GB2462354A

GB2462354A - Temporary barrier unit

Info

Publication number: GB2462354A
Application number: GB0913134A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Whiteley
Original assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-29
Also published as: GB201011188D0; GB2462354B; GB2470665A; GB0913134D0

Abstract

A temporary barrier unit, particularly for directing the flow of traffic and pedestrians, comprises at least one foot and a separate generally elongate planar panel. In use the foot holds the panel upright and is orientated at an angle to the panel such that the majority of the foot is to one side (away from pedestrians) of the panel, to minimise the trip hazard. The foot may be hollow and may receive a weight. There may be a stabilizing nose securable to the foot, which may project from an opposite side of the barrier to the foot, be of a low profile form and/or be brightly coloured. The foot may be capable of being orientated in a stacking position that is aligned with the panel, or may a have a recess so that it nests with feet from other barriers. The feet may have weights, which may be nestable, at their extremities.

Description

Barrier This invention relates to an apparatus for the provision of a temporary barrier.

It is often necessary to provide means of diverting the course and flow of both traffic and pedestrians, as a result of, but not limited to, maintenance work to roads or pavements. It is preferable that these means are temporary, so that they may be put in place before the maintenance work is carried out and removed after completion.

One technique utilised is that of the use of temporary barriers of heavy-duty, high visibility coloured plastic construction. These barriers consist of a plurality of similar barrier units linked to one another. Each barrier unit comprises a single hollow unit, of generally cuboidal shape, sized so as to be easily visible to, and provide sufficient obstruction to, that which is to be diverted. The barrier units are hollow to enable their filling with ballast, for example sand or water, to anchor them in place when in the desired position and to provide extra stability.

These existing barrier units have two main disadvantages in that, first, due to their hollow construction, they are very space inefficient and hence occupy a large volume of space when they are to be stored or transported; secondly, they have an adverse effect on the environment as, due to the requirement that they be of high visibility coloured composition, they must usually be manufactured from virgin plastic and hence liffle or no recycled material can be used in their construction.

Both of these drawbacks to this type of barrier unit design result in an increase in costs; both in transportation/storage and in manufacture.

Another type of (lighter duty) barrier comprises a plurality of inter-engageable panels some or each of which are engageable with elongate feet whose plane is disposed generally at right angles to the plane of the panels, giving enhanced stability, but having the disadvantages that the protrusions of the feet disposed on the side of the barrier used by pedestrians constitutes a tripping hazard.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier unit comprising at least one foot member and a separate, generally elongate, planar panel member, the foot member(s) and panel member co-operating with one another, in use, such that the foot member(s) hold(s) the panel member in an upright configuration, the foot member being orientated in use at an angle to the plane of the panel member and such that at least a majority of or substantially all of the foot member is to one side of said panel member, said one side being, in use, disposed away from pedestrians.

The or each foot member is preferably arranged such that when the panels are disconnected from one another (e.g. for storage or transit) they may be stacked close together without the foot members hindering the forming of the stack. In a preferred arrangement the or each foot member is arranged to be capable of being orientated in a stacking position, relative to its panel member such that it is aligned with the plane of the panel member, and preferably of similar width. In another arrangement each foot member is arranged to have a recess into which the similar foot member of another barrier unit be nested', so enabling stacking.

Desirably the, or at least some of the, foot members are provided with weights preferably at their extremities (furthest away from the panel members when in use).

Said weights may be integral with the foot members or separate but preferably engageable with each foot when in use. If separate, the weights are desirably arranged to be stackable or nestable as between themselves. They may for example be saddle-shaped, generally inverted U-shaped or housing-shaped so as to overlie an extremity of each foot member. They may be disposed and shaped so as to be usable in multiples on the same foot. They preferably each house means for locating them relative to a foot member with which they are to co-operate.

When used together, the panel members may each have one or two foot members or they may be arranged so as to share a foot member. The foot member may be of hollow construction, and may include an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof, thereby additionally assisting in anchoring the base member in position. The panel member is conveniently of hollow construction, and may include an opening to permit the introduction of ballast into the hollow interior thereof.

The or each foot member is preferably of hollow form, and is preferably adapted to receive a removable weight. It will be appreciated that the provision of such a weight can enhance the stability of the barrier.

A stabilising nose may be securable to the foot member. The nose may be arranged to project from an opposite side of the barrier panel. Conveniently the nose is shaped to be of low profile form, to reduce the risk of the formation of a trip hazard.

It may further be brightly or otherwise coloured so as to be of enhanced visibility. The nose preferably incorporates a projection or tongue arranged to be received within a recess or groove formed in the foot member to secure the nose to the foot member.

The foot member may include at least one recess adapted to receive a projection of the panel member to secure the panel member thereto, or vice-versa.

Connector means is preferably provided for interconnecting the panel member with a similar, adjacent panel member. The connector means may comprise a peg located adjacent one edge of the panel member and a socket located adjacent an opposite edge of the panel member, the socket being shaped to receive the peg of an adjacent similar panel member.

