GB2440145A

GB2440145A - Barrier formed from vehicle tyres

Info

Publication number: GB2440145A
Application number: GB0613994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-14
Filing date: 2006-07-14
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-14
Also published as: GB2440145B; GB0613994D0

Abstract

The barrier, for use at road works, at loading bays, in docks etc, comprises a number of tyres 12,14 arranged to form a tube and secured together so that they can be moved as a single unit. The tyres may be secured together using straps 18, wires or cord or alternatively by a support frame or a wrap of material such as plastic sheeting or a mesh sleeve. The barrier may include lifting aids 26 and/or elements to help secure adjacent barriers together in a variety of different arrangements. A segment 28 may be removed from one or more tyres to provide a flat base and a cut-through may be provided through the tyres to facilitate securing the tube to an existing structure. A material wrap may be provided which is reflective, brightly coloured or carries advertising and which may be heat shrinkable. The barrier may include tyres of different sizes and the tube may be at least partially filled by a foam, sand or parts of old tyres.

Description

RECYCLING OF VEHICLE TYRES

The invention relates to recycling of used vehicle tyres, and in particular to providing a barrier made from used vehicle tyres.

The UK currently uses about 40 million vehicle tyres a year. Recycling of these tyres is a major problem for the tyre industry and the UK as a whole. Legislation governing the recycling of used vehicle tyres is continually changing to guide the way in which vehicle tyres are recycled.

One aspect of this legislation is that from the summer of 2006 no used vehicle tyres will be allowed in landfill waste disposal sites. This legislation is driving the need for alternative ways of recycling used vehicle tyres.

It is known to shred used vehicle tyres so that the rubber can be reused.

This is a difficult process to complete due to the presence of reinforcing wire and steel within the tyres. It is further known to burn used vehicle tyres to obtain energy from them, but this is not a solution for all vehicle tyres due to the possible pollution problems associated with burning large quantities of rubber. Also, building the recycling incinerators is expensive and can take a long time, and people do not like them close to where they live. Alternative ways of recycling used vehicle tyres are needed.

According to the invention there is provided a barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit.

Such a barrier provides an alternative way of recycling used vehicle tyreS.

S

It is known to provide a movable concrete barrier that can be used to protect workmen at road works. Such concrete barriers can be placed next to one another to create a wall to provide protection to workmen from vehicle strike. Concrete is not a very environmentally friendly material, and the concrete barriers are required to be made using fresh concrete. A further problem with such barriers is that whilst they provide protection to the workmen they are not vehicle friendly should a vehicle hit them (or friendly to the occupants of the vehicle). An alternative to concrete barriers is to use plastic cones, or larger plastic barriers that can be filled with water. Plastic cones provide little protection to the workmen but are less dangerous for vehicles. Larger plastic barriers filled with water provide a certain degree of impact protection to a vehicle but also provide a reasonable degree of protection to the workmen.

The barrier can be used at road works to provide protection to workmen, and is also more vehicle friendly in the event of a crash. The driver is also less likely to be injured due to the impact absorption qualities of rubber. The barrier provides an alternative to a concrete barrier and to plastic cones.

The barrier can be used in many different situations, for example at docks to protect ships from hitting a dock wall. The tyre barrier can also be used in lorry delivery bays where they can be suspended from delivery bay walls. In these situations the barrier protects both the ship/lorry and the dock/delivery bay walls from damage.

By being able to lift and position the tube as a single unit, with the tyres of the tube being secured together, makes it easy and quick to put down a long barrier made of a plurality of tube barriers. The securing means may permit movement of adjacent tyres relative to one another, or substantially immobilise adjacent tyres. The securing means also provides predictability to the overall shape of the barrier tube which can be produced to a repeatable and reliable standard. Such a standard may also improve the speed of manufacturing the tube barrier.

In one embodiment the securing means comprises at least one strap. In another the securing means is one or more wires, bands or cords.

Preferably the strap, wire, band or cord is arranged to pass through a central hole defined by the tube.

Preferably the barrier comprises two straps, wires, bands or cords. In a preferred embodiment each strap, wire, band or cord is arranged to pass through the central hole defined by the tube at least partially along the.

length of the barrier. Preferably the straps, wires, bands or cords are arranged to be diametrically opposite one another on the tube.

