GB2151285A

GB2151285A - Portable safety hazard barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2151285A
Application number: GB08333272A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Norman Carmichael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-14
Filing date: 1983-12-14
Publication date: 1985-07-17
Also published as: IT8423935A0; GB2151258A; GB8430450D0; GB2151258B; IT1178729B; FR2556742B1; GB8333272D0; GB2151285B; FR2556742A1; DE3345164C1

Abstract

A portable safety hazard barrier light in weight easily stored and rapidly deployed giving clear warning to a hazardous situation. The concertina plank framework 10, 11 and 12 is attached to demountable base units 13. The unit is held in the stored position by means of an encircling strap 14 with quick-release buckles 16. When expanded the barrier gives both variable height and length in one movement by means of legs which are incorporated within the diamond shape framework. The base units allow for rotation about the leg thereby presenting a flat support to the ground no matter the height or length chosen. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable safety hazard barrier This invention relates to a portable safety hazard barrier.

Portable barriers are well known structures which can be described in many different forms for example such as vertical posts with cross planks between and vertical posts with diagonal planks between.

Barriers such as these are, however, limited in scope of application, cumbersome in weight, fixed in height and length and take some marked time to erect. In addition, damaged parts, cannot readily be replaced.

According to the present invention there is provided a light-weight easily demountable crossframed structure, comprising end planks, intermediate planks and leg planks, all bolted together to give swivel action and to allow the framework to be folded tightly so giving a compact storage size and shape. The storage size is maintained by straps which encircle the unit in the direction of the folded length and are held together with quick release snap buckles. To each leg is attached a separate demountable base unit which gives support and stability to the barrier and allows the leg to rotate so presenting, at all expanded heights and lengths, a flat face to the ground. Illuminous self-adhesive tape is applied to each face of the barrier to give clear warning of a hazard situation.

Variable height and length is obtained by including the legs within the cross-framework of the barrier.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in elevation the barrier in folded form with restraining straps and base units attached.

Figure 2 shows in elevation the barrier in expanded form with legs attached.

Figure 3 illustrates in isometric the base unit.

Referring to the drawing the barrier comprises end planks 10, intermediate planks 11 and leg planks 12 all bolted together 17 to give pivoting action in concertina form. Base units 13 are adjustably attached to each leg.

To assemble the framework the far face planks (FF) are placed in a horizontal jig with the near face planks (NF) lowered on top and the whole assembly connected by through bolts 17. At the same time the retaining straps 14 are similarly bolt located to the end planks forming handling loops 15.

Following assembly and removal from the jigs, the quick release buckles 16, to each side of the assembled barrier, are secured together to maintain the stored shape. The bolt assemblies used must be non-slackening during operation but allow for removal and replacement of damaged members. IIluminous self-adhesive weather-proof tape 18 is fixed to the ends of the planks. This may be fixed before or after assembly.

To complete the erection of the barrier the assembly in the stored position is lowered on to the base units 13 and the securing wing nuts 19 are tightened sufficient to hold the base units to the legs during the deployment stage.

For deployment, the barrier, in the stored position complete with base units, is located centrally about the opening to be closed off. The buckles are released and by means of the handling loops to each end, the barrier is expanded to the required length and height as illustrated in Fig 2. The base units are kicked down to the level position and the wing nuts firmly tightened. To return the barrier to the stored position the steps described above are repeated in reverse sequence.

CLAIMS (Filed on 6 Jan 84) 1. A light, portable, easily demountable safety hazard barrier containing adjustable base units and legs within the diagonal framework, providing ease and economy of space storage when not in use, with rapid deployment when in use.

2. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim I, wherein provision is made for variable adjustment in both height and length in the one action of extension.

3. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the variable adjustment is obtained by incorporating the legs within the general cross-diagonal framework of the planks.

4. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim I, wherein stability is provided by means of demountable base units attached to the varying height legs, as claimed in Claim 3, in such a way as to obtain a flat location to the ground no matter the height or length of barrier chosen.

5. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the storage shape is maintained by straps encircling the folded length and retained with quick-release buckles.

6. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 1, and Claim 5 wherein the retention straps contain loops at each end of the barrier thereby providing a safe means for handling.

7. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the handling loops may be utilized for vertical storage, in particular to the inside face of emergency response vehicles or similar.

8. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a substantial illuminated face is provided to each side of the barrier giving clear warning to approaching vehicles.

