GB2508637A

GB2508637A - Control barrier assembly with cross beam

Info

Publication number: GB2508637A
Application number: GB1221982.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dawson; Daniel James Wolstenholme
Original assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Current assignee: Melba Products Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-06
Filing date: 2012-12-06
Publication date: 2014-06-11

Abstract

A control barrier assembly comprising at least one pair of control barriers 10 10 arranged parallel to each other but in different planes, each control barrier having a planar barrier wall 12 12 and a support 14 and one or more cross-beams 20 removeably attachable to each control barrier to brace the pair and form a rigid arrangement. Preferably the end of the cross beam has a hook which engages with the panel, the hook having unequal ends (see Figure 3). Alternatively the ends of the beam may have a plug for engaging with a socket on the barrier, there may be an engagement mechanism for securing the plug in the socket. The plug may have flanges for engaging with the socket and a neck section (see Figure 6). The cross beam may be telescopic.

Description

Control Barrier Assembly [0001] This invention relates to a control barrier assembly, and more specifically to a control barrier assembly for use around a work site.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Control barriers are well known in the art and are typically used for directing the flow of traffic and 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, LLC) that comprises a barrier wall that is supported by one or two support assemblies. The support assemblies each comprise a leg extending vertically downwards from the barrier wall and a foot that extends perpendicularly both forwardly and rearwardly from the leg with respect to the barrier wall.

[0004] In common with many prior art barriers, the barrier described above comprises support elements (e.g. feet) that extend from the barrier along the ground. Supports that extend perpendicularly from a barrier wall present a tripping hazard to passing pedestrians. When such barriers are used around construction sites or road-works, they are often used to define a safe path for pedestrians. In many situations, the path defined is narrow and is often curved to circumvent the working area. Therefore, the risk of pedestrians tripping over the barrier supports is increased.

[0005] It is an objection of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, to provide a control barrier assembly that minimizes the tripping hazard associated with barrier supports, and/or provide an improved control barrier assembly that is stable, versatile and easy to assemble and disassemble in comparison with assemblies of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a control barrier assembly comprising: at least one pair of control barriers, each control barrier having a planar barrier wall and at least one ground engaging support element connected to said barrier wall for supporting the control barrier on the ground in an upright position; and one or more cross-beams removeably attachable to the control barriers; wherein a first one of the pair of control barriers is arranged parallel to and out of plane relative to a second one of the pair of control barriers, and the one or more cross-beams are attached to the first one of the pair of control barriers at a first end and the second one of the pair of control barriers at a second end to brace the pair of control barriers and form a rigid arrangement.

[0007] The first and second ends of the one or more cross-beams may each comprise a hook for attaching to the pair of control barriers. Each hook may be U-shaped and comprise a first end element, a second end element and a central element between the first and second end elements, wherein the central element is orthogonal to the first and second end elements. One or both of the first and second end elements may have an inwardly projecting portion at the end thereof, the inwardly projecting portion extending towards the other of the first and second end element. The first and second end elements may be of different lengths relative to one another.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, the first and second ends of the one or more cross-beams may each comprise a plug for attaching to a socket in each of the pair of control barriers. The plug and socket may comprise a releasable engagement mechanism for temporarily fixing the plug in the socket. The socket may comprise a first section and a second section, and said plug comprises a first flanged portion, wherein the first section is sized to permit axial insertion of the plug in the first section including the flanged portion, and the second section is sized so as to prevent axial movement of the first flanged portion therethrough so as to temporarily fix the plug in the socket. The plug may further comprise a second flanged portion axially spaced from said first flanged portion, and an intermediate section disposed between said first flanged portion and said second flanged portion, where the intermediate section has a first dimension orthogonal to the axial length of the cross-beam and a second dimension orthogonal to both the axial length of the cross-beam and the first dimension, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension; wherein the second section of the socket is sized to accommodate the intermediate section of the plug, but prevent axial passage of the first flanged portion and the second flanged portion therethrough, the first and second sections being connected to one another by a neck portion.

[0009] The neck portion may have a width larger than the first dimension of the intermediate section but smaller than the second dimension of the intermediate section. The plug may include a rib and said second section of the socket includes a groove configured to receive said rib so as to releasably engage the plug in the socket.

[0010] The one or more cross-beams may be telescopically extendable.

[0011] The at least one ground engaging support element may be substantially orientated within the plane of its respective barrier wall in at least one position.

[0012] The at least ground engaging support element may be rotatable so as be moveable between a position in which the at least one ground engaging support element is substantially orientated within the plane of its respective barrier wall and a position in which the at least one ground engaging support element extends perpendicularly from the plane of its respective barrier wall.

