US20120291969A1

US20120291969A1 - Barrier apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120291969A1
Application number: US13/521,571
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Robinson; George Robinson
Original assignee: G Vincent Ltd
Current assignee: G Vincent Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-12
Filing date: 2011-01-12
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Also published as: WO2011086374A3; EP2524084A2; WO2011086374A2; GB201000429D0

Abstract

A temporary barrier apparatus (1) is provided, and comprises a base member (2) and at least one spool assembly (3) including a spool (5) upon which a temporary barrier is wound. The spool (5) is remote from the base member (2) and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier. At least one drive shaft (21) is non-rotatably connected to the spool, and a biasing member (17) is located in the base member (2) and adapted to bias the drive shaft (21) and spool (5) to recoil the barrier. A belt feed control device is provided to control the deployment and retraction of the belt from such an apparatus.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a barrier apparatus. More specifically the present invention relates to a portable, temporary, barrier apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Retractable barrier apparatuses are known. These apparatuses are commonly used in airports and shopping centres for managing and directing queues. Known retractable barrier apparatuses comprise a housing supported by a base member. When in use the base member is positioned on the floor and the housing extends upwards. The apparatus further comprises a spool rotatably supported within the housing. A ribbon or belt is wound around the spool and may be dispensed from the spool, through an aperture in the housing, to provide a barrier. A biasing means is provided within the spool which biases the spool to retract ribbon into the housing. As the spool assembly and biasing means are located at the top end of the housing, the centre of gravity of the apparatus is relatively high. Consequently, the barrier is more vulnerable to being knocked over. Due to its high centre of gravity such barriers are not well suited for use outdoors where they may be exposed to high winds, for example.
Additionally, it is common for the ribbon to twist or fold as it is rewound onto a spool. A twist or fold occurring in dispensed ribbon will prevent continuous, smooth recoiling of the dispensed ribbon. In certain cases a twist or fold in the ribbon may cause the spool to jam, thereby preventing any further recoil or dispense of ribbon.
It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a temporary barrier apparatus, comprising:

- a base member;
- at least one spool assembly including a spool upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier;
- at least one drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the spool; and
- a biasing member located in the base member and adapted to bias the drive shaft and spool to recoil the barrier.

The apparatus may comprise:

- first and second spool assemblies including first and second spools upon which temporary barriers are wound, each spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil its respective barrier;
- a first drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the first spool;
- a second drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the second spool, wherein the first drive shaft is at least partially located within the second drive shaft such that the two shafts are co-axial; and
- first and second biasing members located in the base member and adapted to bias the respective first and second drive shafts and spools to recoil their respective barriers.

The apparatus may further comprise:

- a plurality of rotational members housed in the base member and adapted to support and allow movement of the apparatus over a surface; and
- an actuation mechanism adapted to selectively deploy and retract the rotational members from and into the base member.

The apparatus may further comprise a chassis to which the rotational members are rotatably attached, and a frame attached to the base member and extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:

- a first actuation member attached to the chassis, and a second actuation member attached to the frame; and
- a lever mechanism located between the first and second actuation members, and adapted to push the actuation members away from one another to deploy the rotational members.

The actuation mechanism may further comprise a biasing member which biases the base member and chassis away from one another. The biasing member may be located between the base member and the chassis. Alternatively, the biasing member may be located between the first and second actuation members.
The first and second actuation members may each include a cam follower, and the lever mechanism may include a cam member adapted to engage the cam followers of the actuation members.
The base member may comprise ballast. The ballast may be in the form of a weight.
The apparatus may further comprise a barrier feed control device, the device comprising:

- a first guide member pivotably attached to the at least one spool assembly about a first pivot axis, and a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis;
- wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members, and rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.

The first guide member may include a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion.
The feed control device may further comprise an attachment assembly having an anchor member adapted to be attached to the at least one spool assembly, and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members.
One or both guide members may have an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier feed control device for a barrier apparatus having a spool assembly upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the device comprising:

- a first guide member pivotably attachable to the spool assembly about a first pivot axis, and a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis;
- wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members, and rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.

