GB2431187A

GB2431187A - Barrier strut comprising slidable members

Info

Publication number: GB2431187A
Application number: GB0619990A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Spence
Original assignee: SELECTEQUIP Ltd
Current assignee: SELECTEQUIP Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-11
Filing date: 2006-10-07
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-07
Also published as: GB0520607D0; GB2431187B; GB0619990D0

Abstract

A barrier strut 10 has opposite ends, and comprises an elongate support comprising first and second support members 12, 14 slidable relative to each other. The barrier strut further comprises a connection member 20, 32 at each opposite end of the support to connect the first and second support members to respective first and second barrier members (not shown). The connection members may provide a pivotal connection, and may be detachable from the barrier members. The first and second support members may be telescopically slidable relative to each other, and may be slid towards each other to reduce the length of the strut to facilitate its installation and/or removal between the barrier members. The strut may comprise a spring 42 to improve its ability to bear loads. The strut may be provided on a barrier for use on a railway level crossing. Also disclosed are a method of installing and a method of removing such a barrier strut.

Description

Barrier Strut This invention relates to barrier struts. More particularly,

but not exclusively, this invention relates to barrier struts for use on railway crossings.

Barriers are used on level crossings of railway systems to prevent road vehicles or pedestrians crossing the railway lines when a train is approaching. One design of barrier employs the use of an arm which is raised or lowered as required. A skirt hangs from the arm along its length.

The skirt is formed of a plurality of individual metal struts which are each pivotally attached to the arm at their upper ends, and to an elongate weight at their lower ends. The elongate weight may be in the form of channel member.

As the arm is raised, the struts pivot about their upper ends until they hang down almost parallel with the arm, when the arm is fully raised. As the arm is lowered, the struts pivot back to a position in which they extend vertically at right angles to the arm.

The purpose of the skirt is to prevent access to the railway lines when a train is approaching. However, large stresses can be created in the struts as they pivot relative to the arm. This can cause them to deform. Also, the barrier struts are prone to vandalism, which can leave them broken or bent.

Any bent struts that could allow access to the railway line to a child or an animal are required to be replaced by The Health and Safety Executive. One method of replacing present barrier struts may be to bend the deformed strut and the channel in the region where the strut is secured to the channel. The new strut is inserted, and the channel is bent back into shape so far as possible. . ...

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a bamer strut having opposite ends, and comprising an elongate support of variable length, and the barrier strut further comprising a connection member at each opposite end of the support to connect the support to respective first and second barrier members.

The barrier strut may comprise first and second support members slidable relative to each other.

The connection members may connect the first and second support members to respective first and second barrier members.

Each connection member may be detachable from the respective first and second support members.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a barrier strut comprising an elongate support and first and second detachable connection members at opposite ends of the support.

The first and second support members may each be elongate support members.

Each support member may have a connecting end, to which the respective connection member may be secured, and a co-operating end, or end region, at which the first and second support members slide relative to each other.

The support members may be longitudinally slidable relative to each other. In the preferred embodiment, the support members may be telescopically slidable relative to each other.

The first support member may receive the second support member.

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The first support member may define a central space to receive the second support member therein. The central space may extend substantially the length of the first support member.

Alternatively, the central space may extend from the co-operating end of the first support member to point midway therealong.

The region of the first support member from said midway point to the connecting end of the first member may be substantially wholly solid.

In one embodiment, the first support member may be tubular.

The second support member may be tubular. l5

Alternatively, the second support member may be substantially wholly solid.

The first support member may be substantially cylindrical. The second support member may be substantially cylindrical.

The barrier strut may comprise an urging arrangement to urge the first and second support members slidably relative to one another.

The urging arrangement may comprise a resilient urging member capable of urging the first and second support members slidably relative to each other.

The urging arrangement may be arranged to act in compression or in tension.

The urging member may comprise a spring, which may comprise a tension or a compression spring.

The spring may be attached to the first support member at the connecting end or at a central region of the first support member.

The spring may be attached to the second support member at the cooperating end of the second support member.

A first attaching member may be provided to attach the resilient urging member to the first support member.

The first attaching member may comprise a first attaching pin, and may extend across the first support member.

The first attaching member may be provided at the connecting end of the first support member.

