GB2554837A

GB2554837A - Safety Barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2554837A
Application number: GB1721346.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Mark; Johnstone Clive
Original assignee: JSP Ltd
Current assignee: JSP Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-19
Filing date: 2012-07-19
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-19
Also published as: GB201721342D0; GB2504118B; GB201212810D0; GB201721346D0; GB2554837B; GB2504118A; GB2564168A; GB2564168B

Abstract

The system comprises a pair of planar barrier members 100 and at least one elongate connecting member 132, said connecting member having longitudinal opposing ends, each end being configured to be connected, in use, to a respective barrier member so as to connect the barrier members together back to back and in spaced apart relation. One of the barrier members may comprise a storage arrangement 130, 152 for removably storing the connecting member. The storage arrangement may comprise a recess which may have an outline that generally corresponds to an outline shape of the removable connecting member and include at least one portion 136 to allow a user to grip the removable connecting member. The elongate member may be variable in length and may comprise a telescopic pole. The ends of the elongate connecting member may comprise respective attaching devices 134A 134B which attach to an attaching portion 140A 140B 144A 144B that are on upper and lower locations on the barrier members.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Safety Barrier Abstract Title: Safety barrier system (57) The system comprises a pair of planar barrier members 100 and at least one elongate connecting member 132, said connecting member having longitudinal opposing ends, each end being configured to be connected, in use, to a respective barrier member so as to connect the barrier members together back to back and in spaced apart relation. One of the barrier members may comprise a storage arrangement 130, 152 for removably storing the connecting member. The storage arrangement may comprise a recess which may have an outline that generally corresponds to an outline shape of the removable connecting member and include at least one portion 136 to allow a user to grip the removable connecting member. The elongate member may be variable in length and may comprise a telescopic pole. The ends of the elongate connecting member may comprise respective attaching devices 134A 134B which attach to an attaching portion 140A140B 144A 144B that are on upper and lower locations on the barrier members.

130A

100““ 102¹ Ills/nW 9^8A 138B >³⁵N¹³“;

116B

150

160A

142C

144 A

116A

172 A -144B

142D

113

152B

Fig. IB

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2/6

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3/6

112

Safety Barrier

The present invention relates to safety barriers.

Various types of safety barriers are known. Typically, they are used to temporarily prevent casual access to construction sites and the like. Most are formed of plastic materials and are not particularly heavy, meaning that they are susceptible to toppling over as a result of strong winds or accidental contact. If the barriers are moved out of position for such reasons then there can be a safety risk, as well as potential legal problems for the party responsible for the site. Known solutions intended to prevent such occurrences include staking the barriers to the ground or using ballast, but these tend to be ineffective and cumbersome.

It is known to connect safety barriers together by various types of clamps or ties. However, these tend to be fairly rigid in design and only allow barriers to be placed side-by-side in a straight line on a level surface, for instance, rather than allowing a more flexible range of configurations or arrangements. Known clamps also tend to be difficult to transport along with the barriers because they either have to be carried separately or are prone to accidentally fall, or be knocked, off the barriers. Known clamps and barriers can also become easily separated due to be stored in different locations, etc, which can be inconvenient.

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

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety barrier system including or comprising:

a pair of planar barrier members and at least one elongate connecting member, said connecting member having longitudinally opposing ends, each end being configured to be connected, in use, to a respective barrier member so as to connect the barrier members together back-to-back and in spaced apart relation.

Each of the barrier members in the safety barrier system may contain a storage arrangement for removably storing a said connecting member.

The storage arrangement may comprise a recess in a main body of at least one barrier member. An outline shape of the recess may generally correspond to an outline shape of the removable connecting member. The outline shape of the recess may further include at least one portion to allow a user to grip the removable connecting member to facilitate its removal. The storage arrangement may include at least one flexible protrusion or clip that holds the removable connecting member in the storage arrangement. The at least one flexible protrusion may be positioned generally midway along a length of the recess and may snap-fit over the removable connecting member. The recess may comprise an elongate slot that extends along at least a portion of the width of said at least one barrier member.