The first guide member may include a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion.
The feed control device may further comprise an attachment assembly having an anchor member adapted to be attached to the at least one spool assembly, and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members.
One or both guide members may have an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a provides a frontal view of a barrier apparatus;

FIG. 1 b provides a vertical section view taken along line A-A′ of the barrier apparatus of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the barrier apparatus of FIG. 1 a and 1 b;

FIG. 3 a provides a perspective view of a belt feed-control device for a barrier apparatus; and

FIG. 3 b provides an exploded view of the feed-control device of FIG. 3 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 provide frontal, vertical section, and perspective views, respectively, of a barrier apparatus 1. The barrier apparatus 1 comprises a base 2 and a support frame 46 fixed to the base 2 and extending upwardly therefrom. A spool assembly 3 is supported upon the frame 46 and the base 2 and frame 46 are enclosed by a housing 15. An upper portion of the frame 46 comprises a handle portion 25 for transporting the apparatus 1. The support frame 46 is connected to, and extends from, the base 2. The frame 46 comprises four leg members 61 and a ring member 63. Each leg member 61 has a first end connected to the base 2 and a second end connected to the ring member 63. The handle 25 is connected to the ring member 63 by a plurality of connecting members 65 extending radially outwards from the ring member 63.
The spool assembly 3 comprises first and second spools 5,7. Wound around the first spool 5 is a first ribbon or belt 13, whilst a second ribbon or belt 14 is wound around the second spool 7. The first belt 13 and second belt 14 are each provided with a connector element 47 on their respective free ends, although only the connector element 47 belonging to first belt 13 is shown in FIG. 1 b. The connector elements 47 of each belt 13,14 are configured to connect with a connector of a belt of another barrier apparatus or with a housing of another barrier apparatus if required. The connector elements 47 are also suitable for connecting the belts to buildings, fences or other structures.
The apparatus 1 further comprises two biasing means in the form of first and second recoil springs 17,19, which are both located within the base 2. The first spring 17 is coiled around a first drive shaft 21 and connected between the base 2 and the first drive shaft 21 to provide a rotational biasing force to the drive shaft 21. The first spring 17 is thus connected to the first spool 5 by means of the first drive shaft 21. The second spring 19 is coiled around the first drive shaft 21 and a second drive shaft 23, and is connected between the base 2 and the second drive shaft 23 to provide a rotational biasing force to the second drive shaft 23. The second spring 19 is thus connected to the second spool 7 by means of the second drive shaft 23. The first spring 17 biases the first spool 5 to rewind the first belt 13 onto the first spool 5. The second spring 19 biases the second spool 7 to rewind the second belt 14 onto the second spool 7. The biasing force generated by the first spring 17 is transmitted to the first spool 5 by means of the first drive shaft 21 and the biasing force generated by the second spring 19 is transmitted to the second spool 7 by means of the second drive shaft 23. The first drive shaft 21 has a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of the second drive shaft 23, such that the shafts 21,23 are co-axial and the first drive shaft 21 extends through the second drive shaft 23.
The ends of each drive shaft 21,23 may be connected to their respective springs 17,19 by any suitable means. First drive shaft 21 is rotatably supported by a first upper bearing 71 housed within the first spool 5, and a first lower bearing 73 housed within the base 2. The second drive shaft 23 is rotatably supported by a second upper bearing 75 housed within the second spool 7, and a second lower bearing 77 housed within the base 2.
The first spool 5 is rotatably supported within a first spool housing 9 and the second spool 7 is rotatably supported within a second spool housing 11. First, or upper, spool housing 9 has a central bore adapted to receive the upper end of the first drive shaft 21. Second, or lower, spool housing 11 also has a central bore which is adapted to receive the upper ends of both the first and second drive shafts 21,23. The upper ends of each drive shaft 21,23 may have splines on their external surface, and the internal surface of each spool 5,7 may have teeth adapted to engage the splines on the shafts 21,23. At least a portion of the central bores of each spool housing 9,11 are open such that the teeth of the spools 5,7 extend into the bores to engage the splines on the respective shafts 21,23 such that the drive shafts 21,23 are non-rotatably connected to their respective spools 5,7. During assembly, the second housing 11 would be placed over the drive shafts 21,23 first so that the teeth of the second spool 7 engage with the splines of the second, outer shaft 23, before the first housing 9 was then placed atop the second housing 11 with the teeth of the first spool 5 engaging the splines of the first shaft 21. The first and second spool housings 9,11 are each provided with a receiver 49 suitable for receiving an optional belt feed-control device if control of the rate at which the belts 13,14 are dispensed from, and rewound onto, the spools 5,7 is desired.
