AU2013219223A1 - A collapsible safety barrier system for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The proposed invention provides a collapsible safety barrier system that is anchored to a structure having the footprint of an ISO shipping container to allow for rapid deployment of safety barriers in order for users to safely work and move about on such a structure and minimise the risk of such a user falling from the structure. The provision of such a collapsible safety barrier system advantageously allows for the rapid deployment/demounting of camouflage netting over structures having the footprint of an ISO shipping container when used in a military environment. Fig 1

Description

A Collapsible Safety Barrier System Technical Field The present invention relates to a system and method of deploying camouflage nets over containers and transportation vehicles wherein the user deploys the camouflage netting from the roof of a container or other structure having an ISO shipping container footprint. More particularly, the present invention relates to the application of a collapsible safety barrier system to structures having an ISO shipping container footprint to provide a safe working environment during the deployment of camouflage netting from the roof of a structure having the footprint of an ISO shipping container. Background During certain military operations, protocols are in place which require vehicles and other equipment such as ISO shipping containers or ISO flat-racks to be covered by camouflage netting if stopping in one place for more than a certain period of time. For permanent or long term installations, permanently fixed or semi-permanent detachable safety barriers for fixing to an ISO shipping container are known. However, where the container is required to be relocated and transported, frequently at short notice; fixed or semi-permanent safety barriers are not appropriate and often potentially expose users to hazardous work at a dangerous height when installing/demounting such safety barriers. The current procedure involving fixed or semi-permanent safety barriers provides many opportunities for breaches of safety, and is no longer an acceptably safe practice under the Safe Work Australia 2001 Code of Practice for managing the risk of falls at workplaces. The proposed invention provides a collapsible safety barrier system that is anchored to a structure having an ISO shipping container footprint to allow for rapid deployment of safety barriers in order for users to safely work and move about on the roof of such a structure and minimise the risk of such a user falling from the roof of the structure. The provision of such a collapsible safety barrier system advantageously allows for the rapid deployment/demounting of camouflage netting over the structure. As is known in the art, structures having an ISO shipping container footprint include ISO shipping containers, ISO flat-racks, and flat bed trucks having trays with corner castings mounted thereon at locations to match the dimensions of the footprint of an ISO shipping container. The dimensions of the ISO shipping container footprint are 1 well known in the art and set out in international standard ISO 6346 for intermodal (shipping) containers. The term footprint used throughout refers to the area (length x width) taken by an ISO shipping container. Summary of Invention The present invention provides a collapsible safety barrier system and method of deploying camouflage netting using the collapsible safety barrier system on structures having an ISO shipping container footprint as defined in the claims. Other preferred features of the various aspects of the invention will be apparent from the dependant claims and from the following description of the preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible safety barrier system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig 1A is a view of a spring biased mechanism at a first end of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 1 B is an enlarged view of a first gated barrier latching onto the first collapsible barrier of Fig 1; Fig 1C is an enlarged view of a pole retainer on a first collapsible barrier of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 1 D is an enlarged view of a spring biased mechanism at a second end of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 1 E is an enlarged view of a spring biased mechanism fixed to a second collapsible barrier of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 1F is an enlarged view of a preferred corner casting of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 in the collapsed position; Fig 3 is a view from the second end of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a first end view of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 showing a first gated barrier of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig 5 is a second end view of the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 showing a second gated barrier of an embodiment of the present invention; 2 Fig 5A is an enlarged view of a barrier frame pivotally hinged to a first collapsible barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig 5; Fig 5B is an enlarged view of a springed gate latch according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig 5; Fig 6 is an enlarged view of a preferred corner casting and spring biased mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig 7 is a perspective view of collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 connected to a container; Fig 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a first gated barrier of the present invention; Fig 8A is a cross sectional view of a u-shaped catch and gate frame for the preferred embodiment of first gated barrier of the present invention; Fig 8B is a cross sectional view of the hinge collar for the preferred embodiment of the first gated barrier of the present invention; Fig 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the spring biased mechanism of the present invention; Fig 9A is a cross sectional view of the first side and spring biased mechanism of Fig 9; Fig 10 is a side view of collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 connected to an ISO shipping container; Fig 11 is an exploded view of multiple collapsible safety barrier systems according to Fig 1 in a stacked position; Fig 12 is a perspective view collapsible safety barrier system of Fig 1 connected to an ISO shipping container which is mounted on a transportation vehicle; Fig 13 is a perspective view of a second side and spring biased mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the collapsible safety barrier system of Fig is applied to an ISO flat-rack transportation platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, the collapsible safety barrier system 10 of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown with a platform 20 including a first side 30, a second side 40, a first end 32 and a second end 42. Preferably the first side 3 30 comprises a first upper length 30a and a first lower length 30b of Rolled Hollow Section steel (RHS steel) as shown in Fig 1A which are welded together to form the first side 30 of the platform 20. Second side 40 similarly comprises a second upper length 40a and a second lower length 40b of RHS steel welded together to form the second side 40 of the platform 20 as shown in Fig 1F. For ease of description, unless particularly specified, the combined upper and lower first lengths 30a, 30b; and combined upper and lower second lengths 40a and 40b will simply be referred to as a first side 30 or a second side 40 throughout. As is understood by those in the art, the upper and lower lengths may also be fastened through mechanical means, such being bolted together, for example. In the preferred form, first end 32 and second end 42 each comprise a single length of RHS steel. The platform 20 according to the present embodiment further includes a plurality of re-enforcing ribs 22 on the underside of the platform 20, spanning from the first side 30 to the second side 40. Also shown on the platform 20, are fork lift access points 24 for lifting and manoeuvring the collapsible safety barrier system 10. In its preferred form, the collapsible safety barrier system 10 also