Barrier

Abstract

 A barrier comprises a first barrier unit (34) and a second barrier unit (36), the first barrier unit (34) having a generally vertically orientated first peg (16) provided thereon which is receivable within an eye (26) provided on the second barrier unit (36), wherein the axial length of the first peg (16) is significantly greater than that of the eye (26).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a barrier, for example of the type erected temporarily to reduce the risk of pedestrians falling into excavations, falling from a height, or to separate pedestrians from moving traffic.

[0002] A number of temporary barrier systems are known for use in such applications. They typically comprise a series of units, each comprising a barrier panel supported upon feet, and it is usual for several units of such systems to be used in an end-to-end configuration to form an elongate barrier. It is desirable to be able to securely attach each barrier unit to the adjacent unit or units. However, known systems for achieving this are complex and time consuming to operate, and so they are often not used. Further, they are often unable to accommodate changes in ground surface height or slope, and so are unsuitable for use where a barrier is required to stand partly upon a pavement and partly upon a road surface as the kerb height cannot be accommodate. Less secure linking techniques run the risk of accidental or casual release by passers-by, reducing the effectiveness of the barrier.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a barrier suitable for use in such applications and of simple and convenient form.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a barrier comprising a first barrier unit and a second barrier unit, the first barrier unit having a generally vertically orientated first peg provided thereon which is receivable within an eye provided on the second barrier unit, wherein the axial length of the first peg is significantly greater than that of the eye.

[0005] For example, the first peg may be of length at least twice, for example three times that of the eye.

[0006] Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the barrier units may be positioned at different heights.

[0007] The eye defines an opening that, preferably, is of width greater than the width of the first peg. As a result, differences in orientation of the barrier units, such as may occur when one unit is located on a horizontal surface and the other is positioned on a slope, can be accommodated.

[0008] The first barrier unit may be provided with a second generally vertically orientated peg. The second peg may serve, in conjunction with lock formation on the second barrier unit, to resist release of the first peg from the eye. The second peg may be capable of being received by the eye in another configuration of the barrier to accommodate ground surface height variations.

[0009] Preferably, the first peg depends downwardly from a mounting point, the second peg projecting upwardly from the mounting point and being generally coaxial with the first peg. An opposite end of the first barrier unit may include an eye.

[0010] The invention further relates to a barrier unit for use in the arrangement provided hereinbefore and incorporating a first peg at a first end thereof and an eye at a second end thereof.

[0011] The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a barrier unit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate a series of barriers constructed from a plurality of such barrier units; and

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative barrier unit.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a barrier unit comprising a moulded plastics barrier panel 10 supported upon a pair of feet 12. In the arrangement illustrated, the feet 12 are separate components, but it will be appreciated that the feet 12 could be formed integrally with the panel 10, if desired. Although a specific form of barrier panel is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the specific design thereof is not of relevance to the invention and that a number of different forms of barrier panel could be used if desired.

[0013] At a first end 14 of the panel 10 is formed a first peg 16. The peg 16 depends downwardly from a mounting point 18, the first peg 16 and mounting point 18 being integrally formed with the panel 10. The mounting point 18 further supports an integral second, upwardly extending peg 20. The first peg 16 is of height or length L1 and of width W1 in the orientation illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As illustrated, the first and second pegs 16, 20 are substantially coaxial with one another and are spaced apart from the body of the panel 10. The lower end of the first peg 16 is provided with a projection 22 extending by a small distance towards the remainder of the panel 10.

[0014] A second end 30 of the panel 10 is formed with a projection 24 through which an opening extends to form an eye 26. The eye 26 is of axial length L2 and of width W2 in the orientation illustrated in Figure 1. As is apparent from Figure 1 the length L1 of the first peg 16 is significantly greater than the length L2 of the eye 26. In the arrangement illustrated, L1 is approximately three times the length of L2, but other relative dimensions are possible. Further, the width W2 of the eye 26 is considerably greater than the width W1 of the first peg 16. In the illustrated arrangement, the width W2 is again approximately three times the width W1 of the first peg 16, but other relative dimensions are possible.

[0015] The second end 28 of the panel 10 further incorporates a downwardly hooked lock projection 32 located above and spaced apart from the eye 26 and integrally formed with the panel 10.

