Barrier clamp

Abstract

 A support clamp (10) securable to a motor vehicle crash barrier (1), a barrier assembly and a method of securing a support clamp to a motor vehicle crash barrier. The support clamp of the present invention is securable to a motor vehicle crash barrier, the barrier having an elongate edge running the length of the barrier and at least one corrugation extending transverse to the edge. The clamp comprises a first jaw member (12) having opposing first and second ends, a second jaw member (14) having opposing first and second ends, and a hinge (46), connecting the first ends of the first and second jaw members, such that the first and second jaw members are rotatable about the hinge to open and close said clamp. In use, when the edge of the barrier is placed between the first and second jaw members and the second ends of the jaw members are pressed towards each other, the clamp grips the corrugation of the barrier such that the clamp is rigidly secured to the edge of the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

Description

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a support clamp securable to a motor vehicle crash barrier, a barrier assembly and a method of securing a support clamp to a motor vehicle crash barrier. In particular the invention relates to a support clamp securable to a corrugated crash barrier.

b. Related Art

[0002] Traffic barriers are used to prevent vehicles colliding with dangerous objects or to prevent vehicles leaving the carriageway in hazardous areas, for example if there is a steep drop alongside the road. Traffic barriers are also placed along the central reservation of some larger duel carriageways and motorways. These central barriers prevent a vehicle leaving one carriageway and entering the other carriageway into oncoming traffic.

[0003] There are several different types of barrier that are used depending on a particular application. One of the most common types is a corrugated steel barrier commonly known as an Armco (RTM) barrier, a section of which is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0004] Many traffic jams are caused by accidents on the carriageway. However, while these are unavoidable on a carriageway in which the accident has happened, it is often the case that a traffic jam will also occur on the other opposing carriageway caused by drivers slowing down to look at the accident, this is commonly known as "rubbernecking".

[0005] Blocking the view of drivers on the opposite carriageway helps address this issue and there are currently several different designs of screens, both barrier mounted and free standing, that try to solve this problem. However, all of these prior art designs have drawbacks and many do not conform to the specifications required by the Highways Agency in the UK.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clamp for fixing to a barrier to enable a temporary screen, sign or other object to be erected easily and securely by the roadside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the invention there is provided a support clamp securable to a motor vehicle crash barrier having an elongate edge running the length of the barrier and at least one corrugation extending transverse to said edge, the clamp comprising:

• a first jaw member having opposing first and second ends;
• a second jaw member having opposing first and second ends; and
• a hinge, connecting the first ends of the first and second jaw members, such that the first and second jaw members are rotatable about the hinge to open and close said clamp, wherein, in use, when the edge of the barrier is placed between the first and second jaw members and the second ends of the jaw members are pressed towards each other, the clamp grips the corrugation of the barrier such that the clamp is rigidly secured to the edge of the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

[0008] Preferably the support clamp is arranged, in use, to be secured to the barrier solely (and/or exclusively) by the clamp.

[0009] Preferably the support clamp is arranged, in use, to be secured to the barrier solely (and/or exclusively) by the action of the jaw members.

[0010] The strength of the attachment of the clamp to the barrier is due to the clamp gripping the corrugation of the barrier in two distinct regions either side of a ridge of the corrugation. Preferably the shape of the first and second jaw members is such that the clamp grips the top of the barrier in a first part of the clamp proximate the hinge and a lower section of the barrier in a second part of the clamp proximate but at a distance from the second end of the jaw members.

[0011] To enable the support clamp to be attached to the barrier with a single movement of the first jaw member, a rotational axis of the hinge is located parallel to and offset from a first surface of the first jaw member. In particular, it is advantageous if, defining a rear face of the first jaw member and a front face of the second jaw member as inner faces of the clamp and a front face of the first jaw member and a rear face of the second jaw member as outer faces of the clamp, the rotational axis of the hinge is located in front of the front face of the first jaw member. This positions the hinge above a top edge of the barrier when the clamp is being secured to a barrier.

