GB2537848A

GB2537848A - Safety barrier assembly and method of using same

Info

Publication number: GB2537848A
Application number: GB1507175.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moore Christopher; Spencer Mark
Original assignee: ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-28
Filing date: 2015-04-28
Publication date: 2016-11-02
Also published as: GB201507175D0

Abstract

A safety barrier support device 2 comprises first and second telescopic members 4, 6 for directly or indirectly bracing against opposing surfaces in use. A locking means (20, Fig 1) on said first and /or second telescopic members is actuatable between a first unlocked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are moveable relative to one another, and a second locked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are locked relative to one another. A cradle member (100a, 100b, Fig 2) is connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members to support a safety barrier panel. A latch member 160 is connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members for releasable co-operation with a barrier panel, wherein shoulder feature (172, Fig 4e) of the latch member is biased towards the first and /or second telescopic member. Also included is a safety barrier assembly (Fig 6) and method of assembly thereof to protect an elevator shaft entrance.

Description

SAFETY BARRIER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING SAME

The present invention relates to a safety barrier assembly and particularly, though not exclusively, to a safety barrier assembly and a method of using same for covering an exposed entrance to a lift or elevator shaft during installation and maintenance works.

It is known to use barrier systems during the construction of buildings to prevent workers from falling from the edge of a building. Such barrier systems employ a series of spaced apart safety posts which are typically located between a floor and ceiling of a new building construction between which are fitted mesh safety barriers to form a temporary safety wall.

Health and Safety legislation in the United Kingdom and other countries impose strict rules in relation to the technical characteristics of temporary safety barriers or walls in order to minimise the risk of falls. A particular challenge arises in relation to lift or elevators undergoing maintenance where the shafts may be exposed and pose a danger not only to maintenance staff working therein, but also to others, e.g. nearby construction workers. A number of different arrangements have been proposed in the past in order to address this issue whilst complying with statutory requirement. For example, it is known to use safety nets inside lift shafts to break the fall of objects or persons as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,167,299. However, such an arrangement merely catches a falling object or person and does not prevent a fall from happening in the first place. Furthermore, the existence of the safety net within the shaft may hinder the required installation or maintenance work.

Alternative vertical netting arrangements have been proposed such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,758,306 which employs numerous complicated hooks, straps and eye bolts for attachment to wall, floor and ceiling members. In addition to their complexity, and the need for special tools, arrangements of this type require temporary fixings to be drilled and set into the fabric of the building thus causing undesirable aesthetic damage.

In order to overcome the abovementioned problem, it is known to provide means for facilitating releasable attachment of a safety barrier between a floor and ceiling of a building. For example, EP1921226A2 discloses an arrangement whereby a post having telescoping inner and outer tubes is braced against floor and ceiling members, without any requirement for penetration. A floor engaging end is joined to the outer tube and a ceiling engaging end is rotatably coupled to the inner tube which includes a coiled compression spring arrangement. Both the ceiling and floor engaging ends have protrusions which ensure sufficient engagement between the ends and the surfaces with which they engage. The compression spring arrangement ensures that a biasing force is applied to the engaging ends sufficient to provide secure engagement of the post between the floor and ceiling. A handle-operated locking assembly is provided between the inner and outer tube to fix the relative positions of the inner and outer tubes in use. Such an arrangement provides a fast and efficient means of installing a safety barrier in a construction type environment. However, the inventors of the present invention have recognised a need for an improved safety barrier system which addresses the particular technical problems and statutory requirements when such barriers are used to protect exposed lift or elevator shafts.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an alternative safety barrier arrangement specifically intended for use across exposed lift or elevator shafts where there is a requirement to allow dismantling of the barrier from either side, and to prevent inadvertent unlocking of the barrier.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety barrier support device; said support device comprising: first and second telescopic members for directly or indirectly bracing against opposing surfaces in use; (ii) locking means on said first and/or second telescopic members actuatable between a first unlocked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are movable relative to one another, and a second locked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are locked relative to one another; (Hi) a cradle member connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members for supporting a portion of a safety barrier panel; and (iv) a latch member connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members for releasable co-operation with a safety barrier panel; wherein a panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member is biased towards the first and/or second telescopic member.