[0016] In use, the unit illustrated in Figure 1 is positioned adjacent another similar or identical unit and is connected thereto using the pegs and eyes. Figures 2 to 6 illustrate a range of configurations suitable for use in different applications. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, the first peg 16 of a first unit 34 is introduced through the eye 26 of a second unit 36. The first and second units 34, 36 are located closely adjacent one another with the lock projection 32 of the second unit 36 extending over the second peg 20 of the first unit 34. Assembly of the barrier requires the first peg 16 to be introduced into the eye 26, and the units 34, 36 to them to be moved relative to one another to locate the lock projection 32 over the second peg 20. This movement results in the first peg 16 moving sideways within the eye 26 which is accommodated by the difference in width of the first peg 16 and the eye 26. It will be appreciated that in this configuration, the first and second units 34, 36 are securely attached to one another, and that casual release of the second unit 36 from the first unit 34 is resisted as, before the first peg 16 of the first unit 34 can be removed from the eye 26 of the second unit 36, the units 34, 36 need to be moved apart from one another to move the projection 32 out of alignment with the second peg 20 of the first unit 34, whereafter the first unit 34 can be lifted to retract the first peg 16 thereof from the eye 26 of the second unit 36. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use in environments in which a barrier is to be erected on a generally flat supporting surface. Although only a pair of barrier units 34, 36 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that a longer barrier may be erected by connecting additional barrier units to the first and second units 34, 36 in a similar manner.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement similar to Figure 2 but in which the barrier units 34, 36 are spaced apart from one another by a slightly larger distance. In this arrangement, the first peg 16 is still retained within the eye 26 of the second unit 36, thus the first and second units 34, 36 are still linked together. However, the lock projection 32 no longer engages the second peg 20 of the first unit 34, thus the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 is of reduced security compared to that of Figure 2, and hence there is an increased risk of accidental or unauthorised disassembly.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement similar to Figure 3 but in which the barrier arrangement extends over uneven ground, for example the barrier may be erected over part of a pavement and part of a road surface, the barrier accommodating the change in ground height at the kerb between the road surface and the pavement. It will be apparent from Figure 4 that the change in ground height is accommodated by the first peg 16 being of relatively large length L1. The projection 22 assists in ensuring that the peg 16 and eye 26 remain in engagement.

[0019] Figure 5 again illustrates an arrangement in which a barrier is erected on uneven ground. In order to accommodate the change in ground level, in this arrangement the second peg 20 rather than the first peg 16 is received within the eye 26.

[0020] Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement in which a barrier is erected on sloping ground. The angular misalignment between the first and second units 34, 36 is accommodated by virtue of the width W2 of the eye 26 being greater than the width W1 of the first peg 16, thus permitting the first peg 16 to be angled relative to the eye 26.

[0021] It will be appreciated that the barrier described hereinbefore is relatively simple to assemble or erect and may be used in a wide range of applications. Further, a simple mechanism is provided whereby disconnection of the units from one another can be resisted.

[0022] Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement which is very similar to that of Figures 1 to 6 but in which the lock projection 32 is provided with a recess 32a arranged to receive an end part of the second peg 20 when the units are arranged in the manner of Figure 2, thereby providing a positive location for the second peg 20. Further, the eye 26 is shaped to include a waist formation 26a whereby, when the orientation illustrated in Figure 2 is achieved, movement away from this orientation is resisted, the first peg 16 effectively being received at the end of the eye 26 in a snap-fit like manner.

[0023] A number of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described hereinbefore without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A barrier comprising a first barrier unit (34) and a second barrier unit (36), the first barrier unit (34) having a generally vertically orientated first peg (16) provided thereon which is receivable within an eye (26) provided on the second barrier unit (36), wherein the axial length of the first peg (16) is significantly greater than that of the eye (26)

2. A barrier according to Claim 1, wherein the first peg (16) is of length at least twice that of the eye (26).

3. A barrier according to Claim 2, wherein the first peg (16) is of length approximately three times that of the eye (26).

4. A barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the eye (26) defines an opening that is of width greater than the width of the first peg (16).

5. A barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first barrier unit (34) is provided with a second generally vertically orientated peg (20).

6. A barrier according to Claim 5, wherein the second peg (20) serves, in conjunction with a lock formation (32) on the second barrier unit (36), to resist release of the first peg (16) from the eye (26).

7. A barrier according to Claim 6, wherein the lock formation (32) is provided with a recess arranged to receive an end part of the second peg (20).

8. A barrier according to Claim 6, wherein the second peg (20) is capable of being received by the eye (26).

9. A barrier according to any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the first peg (16) depends downwardly from a mounting point (18), the second peg projecting (20) upwardly from the mounting point (18) and being generally coaxial with the first peg (16).

10. A barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the eye (26) includes a waist formation (26a) to enable the first peg (16) to be received in part thereof in a snap-fit manner.

11. A barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an opposite end of the first barrier unit (34) includes an eye (26).

12. A barrier unit adapted for use in a barrier according to any of the preceding claims, the barrier unit incorporating a first peg (16) at a first end thereof and an eye (26) at a second end thereof.

Drawing