In one embodiment each strap, wire, band or cord is provided with a ratchet clamp or other tightening device. Such a ratchet clamp provides the advantage of being able to tighten the strap, wire, band or cord sufficiently and in a convenient way to keep the tyres together.

Preferably the barrier includes a support frame. Such a support frame provides strength to the barrier and may assist with lifting it. The support frame may comprise the securing means. The support frame may also hold the tyres in place relative to each other when the barrier is standing in situ.

The support frame may include a bar arranged to pass through the central hole at least partially along the length of the barrier. I.

Preferably the bar has two portions, optionally end portions, adapted to enable the barrier to be lifted.

Preferably each portion or end portion is arranged to pass through a circumferential wall or a sidewall of a respective one of the tyres.

Preferably the support frame, or the barrier, is provided with at least one attachment means such as an eye or a hook. Such an attachment means has barrier tube handling advantages, such as for lifting the barrier or barriers to the site of the road works to place them in situ. This can be achieved using a lifting arm (or crane) as required, so that they are free standing on a road. The attachment means may be connected directly to one or more tyres.

The attachment means can also be used in conjunction with ground anchors to tie the barrier to the ground, or used to tie barriers together in a line to form a wall. The attachment means can also be used to secure the barrier during transit.

In a preferred embodiment the barrier includes attachment means at the ends thereof.

Preferably the attachment means are provided at the ends of the bar of the support frame and in a preferred embodiment the attachment means are provided at the free ends of the end portions.

Preferably a segment of at least one tyre has been removed to provide a base for the barrier. Preferably a segment of each tyre is removed to provide a base for the barrier along its length. Removal of the segments is a quick and easy way to make a flatter bottom surface of the barrier sit to inhibit rolling of the barrier.

In one embodiment each tyre is cut through the radial walls of the tyre and the rolling surface thereof to provide a through-cut along the length of the barrier, the tyres having portions that are separated from each other either side of the through-cut. In an alternative embodiment each tyre has a portion removed to provide a channel along the length of the barrier. Such a through-cut or removed portion allows the barrier to be placed over a central reservation barrier of a motorway. It may also flatten the bottom of the barrier. In an alternative, an extra foot portion may be fixed to the tube, or individual tyres, to prevent rolling. The tube may or may not be cut to flatten its base.

Preferably the barrier is further provided with an over wrap which wraps the tyres and at least assists in binding them together. The over wrap may be a plastic sheet wrapping (e.g. cellophane), or a mesh sleeve such as wire, or a sock. The over wrap or sock may be heat shrinkable.

Preferably the over wrap is made of a fire-resistant or fire-proof material.

In a preferred embodiment the over wrap is the securing means, or at least comprises part of the securing means. It can act to hold the tyres together as a single unit.

Preferably the over wrap is brightly coloured (or have brightly coloured sections). This allows the barrier to be seen more easily. The wrap may be, or have sections that are, reflective (e.g. retro reflective) to light, for night-time visibility.

The over wrap may carry advertising information.

The barrier may comprise a combination of large diameter and smaller diameter tyres.

Preferably the barrier comprises ten or at least ten, or of the order often, car tyres. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 tyres (e.g. car tyres) in the barrier tube, or more.

Preferably the barrier comprises two, or at least two, used tractor or lorry tyres. The tractor or lorry tyres are preferably arranged to be the end tyres of the barrier tube. Such an arrangement of tractor/lorry tyres and car tyres is a convenient arrangement to assists with location of the tyres adjacent one another.

In one embodiment the tractor or lorry tyres at the ends of the barrier tube are arranged so that the central axis of each tractor or lorry tyre is perpendicular to the central axis of the barrier tube. In this way the tractor tyres are rotated through 90 degrees relative to the car tyres so that the barrier tube is narrower. Preferably the tractor or lorry tyres are offset from the central axis of the barrier tube.

In one embodiment a plurality of the barriers are stacked with their longitudinal axes extending generally horizontally, and tied together as a unit.

