GB2530478A

GB2530478A - A safety barrier, a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier, a method of constructing a safety barrier and an elongate member

Info

Publication number: GB2530478A
Application number: GB1413792.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive South; Edward Neville
Original assignee: SAYFA SYSTEMS UK Ltd
Current assignee: SAYFA SYSTEMS UK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2014-08-04
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-04
Also published as: GB201413792D0; GB2530478B

Abstract

A safety barrier 101, a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier, a method of constructing a safety barrier and an elongate member are independently claimed. The safety barrier and kit of parts comprise a plurality of elongate members 102A defining a grooved slot 107, connecting members 103 defining holes 104 (104B, Fig 7) and screws 106 having a thread configured to fit through the holes 104 and engage the grooved slot 107 of an elongate member 102.

Description

TITLE

A safety barrier, a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier, a method of constructing a safety barrier and an elongate member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a safety barrier, a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier, a method of constructing a safety barrier and an elongate member. In particular, they relate to safety barrier, a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier, a method of constructing a safety barrier and an elongate member for providing a safety barrier along the edge of a roof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Safety barriers, or hand rails systems, for providing a barrier between a safe area and a dangerous area are known. For example, such barriers are known to be used along edges of flat roofs to prevent a person on the roof from accidently falling over the edge. The barrier may be constructed from elongate members, such as aluminium tubes, that are connected together by brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a safety barrier comprising: a plurality of elongate members defining a grooved slot; a plurality of connecting members defining holes; and a plurality of screws located through the holes and engaging the grooved slot of an elongate member.

This provides the advantage that the grooved slot allows the screws to engage with the elongate members at various positions along the length of the grooved slots and so dimensions of the safety barrier may be varied.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier comprising: a plurality of elongate members defining a grooved slot; a plurality of connecting members defining holes; and a plurality of screws having a thread configured to fit through the holes and engage the grooved slot of an elongate member.

This provides the advantage that the grooved slot allows the screws to engage with the elongate members at various positions along the length of the grooved slots and so safety barriers of varying dimensions may be constructed.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a safety barrier.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is an elongate member having an outer surface defining: a flat face extending along the length of the elongate member; and a grooved slot for receiving a threaded fastener, the grooved slot extending across the flat face along the elongate member.

The elongate member may be for constructing a safety barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an example of a safety barrier 101; Fig. 2 shows a side view of a safety barrier 101 provided with a foot block 207 positioned on the straight portion 110 of the bent elongate member 102B; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a foot block 207; Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an elongate member 102; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an end portion of an elongate member 102; Fig. 6 shows a cross-section view of a connecting member 103 in the form of a bracket; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the bracket 103; Fig. 8 shows an enlarged partial perspective view of the barrier 101 of Fig. 1, providing detail of the joint 108 between the straight elongate member 102A and the bent elongate member 102B by the bracket 103; Fig. 9 shows an enlarged partial side view of the joint 108; Fig. 10 shows a further joint 1008, in which a first straight elongate member 1 02A is attached to a bracket 103 by two screws 1 06C and a second straight elongate member 102A' is attached to the bracket by a second two screws 1 06D; Fig. 11 shows a perspective of a foot plate 113 as used to form the barrier lOlofFig.1;and Fig. 12 shows an end view of the foot plate 113 with an elongate member 102B fixed in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

The Figures illustrate a safety barrier 101 comprising: a plurality of elongate members 102 defining a grooved slot 107; a plurality of connecting members 103 defining holes; and a plurality of screws 106 located through the holes and engaging the grooved slot of an elongate member 102.

The Figures also illustrate a kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier 101 comprising: a plurality of elongate members 102 defining a grooved slot 107; a plurality of connecting members 103 defining holes 104; and a plurality of screws 106 having a thread configured to fit through the holes and engage the grooved slot of an elongate member.

Each elongate member may be formed of aluminium. As used herein, the word "aluminium" means aluminium or aluminium alloy that mainly comprises aluminium. In examples, the aluminium is aluminium alloy 6082. In examples, the elongate member is formed by extruding aluminium.