At least one vent may be formed through the panel member, thereby reducing wind resistance.

The invention also relates to a barrier comprising a plurality of barrier units of the type described hereinbefore secured to one another in an end-to-end configuration.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear three-quarter view of a first barrier unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front three-quarter view of the first barrier unit of Figure 1, shown engageably linked to a similar unit.

Figure 3 is a front view of a second barrier unit according to the invention shown with foot members interconnected thereto and disposed in a transit position.

Figure 4 is a partial front view of the second barrier unit according to the invention shown with foot members interconnected thereto and disposed in a position ready for use.

Figure 5 is an end view of a stack of second barrier units.

Figure 6 and Figure 7 are front three-quarter and rear three-quarter views of a foot member forming part of the second barrier unit shown in Figures 3 and 4 detached from the panel members of the barrier unit.

Figure 8 is a front view of a third barrier unit according to the invention, having foot members similar to those shown in the first unit linked to a panel member similar to that shown in the second embodiment unit.

Figure 9 is a rear three-qUarter view of a foot member of the third barrier unit shown schematically about to be engaged by a weight unit.

Figure 10 is a rear three-quarter view of a foot member of the third barrier unit shown schematically with the weight unit attached.

Figure 11 is a front three-quarter view of a foot member of the third barrier unit shown schematically with the weight unit attached.

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a series of the weight units stacked for transit.

Figure 13 is a front three-quarter view of three of the linked barrier units engaged to form a barrier according to the invention.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a foot assembly of a barrier according to another embodiment.

Figure 15 is a view of the underside of the foot assembly of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a view of a weight adapted for use in this arrangement.

The barrier unit shown in Figure 1 comprises a panel member 10 and a foot member 20 integral therewith. The foot member 12 projects substantially from a rear of the panel member (in a direction, in use, away from pedestrians), and it is shaped such that it can nest with similar foot members by virtue of a cut-away portion 22 into which may be received the toe 24 of the foot member of a neighbouring barrier unit when the units are stacked for transitfstorage. It is envisaged that the panel member will be of blow moulded plastics material form and of dimensions approximately Im by 1.5m, and that the foot member 20 will be injection moulded, but the invention is not restricted in this regard.

Figure 2 shows a pair of the barrier units of Figure 1 engageably linked together by peg/spigot and socket joints 26.

Figure 3 shows a second barrier unit of lower height than that of Figures 1 and 2 having a panel member 100 and foot members 120 which are releasably engageable to the panel members 100 by means of connection means shown generally as 126 co-operable with complementary formations (not shown) on the panel member. The connection means 126 (Figures 6 and 7) are mounted for pivotal movement, by means of a pivot 128, on a foot element 130. The amount of movement of the pivot 128 is in this example limited to 90°. Thus in one position the foot member when filled to the panel member has its feet disposed in a transit position i.e. in line with the plane of the panel member (Figure 3) allowing a plurality of panel members to be stacked together (see Figure 5), and in an in-use position (for use as a barrier) the feet may be disposed at right angles to the plane of the panel member as shown in Figure 4. The foot members are disposed in use with the foot element 130 on the same side of the panel member towards a working area and away from pedestrians thus avoiding a tripping hazard.

Figure 8 shows a barrier unit having a panel member having demountable foot members 220 similar in shape to those shown in Figures 1 and 2. However they are demountable from the panel member 200 by means of connection means 226 which are generally similar to those of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The foot members 220 are generally saddle-shaped to allow them to nest one in another (whether filled to the panel member or demounted from it).

Figure 9 shows a foot member 220 about to be stabilised by a weight unit 230 which is of generally inverted U shape to overlie the toe 224 of the foot member 220, each being provided with a hollow spigot 232 receivable in a complementary recess 234 provided on the foot member 220 to locate the weight unit relative thereto. The shape of the weight units allows them to be nested as shown in Figure 12, for transit/storage, and also allows two or more nested weights to be used with a foot member 220, the spigots 232 nesting within recesses 232a. It will be noted that the foot members are disposed in use with their toes 224 disposed on one side of the panel member, away from the pedestrians, avoiding a tripping hazard as in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The barrier units may be nested with their foot members in-situ on the panel members, or the foot units can be removed or stacked (nested) separately. The weight units should be removed before stacking of the barrier units because they need to be stacked separately being of appreciable weight and because the barrier units with weights intact would be unwieldy, and heavy.

Figure 13 shows a plurality of linked barrier units in-situ on a pavement with their foot members disposed away from the pedestrian area so avoiding a tripping hazard.

Desirably, the panel member is composed of virgin material, whilst the base member comprises recycled material. Due to the high visibility nature of the panel member it is not usually possible to manufacture this component purely from recycled material. Manufacturing the base member from recycled material, at least in part, not only reduces the burden of manufacture on the environment, but also reduces fabrication costs.