The removable connecting member may comprise an elongate member, which may be variable in length, e.g. a telescopic pole. At least one end of the removable connecting member may include an attaching device for removably attaching the connecting member to an attaching portion of the main body of at least one of the barrier members. In some embodiments both ends of the removable connecting member include respective said attaching devices. In use, a first said attaching device may be attached to an attaching portion on an upper location of a first barrier member and a second said attaching device may be attached to an attaching portion on a lower location of a second barrier member. The attaching portion of each barrier member may be dimensioned to allow the attaching device to snap-fit onto it. The attaching portion may be cylindrical in shape and may be parallel with a main axis of the safety barrier. Each barrier member may include:

a second storage arrangement for removably storing a removable connecting member, and a second removable connecting member adapted, in use when removed 10 from the second storage arrangement, to connect at least one barrier member to another barrier member.

The first and second removable connecting member may be substantially identical.

Each barrier member may include:

a first said attaching portion adjacent a first side edge of at least one of barrier members, and a second said attaching portion adjacent an opposite side edge of another one of the barrier members.

The connecting member may comprise a clamp having a first receiving 20 portion and a second receiving portion. The removable connecting member may include a peg having a portion dimensioned to be held in a said first or second receiving portion of the clamp. The peg may have an elongate portion of a height greater than a height of a said receiving portion, thereby allowing a vertical position of a first barrier member to be adjusted relative to another barrier member fitted with the clamp. A said first and/or second receiving portion may be loop-shaped. In use, a said receiving portion may be connected to a peg on another barrier member.

At least one of the barrier members may include at least one clamp5 attaching portion. The clamp-attaching portion may be located at or adjacent a side edge of the at least one barrier member. The clamp-attaching portion may include an elongate member, which is typically vertical with respect to a normal use orientation of a barrier member. The elongate member include a first section having a first dimension (e.g. diameter) and a second section having a second dimension, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension so that, in use, when the clamp is positioned over the first section, the clamp can be rotated and when the clamp is positioned over the second section rotation and/or vertical movement of the clamp is prevented or inhibited. A crosssectional shape of the receiving portion of the clamp and/or the elongate member of the clamp-attaching portion may be oval.

The barrier members may be at least partially hollow and in some cases fully hollow.

At least one of the barrier members may be formed with at least one initial connecting portion for initial storage of the removable connecting member. The initial connecting portion(s) may be relatively thin compared to one of the barrier members so that it can be cut or snapped to release the removable connecting member. After release from the initial connecting portion, the removable connecting member may be stored in the storage arrangement when not in use.

At least one of the barrier members may include at least one foot member, which may be rotatable.

Each barrier member may include a first locating formation on one surface and a second locating formation on an opposite surface, in use, the first locating formation engaging with a said second locating formation of a second barrier member to assist with securely stacking the barrier members.

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 drawings, 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 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 drawings in which:

Figures 1A and 1B show front and back views, respectively, of an example safety barrier;

Figure 1C shows a side view of the safety barrier;

Figure 2 details a clamp that can be fitted to the safety barrier;

Figure 3 shows the safety barrier connected to further safety barriers by means of clamps;

Figure 4 shows the safety barrier connected to a further safety barrier by means of removable connecting members in the form of telescopic poles;

Figure 5 shows the safety barrier connected to another safety barrier by 5 means of a removable connecting member in the form of a peg, and

Figure 6 shows safety barriers stacked for storage or transportation.

Figure 1A shows a front surface of an example safety barrier 100. The barrier is preferably formed using a blow moulding process and so the resulting product is at least partially hollow. An example of a suitable material is High

Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is suitable for producing strong and durable products, especially in high volume production, but the skilled person will appreciate that alternative materials and/or manufacturing processes (e.g.

injection moulding or rotational moulding) could be used. The barrier can be fully recyclable and its main body does not include any metal parts. The length of the example barrier is 2000 mm, its height 1010 mm (including the feet members discussed below) and its width 50 mm. However, it will be understood that the dimensions and shape of the barrier can be varied in many ways. The example barrier is compliant with Chapter 8 of the current UK Traffic Signs Manual, published by the Department of Transport/Highways Agency.

The main body, shown generally at 102, of the safety barrier 100 has a generally central upper rectangular recessed area 104, which can be fitted with a reflective material 104A (e.g. UK standard class 2 material). It also includes a generally central lower rectangular recessed area 106, which will typically be used for displaying a company logo or the like and may be engraveable. At least one water drainage channel 108 can be located at the top of the barrier and at least one channel 110 at the bottom of the barrier, but it will be understood that the number and locations can be varied. In the example there are a pair of spaced apart upper water drainage channels and a corresponding pair of lower channels. Such channels can avoid water collecting on/in the barrier. The front surface of the safety barrier further includes a pair of spaced apart lamp mounting features 109A, 109B, located either side of the recessed area 104. However, it will be understood that the location and number of such features can be varied.