The brackets may also be formed of aluminium, and may be formed by extruding aluminium and then machining to form the holes, or alternatively the brackets may be formed by casting.

An example of a safety barrier 101 is shown in Fig. 1. The safety barrier 101 comprises a plurality of elongate members 102 defining a grooved slot. In the present example, the barrier 101 comprises two straight elongate members 102A and two bent elongate members 102B. In the present example, the straight elongate members 102A and the bent elongate members 102B are formed with the same cross-section as each other. This allows all of the elongate members to be formed using the same extrusion tools. However, in alternative examples the elongate members 102A and elongate members 1 02B may be formed with different cross-sections.

The barrier 101 also comprises a plurality connecting members 103. In the example of Fig. 1, the connecting members 103 are brackets defining the holes 104 and a channel 105 configured to extend around and along a portion of an elongate member 102. In the present example, four brackets have been used to connect the two straight elongate members 102A to the two bent elongate members 102B, a single bracket being used to connect each straight elongate member 102A to a bent elongate member 102B. In the present example, the channel 105 of the brackets extends around and along a portion of a straight elongate member 1 02A.

In an alternative embodiment, the connecting members 103 do not define a channel but are formed as flat plates defining holes to allow the plates to be connected to both straight elongate members and bent elongate members. In one such embodiment, the connecting members are formed of a flat plate bent to form two portions, one of which may be attached to a straight elongate member, while the other portion is attached to a bent elongate member.

A straight elongate member 1 02A may extend through the whole length of the channel of a connecting 103, as shown at the joint 108 in Fig. 1. Alternatively a straight elongate member 102A may extend just part way though a connecting member 103 as shown at the joint 109. By extending only partly along the length of the bracket 103 allows another straight elongate member 102A to be attached to the same bracket. For example, if it were required to extend the barrier 101 of Fig. 1 further to the left, a second elongate member could be attached to the bracket 1 03A. Thus, the bracket 103 is configured to attach straight elongate members lO2Ato bent elongate members 102B, and may also be configured to attach a straight elongate member 102A to a second straight elongate member 102A. (An example of this arrangement is shown in Fig. 10.) The brackets 103 define through holes 104 to allow the thread of screws, such as screws 106 to pass through. The screws 106 have a thread configured to fit through the holes 104 and engage the grooved slot 107 of an elongate member 102. In the present example, the straight and bent elongate members 102A and 102B have a similar cross-section and therefore the screws 106 used to attach the brackets to the straight elongate members 1 02A may be the same type as used to attach the brackets to the bent elongate members 102B.

The bent elongate members 102B may be formed by bending a straight length of material in a central portion. Thus, the bent elongate members comprise two straight portions 110 and 111 separated by a curved portion 112. One straight portion 110 provides a foot for the barrier while the second straight portion 111 provides an upright to which the straight elongate members 102A may be attached to extend laterally between pairs of the bent elongate members 102B. The curved portion 112 may extend around an angle of approximately 90 degrees, or as is the case in the example of Fig. 1, the curved portion may extend around an angle that is greater than 90 degrees, for example between 95 and 105 degrees. In this way, the centre of mass of the upright portions 111, the brackets 103 and the straight elongate members 1 02A is moved horizontally in the direction of the feet 110 of the barrier.

The bent elongate members 102B may be bent with the grooved slot 107 extending along the inside of the bend of the curved portion 112.

Consequently, when the straight portion 110 is positioned on a horizontal surface with the straight portion 111 positioned upright as shown in Fig. 1, the grooved slot 107 faces upwards along the straight portion 110. Also, the grooved slot 107 along the upright portion 111 faces towards the straight portion 110.

In the example of Fig. 1, the barrier 101 comprises two straight elongate members 1 02A extending between the two bent elongate members 1 02B.

