GB2535732A

GB2535732A - Barrier connector

Info

Publication number: GB2535732A
Application number: GB1503134.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Whiteley Christopher
Original assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-25
Filing date: 2015-02-25
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Also published as: GB201503134D0

Abstract

The barrier clip has a connector body that is securable to a first barrier unit, the body having a re-entrant recess 30 for receiving a second barrier. The recess is partially covered by a projection 32 that extends over half way across the width of the recess, such that separation of the barriers by pulling is resisted. The projection may protrude inwardly at an angle towards the base of the recess, and the second barrier unit can slot into the connector, such that during insertion the second barrier cooperates with the projection and bears against the opposite wall 24b of the recess, urging the walls 24a 24b apart and allowing the second barrier to pass into the projection. The connector may be attached to the first barrier unit by clamping arms 14a 14b that may include ribs 22 for fitting into grooves in the first barrier, for resisting angular movement.

Description

Barrier Connector This invention relates to a connector, and in particular to a connector suitable for use in connecting together barrier units to form an elongate barrier suitable for use in restricting access to a selected area. Such an arrangement may be used, for example, to restrict access to areas in which cavities or trenches have been formed in a footpath or the like, the barrier restricting pedestrian access and so reducing the risk of accidental injury to passers-by.

Typically, where it is desired to connect together two or more barrier sections or units, a push fit clip is used. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that connecting together the barrier sections is relatively straightforward. However, it has the disadvantage that the barrier sections or units may be separated from one another relatively easily, simply by pulling the sections or units apart or away from one another.

As a result, there is a risk that the barriers may become disconnected from one another if one of the barriers is moved. Furthermore, unauthorised persons may easily separate the barrier units or sections.

It is an object of the invention to provide a connector suitable for use in such applications and in which separation of interconnected barrier sections or units is more difficult. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a connector in which at least some of the disadvantages with known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a barrier connector comprising a connector body securable to a first barrier unit, in use, the connector body defining a re-entrant recess arranged, in use, to receive part of a second barrier unit, wherein the re-entrant recess has a width and is defined, in part, by a projection that extends more than half way across the width of the re-entrant recess such that separation of the first and second barrier units, in use, by pulling the barrier units apart, is resisted.

Preferably, the connector body is secured to the first barrier unit by being clamped thereto. The connector body conveniently includes a pair of clamp arms arranged to be positioned around a part of the first barrier unit, and being clamped to one another, adjacent their free ends, to secure the connector body in position. Conveniently, the clamp arms are arranged to be clamped to one another using a self-tapping screw. The clamp arms conveniently include projections receivable within recesses formed in the said part of the first barrier unit to resist angular movement of the connector body relative to the said part of the first barrier unit.

The projection is conveniently angled so that upon insertion of the said part of the second barrier unit into the recess, cooperation of the said part of the second barrier unit with the projection applies a force urging the walls of the recess apart to allow the said part of the second barrier unit to pass the projection.

The invention further relates to a barrier arrangement comprising a first barrier unit, a second barrier unit and a barrier connector as defined hereinbefore and arranged to couple the first and second barrier units to one another.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a barrier connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an illustration showing the barrier connector in use; and Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the barrier connector.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a barrier connector 10 is illustrated, the connector 10 comprising a connector body 12 of molded plastics material form. The connector body 12 is shaped to define a pair of clamp arms 14a, 14b, each being of arcuate form so that the clamp arms 14a, 14b define therebetween a void or passage 16 able to receive a part 18 of a first barrier unit 20. The first clamp arm 14a is formed with an opening (not shown) through which a self-tapping screw or the like extends, the screw being engageable with the second clamp arm 14b to apply a clamping load to the first and second clamp arms 14a, 14b, clamping the free ends of the clamp arms 14a, 14b to one another, and clamping the connector body 12 to the said part 18 of the first barrier unit 20.

