GB2518895A

GB2518895A - Safety barrier stability aid

Info

Publication number: GB2518895A
Application number: GB1317677.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Williams; Clive Johnstone
Original assignee: JSP Ltd
Current assignee: JSP Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-07
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-07
Also published as: GB2518968B; HK1208713A1; GB2518895B; GB201317677D0; HK1208712A1; GB2518968A; GB201414786D0

Abstract

A safety barrier stability aid 100 comprising a main body and connecting members 118, 124 for, in use, connecting at least one elongate member 200 between the stability aid and a safety barrier 300. The aid may also have a barrier-foot engaging cavity on its underside with a friction-fit (fig 1G), and projections to grip the floor. The elongate member may include a fastening device such as a split ring, it is preferably telescopic. The connecting members 118, 124 may be at opposite ends of the aid, they may also function as handles. The aid may be a wedge-shaped block such that one connecting member is higher than the other. It may be solid, weighing 3-7kg, or receive ballast and is preferably made from recycled PVC. Preferably it is stackable with a reflective portion. In use the stabilizer supports a barrier which can withstand high winds.

Description

SAFETY BARRIER STABILITY AID

The present invention relates to aiding stability of safety barriers.

A problem associated with known safety barriers, e.g. ones used in construction sites, is keeping them upright in the presence of wind, accidental s contact and so on. Conventional solutions include placing sandbags around the base of a barrier, or adding ballast to a cavity in the base/feet of the barrier in order to try to help keep it upright. However, these known solutions been found unable to withstand strong winds and the like.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least some of the abovementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety barrier stability aid including or comprising a main body including a connecting member for, in use, connecting at least one elongate member between the stability aid and a safety barrier.

Thus, the stability aid can improve stability of the safety barrier on a surface. Typically, the safety barrier is freestanding in use and is not connected to the stability aid in any way other than via the elongate member.

The stability aid may further include a foot-engaging portion configured, in use, to connect to a foot portion of a safety barrier. Thus, the stability aid can add weight to the foot portion of the safety barrier.

The main body of the stability aid may have a lower surface that, in use, rests upon a supporting surface. In some embodiments, the main body may be configured to be releasably fixed to the supporting surface in use, e.g. by means of at least one bolt. The lower surface of the main body may include at least one projection for, in use, improving grip with the supporting surface.

The elongate member between the stability aid and the safety barrier may, in use, be substantially parallel to the supporting surface. The elongate member may further include a fastening device for releasably fastening the elongate member to the connecting member of the stability aid. The fastening device may include a split ring. The connecting member of the stability aid may be dimensioned to receive, in use, a plurality of said fastening devices.

The main body of the stability aid may include a further connecting member. The firstmentioned connecting member of the stability aid may be positioned at, or adjacent, one end of the main body and the further connecting member may be positioned at, or adjacent, an opposite end of the main body.

One of the connecting members of the stability aid may be positioned at a relatively higher location of the main body of the stability aid than another said connecting member.

The connecting member of the stability aid can also function as a handle for assisting with carrying the stability aid in use.

The foot-engaging portion of the stability aid may comprise a cavity formed to, in use, friction-fit over the foot portion of the safety barrier. The foot engaging-portion of the stability aid may include at least one formation (e.g. slot) configured, in use, to receive at least one corresponding formation (e.g. rib) of the foot portion of the safety barrier. The at least one formation of the foot-engaging portion of the stability aid may be located on an inner side surface of the main body of the stability aid. In some embodiments, there may be a first pair of said formations located at, or adjacent, one end of the main body of the stability aid and a second pair of said formations located at, or adjacent, an opposite end of the main body. An end of the foot-engaging portion of the stability aid may, in use, extend beyond an end of the foot portion of the safety barrier.

A surface of the main body of the stability aid can include a first stacking formation and a second stacking formation, in use, the first stacking formation of the stability aid cooperating with the second stacking formation of another stability aid in order to assist with stacking.

The main body of the stability aid may be at least partially solid. In some embodiments, the main body may be configured to receive a weight or ballast.

The main body of the stability aid may be generally wedge-shaped.

The main body of the stability aid may include at least one reflective portion.

The main body of the stability aid may have a weight of around 3kg - 7kg. The main body of the stability aid may be formed of (recycled) PVC.