The base 2 may comprise additional ballast such as, for example, a weight 27 in order to keep the centre of gravity of the apparatus 1 as low as possible. The apparatus 1 may further comprise a retractable chassis 29 which can move in the vertical direction relative to the base 2. The chassis 29 has a first pair of wheels 33 (only one of the pair is visible) and a second pair of wheels 31 (only one of the pair is visible). The first pair of wheels 33 may be fixed whilst the second pair of wheels 31 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about the vertical. The retractable chassis 29 forms part of a retractor assembly 39, which is operable to deploy and retract both pairs of wheels 31, 33 from and into the base 2.
The retractor assembly 39 further comprises a lower lift tube 41 and an upper lift tube 42. The lower lift tube 41 has a first end connected to the retractable chassis 29 and a second end having a cam follower 44. The upper lift tube 42 has a first end connected to an upper portion of the frame 46 and a second end having another cam follower 44. A retractor assembly operating lever 45 has a handle at one end and a double-ended cam 43 at the opposite end. The handle is moveable between a first, upper position and a second, lower position. Moving the handle between its first and second positions pivots the lever 45, thereby effecting rotation of the double-ended cam 43. If the handle is moved into the first position (as shown in FIG. 1 b), the cam 43 rotates and a first end of the cam 43 engages the cam follower 44 of the lower lift tube 41 and thus pushes the follower 44, lower lift tube 41 and the chassis 29 attached thereto downwards relative to the base 2. Simultaneously, the other end of the double-ended cam 43 will co-operate with the cam follower 44 of the upper lift tube 42 to lift the upper lift tube 42, the frame 46 and base 2 upwards relative to the chassis 29. The simultaneous movement of the upper and lower lift tubes 42,41 moves the wheels to their deployed position.
Moving the retractor handle to its second, lower position will rotate the double-ended cam 43 so that one end of the double-ended cam 43 releases the upper cam follower 44, thereby allowing the frame 46 and base 2 to move downwards relative to the chassis 29 under gravity. The base 2 will be lowered over the wheels 31,33 so that the wheels 31,33 retract into the base 2.
A suspension system 51 may be provided between the retractable chassis 29 and the base 2. The suspension system 51 will dampen the relative motion between the chassis 29 and base 2, especially during retraction of the chassis 29 and wheels 31,33 into the base 2 and also act as a guide means to ensure the smooth transition between the deployed and retracted positions. A rod member 53 extends through a substantially vertical guide passage 55 within the base 2 and has a lower end fixed to the base 2 and an upper end 58 received in a tower member 57 provided on the retractable chassis 29. A biasing member 54 surrounds the rod 53 and is located between the base 2 and chassis 29. When the retractor handle is moved to the second position to retract the wheels 31,33, the frame 46 and base 2 drop under gravity relative to the chassis 29. The biasing member 54 will compress, damping the downward movement of the base 2 relative to the chassis 29. As the biasing member 54 is under compression in the second, retracted position, it biases the base 2 and chassis 29 away from one another towards the first, deployed position.
As seen best in FIG. 2, the housing 15 has a recess 91 defined therein to accommodate the handle of the retractor lever 45 when it is in the second position. In this way, the handle is not protruding from the housing when the apparatus is in position with its wheels retracted. FIG. 2 also illustrates that the handle 25 may extend about the circumference of the spool housings 9,11, thereby allowing the apparatus 1 to be easily maneuvered from any angle.
In operation, the belts are deployed from their respective spools 5,7 by pulling the free ends of the belts from openings in the respective spool housings 9,11. As the belts are deployed, the spools 5,7 rotate and in turn rotate their respective drive shafts 21,23 against the rotational biasing force of the recoil springs 17,19 located in the base 2. When the belts are to be retracted, their free ends or connectors are released and the recoil springs 17,19 apply a rotational force to the spools 5,7 via the respective drive shafts 21,23 to retract the belts onto the spools 5,7. The free ends or connectors are sized so that they cannot enter the spool housings 9,11, thereby ensuring that the entire belt does not retract into its housing 9,11.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, an optional belt feed-control device 101 is shown which is suitable for attaching to the receivers 49 on the first and second spool housings 9,11 of the apparatus 1. FIG. 3 b provides an exploded view of the feed-control device 101 of FIG. 3 a. When connected to a receiver 49 on a spool housing 9,11 the feed-control device 101 is operable to control the rate at which a ribbon or belt is unwound from, and rewound onto, the spools 5,7 within the housings 9,11.
The feed-control device 101 comprises a first finger or guide 102 and a second finger or guide 112. The first finger 102 and second finger 112 are arranged relative to one another so as to define a channel 110 between them. The channel 110 is of a width suitable for receiving a ribbon or belt. The first finger 102 is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis on a first pivot pin 104. A first portion 106 of the first finger 102 extends in a first direction away from the first pivot pin 104 and a second portion 108 of the first finger 106 extends in a second, opposite, direction away from the first pivot pin 104. The second finger 112 is pivotally mounted on a second pivot axis on a second pivot pin 114 such that a first portion 116 of the second finger 112 extends in a first direction away from the second pivot pin 114 and a second portion 118 of the second finger 112 extends in a second, opposite, direction away from the second pivot pin 114. The first and second pivot axes are substantially parallel with one another.
