GB2496098A

GB2496098A - Work zone demarcation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2496098A
Application number: GB1117147.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Burrow; John Hastie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-05
Filing date: 2011-10-05
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Also published as: GB201117147D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for delimiting a work area 24, the apparatus comprises a body 12 of high-visibility material, wherein the body is configurable from a deployed state in which the apparatus defines the boundary of a work area, to a stowed state in which the apparatus is portable and is smaller than the defined work area. The body 12 is substantially planar, having an underside (16, Fig 2) which is to be laid on a ground surface in the deployed state. Preferably, the body may be flexible to allow the apparatus to be rolled or folded from the deployed state into the stowed state.

Description

High-visibility apparatus for defining a work area The present invention relates to apparatus for defining a work area.

S

In designated worksites such as building sites, people using those sites are generally aware of any potential hazards that may occur, and appropriate safety precautions are taken. For example. hard hats may be worn. 1-lowever, work such as installation or repair work is often undertaken away from such sites, in areas where people may not be anticipating hazards and will not take safety precautions as a matter of course.

It is recognised that alerting people to the existence of such unexpected work areas decreases the risk of injury. This is of particular importance where the work area in question is, for example, in a public area or at a client's premises. Even on designated worksites work may be carried out in unexpected areas.

It is known to alert people to the existence of work areas using warning signs with pictures or writing indicating potential hazards. However, it can be difficult with such signs to give an indication of the work area limits. Signs may not be seen if people are looking elsewhere as they approach an area.

An alternative is to use barriers to prevent access to a work area, and to indicate a work area's limits. However, when so used, access to the work area may be hindered for workers. In addition, barriers can be heavy, unwieldy and time-consuming to transport and erect. They must also be stored when not in use. It can be difficult to adapt known barriers to suit different work areas.

There is a requirement for an improved form of work area indication to address one or more of the problems outlined above.

According to the present invention there is provided a high-visibility apparatus for delimiting a work area, the apparatus comprising a body of high-visibility material. The body is configurable from a deployed state in which the apparatus defines the boundary of a work area. to a stowed state in which the apparatus is portable and is smaller than the defined work

I

area. The body is substantially planar, having an underside to be laid on a ground surface in the deployed state.

The body may have a first end and a second end, and may comprise a releasable connection S between the first and second ends. Alternatively, the body may comprise two or more members of high-visibility matenal each having a first end and a second end, and at least one releasable connection between a first end of one member and a second end of another member.

The or each connection may comprise overlapping first and second ends, and/or may comprise a hook and oop fastener. The apparatus may further comprise a length of reflective material at the or each connection.

The body may have at least one predetermined point at which that body is foldable for 1 5 configuring the apparatus to the stowed state.

The apparatus may be weighted such that unwanted displacement of the apparatus is inhibited.

The body may be fluorescent.

The body may be flexible to allow the apparatus to be rolled or folded into the stowed state.

The body may define an enclosure, which may be substantially circular. The diameter of the enclosure may be between 3600mm and 4400mm. The body may have a width of between 250mm and 350mm.

In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus has a mass in the region of 15 to 20 kg or tess, for example substantially in the region of 10 to 15 kg, so as to be readily portable by a single user.

There is further provided a safety kit having a portable container and a high-visibility apparatus for delimiting a work area, the apparatus comprising a body of high-visibility material. The apparatus is configurable from a deployed state in which the marker defines the boundary of a work area, to a stowed state in which the marker is portabk and is smaller than the defined work area. The container is configured to receive the apparatus when the apparatus is in the stowed state.

S Other aspects and preferred features of the invention will be readily apparent from the claims and following description of preferred embodiments made, by way of example oniy, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a high-visibility marker in a deployed state, in which the marker 1 0 defines the boundary of a work area; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the marker of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a layout of a sheet of material from which a body of the marker of Figures 1 and 2 is cut; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of a bag for the marker of Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, apparatus for defining a work area is indicated generally at 10. The apparatus 10 takes the foim of a high visibility marker 10, which is configurable between a first, deployed state (as shown in Figure 1) and a second, stowed state (not shown).