9. A safety hazard barrier substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-9 above have been deleted.

(b) New claims have been filed as follows:- 1-10

CLAIMS 1. A portable, demountable barrier comprising an extendable framework of a multiplicity of levers pivotably connected together in a lazy tongs ar

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Portable safety hazard barrier This invention relates to a portable safety hazard barrier. Portable barriers are well known structures which can be described in many different forms for example such as vertical posts with cross planks between and vertical posts with diagonal planks between. Barriers such as these are, however, limited in scope of application, cumbersome in weight, fixed in height and length and take some marked time to erect. In addition, damaged parts, cannot readily be replaced. According to the present invention there is provided a light-weight easily demountable crossframed structure, comprising end planks, intermediate planks and leg planks, all bolted together to give swivel action and to allow the framework to be folded tightly so giving a compact storage size and shape. The storage size is maintained by straps which encircle the unit in the direction of the folded length and are held together with quick release snap buckles. To each leg is attached a separate demountable base unit which gives support and stability to the barrier and allows the leg to rotate so presenting, at all expanded heights and lengths, a flat face to the ground. Illuminous self-adhesive tape is applied to each face of the barrier to give clear warning of a hazard situation. Variable height and length is obtained by including the legs within the cross-framework of the barrier. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in elevation the barrier in folded form with restraining straps and base units attached. Figure 2 shows in elevation the barrier in expanded form with legs attached. Figure 3 illustrates in isometric the base unit. Referring to the drawing the barrier comprises end planks 10, intermediate planks 11 and leg planks 12 all bolted together 17 to give pivoting action in concertina form. Base units 13 are adjustably attached to each leg. To assemble the framework the far face planks (FF) are placed in a horizontal jig with the near face planks (NF) lowered on top and the whole assembly connected by through bolts 17. At the same time the retaining straps 14 are similarly bolt located to the end planks forming handling loops 15. Following assembly and removal from the jigs, the quick release buckles 16, to each side of the assembled barrier, are secured together to maintain the stored shape. The bolt assemblies used must be non-slackening during operation but allow for removal and replacement of damaged members. IIluminous self-adhesive weather-proof tape 18 is fixed to the ends of the planks. This may be fixed before or after assembly. To complete the erection of the barrier the assembly in the stored position is lowered on to the base units 13 and the securing wing nuts 19 are tightened sufficient to hold the base units to the legs during the deployment stage. For deployment, the barrier, in the stored position complete with base units, is located centrally about the opening to be closed off. The buckles are released and by means of the handling loops to each end, the barrier is expanded to the required length and height as illustrated in Fig 2. The base units are kicked down to the level position and the wing nuts firmly tightened. To return the barrier to the stored position the steps described above are repeated in reverse sequence. CLAIMS (Filed on 6 Jan 84) 1. A light, portable, easily demountable safety hazard barrier containing adjustable base units and legs within the diagonal framework, providing ease and economy of space storage when not in use, with rapid deployment when in use. 2. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim I, wherein provision is made for variable adjustment in both height and length in the one action of extension. 3. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the variable adjustment is obtained by incorporating the legs within the general cross-diagonal framework of the planks. 4. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim I, wherein stability is provided by means of demountable base units attached to the varying height legs, as claimed in Claim 3, in such a way as to obtain a flat location to the ground no matter the height or length of barrier chosen. 5. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the storage shape is maintained by straps encircling the folded length and retained with quick-release buckles. 6. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 1, and Claim 5 wherein the retention straps contain loops at each end of the barrier thereby providing a safe means for handling. 7. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the handling loops may be utilized for vertical storage, in particular to the inside face of emergency response vehicles or similar. 8. A safety hazard barrier, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a substantial illuminated face is provided to each side of the barrier giving clear warning to approaching vehicles. 9. A safety hazard barrier substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing. Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-9 above have been deleted. (b) New claims have been filed as follows:- 1-10 CLAIMS

1. A portable, demountable barrier comprising an extendable framework of a multiplicity of levers pivotably connected together in a lazy tongs ar rangement to allow movement of the ends of the framework away from each other to form a barrier and towards each other to collapse the barrier, the framework comprising a lever at each end of the framework extending below the other levers of the framework to provide a leg forming part of the framework at each end thereof, each said leg carrying a foot adjustable to support the framework whatever the spacing of the framework ends.

2. A barrier as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a lever extending below the other levers of the framework intermediate the ends of the framework to provide an intermediate leg forming part of the framework, the intermediate leg carrying a foot adjustable to support the framework whatever the spacing of the framework ends.

3. A barrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein each foot is pivotably mounted on the associated leg, the pivotal connection between each foot and the associated leg being about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the framework.

4. A barrier as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each foot is frictionally engaged with the associated leg so that a positive force is required to pivot each foot relative to the associated leg.

5. A barrier as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the feet are removably mounted on the associated legs.

6. A barrier as claimed in any preceding Claim comprising strap means for surrounding the barrier when folded.

7. A barrier as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the strap means comprise quick-release buckles.

8. A barrier as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the strap means include a loop at each end of the barrier to provide carrying handles.

9. A barrier as claimed in any preceding Claim comprising a luminous area on each side of the barrier.

10. A portable, demountable barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.