WO2011133101A2

WO2011133101A2 - Support post and fence for temporary blocking

Info

Publication number: WO2011133101A2
Application number: PCT/SE2011/050485
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl-Johan Ridderstad
Original assignee: Carl-Johan Ridderstad
Priority date: 2010-04-23
Filing date: 2011-04-20
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: SE535161C2; WO2011133101A3; SE1050405A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support post for temporary blocking, which support post (11) has an adjustable length. The support post has a first side (24A) and a second side (24B). The support post is designed with sections for interaction with locking means (17) intended to retain at least one wire (3, 5) at the support post (11). The support post (11) comprises at least one protection means (25) for the locking means (17), arranged to protect at least a first outer end (26) of each locking means (17), so that removal of and damage to the locking means (17) is hindered. The present invention also related to a fence for temporary blocking, which comprises at least one such support post (11).

Description

SUPPORT POST AND FENCE FOR TEMPORARY BLOCKING

Technical Area

The present invention relates to a support post and a fence for temporary blocking.

Background

Support posts are used for diverse applications in many different fields. A specific application is where the support posts are part of a fence for tempo- rary blocking, such as a riot barrier. Through the patent document SE-C2- 527280, a fence for temporary blocking is formerly known. A support post used for such purposes must meet certain requirements. For example, the support post must be constructed of a material that is able to sustain an extensive fence with a significant weight, which may extend from the ground up to a height that a man without tools cannot easily overcome. Fences may also be lower, if for example intended for a construction site as a blocking, protection or similar. The fence for temporary blocking, and the support posts used for the fence, must also be designed so that they can absorb the loads that can result from a crowd putting strains on the fence. Such support posts are there- fore constructed in sufficiently large dimensions.

From an ease of handling point of view and for practical reasons, support posts are designed of several parts, for example telescoping parts, which when extended may form a support post of desired height/length and when brought together form a compact unit for uncomplicated transport and storage. Locking means are used for fixation of the support post parts in an extended condition. One problem of a fence for temporary blocking is that locking means, such as pins and the like, may be damaged if the support posts with arranged locking means are treated roughly, which may render the locking means unfit for use, or not removable from the support post. Another problem is that a locking means may also be removed accidentally, but in particular deliberately, if a person located on one side of the fence succeeds in moving out or knocking out the locking means from its location in a support post.

U.S. 2004/0245515 Al describes a tamper resistant fence. This publication describes a permanent protection in the form of a plate placed over a bolt- head which impedes access to the bolt head with a tool and prevents removal of the bolt.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a support post, and a fence for temporary blocking, eliminating the disadvantages associated with prior art. A further objective is to achieve an improved support post, and a fence for temporary blocking, allowing a locking means to easily and quickly be brought into engagement/interaction with the support post and also in a simple manner be removed from there, while at the same time the locking means is protected from damage and/or violence.

Summary of the invention

The above objectives are solved by the present invention which relates to a support post and a fence for temporary blocking. The support post has an adjustable length, a first side and a second side. The support post comprises sections for interaction with locking means, intended to retain at least one wire at the support post. The support post includes at least one protection means for the locking means, arranged to protect at least a first outer end of each locking means. The fence for temporary blocking comprises a netting that has a first side and a second side, means for anchoring the fence at brackets, wires in the areas of the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the netting, so that the netting and the wires are arranged to interact with each other. The fence further includes at least one above-mentioned support post according to the present invention, which support post extends between the wires and interacts with them, and locking means to retain the wires at the support post.

In accordance with the solution of the present invention, removing and damaging the locking means is hindered. At the same time, the protection means allows temporary detachment and attachment of the locking means from the proper side.

According to one embodiment, the protection means is arranged on the first side of the support post, whereby the protection means may comprise a collar shaped portion, so that removal of the locking means from the second side is made more difficult. The locking means may comprise a detent device that is arranged to interact with a side wall of the support post, so that the locking means can only be inserted and removed from the first side. The collar shaped portion preferably protrudes a distance further out than the locking means in a direction from the first side.