includes a floor mesh (not shown for clarity in the Figures) fastened to the re-enforcing ribs 22 as well as to the interior surface of the platform 20 created by the first and second sides 30, 40; and first and second ends 32, 42. The floor mesh provides a floor upon which a user may walk. Alternatively, the floor mesh may be releasably or permanently fastened to the re-enforcing ribs 22, first and second sides 30, 40; and first and second ends 32, 42 of the platform 20 in any suitable manner known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the floor mesh comprises an expanded metal mesh, however any suitable alternative floor material such as timber panelling or the like, which may also be permanently or releasably fastened to the platform 20 to create a floor. The collapsible safety barrier system 10 according to Fig 1 also includes a first collapsible barrier 60 mounted to the first side 30, and a second collapsible barrier 80 mounted to the second side 40 of the platform 20. The first collapsible barrier comprises support posts 62 at either end of the first collapsible barrier 60 with a handrail 64 therebetween. The second collapsible barrier 80 of Fig 1 is of a similar construction, including support posts 62 with a handrail 64 therebetween, in the manner described above. In the present embodiment, the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80 include a mesh 66 which is fastened to the underside of the handrail 64 and inside of the support posts 62 filing the space created by the support posts and handrail in order to prevent a user or goods falling underneath the handrail 64. The mesh 66 may be fastened to the support posts or the handrail in a known manner such as welding, or screw fastening the mesh. In the preferred form, mesh 66 comprises a weld mesh. However, as would be appreciated, the mesh 66 may be replaced with alternative 4 materials such as a canvas or shade cloth material, timber panelling, or a wire mesh or similar. Whilst the embodiment of Fig 1 shows three support posts 62 for each of the first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80, in order to increase stability, further intermediate support posts 62 may be added to each of the first or second collapsible barriers. Conversely, in order to reduce weight, intermediate support posts 62 may be omitted from the first or second collapsible barriers. The first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80 are each fixed to a separate spring biased mechanism 140 which retains each of the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80 in a substantially upright position when the collapsible safety barrier 10 is in use. When not in use, the spring biased mechanism 140 allows the first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80 to collapse inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the platform 20. The collapsible safety barrier of the embodiment of Fig 1 further includes a first gated barrier 100 pivotably mounted to the second collapsible barrier 80. The first gated barrier 100 includes a gate frame 102 which extends substantially across the first end 32 of the platform 20, such that the gate frame 102 may latch onto and be retained at a support post 62 of the first collapsible barrier 60. A second gated barrier 120 comprising two barrier frames 122. One of the two barrier frames 122 is pivotably mounted to the first collapsible barrier 60, whilst the second of the barrier frames 122 is pivotably mounted to the second collapsible barrier 80. As is known in the art, the gate frame 102 and barrier frames 122 may be made from a suitable load bearing material such as RHS steel of circular, square or rectangular cross-section. Fig 1 also shows four corner castings 50, one each located on the platform 20 at the intersection of the first side 30 with the first end 32, the first side 30 with the second end 42; and the second side 40 with the first end 32 and with the second end 42 respectively. The four corner castings 50 provide the mounting points between the safety barrier system 10 and a structure having an ISO shipping container footprint upon which the safety barrier system is to be releasably fastened. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the corner castings 50 are releasably fastened to the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint using ISO twist lock fasteners well known in the art. A detailed view of a corner casting 50 is shown in Fig 1 F and described below. In the preferred embodiment of Fig 1, an elongate retractable pole 180 is retained on each of the first and second collapsible barriers 60 and 80. The retractable pole 180 is extendable beyond the footprint of the platform 20 to provide a frame for draping camouflage netting (not shown) over objects in addition to the a container to which the platform 20 is mounted during use. Typically, such objects include transportation vehicles or other storage containers, but are not limited thereto. One end of the 5 retractable pole 180 of the present embodiment is held in position via a pole retainer 182, mounted to a support post 62 of each of the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80. The support post 64 is located intermediate the first and second end 32, 42 of the platform 20. The pole retainer 182 is positioned on the support post 62 and fixed through known means such as welding or mechanical means at a height below the level of the handrail 64 when the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80 are in use in an upright position, as shown in Fig 1C. Adjacent the base of each support post 62 of the first and second collapsible barriers 60 and 80 located towards first end 32 of the platform 20, a pole bracket 184 holds the respective ends of the retractable poles 180 which are to extend beyond the footprint of the platform 20. In a particularly preferred embodiment, support posts 62 positioned closest the first end 32 of the platform 20 have a locator hole 68 formed therein of a diameter large enough to receive the pole bracket 184, or alternatively, directly receive a retractable pole 180 and thereby provide linear guidance to the retractable pole as it travels from a retracted to an extended position and vice versa. The pole brackets 184 are shown in more detail in Fig 9 as will be described below. In one embodiment, the pole retainer 182 may comprise a length of pipe of a diameter slightly larger than that of the retractable pole 180 so that an end portion of the retractable pole is cradled by the pole retainer 182. The pole retainer 182 is preferably fixed to the support post 62 by having a hole therein to receive the support post 62 and slide along the support post to a suitable height where the pole retainer 182 may then be welded or otherwise fastened into position on the support post 62. Whilst the retractable pole 180 embodiment shown in Fig 1 includes a curved end, it would be clear to the skilled person that the curved end may be replaced with a flat plate to provide a foot for the retractable pole should it be required to rest upon an adjacent object such as a vehicle roof top or another container. As shown in the preferred embodiment of Fig 1C a longitudinal portion of the pole retainer 182 has been cut away to show a user where the end of the retractable pole 180 sits on the pole retainer. Alternatively, the retractable poles 180 may be fastened to either of the first or second collapsible barriers 60, 80 through any other suitable means such as lashing or clipping the retractable poles to the support posts 62 or mesh 66 for example. Turning now to Figs 1A and 1D which show an each end of the preferred spring biased mechanism 140 mounted to the first side 30 of the platform 20 of the collapsible safety barrier system 10. In the preferred embodiment, spring biased mechanism 140 includes an axle rod 142 rotatably mounted to the first side 30 of the platform 20 via a retaining bracket 146 which is screwed into the first side. The retaining bracket 146 additionally functions to tension the spring 144 against first side 30. The axle rod 142 also passes through holes provided in the base of each of the support posts 62 of the first collapsible barrier 60, and extends in parallel 6 substantially along the length of the first side of the platform 