The first portions 106,116 of each finger 102,112 have inner guide surfaces 150 a,150 b which define a portion of the channel 110. The inner guide surface of one or both fingers 102,112 may have an inspection aperture 170 so that the belt is visible and accessible through the first finger 102. The guide surfaces 150 a,150 b may be planar or alternatively, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment, they may undulate in the direction of their respective free ends 132,134 such that the channel 110 is non-planar. The second portions 108,118 of each finger 102, 112 comprise mutually co-operable corrugations 120. In other words, the convex and concave sections which form the corrugations 120 of the first finger 102 are the opposite of those sections of the second finger 112. The corrugations 120 in the second portions 108,118 of each finger 102,112 co-operate to frictionally engage the belt within the channel 110 and slow the rate at which the belt is dispensed from, or rewound onto, a spool 5,7.
The first finger 102 further comprises a lip member 122 which extends outwardly across the channel 110 in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the guide surface 150 a of the first finger 102. The lip member 122 has an aperture 160 which in use receives the second pivot pin 114, wherein the lip member 122 supports the second finger 112 and the second finger 112 may pivot a small amount relative to the first finger 102. The fingers 102,112 are arranged such that a small gap 130 is defined between the upper surface of the lip member 122 and the lower surface of the second finger 112. The lip member 122 prevents a belt dropping out of the channel 110.
The feed-control device 101 further comprises an attachment assembly 136. The attachment assembly 136 enables the feed-control device 101 to be removeably attached to a barrier apparatus. The attachment assembly 136 comprises an anchor member 141 and a base member 138. The first and second fingers 102,112 are pivotably connected to the base member 138 by way of the pivot pins 104,114. The anchor member 141 is fixed to the receiver 49 of the barrier apparatus, and the base member 138 is then secured to the anchor member 141 by a suitable fixing means, such as by screw fixtures or by a snap fit between the base and anchor members 138,141, for example. The anchor member 141 has four apertures 1441,144 b defined therein (two of which are shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b).
Four complimentary apertures 146 a, 146 b (two of which are shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b), are defined in the base member 138.
In assembling the device 101 the first finger is fixed to the base member 138 by way of the first pivot pin 104. The anchor member 141 is fixed to the receiver 49 around an opening in one of the spool housings 9,11. The base member 138 is then fixed to the anchor member 141, or else it can be fixed to the anchor member 141 in advance of attachment to the apparatus. A belt from one of the spools 5,7 is then pulled out of the opening in its respective housing 9,11 through the attachment assembly 136. Whilst the belt is held against the retraction force of its respective biasing spring the second finger 112 is pivotably fixed to the attachment assembly 136 and first finger 102 by the second pivot pin 114, with the guide surfaces 150 a,150 b of the fingers 102,112 now defining the channel 110 and the belt located in the channel 110. The connector element 47 on the end of the belt is wider than the channel 110 and so prevents the belt from retracting all the way into the spool housing if it is released. The feed-control device 101 is now able to control both the rate at which the belt is dispensed from a spool 5,7 and the rate at which the belt is rewound onto a spool 5,7.
To dispense the belt a user pulls on the connector 47 to unwind the belt from one of the spools 5,7. As the belt is deployed it moves through the channel 110. The user may pull the belt at an angle relative to a general plane of the channel 110. As a result the belt within the channel 110 will be forced against an inner guide surface 150 a,150 b of the first or second finger 102,112, thereby causing rotation of one finger relative to the other and the first portion 106,116 of one finger 102,112 to move away from the first portion 106,116 of the other finger 102,112. As the first portions 106,116 of each finger move apart the second portions 108,118 will move closer to one another, thus varying the width of the channel 110 in the region of the corrugations 120. As the second portions 108,118 of each finger 102,112 move closer to one another the corrugations 120 frictionally engage or ‘pinch’ the belt within the channel 110. Frictional engagement or ‘pinching’ of the belt by the corrugations 120 will slow the rate at which the belt is deployed from the spool 5,7. Once dispensed the belt is secured to another barrier apparatus, or other secure structure, to form a temporary barrier.