Alternatively, the first attaching member may be provided in a central region of the first support member.

A second attaching member may be provided to attach the resilient urging member to the second support member.

The second attaching member may comprise a second attaching pin, and may extend across the co-operating end of the second support member.

The connection members may be provided at the connecting end regions of the first and second support members. Each connection member may extend laterafly from the support.

Where the support comprises first and second support members as described above, the connection members may extend laterally from the respective first and second support members. Each connection member may extend laterally in opposite directions from the support, or the respective first and second support members Each connection member may define a hole to receive the connecting end of the support or the respective first and second support members.

Each connection member may define a first fastening aperture in the region of the support or the first and second support members.

Each connection member may define two first fastening apertures extending opposite each other from the hole. The two first fastening apertures may be aligned with each other.

The support or the first and second support members may define a corresponding second fastening aperture to be aligned with the, or each, first fastening aperture in the respective connection member.

Where the support is, or the first and/or second support members are, tubular at their connecting ends, a pair of opposed second apertures may be defined in the connecting end of the support or the first and/or second support member. :* *.

A respective fastening element may be provided to fasten each connection member to the connecting end of the support or the respective support member.

Each fastening element may comprise a fastening pin, which may extend through the, or each, first aperture in the connection member and through the, or each, second aperture in the support or the respective first and/or second support member.

Each connection member may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and may also have a pair of opposite end faces. The hole may extend from the cylindrical surface.

In one embodiment, the hole may be a recess, which may extend part way into the connection member from the cylindrical surface. In another embodiment, the recess may be a bore that extends wholly through the connection member.

In one embodiment, the opposite ends of the fastening member may protrude from the connection member, and the opposite ends of the fastening members may be tightly received in respective apertures in the barrier members.

In another embodiment, the end regions of the connection member may be tightly received in apertures in the barrier members.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of one embodiment of a barrier strut; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a barrier strut; and Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a further embodiment of a barrier strut.

Figure 1 shows a barrier strut 10 for use as one of a plurality of a barrier struts arranged side-by-side in a level crossing a barrier (not shown) of a railway line. The barrier comprises an arm which is pivotally supported at one end only, and is lowered about the pivot when a train approaches the level crossing, and raised about the pivot when the train has passed..

The plurality of barrier struts 10 are arranged sufficiently close together that they prevent access through the barrier when the arm is in its lowered position. Each of the barrier struts is pivotally attached to the arm at its upper end.

Also, each of the barrier struts is pivotally attached at its lower end to a lower member, which can be a channel section, or any other suitable configuration, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. The plurality of barrier struts, thus, provides a skirt extending downwardly from the arm to the lower member, when the arm is in its lowered position.

As the arm is raised, each barrier strut pivots relative to the arm so that the skirt closes and the lower member rests closely adjacent to the arm. As the arm is lowered, each banier strut pivots in the opposite direction, and the lower member moves away from the arm to hang directly below the arm when the arm is in its lowered position, extending horizontally across the track.

This above description of a level crossing barrier is of a prior art level crossing barrier and would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The barrier strut 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first etongate support member 12, and a second elongate support member 14. The second support member 14 is telescopically received within the first support member 12, and the first and second support members are slidable relative to each other in the longitudinal directions of the support members 12, 14, as shown by the double headed arrow A. The telescopic sliding movement of the first and second support members 12, 14, has the advantage in the embodiments shown that stresses created within the barrier strut 10 during use are absorbed and dissipated by the relative sliding movement of the first and second support members. Thus, damage to the barrier strut 10 by stresses placed thereon during use is obviated or minimised.

The first support member 12 has a connecting end 16 and a co-operating end 18.

The connecting end 16 has detachably mounted thereon a first connection member 20, which may have an outer cylindrical surface 21 and opposite end faces 23. The end faces 23 are provided at opposite end regions 27 of the connecting member 20.

A hole in the form of a recess 22 is defined in the first connection member 20 and extends radially inwardly from the outer cylindrical surface 21. In another embodiment, the hole in the first connection member 20 for the first support member 12 extends all the way through the first connection member 20.