20, from a corner casting 50 at a first end 32 to a corner casting 50 at a second end 42. In the space left between a corner casting 50 and the support post 62 located towards each of the respective first or second ends 32, 42 of the platform 20, a spring 144 is co-axially positioned over each end of the axle rod 142 extending beyond the respective support posts 62. One end of the spring 144 is held by a spring retaining collar 148 which is fixed to the support post 62 of the first collapsible barrier 60 as shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 9. The other end of the spring 144 is biased or fixed against the inside of the first side 30 of the platform 20 to thereby provide a torque to the first collapsible barrier 60, as is also shown in Fig 9A. The embodiment shown in Fig 1, 1A and 1D are based upon a single axle rod 142 extending substantially along the entire first side 30 of the platform 20, and a spring 144 located over each end of the axle rod. It would be appreciated by the skilled person that in an alternative embodiment, a single axle rod may be replaced with several shorter axle rods. Each shorter axle rod is positioned and located in the manner previously described. However, each axle rod may now include a spring located at each end thereof. The springs at a first end are fixed to additional support posts intermediate the first and second ends of the first collapsible barrier; whilst a second end of the springs is fixed to or biased against the first side of the platform. The use of multiple shorter axle rods along a side allows the torque forces between the first collapsible barrier and the platform to be adjusted and increased. The description of the spring biased mechanism 140 in relation to Figures 1A and 1D showing a first side 30 of the platform 20 applies equally the second side 40 of the platform in order to create a torque between the second collapsible barrier 80 and the platform 20 of the collapsible safety barrier system 10. In the preferred form of the invention, a spring 144 is applied over each end of the axle rod 142 and held by the spring retaining collar 148 on the support posts 62 and first or second sides 30, 40 such that a torque forces pushes the first collapsible 60 barrier and second collapsible barrier 80 towards a substantially upright position. Figure 1A also shows retractable pole 180 extending from pole bracket 184, wherein a portion of the pole bracket 184 is positioned through a locator hole 68 provided at the base of the support post 62 located closest to the first end 32 of the platform 20. Fig 1E provides a similar view of a retractable pole 180 extending from a pole bracket 184 through a locator hole 68 provided at the base of the support post 62 located closest to the second end 42 of the platform 20. Fig 1 E also shows a spring retaining collar 148 holding spring 144 in place against support post 62 as part of the spring biased mechanism providing torque to the second collapsible barrier 80. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, Fig 1 B illustrates the gate frame 102 of the first gated barrier 100 including a u-shaped catch 106. The u-shaped catch having a span sufficiently wide enough to receive the support post 62 of the first collapsible barrier closest to the first end 32 of the platform 20. The first gated barrier 7 100 is prevented from pivoting open by a locking pin 107 which slides across the open end of the u-shaped catch 106 to retain the support post 62 in place against the gate frame 102 once they have engaged. Figures 8 and 8A described below show the u-shaped catch 106 and locking pin 107 in more detail. Fig 1 F illustrates a corner casting 50 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The corner casting comprises an aperture top plate 52, an aperture bottom plate 54 and four side plates 56 therebetween to complete the corner casting 50. The apertures formed in the top and bottom plates 52, 54 are preferably sized to receive ISO twist lock fasteners (not shown). The side plates 56 preferably are of a width less that the width of the top and bottom plates 52, 54 so that when the corner casting is constructed, adjacent side plates 56 do not abut each other, but leave a space so that a user may view into the internal cavity of the corner casting 50 and advantageously have manual access to any ISO twist lock fastener engaging the corner casting. The corner casting 50 of the preferred embodiment typically comprises metal plates which are welded to form a cube shaped corner casting. In an alternative embodiment, the preferred corner castings may be replaced with known ISO standard corner castings commonly used to fasten adjacent ISO standard shipping containers. Fig 2 shows the collapsible safety barrier 10 of Fig 1 in the collapsed position when not in use. For clarity, mesh 66 shown in Fig 1; as well as the floor mesh discussed previously, are not shown in Fig 2. When not in use, first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80 fold inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the platform 20 until they are substantially horizontal to and/or abut the floor mesh of the platform 20. Prior to collapsing the first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80, first gated barrier 100 is fastened to the underside of the handrail 64 of the second collapsible barrier 80 via springed gate latch 124. In a similar manner, one barrier frame 122 of the second gated barrier 120 is fixed to the underside of the handrail 64 of the second collapsible barrier 80, whilst the other barrier frame 122 is fixed to the underside of the handrail 64 of the first collapsible barrier 60 using a springed gate latch 124. In this manner, the first gated barrier 100 and second gated barrier 120 become co-planar with either the first collapsible barrier 60 or the second collapsible barrier 80. Each retractable pole 180 is also retracted and held in position by a pole retainer 180 such that the retractable pole 180 does not extend beyond the footprint of the platform 20. Once the first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80 are collapsed to the substantially horizontal position, a space exists between the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80 and the floor mesh. Advantageously, prior to collapsing the first and second collapsible barriers, this space may be packed with camouflage netting, poles, ropes, pegs and other equipment used to mount the camouflage netting to the collapsible safety barrier, container and surrounding structures. 8 The first collapsible barrier 60 and second collapsible barrier 80 may then be folded inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the platform 20 to their substantially horizontal collapsed position. Preferably the first collapsible barrier 60 and the second collapsible barrier 80 are then fastened to the platform 20 by any suitable known means to prevent either of the collapsible barriers 60, 80 from inadvertently pivoting towards a substantially upright position. Once the collapsible barriers 60, 80 are in the collapsed position, the collapsible safety barrier system 10 may be readily lifted and transported via a forklift using the fork list access point 24 to a desired location. Fig 3 illustrates the collapsible barrier system 10 with the first collapsible barrier 60 collapsed inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the platform 20 as is the case when the first collapsible barrier is not in use. Similarly, the second collapsible barrier 80 is shown in the collapsed position, pivoted inwards towards the central longitudinal axis of the platform 20 when not in use. Fig 3 also shows in outline the second collapsible barrier 80 moving from the collapsed position when not in use to a substantially upright position ready for use. Whilst in the collapsed position, the first and second gated barriers remain substantially co-planar with the first or second collapsible barrier 60, 80 to which they are respectively pivotally mounted, with only a portion of the respective hinge collars 108 showing. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig 3, when viewed in cross-section, the height of first collapsible barrier 60 and height second collapsible barrier 80, when in the collapsed position, does not protrude beyond the height of the preferred corner casting 50 of the present invention. This means that the apertured top plate 52 of each corner casting 50 is the highest point of the collapsible safety barrier system 10 when the first collapsible barrier 60 and the second collapsible barrier 80, are in the collapsed position. This advantageously allows a plurality of safety barrier systems according to the preferred form of the present invention to be stacked on top of each other and fastened together as illustrated further in Fig 11. Fig 4 of the preferred form of the present invention shows the first gated barrier 100 with a gate frame 102 having a length spanning substantially across the width of the first end 32 of the platform 20. The first gated barrier 100 may then pivot via hinge collars 108 from a position co-planar with the second collapsible barrier 80 when not in use, to a position substantially perpendicular with the first and second collapsible barriers 60 and 80. The u-shaped catch 106 of the first gated barrier 100 receives and retains the support post 62 located towards the first end 32 of the platform 20 in order to close the first gated barrier and prevent any users from falling off the platform 20. In an alternative embodiment, the single gate frame 102 of the first gated barrier 100 may be replaced with two gate frames in a manner similar to the barrier frames 122 of the second gated barrier as shown in Fig 1. 9 It will be understood by the skilled person that the gate frame 102 may take any suitable shape to prevent users from falling off the platform 20. The first gated barrier 102 may also be covered by a mesh or cloth or timber panelling and the like, in a known manner to block any spaces in the gate frame 102 and provide a solid panel to the gate frame. This may also increase the safety of the gate frame 102 by preventing the gate frame from being climbed upon. Fig 4 also shows the hinged collars 108 of a barrier frame 122 (not shown) hinged to the first collapsible barrier 60. The barrier frame includes a pad bolt 186 mounted thereon to fix the barrier frame 122 to the second end 42 of the platform 20 once the barrier frame 122 is substantially perpendicular to the first collapsible barrier 60, as is shown more clearly in Fig 5. In Fig 5 a barrier frame 122 is pivoted from the first collapsible barrier 60 and the second collapsible barrier 80 respectively, such that the second gated barrier 120 spans substantially across the second end 42 of the platform 20. In the preferred embodiment, the barrier frames 122 are retained in position via pad bolt 186 which engages with a hole in the second end 42 of the platform to prevent any unwanted pivotal movement of the barrier frames 122. Alternatively, each barrier frame may include a pad bolt to individually fix each barrier frame to the second end of the platform. The preferred embodiment advantageously uses two barrier frames 122 so that one barrier frame may be extended partially across the second end 42 of the platform 20 to provide a partial barrier across the second end of the platform, and also provide enough space for users to ingress or egress from the platform 20. Of course, the skilled person would realise that the two barrier frames 122 may be replaced with a single barrier frame spanning substantially across the second end 42 in a manner similar to that described above for the gate frame 102 of the first gated barrier 100 as shown in Fig 4. Similarly, each of the barrier frames 122 may be covered in a mesh or cloth or panelling to close the gaps in the barrier frames or provide a solid barrier frame. Fig 5A shows a barrier frame 122 with a hinge collar 108 fixed about the support post 62 of the second collapsible barrier 80, closest to the second end 42 of the platform 20. As will be shown more clearly in Fig 8B, hinged collar 108 is a C-shaped collar which is fixed to either a barrier frame 122 as per Fig 5A, or, as in Fig 8B fixed to the gate frame 102 to provide a hinge for pivotal movement of the first or second gated barriers 100,120. Preferably the hinge collars 108 are of a material suitable for welding onto the barrier frames 122 or gate frames 102. In the preferred embodiment of Fig 5B, a springed gate latch 124 is fixed to the upper portion of a barrier frame 122. The springed gate latch 124 is preferably provided to fix and retain a barrier frame 122 in a co-planar relationship with a respective first collapsible barrier 60 or second collapsible barrier 80 when the first or second collapsible barriers are not positioned in a substantially upright position and ready for deployment. This not only retains the second gated barrier 120 in a co planar relationship with the first and second collapsible barriers 60, 80, but it also 10 prevents a barrier frame 122 from swinging about freely and potentially striking a user. The springed gate latch 124 may be fastened to a barrier frame 122 in a known manner such as welding or screw fastened, whilst the springed gate latch 124 may engage with the respective first or second collapsible barriers via a hole drilled in the underside of the respective handrails 64. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, the springed latch 124 may be replaced with known alternative means of fixing and retaining a barrier frame 122 in a co-planar relationship with a first or second collapsible barrier 60, 80. Such means may include ropes or bands or belts for lashing the barrier frame to the collapsible barrier, or any other known mechanical means. Illustrated in Fig 6 is a preferred corner casting 50 and spring biased mechanism 140 of the collapsible safety barrier system 10 in use such that the second collapsible barrier 80 is pivoted to a substantially upright position. The spring biased mechanism 140 includes a spring 144 which is fixed via the spring retaining collar 148 to the support post 62 of the second collapsible barrier 80 closest to the first end 32 of the platform 20. The spring 144 is now in its most relaxed state as the second collapsible barrier 80 is substantially upright. The axle rod 142 is fastened to the second side 40 using a retaining bracket 146 which is fixed at a position intermediate the two end support posts 62 of the second collapsible barrier 80. This allows for the portion of the axle rod 142 extending beyond support post 62 towards the first end 32 of the platform 20 end to receive the spring 144. Corner castings 50 of the preferred embodiment of the invention are shown with a pair of side plates 56 having a length less than the length of the apertured top plate 52 and apertured bottom plate 54. The gap created between the pair of side plates 56 allows a user to easily view and reach into the cavity of the corner casting 50 and adjust an ISO twist lock fastener (not shown) should the need arise. Pole bracket 184 passes through locator hole 68 of the support post 62 so that a flange or lip is created by the portion of the pole bracket 184 which extends towards the first end 32 of the platform 20. The lip or flange created may be welded or otherwise fastened to support post 62 in a known manner such that the pole bracket 184 is substantially coplanar to the longitudinal axis of the second collapsible barrier 80. This ensures that the retractable pole 180 slides in and out of the pole bracket 184 in a direction substantially coplanar to the longitudinal axis of the second collapsible barrier 80. In Fig 6 a portion of retractable pole 180 is shown in a position which extends beyond the footprint of the platform 20 of the collapsible safety barrier system. The retractable pole 180 may be freely extended to various lengths beyond the footprint of the platform 20, or alternatively not extended at all as the situation requires. Turning now to Fig 7 which shows the collapsible safety barrier system 10 of the preferred embodiment deployed on the container roof 202 of an ISO shipping container 200. The platform 20 of the collapsible safety barrier system is releasably 11 fastened to the ISO shipping container 200 through an ISO twistlock 220 engaging with a corner casting 50 of the preferred embodiment and an ISO shipping container corner casting 210. It will be understood by the skilled person that in order to optimally secure the collapsible safety barrier system 10 to the ISO