The safety barrier 100 is fitted with a pair of feet members 112, which can be the same as the feet or anti-trip feet found on existing barriers, such as the TITAN™ range sold by JSP Limited of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. It will be appreciated that the number, position, type and connection manner of feet for the barrier may vary. The feet may be rotatably fixed to the barrier by foot connectors 113, allowing them to be turned through 360°. The foot connectors may be moulded in co-polymer polypropylene, which can give excellent cold weather flexibility and strength.

The main body 102 of the safety barrier 100 is formed with eleven vertical struts 114 in its central portion. The gaps these struts measure around 99 mm x

460 mm, which can reduce the risk of children climbing through them, whilst being idea for crowd control and temporary open access to road works in urban environments. A corner formation is defined between the tops/bottoms of some of the vertical struts and adjacent horizontal portions of the barrier, and apertures 115 are provided in these corner formations. Parts of the front surfaces of these features may be recessed so that a (square shaped with corner holes, for example) courtesy board or the like can be fitted to the barrier.

The sides of the main body 102 are formed by vertical struts 116A, 116B, which are spaced apart from the outermost central vertical struts 114. In the example, the left-hand strut 116A has three portions 116A’, 116A”, 116A’”. These portions are cylindrical, with the uppermost 116A’ and lowermost 116A’” portions being elliptical in cross-section, whilst the central portion 116A” is circular in cross-section and has a smaller radius than the elliptical portions. The central portion also includes a flange 118 at its lower end. The right-hand strut

116B also has three portions 116B’, 116B”, 116B’”, but on this side the uppermost 116B’ and lowermost 116B’” ones are elliptical and have a greater cross-sectional radius than the circular central portion 116B”. It will be appreciated that the shape, dimensions and/or arrangement of portions of the side struts could be varied. One or more removable connecting members in the form of clamps may be fitted onto the side struts 116A, 116B. In the illustrated example (see also Figure 1C), two clamps 120A, 120B are fitted on the uppermost portion 116B’ and lowermost portion 116B’” of the right hand strut 116B (see also Figure 1C).

Figure 2 is a plan view of an example clamp member 120A. The clamp includes first 202A and second 202B receiving portions, both of which are in the form of generally elliptical loops in the example, although it will be understood that their design and dimensions can be varied, e.g. be of circular, polygonal or irregular cross-sectional shape. The clamp is formed of semi-rigid plastic material and the receiving portion loops are at least partially openable. An end of the first receiving portion 202A includes a tab 204 that has an aperture that can be releasably snap-fitted onto a formation 206 on a central portion of the clamp.

The end of the other receiving portion 202B comprises a generally U5 shaped section 208 (and smaller thickness than the rest of the clamp), the base of which can fit into a slot 210 in the central portion of the clamp. The stem 212 of the U-shape that is not connected to the end of the loop that forms the receiving portion 202B is longer than the other half of the stem and can be used as a finger-grip. Between the end of the stem 212 and the central portion of the

U-shape there is a small protrusion 214 that, in use, contacts the end of the tab 204 of the first receiving portion 202A. In use, when the finger grip stem is pulled, this can cause the tab 204 to be pulled away from the formation 206, thereby partially opening the first receiving portion 202A. Pulling the finger grip stem also withdraws the base of the U-shaped section 208 from the slot 210, allowing the second receiving portion 202B to be partially opened. The skilled person will, however, understand that the clamps could be at least partially openable by other arrangements, e.g. clips or pins, and that each receiving portion could have an independent closing arrangement. It will also be understood that other designs of clamps can be used.