When in the deployed state, the marker 10 is intended to be laid substantially horizontally on a ground or working surface, to define the boundary of a specific work area.

The marker 10 has a body 12 formed from a high-visibility material such as fluorescent or highly-coloured material. The body 12 is planar, having an upper side 14 and an underside 16. The underside 16 of the body 12 is intended to be laid on a ground surface, in use.

In this embodiment, the body 12 is elongate and has a first end 18 and a second end 20.

When the marker 10 is in the deployed state, the first and second ends 18. 20 may be arranged to meet at a connection 22. to define an enclosure or work area 24.

In this embodiment, the enclosure 24 is substantially circular, having a diameter x as shown on Figure 1. In this embodiment, the diameter is 4000mm, though it may be between 3600mm and 4400mm. The body 12 has a width y that is in this embodiment 300mm, though it may be between 250mm and 350mm. The body 12 has a thickness of between 2mm and 5 mm.

The body 12 is in this embodiment assemhled from four curved members 13. The members 13 may be cut from a single sheet of material 34. e.g. as shown in Figure 3. Each member 13 has a first end 13a and a second end 13b, and curves between those ends through a quadrant of an annulus. The members 13 are stitched or otherwise attached to one another at three points 15 to foun the body 12, with a first end 13a of one member 13 being attached to a second end 13b of another member 13, and so on. The free first and second ends 13a, 13b form the first and second ends 18. 20 of the body 12.

Figure 2 is an example of a suitable connection 22 for use between first and second ends of the body 12. The connection 22 is formed by overlapping the first and second ends 18, 20 of the body 12. The first end 18 has a strip of hook fastener material 26 attached to the underside 16. The second end 20 has a corresponding strip of ioop fastener material 28 attached to the upper side 18. When the first and second ends 18, 20 overlap, the strips 26, 28 can contact one another and be releasably fastened together. The connection 22 serves to secure the marker 10 as an enclosure in the deployed state.

The marker 10 further includes a plurality of reflective sections 30. The reflective sections consist in this embodiment of reflective material which differs visually from the high-visibility material used to form the body 12. Reflective sections 30 are attached to the body 12 at the connection 22 and the points 15, so as to indicate the whereabouts of those features.

This is of particular use when deploying or disassembling the marker 10 in poor visibility, for example at dusk or in the dark. The section 30 at the connection 22 may differ from those at the points 15, so that the connection 22 may be easily identified.

The marker 10 is weighted to inhibit unwanted movement of the marker 10 whilst in the deployed state. An elongate weight 36 is connected to the body 12 at each point 15 and at the connection 22 iii order to weight the marker 10. Each weight 36 is connected to the body 12 by means of a compartment 38. The respective weight 36 is stitched or otherwise secured in the compartment 38, and each compartment 38 is stitched or otherwise attached to the underside 16 of the body 12.

S

The weights 36 are not so heavy as to inhibit moving the marker 10 when so desired, but limit the possibility of unwanted movement of the marker 10. In this embodiment, the weights 36 are such that the total mass of the marker 10 is no more than 15kg. so that the marker 10 is portable by a single user.

In use, the marker 10 is carried to the intended work location in the stowed state. It is then deployed by fastening the strips 26, 28 of the connection 22 to one another and positioning the marker 10 at a desired location in order to delimit an intended work area. \Vhen the work is finished, the marker 10 is disassembled into the stowed state by undoing the hoolc and loop fastener material at the connection 22 and folding the body 12, e.g. at the points 15. Once folded, the marker 10 is smaller than in the deployed state, and can be easily stored or carried to another location where a work area must be defined.