[0013] The control barrier assembly may comprise four cross-beams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view control barrier assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the control barrier assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detailed partial view of cross beams for use with the assembly of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a control barrier assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a side view of the control barrier assembly of Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a socket of the barrier wall for receiving a cross-beam in accordance with the assembly of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of a cross beam for use with the assembly of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of the cross-beam of Figure 7 taken along line F-F; and Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the socket of Figure 6 with a cross-beam inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 show a control barrier assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control barrier assembly 100 comprises a pair of substantially identical barriers 10,10'. Each barrier 10,10' has a planar barrier wall 12,12' that is supported by ground engaging support elements which are a pair of feet 14,14' in the embodiment shown in the Figures. In other embodiments, any other suitable one or more ground engaging element may be used to support the barrier wall 12,12' in an upright position on the ground.

The barriers 10,10' are arranged parallel to and out of plane relative to one another such that they are spaced from one another in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of each barrier wall 12,12'. In use, the barriers 10,10' may be arranged around a work site with a hole or otherwise hazardous area disposed between the pair of barriers 10,10'.

[0016] Cross-beams 20 extend between the barriers 10,10' and are removeably attachable thereto. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, two cross-beams are connected to the barriers 10,10', however in alternative embodiments any number (i.e. one or more) of cross-beams 20 may be present. The cross-beams 20 connect the pair of barriers 10,10' to create a stable, self-supporting arrangement. So much so that the ground engaging support elements 14,14' may be such that they do not substantially extend outwardly from the plane of the respective barrier wall 12,12'. In this preferable embodiment, the mutual support of the barrier pair 10,10' via the cross-beams 20 permits an arrangement of two barriers 10,10' that have no features projecting outwardly from the plane of the respective barrier walls 12,12' thus presenting no trip-hazard to passing pedestrians. Whilst the ground engaging support elements 14 do not necessarily have to be orientated in this manner, it does provide a preferable benefit. In preferable embodiments, the ground engaging support elements 14 are rotatable so as to be capable of being orientated in any desired position.

[0017] Any suitable one or more cross-beams 20 that connect the pair of barriers 10,10' may be used within the scope of the present invention, and the embodiments described in relation to the Figures merely represent preferable non-limiting examples.

[0018] The cross-beams 20 shown in the assemblies of Figures 1 and 2 are shown in detail in Figure 3. Each cross-beam 20 comprises two telescopic tubular elements 20a,b that may telescopically move relative to the other so as to extend and contract the overall length of the cross-beam 20. This is particularly preferable since the pair of barriers 10,10' may be connected to one another by the cross-beam 20 when spaced apart by various distances.

Whilst it is preferable that the cross-beams 20 are telescopic or otherwise suitably extendable, in other embodiments, the cross-beams 20 are of a fixed length.

[0019] At each end of the cross-beam 20 there is a hook 22 for hooking onto a suitable part of the barrier wall 12,12. In the preferable embodiment shown in Figures ito 3, the hook 22 comprises a U-shaped portion formed of three sequential orthogonal elements 22a,b,c. The two end elements 22a,c of the U-shaped portion 22 are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the length of the cross-beam 20 such that the central element 22b is orientated substantially parallel to the length of the cross-beam 20. The cross-beam 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is used in an orientation where the two end elements 22a,c of the hook 22 extend downwardly from the central element 22b. In this orientation, the hook 22 may be placed on a suitable part of the barrier wall 12,12' such that the central portion 22b rests on the barrier wall 12,12' and supports the cross-beam 20 thereon. The two end elements 22a,c limit movement of the cross-beam 20 relative to the barrier 10,10' in a direction parallel the length of the cross-beam 20 as the part of the barrier wall 12,12' supporting the cross-beam 20 resides between the two end elements 22a,c. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the hook 22 additionally has inward projections 23a,b at the ends of the two end elements 22c,a respectively. The inward projections 23a,b may be tapered (as shown) so as to better facilitate engagement with the barrier wall 12,12'. The two end elements 22a,c are of different lengths to one another such that the inward projections 23a,b are not aligned with one another. This arrangement provides a sufficient gap between the inward projections 23a,b to allow the hook 22 to be latched onto a suitable part of the barrierwall 12,12'. The inward projection 23b is larger than the inward projection 23a in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, however other embodiments may not have any inward projections or the inward projections may be of different sizes to that shown in Figure 3. Similarly, within the scope of the present invention, the end elements 22a,c may be the same length as one another or may be different relative lengths to those shown in Figure 3.