When the barrier is to be moved, or is no longer required, the belt is recoiled onto the spool. To recoil a belt onto a spool the user will first release the secured belt from the other barrier apparatus or other secure structure. Usually, once released, the user releases their hold on the belt and allows the belt to rewind automatically under the influence of the biased spool 5,7. Without the user holding the belt it may whip from side-to-side as it approaches and enters the channel 110 in the feed control device 101. As the belt passes through the device 101 it may be forced against the inner surfaces 150 a,150 b of the first portions 106,116 of the first and second fingers 102,112, thereby causing relative rotation between the fingers 102,112 and the first portions 106,116 of the fingers 102,112 to intermittently move away from one other. As the first portions 106,116 of each finger intermittently move apart, the second portions 108,118 will intermittently move closer to one another, thus intermittently varying the width of the channel 110 in the region of the corrugations 120 and thus selectively slowing the recoil of the belt onto its spool. As the second portions 108,118 of each finger 102,112 move closer to one another they frictionally engage or ‘pinch’ the belt within the channel 110. Frictional engagement or ‘pinching’ of the belt by the fingers 102,112 will slow the rate at which the belt is recoiled onto the spool 5,7.
The feed control device 101 not only slows the deployment and recoil of the belt but also prevents the belt from being rewound onto the spool 5,7 in a twisted, or folded, state. The fingers 102,112 will untwist any twist or fold which has occurred in the belt as that portion of the belt enters the channel 110 between the fingers 102,112.
Although the preferred embodiment of the apparatus employs a ribbon or belt for forming the barrier, it will be understood that the apparatus may instead employ one of the following as the barrier: a chain, rope, band, tape or netting.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that the rotational members and associated chassis and actuation mechanism are preferred, but not essential, components of the invention. Furthermore, although the description discloses rotational members in the form of wheels, it will be understood that other rotational members may be used. For example the rotational members may be rollers or castors. As with the wheels of the preferred embodiment, the rollers or castors may be fixed to roll in one direction, or may be mounted so as to be able to rotate about the vertical such that the roller or castor will automatically swivel, aligning itself to the direction in which it is moving.
The biasing spring which biases the chassis and base away from one another may do so whilst located between the upper and lower lift tubes of the retractor assembly instead of directly between the base and chassis as in the preferred embodiment.
Although the description discloses a barrier apparatus having first and second spools, it will be understood that the barrier apparatus may have any number of spools and associated belts. For example, third and fourth spools and belts may be provided. Alternatively, a single spool having a single belt may be provided.
Although the description discloses that the first and second spools are located in stacked spool housings which are positioned on top of the main housing, it will be understood that any number of spools may be provided and that the spools may be positioned any height. For example a first spool may be provided on top of the housing, a second spool may be positioned at a point which is approximately half the height of the housing, and a third spool may be positioned at a point which is proximate to a base end of the housing.
Although preferably one biasing means is provided per spool, it will be understood that any number of biasing means may be provided per spool. For example, the first and second spools may be non-rotatably connected and a single biasing means may be shared by a first and second spool such that the single biasing means biases both the first and second spools to rewind their respective ribbons onto the spools as one.
Although preferably a first drive shaft connects a first spool to a first biasing means and a second drive shaft connects a second spool to a second biasing means, it will be understood that any number of drive shafts may be provided. For example, a single drive shaft may connect both the first spool and the second spool to the a single biasing means, or three drive shafts may be provided wherein each of the three drive shafts connects a respective spool to a respective biasing means. Each of these drive shafts may be arranged coaxially.
Although the biasing member biasing each spool is preferably a recoil spring, it will be understood that alternative biasing means may be used such as, for example, a torsion spring. As an alternative to the biasing means the barrier apparatus may be provided with one or more motors that are operable to drive the drive shaft(s) and spool(s).
Although preferably a retractor assembly operable to retract the one or more wheels, it will be understood that alternative means of anchoring the barrier apparatus in a position may be used. For example, one or more brake members that are operable to contact the one or more wheels to prevent rotation of the wheels may be provided. Alternatively, two or more extendible leg members that may be extended from the base structure to prevent barrier apparatus from being wheeled. Preferably, at least four retractable leg members would be provided.
The belt feed-control device may be used with the barrier apparatus described, or may also be used with other temporary belt/ribbon barriers as well.
Instead of a dedicated weight, the optional ballast in the base may be provided by filling the base with water or sand, for example.
These and other modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A temporary barrier apparatus, comprising:

a base member;

at least one spool assembly including a spool upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier;

at least one drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the spool; and

a biasing member located in the base member and adapted to bias the drive shaft and spool to recoil the barrier.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

first and second spool assemblies including first and second spools upon which temporary barriers are wound, each spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil its respective barrier;

a first drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the first spool;

a second drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the second spool;

wherein the first drive shaft is at least partially located within the second drive shaft such that the two shafts are co-axial; and

first and second biasing members located in the base member and adapted to bias the respective first and second drive shafts and spools to recoil their respective barriers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of rotational members housed in the base member and adapted to support and allow movement of the apparatus over a surface; and

an actuation mechanism adapted to selectively deploy and retract the rotational members from and into the base member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises a chassis to which the rotational members are rotatably attached, and a frame attached to the base member and extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:

a first actuation member attached to the chassis, and a second actuation member attached to the frame; and

a lever mechanism located between the first and second actuation members, and adapted to push the actuation members away from one another to deploy the rotational members.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a biasing member located between the base member and the chassis, the biasing member biasing the base member and chassis away from one another.

6. The apparatus of either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first and second actuation members each include a cam follower, and the lever mechanism includes a cam member adapted to engage the cam followers of the actuation members.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises ballast.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a barrier feed control device, the device comprising:

a first guide member pivotably attached to the at least one spool assembly about a first pivot axis, and a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis; and

wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members, and rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first guide member includes a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the feed control device further comprises an attachment assembly having an anchor member adapted to be attached to the at least one spool assembly, and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein one or both guide members has an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed.

12. A barrier feed control device for a barrier apparatus having a spool assembly upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the device comprising:

a first guide member pivotably attachable to the spool assembly about a first pivot axis;

a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis;

wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members; and

wherein rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the first guide member includes a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

an attachment assembly having an anchor member attachable to the spool assembly; and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein one or both guide members has an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed.