GB2504504A

GB2504504A - A reflective control barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2504504A
Application number: GB1213580.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dawson; Daniel James Wolstenholme
Original assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Current assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-31
Filing date: 2012-07-31
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Also published as: GB201213580D0

Abstract

The reflective control barrier 10 comprises a flat panel 12, at least one support foot 14 and one or more tubular posts 16 along the barrier, each having an outer circumference on which a highly reflective material 18 is placed. In use the bars 16 may have a circular cross-section and may be positioned vertically so apertures are formed between them. The reflective material may comprise one or more strips having an adhesive surface so that they can be attached to extend around the tubular posts, there may also be reflective strips 20 on the panel surface. The barrier may be formed from a hollow plastics material and may contain a ballast material.

Description

Reflective Control Barrier [0001] This invention relates to a control barrier, and more specifically to an improved reflective control barrier.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Control barriers are well known in the art and are typically used for directing the flow of traffic or pedestrians. Examples of their uses include directing traffic and/or pedestrians around road works, or simply to fence off and prevent access to hazardous working areas.

[0003] A typical barrier is described in US-A-2002014619 (Off the Wall Products, [C) that comprises a panel that is supported by one or two support assemblies. Barriers often include a reflective portion on the face of the barrier panel so that the barrier is more visible in the dark and low light, and particularly more visible to approaching vehicles using headlights.

[0004] In at least one embodiment, the present invention seeks to provide an improved control barrier that affords better visibility than barriers of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a control barrier comprising a panel and at least one ground engaging portion for supporting the barrier on the ground in an upright configuration, the barrier having one or more tubular members extending along the barrier, each of the one or more tubular members having an outer circumference, wherein said barrier further comprises a highly reflective material around at least one of said one or more circumferences.

[0006] The control barrier of the present invention provides improved visibility from a range of angles.

[0007] In one preferable embodiment, said one or more tubular members extend substantially vertically when the barrier is in said upright configuration.

[0008] Said highly reflective material may comprise one or more highly reflecting strips each adhered to the one or more circumferences. Each of said one or more highly reflecting strips may have a highly reflective surface and an adhesive surface for adhering said strip to the circumference.

[0009] In one embodiment, said highly reflective material extends around 3600 of at least one of said one or more circumferences. Alternatively, said highly reflective material extends around at least 1800 of at least one of said one or more circumferences.

[0010] Said panel may be substantially planar. Additionally or alternatively, said one or more tubular members define apertures in the panel. The control barrier may further comprise at least one reflective strip along a substantially flat surface of said panel.

[0011] Said panel may be formed from hollow plastics material, where said hollow plastics material may contain ballast. The panel may be formed by blow moulding.

[0012] Said at least one ground engaging portion may include one or more feet for supporting the barrier on the ground in an upright configuration.

[0013] In one preferable embodiment, said one or more tubular members each have a substantially circular cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a control barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a control barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figure 1 shows a control barrier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The barrier 10 includes a panel 12 and a ground engaging portion in the form of two feet 14. The panel 12 is substantially planar and, in the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, orientated substantially perpendicularly to the ground when the barrier 10 is supported on the ground by the feet 14. The panel 12 includes a plurality of tubular members 16 that extend along the plane of the panel 12 in a substantially vertical direction when the barrier lOis supported on the ground by the feet 14. At the extreme ends of the panel 12 the tubular members are end tubular members 16a adapted to facilitate connection of the barrier 10 to another barrier or structure. For example, the end tubular members 16a may receive a clamp 22 for clamping the barrier 10 to another barrier or structure.

[0016] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the tubular members 16 define apertures in the panel 12 that may act as wind holes to allow air to pass through the barrier lOso that the barrier 10 is more stable in windy conditions. Additionally, the apertures in the panel 12 reduce the overall weight of the barrier 12 and so reduce production and transportation costs associated with the barrier 12.

[0017] The tubular members 16 may be any elongate shape and are not limited to configurations having a regular circular or polygonal cross section, and may be hollow or otherwise formed. Each tubular member 16 has a circumference and several of the tubular members 16 include a highly reflective material 18 around the circumference. In the preferable embodiment shown in the Figures, the highly reflective material 18 extends around the tubular members 16 entirely (i.e. 3600). The highly reflective material 18 may be any suitable material or coating that provides improved visibility. Particularly preferable highly reflective materials 18 include but are not limited to micro-prismatic materials and glass beaded materials.

[0018] In a particularly preferable embodiment, the highly reflective material 18 is provided by a highly reflective strip that is affixed around the circumference of the tubular members 16. For example, the highly reflective strip may have a highly reflective surface and an adhesive surface for adhering to the circumference of the tubular member. The highly reflective material preferably extends around at least 1800 of the circumferences, and further preferably extends around all 360°of the circumference. In practice, the highly reflective strip may overlap itself around the circumference so that it may adhere to itself. In this embodiment, the angular extent of the strip will be greater than 360° however the outwardly visible highly reflective surface will extend around 360° of the circumference.

[0019] It may also be preferable for the tubular members 16 to have substantially circular cross sections which may facilitate a particularly strong adhesive configuration which may hinder the unauthorized removal of the highly reflective material 18. Other forms of highly reflective material, such as coatings, are within the scope of the present invention.

[0020] The highly reflective material 18 around the circumferences of the tubular members 16 increases the visibility of the barrier 10 from various viewing angles. For example, a line of barriers 10 arranged along a road with the panels 12 of the barriers 10 orientated parallel to a road would have increased visibility from the view point of a car travelling along the road with its head lights switched on. This is in contrast to barriers of the prior art whose reflective portions are affixed to a flat surface of the barrier and are thus optimally viewed from one or a narrow range of angles. Indeed, the barrier 10 of the present invention may additionally include a planar reflective surface 20 arranged on a flat surface of the panel 12 so that visibility of the barrier 10 is further improved from a viewing angle that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panel 12.

[0021] The barrier 10 of the present invention may be any suitable barrier having one or more tubular members 16. In one embodiment, the barrier 10 may have a panel that is formed from hollow plastics material and may additionally contain a ballast to increase the stability of the barrier 10. In one preferable embodiment, the panel 12 may be formed by blow moulding.

[0022] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0023] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0024] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control barrier comprising a panel and at least one ground engaging portion for supporting the barrier on the ground in an upright configuration, the barrier having one or more tubular members extending along the barrier, each of the one or more tubular members having an outer circumference, wherein said barrier further comprises a highly reflective material around at least one of said one or more circumferences.
2. A control barrier according to claim 1, wherein said one or more tubular members extend substantially vertically when the barrier is in said upright configuration.
3. A control barrier according to claim I or 2, wherein said highly reflective material comprises one or more highly reflecting strips each adhered to the one or more circumferences.
4. A control barrier according to claim 3, wherein each of said one or more highly reflecting strips has a highly reflective surface and an adhesive surface for adhering said strip to the circumference.
5. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said highly reflective material extends around 360° of at least one of said one or more circumferences.
6. A control barrier according to any of claims ito 4, wherein said highly reflective material extends around at least 180° of at least one of said one or more circumferences.
7. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said panel is substantially planar.
8. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more tubular members define apertures in the panel.
9. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one reflective strip along a substantially flat surface of said panel.
10. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said panel is formed from hollow plastics material.
11. A control barrier according to claim 10, wherein said hollow plastics material contains ballast.
12. A control barrier according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said panel is formed by blow moulding.
13. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more tubular members each have a substantially circular cross section.
14. A control barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one ground engaging portion includes one or more feet for supporting the barrier on the ground in an upright configuration.
15. A control barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.