As shown in Figure 3, the first and second clamp arms 14a, 14b are each preferably provided with projections or ribs 22 receivable within correspondingly shaped and positioned grooves or recesses provided in the part 18 of the first barrier unit 20 so as to prevent or resist angular movement of the connector body 12 relative to the first barrier unit 20.

The connector body 12 further defines first and second walls 24a, 24b which are substantially parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another by a distance sufficient to allow a part 26 of a second barrier unit 28 to be received within a recess 30 defined therebetween. The material of the connector body 12 is sufficiently flexible as to allow the walls 24a, 24b to be deflected away from one another when desired.

Integrally formed with the first wall 24a is a projection 32. The projection 32 is angled such that its free end is closer to the base of the recess 30 than the end thereof joining the wall 32a, and is of a sufficient length that it extends more than half way across the recess 30. The projection 32, being angled as mentioned above, serves such that, in use, upon inserting the part 26 of the second barrier unit 28 into the recess 30, the engagement of the part 26 with the projection 32 applies a load urging the first and second walls 24a, 24b apart, thereby allowing the part 26 to be fully received within the recess 30. Once past the projection 32, the walls 24a, 24b will return to substantially their original positions due to the resilience of the material thereof, the projection 32 serving to retain the part 26 within the recess 30. It will thus be appreciated that the recess 30 is of re-entrant form in the sense that the part 26 can be pushed into the recess 30, and held captive once received therein.

Once the part 26 is received within the recess 30 and the walls 24a, 24b have returned to their original positions, it will be appreciated that as the projection 32 extends to a position more than half way across the recess 30 and is angled as mentioned above, the action of applying a load to the barrier units attempting to pull the barrier units apart does not result in the application of a load urging the walls 24a, 24b apart as the free end or edge of the projection 32 will bear against a region of the part 26 closer to the wall 24b than the wall 24a. Accordingly, the connector 10 is able to resist such separation of the barrier units.

When it is desired to separate the barrier units, an operator must manually separate the walls 24a, 24b to allow the part 26 to pass the projection 32 and exit the recess 30.

As illustrated, the end parts of the walls 24a, 24b may be shaped to guide the movement of the part 26 towards the recess 30, to aid the action of securing the barrier units to one another.

Whilst one embodiment of the invention has been described hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A barrier connector comprising a connector body securable to a first barrier unit, in use, the connector body defining a re-entrant recess arranged, in use, to receive part of a second barrier unit, wherein the re-entrant recess has a width and is defined, in part, by a projection that extends more than half way across the width of the re-entrant recess such that separation of the first and second barrier units, in use, by pulling the barrier units apart, is resisted.
2. A connector according to Claim 1, wherein the projection is angled such that a free end or edge thereof is closest to the base of the recess.
3. A connector according to Claim 2, wherein the angling of the projection serves to ensure that when the projection engages the said part of the second barrier unit, the free end or edge thereof bears against a region of the part remote from a wall of the connector body from which the projection extends.
4. A connector according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the angling of the projection is such that upon insertion of the said part of the second barrier unit into the recess, cooperation of the said part of the second barrier unit with the projection applies a force urging the walls of the recess apart to allow the said part of the second barrier unit to pass the projection.
5. A connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector body is secured to the first barrier unit by being clamped thereto.
6. A connector according to Claim 5, wherein the connector body includes a pair of clamp arms arranged to be positioned around a part of the first barrier unit, and being clamped to one another, adjacent their free ends, to secure the connector body in position.
7. A connector according to Claim 6, wherein the clamp arms are arranged to be clamped to one another using a self-tapping screw.
8. A connector according to any of Claims 6 and 7, wherein the clamp arms include projections receivable within recesses formed in the said part of the first barrier unit to resist angular movement of the connector body relative to the said part of the first barrier unit.
9. A barrier arrangement comprising a first barrier unit, a second barrier unit and a barrier connector according to any of the preceding claims and arranged to couple the first and second barrier units to one another.