[0012] Preferably the shape of the first jaw member substantially conforms to a first surface of the corrugation of the barrier and the shape of the second jaw member substantially conforms to a second opposing surface of the corrugation of the barrier. As such, the first and second jaw members typically comprise curved sheet members each having opposing front and rear faces. A concave curvature of the rear face of the first jaw member and a convex curvature of the front face of the second jaw member means that, in use, the rear face of the first jaw member contacts the first surface of the corrugation of the barrier and the front face of the second jaw member contacts the second surface of the corrugation of the barrier to enable the clamp to securely grip the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

[0013] Preferably the hinge comprises a pivot and a cylindrical portion rotatable about the pivot. Generally a first part of the cylindrical portion is connected to the first jaw member and a second part of the cylindrical portion is connected to the second jaw member to enable each jaw member to rotate about the pivot to open and close the clamp.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the clamp further comprises a back plate extending perpendicularly from the second jaw member. In use, when the clamp is attached to a barrier, an upper elongate edge of the barrier seats against a face of the back plate.

[0015] To improve the ease by which the clamp may be secured to the barrier, the back plate preferably comprises a slot, and the upper elongate edge of the barrier locates in the slot when the clamp is secured to the barrier.

[0016] Preferably the support clamp includes mounting means extending from at least one of the jaw members, the mounting means will typically comprise a tubular member extending from a face of the first jaw member. This allows an object such as a sign or screen to be engaged with the mounting means so as to support the sign or screen above the barrier.

[0017] The invention further provides a barrier assembly comprising a support clamp according to the invention including mounting means and a screen, wherein a part of the screen is securable to the mounting means of the clamp such that when the clamp is attached to a barrier the screen is supported above the barrier.

[0018] In some embodiments the screen is a sign. The sign may display information or a warning to drivers.

[0019] In some embodiments the assembly comprises two support clamps. These may be used to support a length of screen material which, when erected above a central reservation, may help to prevent rubbernecking. Preferably the screen comprises two posts and a length of sheet material extending between the two posts. In use, the two clamps are attached to a barrier at a distance from each other and a first post is secured to the mounting means of a first clamp and a second post is secured to the mounting means of a second clamp such that the sheet material extends between the two clamps above the barrier.

[0020] The invention further provides a method of securing a support clamp to a motor vehicle crash barrier, the barrier having an elongate edge running the length of the barrier and at least one corrugation extending transverse to said edge, and the support clamp being according to the present invention. The method comprises the steps of:

• placing the second jaw portion against a rear surface of the barrier such that the hinge lies proximate an upper elongate edge of the barrier; and
• rotating the first jaw portion about the hinge so as to clip the first jaw portion over an opposing front surface of the barrier, thereby gripping a part of the barrier between the first and second jaw portions and rigidly securing the clamp to the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corrugated barrier as is known in the art;

Figure 2 shows sides views of the component parts of a barrier clamp according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the barrier clamp of Figure 2 in a fully assembled state;

Figure 4 is a plan view from the front of a first clamping member of the barrier clamp of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view from the rear of a second clamping member of the barrier clamp of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view from the side of the complete barrier clamp of Figure 3 showing the clamp in a partially closed configuration;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from the side of the barrier clamp of Figure 6 showing the clamp in an open configuration;

Figures 8 and 9 are, respectively, perspective views from the front and the rear of the barrier clamp of Figure 6 engaged with an upper portion of a corrugated barrier;

Figure 10 shows plan views from the side and the front of the first clamping member of Figure 4 showing the dimensions of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows plan views from the side and the rear of the second clamping member of Figure 5 showing the dimensions according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a plan view from the side of a second clamping member according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view from the front of a barrier assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A first preferred embodiment of a barrier clamp 10 of the present invention is shown in Figures 2 to 7. The barrier clamp 10 is preferably designed to attach to roadside barriers such as corrugated metal barriers, and to support a temporary sign or screen to be erected quickly at the roadside.

[0023] An example of a corrugated barrier 1 is shown in Figure 1. The barrier 1 includes an impact member 2 supported at a distance above the ground by support posts 3 that attach to a rear surface 4 of the impact member 2. The impact member 2 comprises a corrugated sheet 5, the shape of the sheet 5 being such that the front surface 6 of the sheet 5 has two parallel ridges 7 extending horizontally along the length of the impact member 2 with a central trough 8 between them. As such, top and bottom edges 9, 11 of the sheet 5 extend in a generally rearward direction with respect to the impact member.

[0024] The clamp 10 comprises first and second clamping or jaw members 12, 14 that are connected by a hinge portion 16. In this way, the clamp 10 may be fitted around an edge of the barrier such that the first jaw member 12 is located on one side of the barrier and the second jaw member 14 is located on a second side of the barrier. The geometry of the hinge portion 16 allows the two jaw members 12, 14 to be pressed together so that the barrier is gripped firmly between the jaw members 12, 14 without the need for additional fixing means.