The actual lengths of the end elements 22a,c will depend on the part of the barrier wall 12,12' that the hook 22 is intended to attach to. Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the barrier walls 12,12' each have ridges of thickness Dl that are disposed above first recesses 25 and further ridges of thickness D2 disposed above second recesses 26. The ridges of thickness Dl and D2 are separated from one another by the thickness of the barrier wall 12.12' which is equal to the length of the central element 22b between the end elements 22a,c. A first of the end elements 22a of the hook 22 extends from the central element 22b by a length equal to D2 and a second of the end elements 22c extends from the central element 22b by a length equal to Dl. Therefore, the hook 22 can be disposed on the barrier wall 12,12' with the inward projection 23a disposed in one of the first recesses 25 and the inward projection 23b disposed in one of the second recesses 26 so as to secure the hook 22 to the barrier wall 12,12' as shown in Figure 1. The hook 22 may be made from a resilient material (e.g. high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) so that the hook can flex sufficiently to allow easy attachment to the barrier wall 12,12'.

[0020] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of a control barrier assembly 100' in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 100' only differs from the assembly 100 of Figure 1 and 2 in the manner of connection between the barrier wall 12,12' and the cross-beams 20. In particular, in the assembly 100' of Figures 4 and 5, the cross-beams 20 are connected to the barrier walls 12,12' by a plug and socket arrangement, where the barrier walls 12,12' include several sockets 30 for receiving a portion of the cross-beams 20. In the assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ground engaging elements 14 are shown orientated so that they extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the barrier wall 12,12'. However, in alternative embodiments, the ground engaging elements 14 may be orientated in any other position, including substantially along and within the plane of the barrier wall 12,12'. In preferable embodiments, the ground engaging elements 14 are rotatable so as to be capable of being orientated in any desired position.

[0021] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a socket 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The skilled reader will appreciate that any suitable plug and socket arrangement may be used in accordance with the present invention. The socket 30 shown in Figure 6 comprises a cavity or aperture having a first circular portion 32 and a second circular portion 34 connected to the first circular portion 32 by a neck portion 36. The first circular portion 32 has a larger diameter than the second circular portion 34. The neck portion 36 has a width WI that is smaller than the diameters of both the first circular portion 32 and the second circular portion 34. The second circular portion 34 has a pair of grooves 34a disposed diametrically opposite one another.

[0022] Figure 7 shows a detailed partial view of the cross beam 20 of the assembly of Figures 4 and 5. The cross-beam 20 of Figure 7 includes a plug 40 at each of its ends (only one of which is shown in Figure 7). The plug 40 includes a first circular flanged portion 42 and a second circular flanged portion 44 axially spaced from the first circular flanged portion 42 which is disposed at the extreme end of the cross-beam 20. Between the first circular flanged portion 42 and the second circular flanged portion 44 is an intermediate section 46 which is elongate having a length less than the diameters of the first and second circular flanged portions 42,44 which are substantially identical to one another (although not necessarily so in alternative embodiments). The intermediate section 46 has a length L and a width W2 (as indicated in Figure 8) when the length L of the intermediate section 46 is greater than the width Wi of the neck portion 36 of the socket 30 and the width W2 of the intermediate section 46 is less than the width Wi of the neck portion 36 of the socket 30. Additionally, the intermediate section 46 has a rib 46a extending from one of its ends.

[0023] The diameter of the first circular flanged portion 42 is less than the diameter of the first circular portion 32 of the socket 30 such that the plug 40 can be inserted into the first circular portion 32 of the socket 30. Once the plug 40 is inserted in the socket 30, the cross-beam 20 can be orientated (by rotation) so that the intermediate section 46 can pass through the neck portion 36 (i.e. so that the width W2 of the intermediate section 46 passes through the neck portion 36 of width Wi) so as to reside in the second circular portion 34. Once the intermediate section 46 is disposed in the second circular portion 34, the cross-beam 20 (or just plug 40 if the plug is rotatable relative to the remainder of the cross-beam 20) may be rotated so as to engage the rib 46a of the intermediate section 46 in one of the grooves 34a of the second circular portion 34. Once engaged therein, the intermediate section 46 cannot pass through the neck portion 36 without being rotated. Additionally, when the intermediate section 46 is disposed in the second circular portion 34 (in any rotational position), the intermediate section 46 cannot exit the socket 30 by axial movement since the first circular flanged portion 42 and second circular flanged portion 44 each have a diameter greater than the diameter of the second circular portion 34 and thus trap the intermediate section 46 in a position disposed in the second circular portion 34. Therefore, with the rib 46a of the intermediate section 46 engaged in one of the grooves 34a of the second circular portion 34, the cross-beam 20 is securely connected (although, releasably so) to the barrier wall 12,12'. Figure 9 shows the plug engaged in the socket 30. The secure connection facilitates a rigid assembly 100' and ensures that accidental or otherwise inadvertent disconnection is highly unlikely to occur.