Optionally, the latch member extends transversely relative to the telescopic member to which it is attached.

It will be appreciated that in the context of the present invention, the word "transversely" is not necessarily to be interpreted as meaning that the angle between the latch member and the telescopic member(s) is 90 degrees. The latch member must merely extend generally crosswise relative to the telescopic member(s).

Optionally, the latch member comprises an elongate bar which extends through a flange connected to the telescopic member; the elongate bar being translatable and rotatable relative to said flange.

Optionally, the elongate bar extends through two opposed flanges.

Optionally, the opposed flanges are connected by a base member.

Optionally, the elongate bar extends through an aperture formed in the, or each, flange. Optionally, a detent member extends from a surface of the elongate bar.

Optionally, the detent member is dimensioned such that it is incapable of passing through the, or each, aperture.

Optionally, a spring is connected to the elongate bar and compressible between the detent member and the, or each, flange.

Optionally, the detent member is releasably engageable with a recess provided on the base member.

Optionally, the panel-engaging shoulder of the elongate bar is situated on the opposite side of the flange from the detent member and spring.

Advantageously, the recess is located proximate the barrier-side flange such that, when the detent member is retained therein, the spring is under a compression load and the panel-engaging shoulder is locked out in a retracted position whereby a predetermined spacing is maintained between it and the barrier-side flange.

Optionally, the end of the elongate bar which is remote from the panel-engaging shoulder provides a manually graspable handle for operation of the latch member.

Advantageously, such an arrangement facilitates operation of the latch member from both sides of the safety barrier panel. Such a capability is particularly advantageous in the context of a barrier system used to protect an exposed lift or elevator shaft where it may be necessary for a maintenance worker to quickly dismantle the barrier from within the lift or elevator shaft in an emergency situation.

Optionally, the latch member is attached to its telescopic member at a position which is above the cradle member in use.

Optionally, at least one latch -cradle member pair is provided on each telescopic member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety barrier assembly comprising: (0 at least two safety barrier support devices according to the first aspect; (ii) a safety barrier panel having a perimeter edge; (iii) a latch member aperture within the safety barrier panel dimensioned to allow passage of the panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member when in a first rotational orientation, but to prevent passage of the panel-engaging shoulder when said latch member is in a rotational orientation which substantially differs from said first orientation; and (iv) a location surface surrounding the latch member aperture against which the panel-engaging shoulder is biased when in a rotational orientation which substantially differs from said first orientation.

Optionally, the latch member aperture is in the form of an elongate slot dimensioned to be marginally larger than the corresponding maximum length and width dimensions of the panel-engaging shoulder.

Optionally, the location surface is provided with opposed protrusions.

Advantageously, the protrusions define channels which prevent rotation of the latch member into its first orientation so as to avoid the latch member inadvertently being retracted through the latch member aperture under the influence of biasing force of the spring.

Optionally, a plurality of latch member apertures are provided within the safety barrier 20 panel.

Advantageously, such an arrangement provides flexibility in terms of the relative spacing of the adjacent safety barrier support devices.

Optionally, the perimeter edge is dimensioned such that it is locatable within the cradle member of the safety barrier support device.

Optionally, the spacing between the perimeter edge and the latch member aperture(s) of the safety barrier panel matches the spacing of the cradle member and the latch member of the safety barrier support device.

Optionally, the major surface of the safety barrier panel within its perimeter edge is defined by a mesh.

Optionally, the mesh size is between 20mm2 and 30mm2.

Optionally, grasping apertures are formed within the panel.

Advantageously, such apertures are dimensioned to allow a user's fingers to pass through the panel surface to facilitate lifting and manoeuvring of the panels. This is particularly helpful to a user when lifting or moving a large or heavy panel which is either solid, or has a mesh size which is too small to allow the passage of fingers or hands.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a safety barrier using a safety barrier assembly according to the second aspect; the method comprising the steps of: (0 extending the first and second telescopic members of a first safety barrier support device between opposing surfaces; (it) employing the locking means on said first and/or second telescopic members to lock said first and second telescopic members relative to one another and brace them against said opposing surfaces; (iii) locating the lower perimeter edge of the safety barrier panel within the cradle member; (iv) moving the upper perimeter edge of the safety barrier panel towards the safety barrier support device such that the panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member passes through the latch member aperture; and (v) rotating the latch member such that the panel-engaging shoulder is urged against the location surface of the safety barrier panel to retain it in position.