[0025] Preferably the clamp 10 clips over a top edge 9 of the barrier 1 as will be described in more detail later.

[0026] In preferred embodiments support means 18 extends from the first jaw member 12 in a generally vertical direction to receive a base portion of a sign or screen (not shown). This allows a temporary sign or screen to be erected quickly at the roadside by firstly clipping the clamp 10 to a barrier (not shown) and then inserting a lower part of the required sign or screen into the support means 18. A clamp 10 of the present invention may be used individually to support a single sign for example, or two or more clamps 10 may be used in pairs or groups spaced along a barrier to support a length of screen.

[0027] The individual components of the barrier clamp 10 are shown most clearly in Figures 2, 4 and 5. The first jaw member 12 comprises a generally rectangular sheet 20 having two longer side edges 22, 24, a top edge 26 and a bottom edge 28. The sheet 20 is curved in a number of distinct regions so that the first jaw member 12 has a generally convex front face 30 and a generally concave rear face 32. The curvature of the first jaw member 12 is designed to conform to and fit around part of a first surface of a corrugated barrier, as will be described in more detail later.

[0028] As shown most clearly in Figure 2, a first bend 34 is formed in the sheet 20 close to the top edge 26 thereby forming a first generally planar grip portion 36 of the jaw member 12 on one side of the bend 34 proximate the top edge 26. The first bend 34 is a shallow bend such that the angle between the grip portion 36 and a second generally planar support portion 38 on the other side of the first bend 34 is less than 45°. The support portion 38 extends to a second bend region 40 located about halfway between the top and bottom edges 26, 28 of the jaw member 12. The second bend 40 curves through about 70 - 90° in the same direction as the first bend 34 so that a third generally planar retaining portion 42 on the other side of the second bend region 40 extends in a generally rearward direction. In this way, the second bend region 40 together with the support portion 38 and retaining portion 42 forms a 'nose' region 41 of the first jaw member 12. A lip region 44 is formed proximate the bottom edge 28 of the jaw member 12 by a section of the sheet 20 that is curved in an opposite direction to the first and second bends 34, 40.

[0029] A first part 45 of a hinge mechanism 46 is attached to the front or upper face 30 of the grip portion 36. The hinge mechanism 46 comprises three circular tube sections 48 spaced along the top edge 26 of the jaw member 12 so that the central bores 50 of the tube sections 48 are aligned and the resulting axis 52 of the hinge mechanism 46 is parallel to and offset from the top edge 26 of the jaw member 12. In this embodiment, one end 49a of a first tube section 48a is aligned with a first side edge 22 of the jaw member 12, one end 49b of a second tube section 48b is aligned with a second side edge 24 of the jaw member 12 and a third tube section 48c is located centrally between the first and second tube sections 48a, 48b. Each of the tube sections 48 is of the same length and the length is such that two gaps 54 are defined between the tube sections 48 for receiving a second part 47 of the hinge mechanism 46, as described below.

[0030] Support means 18 extends from the front face 30 of the support portion 38 of the jaw member 12. In this embodiment the support means 18 comprises a cylindrical tube 56 having a central bore 58 for receiving a post of a sign or screen (not shown). The support tube 56 is arranged to extend substantially vertically away from the clamp 10 when the clamp 10 is in position over the top of a barrier (not shown). As such, the support tube 56 extends at an angle away from the front face 30 of the support portion 38, and a longitudinal axis 60 of the support tube 56 is substantially parallel to a line joining the top edge 26 and the lip 44 of the jaw member 12.

[0031] The second jaw member 14 is substantially similar in shape to the first jaw member 12, having a generally convex front face 62 and a generally concave rear face 64. The second jaw member 14 also comprises a generally rectangular sheet 66 having two longer side edges 68, 70, a top edge 72 and a bottom edge 74. In this embodiment the width of the sheet 66, between the two side edges 68, 70, is the same as the width of the first sheet 20, although in other embodiments the width of the second jaw member 14 may be less than or greater than the width of the first jaw member 12. The length and curvature of the second sheet 66 is such that the second jaw member 14 conforms to the shape of a part of a second surface of a corrugated barrier, as will be described in more detail later.