[0024] In embodiments where the plugs 40 are not moveable relative to the remainder of the cross-beam 20, a single rotation of the cross-beam 20 may engage the ribs 46a of plugs 40 at both ends of the cross-beam 20 in one of the grooves 34a of the respective socket 30. Having two grooves 43a permits the plug 40 to be rotated either clockwise or anti-clockwise in order to engage the rib 46a with one of the grooves 43a. In alternative, less preferable, embodiments, only one groove 34a may be present. Returning to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the two grooves are equidistant from the neck portion 36 and are diametrically disposed relative to one another. This has the advantage that regardless of the direction of rotation used to engage the rib 46a in one of the grooves 34a, the degree of rotation required is the same.

[0025] In the assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5, each barrier wall 12,12' has tour sockets 30, with one pair being arranged higher than the other. Of course, any alternative suitable arrangement of sockets 30 may be used. However, the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous since it permits two cross-beams to be connected to the barrier walls 12,12' near their top edge and two cross-beams to be connected to the barrier walls 12,12' near their bottom edge, with the cross-beams 20 of each pair being spaced from one another along the barrier wall 12,12', which results in a particularly stable arrangement.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 assembly comprising: at least one pair of control barriers, each control barrier having a planar barrier wall and at least one ground engaging support element connected to said barrier wall for supporting the control barrier on the ground in an upright position; and one or more cross-beams removeably attachable to the control barriers; wherein a first one of the pair of control barriers is arranged parallel to and out of plane relative to a second one of the pair of control barriers, and the one or more cross-beams are attached to the first one of the pair of control barriers at a first end and the second one of the pair of control barriers at a second end to brace the pair of control barriers and form a rigid arrangement.
2. A control barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the one or more cross-beams each comprise a hook for attaching to the pair of control barriers.
3. A control barrier assembly according to claim 2, wherein each hook is U-shaped and comprises a first end element, a second end element and a central element between the first and second end elements, wherein the central element is orthogonal to the first and second end elements.
4. A control barrier assembly according to claim 3, wherein one or both of the first and second end elements have an inwardly projecting portion at the end thereof, the inwardly projecting portion extending towards the other of the first and second end element.
5. A control barrier assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first and second end elements are of different lengths relative to one another.
6. A control barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the one or more cross-beams each comprise a plug for attaching to a socket in each of the pair of control barriers.
7. A control barrier assembly according to claim 6, wherein the plug and socket comprise a releasable engagement mechanism for temporarily fixing the plug in the socket.
8. A control barrier assembly according to claim 7, wherein said socket comprises a first section and a second section, and said plug comprises a first flanged portion, wherein the first section is sized to permit axial insertion of the plug in the first section including the flanged portion, and the second section is sized so as to prevent axial movement of the first flanged portion therethrough so as to temporarily fix the plug in the socket.
9. A control barrier assembly according to claim 8, wherein said plug further comprises a second flanged portion axially spaced from said first flanged portion, and an intermediate section disposed between said first flanged portion and said second flanged portion, where the intermediate section has a first dimension orthogonal to the axial length of the cross-beam and a second dimension orthogonal to both the axial length of the cross-beam and the first dimension, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension; wherein the second section of the socket is sized to accommodate the intermediate section of the plug, but prevent axial passage of the first flanged portion and the second flanged portion thereth rough, the first and second sections being connected to one another by a neck portion.
10. A control barrier assembly according to claim 9, wherein said neck portion has a width larger than the first dimension of the intermediate section but smaller than the second dimension of the intermediate section.
11. A control barrier assembly according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said plug includes a rib and said second section of the socket includes a groove configured to receive said rib so as to releasably engage the plug in the socket.
12. A control barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more cross-beams are telescopically extendable.
13. A control barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one ground engaging support element is substantially orientated within the plane of its respective barrier wall in at least one position.
14. A control barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least ground engaging support element is rotatable so as be moveable between a position in which the at least one ground engaging support element is substantially orientated within the plane of its respective barrier wall and a position in which the at least one ground engaging support element extends perpendicularly from the plane of its respective barrier wall.
15. A control barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising tour cross-beams.
16. A control barrier assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.