However, it should be understood that using the kit of parts described herein (including the bent elongate members 102B, the straight elongate members 1 02A, the brackets 103 and screws 106) barriers of various configuration may be assembled. For example, by using an additional two brackets and one straight elongate member, a barrier with three straight elongate members 102A extending between the two bent elongate members 102B may be assembled. In addition, or alternatively, a third bent elongate member along with a bracket 103 for each straight elongate member to be supported may be used to support the free ends 114 of the straight elongate members 102A.

Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the two straight elongate members 102A are fixed to the bent elongate members 102B at a height of about 0.5 metres and 1.0 metre respectively. However, as will be understood from the further description of the elongate members 102 provided below, the straight elongate members 102A may be fixed at different heights on the bent elongate members 1023 to the heights shown in Fig. 1. Similarly, the spacing between the bent elongate members 102B may be varied from the approximate 2.5 metres spacing illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the example of Fig. 1, the barrier further comprises a floor plate 113 located on each of the two bent elongate members 102B. The purpose of the floor plate 113 will be better understood on review of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a barrier 101, located on a flat horizontal surface 201. In use, the flat horizontal surface may be provided by a flat roof, a platform, a ground surface, etc. and the barrier may be used to prevent movement of a person towards a hazard, such as the edge of a roof.

As will be understood on review of Fig. 2, without the floor plate 113, it would be possible for a person to push against a horizontal straight elongate member 102A of the barrier 101 (as indicated by arrow 204) and the rotate the barrier over the curved portions 112 of the bent elongate members 102B.

However a proximal end portion 203 of the floor plate 113 is attached to the horizontal straight portion 110, and the floor plate extends from the horizontal straight portion 110 so that a distal end 202 of the floor plate 113 is located outside of the curve of the curved portion 112. Consequently, if a person pushes against a straight elongate member 102A of the barrier 101, as indicated by arrow 204, the barrier must rotate around the distal end 202 of the floor plate 113. The floor plate 202 therefore provides a stabilizing means for the barrier. In alternative embodiments, alternative stabilizing means are provided that are attached to, and extend downwards from the upright portion 111, or alternatively from the curved portion 112.

The floor plate 113 may be configured, as shown in Fig. 2, to define an aperture 205 to allow the bent elongate member 102B to extend through the aperture. In addition, the floor plate may define one or more holes configured to allow the thread of a screw to pass through. In the example of Fig. 2, the floor plate is provided with two holes to allow the floor plate to be attached to the bent elongate member 1023 by two screws 206. The screws 206 are configured to engage the grooved slot 107, which extends along the length of the bent elongate member 102B.

The floor plate will be described in further detail below with respect to Fig. 11.

The barrier 101 of Fig. 2 has also been provided with a foot block 207 positioned on the straight portion 110 of the bent elongate member 102B. The foot block 207 may be formed of a solid material such as concrete, a metal, a composite material, etc. The purpose of the foot block is to apply a weight to the straight portion 110 of the bent elongate member 1023 to resist rotation of the barrier 101 under a force, such as indicated by arrow 204.

A perspective view of a foot block 207 is shown in Fig. 3. The foot block 207 may define a channel 301 configured to extend along and around a straight portion 110 of a bent elongate member 1023. The foot block 207 may define one or more holes 302 configured to allow the thread of a screw to pass through into the channel of the foot block. Thus, when the foot block 207 is located over the straight portion 110 of a bent elongate member 102B, a screw may be located through a hole in the foot block and screwed into the grooved slot of the bent elongate member. In the example of Fig. 2, the block 207 is provided with two holes and two screws 208 are used to fix the foot block 207 in position on the bent elongate member 102B. By fixing the foot block 207 with the screws 208 to the bent elongate member 1 02B, the screws 208 prevent inadvertent movement of the bent elongate member 102B relative to the foot block 207.

A cross-sectional view of an elongate member 102 is shown in Fig. 4, and an end portion of an elongate member 102 is shown in the perspective view of Fig. 5. An elongate member 102 may have substantially the same cross-section along it whole length, and may be formed by extrusion.

