GB2565835A

GB2565835A - Barrier system

Info

Publication number: GB2565835A
Application number: GB1713671.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Whiteley Christopher
Original assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2017-08-25
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Also published as: GB201713671D0

Abstract

The barrier system comprises first and second barrier panels each having a foot and connected by an adjustable connection allowing the orientation of the second panel to be adjusted relative to the first, and a base 22 defining a plurality of slots, recesses or openings 30 positioned such that with the foot of the first panel received within one of the slots, recesses or openings the foot of the second panel can be received within a second slot, recess or opening so that the barrier panels can be at a range of angular orientations, with removal of the feet from the slots, recesses or openings being resisted such that the weight of the base adds ballast to the panels. Removal may be resisted by an interference fit. The base may be moulded from a relatively dense recycled plastics material. Also claimed is the base in isolation. The barrier system may be for restricting pedestrian access to works in a ground surface.

Description

Barrier System

This invention relates to a barrier system, and in particular to a temporary barrier system intended to be erected around, for example, trenches or the like formed in a ground surface, wiring cabinets or the like to restrict pedestrian access to works being undertaken and thereby reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians in the vicinity of the works being undertaken.

One form of temporary barrier system in common use in this type of application comprises a series of barrier panels, each of which comprises a pair of uprights which are spaced apart from one another, the lower ends of each of which define ground engaging feet, the uprights being interconnected by a series of rails. The barrier panels are interconnected with one another in an end-to-end fashion, the interconnections allowing the barrier panels to be angled relative to one another. It will be appreciated that by appropriate orientation of the panels relative to one another, the barrier system may define a four sided, substantially square enclosure which may surround the area in which works are being undertaken. The barrier system is selfsupporting and relatively stable. It is very quick and easy for an operator to erect the barrier system around an area in which works are being undertaken. When not in use, the interconnections between the panels allow the panels to be orientated such that they are stacked upon one another, resulting in the barrier system adopting a relatively compact condition suitable for convenient handling and storage.

Traditionally, each barrier panel has taken the form of a pair of metallic material uprights interconnected by rails of, for example, metallic sheet material. However, increasingly, arrangements in which the panels are of moulded plastics material construction, the uprights and rails being integrally formed with one another, have been used.

Whilst barrier systems of this type are convenient and are in widespread use, one disadvantage with such arrangements is that they are of relatively low weight and as a consequence resistance to movement of an installed, erected barrier, for example as a result of high winds or as a result of pedestrians or the like leaning against or bumping into the barrier, is relatively low. It is an object of the invention to provide a barrier system in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with a known barrier are overcome or are of reduced impact.

According to the present invention there is provided a barrier system comprising a first barrier panel and a second barrier panel, each of said panels including a foot, the first and second barrier panels being interconnected by an adjustable connection allowing the orientation of the second barrier panel to be adjusted relative to the first barrier panel, and a base, the base defining a plurality of slots, recesses or openings positioned such that with the foot of the first barrier panel received within one of the slots, recesses or openings, the foot of the second barrier panel can be received within a selected one of two or more of the other slots, recesses or openings so as to allow the feet of the first and second barrier panels to be received by the slots, recesses or openings with the first and second barrier panels in a range of relative angular orientations, removal of the feet from the slots, recesses or openings being resisted such that the weight of the base adds ballast to the panels.

By way of example, the barrier panels may be angled to one another by 90 degrees, by 135 degrees, or be arranged in line with one another. It will be appreciated, however, that these merely represent examples and that the invention is applicable to arrangements in which the panels can be secured at other relative angular positions.

The slots, recesses or openings are conveniently adapted to receive the feet in an interference fit manner, the interference fit resisting removal of the panels from the base. It will be appreciated, however, that a retaining device may be provided to positively retain the panels, or the feet thereof, in position.

The base is preferably of moulded form, conveniently of a moulded, relatively dense plastics material. Preferably, it is of, or contains a significant quantity of, recycled plastics material. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement allows the base to be manufactured in a relatively cost efficient manner, and that the weight of the base can be relatively high without requiring the dimensions of the base to be excessive.

The invention further relates to a base for use in such a system, the base defining a plurality of slots, recesses or openings positioned such that with a foot of a first barrier panel received within one of the slots, recesses or openings, a foot of a second barrier panel adjustable connected to the first barrier panel can be received within another of the slots, recesses or openings, removal of the feet from the slots, recesses or openings being resisted such that the weight of the base adds ballast to the panels.

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 system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the system in other configurations;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating a base used in the system of Figure 1; and

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are top, side and underneath views of the base.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a barrier system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The barrier system comprises a panel of barrier panels 10, 12 which are interconnected with one another by adjustable connectors 16 to allow the relative orientations of the barrier panels 10, 12 to be adjusted. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the barrier panels 10, 12 in three possible relative orientations, but it will be appreciated that the barrier panels 10, 12 may adopt a number of other relative positions, including positions in which the panels 10, 12 lie adjacent one another in a stacked condition. In such a condition, the panels 10, 12 of the barrier system may readily be transported or stored, occupying a relatively small amount of space.