Optionally, step (Hi) is preceded by the step of locking the latch member in a retracted position so as to prevent its movement towards the first and/or second telescopic member under influence of the biasing force.

Advantageously, when the latch member is locked in said retracted position the panel-engaging shoulder is rotationally orientated so as to be aligned with the latch member aperture.

Optionally, the step of rotating the latch member requires a rotation of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a support device according to an embodiment of the present invention showing locked and unlocked positions; Figure 2 is a side view of the support post in figure 1; Figures 3a-3c illustrate the steps involved in actuating a handle portion of the support post in one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4a-4d illustrate the sequential steps for operating the latch member in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4e illustrates the component parts of the latch member in more detail.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the sequential steps for mounting a safety barrier panel onto the support device of Figs 1 to 3; and Figure 6 illustrates an assembled safety barrier assembly.

Referring to figures 1-2, there is illustrated a support post 2 for locating between a floor and a header proximate an elevator or lift doorway (not shown). A safety fence assembly (see Figure 6) is fitted to two spaced apart support posts in use.

The support post 2 includes a first outer telescopic member 4 and a second inner telescopic member 6. Both members 4, 6 are substantially elongate in form, are hollow and have a generally quadrilateral or square shaped cross section so as to allow inner member 6 to be slidably movable within outer member 4 longitudinally of post 2 but to prevent relative rotation of members 4, 6. However, it will be appreciated that alternative cross-sectional shapes, e.g. circular, are not precluded. Outer member 4 has slightly larger dimensions than inner member 6 to allow inner member 6 to be slidably movable in outer member 4.

Outer member 4 has a support foot 8 joined to a distal end 10 thereof via an attachment shaft 12. In this embodiment shaft 12 is welded to outer member 4 and foot 8 is freely rotatable on shaft 12. Inner member 6 has a support foot 14 joined to a distal end 16 thereof via resilient biasing means 18 as described in more detail below.

Support foot 8 of outer member 4 is typically located on a floor beneath the header of an elevator or lift door; and support foot 14 of inner member 6 is typically moved into engagement with the ceiling or header directly above the floor on which foot 8 is located. The inner member 6 is telescoped a required distance relative to outer member 4 to allow the height of the post to be adjusted to fit between the floor and header. When the post is correctly positioned, the longitudinal axis of the support post is typically substantially vertical in orientation.

Locking means 20 are provided for locking inner member 6 relative to outer member 4 in the required position. More particularly, locking means 20 includes actuating means in the form of a bracket assembly 22 and an actuating handle 24, and a locking portion 26 which is movable by the actuating handle 24 from a first unlocked position to a second locked position, as is fully described within European patent application No. EP1921226A2 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The handle 24 is shown in solid black lines at an acute angle to the outer member 4 in the first unlocked position and is shown in dotted black lines substantially parallel with and adjacent to the outer member 4 in the second locked position. A further safety lock 28 is provided which secures handle 24 in the second locked position and is releasable therefrom with the handle 24 in the first unlocked position. The locked and unlocked positions of safety lock 28 are shown using different dotted lines in figure 1.

Two cradle members 100a and 100b (see Figs. 5a, 5b and 6) are attached to outer member 4 proximate the support foot 8. The cradle members are vertically spaced apart by a distance which exceeds the height of a safety barrier panel 140. The cradle members 100a, 100b are defined by U-shaped channels the side walls of which are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of a perimeter edge 142 of the safety barrier panel 140.

As is best shown in Figure 6, the majority of the surface area of safety barrier panel 140 comprises a fine wire mesh 144 with a solid kick plate 146 extending from its lowermost peripheral edge 143. Two spaced apart grasping apertures 148 are provided in a generally central position within the wire mesh 144 to facilitate lifting of the safety barrier panel 140. Latch member apertures in the form of elongate vertical slots 150 are located proximate the upper corners of the safety barrier panel 140. The slots 150 are formed within strengthened portions of the safety barrier panel 140 in the form of solid metal plates 152 which are welded to the wire mesh. The solid metal plates 152 define location surfaces which surround The elongate vertical slots 150, the purpose of which is described in detail below.