The elongate member may be tubular, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, having a solid outer wall 401 with an outer surface 402 and an inner surface 403 defining an interior space 404. The outer surface 402 of the wall 401 also defines a slot 107 that has side walls 406 and 407 each defining a series of ridges 408 and grooves 409. The ridges and grooves on each side wall 406 and 407 are equally spaced, and the spacing between adjacent grooves may be arranged to match the spacing of the crests on the thread of the screws 106, 206 and 208. Thus, the screws 106, 206 and 208 are configured to engage with the grooved slot 107 by screwing into the slot. Furthermore, because the grooves extend continuously along the length of the slot 107, screws may be fixed at any point along the length of the slot. Consequently the positioning of joints between elongate members 102 and connecting members 103 is continuously variable along the length of the elongate members.

In the present example, the slot 107 has a flat bottom wall 410 connecting the inner edges of the side walls 406 and 407.

The inner surface 403 of the wall 401 of the elongate member 102 defines a first pair of ribs 411 extending inwards from the slot 107. The ribs 411 are spaced apart from one another and extend parallel to one another along the length of the elongate tubular member 102. The inner surface 403 of the wall 401 also defines a second pair of ribs 412 extending inwards towards the first pairs of ribs 411. The second pair of ribs 412 may have substantially the same spacing between them as the first pair of ribs 411. In an alternative embodiment, the ribs 411 and 412 are replaced by webs extending across the interior space of the elongate member 102 from one side to the other. For example, a first web of material may extend from the position of a left one of the ribs 411 to the position of a left one of the ribs 412 as indicated by dotted lines 413, and a second web of material may extend from the position of a right-hand one of the ribs 411 to the position of a right-hand one of the ribs 412, as indicated by dotted lines 414.

The ribs 411 and 412 (or webs as indicated by dotted lines 413 and 414) provide the elongate member with additional strength to resist bending. In addition, the ribs 411 and 412 (or webs) may provide support for the location of a bar. The bar may comprise a bar of metal, such as steel, having a rectangular cross-section that is dimensioned to fit in the space defined by the ribs 411 and 412 or webs (indicated as 413, 414). The position of such a bar is indicated by dashed line 415 in Fig. 4. To form a bent elongate member 102B, such a bar may be positioned within a straight length of extruded material at a position corresponding to the curved portion 112 of the bent elongate member. The extruded material with the bar in place may then be bent to form the curved portion 112. The bar provides stability to the tubular form of the elongate member during bending, and also provides the curved portion 112 with added strength when used for forming a barrier.

The elongate member 102 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 has an outer surface 402 defining: a flat face 416 extending along the length of the elongate member 102. The grooved slot 107 for receiving a threaded fastener extends across the flat face 416 along the elongate member.

The elongate member 102 has a second flat face 417 substantially parallel to the first flat face 416. In the case where the elongate member 102 is a bent elongate member, the second flat face 417 is presented downwards toward the ground during use.

An example of a connecting member 103 in the form of a bracket 103, which may be used to form a barrier such as barrier 101 of Fig. 1, is shown in a cross-section view in Fig. 6 and a perspective view in Fig. 7.

The bracket 103 of Figs. 6 and 7 has a similar cross-section along its length and therefore it may be formed by extrusion, but alternatively it may be formed by another process such as casting. The bracket 103 has a first side portion 601 and a second side portion 602 separated by a central portion 603.

The first and second side portions 601 and 602 extend at an angle away from the central portion 603, such that the central portion 603 and the first and second side portions 601 and 602 form a channel 105. The channel 105 extends in a direction (indicated by arrow 701 shown in Fig. 7) such that the cross-section of the bracket 103 perpendicular to that direction (701) is as shown in Fig. 6.

The channel 105 is dimensioned to receive a portion of an elongate member 102 such that the bracket 103 extends along the length of the portion of the elongate member in the direction of arrow 701 and around the outside surface of that portion.