The support post may be furnished with a number of through holes in which respective locking means is intended to be introduced to retain a wire at the support post, and where the support post comprises an additional protection means for the locking means, arranged to protect at least a second outer end of each locking means. Furthermore, the support post may, in the area of its two free ends, present slits that are open to the end faces of the free ends. According to one embodiment, the fence for temporary blocking is designed so that the second side of the support post is arranged towards the first side of the netting. The support post of the fence can be provided with slits in the lower free end which have an axial extent extending along 1/10 to 2/5 of the length of the support post part. The locking means of the fence may comprise a detent device that can be activated and deactivated, and the detent device of the locking means may be arranged to interact with the second side wall of the second side of the support post.

Other objectives, embodiments and advantages of the present invention are described in closer detail in the description and in the subsequent patent claims. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 schematically shows in a side view a fence for temporary blocking in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 shows in a perspective view obliquely from the front a support post according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view turned 90° clockwise of a detail in figure 2, Figures 4A and 4B schematically show various embodiments of protection means according to the invention for the support post and the fence according to figures 1-3, Figure 5 shows a conventional locking means which according to the present invention is used for the support post and the fence, respectively, according to figures 1-4, and

Figure 6 shows a lower end portion of the support post according to one em- bodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a fence for temporary blocking in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprising a netting 1 and at least two wires 3 and 5, preferably of steel, associated with the netting for example of the kind described in patent document SE-C2-527280. The netting may suitably extend from the ground up to a height that a person without tools cannot easily overcome, consequently a height of about 1.5-3 m or more, if it is intended for use as a riot barrier. However, if the netting is intended for i.e. a construction site as blocking or protection, the height can be 1-1.5 m. The mesh can be so fine that a person's hand or foot cannot pass there through, and the meshes may thus have a maximum dimension of about 5 cm. According to an alternative design the meshes may be of a substantially larger size, which make it difficult to climb the netting. As is also mentioned in the pat- ent document SE-C2-527280, the fence according to the present invention may include wire-tensioners (not shown) and the wires may suitably at each end be fitted with a means such as a loop 7, 9 for anchoring in a suitable bracket. Further, the fence according to the present invention comprises at least one support post 1 1 of adjustable length.

Figure 2 shows a support post 1 1 of adjustable length, according to an em- bodiment of the present invention, which according to one embodiment comprises three parts 13 A, 13B and 13C which preferably are telescopically slidable into each other. The number of post parts can preferably be at least two, suitably 2-4. If the support post is to be 3 m, three to four post parts may be appropriate, as each support post part can be designed with an appropriate length of approximately slightly more than one meter so that the post parts when slid together can be accommodated on a pallet of standard dimensions. The first part 13A is intended to be contained in the second part 13B, which in turn is intended to be contained in the third part 13C. In the areas of the overlap between the first part 13 A, the second part 13B, and the third part 13C, the parts are provided with through holes 15, which can be aligned over each other and which thereby can receive a locking means 17, such as a pin. In the area of the free ends 19A, 19C of the support post, the parts 13 A, 13C are also provided with through holes 15 in which a locking means 17 can be received. The free ends are also provided with axially extending slits 21, 23, which are open towards the end faces 24 of the support posts. The slits are arranged to interact with the wires 3, 5, as described in the patent document SE-C2-527280. Thus, the locking means 17 that are arranged in the holes 15 in the free ends 19A, 19C of the support post have the task of detaining an associated wire 3, 5 in the slit 21, 23. However, it is possible that the post parts 13 A, 13B and 13C be arranged to each other in another way than with through holes 15 and pins 17 as in the preferred embodiment. Likewise, according to a general embodiment, it is possible that the wires 3, 5 be arranged to the support posts with locking means 17 of other kind than a pin. That side of the support post 1 1 which is arranged in a direction facing away, and at a distance, from the netting 1 is referred to as the first side 24A. The side of the support post 1 1 which is arranged adjacent and/or in contact with the netting, and is arranged in parallel with the netting length, is referred to as the second side 24B. Similarly, the netting 1 has a first side 1A and a second side IB (see figure 1). The first side 1A of the netting 1 is arranged adjacent and/or in contact with the second side 24B of the support post 1 1, while the second side IB of the netting is facing in the direction away from support post 11 , and preferably towards that which the fence is intended to protect against. In accordance with the present invention the support post comprises at least one protection means 25 for the locking means 17, arranged to protect at least a first outer end 26 of each locking means 17, so that removing and damaging the locking means 17 is hindered, while the protection means 25 permit rapid detachment and fastening of the locking means 17. The protection means 25 can be arranged on the first side 24A of the support post 11 , whereby the protection means preferably is designed to impede the removal of the locking means 17 from the second side 24B. The protection means 25 can also be designed so that the locking means 17 can only be inserted and removed from the first side of the netting/fence. Suitably, the protection means 25, arranged on the first side 24A of the support post 1 1, comprises a collar shaped portion which protrudes a distance Al (see Figure 6) which is further out than a distance A2 that the locking means 17 protrudes, in a direction from the first side 24A.

