GB2229471A

GB2229471A - Road hazard barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2229471A
Application number: GB8906263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Manby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-18
Filing date: 1989-03-18
Publication date: 1990-09-26
Also published as: GB8906263D0

Abstract

A barrier comprising a polygonal framework which, in use, can be positioned to extend around a rubbish skip, a hole in the road, or another hazard and is characterised by the feature that the outward-facing side surfaces of the framework incorporate light-reflecting elements. Preferably the light-reflecting elements reflect light preferentially in one direction, individually, so that appropriate combinations of such elements can reflect light in different directions. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED BARRIER Field of the Invention The invention relates to barriers and is particularly applicable to barriers which, in use, can be positioned to extend around a rubbish skip, a hole in the road, or another hazard.

Review of Art known to the Applicant Barriers of conventional kind and intended for use in the circumstances just outlined comprise post-and-rail structures. They may be painted in relatively eye-catching contrasting colours such as red and white. They may have so-called nightlights hung on them to flash intermittently throughout the hours of darkness, to warn pedestrians and others of the presence of the barrier. But they are relatively prone to vandalism because they are easily taken away from the hazard that they are intended to signify. And they do not always stand out in a way which makes an immediate impact on the senses of an approaching pedestrian or motorist.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention in its broadest aspect, a barrier comprises a polygonal framework which, in use, can be positioned to extend around a rubbish skip, a hole in the road, or another hazard and is characterized by the feature that the outwardfacing side surfaces of the framework incorporate light-reflecting elements.

Preferably the light-reflecting elements reflect light preferentially in one direction, individually, so that appropriate combinations of such elements can reflect light in different directions.

For example, the light-reflecting elements may comprise elements of the kind currently manufactured in the United Kingdom under the trade mark HI-LITES and marketed by New Lense Company Limited of Unit 5, Harrogate Business Park, Freemans Way, Wetherby Road, HARROGATE, North Yorkshire HG3 lDY, United Kingdom.

Such elements may be colour-contrasted in their array around the sides of the framework so that one colour is shown in one direction, another in a second direction, whenever light is shone onto the framework; so that a motorist, for example, or a pedestrian with a torch, can quickly determine the orientation of the hazard as well as knowing where it is.

Light-reflecting elements which reflect light preferentially in one direction are described and illustrated in UK Patent Specification Number 2 165 873 (MANBY).

Preferably the barrier is foldable for transport.

Preferably also the barrier when assembled and in position is lockable to prevent unauthorized disassembly or and/or removal.

The barrier may with advantage have its sides made of resilient material such as polyethylene, to resist impact and to resist any attempt to break the barrier framework by vandals.

Advantageously the barrier incorporates corner posts which, in use, raise the framework off the ground on which the posts stand.

Brief Description of the Drawings The single Figure of the accompanying drawings shows one barrier embodying the invention. It is only an example of forms which the invention might take within its broadest aspect.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment A barrier for enclosing a rubbish skip, a hole in the road, or another hazard comprises a rectangular framework each of whose sides 11 is raised off the ground, in use, by corner posts 12.

The posts 11 and framework sides 12 are made of relatively tough but resilient polyethylene plastics material which is light in weight and yet resists sudden impact. The way in which the sides 11 enter and are retained in the posts 12 is conventional and can be selected from known alternatives by the intended skilled addressee of this specification. But in this particular embodiment, the barrier is foldable when not in use, and so the sides 11 are each pivotally attached to the posts 12 to allow the rectangular framework to be collapsed.

Three out of the four sides 11 are permanently pivotally attached to their respective posts 12. The fourth side 11 is also permanently pivotally attached to a post 12 at one end of that par tlcular side 11. But the other end of that side enters its receiving post 12 via a releasable- locking mechanism of known kind.

This enables the barrier, as illustrated, to be assembled around a rubbish skip shown in broken line in the drawing, the barrier having been so dimensioned that it fits closely around the base region of the skip but, once locked into assembly, cannot be lifted over the skip by unauthorized persons who do not have access to the lock-releasing key.

This illustrates a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the posts 12 raise the framework sides 11 about ten centimetres from the ground on which the barrier and the rubbish skip stand. But means of adjusting the height of the framework above the ground on the posts may be provided. It is currently thought that in practical use, in road surface situations, the framework 11 may typically be supported at heights falling within the range ten centimetres to sixty centimetres above the road surface.

Individual light-reflecting elements of the kind disclosed in UK Patent Specification Number 2 165 873 are studded around the outward-facing surfaces of the framework sides 11. These elements, indicated by numeral 13 in the drawing, are visible on two sides in the drawing but are not visible, of course, on the remaining two sides. Such elements could be individually readily removable from the framework side in which they are held, so that the combination of reflective display from any region of the barrier and/or from the barrier as a whole could readily be varied to suit changing circumstances and/or to accommodate any damage to individual reflective elements.

So-called "cling film" or "cling foil" could cover the reflective elements and/or regions of the framework sides, either to provide a light-reflecting display of foil covering, and/or as a cheap and readily replaced way of protecting the framework sides and/or the light reflecting elements from weather or other damage.

The framework could have a magnetised base.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A barrier comprising a polygonal framework which, in use, can be positioned to extend around a rubbish skip, a hole in the road, or another hazard and is characterised by the feature that the outward-facing side surfaces of the framework incorporate light-reflecting elements.

2. A barrier according to Claim 1 in which the light-reflecting elements reflect light preferentially in one direction, individually, so that appropriate combinations of such elements can reflect light in different directions.

3. A barrier according to Claim 2 in which the barrier is foldable for transport.

4. A barrier according to Claims 1 - 3 in which the barrier when assembled and in position is lockable to prevent unauthorised dis-assembly and/or removal.

5. A barrier according to any of the preceding Claims in which its sides are made of resilient material.

6. A barrier according to Claim 5 in which it incorporates corner posts which, in use, raise the framework off the ground on which the posts stand.

7. A barrier substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.