GB2264317A - Improvements in or relating to posts and barriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A barrier for use in roadworks and the like comprises two posts 10 each having upper and lower structures 12, 16 providing recesses with T-section formations 25, 30 for receiving T-parts 24 on the ends 22 of planks 21 in a manner resisting lateral movement of the planks and permitting angular adjustment of the planks up and down so that the posts may be at different levels. The plank ends 22 may permit lateral flexing of the planks. Pins 15 on structures 12, 16 may support netting. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEEEND IN OR RELATING TO POSTS AND BARRIERS This invention relates to posts and barriers, for example for use in association with road works and the like.

According to this invention a post comprises structure adapted to receive an end of a laterally extending barrier element in a manner permitting angular adjustment of the barrier element.

The post may comprise an upright, and the structure comprising a hollow portion receiving the upright.

The structure may comprise a recess for receiving the end. The recess may comprise a T-section. The structure may comprise laterally extending members providing an upwardly and laterally open recess for receiving the end. The structure may be adapted to receive the ends of a plurality of angularly spaced barrier elements. There may be upper and lower structures.

A barrier may comprise two such posts and a barrier element whose ends are respectively received in structures of the posts. There may be upper and lower barrier elements. The barrier element may be movable up and down. The barrier element may be laterally bendable.

The barrier element may comprise flexible end portions received in the respective structures.

There may be means for securing the element in the structure.

The post comprises recess means for receiving an end of a barrier element, the barrier element and recess means having interengaging formations resisting movement of the barrier element laterally out of the recess.

The invention may be performed in various ways and some specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a barrier support post; Fig. 2 is a side view of an end element of a barrier plank; Fig. 3 shows part of a barrier; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of a modified post; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of part of another post; Fig. 6 is a side view of a lower part of the post; Fig. 7 is a section on line 7 - 7 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a vie of a modification.

A post 10 is formed from moulded plastics and comprises a central cylindrical pillar 11 which at its lower end is received in a detachable base 13a for resting on a support e.g. the ground. Around the lower end of the pillar 11 is a collar 12 which has three (only two shown) upwardly and laterally open channel elements 14 which extend laterally outwards from an open ended inner cylindrical part 12a. The channels 14 have a T-shaped recess at 30 for receiving an end 22 of a board or plank 21. A pin member 15 extends dovvn- wards from each element 14.

At the top the pillar 11 receives a top unit 16 having a cylindrical hollow element 17 which receives the pillar 11.

The top unit 16 is provided with channels 19 extending laterally from inner part 19a to respectively provide three upwardly and laterally open recesses or T-slots 20 for receiving, as desired or appropriate, an end of a barrier board or plank 21 which may be made from plastics. The tops of the channels 19 are connected by ribs 19b. The board 21 has at each end an end cap 22 which is tapered at 23 and has an extension 24 which can be received in a cross-part 25 of a slot 20 to resist withdrawal by longitudinal lateral movement of the board 21 relative to the post. The board is thus mounted in two spaced posts 11. h recess 19c may receive a lamp.

When mounted in the channel 14 or 19, the board 21 can pivot, for example up to 120, up and down. Thus the posts at the ends of the board can be at different levels. The parts 24, 25 form a fulcrum and when in adjusted position the board is firmly held and not free to swing.

Pin members 15 upstand from the top unit 16 respectively adjacent the recesses 20.

A barrier can be formed by two or more such posts 10 with boards 21 extending between channels 19 and channels 14, typically radially to pillar 11. Thus each post may receive up to six planks.

The pins 15 can engage in netting which extends between the posts and between the pins.

An upstanding bracket 40 on unit 16 can act as a mount for a lamp.

The flanks of channels 14, 19 can be convexly curved inwards and have a degree of flexibility to assist in gripping the end cap 22.

In the arrangement of Figs.2,3 the connection between the end cap 22 and the plank 21 permits lateral flexing so that the plank 21 can be inclined to the axis of pillar 11.

The cap 22 has a central web 50 and a peripheral wall 51 extending to both sides of web 50. Three prongs 52, which are a cross in cross-section, extend from one side of the cap 22 to engage in corresponding apertures in the hollow plank 21 which may have internal baffles or ribs along its length.

As can be seen from Fig. 3 the cap 22 can bend. If the outer wall part 53 is flush with channel surface 54 the cap 22 can bend sideways at the base region of the prongs.

Means may be provided for resisting unwanted upward movement of the plank. Pig. 4 shows an example in which aligned apertures 70 are formed in the sides of channels 19 and securement means extends through the apertures 70 and an aperture 72 in the end cap 22. As shown the securement means 71 is a cable tie but other means are possible, for example a nut and bolt.

The securement means may be releasable with or without a tool or could be secured using a key-operated lock.

In the arrangement of Figs. 5 to 7, generally similar to Fig. 1, generally similar parts have the same reference numerals. The detachable netting is shown at 80. The base 13 has a central aperture 81 to receive the lower end of the pillar 11 and the margin of the aperture 81 is provided with spaced teeth 82 providing a degree of flexibility in gripping the pillar 11.

Fig. 8 shows a modification in which an enlarged top portion 90 is formed with radial slots 91 and a central aperture 92 in the top 93 so that the T-part 24 can be received in the aperture 92.

Claims (13)

1. A post comprising structure adapted to receive an end of a laterally extending barrier element in a manner permitting angular adjustment of the barrier element.

2. A post as claimed in Claim 1, comprising an upright, and the structure comprises a hollow portion receiving the upright.

3. A post as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the structure comprises a recess for receiving the end.

4. A post as claimed in Claim 3, in which the recess comprises a T-section.

5. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the structure comprises laterally extending members providing an upwardly and laterally open recess for receiving the end.

6. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the structure is adapted to receive the ends of a plurality of angularly spaced barrier elements.

7. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising upper and lower said structures.

8. A barrier comprising two posts as claimed in any preceding claim and a barrier element whose ends are respectively received in structures of the posts.

9. A barrier as claimed in Claim 8, including upper and lower barrier elements.

10. A barrier as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the barrier element is movable up and down.

11. A barrier as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the barrier element is bendable laterally of the element.

12. A barrier as claimed in Claim 11, in which the barrier element comprises flexible end portions received in the respective structures.

13. A barrier as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 12, including means for securing the element in the structure.