As mentioned above, with reference to Figure 2, the support post 11 may be fitted with a number of through holes 15 in which one respective locking means 17 is to be applied to retain a wire in the support post. In this connec- tion, the support post 11 may comprise an additional protection means 29 for the locking means 17, arranged to protect at least one second outer end 30 (see Figure 5) of each locking means 17, which protrude from the flat surface forming the second side 24B of the support post 1 1. Figure 3 shows an enlarged view turned 90° clockwise of the outer free end of one of the post parts (here the part 13A is shown) in Figure 2, which shows the additional protection means 29 (see also Figure 6). The upper, outer free end 19A need only be provided with one through hole 15. For simplicity, only one through hole 15 is shown in the connection between two post parts 13A and 13B in Figure 2 but, naturally, the number can be two or more on all post parts except the upper, outer free end 19A of the upper post part 13 A, and the number of locking means arranged on the respective support post part can also be varied. For example, it may be desirable to arrange two locking means 17 at a connection between the post parts ^3B and 13C as shown in Figure 2 and also between the post parts 13 A and 13B (not shown) in the event that the connection has more through holes 15 as discussed above. The additional protection means 29 can be designed as a cylindrical or cup-shaped portion which is firmly arranged, suitably welded, to the flat surface of the second side 24B of the support post 11 , thereby forming a part of a single piece with the support post 11. Since the upper free end 19A only needs to have one through hole 15, as is clear from Figure 3, only one additional protection means 29, with a cup-shape design, is shown in Figure 3. However, the number of additional protection means 29 may be two or more for the other two posts parts 13B and 13C and correspond to the number of the through holes 15 on the first side 24 A of the support post. An example of this is shown in Figure 6, where on the lower free end 19C three additional protective means 29 are arranged on the second side 24B of the support post, and located op- posite three corresponding through holes 15 on the first side 24 A of the support post.

Figures 4 A and 4B show additional embodiments of collar shaped portions 27 for protective means 25 for the support post and the fence, respectively, according to Figures 1-3. As shown in Figure 4 A, the collar shaped portion 27 may consist of an L-shaped part 27A. As shown in Figure 4B, the collar shaped portion 27 may consist of two separate portions; an upper plate 27B and a bottom plate 27C.

Figure 5 shows a conventional locking means 17 which according to the present invention is used for the support post 11 and the fence, respectively, according to Figures 1-4. As mentioned above, the locking means 17 has a first outer end 26 and a second outer end 30. Arranged at the first outer end 26 of the locking means is a control device 33, such as a push button or similar. Ar- ranged at the second outer end 30 of the locking means is detent device 35, e.g. of conventional kind in the form of two or more ball-shaped means that can be retracted into the locking means surface 37, or deployed so that they partially protrude from the surface 37 (the condition shown in Figure 5), when the control device 33 is operated. When the control device 33 of the locking means is pushed in, the detent device 35 is deactivated (e.g. retracted), while the control device 33 in outer position activates the detent device 35 (e.g. deploys) of the locking means 17. Thus the introduction and retraction of the locking means 17 into/from the protection means 25can be quickly and effectively authorized by operating the control device 33. Thus, it is preferred that the control device 33 is arranged at that end of locking means 17 which faces the first side 24A of the support post (see Figure 2 and 6). The detent device 35 of the locking means can be arranged to interact with the first side wall on the first side 24A of the of the support post 11, alterna- tively the detent device 35 of the locking means is arranged to interact with the second side wall on the second side 24B of the of the support post 11, or interaction occurs with both the first and second side walls.