shipping container, each of the four corner castings of the of the preferred safety barrier system 10 need to be fastened to each of the container corner casting 210. Fig 7 also shows the advantage of the preferred corner casting side plates 56 allowing a gap therebetween as the positioning of the ISO twistlock 220 in the cavity of the corner casting 50 is readily visible and accessible by a user if required to assist the fastening or unfastening of the ISO twistlock 220. Fig 8 illustrates a first gated barrier 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first gated barrier 100 comprises a gate frame 102 consisting of RHS steel tubing shaped to include a substantially vertical portion at a first end to which a u-shaped catch 106 is fixed. The u-shaped catch 106 may then engage a substantially vertical portion of a support post not shown, so that the first end of the gate frame 102 and the support post 62 are retained substantially parallel to each other. A second end of the gate frame also includes a substantially vertical portion to which hinge collars 108 are fixed so that the first gated barrier 100 may be squarely hinged to the second collapsible barrier, not shown. The remainder of the gate frame 102 may be of various configurations provided that the gate frame 102 when fixed between the first or second collapsible barriers (not shown) prevent a user from falling off the platform at the first end of the platform. First gated barrier 100 also includes a pair of tabs 105 for mounting a springed gate latch to the gate frame 102. Preferably the tabs 105 are metal plates which may be welded or otherwise fastened to the first vertical portion of the gate fame 102. It will be understood that the tabs 105 are located on the gate frame 102 in a position which allows the springed gate latch to engage with the underside of a handrail 64 of the first or second collapsible barrier 60, 80 to prevent the first gated barrier 100 from moving out of co-planar alignment with the first or second collapsible barrier when not in use. In Fig 8A a cross-sectional view of the u-shaped catch 106 and gate frame 102 of the first gated barrier 100 is shown. The u-shaped catch 106 and locking pin 107 are preferably manufactured separately from the gate frame 102 and subsequently fixed to the frame through conventional means such as welding or screwing the u-shaped catch 106 onto the gate frame 102. The u-shaped catch is preferable made from a suitable metal and the diameter of u-shaped catch is dimensioned to receive a support post (not shown) and retain the support post within the u-shaped catch via the locking pin 107. Fig 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view through line D-D of Fig 8. In a preferred form, gate frame 102 has welded to it hinge collar 108 for pivotally mounting the first gated barrier 100 to a support post 62 of the second collapsible barrier, not shown. To complete the hinge collar 108, a holding clip 108a, shown in broken lines, is 12 placed around the remaining circumference of the support post. The holding clip is preferably fastened to the hinge collar using mechanical means such as hinge pins, or nuts and bolts. Each of the first gated barrier 100 and second gated barrier 120 is preferable pivotally hinged to the respective first collapsible barrier or second collapsible barrier using the hinge collar 108 and holding clip 108a, shown in Fig 8B. In order to reduce the friction between the hinge collar 108 and the first or second gated barrier 100, 120, a neoprene bush is preferably fitted inside each hinge collar 108 and holding clip 108a. In the preferred embodiment of Fig 9 the spring biased mechanism 140 is shown towards the first end 32 of the platform 20. Axle rod 142 extends through the support post 62 and is mounted to the first side 30 via retaining bracket 146 which is screw fastened to both the first upper length 30a and the first lower length 30b. One end of spring 144 is fixed against support post 62 via the spring retaining collar 148. As can be seen from Fig 9A, the opposite end of spring 144 abuts an inner face of the first side 30 in order to provide a torque to the spring which naturally biases the first collapsible barrier 60 towards a substantially vertical position. From Fig 9A it can be seen that the first collapsible barrier 60 is prevented from pivoting substantially beyond the vertical because the lower end of the support post 62 abuts the first side 30. Returning to Fig 9, retractable pole 180 has not yet been deployed and remains in the retracted position with pole bracket 184. The pole bracket 184 is retained on the collapsible safety barrier via a portion of the pole bracket being held in the locator hole 68 and the other end of the pole bracket 184 having an aperture through which axle rod 142 is passed. Typically, pole bracket 184 is formed from RHS steel circular tubing having a diameter sufficiently large enough to telescopically retain the retractable pole 180. If required, the pole retaining bracket 184 may further be fastened to the mesh 66 of the first collapsible barrier through any conventional means understood by those skilled in the art. Fig 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the safety barrier system 10 mounted onto an ISO shipping container 200 and ready for use. A collapsible safety barrier system 10 in the collapsed position according to Fig 2 is typically lifted with a fork-lift via the fork lift access 24 over the ISO shipping container 200 such that the corner castings 50 align with the ISO shipping container corner castings 210. ISO twist lock fasteners 220 then fix the aligned corner castings together. Once fixed, the user may move the ISO shipping container 200 and collapsible safety barrier 10 to the required location. Once at the desired location, the user may safely deploy camouflage netting preferably stored in the space between the floor mesh and first and second collapsible safety barriers in the following manner with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 10. 13 The user with the aid of a ladder may access the platform on top of the ISO shipping container, where they may unfasten any fasteners used to hold the first and second collapsible safety barriers 60, 80 in the substantially horizontal position during transportation. The first collapsible barrier 60 and the second collapsible barrier 80 are in turn pivotally rotated to a substantially vertical position. The springed gate latch 124 of the first gated barrier 100 is released and the first gated barrier 100 pivotally rotated from a position co-planar with the second collapsible safety barrier 80, to a position wherein the first gated barrier spans substantially across the width of first end 32 of the platform 20 such that u-shaped gated catch 106 engages with a support post 62 of the first collapsible barrier closest the first end 32 of the platform. The first gated barrier 100 is retained in position by activation of the locking pin 107 across the u shaped gate catch 106. A similar operation is then performed on the second gated barrier 120 to ensure that barrier frames 122 span substantially across the second end 42 of the platform 20. However, in this instance, barrier frames 122 are locked to the second end 42 via pad bolt 186 in order to prevent the barrier frames from swinging freely. The collapsible safety barrier system 10 now provides a secure environment in which the user may deploy camouflage netting without the risk of falling from the roof of the ISO shipping container 200. As the camouflage netting is preferably already stored on the floor mesh of the collapsible safety barrier system 10, there is no need for the user to climb down again to gather the required equipment. The user may deploy the camouflage netting directly over the ISO shipping container 200 and collapsible safety barrier system 10 in a known manner. Alternatively, as shown in Fig 12 if the ISO shipping container is still on a transportation vehicle 300, the user may now extend each of the retractable pole 180 from their respective pole retainers 182 so that each retractable pole 180 abuts the roof 310 of the transportation vehicle 300 to provide an additional frame to hold the camouflage netting. The camouflage netting is now cast over the roof 310 of the transportation vehicle 300 as well as over the ISO shipping container 200 by the user in a safe working environment where they cannot fall from the roof of the ISO shipping container In a further alternative, if one or more ISO shipping containers 200 are already in situ at the desired location on the ground, the first and second collapsible safety barriers 60, 80 and first and second gated barriers 100, 120 may be erected at ground level in a manner similar to that described above. Once the collapsible safety barrier 10 has been erected, it may be lifted via a fork lift onto the roof of the ISO shipping container and fixed thereto using ISO twist locks as previously described. This advantageously allows rapid deployment of one or more collapsible safety barriers 10 to one or more containers already positioned at a designated location, and subsequently allows for the rapid deployment of camouflage netting in a safe working environment. 