[0032] A first bend 76 is formed in the sheet 66 close to the top edge 72 thereby forming a first generally planar grip portion 78 of the jaw member 14 on one side of the bend 76 proximate the top edge 72. The angle between the grip portion 78 and a second generally planar securing portion 80 on the other side of the first bend 76 is less than 45°. The securing portion 80 extends to a second bend region 82 located about halfway between the top and bottom edges 72, 74 of the jaw member 14. The second bend 82 curves through about 70 - 90° in the same direction as the first bend 76 so that a third generally planar retaining portion 84 on the other side of the second bend region 82 extends in a rearward direction. In this way, the second bend region 82 together with the securing portion 80 and retaining portion 84 forms a 'nose' portion 85 of the second jaw member 14. A lip region 86 is formed proximate the bottom edge 74 of the jaw member 14 by a section of the sheet 66 that is curved in an opposite direction to the first and second bends 76, 82.

[0033] A second part 47 of the hinge mechanism 46 is attached to the top edge 72 of the second jaw member 14, and comprises a back plate 87 and two circular tube sections 88 each having a central bore 90 of the same diameter as the central bores 50 of the tube sections 48 of the first part 45 of the hinge mechanism 46. The back plate 87 extends perpendicularly from the front face 62 of the grip portion 78 along the full width of the top edge 72 of the jaw member 14.

[0034] The tube sections 88 are attached to a first face 91 of the back plate 87 so that the tube sections 88 overhang the grip portion 78 of the sheet 66 at a distance from the front face 62. The tube sections 88 are positioned along the width of the back plate 87 such that when the first and second jaw portions 12, 14 are connected together, the tube sections 88 of the second part 47 of the hinge mechanism 46 fit within the gaps 54 of the first part 45 of the hinge mechanism 46. The length of each of the tube sections 88 is the same and the length is such that when they are inserted between the tube sections 48 of the first part 45 of the hinge mechanism 46, the first and second parts 45, 47 of the hinge mechanism 46 are able to rotate with respect to each other about the rotational axis 52 of the hinge mechanism 46. In addition, the length of the tube sections 88 is such that there is minimal lateral movement of the first jaw member 12 with respect to the second jaw member 14.

[0035] The tube sections 48, 88 together form a cylindrical portion 89 of the hinge mechanism 46. A hinge pin or pivot pin 92 is used to secure the first and second parts 45, 47 of the hinge mechanism 46 together. The hinge pin 92 comprises a cylindrical rod 93 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bores 50, 90 of the tube sections 48, 88. The length of the rod 93 is slightly longer than the width of the jaw members 12, 14 so that when the rod 93 fully inserted through the bores 50, 90 of the tube sections 48, 88, end regions 94a, 94b of the rod 93 extend beyond the respective ends 49a, 49b of the first and second tube sections 48a, 48b of the first jaw member 12. In this way the hinge pin 92 acts as a pivot about which the cylindrical portion 89 of the hinge 46 can rotate.

[0036] To secure the hinge pin 92 within the cylindrical portion 89 washers 96 are placed over the ends 94a, 94b of the rod 93. Each of the washers 96 has an external diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 89 of the hinge 46. A retaining pin 98, which in this embodiment is in the form of a split pin, is inserted through a hole 100 in each end region 94a, 94b of the rod 93 to prevent the washers 96 sliding off the end of the rod 93 and to prevent the rod 93 sliding out of the tube sections 48, 88.

[0037] As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 6, the shape and size of the second jaw member 14 in relation to the first jaw member 12 is such that, when the clamp 10 is assembled and in a closed configuration, the nose portion 85 of the second jaw member 14 fits within an area defined by the rear surface 32 of the nose portion 41 of the first jaw member 12. In a fully closed position the front surface 62 of the retaining portion 84 contacts the rear surface 32 of the retaining portion 42.

[0038] Furthermore, in this closed position the grip portion 36 of the first jaw member 12 is located between the cylindrical portion 89 of the hinge 46 and the grip portion 78 of the second jaw member 14. However, the distance between the hinge pivot 92 and the second jaw member 14 is such that, even when the clamp is in a fully closed position, a gap 104 still exists between the rear surface 32 of the grip portion 36 of the first jaw member 12 and the front surface 62 of the grip portion 78 of the second jaw member 14. The width of this gap 104 is substantially the same as the thickness of the barrier 1 to which the clamp 10 will be attached. In some embodiments, the barrier clamp 10 may further comprise means for adjusting the distance between the ends 26, 72 of the first and second jaw members 12, 14. However, in a preferred embodiment the gap 104 is of a fixed size primarily determined by the dimensions of the back plate 87.