In use, a clamp 120 is opened and fitted onto a part of the safety barrier

100, typically one of the side struts 116. The greater radius portions 116’,

116B’”, 116A” are dimensioned to generally match the inner surface of the receiving portions 202A, 202B of a clamp so that when the clamp is fitted onto such a portion it is inhibited from rotating and moving vertically without manual force being applied. Applying sufficient manual force to slide the clamp over a smaller radius portion (116A, 116A’”, 116B”) of the strut can allow it to be rotated whilst it is in that position. For example, rotating the clamp 120A through 180° and then sliding it back up onto the uppermost portion 116B’ of the strut would mean that the receiving portion 202B had been turned and fitted over a reduced-thickness portion 122 of the adjacent vertical strut of the barrier, rather than protruding outwardly sideways. This provides a storage arrangement that allows clamps to be conveniently kept with the barrier when not in use so that clamps do not protrude beyond the edges of the barrier, which can cause difficulties. A further reduced thickness portion 122’ is provided opposite portion 116B’” to allow clamp 120B to be stored in this way. It will also be appreciated that other portions of the barrier could be formed to provide additional storage for clamps.

The clamp members 120 can be used to link the safety barrier 100 to 15 another body, typically another safety barrier of the same, or different, design. Figure 3 is an example of one way in which a set of four safety barriers can be linked together using clamps. A first barrier 100A is connected to a second barrier 100B that is substantially aligned with it. The side strut 116B of the first barrier is posited adjacent a side strut 116A of the second barrier. A first clamp

120A is fitted over the uppermost portions 116B’, 116A’ of these struts and a further clamp 120B is fitted over their lowermost portions 116B ”, 116A’”. The use of a pair of clamps in this way adds stability to the linked barriers. The other end of the second barrier 100B is connected to a third barrier 100C by means of a similar arrangement of a pair of clamps.

The second barrier 100B is also connected to a fourth safety barrier 100D. One end of this fourth barrier is positioned adjacent the first end of the second barrier, but extends perpendicularly away from it. A pair of clamps is also used to connect the second and fourth barriers together. The first clamp

420A in this pair is fitted over the uppermost portion of the side strut of the second barrier, and is positioned above the clamp 120A that connects the first and second barriers. This first clamp is fitted over the uppermost portion 116B’ of the side strut of the fourth barrier. A second clamp 420B is fitted over the lowermost portion of the second barrier (below the clamp 120B) and also over the lowermost portion of the fourth barrier. Thus, the barriers can be secured together in a “T” shape configuration, but it will be understood that other numbers and configuration of linked barriers (with some of the barriers being aligned and/or perpendicular with respect to each other) can be created using other arrangements of clamps.

Referring to Figure 1B, the rear surface of the safety barrier 100 can be seen (i.e. it is a view of the barrier of Figure 1A rotated through 180°). At an upper central portion of the main body 102 there is an upper storage arrangement 130A for storing a removable connecting member in the form of an elongate member 132A. The elongate member 132A is a cylindrical pole, which, in the example, is formed of two telescopic members. It will be understood that in other embodiments the elongate member need not be telescopic; could be formed of more than two members, or could be variable in length in a manner other than being telescopic, e.g. by being articulated or foldable. In the example embodiment the pole can vary between around 1.0 m and 1.75 in length. Each end of the pole is fitted with an attaching device 134A, 135A. In the example the attaching devices comprise members in the shape of incomplete circles that are formed of semi-rigid material and so can be snap-fitted onto appropriate bodies, as will be described below. It will be understood that alternative types of attaching devices may be used at, or adjacent, either/both ends of the elongate connecting members, e.g. lockable clamps or hooks.

The upper storage arrangement 130A comprises a recess in the surface of the main body 102 that has an outline that generally corresponds to the outline of the elongate connecting member 132A. Additionally, in the example, the recess is formed with semi-circular hand-holes 136A, 136A’, which are spaced apart at opposite sides. It will be understood that these hand-holes are optional or could have different shapes, dimensions and positions. The elongate connecting member 132A is held in the upper storage arrangement by means of protrusions 138A near the centre of the upper part of the recess, over which the connecting member can be snap-fitted for storage. Another protrusion 138B may be provided opposite the protrusion 138A, on the lower part of the recess. It will be understood that other types, positions and numbers of storage arrangements for the removable connecting member can be provided. For example, the storage arrangement could comprise a set of clips for mounting a connecting member on the barrier, e.g. on its lower surface.

The rear surface of the barrier also includes a substantially identical second storage arrangement 130B at a lower central location, which can house an identical elongate connecting member 132B. It will be appreciated that the design, number and location(s) of the storage arrangement(s) can be varied,

e.g. they could be vertical rather than horizontal in orientation and/or could be on the front and/or rear surface of the barrier.