Two latch members 160 are attached to the outer member 4 and inner member 6, respectively as most clearly shown in Figures 4a to 4d. Each latch member comprises a cylindrical elongate shaft 162 extending through apertures 164 within opposed rear and front flange members 166a and 166b, respectively. The opposed rear and front flange members 166a and 166b are joined by a base member 168 which may be attached to the inner/outer telescopic member 4,6 by means of an adjustable clamp. A detent member in the form of a pin 170 extends away from the surface of the cylindrical elongate shaft 162 and is dimensioned such that it is incapable of passing through apertures 164. The detent member 170 is located on the elongate shaft 162 at a longitudinal position lying between the opposed rear and front flange members 166a and 166b thus limiting the distance along which the elongate shaft may be translated in the longitudinal direction.

A panel-engaging shoulder 172 of the elongate shaft 162 is located forward of the front flange member 166b and is incapable of passing through aperture 164. A coil spring 174 surrounds the elongate shaft 162. A first end 174a of the coil spring abuts against the detent member 170; and a second end 174b abuts against the front flange member 166b such that longitudinal movement of the elongate shaft 162 in the direction of front flange member 166b acts to compress the coil spring 174. A biasing force therefore applied a load to the detent member 170 thereby urging the elongate shaft 162 towards the rear flange member 166a, and hence the panel-engaging shoulder 172 towards the front flange member 166b.

A recess 180 is formed in the base member 168 at an intermediate position between the opposed rear and front flange members 166a and 166b. The detent member 170 is locatable within the recess 180 only when the elongate shaft 162 is in a predetermined rotational orientation. When the detent member 170 is located with the recess 180, the elongate shaft 162 is locked in a position whereby the panel-engaging shoulder 172 is retracted away from the front flange member 166b.

The method steps for assembling a safety barrier assembly will now be described. Referring firstly to figures 3a-3c, there is illustrated a method of using a handle arrangement 202 of a support post 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention to effect the locking of the inner telescopic member relative to the outer telescopic member 4 as described above so as to brace the support feet 8, 14 against opposed floor and header surfaces.

The handle arrangement 202 includes a first handle portion 204 and a second handle portion 206 slidably mounted thereon. More particularly, the first handle portion 204 is in the form of an elongate member having a safety recess 208 defined adjacent a free end 210 thereof The safety recess 208 allows engagement with a safety lock 28 therewith in use. Movement of first handle portion 204 relative to support post 2 is as previously described above.

The second handle portion 206 is in the form of a sleeve having slightly larger dimensions than the first handle portion 204 to allow free movement of portion 206 relative to portion 204. Second handle portion 206 is movable between a first position, as shown in figure 3b, wherein portion 206 is a spaced distance apart from safety recess 208 and adjacent an upper part of first handle portion 204, and a second position, as shown in figures 3a and 3c, wherein portion 206 is located adjacent a lower part of first handle portion 204. A recess 212 is defined at end 214 of second handle portion 206 to allow at least part of the safety lock 28 to pass through the second handle portion and be located in the safety recess 208 when handle portion 206 is in the second position. Recess 212 is typically substantially aligned with safety recess 208 in the second position.

The safety lock 28 functions as previously described above and can be pivotally moved into engagement with safety recess 208 on first handle portion 204 and released therefrom. At least one aperture 216 is defined in the side wall of second handle portion 206 to allow a locking means to pass therethrough to maintain the second handle portion in the second position in use. With the second handle portion 206 locked in the second position, safety lock 28 cannot be released from safety recess 208.

Once two spaced apart support posts 2 are vertically braced in position, safety barrier panel 140 may be mounted thereon. This is achieved by first ensuring that the elongate shaft 162 of the latch members are locked out in their panel receiving positions (see Figure 4a3 whereby the panel-engaging shoulders 172 are retracted away from the front flange members 166b; and whereby the panel-engaging shoulders 172 are each rotationally orientated so as to be aligned with one of the three elongate vertical slots 150 provided in the safety barrier panel 140.