The connecting end 16 of the first support member 12 is received in the recess 22, and is a tight fit therein. The first connection member 20 defines two bores 24 which extend in opposite axial directions through the first connection member 20 from the recess 22 to the opposite ends 23 of the first connection member 20.

The two bores 24 are aligned with each other to provide a channel for receiving a fastening member in the form of a fastening pin 25. The connecting end region 16 of the first Support member i 2 defines opposed apertures 26, which are aligned with the bores 24 when the end region 16 is received in the recess 22.

The fastening pin 25 can be inserted from one end 23 through the bores 24 and the S apertures 26 to fasten the connection member 20 to the Connecting end 16 of the first support member 12.

The second support member 14 has a connecting end 28 and a CO-operating end 30. A second connection member 32 S detachably mounted on the connecting end 28 of the second support member 14.

The second connection member 32 is similar to the first cOnnection member 20, and comprises an outer cyIind,j surface 33 and Opposite end faces 34 at end regions 35.

The recess 36 extends radially inwardly into the second connection member 32 from the outer cylindrical surface 33. The connecting end 28 of the second Support member 14 is received in the recess 36 in the second connection member 32, and is a tight fit therein.

The Second connection member 32 defines two bores 38 which extend from the recess 36 in opposite axial directions to each other. The two bores 36 extend to the opposite end faces 34 of the connection member 32.

The connecting end region 28 of the second support member 14 defines a pair of opposed apertures 40, which are aligned with the bores 38 when the connecting end region 28 of the second support member 14 is received in the recess 36.

The pin 25 can be inserted from one end 34 through the bores 38 and the apertures to fasten the second connection member 32 to the connecting end 28 of the second support member 14.

S Thus, each of the connecting ends 16, 28 of the first and second support members 12, 14 has mounted thereon a respective connection member 20, 32 for connecting the barrier strut 10 to the arm and the lower member of the barrier (not shown). A plurality of barrier struts 10 can be connected to the arm to form a skirt extending downwardly from the arm to the lower member.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the two co-operating end regions 18, 30 of the first and second support members 12, 14 co-operate with each other to allow telescopic sliding movement of the first and second support members 12, 14 relative to each other.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown another embodiment of the barrier strut 10, which comprises many of the features of the barrier strut 10 shown in Figure 1, and these have been designated with the same reference numeral as in Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 differs from embodiment shown in Figure 1, in that the embodiment shown in Figure 2 comprises a resilient urging member.

The resilient urging member is in the form of a spring 42 which extends from the co- operating end 30 of the second support member 14 to the connecting end 16 of the first support member 12. The spring 42 can be a compression spring or a tension spring and allows the barrier strut 10 shown in Figure 2 to bear greater loads than the barrier strut 10 shown in Figure 1.

The spring 42 is attached to the connecting end 16 of the first support member 12 by suitable first attaching means in the form of a first attaching pin 44 which extends across the first support member 12. The spring 42 is attached to the co-operating end 18 of the second support member by suitable second attaching means in the form of a second attaching pin 46 which extends across the second support member 14.

Reference is now made to Figure 3, which shows a further embodiment of the barrier strut 10. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 comprises many of the features of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and, again, these have been designated with the same reference numeral as in Figure 1. l0

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 shows breaks in the first and second support members 12, 14. This is simply to represent that the first and second support members 12, 14 can be any suitable length.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 2 in that it comprises a spring 48, which extends from a first attaching means in the form of a first attaching pin 50 provided generally midway along the first support member 12. The spring extends to a second attaching means in the form of a second attaching pin 52 provided at the co-operating end region 30 of the second support member 14.

A further difference Is that the second support member 14 may be solid substantially all along its length from the connecting end 28 to the second attaching pin 52 in the region of the co-operating end 30 of the second support member 14. The first support member 12 may be solid from the first attaching pin 50 to the connecting end 16 of the first support member 12.

II

The provision of solid regions in the first and second support members 12, 14 provides the advantage that the first and second support members 12, 14 of described embodiments have greater strength.

In order to mount the baffler strut 1010 the arm and lower member of the barrier, the fastening pins 25 are removed from the first and second connection members 20, 32. The barrier strut 10 is then arranged between the arm and the lower member of the barrier, such that the first and second connection members 20, 32 lie parallel to the arm and the lower member.