The main body 102 of the safety barrier 100 includes a first horizontal strut 140A at its upper-left hand corner (as viewed in Figure 1B), extending between the leftmost central vertical strut 114 and the side strut 116B. The gap 142A formed above the horizontal strut and the upper edge/corner of the barrier can be used as a hand-hole (as can corresponding gaps 142B - 142C at the other three corners). There is a second upper horizontal strut 144A formed between the rightmost central vertical strut and the adjacent side strut 116A. A third horizontal strut 140B is located at a lower left-hand corner of the barrier, extending between the leftmost central vertical strut 114 and the side strut 116B.

There is also a lower horizontal strut 144B formed between the rightmost central vertical strut and the adjacent side strut 116A.

Figure 4 is an example of how the elongate connecting members 132 can be used to connecting safety barriers together to provide improved stability. Two safety barriers 100, 100’ are positioned parallel but spaced apart by around 1.5 m. The two elongate connecting members 132A, 132B of the first barrier have been removed from its storage arrangements, as have the two elongate connecting members 132C, 132D of the second barrier, and are used to attach the barriers together. In the example, the attaching device/clip at one end of the elongate connecting member 132A is connected to the upper horizontal strut

140A, which acts an attaching portion, of the first barrier 100. The other end of this elongate connecting member is attached to the lower horizontal strut 144B’ of the second barrier 100’. One end of the second elongate connecting member

132B is connected to the lower horizontal strut 140B of the first barrier and its other end is connected to upper horizontal strut 140A’ of the second barrier 100’. Thus, the two elongate connecting members form a criss-cross/X shape and connect upper and lower portions of the two barriers together. The third and fourth elongate connecting members 132C, 132D are attached to the horizontal struts on the other side of the two barriers in a similar manner. The length of one or more of the elongate connecting members may need to be adjusted to allow the attaching devices on the end of the members to snap-fit onto the horizontal struts.

It will be appreciated that the way the elongate connecting members 132 are used in Figure 4 is an exemplary arrangement only and many other ways of using the connecting members to stabilise formations of barriers are possible.

For example, only one or two elongate connecting members could be used, preferably with one end attached to a lower portion of one barrier and its other end attached to an upper portion of the other barrier. In a line of side-by-side barriers attached by the clamps mentioned above, one or more further barriers could be placed parallel to one of the barriers forming the line. One or more elongate connecting members could then be used to link the parallel barriers together, thereby improving stability for the entire line of linked barriers. It will also be understood that the horizontal struts 140, 144 are only one example of the type of attaching portions that can be formed on (or even attached to) the safety barriers, e.g. the attaching formations could be in the form of a slot or other interlocking formation into/with which a corresponding formation on the elongate connecting member (e.g. a tongue) can fit. Further, although having such attaching portions located at at least one corner section of the barrier can be advantageous, the number, design and positioning can be varied.

Returning to Figures 1A - 1C, a connecting member in the form of a peg 150 is initially connected to the main body 102 of the safety barrier 100 by means of a pair of flat portions 152A, 152B. In the example the peg and the flat portions are located (in a vertical orientation) between the side strut 116B and the adjacent vertical strut 114, but it will be understood that the position and orientation could vary. Typically, the peg and these flat portions are formed integrally as part of the main body during the blow moulding process. The peg can be used for connecting the barrier to another body, as will be described below, and so when a user first wishes to use it, he can break the flat portions,

e.g. by using a knife or the like, to release the peg from the main body.

The peg 150 comprises an elongate portion 154 having a length of around 240 mm and an elliptical cross section measuring around 32 mm x 28 mm. This elongate portion is generally cylindrical and has a rounded end, but includes an elongate groove 156 along its length for stiffening. The peg further comprises a thicker cylindrical portion 158 having a length of around 108 mm and an elliptical cross section measuring around 65 mm x 37.5 mm. There is a first flange 160A at the interface between the elongate portion and the cylindrical portion, and second flange 160B at the other end of the cylindrical portion. It will be understood that the dimensions and design of the peg can be varied. Also, in other embodiments, the peg need not be formed as part of the main body 102 of the barrier 100 and could be supplied separately, although the illustrated embodiment has advantages in terms of manufacturing simplicity and convenient transportation.