The safety barrier panel 140 may then be lifted via the grasping apertures 148 and lowered such that its lower peripheral edge 143 is seated within the respective cradle members 100a. As shown in Figure 5a, the spacing between the side walls of the cradle members is large enough to permit the safety barrier panel 140 to initially be supported therein in a non-vertical orientation, i.e. tilted slightly towards the user. As the safety barrier panel 140 is titled towards a vertical orientation the panel-engaging shoulders 172 of the latch members 160 pass through elongate vertical slots 150 provided in the safety barrier panel 140.

Whilst manually supporting the upper peripheral edge of the safety barrier panel 140, each latch members 160 is rotated by approximately 45 degrees to release the detent member 170 from its recess 180. This causes panel-engaging shoulders 172 to be urged against the solid metal plates 152 thus securing the safety barrier panel 140 between the front flange members 166b and the panel-engaging shoulders 172 s shown in Figure 5b. As best shown in Figure 6, the panel-engaging shoulders 172 are restrained against rotational movement by being seated within channels defined by opposed protrusions formed in the solid metal plates 152. This provides an important safety feature to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the safety barrier panel 140 from latch members 160.

Further panels may be mounted on cradle members 100b above the safety barrier panel 140 which is mounted at floor level by following the same procedure as outlined above.

Advantageously, the apparatus of The present invention allows safety barrier panels 140 to be removed from the support posts 2 from either side of the safety barrier panels 140. From the front side this is achieved by pulling each latch member 160 (via an eyelet formed at its foremost distal end) away from the safety barrier panel 140 against the action of the coil spring 174 such that its panel-engaging shoulder 172 moves out of the channels formed in the solid metal plates 152. Each latch members 160 is rotated by approximately 45 degrees and then gently released so as to move the detent member 170 back into its recess 180 between the rear an front flanges 166a, 166b. The upper peripheral edge of the safety barrier panel 140 can then be tilted towards the user and then lifted off the cradle members 100a, 100b via grasping apertures 148.

From the rear side removal of the safety barrier panels 140 is achieved by pushing each latch member 160 away from the safety barrier panel 140 against the action of the coil spring 174 such that its panel-engaging shoulder 172 moves out of the channels formed in the solid metal plates 152. As best illustrated in Figures 4a to 4d, a rearmost end of the cylindrical elongate shaft 162 extends rearwardly beyond the rear flange 166a and is bent at an angle relative to the remainder of the cylindrical elongate shaft 162. The serves both to prevent disengagement of the elongate shaft 162 from the front and rear flanges 166a, 166b; and to provide a manually graspable handle for operation of the latch member from the rear side of the safety barrier panel 140. Using the graspable handles, each latch members 160 is rotated by approximately 45 degrees and then gently released so as to move the detent member 170 back into its recess 180 between the rear an front flanges 166a, 166b. The upper peripheral edge of the safety barrier panel 140 can then be tilted away from the user and then lifted off the cradle members 100a, 100b via grasping apertures 148.

It will be appreciated that the ability to remove the safety barrier panels 140 from either side of the assembly provides a significant safety improvement which is particularly suitable for use in relation to exposed elevator or lift shafts.