Each ofthe barrier panels 10, 12 comprises a plastics material moulding defining a pair of uprights 14 located adjacent opposite side edges of the panel, the uprights 14 being interconnected by integrally formed horizontal rails 18. The lower ends of the uprights 14 together with shaped features protruding from the lower edge of the lowest one of the rails 18 define feet 20.

Each panel 10, 12 is of one piece, plastics moulded form, the uprights 14, rails 18 and feet 20 being integrally formed with one another and forming parts of a single integral unit.

The panels 10, 12 are of a form that is widely available. A product available from Oxford Plastic Systems Limited under the name Safegate represents a barrier of this type.

In accordance with the invention, the barrier system further comprises a base 22. The base 22 is of moulded plastics material form, conveniently of a relatively dense plastics material and preferably being composed of or including a significant quantity of a recycled plastics material. The base 22, in the embodiment illustrated, is (as can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, and also in Figures 4 to 8) of generally square shape, defining a lower surface 24 that, in use, rests upon a ground surface. The base 22 further includes an upper surface 26 shaped to define a central upstanding hub 28. A series of slots 30 extend across the hub 28 from a centre thereof to the periphery thereof. Each slot 30 is of a width slightly smaller than a thickness of one of the feet 20, and the slots 30 are angled relative to one another. As shown, eight slots 30 are provided, the slots 30 being equi-angularly spaced, spaced apart from one another by 45 degrees.

As illustrated, the slots 30 not only extend from the outer periphery of the hub 28 to the centre thereof, but also extend completely through the base 22 so that with the base 22 resting upon the ground, the ground beneath the base 22 is accessible and visible through the slots 30.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 8, the parts of the hub 28 between the slots 30 are hollow, recesses 32 extending from the underside of the base 22 into the parts of the hub 28 between the slots 30. Similarly, recesses 34 extend into other parts of the base 22 from the underside of the base 22. The presence of these recesses 32, 34 results in the base 22 being relatively flexible. It also allows a reduction in the quantity of material required in the fabrication thereof.

In use, a base 22 is laid under the ground at the position at which a foot 20 of the first barrier panel 10 is to be located. The foot 20 of that barrier panel 10 is inserted into one of the slots 30, and the adjacent foot 20 of the second barrier panel 10 is inserted into another of the slots 30, the selection of which of the slots 30 to introduce the foot 20 of the second barrier panel 12 into being determined by the desired relative angular orientations of the barrier panels 10, 12 as accommodated by the connectors 16. The insertion of the feet 20 into the slots 30 is preferably by a sufficient distance as to allow the lower ends of the feet 20 to rest upon the ground surface beneath the base 22. The dimensions of the slots 30 are such that the feet 20 are an interference fit therein.

Although in the drawings only two barrier panels 10, 12 are shown, in reality more barrier panels may be provided in an end-to-end configuration, and a base 22 may be located at all or some of the intersections between adjacent barrier panels.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the base(s) 22 enhances the stability of the barrier system by applying additional ballast to the barrier panels 10, 12. The fit between the feet 20 and the slots 30 ensures that the barrier panels 10, 12 are firmly supported in an upstanding configuration. As feet 20 associated with adjacent panels 10, 12 are supported by the base 22, it will be appreciated that the base 22 serves to resist relative angularly movement between the panels 10, 12. In summary, therefore, the temporary barrier formed using the barrier system of the invention is of much enhanced stability.

After use, the panels 10, 12 are lifted away from the base 22, removing the feet 20 from the slots 30, after which the panels 10, 12 can be moved to a configuration in which they overlie one another ready for space efficient transportation or storage.

Although in the described arrangement the base is of square shape, this need not be the case and other configurations are possible. Similarly, rather than provide slots extending across a hub, the feet 20 may be received within openings or recesses defined in the base 22. Also, the slots, recesses or openings may be spaced apart by other angles, if desired, to allow other barrier configurations to be used.

It will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A barrier system comprising a first barrier panel and a second barrier panel, each of said panels including a foot, the first and second barrier panels being interconnected by an adjustable connection allowing the orientation of the second barrier panel to be adjusted relative to the first barrier panel, and a base, the base defining a plurality of slots, recesses or openings positioned such that with the foot of the first barrier panel received within one of the slots, recesses or openings, the foot of the second barrier panel can be received within a selected one or two or more of the other slots, recesses or openings so as to allow the feet of the first and second barrier panels to be received by the slots, recesses or openings with the first and second barrier panels in a range of relative angular orientations, removal of the feet from the slots, recesses or openings being resisted such that the weight of the base adds ballast to the panels.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the barrier panels may be angled to one another by 90 degrees, by 135 degrees, or be arranged in line with one another.

3. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slots, recesses or openings are adapted to receive the feet in an interference fit manner, the interference fit resisting removal of the panels from the base.

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is of moulded form.

5. A system according to Claim 4, wherein the base is of a moulded, relatively dense plastics material.

6. A system according to Claim 5, wherein the base is of, or contains a significant quantity of, recycled plastics material.

7. A base for use in a system according to any of the preceding claims, the base defining a plurality of slots, recesses or openings positioned such that with a foot of a first barrier panel received within one of the slots, recesses or openings, a foot of a second barrier panel adjustable connected to the first barrier panel can be received within another of the slots, recesses or openings, removal of the feet from the slots, recesses or openings being resisted such that the weight of the base adds ballast to the panels.