In a preferred embodiment there are three barriers stacked in the unit with a generally triangular arrangement in cross-section and so that they are parallel to one another. Such a unit has the advantage of being readily installable, and stable laterally. It has a greater height than just one unit.

In another embodiment a plurality of the barriers are connected together end to end to form a chain of barriers. Preferably the barriers are connected together using the attachment means. Such a chain has the benefit of providing a greater degree of resistance to movement than a single barrier in the event of impact from a vehicle. In the case of the embodiment the tractor or lorry tyres at the ends of the barrier tube arranged perpendicularly to barrier tube and offset from the central axis of the barrier tube, the tractor tyres of adjacent barriers are arranged to nest together within the overall envelope of the chain. S uch nesting providing a convenient way of arranging adjacent barriers in the chain.

In one embodiment the centre of the barriers is at least partially filled with foam, or another filling, preferably a fire resistant or fire retardant foam. In another embodiment the tyres are filled at least partially with sand. In another embodiment the tyres are filled at least partially with complete or parts of old tyres.

Preferably the barrier is provided with end closures or caps such that the through hole of the tube of tyres is closed. Such end caps permit the sand (or foam, or other filling) to be more readily retained in the barrier. The end caps also stop animals entering the barrier, and reduce the temptation for children to climb into the barrier or play on the barrier.

The barrier may be provided with at least one chock engagable with a rolling surface of one of the tyres. Such a chock further inhibits rolling of the barrier.

In an alternate embodiment (or additionally) the tyre barrier is provided with at least one ground anchor for fastening the barrier to the ground.

Such a ground anchor may be provided by attaching a bolt through one of the tyres, the bolt having an anchor hook or anchor eye for securing the barrier to the ground.

Preferably the barrier is treated with a fire retardant.

The invention also provides a method of recycling tyres comprising making a barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit.

The invention also provides a method of improving the resilience of existing crash barriers comprising; taking a barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit, each tyre being cut through the radial walls of the tyre and the rolling surface thereof to* provide a through-cut or channel along the length of the barrier, the tyres having portions that are separated from each other either side of the through-cut; and placing the barrier over and around the existing barrier so that the portions pass over either side of the existing barrier.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a tyre barrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the tyre barrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a tyre barrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a lyre barrier according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an alternative arrangement to Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the tyre barrier of Figure 3 with an over wrap; Figure 8 is a perspective view of three tyre barriers in a stack; Figure 9 is perspective view of tyre barriers in a chain; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a tyre barrier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a side view of the tyre barrier of the embodiment of Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a plan view of tyre barriers in a chain.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a side view of a tyre barrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 10. The tyre barrier 10 comprises ten used car tyres 12 and two used tractor tyres 14 which are arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis 16 of the tyres 12, 14 so that they form a tube. The centre holes of the tyres 12, 14 are central on the same axis 16. The tractor tyres 14 are arranged as the end tyres of the tube. Typically the centre hole of a tractor tyre 14 is about the same as the diameter of a car tyre 12 which assists in location of the relatively small car tyre 12 next to the relatively large tractor tyre 14. The tyres 12, 14 are strapped together with two straps 18 which are passed around the tube of tyres and through the centre of the tyres 12, 14. Only one of the straps 18 is shown in Figure 1 for the purposes of clarity. The two straps 18 are shown more clearly in Figure 2. Each strap 18 has a ratchet clamp 20, which is tightened sufficiently to keep the tyres 12, 14 together. The strap may be made of metal, or plastics material, or anything strong enough.

Figure 1 also shows a metal bar 22 that is passed through the centre hole and along the length of the tyre barrier 10. The bar 22 has two end portions 24 that are welded at right angles to the bar 22. Each end portion 24 passes through a circumferential wall of a respective tractor tyre 14. A metal hoop 26 is provided at each of the free ends of the end portions 24. The hoops 26 have numerous uses. They can be used for lifting the tyre barrier 10 using a crane so that it can be moved more easily. The metal bar 22 provides support and strength to the tyre barrier 10 when being lifted. The hoops 26 can also be used as ground anchors to tie the tyre barrier 10 to the ground. The hoops can also be used to tie many tyre barriers 10 together in a line to form a wall. The hoops can also be used to secure the tyre barrier 10 during transit, for example on a lorry, to stop them moving. It will be appreciated that the bar 22 abuts the inner circumference of the tyres 12 and 14 so that each tyre is in lifting engagement with the bar 22 when the unit 10 is lifted using the bar. Lateral forces holding the tyres together also provide an upward force during lifting, as well as direct tyre-to-bar engagement. The predetermined tube-form of the tyre barrier 10 still exists when it is picked up. The predetermined tube-form and relationship of the tyres 12, 14 next to each other is retained when the tyre barrier 10 is put down.

Figure 1 also shows where a segment of each tractor tyre 14 has been removed along cut lines 28. Removal of the segments allows the tyre barrier 10 to be placed on the ground and inhibits rolling of the tyre barrier 10. It will be appreciated that removal of a segment is a quick and easy way to make a flat base/platform on which the tyre barrier 10 can sit. It will be appreciated that the cut line 28 could be in a different position to remove a smaller or a larger segment of the tyres 14. If a larger segment is removed the rolling surface of the car tyres 12 may be in contact with the ground.

Figure 2 is an end view of the tyre barrier of Figure 1. In Figure 2 the arrangement of the straps 18 can be seen which pass through the central hole 29 of the tyres 12, 14. The bar 22 can also been seen passing through the central hole 29 of the tyres 12, 14.

Figure 3 is a side view of a tyre barrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 30. Features of the embodiment of Figure 3 that are like similar features of the embodiment of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 3 the tractor tyres 14 have been omitted so that the tyre barrier 30 only comprises ten car tyres 12 which are strapped together using two ratchet straps or bands 18.

Figure 4 is a side view of a tyre barrier according to a third embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 40. This barrier is similar to the embodiment of Figure 3 but each tyre 12 has a portion 44 removed so that that the entire barrier 40 can be lifted and placed over a central reservation barrier 42 on a motorway. Figure 5 shows an end view of the embodiment of Figure 4 which shows where the portion has been removed at 44. Figure 5 also shows the central reservation barrier 42. Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment 50 whereby instead of removing a portion 44 of the tyres they are merely cut at a base region shown as line 52 so that they can be manipulated over and around the central reservation barrier 42. The tyres may be twisted out of a plane transverse to the elongate length of the barrier 42.

Figure 7 is a side view of the tyre barrier of Figure 3 with an over wrap 60. The over wrap 60 may be a plastics material (e.g. cellophane) wrapping which is wrapped around the tyre barrier 30. The skilled person will know the requirements for wrapping the tyre barrier 30 with such a cellophane wrapping. In an alternative embodiment the over wrap 60 is a heat shrinkable wrapping or sock. It is also envisaged that the heat shrinkable sock or the cellophane wrapping can be made of a fire-resistant or fire-proof material. It will be appreciated that if the over wrap 60 has the required strength it is possible to omit the straps 18 for holding the tyres 12 together so that the over wrap 60 holds the tyres together. The bar 22 may also be omitted if the tyres are otherwise held and supported as a unit. The over wrap 60 can be chosen to be any suitable bright colour so that the tyre barrier 30 can be seen more easily.

It is also envisaged that the over wrap 60 can be used for advertising.

This may be the case if the tyre barrier 30 is used at racecar circuits.

The tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 can be used in conjunction with the central reservation barrier 42 of a motorway, or at road works. In these situations they provide protection to workmen at road works, and are safer for the vehicle driver in case of impact. In the case of using the tyre barriers at road works the barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 can be delivered to the site of the road works with a lorry having a lifting arm. The barriers can then be placed in situ using the lifting arm as required, so that they are free standing on the road. Alternatively the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 can be grouped together as a unit in a stack of three tyre barriers, so that they are arranged in parallel to one another in the unit 70 as shown in Figure 8. The bottom two tyres of the unit 70 are provided with a base at cut lines 28 whereas the top tyre does not require such a cut line. The unit can then be moved into place by the lifting arm and connected to other units if required.

It is also intended that the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 have other general uses, for example at docks to protect ships from hitting a dock or quayside wall. In this scenario the hoops 26 can be used to hang the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 between on a dock wall so that it is between a ship and the dock wall. A further use for the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 is in lorry delivery bays where they can be either suspended from delivery bay walls or placed on the ground. In this arrangement the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 can protect both the lorries and the delivery bay building from damage.

In use the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50 can be connected together using the hoops 26 so that they form a chain as shown in Figure 9. Such a chain has the benefit of providing a greater degree of resistance to movement than a single barrier in the event of impact from a vehicle. The chain can also be arranged to fit around corners of buildings or corners of dock walls. In this arrangement the chain is arranged as an L shape. In the event of one tyre barrier of the chain catching fire, other tyre barriers can be removed from the chain to isolate the fire.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a tyre barrier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 80. The tyre barrier is similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 except that the tractor tyres 14 at the ends of the barrier 80 are secured to the car tyres 12 so that the central axis of each tractor tyres is perpendicular to the central axis of the car tyres 12. In this way the tractor tyres 14 are rotated through 90 degrees relative to the car tyres 12. The tractor tyres 14 and the car tyres 12 are secured together using straps 18 in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 1. Alternatively the straps can be passed through holes which has been made in a radial wall of each tractor tyre.

This may provide greater stability to the tyre barrier. The tractor tyres 14 are offset from the central axis of the car tyres 12 for the reasons described below.

Figure 11 shows a side view of the tyre barrier 90 of Figure 10 and shows the arrangement of the strap 18 which passes through the central hole of the tractor tyres 14. The ratchet clamp 20 is also shown for tightening the strap 18. The tyre barrier 90 has the benefit of being narrower than the tyre barrier of Figure 1 and can be used as a lane divider, for example in traffic contra flow systems. The tyre barrier 90 also has the benefit that it stands up on its own without the need to remove a segment or portion of the tyres 12, 14. The barrier 90 can also be shrink wrapped in a similar manner to the other embodiments of the invention. Figure 11 also shown each tractor tyre 14 with a metal hoop 26.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a plurality of lyre barriers 90 arranged in a chain 100 so that the tractor tyres 14 of adjacent barriers nest together within the overall envelope of the chain 100. The chain 100 shows the advantages of offsetting the tractor tyres 14 which makes the overall profile of the chain 100 thinner. Tractor tyres 14 of adjacent barriers 90 can be tied together using the metal hoops and rope 102.

It is also intended that the centre of the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50, 90 can be filled with a material, for example foam. Preferably a fire resistant or fire retardant foam. In another embodiment the tyres are filled with sand. In the case of filling the tyres with sand the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50, 90 are provide with end caps such that the through hole of the tube of tyres can be closed. Such end caps can be provided by attaching a circular metal sheet to the opening of the end tyres of the tyre barriers 10, 30, 40, 50, 90 using self-tapping screws or using bolts. Contact of the metal sheet with the rubber tyre provides a good seal to inhibit sand from leaking out of the tyre barrier.

It will be appreciated that other ways of inhibiting rolling of the tyre barrier 10, 30, 40, 90 are envisaged such as providing them with an off centre weight, or using chocks engaging a rolling surface of one of the tyres 12, 14. In an alternate embodiment the tyre barrier is provided with ground anchors for fastening them to the ground. Such ground anchors may be simply provided by attaching a bolt through one of the tyres 12, 14, the bolt having a hook or eye for securing the tyres barriers 10, 30, 40, 50, 90 to the ground with rope chain etc.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit.

2. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises at least one strap, wire, band or cord.

3. A barrier according to claim 2, wherein the at least one strap, wire, band or cord is arranged to pass through a central hole defined by the tube.

4. A barrier according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the barrier comprises two straps, wires, bands or cords.

5. A barrier according to claim 4, wherein the straps, wires, bands or cords are arranged to be diametrically opposite one another on the tube.

6. A barrier according to any of claims 2 -6, wherein each strap wire, band or cord is provided with a ratchet clamp or other tightening device.

7. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier includes a support frame.

8. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the support frame is the securing means.

9. A barrier according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the support frame includes a bar arranged to pass through the tube at least partially along the length of the barrier.

10. A barrier according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the bar has two portions, or end portions adapted to enable the barrier to be lifted.