In use, the peg 150 can be used in combination with one of the clamps 120 to connect the safety barrier 100 to another body. Figure 5 shows an example of this. Here, one receiving loop of the safety barrier 100 has a clamp fitted to the thick upper portion 116B’ of side strut 116B. The other receiving loop of the clamp extends outwardly and the cylindrical portion 158 of the peg has been fitted in it. The clamp material is sufficiently flexible so that the flanges 160A, 160B of the peg can be pushed through it provided sufficient manual force is applied, but without such force being exerted, the greater diameter of the flanges (compared to the diameter of the receiving loop) will prevent the peg from falling out of the clamp.

The elongate portion 154 of the peg has been inserted into a vertical bore in a side extension 502 of another barrier 500. In the example, the barrier 500 is of a different type to the barrier 100. As can be seen, the elongate portion 154 is substantially longer than the height/length of the side extension 502, which means that the two barriers can be on different vertical levels, e.g. positioned on curbs, slopes, steps or uneven/rough ground, whilst still being linked together. When not in use, the peg 150 can be inserted into a receiving portion 202 of a clamp 120, typically when the clamps have been rotated so as not to protrude beyond the edge of the barrier. The flanges 160 of the peg help it from falling out of the clamp. Thus, the clamp 120 can act as a storage arrangement for a

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Figure 5 also shows how the clamps can be used to link the barrier 100 to another barrier 510, which can be of a different type. The barrier 510 includes a vertical peg 512 that can fit through a receiving loop of a clamp 120’ on the adjacent side of the safety barrier 100. Again, the length of the peg being greater than the dimension of the clamp allows the two barriers to be steadily positioned and linked on uneven ground, etc.

Figure 6 shows several example safety barriers 100 stacked on top of each other for storage and/or transportation. The feet members 112 of all of the barriers have been rotated so that their main portions are parallel with the lengths of the barriers. The clamps 120 have been rotated so that they do not protrude beyond the side edges of the barriers and, instead, face towards the centres of the barriers. As the storage areas 130 (not visible) are recessed, the elongate connecting members 132 can be kept in the main bodies 102 of the barriers even whilst stacked.

It will be noted on Figure 1A that the vertical strut 114 closest to the side strut 116A includes a locating formation in the form of a straight ridge 170A. The vertical strut closest to the opposite side strut 116B also includes a similar locating formation 170B. As can be seen in Figure 1B, the opposite side of these vertical struts include corresponding locating formations in the form of straight recesses 172A, 172B. When the barriers are stacked, as shown in Figure 6, the ridges 170 fit into the recesses 172, thereby securing the connection between barriers in the stack. It will be understood that the location, design and numbers of such locating formations can vary, e.g. they could comprise other male/female type connection formations and could be located at corner positions on the main body 102 of the barriers.

Embodiments of the safety barrier can be provided with any reasonable number (from zero upwards) of the removable connecting members in the form of the clamps, elongate members and pegs.

Claims

1. A safety barrier system comprising a pair of planar barrier members and at least one elongate connecting member, said connecting member having longitudinally opposing ends, each end being configured to be connected, in

5 use, to a respective barrier member so as to connect the barrier members together back-to-back and in spaced apart relation.

2. A safety barrier system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the barrier members has a storage arrangement for removably storing a said connecting member.

10

3. A safety barrier system according to claim 2, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a recess in said at least one barrier member.

4. A safety barrier system according to claim 3, wherein an outline shape of the recess (130) generally corresponds to an outline shape of the removable connecting member (132).

15 5. A safety barrier system according to claim 4, wherein the outline shape of the recess (130) further includes at least one portion (136) to allow a user to grip the removable connecting member (132) to facilitate its removal.

6. A safety barrier system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the storage arrangement (130) includes at least one flexible protrusion (138) or clip

20 that holds the removable connecting member (132) in the storage arrangement.

7. A safety barrier system according to claim 6, including a pair of spacedapart said flexible protrusions (138A, 138B), positioned generally midway along a length of the recess (130) and snap-fits over the removable connecting member (132).

8. A safety barrier system according to any of claims 3 to 7 wherein said recess comprises an elongate slot that extends along at least a portion of the width of said at least one barrier member.

9. A safety barrier system according to any of the previous claims, wherein 5 the elongate connecting member (132) is variable in length.