A pair of elongate flanges extends downwardly from the arm. The flanges lie parallel to the arm and each flange defines a plurality of apertures which are arranged adjacent one another in succession along the flange. The apertures In one flange are aligned with the apertures in the other flange.

Similarly, the where the lower member is a channel section, it comprises a pair of upwardly extending elongate flanges which extend parallel to one another. The flanges of the channel section also define a plurality of apertures and the apertures in one flange are aligned with the apertures in the other flange.

In a first embodiment, the length of each of the first and second connection members 20, 32 between the end faces 23 and between the end faces 34 is greater than the distance between the flanges. When the connecting members 20, 32 are in their positions between the flanges of the arm and the channel section, the end regions 27,35 adjacent the end faces 23, 34 are received in the apertures in the flanges to hold the connection members 20, 32.

In order to install the barrier struts 10, the first and second connection members 20, 32 are pushed through the apertures in the respective flanges until the opposite end regions 27, 35 are held in the apertures in the flanges. The first and second support members 12, 14 are then pushed together, so that they slide telescopically toward one another, thereby reducing their overall length.

The first and second support members can then be arranged between the arm and the channel section. The connecting ends 16, 28 of the first and second support members can then be inserted into the recesses 22, 36 of the first and second connection members 20, 32 arranged opposite each other on the arm and the channel section of the barrier. I0

In a second embodiment, lower member may be of a different construction to a channel section, but still having opposed parallel members as would be understood by those skilled in the art. The apertures in the parallel members of the lower member, and the flanges on the arm, are smaller than the connection members 20, 32 and are generally of the same diameter as the fastening pins 25 in the first and second connection members 20, 32.

In this embodiment, the fastening pins 25 in the connection members 20, 32 are of such a length that they extend outwardly from the respective end faces 23, 34 of the connection members 20, 32.

In this embodiment, the fastening pins 25 are first removed from the connection members 20, 32. The first and second support members 12, 14 are slid telescopically towards each other to reduce the overall length of the barrier strut 10.

This sliding of the first and second support members 12, 14 towards each other allows the barrier strut 10 to be easily arranged in position to extend from the arm to the lower member. The barrier strut 10 is positioned such that the connection members 20, 32 are arranged between the flanges on the arm, and the parallel members of the lower member, and extend at right angles to the flanges of the arm and the parallel members of the lower member.

The fastening pins 25 are inserted into the respective connection members 20, 32 via the apertures in the flanges and in the parallel members. Since the opposite ends of the fastening pins 25 are a tight fit in the apertures, they are thereby held in the apertures to secure the barrier struts 10 to the arm and the lower member of the level crossing barrier.

In the first embodiment, if one of the barrier struts 10 becomes damaged, it is easily removed from the barrier. Each of the pins 25 in the first and second connection members 20, 32 is first removed.

The first and second support members 12, 14 are then pushed together so that they slide telescopically relative to each other, thereby reducing the overall length. The connecting end regions 16, 28 of the first and second support members 12, 14 can then be removed from the respective first and second connection members 20, 32.

The first and second connection members 20, 32 can then be removed by pushing on one of the end faces 23, 34.

The barrier strut 10 can then be removed. A replacement barrier strut 10 can then be mounted on the arm and the channel section as described above.

In the second embodiment, where the pins 25 extend beyond the end faces 23, 43 of the first and second connection members to be received tightly in apertures in the flanges and the parallel members, the removal of a deformed or damaged barrier strut is also a simple matter.

In the second embodiment, the pins 25 are removed from the first and second connection members 20, 32. In one version of this embodiment, the pins 25 may be in the form of screws, threadably received in the first and second connection members 20, 32.

When the pins 25 have been removed, the first and second support members 12, 14 are pushed together so that they telescopically slide inwardly of each other. This allows them to be removed from the first and second connection members 20, 32.

A new barrier strut can then be arranged in place of the old barrier strut by inserting the connecting ends 16, 28 of the first and second support members into the recesses 22, 36 in the first and second connecting members 20, 32. The pins 25 can then be inserted into the first and second connection members 20, 32 to hold the first and second support members in place and to secure the barrier strut 10 to the arm and the lower member.