[0039] The dimensions of a preferred embodiment of the support clamp 10 are shown in Figures 10 and 11, in which all linear measurements are given in millimetres and angular measurements are given in radians.

[0040] The dimensions of the first jaw member 12 are shown in Figure 10 and the dimensions are such that the curved sheet 20 substantially conforms to the shape of a front surface of an upper section of corrugated barrier and in particular an Armco (RTM) barrier. Of particular importance are the angles of curvature of the first and second bends 34, 40. The first bend 34 preferably turns through an angle θ of between 0.2 and 0.4 radians, and more preferably through an angle of about 0.3 radians, and the second bend 40 preferably turns through an angle λ of between 1.0 and 1.5 radians, and more preferably through an angle of about 1.25 radians. As such the nose region 41 of the first jaw member 12 is designed to extend over a ridge in the front surface of a corrugated barrier.

[0041] The dimensions of the second jaw member 14 are shown in Figure 11. The dimensions and shape of the sheet 66 are such that the second jaw member substantially conforms to a rear surface of a corrugated barrier. Of particular importance are the angles of curvature of the first and second bends 76, 82. In particular the first bend 76 preferably turns through an angle α of between 0.5 and 0.8 radians, and more preferably through an angle of about 0.7 radians, and the second bend 82 preferably turns through an angle β of between 1.0 and 1.4 radians, and more preferably through an angle of about 1.2 radians. As such, the nose portion 85 of the second jaw member 14 is designed to fit within the trough formed by an opposing rear surface of a corrugated barrier.

[0042] The width of both jaw members 12, 14 is preferably about 350mm. The width of the jaw members 12, 14 should be such that the clamp 10 remains firmly attached to the barrier 1 and resists any lateral forces that may be applied to it by an object secured to the support means 18. As such the width of the clamp 10 is preferably not less than 300mm. However, the clamp 10 should be easy to handle so that the clamp 10 can be fixed to a barrier 1 quickly by one person, and therefore, the width of the clamp 10 is preferably not more than 400mm.

[0043] The first and second jaw members 12, 14 may be formed from any suitable sheet material, but are preferably formed from sheet steel having a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment the first and second jaw members 12, 14 are made from appropriate sections of a corrugated barrier cut to size.

[0044] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a clamp 10 fixed to a corrugated barrier 1 so that the clamp 10 embraces a top edge 9 of the barrier 1 between the first and second jaw members 12, 14. To secure the clamp 10 to the barrier 1, the clamp 10 is placed over the top edge 9 of the barrier in an open configuration as shown in Figure 7. The clamp 10 is positioned such that the first surface 91 of the back plate 87 is in contact with the top edge 9 of the barrier 1. The second jaw member 14 is then pressed in towards the rear surface 4 of the barrier 1 by applying a force to the lip portion 86 of the sheet 66 so that the nose 85 of the second jaw member 14 engages with the concave rear surface 4 of the barrier 1. The first jaw member 12 is then pushed into position over an upper ridge 7 of the barrier 1 by exerting a force in a generally forward direction on the cylindrical tube 56. In this way the nose portion 41 of the first jaw member 12 extends over and around the front surface 6 of the upper ridge 7 of the barrier 1, and the retaining portion 42 of the first jaw member 12 extends into the trough 8 below the ridge 7 of the barrier 1.

[0045] In this closed position, a portion of the barrier 1 is gripped tightly between the respective retaining portion 42, 84 of the first and second jaw members 12, 14.

[0046] Additionally, a top edge 9 of the barrier 1 is gripped between the rear surface 32 of the grip portion 36 of the first jaw member 12 and the front surface 62 of the grip portion 78 of the second jaw member 14 proximate the hinge 46.

[0047] The location of the hinge pivot axis 52 above and at a distance from the first jaw member 12 means that as the first jaw member 12 is pushed into the closed position, the grip portion 36 of the first jaw member 12 is pushed against the top surface 6 of the barrier 1 due to the rotation of the first jaw member 12 about the hinge 46.

[0048] The dimension of the gap 104 between the grip portions 36, 78 of the first and second jaw members 12, 14 and, in particular the distance between the front surface 62 of the grip portion 78 of the second jaw member 14 and the hinge axis 52, means that as the first jaw member 12 is rotated, the edge 9 of the barrier 1 is gripped firmly between the jaws 12, 14 of the clamp 10.