It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the invention for example the foot members in the first embodiment may be made reversible as in those of the third embodiment.

In each of the arrangements described hereinbefore each foot member, in use, projects only or substantially only to one side of the barrier. It will be appreciated, therefore, that no additional trip hazard is presented to pedestrians to the side of the barrier to which the foot members do not project. There may be situations where the projection of the foot members to the pedestrian's side of 5teh barrier by a small distance and/or at a low profile is acceptable and does not result in an unacceptably large trip hazard being presented. Figures 14 to 16 illustrate an arrangement of this type.

Referring to Figures 14 to 16 there is illustrated a foot assembly 310 intended for use with a barrier panel, for example of the type described hereinbefore. The foot assembly 310 comprises a moulded plastics foot member 312 having a generally cylindrical opening or recess 314 adapted to receive a leg of the barrier panel. The foot member 312 is of tapering form, the opening 314 being formed adjacent one end of the foot member 312, and in use the foot member 312 is orientated so that it projects to the side of the barrier panel disposed away from the area in which pedestrians are able or intended to walk.

The foot member 312 is of hollow form, as best shown in Figure 15, and the underside of the foot member 312 is open to provide access to the hollow interior thereof. A weight 316, as shown in Figure 16, is receivable within the hollow interior.

The weight 316 is formed with a slot or recess 318 which accommodates a strengthening rib 320 formed within the foot member 312. If desired, two or more such recesses may be provided to allow the accommodation of additional ribs. It will be appreciated that the provision of the weight enhances the stability of the barrier unit, and the location of the weight within the foot member reduces the formation of trip hazards, reduces the risk of the weight being removed, and enhances the look of the assembly.

The foot assembly further comprises a nose member 322 of generally L-shaped form. The nose member 322 is hollow, and the upstanding limb thereof is formed with a projection or tongue 324 adapted to be received within a corresponding recess or groove 326 of the foot member 312 to secure the nose member 322 to the foot member 312. In use, the nose member 322 projects to the side of the barrier on which pedestrians can walk. Although projection of the nose member 322 in this manner represents a trip hazard, the nose member 322 projects only by a relatively small distance, and the nose member 322 is of low or thin profile. Consequently, the trip hazard so formed is small. To further reduce the trip hazard so formed, the nose member 322 is conveniently coloured so as to be of high visibility.

The provision of the nose member 322 assists in stabilising the barrier unit, the enhancements to the stability being achieved in a manner which does not significantly increase the formation of trip hazards.

If desired the nose member 322 and/orweight 316 could be formed integrally with the foot member 312, if desired.

It will be appreciated that, in this arrangement, although pad of the foot member 312, in particular the nose member 322 thereof, projects to the pedestrian's side of the barrier, the majority of the foot member 312 is location to the opposite side of the barrier, and so the trip hazard presented is small. Further, the nose member 322 is of low profile and is of high visibility thereby further reducing the risk of a pedestrian tripping.

A number of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described hereinbefore without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A barrier unit comprising at least one foot member and a separate, generally elongate, planar panel member, the foot member(s) and panel member co-operating with one another, in use, such that the foot member(s) hold(s) the panel member in an upright configuration, the foot member being orientated in use at an angle to the plane of the panel member and such that at least a majority of or substantially all of the foot member is to one side of said panel member, said one side being, in use, disposed away from pedestrians.
2. A barrier unit according to Claim 1, wherein the or each foot member is of hollow form.
3. A barrier unit according to Claim 2, wherein the or each foot member is adapted to receive a removable weight.
4. A barrier unit according to any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stabilising nose securable to the foot member.
5. A barrier unit according to Claim 4, wherein the nose is arranged to project from an opposite side of the barrier panel.
6. A barrier unit according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the nose is shaped to be of low profile form, to reduce the risk of the formation of a trip hazard.
7. A barrier unit according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the nose is brightly or otherwise coloured so as to be of enhanced visibility.
8. A barrier unit according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the nose incorporates a projection or tongue arranged to be received within a recess or groove formed in the foot member to secure the nose to the foot member.
9. A barrier unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each foot member is arranged such that when the panels are disconnected from one another they can be stacked close together without the foot members hindering the forming of the stack.
10. A barrier unit according to Claim 9, wherein the or each foot member is arranged to be capable of being orientated in a stacking position, relative to its panel member such that it is aligned with the plane of the panel member.
11. A barrier unit according to Claim 9, wherein each foot member is arranged to have a recess into which the similar foot member of another barrier unit be nested', so enabling stacking.
12 A barrier unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the, or at least some of the, foot members are provided with weights at their extremities.
13. A barrier unit according to Claim 12, wherein the weights are arranged to be stackable or nestable as between themselves.
14. A barrier comprising a plurality of barrier units as claimed in any of the preceding claims secured to one another in an end-to-end configuration.