Alternatively, if desired, the first and/or second connection members 20, 32 can be removed with the first and second support members 12, 14 and replaced.

There is thus provided embodiments of a barrier strut as described herein which have the advantage that the telescopic sliding of the first and second support members 12, 14 can absorb stresses applied to the barrier strut, thereby limiting the damage caused during use.

Also, the provision of the first and second connection members 20, 32, in combination with the telescopic sliding of the first and second support members 12, 14, allows easy insertion and replacement of the barrier struts 10. Is

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For exampte, the extent to which the first and second barrier members 12, 14 are solid can vary. The first and second connection members need not be cylindrical. The first and second connection members can be any other suitable shape.

In another example of a modification, the first and second attaching means for attaching the spring to the first and second support members need not be in the form of pins. Instead, where the first and second attaching means are provided at a solid region of the first and second support members 12, 14, the first and second attaching means could be holes drilled through the solid regions.

In a further example of a modification, the recesses 22, 36 could be through bores that extend wholly through the respective first and second connection members.

Claims

1. A barrier strut having opposite ends, and comprising an elongate support comprising first and second support members slidable relative to each other, and the S barrier strut further comprising a connection member at each opposite end of the support to connect the first and second support members to respective first and second barrier members.

2. A barrier strut according to claim I wherein each connection member is detachable from the respective first and second support members.

3. A barrier strut according to any preceding claim wherein the support members are longitudinally slidable relative to each other.

4. A barrier strut according to claim 3 wherein the support members are telescopically slidable relative to each other, the first support member receiving the second support member.

5. A barrier strut according to any preceding claim wherein the first support member defines a central space to receive the second support member therein.

6. A barrier strut according to claim 5 wherein the central space extends substantially the length of the first support member.

7. A barrier strut according to claim 6 wherein the central space extends from the co-operating end of the first support member to point midway along the first support member, the region of the first support member from said midway point to the connecting end of the first member being substantially wholly solid.

8. A barrier strut according to any preceding claim wherein the first support member and the second support member are tubular.

9. A barrier strut according to any of claims I to 7 wherein the second support member is substantially wholly solid.

10. A barrier strut according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second support members are substantially cylindrical.

11. A barrier strut according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second support members are each elongate support members, each support member having a connecting end, to which the respective connection member may be secured, and a co-operating end, at which the first and second support members slide relative to each other.

12. A barrier strut according to claim 11 comprising an urging arrangement to urge the first and second support members slidably relative to one another.

13. A barrier strut according to claim 12 wherein the urging arrangement comprises a resilient urging member capable of urging the first and second support members slidably relative to each other.

14. A barrier strut according to claim 13 wherein the urging member comprises a spring.

15. A barrier strut according to claim 14 wherein the spring comprises a tension or a compression spring.

16. A barrier strut according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the spring is attached to the first support member at the connecting end or at a central region of the first support member, and the spring is attached to the second support member at the co- operating end of the second support member.

17. A barrier strut according to claim 16 wherein a first attaching member is provided to attach the resilient urging member to the first support member.

18. A barrier strut according to claim 17 wherein the first attaching member comprises a first attaching pin, which extends across the first support member.

19. A barrier strut according to claim 17 or 18 the first attaching member is provided at the connecting end of the first support member.

20. A barrier strut according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the first attaching member is provided in a central region of the first support member.

21. A barrier strut according to any of claims 16 to 20 wherein a second attaching member is provided to attach the resilient urging member to the second support member.

22. A barrier strut according to claim 21 wherein the second attaching member comprises a second attaching pin, extending across the cooperating end of the second support member.

23. A barrier strut according to any of ctaims 11 to 22 wherein the connection members are provided at the connecting end regions of the first and second support members, and each connection member extends laterally from the support.

24. A barrier strut according to claim 23 wherein the connection members extend laterally in opposite directions from the respective first and second support members.

25. A barrier strut according to claim 23 or 24 wherein each connection member defines a hole to receive the connecting end of the respective first and second support members.

26. A barrier strut according to claim 25 wherein the hole is a recess that extends part way through the respective first or second connection member.

27. A barrier strut according to claim 25 wherein the hole is a through bore that extends wholly through the respective first or second connection member.

28. A barrier strut according to any of claims 23 to 27 wherein each connection member defines a first fastening aperture in the region of the connecting ends of the first and second support members.

29. A bamer strut according to claim 28 wherein each connection member defines two first fastening apertures extending opposite each other from the recess, the two first apertures being aligned with each other.

30. A barrier strut according to claim 28 or 29 wherein the first and second support members define a corresponding second fastening aperture to be aligned with the, or each, first fastening aperture in the respective connection member.

31. A barrier strut according to claim 30 wherein a respective fastening element is provided to fasten each connection member to the connecting end of the respective support member.

32. A barrier strut according to claim 31 wherein each fastening element comprises a fastening pin, which extends through the, or each, first aperture in the connection member and through the, or each, second aperture in the respective first and/or second support member.

33. A barrier strut according to any of claims 11 to 32 wherein each connection member has a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and a pair of opposite end faces, the recess extending into the connection member from the cylindrical surface.

34. A barrier strut according to claim 33 wherein the opposite ends of the fastening element protrude from the connection member, and the opposite ends of the fastening members can be received in respective apertures in the barrier members.

35. A barrier strut according to claim 34 wherein the end faces of the connection member can be received in apertures in the barrier members.

36. A method of installing a barrier strut as claimed in any preceding claim comprising arranging the first and second connection members on the barrier members, sliding the first and second support members relative to each other to reduce the length and arranging the first and second support members to be received by the respective first and second connecting members.

37. A method according to claim 36 comprising inserting respective fasteners into the first and second connection members when the first and second support members have been received by the first and second connection members. 2!

38. A method according to claim 36 or 37 wherein the first and second connection members are arranged on the barrier members by being pushed through aligned apertures in the barrier members.

39. A method of removing a barrier strut as claimed in any preceding claim comprising sliding the first and second support members relative to each other to reduce the length and thereby detach the first and second support members from the respective first and second connection members, and removing said first and second support members from the barrier. I0

40. A method according to claim 39 comprising removing the first and second connection members from the barrier members.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the step of removing the first and second connection members comprises pushing the first and second connection members through apertures in the barrier members.

42. A method according to claim 40 or 41 wherein the step of removing the first and second connection members comprises removing fasteners from the first and second connection members before removing the first and second support members.

43. A barrier strut comprising an elongate support and first and second detachable connection members at opposite ends of the support.

44. A barrier strut according to claim 43 wherein the connection members extend laterally from the support.

45. A barrier strut according to claim 43 or 44 wherein the connection members extend laterally in opposite directions from the support.

46. A bamer strut according to claim 43 or 44 wherein each connection member defines a hole to receive the respective end of the support.

47. A barrier strut according to claim 46 wherein the hole is a recess which extends part way through the connection member.

48. A barrier strut according to claim 46 wherein the hole is a through bore that extends wholly through the respective first or second connection member.

49. A barrier strut according to any of claims 43 to 48 wherein each connection member defines a fastening aperture in the region of the ends of the support.

50. A barrier strut according to claim 47, 48 or 49 wherein each connection member defines two first fastening apertures extending opposite each other from the recess, the two first apertures being aligned with each other.

51. A barrier strut. according to claim 49 or 50 wherein the ends of the support define a corresponding second fastening aperture to be aligned with the, or each, first fastening aperture in the respective connection member.

52. A barrier strut according to claim 51 wherein respective fastening elements are provided to fasten each connection member to the connecting end of the respective support.

53. A barrier strut according to claim 52 wherein each fastening element comprises a fastening pin, which extends through the, or each, first aperture in the connection member and through the, or each, second aperture in the support.

54. A barrier strut according to any of claims 43 to 53 wherein each connection member has a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and a pair of opposite end faces, the recess extending into the connection member from the cylindrical surface.

55. A barrier strut according to claim 52, 53 or 54 wherein the opposite ends of the fastening element protrude from the connection member, and said opposite ends can be received in respective apertures in the barrier members.

56. A barrier strut according to claim 54 wherein the end faces of each connection member can be received in apertures in the barrier members.

57. A barrier strut substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

58. A method of installing a barrier strut substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

59. A method of removing a barrier strut substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.