The elongate member may be of adjustable length. The elongate member may be telescopic.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit including at least one stability aid substantially as described herein and at least one elongate member. The kit may further include at least one safety barrier. The safety barrier may include a connecting formation for, in use, connecting to an end of the elongate member.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety barrier stability aid including or comprising a main body including a foot-engaging portion configured, in use, to connect to a foot portion of a safety barrier.

S Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the Is invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: Figures 1A and lB are plan and bottom views, respectively, of an example stability aid; Figures 1 C, 1 D and 1 E are front, back and side views, respectively, of the example stability aid; Figure 1 F is a top isometric view of the example stability aid; Figure 1 G is a bottom isometric view of the example stability aid; Figure 2A is a view of an example elongate connecting member; Figure 2B is an exploded view of the example elongate connecting member; Figures 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of the stability aid connected to a safety barrier in first, second and third configurations, respectively; Figure 6 is a drawing of an alternative safety barrier with which the stability aid can be used; Figures 7A and 7B are plan and bottom views, respectively, of the example stability aid connected to an example safety barrier foot; Figures 7C, 7D and 7E are front, back and side views, respectively, of the example stability aid connected to the foot; Figure 7F is a top isometric view of the example stability aid connected to the foot; Figure 7G is a bottom isometric view of the example stability aid connected to the foot, and Figure 8 shows a safety barrier with its foot connected to the stability aid.

Referring to Figures 1-1G initially, an example stability aid 100 for a safety barrier is shown. The example stability aid comprises a generally wedge-shaped main body 101, having a lower surface 102 (having length x width of around 389 x 249 mm); opposed side surfaces 104B, 104C (around 179 mm in height); rear surface 106; front edge surface 108; sloping upper surface portion (inclined by around 23.75° to the horizontal), and flat upper surface portion 112. The main body 101 is formed, e.g. by injection moulding, of recycled PVC in the example, which can give it a weight in the region of 3kg -7kg, depending on the dimensions and construction details.

It will be understood that in alternative embodiments, the main body 101 could be formed of any other suitable material(s); could comprise more than one component connected together and/or be formed using any suitable manufacturing technique(s). It will also be understood that the dimensions and design of embodiments of the stability aid can vary from the illustrated example, e.g. it need not be wedge-shaped and could, for instance, be cuboid. At least one surface of the main body can include one or more reflective markings for safety reasons.

The front end 114 of the main body 101 can include a gap 116 defined by a left-hand inner side edge 117A, a front inner edge 117B and a right-hand inner side edge 11 7C. The left-hand inner side edge 11 7A of the gap is about 74mm from the left-hand outer side surface 104A and the right-hand inner side edge 11 7B of the gap a similar distance from the right-hand outer side surface 1 04B.

A front connecting member 118 can extend between the inner side surfaces 117A, 117B of the front gap 116. The front connecting member is generally cylindrical in shape, has a diameter of around 37mm, a length of around 92mm. The lower surface of the front connecting member is located about 18mm above the lower surface 102 of the main body and about 11mm away from the front inner edge 11 7C. The outer surface of the front connecting member includes a plurality of spaced apart segment-shaped recesses 120, which are about 13mm deep.

The rear end 120 of the main body 101 of the example stability aid 100 can include a gap 122 defined by a left-hand inner side edge 123A, a rear inner edge 123B and a right-hand inner side edge 123G. The left-hand inner side edge lilA of the gap is about 63mm from the left-hand outer side surface 1 04A of the main body and the right-hand inner side edge 11 lB of the gap a similar distance from the outer side surface 104B. The inner side edges include respective vertical slots 119A, 119B. A rear connecting member 124 can extend between the inner side surfaces 123A, 123B of the rear gap 122. The rear connecting member is generally identical in design to the front connecting member 118, although it will be understood that in alternative embodiments this need not necessarily be the case. The front and/or the rear connecting member can also function as a handle for carrying the stability aid.

The sloping upper surface portion 110 of the main body 101 includes a pair of upper projections 125 located around 111mm from the front edge surface 108. The sloping upper surface portion further includes a pair of corresponding upper recesses 127 located at the upper end of the sloping upper surface portion 110. In use, these projections and recesses can help hold pairs of stability aids in a stacked configuration (with the upper surface of the upper one of the pair resting upside down on the upper surface of the lower one of the pair). It will be understood that other designs/types of formations could be used for this purpose, e.g. different projections/recesses arranged at different locations on surfaces of the stability aid.

As best seen in Figures lB and 1G, the lower surface 102 of the main body 101 includes a set of lower projections 126 (each being around 7.5 mm in height) around its periphery. In use, these lower projections can help keep the stability aid in position on a surface. In alternative embodiments, different types of formations could be used for this purpose. For instance, the main body could include a bore through which a bolt or the like can be used to at least temporarily fix it to a surface. A plurality of rectangular cavities 128 defined by ribs 130 are formed along the side edges of the bottom of main body. The depths of these cavities gradually reduce towards the rear end 120 of the stability aid, corresponding to the wedge shape of the main body. The design/dimensions of features such as these ribs/cavities can be varied in order to select the weight of the stability aid.

In some embodiments, a generally central portion 132 of the bottom of the main body 101 is designed to, in use, fit over at least part of a foot of a safety barrier (as will be described below). The example central foot-engaging portion/cavity is defined by interior side walls 133A, 133B which are spanned by a set of spaced apart ribs 134 arranged between the inner front edge 117B of the front gap 116 and the rear inner edge 1 23B of the rear gap 122. The ribs have curved lower surfaces designed to fit over the external surface of a safety barrier foot portion. The interior side walls and the ribs reduce in depth towards the rear end 120 of the stability aid, corresponding to the external profile of the example foot portion. It will be understood that the design/shape/location of the foot-engaging portion can vary to cooperate with a barrier foot having a different design/shape to the example described herein.

Turning to Figures 2A and 2B, an example elongate connecting member is shown. The member includes an outer hollow member 202 into which an inner member 204 can slidably fit in a telescopic manner. The members in the example are cylindrical and formed of plastic, in particular, uPVC that will fade/degrade more slowly, but it will be understood that they could be, for instance, cuboid in shape and/or formed of any suitable material. The outer member includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 206 on at least one of its surface. These can be used to engage with a retractable projection or the like on the inner member in order to hold it in position.

A clip 206A fits into one end of the outer member (and is held in place by a pin 208) and an identical clip 206B fits into one end of the inner member.

Each of the clips has an openable circular looped portion/split ring 210A, 210B (made of resilient material, such as uPVC/polypropylene in the example), with an outward projection 212A, 212B that can, in use, assist with conveniently opening the looped portion. Circular looped portions are used in the example to releasably fix the elongate connecting member onto generally cylindrical portions of the stability aid 100 and a safety barrier (as will be described below); however, it will be understood that different connecting arrangements could be used, e.g. differently shaped clips, pegs, hooks, ties, threaded members, locking devices with moveable components, etc. In alternative embodiments, at least one connecting arrangement may be integrally formed in the elongate connecting member.

The telescopic nature of the example connecting member 200 allows its length to be adjusted, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments its length could be fixed, or its length could be adjustable in another manner, e.g. the member be foldable. In the example, the length of the member can be adjustable between around 1130mm and around 1830 mm, but, again, it will be understood that this can vary.

S Figure 3 shows the stability aid 100 being used to help stabilise an example safety barrier 300. The example barrier is the FrontierTM barrier produced by JSP Limited of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. It includes upper horizontal cylindrical portions 302A, 302B adjacent its left and right-hand sides, respectively, and also lower horizontal cylindrical portions 304A, 304B adjacent its left and right-hand sides, respectively. The barrier also includes a pair of removable feet 305. In use, both the stability aid and the barrier stand on the ground and an elongate connecting member 200 is used to connect them together. In the configuration of Figure 3, the clip 206A at one end of the connecting member is connected to one of the upper horizontal cylindrical portions 302A and the clip 206B at the other end of the connecting member is connected to the rear connecting member 124 of the stability aid.

It will be understood that, in general, either clip 206A, 206B of the connecting member 200 can be used to connect to any of the cylindrical portions 302A, 302B, 304A, 304B of the safety barrier 300, or to either of the front 118 or rear 124 connecting member of the stability aid 100. For instance, Figure 4 shows the connecting member connecting the upper cylindrical portion 302A of the safety barrier to the front connecting member of the stability aid.

In some embodiments, the length of the front 118 and/or rear 124 connecting member of the stability aid 100 may be sufficient to receive more than one elongate connecting member clip 206. For example, Figure 5 shows a first elongate connecting member 200 connecting the upper cylindrical portion 302A of the barrier 300 to the rear connecting member 124 of the stability aid and a second elongate connecting member 200' connecting the lower cylindrical portion 304A of the barrier to the rear connecting member of the stability aid. This connecting of the stability aid to more than one location on the barrier can provide improved stability. Further, more than one stability aid may be connected to a single barrier -to one or both sides. In other cases, more than one barrier can be connected to one or more stability aid. The length(s) of the elongate connecting member(s) can also be adjusted so that the stability aid can be positioned at a desired distance away from the safety barrier(s).