A bag 32 (e.g. as shown in Figure 4) is provided, into which the marker 10 may be packed to improve ease of carrying. The bag 32 has straps 33 by which the bag 32 may be carried on a user's back or slung over a shoulder. The bag 32 has a closure 35, which is in this embodiment in the form of a zip 35, to secure the marker 10 within the bag 32.

A full enclosure is not always required, especially where part of the work area boundary is defined by existing features such as walls. The marker 10 can be used in a partially folded state to define a work area that is not circular. e.g. to define a semi-circular work area the marker 10 can be folded in half.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the members may be releasably connected to one another as at the connection 22, so that the marker 1 0 may be disassembled into four parts when in the second state, rather than folded. The members of this embodiment may be used singly, to define a quadrant, or two members may be connected to define a semi-circle. Such formations are particularly useful when calTying out work adjacent to a wall.

The weights may be removable from the compartments, or the compartments may be removable from the body, e.g. attached to the body by strips of hook and loop fastener material, so that additional weight can be added when required, for example if conditions are particularly windy.

In alternative embodiments the members 13 may be cut from different sheets of material, e.g. materials of different colours to create a particular pattern.

The marker 10 is particulafly suited for use by a lone user. The given dimensions of the body 12 mean that the marker 10 defines a work area 18 large enough for one person to carry out jobs such as checking, testing or inspection Advantageously, the marker 10 is lightweight, so can be carried by a single user, and is suitable for temporary use for jobs that take a relatively short period of time. The minimal thickness allows the body 12 to be easily crossed, so that access is easily gained to the work area 20 when entry is intended, but the high-visibility nature of the marker 10 is such that unintended entry into a work area should be inhibited.

The marker lO creates a clear boundary for a work area. The tluorescent or highly coloured material of the body 12 makes the marker 10 easy to see, and the lengths of reflective material also serve to improve visibility.

Although specific sizes have been discussed, the marker 10 can be of other suitable sizes. A suitable size for the marker 10 is one which maintains high visibility of the marker 10 without hindering portability.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims I. Apparatus for delimiting a work area, the apparatus comprising: a body of high-visibility matenal; wherein the body is configurable from a deployed state in which the apparatus defines the boundary of a work area, to a stowed state in which the apparatus is portable and is smaller than the defined work area; and wherein the body is substantially planar, having an underside which is to be laid on a ground surface in the deployed state.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the body has a first end and a second end, and comprises a releasable connection for interconnecting said first and second ends, for selectively defining an enclosed work area.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Apparatus according to claim i or claim 2 wherein the body comprises a plurality of members of high-visibility material, each member having a first end and a second end, and at least one releasable connection, for interconnection of said first and second ends.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the or each releasable connection comprises overlapping of said respective first and second ends.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the or each releasable connection comprises a hook and loop fastener.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 further comprising reflective material for demarking the or each point of releasable connection.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the body is flexible to allow the apparatus to be rolled or folded from said deployed state into the stowed state.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the body has at least one predetermined point at which that body is foldable, for configuring the apparatus to the stowed state.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is weighted such that unwanted displacement of the apparatus is inhibited.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a weight connected to the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the body is elongate, having a first end and a second end, and wherein the weight is provided at one or both of said ends.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the body is 1 0 fluorescent.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is configured to define a substantially circular enclosure.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the body comprises a plurality of arcuate sections connected to one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the diameter of the enclosure is between 3600mm and 4400mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the body has a width of between 250mm and 350mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus has a mass in the region of 15 to 20 kg or less, so as to be readily portable by a single user.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A safety kit comprising a portable container and a marker for delimiting a work area, wherein the marker comprises a body of high-visibility material; wherein the marker is configurable between a deployed state in which the marker defines the boundary of a work area, and a stowed state in which the marker is portable and is smaller than the defined work area; and wherein the container is configured to receive the marker when the marker is in the stowed state.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A safety kit according to claim 18 wherein the marker comprises an apparatus in accordance with one or more of claims I to 17.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>