14 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig 11, preferred corner castings 50 allow for multiple collapsible safety barriers 10 to be locked together and easily transported together as a stack via the fork lift access 24 provided. In particular, as shown in Fig 11, each collapsible safety barrier 10 has the first gated barrier 100 and the second gated barrier 120 respectively fixed into a coplanar position with the first collapsible barrier 60 or second collapsible barrier 80. The first collapsible barrier 60 and the second collapsible barrier 80 are collapsed inwards towards a central longitudinal axis such that the height of first collapsible barrier 60 and height second collapsible barrier 80, do not not protrude beyond the height of of the preferred corner casting 50. Preferably, but not shown, each of the first collapsible barriers 60 and second collapsible barriers 80 are first fastened to their respective collapsible safety barrier system 10 through any suitable conventional means. Once fastened, one collapsible safety barrier 10 is manoeuvred over another, preferably via a fork-lift utilising the fork lift access 24, until the corner castings 50 of each of the two collapsible safety barriers are adjacent and align. An ISO twist lock 220 is then applied between the adjacent corner castings 50 of each collapsible safety barrier 10 in order to fix the two collapsible safety barriers 10 to each other. Subsequent collapsible safety barriers 10 may then be added as desired. The ability to stack the collapsible safety barrier, advantageously allows for multiple collapsible safety barriers to be transported at once. In an alternative embodiment to the invention shown in Fig 13, an adjustment spacer 34 is provided to abut the lower portion of the support post 62 located closest to the second end 42 of the platform. Adjustment spacer 34 includes a bolt 34a passing through a pair of holes in the second upper length 40a of the second side 40 so that the bolt may extend inwards towards the central longitudinal axis of the platform 20. The bolt 34a is preferably held in place in the second upper length 40a via a nut 34b. In this embodiment, the spring biased mechanism 140 operates as previously described in order to assist in pivoting the second collapsible barrier 80 towards a substantially upright position. However, rather than the lower portion of support post abutting second side 40, the second collapsible barrier 80 abuts the adjustment spacer 34. The adjustment spacer 34 is preferably provided on each of the first side 30 and second side 40 of the platform 20 at locations to align with each of the end support posts 62. By turning bolt 34a, it extends further towards, or retracts from the central longitudinal axis of the platform 20. This in turn provides a limit as to how far the second collapsible barrier 80 may pivot towards or beyond a substantially upright position. Such an adjustment mechanism advantageously allows the user to pivot the second safety barrier various degrees to compensate for the container 200 not being on a substantially horizontal base. A similar adjustment spacer 34 may be applied to the first collapsible barrier in the manner described. Fig 13 also shows a hinge collar 108 along with a holding clip 108a, to which a second gated barrier (not shown) may be pivotally mounted. In this preferred embodiment, a positioning collar 109 is located between the support post 62 and the 15 hinge collar 108 and holding clip 108 a. The positioning collar 109 prevents hinge collar 108 from sliding longitudinally along post 62. As previously mentioned, a neoprene bush is preferably positioned between hinge collar 108 and the post 62 to reduce degradation of the hinge mechanism as a result of repeated usage. However any suitable bushing material known to the skilled person may be applied. As shown in Fig 14, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible safety barrier system 10 is applied to an ISO flat-rack 400 having the footprint of an ISO shipping container. ISO flat-racks are used to transport cargo of various heights and sizes held in variously shaped containers; and typically do not have side walls. In order to provide a level surface upon which to mount platform 20 to an ISO flat-rack 400, the collapsible safety barrier system 10 preferably includes a plurality of extender posts 410. Each extender post 410 includes a extender post corner casting 430 at each end. The extender post corner casting 430 of one end of the extender post 410 is connected to ISO flat-rack corner castings 450, whilst the extender post corner castings 430 of the other end of the extender post 410 is connected to a corner casting 50 of the collapsible safety barrier system 50 in the known manner described above. The extender posts 410 allow the collapsible safety barrier system 10 to be connected to the ISO flat-rack 400 at a level height above the ISO flat-rack despite the presence of cargo and other payload of various height on the ISO flat-rack 400. As before, the extender posts 410 are typically formed of RHS steel and may provided in a variety of heights, or alternatively extender posts 410 may be telescopically extendable in a manner known in the art. Extender post corner castings 430 are preferably welded to each end of the extender posts 410, or alternatively fastened thereto using known mechanical fasteners. In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, using the above principles, the collapsible safety barrier system may be fixed to the tray of a flat bed truck or vehicle having corner castings fixed to the railings of the tray in dimensions matching the footprint of an ISO shipping container. The use of the extender posts described above allows for a collapsible safety barrier system to be fixed over the flat bed truck carrying cargo of various heights, and thereby allows a user to rapidly deploy camouflage netting in a safe working environment without the fear of falling from a height. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. Further, the reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any 16 form of suggestion that such art would be understood, ascertained or regarded as relevant by the skilled person in Australia. List of Items 10 Collapsible Safety Barrier System 20 Platform 22 Re-enforcing rib 24 Fork-lift access 30 First Side 30a First upper length 30b First lower length 32 First End 34 Adjustment spacer 34a Bolt 34b Nut 40 Second Side 40a Second upper side 40b Second lower side 42 Second End 50 Corner Castings 52 Apertured top plate 54 Apertured bottom place 56 Side plate 60 First Collapsible Barrier 62 Support post 64 Handrail 66 Mesh 68 Locator hole 80 Second Collapsible Barrier 100 First gated barrier 102 Gate frame 105 Mounting tabs 106 U-shaped catch 107 Locking pin 108 Hinge collar 108a Holding clip 109 Positioning collar 120 Second gated barrier 122 Barrier frames 124 Springed gate latch 140 Spring biased mechanism 17 142 Axle rod 144 Spring 146 Retaining bracket 148 Spring retaining collar 180 Elongate retractable pole 182 Pole retainer 184 Pole bracket 186 Pad bolt 200 ISO Shipping Container 202 ISO Shipping Container roof 210 ISO Shipping Container corner casting 220 ISO twist lock 300 Vehicle 310 Vehicle roof 400 ISO flat-rack 410 extender post 430 extender post corner casting 450 ISO flat-rack corner casting 18