Each locking means 17 is suitably a separate element. That is, the locking means is not designed in one piece with the support post 11. Each locking means 17 preferably extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the fence. Each locking means 17 suitably extends through the first side wall (at the first side 24A) of the support post 11, and the second side wall (at the second side, 24B) of the support post. However, each locking means 17 extends only through the netting, and under/over the respective wire 3, 5 to which the netting is attached in the slits 21, 23, in the free outer lower and upper ends 19A and 19C, respectively.

Figure 6 shows a lower end portion which here is constituted by the free end 19C of the third part 13C of the support post 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. If the fence is to be mounted on an uneven surface, the support posts may preferably be equipped with slits 23A in the lower free ends 19C which have an axial extent extending along at least 1/10 of the length of the support post part 13C, preferably 1/10 up to 2/5 and most preferred 1/10 to 1/5. This embodiment allows the wire 3, 5 arranged in the slit to better follow the difference in altitude of the surface.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A support post (1 1) of adjustable length, said support post having a first side (24A) and a second side (24B), the support post comprising sections for interaction with locking means (17) intended to retain at least one wire (3, 5) at the support post (1 1), characterised in that the support post (11) comprises at least one protection means (25) for the locking means (17), arranged to protect at least a first outer end (26) of each locking means (17), whereby removing and damaging the locking means (17) is hindered.

2. The support post (1 1) of claim 1, characterised in that the protection means (25) is arranged on the first side of the support post (11), the protection means (25) comprising a collar shaped portion (27), so that removal of the locking means (17) from the second side (24B) is hindered.

3. The support post (1 1) of claim 2, characterised in that the locking means (17) comprises a detent means (35) which is arranged to interact with a side wall of the support post, so that the locking means can only be inserted and removed from the first side (1 A).

4. The support post (1 1) of any one of claims 2-3, characterised in that the collar shaped portion (27) protrudes a distance further out than the locking means (17) in a direction from the first side (24 A). 5. The support post ( 1 1 ) of any preceding claim, characterised in that the support post is furnished with a number of through holes (15) in which a respective locking means (17) is intended to be applied in order to retain a wire (3,

5) at the support post (1 1), and where the support post (1 1) comprises an additional protection means (29) for the locking means (17), arranged to protect at least a second outer end (30) of each locking means (17).

6. The support post (11) of any preceding claim, characterised in that the support post, in the area of its two free ends (19A, 19C), comprises slits (21, 23) which are open towards the end faces (24) of the free ends.

7. A fence for temporary blocking, which fence comprises a netting (1) having a first side and a second side, means for anchoring the fence at brackets, wires (3, 5) in the area of the upper and lower longitudinal edge of the netting (1), so that the netting and the wires are arranged to interact with each other, characterised in that it comprises at least one support post (11) according to any preceding claim, which support post (11) extends between the wires (3, 5) and interact with them, and locking means (17) to retain the wires at the support post (11).

8. The fence of claim 7, characterised in that the second side (24B) of the support post (11) is arranged towards the first side (1 A) of the netting (1).

9. The fence of any one of claims 7-8, characterised in that the support post is provided with slits (23 A) in the lower free end (19C) which have an axial extent extending along 1/10 up to 2/5 of the length of the support post part (13C).

10. The fence of any one of claims 7-9, characterised in that the locking means (17) comprises a detent device (35) that can be activated and deactivated, and the detent device (35) of the locking means (17) locking means is arranged to interact with the second side wall of the second side (24B) of the support post