GB2446479A - Barrier system - Google Patents

Abstract

The barrier system, primarily for use as a temporary barrier for crowd control, around excavations and the like, comprises a barrier unit 54 which includes a barrier panel supported upon feet 52 and a ballast container 50 which is connectable to the barrier panel to provide additional support. The ballast container is preferably adapted to sit upon the surface upon which the barrier stands. The container may comprise a bracket designed to co-operate with the barrier panel, and the bracket may include formations to secure the container to the panel, preferably in a snap-fit. Alternatively the container may be formed from a sheet of plastic which comprises a base 56 and a pair of sides 58 that can be moved from a planar configuration to an in-use configuration where the sides are raises such that hook-like formations 60 on the side portions can engage a foot of the barrier.

Description

Barrier Arrangement This invention relates to a barrier arrangement,

for example a temporary barrier arrangement intended to be placed around or adjacent holes, cavities or trenches formed in, for example, footpaths, pavements or walkways, to improve the visibility of the holes, cavities or trenches and thereby reduce the risk of pedestrians falling into the holes, cavities or trenches. Other applications include crowd control barriers, traffic barriers, security barriers, and safety fences.

A number of designs of barrier are known for use in such applications.

Typically, the barriers comprise a series of barrier units connected together in an end-to-end configuration, each barrier unit comprising a barrier panel supported upon a pair of spaced legs or feet.

Where barriers are erected on relatively narrow footpaths, pavements or walkways, the feet of the barrier are usually arranged so that they extend in substantially the same direction as the length of the barrier, rather than substantially perpendicular thereto which is the preferred configuration. Arranging the feet so that they extend in substantially the same direction as the length of the barrier is advantageous, in such situations, as the feet do not project significantly onto the footpath, pavement or walkway and so do not present a trip hazard to pedestrians. Although advantageous in that the formation of a trip hazard is reduced or avoided, such orientation of the feet reduces the stability of the barrier.

It is an object of the invention to provide a barrier arrangement suitable for use in such applications and which is of improved stability.

According to the present invention there is provided a barrier arrangement comprising a barrier unit including a barrier panel supported upon feet, and a ballast container connectable to the barrier unit to provide additional support for the barrier urüt.

The ballast container is conveniently adapted to sit upon a surface, and may have a bracket extending therefrom adapted to co-operate with the barrier unit to provide support for the barrier unit. The bracket may be arranged to co-operate with the barrier panel of the barrier unit.

The bracket conveniently includes securing formations, for example snap-fit type formations, to secure the ballast container to the barrier panel.

Alternatively, the ballast container may be co-operable with one of the feet of the barrier unit. It may be movable between an in use configuration and another configuration in which it is of substantially planar form.

The invention further relates to a ballast container adapted for use in the barrier arrangement of the type defined hereinbefore.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating part of a barrier arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view of a barrier unit suitable for use in the invention; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective and front views, respectively, of the ballast container of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1; and Figures 5 to 7 illustrate another embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a barrier arrangement comprising a barrier unit 10 to which is secured a ballast container 12. The barrier unit 10 comprises a barrier panel 14 supported upon a pair of feet 16.

The panel 14 includes upper and lower cross members 18 interconnected by a series of struts 20, the cross members 18 and struts 20 together defining a series of openings. At its ends, the barrier panel 14 is provided with formations 22 to allow the panel 14 to be secured to other, similar panels 14 in an end-to-end configuration.

Although illustrated in Figure 2 with the feet 16 extending perpendicularly to the length of the panel 14, when used in a barrier arrangement on, for example, a relatively narrow footpath, pavement or walkway, it is usual to turn the feet through 90 degrees so that they extend in substantially the same direction as the length of the panel 14. Such orientation of the feet 16 has the advantage that fewer trip hazards are presented to pedestrians passing adjacent the barrier. Unfortunately, the stability of the barner is adversely affected by such orientation of the feet 16.

In order to enhance the stability of the barrier arrangement, the ballast container 12 is secured to the barrier panel 14 as illustrated in Figure 1. The ballast container 12 comprises a bucket 30 integrally formed with a mounting bracket 32. Although the bucket 30 could, potentially, take a wide range of shapes, in the embodiment illustrated it is of tapering, generally rectangular cross-section. The bracket 32 includes a first, upwardly extending arm 34 which is, effectively, an extension of part of the rear wall of the bucket 30, a second, generally horizontally extending wall, 36, and a third, downwardly extending wall 38, spaced from the first wall 34 by a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the cross members 18 of the barrier panel 14.

in use, the barrier arrangement is erected in the desired position with the feet 16 orientated so as to extend in substantially the same direction as the length of the barrier panel 14, if desired. The ballast container 12 is secured to the barrier panel 14 by hooking the bracket 32 over the lower one of the cross member 18. During such fitting, the bracket 32 conveniently flexes a little to allow a projection 40 integrally formed with the bracket 32 to snap into a recess 1 8a formed in the cross member 18, thereby firmly securing the container 12 to the barrier panel 14, and hence to the barrier unit 10.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the dimensions of the container 12 are chosen such that, when fitted to the barrier unit 10, the base of the container rests upon the ground.

It will be appreciated that the application of a ballast material to the container 12, with the container 12 firmly secured to the barrier unit 10, results in the stability of the erected barrier being significantly enhanced.

A range of different ballast material may be used. For example, the ballast material could comprise sand, gravel, sandbags, water, stone, soil or a specially designed weight. To minimise the formation of a trip hazard, the container 12 is conveniently secured to the barrier panel 14 on the side thereof adjacent the hole, trench, cavity or the like being protected by the barrier.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the ballast container 50 is arranged to secure, in use, to the feet 52 of the barrier unit 54.

The ballast container 50 is folded from a flat sheet of, conveniently, a plastics material to form a base 56 and a pair of sides 58. The sides 58 include hook shaped features 60 arranged to fit over parts of the feet 52 such that the positioning of ballast into the container 50 enhances the stability of the barrier unit 54. Cut-outs 64 allow the sides 58 to also bear against the lower part of the panel 14 to transmit stabilizing forces between the panel 14 and the container. A rope 62 or other connector extends between the sides 58, when assembled, to enhance the rigidity of the container 50.

It will be appreciated that this arrangement has the advantage that, when not in use, it folds flat or substantially flat, thereby facilitating storage and transportation. In use, ballast material for example in the form of sand bags or other material filled bags can be positioned in the container 50, with the container positioned as illustrated, to enhance the stability of the barrier unit. Loads applied to the barrier unit are countered either by the ballast load contained in the container, or by the stiffliess of the container, depending upon the direction of the applied load.

It will be appreciated that the description hereinbefore is of specific design of barrier arrangement, and that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the barrier arrangement may be used in a wide range of applications as outlined hereinbefore.

Claims (13)

1. A barrier arrangement comprising a barrier unit including a barrier panel supported upon feet, and a ballast container connectable to the barrier panel to provide additional support for the barrier unit.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the ballast container is adapted to sit upon a surface upon which the barrier unit stands.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ballast container has a bracket extending therefrom adapted to co-operate with the barrier panel to provide support for the barrier panel, and hence the barrier unit.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the bracket includes securing formations to secure the ballast container to the barrier panel.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 4, wherein the formations are snap-fit formations.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ballast container is co-operable with one of the feet of the barrier unit.

7. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1, 2 and 6, wherein the container is movable between an in use configuration and a configuration in which it is of substantially planar form.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein the container is folded, in use, from a flat sheet of a plastics material.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the container includes a base and a pair of sides, the sides being shaped to define hook shaped features.

10. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a ballast material located within the container.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10, wherein the ballast material comprises sand, gravel, sandbags, water, stone, soil or a specially designed weight.

12. A barrier arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

13. A ballast container adapted for use in the barrier arrangement of any of the preceding claims.