Figure 6 shows an example of an alternative safety barrier 600 with which embodiments of the stability aid can be used. The example barrier is a TitanTM barrier produced by JSP Limited of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. This barrier includes left and right-hand upper horizontal projections 602A, 602B and left and right-hand lower horizontal projections 604A, 604B. The projections are generally cylindrical and have similar surface recesses to the front 118 and rear 124 connecting members of the example stability aid 100. The projections also have flanged free ends. In general, embodiments of the stability aid can be produced to cooperate with different types of safety barriers. Elongate connecting members (or the clips) can be formed to connect to parts of the barriers other than horizontal cylindrical portions, e.g. vertical portions, apertures, rings, hooks, etc. Further, the connecting members of the stability aid can vary from the front 118 and rear 124 connecting members of the illustrated example. In general, the stability aid can include one or more connecting member, which can vary in design and position. For example, one or more the connecting members may be located on an upper surface of the stability aid; the connecting member could comprise a hook, loop, threaded bore or the like, for connecting with a suitable formation/device on the elongate connecting member.

Embodiments of the stability aid can include a foot-engaging portion for improving the stability of a safety barrier (in addition to, or instead of, in connecting members intended to cooperate with an elongate connecting member as described above). Figures 7A -7G show the example stability aid fitted over a foot 305 of a safety barrier. The example foot includes a generally cylindrical central portion 702 having a vertical bore 704 that includes a pair of opposed vertical slots 706, which, in use, receive a mounting formation on the bottom of the barrier. The foot includes generally symmetrical portions 708A, 708B that extend from either side of the central portion. Each of these portions has an upper surface 710A, 710B, which has a curved profile and gradually slopes downwards from the central portion. Each portion has a rounded end 711A, 711B and the overall footprint of the base of the foot is generally oval. Each portion also includes an inner pair of vertical ribs 712A, 712B on its side surfaces (located around 68 mm from the central portion), and an outer pair of vertical ribs 714A, 714B (located around 199 mm from the central portion) on its side surfaces. Each rib has a thickness of around 12.25 mm.

In use, the stability aid 100 is typically lifted and pushed down on top of one of the portions 708 of the foot 305 so that it fits inside the foot-engaging portion/cavity 132. Alternatively, the foot-engaging portion can be at least partially slid laterally over a foot. Typically, the upper surface of the foot portion will abut the curved surfaces of the ribs 134. The inner pair of vertical ribs 712A, 712B can fit into the vertical slots 119A, 119B. The end of the foot-engaging portion extends beyond the end of the foot portion fitted inside it, which can help improve stability.

The foot-engaging portion 132 can be dimensioned to provide a snug fit with the barrier foot portion 708 so that friction can help keep them held together until sufficient manual force (typically in a generally vertical direction) is applied to pull them apart. In some embodiments, engagement of the vertical slots 119 and ribs 712 can also help keep the stability aid fitted on the foot portion. It will be understood that other types of formations could be used for Is this purpose, e.g. the stability aid could include ribs and the foot could include corresponding slots, which could be at different locations to those of the illustrated example. In some cases, one stability aid can be fitted onto one foot portion 708A and another stability aid on the other foot portion 708B for increased stability. Figure 8 shows the foot connected to the safety barrier 300, with the stability aid in situ. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and the rear connecting members can still be used whilst the stability aid is fitted over the foot portion, meaning that it can also be used to connect at least one elongate to at least one safety barrier. -14-

It will be appreciated that, in general, the design and location of the foot-engaging portion of the stability aid can vary. For example, it could comprise a bore/slot/channel on any surface of the stability aid, or it could comprise a clamp, peg or tie, etc. In some embodiments, the stability aid may include more than one foot-engaging portion, allowing it to assist with stabilising more than one safety barrier simultaneously.

Embodiments of the stability aid described herein can overcome the problems associated with conventional methods of attempting to stabilise safety barriers in high winds, etc. Embodiments of the stability aid can be conveniently manufactured from readily-available, cost-effective materials. By varying the material, dimensions and/or design, embodiments can be produced to be of any desired weight. Alternatively, they may include compartments or the like in which weights or ballast can be placed to add to, or adjust, the overall weight.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A safety barrier stability aid (100) including a main body (101) including a connecting member (118, 124) for, in use, connecting at least one elongate member (200) between the stability aid and a safety barrier (300, 600).
2. A stability aid according to claim 1, further including a foot-engaging portion (132) configured, in use, to connect to a foot portion (708) of a safety barrier (300).
3. A stability aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid has a lower surface (102) that, in use, at least partially rests upon a supporting surface.
4. A stability aid according to claim 3, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid is configured to be releasably fixed to the supporting surface in use, e.g. by means of at least one bolt.
5. A stability aid according to claim 3, wherein the lower surface (102) of the main body (101)of the stability aid includes at least one projection (126) for, in use, improving grip with the supporting surface.
6. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member (200) includes a fastening device (206) for, in use, releasably fastening the elongate member to the connecting member (118, 124) of the stability aid (100).
7. A stability aid according to claim 6, wherein the fastening device comprises a split ring (206).
8. A stability aid according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the connecting member (118, 124) of the stability aid (100) is dimensioned to receive, in use, a plurality of said fastening devices (206).
9. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) includes a further connecting member (124).
10. A stability aid according to claim 9, wherein the firstmentioned connecting member (118) of the stability aid (100) is positioned at, or adjacent, one end (114) of the main body (101) of the stability aid, and the further connecting member (124) is positioned at, or adjacent, an opposite end (120) of the main body.
11. A stability aid according to claim 10, wherein one of the connecting members (118) is positioned at a relatively higher location of the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) than another said connecting member (124).
12. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting member (118, 124) of the stability aid (100) also functions as a handle for assisting with carrying the stability aid in use.
13. A stability aid according to claim 2, wherein the foot-engaging portion of the stability aid (100) comprises a cavity (132) formed to, in use, friction-fit over the foot portion (708).
14. A stability aid according to claim 13, wherein the foot engaging-portion of the stability aid (100) includes at least one formation (119) configured, in use, to receive at least one corresponding formation (712) of the foot portion (708).
15. A stability aid according to claim 14, wherein the at least one formation (119) of the foot-engaging portion is located on an inner side surface of the main body (101).
16. A stability aid according to claim 14 or 15, including a first pair of said formations (71 2A, 71 2B) located at, or adjacent, one end of the main body (101) and a second pair of said formations (714A, 714B) located at, or adjacent, an opposite end of the main body.
17. A stability aid according to any one of claims 2 or 13 to 16, wherein an end of the foot-engaging portion (132) of the stability aid (100), in use, extends beyond an end of the foot portion (708).
18. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface (110) of the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) includes a first stacking formation (125) and a second stacking (127) formation, in use, the first stacking formation ot the stability aid cooperating with the second stacking formation of another stability aid in order to assist with stacking.
19. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) is at least partially solid.
20. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) is configured to receive a weight or ballast.
21. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) is generally wedge-shaped.
22. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) includes at least one reflective portion.
23. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) has a weight of around 3kg -7kg.
24. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (101) of the stability aid (100) is formed of recycled PVC.
25. A stability aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member (200) is adjustable length.
26. A stability aid according to claim 24, wherein the elongate member (200) is telescopic.
27. A kit including at least one stability aid (100) according to any one of the preceding claims substantially and at least one elongate member (200).
28. A kit according to claim 27, further including at least one safety barrier (300).
29. A safety barrier stability aid (100) including a main body (101) including a foot-engaging portion (132) configured, in use, to connect to a foot portion (708) of a safety barrier (300).
30. A stability aid according to claim 29, wherein the foot-engaging portion comprises a cavity (132) formed to, in use, friction-fit over the foot portion (708).
31. A stability aid according to claim 29, wherein the foot engaging-portion of the stability aid (100) includes at least one formation (119) configured, in use, to receive at least one corresponding formation (71 2) of the foot portion (708).
32. A stability aid according to claim 31, wherein the at least one formation (119) of the foot-engaging portion of the stability aid (100) is located on an inner side surface of the main body (101).
33. A stability aid according to claim 31 or 32, including a first pair of said formations (71 2A, 71 2B) located at, or adjacent, one end of the main body (101) and a second pair of said formations (714A, 714B) located at, or adjacent, an opposite end of the main body.
34. A stability aid according to any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein an end of the foot-engaging portion (132), in use, extends beyond an end of the foot portion (708).
35. A safety barrier stability aid substantially as described herein and/or with reference to Figures 1-1 G of the drawings.