Claims (19)

1. A collapsible safety barrier system for mounting onto a structure having an ISO shipping container footprint comprising: a platform having a first side, a second side opposite to said first side, a first end and second end opposite to said first end, the platform being releasably fastenable to the container; a first collapsible barrier mounted to the first side of the platform; a second collapsible barrier mounted to the second side of the platform, wherein the first collapsible barrier and second collapsible barrier collapse inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the platform to a collapsed position when the collapsible safety barrier system is not in use; at least one spring biased mechanism fixed to each of the first collapsible barrier and the second collapsible barrier to retain each of the first collapsible barrier and the second collapsible barrier in a substantially upright position when the collapsible safety barrier system is in use; a first gated barrier pivotably mounted to one of the first collapsible barrier or the second collapsible barrier, wherein the first gated barrier is pivotable to extend substantially across the first end of the platform; and a second gated barrier pivotably mounted to one of the first collapsible barrier or the second collapsible barrier, wherein the second gated barrier is pivotable to extend substantially across the second end of the platform.

2. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the first gated barrier is substantially co-planar with the second collapsible barrier; and the second gated barrier is substantially co-planar with the first collapsible barrier or the second collapsible barrier when the first collapsible barrier and second collapsible barrier are not in use or when the first collapsible barrier and second collapsible barrier is pivoting between a substantially horizontal position to a substantially upright position or vice versa.

3. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the platform further includes a corner casting at an intersection point of the first side with each of the said first end and said the second end; and a corner casting at 19 an intersection point of the second side with each of the said first end and said the second end; wherein the platform is releasably fastenable to the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint via one or more of the corner castings.

4. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 3 wherein the corner casting includes an aperture top plate, an aperture bottom plate spaced apart from the aperture top plate by a first side plate and a second side plate.

5. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 4 wherein the platform is releasably fastenable to a platform of a second collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 4.

6. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 4 wherein said first side plate and said second side plate are spaced apart to allow a user access into an internal space of the corner casting.

7. The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of preceding claims 3 to 6 wherein in the height of first collapsible barrier and the of height second collapsible barrier, when in the collapsed position, does not protrude beyond the height of the corner casting.

8. The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein either or both of the first collapsible barrier or second collapsible barrier include an elongate retractable pole mounted thereon, wherein the, or each elongate retractable pole is longitudinally extendable beyond the footprint of the platform.

9. The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform further comprises a floor covering an area between the first side, second side, first end and second end of the platform.

10. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the floor comprises an expanded metal mesh. 20

11.The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second gated barrier comprises a first barrier frame pivotally mounted to said first collapsible barrier; and a second barrier frame pivotally mounted to said second collapsible barrier.

12.The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first collapsible barrier and second collapsible barrier include a welded mesh.

13. The collapsible safety barrier system according to claim 3 wherein the corner casting is an ISO standard corner casting.

14. The collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system includes a plurality of extender posts.

15.A method of deploying camouflage netting over a structure having an ISO shipping container footprint using a collapsible safety barrier system according to any one of preceding claims wherein the method comprises the steps of: releasably fastening the collapsible safety barrier system to the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint ; pivotally rotating the first collapsible barrier and the second collapsible barrier from a collapsed position to a substantially upright position; pivotally rotating the first gated barrier from a position co-planar with the second collapsible safety barrier to a position wherein the first gated barrier spans substantially across the width of first end of the platform and fastening the first gated barrier to the first collapsible barrier; pivotally rotating the second gated barrier from a position co-planar with the second collapsible safety barrier or from a position co-planar with the first collapsible barrier to a position wherein the first gated barrier spans substantially across the width of first end of the platform; fastening the second gated barrier to the second end of the platform; and 21 deploying the camouflage netting over the footprint of the collapsible safety barrier system and sides of the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint.

16.The method of deploying camouflage netting of claim 15 wherein the collapsible safety barrier system includes at least one corner casting and the method further comprises the step of releasably fastened the collapsible safety barrier system to the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint by releasably fastening the at least one corner casting of the safety barrier system to at least one ISO corner casting located on the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint container.

17. The method of deploying camouflage netting according to claims 15 or 16 wherein the collapsible safety barrier system includes at least one retractable pole wherein the method further includes the steps of: extending the at least one retractable pole beyond the footprint of the platform prior to deploying the camouflage netting; and deploying the camouflage netting over the at least one extendible pole and over the footprint of the collapsible safety barrier system and sides of the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint.

18. The method of deploying camouflage netting according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the collapsible safety barrier system includes a plurality of extender posts and the method further comprises the step of: releasably fastening the plurality of extender posts to the structure having an ISO shipping container footprint; and releasably fastening the platform of collapsible safety barrier system to the plurality of extender posts.

19.The method of deploying camouflage netting according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the method further comprises pivotally rotating the first collapsible barrier and the second collapsible barrier from a substantially horizontal collapsed position to a substantially upright position. 22