[0049] In this way the clamp 10 can be secured to the barrier 1 with a single action on one side of the barrier 1 and does not require additional fixing or securing means to maintain a compressive force on the barrier 1.

[0050] The angle of the first bend 34 in the first jaw member 12 can be adjusted to cause a greater or lesser force to be needed to clip the first jaw member 12 over the front 6 of the barrier 1. In particular, by increasing the angle through which the first bend 34 turns, i.e. by creating a sharper bend in the sheet 20, the distance between the hinge mechanism 46 and the nose region 41 is decreased. This means that as the first jaw member 12 is pressed over the front 6 of the barrier 1 the back plate 87 is pulled more firmly against the top edge 9 of the barrier 1, thereby increasing the clamping force on the barrier 1.

[0051] When the clamp 10 is in the clamped position on the barrier 1, the lip 44 of the first jaw member 12 is located fully within this trough section 8 of the barrier 1 and therefore does not protrude from the front of the barrier 1. Additionally, the lip portion 86 of the second jaw member 14 substantially conforms to the shape of the rear surface 4 of the barrier 1 so that the end 74 of the jaw member 14 does not protrude from the rear of the barrier 1.

[0052] To remove the clamp 10 from the barrier 1 a force is applied to the lip 44 of the first jaw member 12 to pull the lower edge 28 of the first jaw member 12 away from the front surface 6 of the barrier 1. As the first jaw member 12 is lifted the grip portion 36 of the first jaw member 12 rotates about the hinge pivot 93 so that the top edge 26 of the first jaw member 12 presses against the upper, front surface 6 of the barrier 1. This action tries to increase the distance between the barrier 1 and the hinge 46 and, therefore, causes a rotation of the second jaw member 14 away from the rear surface 4 of the barrier 1. In this way, the clamp 10 is released from the barrier 1 using a single action on a single side of the barrier 1.

[0053] Figure 12 shows an alternative design for a second jaw member 214 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The second jaw member 214 is substantially the same as the second jaw member 14 of the first embodiment and like features have been referenced by numerals incremented by 200.

[0054] In this embodiment, the back plate 287 is thicker than in the first embodiment and further comprises a slot or recess 325 in the first surface 291 adjacent to the front surface 262 of he grip portion 278 of the second jaw member 214.

[0055] The slot 325 extends for the full width of the jaw member 214 and the width of the slot 325 is substantially the same as the thickness of the sheet material from which the corrugated barrier 1 is formed.

[0056] In use, when the clamp 210 is attached to a barrier 1 the top edge 9 of the barrier 1 is inserted into the slot 325. Because the width of the slot 325 is substantially the same as the thickness of the barrier 1 and the back plate 287 and the jaw member 214 are rigidly connected, by inserting the edge 9 of the barrier 1 into the slot 325 the second jaw member 214 is held in the correct position against the rear surface 4 of the barrier 1. The first jaw member 12 may then be clipped into position over the front surface 6 of the barrier 1 as previously described.

[0057] Figure 13 illustrates two barrier clamps 10a, 10b according to a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a corrugated barrier 1 and used to support a screen 111 above the barrier 1. The screen 111 comprises first and second posts 113, 115 with a length of opaque sheet material 117 extending between the posts 113, 115. The height of the sheet material 117 is preferably less than the length of the posts 113, 115 such that a lower end region 119, 121 of each of the posts 113, 115 extends beyond a lower edge 123 of the sheet material 117.

[0058] The diameter of the lower end regions 119, 121 of the posts 113, 115 is approximately the same as the internal diameter of the bore 58 of the clamp support means 18, such that there is a sliding fit of the ends 119, 121 of the posts 113, 115 into the cylindrical tubes 56 of the support means 18.

[0059] To erect the barrier-mounted screen 111, a first barrier clamp 10a is attached to the top edge 9 of the barrier 1 as previously described. A second barrier clamp 10b is then attached to the top edge 9 of the barrier 1 at a distance from the first barrier clamp 10a. The screen 111 is then extended and an end 119 of the first post 113 is inserted into the cylindrical tube 56a of the support means 18a of the first barrier clamp 10a and an end 121 of the second post 115 is inserted into the cylindrical tube 56b of the support means 18b of the second barrier clamp 10b.