The bracket 103 defines a recess 604 having a width that is dimensioned to receive the flat face 416 of a straight elongate member 102A. The recess is bounded along one side by the second side wall 602 and along a second side by a step 605 formed in the central portion 603. The recess has a flat bottom surface configured to fit against the flat surface 416 of a straight elongate member 102A.

The bracket 103 of Figs. 6 and 7 has a first set of holes 104A in the first side portion 601 arranged on a line (indicated by dotted line 611) in a direction that is at a positive angle to the direction (indicated by arrow 701) of the channel 105. (i.e. the line 611 is not parallel to the direction of the channel.) In the present example, first set of holes 104A is arranged on a line (indicated by the dotted line 611) in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction (indicated by arrow 701) of the channel 105. Consequently the bracket may be used to fix the straight elongate members at right angles to the bent elongate members.

In the present example the first set of holes comprises two holes, but the first set of holes may comprise a different number of holes in alternative embodiments. The holes 104A are through-holes configured to allow the thread portions of screws, such as screws 106, to pass through the holes to fix the bracket 103 to a bent elongate member 1 02B.

The bracket 103 defines a rib 607 extending along the channel 105 of the bracket. The rib 607 extends from the first side portion 601 in a direction towards the second side portion 602, such that when an elongate member is located within the channel 105, the elongate member may rest against the rib 607.

The bracket 103 of Figs. 6 and 7 has a flat outer surface 608 on the first side portion 601. The first set of holes 1 04A extend from the flat outer surface 608 through the first side portion to the channel 105.

The bracket 103 also defines a second set of holes 104B that extend into the channel 105 and that do not extend through the flat outer surface 608. The holes 104B of the second set pass through the central portion 603 of the bracket 103 and are arranged on a second line 610 that extends along the channel 105. The second set of holes extends from the outer surface of the bracket to the flat bottom surface of the recess 604 in the central portion 603.

In the present example, each of the holes 104B is positioned to allow a screw to pass through it and into the grooved slot 107 of a straight elongate member 102A when the flat face 416 of the straight elongate member 102A is positioned in the recess 604.

An enlarged partial view of the barrier 101 of Fig. 1 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which provide further detail of the joint 108 between the straight elongate member 102A and the bent elongate member 102B by the bracket 103.

The channel 105 of the bracket 103 is configured such that in certain places it does not follow the outer surface 402 of an elongate member 102 when the elongate member is positioned within the channel. By this means it is possible to provide a sufficiently large gap between the first side portion 601 of the channel and the outer surface 402 of the straight elongate member 102A to allow for the positioning of the head 901 of a screw, such as screws 106A, when the screw is used to attach the bracket to the bent elongate member 102B. In the present case, this is achieved by the rib 607 which rests against the elongate member 102A and the spaces provided either side of it.

The screws 106A pass through the first side portion 601 of the bracket 103 and are screwed into the bent elongate member 102B. In this way the screws 106A clamp the flat outer surface 608 (labelled in Fig. 6) of the bracket 103 against the bent elongate member 1 02B. In the example of Fig. 9, the screws 106A are provided with a pointed tip 902 to their threaded portions. The pointed tip is configured to provide a small indentation in the flat bottom wall 410 of the grooved slot 107, when screwed into the slot, to provide increased stability of the bracket in its position on the bent elongate member 102B. (In alternative embodiments, flat ended screws are used that do not reach the wall4lO.) In a method of constructing a safety barrier, such as barrier 101, the method comprises locating a first screw 106A in a first hole formed in the connecting member 103 and screwing the first screw into a grooved slot 107 formed in a first elongate member 102B, and locating a second screw 106 in a second hole formed in the connecting member 103 and screwing the second screw into a grooved slot 107 formed in a second elongate member 102A. In this way a first joint is produced between elongate members 1 02A and 1 02B, and to complete the construction of the barrier similar joints are formed between other elongate members.