Modifications or improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the statements of invention. For example, whilst the rear and front flange members 166a, 166b are indirectly connected to the telescopic member via a base member 168, the flanges could instead be directly connected to (or formed integrally with) the external surface of telescopic member. In such a case, the recess 180 could be formed on an external surface of the telescopic member intermediate the two flange members 166a, 166b. The component parts of the safety barrier assembly may be formed from any suitable material (or a combination of materials) which provide sufficient strength characteristics, e.g. metals or plastics.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A safety barrier support device; said support device comprising: first and second telescopic members for directly or indirectly bracing against opposing surfaces in use; (ii) locking means on said first and/or second telescopic members actuatable between a first unlocked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are movable relative to one another, and a second locked condition wherein said first and second telescopic members are locked relative to one another; (iii) a cradle member connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members for supporting a portion of a safety barrier panel; and (iv) a latch member connected to at least one of the first and second telescopic members for releasable co-operation with a safety barrier panel; wherein a panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member is biased towards the first and/or second telescopic member.
2. A safety barrier support device according to claim 1, wherein the latch member extends transversely relative to the telescopic member to which it is attached.
3. A safety barrier support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the latch member comprises an elongate bar which extends through a flange connected to the telescopic member; the elongate bar being translatable and rotatable relative to said flange.
4. A safety barrier support device according to claim 3, wherein the elongate bar extends through two opposed flanges.
5. A safety barrier support device according to claim 4, wherein the opposed flanges are connected by a base member.
6. A safety barrier support device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the elongate bar extends through an aperture formed in the, or each, flange.
7. A safety barrier support device according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein a detent member extends from a surface of the elongate bar.
8. A safety barrier support device according to claim 7, wherein the detent member is dimensioned such that it is incapable of passing through the, or each, aperture.
9. A safety barrier support device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a spring is connected to the elongate bar and compressible between the detent member and the, or each, flange. In 15 ('Si
10. A safety barrier support device according to any of claims 5, 6, 7 [when dependent on claim S], 8 or 9, wherein the detent member is releasably engageable with a recess provided on the base member.
11. A safety barrier support device according to claim 9, wherein the panel-engaging shoulder of the elongate bar is situated on the opposite side of the flange from the detent member and spring.
12. A safety barrier support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the end of the elongate bar which is remote from the panel-engaging shoulder provides a manually graspable handle for operation of the latch member.
13. A safety barrier support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch member is attached to its telescopic member at a position which is above the cradle member in use.
14. A safety barrier support device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one latch -cradle member pair is provided on each telescopic member.
15. A safety barrier assembly comprising: at least two safety barrier support devices according to the first aspect; a safety barrier panel having a perimeter edge; (iii) a latch member aperture within the safety barrier panel dimensioned to allow passage of the panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member when in a first rotational orientation, but to prevent passage of the panel-engaging shoulder when said latch member is in a rotational orientation which substantially differs from said first orientation; and (iv) a location surface surrounding the latch member aperture against which the panel-engaging shoulder is biased when in a rotational orientation which substantially differs from said first orientation.
16. A safety barrier assembly according to claim 15, wherein the latch member aperture is in the form of an elongate slot dimensioned to be marginally larger than the corresponding maximum length and width dimensions of the panel-engaging shoulder.
17. A safety barrier assembly according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the location surface is provided with opposed protrusions.
18. A safety barrier assembly according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein a plurality of latch member apertures are provided within the safety barrier panel.
19. A safety barrier assembly according to claim 18, wherein the perimeter edge is dimensioned such that it is locatable within a cradle member of the safety barrier support device.
20. A safety barrier assembly according to claims 19, wherein the spacing between the perimeter edge and the latch member aperture(s) of the safety barrier panel matches the spacing of the cradle member and the latch member of the safety barrier support device.
21. A safety barrier assembly according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein a major surface of the safety barrier panel within its perimeter edge is defined by a mesh. 30
22. A safety barrier assembly according to claims 21, wherein the mesh size is between 20mm2 and 30mm2.23 A safety barrier assembly according to any of claims 15 to 22, wherein grasping apertures are formed within the panel.24. A method of assembling a safety barrier using a safety barrier assembly according to the second aspect; the method comprising the steps of: (i) extending the first and second telescopic members of a first safety barrier support device between opposing surfaces; (ii) employing the locking means on said first and/or second telescopic members to lock said first and second telescopic members relative to one another and brace them against said opposing surfaces; (iii) locating the lower perimeter edge of the safety barrier panel within the cradle member; (iv) moving the upper perimeter edge of the safety barrier panel towards the safety barrier support device such that the panel-engaging shoulder of the latch member passes through the latch member aperture; and (v) rotating the latch member such that the panel-engaging shoulder is urged against the location surface of the safety barrier panel to retain it in position.25. A method of assembling a safety barrier according to claim 24, wherein step (iii) is preceded by the step of locking the latch member in a retracted position so as to prevent its movement towards the first and/or second telescopic member under influence of the biasing force.26. A method of assembling a safety barrier according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the step of rotating the latch member requires a rotation of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.LC) 15 ('Si