is under tension at a constant height, the arrangement is also safer than trailing rope or chain arrangements which can be hazardous. In one example of the invention, the weight is approximately 30 lb, of which 251b is concentrated in the base for maximum stability.The self-reeling spring is chosen to provide sufficient tension to keep the belt taut while, at the same time, allowing the belt to be pulled to its limit without overbalancing the pedestal. When the belt is fully retracted, only the member 30 is visible. The post itself may be finished with a durable coating. Possible applications envisaged include uses in industrial safety and maintenance; at receptions, conferences and exhibitions; in shops, stores, hospitals, museums, railway and bus stations and airports; in delimiting parking or storage areas; and as safety barriers for lift doors and escalators. While a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and illustated in this Specification, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the particular details disclosed. For example, any form of spring biassing other than a coil spring could be employed. Also, instead of the parts 30 and 32, alternative means such as a hook and eye could be used to connect the free end of the tape of one post to an adjacent post. Although the cap 20 has been shown as solid in Figure 1, it will be appreciated that it could equally well be hollow. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An upstanding member, for use as part of a barrier, within an upper portion of which is contained a reel of tape would on a bobbin rotatable about an axis extending in generally the same direction as that of the upstanding member, the member having an elongated aperture in said portion out of which the tape can be drawn off the reel against a spring provided to spring-bias the bobbin in a direction tending to wind the tape onto the bobbin, the spring being located above the bobbin.

5. A member according to Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon in which the

post has a removable top cap and at least one support element located in the hollow upper portion, the arrangement being such that the reel can be inserted and supported by the element or elements when the top cap is removed.

6. A barrier which includes at least two upstanding members in accordance with any preceding claim.

7. An upstanding member substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.