For example, to assemble the barrier 101, from a kit of parts comprising elongate members 102, connecting members 103 and screws 106, it is necessary to form a number of joints similar to joint 108. To form such a joint, a bracket 103 may firstly be attached to a bent elongate member 102B by passing screws 1 06A through the first set of holes 1 04A of the bracket 103 and screwing them into a bent elongate member 102B. A straight elongate member 102A is then located within the bracket 103 such that its grooved slot 107 is aligned with the second set of holes 1 04B of the bracket. In the present example, this is simply achieved by locating the flat face 416 of the elongate member 1 02A in the recess 604 of the bracket 103. Screws 106 may then be located through the second set of holes 1 04B and screwed into the grooved slot 107.

In the case of joint 108 the straight elongate member 102A extends across the full length of the bracket 103 and may be held in place by screws located in each of the second set of holes 104B of the bracket (in this case four screws). Where a barrier is to have an extended length comprising more than one length of straight elongate members 102A, the bracket may be used to connect two straight elongate members 102A together. A further joint 1008 is shown in Fig. 10 where a first straight elongate member 1 02A is attached to a bracket 103 by two screws 106C and a second straight elongate member 102A' is attached to the bracket by a second two screws 106D.

A foot plate 113 as used to form the barrier 101 of Fig. 1 is shown in the perspective view of Fig. 11 and the end view of Fig. 12, with an elongate member 1 02B fixed in place. The foot plate 113 may be formed of a sheet of metal. A central portion 1101 is shaped to define a channel 1102 configured to extend along and around a portion of a bent elongate member 102B. The central portion separates two side portions 1103 that are arranged to be in the same plane and be located against a floor surface (such as a flat roof) during use.

The central portion 1101 defines an aperture 1104 configured to allow a bent elongate member 1023 to pass through. The aperture 1104 separates a first part 1106 of the central portion 1101 from a second part 1107 of the central portion. The first part 1106 of the central portion 1101 defines one of more holes 1108 (in the present example two holes).