[0060] The screen 111 may be mounted on a barrier 1 situated in the central reservation of a dual carriageway and the screen 111 may be used to block the view of one of the carriageways from a driver on the opposing carriageway. In particular, the screen 111 may be erected quickly and easily at the site of a road traffic collision to prevent rubbernecking. Preferably the screen 111 comprises a plurality of holes (not shown) or is made from a mesh-like material such that some air movement is permitted through the screen 111.

[0061] In other embodiments, the barrier clamp 10 of the present invention may be used to support a sign, such as a warning sign or a traffic diversion sign for example. The clamp 10, 210 of the present invention therefore provides an improved clamp for fixing to a barrier to enable a screen, sign or other object to be erected easily and securely by the roadside.

Claims

1. A support clamp securable to a motor vehicle crash barrier having an elongate edge running the length of the barrier and at least one corrugation extending transverse to said edge, the clamp comprising:

- a first jaw member having opposing first and second ends;

- a second jaw member having opposing first and second ends; and

- a hinge, connecting said first ends of the first and second jaw members, such that the first and second jaw members are rotatable about the hinge to open and close said clamp,
wherein, in use, when said edge of the barrier is placed between the first and second jaw members and the second ends of the jaw members are pressed towards each other, the clamp grips said corrugation of the barrier such that the clamp is rigidly secured to the edge of the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

2. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 1, in which the shape of the first and second jaw members is such that the clamp grips the barrier in a first part of the clamp proximate the hinge and in a second part of the clamp proximate but at a distance from the second end of the jaw members.

3. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which a rotational axis of the hinge is parallel to and offset from a first surface of the first jaw member.

4. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 3, in which:

- a rear face of the first jaw member and a front face of the second jaw member define inner faces of the clamp; and

- a front face of the first jaw member and a rear face of the second jaw member define outer faces of the clamp;
wherein, the rotational axis of the hinge is located in front of the front face of the first jaw member.

5. A support clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the shape of the first jaw member substantially conforms to a first surface of the corrugation of the barrier and the shape of the second jaw member substantially conforms to a second opposing surface of the corrugation of the barrier.

6. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 5, in which the first and second jaw members comprise curved sheet members each having opposing front and rear faces, and wherein said rear face of the first jaw member has a concave curvature and said front face of the second jaw member has a convex curvature, such that, in use, the rear face of the first jaw member contacts the first surface of the corrugation of the barrier and the front face of the second jaw member contacts the second surface of the corrugation of the barrier.

7. A support clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hinge comprises a pivot and a cylindrical portion rotatable about the pivot.

8. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 7, in which a first part of the cylindrical portion is connected to the first jaw member and a second part of the cylindrical portion is connected to the second jaw member.

9. A support clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the clamp further comprises a back plate extending perpendicularly from the second jaw member, and wherein, in use, when the clamp is attached to a barrier, an upper elongate edge of the barrier seats against a face of the back plate.

10. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 9, in which the back plate comprises a slot, and wherein the upper elongate edge of the barrier locates in the slot.

11. A support clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support clamp includes mounting means extending from at least one of the jaw members.

12. A support clamp as claimed in Claim 11, in which the mounting means comprises a tubular member extending from a face of the first jaw member.

13. A barrier assembly comprising:

- a support clamp as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12; and

- a screen,
wherein a part of the screen is securable to the mounting means of the clamp such that when the clamp is attached to a barrier the screen is supported above the barrier.

14. A barrier assembly as claimed in Claim 13, in which the assembly comprises two support clamps and the screen comprises two posts and a length of sheet material extending between the two posts, and wherein, in use, the two clamps are attached to a barrier at a distance from each other and a first post is secured to the mounting means of a first clamp and a second post is secured to the mounting means of a second clamp such that the sheet material extends between the two clamps above the barrier.

15. A method of securing a support clamp to a motor vehicle crash barrier, the barrier having an elongate edge running the length of the barrier and at least one corrugation extending transverse to said edge, and the support clamp being as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the method comprises the steps of:

- placing the second jaw portion against a rear surface of the barrier such that the hinge lies proximate an upper elongate edge of the barrier; and

- rotating the first jaw portion about the hinge so as to clip the first jaw portion over an opposing front surface of the barrier, thereby gripping a part of the barrier between the first and second jaw portions and rigidly securing the clamp to the barrier without the need for additional fixing means.

Drawing