11. A barrier according to claim 10, wherein each portion or end portion is arranged to pass through a circumferential wall or a sidewall of a respective one of the tyres.

12. A barrier according to any of claims 7 -11, wherein the support frame, or the barrier, is provided with at least one attachment means such as an eye or a hook.

13. A barrier according to claim 12, and further including attachment means at the ends thereof.

14. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein a segment of at least one tyre has been removed to provide a flat base for the barrier.

15. A barrier according to claim 14 wherein a segment of each tyre is removed to provide a flat base for the barrier.

16. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein each tyre is cut through the radial walls of the tyre and the rolling surface thereof to provide a through-cut along the length of the barrier, the tyres having portions that are separated from each other either side of the through-cut.

17. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein each tyre has a portion removed to provide a channel along the length of the barrier.

18. A barrier according to any preceding claim, and further provided with an over wrap which wraps the tyres and at least assists in binding them together.

19. A barrier according to claim 18, wherein the over wrap is a plastic sheet wrapping, or mesh sleeve, or a sock.

20. A barrier according to claim 19 wherein the over wrap or the sock is heat shrinkable.

21. A barrier according to any of claims 18 -20, wherein the over wrap is made of a fire-resistant or fire-proof material.

22. A barrier according to any of claims 18 -21, wherein the over wrap is brightly coloured or has brightly coloured sections.

23. A barrier according to any of claims 18 -22, wherein the wrap is, or has, sections that are reflective.

24. A barrier according to any of claims 18 -23, wherein the over wrap carries advertising information.

25.A barrier according to any of claims 18 -24, wherein the over wrap is the securing means.

26. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier comprises a combination of large diameter and smaller diameter tyres.

27 A barrier according to claim 26, wherein the barrier comprises at least ten car tyres.

28. A barrier according to claim 26, wherein the barrier comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more tyres.

29. A barrier according to claim 26 or claim 28, wherein the barrier comprises two used tractor or lorry tyres.

30. A barrier according to claim 29, wherein the tractor or lorry tyres are arranged to be the end tyres of the barrier.

31. A barrier tube according to claim 30 wherein the tractor or lorry tyres at the ends of the barrier tube are arranged so that the central axis of each tractor or lorry tyre is perpendicular to the central axis of the barrier tube.

32. A barrier tube according to claim 31 wherein the tractor or lorry tyres are offset from the central axis of the barrier tube.

33. A barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the hole defined by the tube of tyres is at least partially filled with foam.

34. A barrier according to claim 33, wherein the foam is a fire resistant or fire retardant foam.

35. A barrier according to any of claims 1 -32, wherein the hole defined by the tube of tyres is at least partially filled with sand, or complete or parts of old tyres.

36. A barrier according to claim 35, and further provided with end closures or caps such that the hole defined by the tube of tyres is closed.

II

37. A barrier according to any preceding claim, and further provided with at least one chock engagable with a rolling surface of one of the tyres.

38. A barrier according to any preceding claim, and further provided with at least one ground anchor for fastening the barrier to the ground.

39. A barrier according to claim 38, wherein the ground anchor comprise a bolt through one of the tyres of the barrier, the bolt having an anchor hook or anchor eye.

40. A barrier according to any preceding claim and further treated with a fire retardant.

41. A plurality of the barriers according to any preceding claim arranged in a stack with their longitudinal axes extending generally horizontally and tied together as a unit.

42. A plurality of the barriers according to claim 41 comprising three barriers in the unit with a generally triangular arrangement in cross-section and so that they are parallel to one another.

43. A plurality of the barriers according to any of claims 1 -40 connected together to form a chain.

44. A method of recycling tyres comprising making a barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit.

45. A method of improving the resilience of existing crash barriers comprising; taking a barrier tube including a plurality of tyres arranged adjacent to one another on a central axis of the tyres so that they form a tube, the tyres being secured together with securing means such that the tube can be moved bodily as a single unit, each tyre being cut through the radial walls of the tyre and the rolling surface thereof to provide a through-cut or channel along the length of the barrier, the tyres having portions that are separated from each other either side of the through-cut; and placing the barrier over and around the existing barrier so that the portions pass over either side of the existing barrier.

46. A barrier as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 4, 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.