In use, a bent elongate member 1023 is located through the aperture 1104 such that the first straight portion 110 of the bent elongate member 1023 extends along the channel 1102 of the foot plate 113 and the curved portion 112 of the bent elongate member 102B extends through the aperture 1104 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 12. A screw 206 may be located through each of the holes 1108 of the foot plate 113 and screwed into the grooved slot 107 of the bent elongate member 102B to fix it to the foot plate 113. The aperture 1104 of the foot plate 113 has an edge 1105 that is arranged to fit against the outer curved surface of the bent elongate member 102B to provide it with further support.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A safety barrier comprising: a plurality of elongate members defining a grooved slot; a plurality of connecting members defining holes; and a plurality of screws located through the holes and engaging the grooved slot of an elongate member.
2. A safety barrier according to claim 1, wherein the connecting members comprise a plurality of brackets defining the holes and a channel configured to extend around and along a portion of an elongate member.
3. A safety barrier according to claim 2, wherein one of the brackets has two holes arranged on a line in a direction that is at a positive angle to the direction of the channel of the bracket.
4. A safety barrier according to claim 3, wherein the positive angle is substantially 90 degrees.
5. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of the elongate members has a flat face extending along its length, and the grooved slot extends along the flat face.
6. A safety barrier according to claim 5 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the channel of the brackets has a flat bottomed recess and the flat face of the elongate members is configured to fit within the recess.
7. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the brackets define a rib extending along the channel of the bracket such that when an elongate member is located within the channel, the elongate member rests against the rib.
8. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the bracket has a flat outer surface and the bracket defines a set of holes that extend into the channel and that do not extend through the flat outer surface.
9. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each elongate member comprises an aluminium extrusion.
10. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a plurality of said elongate members are bent elongate members and comprise two straight portions separated by a curved portion.
11. A safety barrier according to claim 10 wherein the grooved slot of the bent elongate members extends along the inside of the curved portion.
12. A safety barrier according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the bent elongate members are tubular members and the bent elongate member defines ribs or webs extending along the interior of the tubular members.
13. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein a bar is located inside the bent elongate members along the curved portion.
14. A safety barrier according to any one of claims 10 to 13 further comprising a floor plate defining a channel configured to extend along and around a portion of the bent elongate members.
15. A safety barrier according to claim 14 wherein the floor plate defines an aperture to allow the bent elongate member to extend through the aperture.
16. A safety barrier according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the floor plate defines a hole configured to allow the thread of one of the screws to pass through.
17. A safety barrier according to any one of claims ito 16 further comprising a foot block defining a channel configured to extend along and around a portion of an elongate member and a hole configured to allow the thread of one of the screws to pass through into the channel and into the groove of the elongate member when the elongate member is positioned in the channel of the foot block.
18. A kit of parts for constructing a safety barrier comprising: a plurality of elongate members defining a grooved slot; a plurality of connecting members defining holes; and a plurality of screws having a thread configured to fit through the holes and engage the grooved slot of an elongate member.
19. A kit of pads according to claim 18, wherein the connecting members comprise a plurality of brackets defining the holes and a channel configured to extend around and along a portion of an elongate member.
20. A kit of pads according to claim 19, wherein one of the brackets has two holes arranged on a line in a direction that is at a positive angle to the direction of the channel of the bracket.
21. A kit of pads according to claim 20, wherein the positive angle is substantially 90 degrees.
22. A kit of pads according to any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein each of the elongate members has a flat face extending along its length, and the grooved slot extends along the flat face.
23. A kit of parts according to claim 22 when dependent upon claim 19, wherein the channel of the brackets has a flat bottomed recess and the flat face of the elongate members is configured to fit within the recess.
24. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 18 to 23 when dependent upon claim 19, wherein the brackets define a rib extending along the channel of the bracket such that when an elongate member is located within the channel, the elongate member rests against the rib.
25. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 18 to 24 when dependent upon claim 19, wherein the bracket has a flat outer surface and the bracket defines a set of holes that extend into the channel and that do not extend through the flat outer surface.
26. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 18 to 25 wherein each elongate member comprises an aluminium extrusion.
27. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 18 to 26 wherein a plurality of said elongate members are bent elongate members and comprise two straight portions separated by a curved portion.
28. A kit of parts according to claim 27 wherein the grooved slot of the bent elongate members extends along the inside of the curved portion.
29. A kit of parts according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the bent elongate members are tubular members and the bent elongate member defines ribs or webs extending along the interior of the tubular members.
30. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein a bar is located inside the bent elongate members along the curved portion.
31. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 27 to 30 further comprising a floor plate defining a channel configured to extend along and around a portion of the bent elongate members.
32. A kit of parts according to claim 31 wherein the floor plate defines an aperture to allow the bent elongate member to extend through the aperture.
33. A kit of parts according to claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the floor plate defines a hole configured to allow the thread of one of the screws to pass through.
34. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 18 to 33 further comprising a foot block defining a channel configured to extend along and around a portion of an elongate member and a hole configured to allow the thread of one of the screws to pass through into the channel and into the groove of the elongate member when the elongate member is positioned in the channel of the foot block.
35. A method of constructing a safety barrier comprising: locating a first screw in a first hole formed in connecting member; locating a second screw in a second hole formed in connecting member; screwing the first screw into a grooved slot formed in a first elongate member; and screwing the second screw into a grooved slot formed in a second elongate member.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the connecting member comprises a bracket defining the first and second holes and a channel configured to extend around and along a portion of an elongate member, and the method further comprises locating one of the first and second elongate members within the channel of the bracket.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the bracket further defines a third hole, the first hole and the third hole being arranged on a line in a direction that is at a positive angle to the direction of the channel of the bracket, and the method comprises locating a third screw in the third hole and screwing the third screw into the grooved slot formed in the first elongate member.
38. An elongate member having an outer surface defining: a flat face extending along the length of the elongate member; and a grooved slot for receiving a threaded fastener, the grooved slot extending across the flat face along the elongate member.