10. A safety barrier system according to claim 9, wherein the elongate connecting member comprises a telescopic pole (132).

11. A safety barrier system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least one end of the elongate connecting member (132) includes an attaching device

10 (134) for removably attaching the connecting member to an attaching portion (140, 144) of at least one of the barrier members in use.

12. A safety barrier system according to claim 11, wherein ends of the elongate connecting member (132) include respective said attaching devices (134A, 134B).

15 13. A safety barrier system according to claim 11 or 12, where, in use, a first said attaching device (134A) is attached to an attaching portion (140A, 144A) on an upper location of a first barrier member and a second said attaching device (134B) is attached to an attaching portion (140A, 144B) on a lower location of a second barrier member.

20 14. A safety barrier system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the attaching portion (140, 144) of each barrier member is dimensioned to allow the attaching device (134) of the elongate connecting member (132) to snap-fit onto it.

15. A safety barrier system according to claim 11, wherein the attaching portion (140, 144) is cylindrical in shape and is parallel with a main axis of the safety barrier (100).

16. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the said barrier members includes:

5 a second storage arrangement (130B) for removably storing a removable connecting member, and a second removable connecting member (132B) adapted, in use when removed from the second storage arrangement, to connect said at least one barrier member to another barrier member.

10 17. A safety barrier system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second (132b) removable connecting members are identical.

18. A safety barrier system according to any one claims 13 to 17, further including:

a first said attaching portion (140A, 140B) adjacent a first side edge of at

15 least one of said barrier members, and a second said attaching portion (144A, 144B) adjacent an opposite side edge of said at least one of the said barrier members.

19. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting member comprises a clamp (120) having a first receiving

20 portion (202A) and a second receiving portion (202B).

20. A safety barrier system according to claim 19, wherein the removable connecting member includes a peg (150) having a portion (154) dimensioned to be held in a said first or second receiving portion (202) of the clamp (120).

21. A safety barrier system according to claim 20, wherein the peg (150) has an elongate portion (154) having a height greater than a height of a said receiving portion (202), thereby allowing a vertical position of a first barrier member to be adjusted relative to another barrier member fitted with the clamp.

22. A safety barrier system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein 5 a said first and/or second receiving portion (202) comprises an openable loop.

23. A safety barrier system according to claim 22, where, in use, a said receiving portion (202) of a first barrier member is connected to a vertical peg (512) on another barrier member.

24. A safety barrier system according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein

10 at least one of said barrier members includes at least one clamp-attaching portion (116).

25. A safety barrier system according to claim 24, wherein the clampattaching portion (116) is located at or adjacent a side edge of at least one barrier member.

15

26. A safety barrier system according to claim 25, wherein the clampattaching portion includes an elongate member (116), which is vertical with respect to a normal use orientation of a barrier member.

27. A safety barrier system according to claim 26, wherein the elongate member (116) includes a first section (116A’, 116A’”, 116B’) having a first

20 dimension (e.g. diameter) and a second section (116A”, 116B’, 116B’”) having a second dimension, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension so that, in use, when the clamp (120) is positioned over the first section, the clamp can be rotated and when the clamp is positioned over the second section, rotation and/or vertical movement of the clamp is prevented or inhibited.

28. A safety barrier system according to claim 26, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a said receiving portion (202) of the clamp (120) and/or the elongate member of the clamp-attaching portion (116) is oval.

29. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, 5 wherein the barrier members are at least partially hollow.

30. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the barrier members is formed with at least one initial connecting portion (152) for initial storage of the removable connecting member (150).

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31. A safety barrier system according to claim 30, wherein the initial connecting portion(s) (152) are relatively thin compared to said one of the barrier members so that, in use, the initial connecting portion(s) can be cut to release the removable connecting member (150).

32. A safety barrier system according to claim 31, where, after release from 15 the initial connecting portion(s) (152), the removable connecting member (150) is stored in the storage arrangement when not in use.

33. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the barrier members includes at least one foot member (112).

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34. A safety barrier according to claim 33, wherein the foot member (112) is rotatable.

35. A safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each barrier member includes a first locating formation (170) on one surface and a second locating formation (172) on an opposite surface, in use, the first locating formation of a first said barrier member engaging with a second locating formation of a second said barrier member to assist with securely stacking the barrier members.

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