GB2282620A

GB2282620A - Barrier system

Info

Publication number: GB2282620A
Application number: GB9318227A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Morgan
Original assignee: COOK PETER INT PLC
Current assignee: COOK PETER INT PLC
Priority date: 1993-09-02
Filing date: 1993-09-02
Publication date: 1995-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-02
Also published as: GB2282620B; GB9318227D0

Abstract

A barrier system has a rail 1 connected to a post 2 by coupling projections 6 and 7 at an end of the rail 1 engaging in key-hole apertures 5 and 4 respectively in a wall 3 of the post 1. Flanges 10 and 12 on the projections 6 and 7 restrain withdrawal of those projections through narrow slot regions of the apertures 5 and 4 respectively. The rail is maintained in engagement with the post by a lock unit 20 comprising a screw threaded pin 23 which is extended to engage in the aperture 4 to restrain the projections 6 and 7 from being lifted out of the narrow slot regions of the respective key-hole apertures. The wall 3 is selectively engaged in one of an array of recesses 14, 15 in the projection 9 so that the rail 1 can pivot on the edge 5C of the wall 3 to tilt relative to the post 2. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE "A barrier system" TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND ART The present invention relates to a barrier system of the kind generally used for temporary designation of hazardous zones such as road works. Typically such systems comprise a spaced array of posts interconnected by barrier rails or boards. Many techniques have been proposed for removably interconnecting the boards or rails to the posts such as ends of the boards being received in slots carried by the posts, hooks on the board ends being engaged in eyes on the posts or even loops of rope on the ends of the boards or rails engaging over hooks on the posts.With the prior proposals however it has been found that the engagement of the barrier rails or boards with the posts is relatively insecure so that the board or rails are easily detached from the posts either unintentionally or by vandalism causing the barrier system to break down. It is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier system which alleviates the aforementioned disadvantage. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a barrier system by which barrier rails or boards may be securely engaged with barrier posts in a manner which lends itself to use of the system with out-of-level posts.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION & ADVANTAGES According to the present invention there is provided a barrier system comprising a first barrier component having an opening; a second barrier component having a coupling part receivable in the opening and displaceable in that opening to engage and dis-engage with the first component, said engagement restraining withdrawal of the coupling part from the opening, and locking means carried by one of said components arranged so that when said coupling part engages the first component, the locking means is positionable to maintain said engagement of the coupling part and the first component.

Usually the components of the present invention will be in the form of barrier rails or boards and barrier posts and preferably the first barrier component will comprise a post and the second component will comprise a barrier board or rail which is to be coupled to the post during the erection of the barrier system. By the invention a barrier system may be erected simply by inserting the coupling part of the second barrier component, typically a rail or board, into the opening of the first barrier component, typically a post, so that the coupling part engages with the second component and thereafter actuating the locking means carried by one or other of the two components so that the locking means is adjusted to a position in which it maintains the engagement between the coupling part and the first component.The coupling part of the second barrier component is preferably displaceable, during erection of the barrier system and following insertion of that part in the opening of the first barrier component, in the plane of the opening to engage with and dis-engage from the first component and with such an arrangement the locking means is preferably adjustable so that it can be positioned to restrain displacement of the coupling part in the plane of the opening whilst that part engages with the first component. With such an arrangement the coupling part may easily be inserted into the opening during coupling of a barrier rail and post and then displaced in the plane of the opening, typically to engage with a wall of the first component, following which the position of the locking means is adjusted to maintain the engagement.

The locking means preferably comprises a part which is screw adjustable on the barrier component which carries it to be adjustable from a first position in which it permits the coupling part to be engaged and dis-engaged with the first barrier component to a second position in which it maintains the engagement of the coupling part with the first component. Preferably, but not essentially, the screw adjustable part is carried by the second barrier component, this is particularly convenient when that component is in the form of a relatively narrow barrier board or rail which facilitates access to the screw adjustable part. Typically the screw adjustable part will be in the form of a pin which is displaceable longitudinally of itself on the second component.For security purposes the screw adjustable part may be shrouded in a housing part of the component which carries it so that a security key or similar purpose tool should be provided and used for convenient access to the screw adjustable part in its housing part for the purpose of adjustment. With such a security arrangement the separation of the first and second components retained together by the coupling part and secured by the locking means is hindered without use of the security key or other appropriate tool. Breakdown of the barrier system inadvertently or by vandalism is thus alleviated. Furthermore, theft of the barrier system or its components is also alleviated by the use of a security locking arrangement.

The coupling part preferably has a recess and is engageable with the first component by a wall part of the first component being received in that recess. With such an arrangement the coupling part may have an array of at least two recesses with each of which the aforementioned wall part of the first component can selectively engage to determine the depth at which the coupling part is received within the opening and engaged with the first component.

Such an array of recesses may be convenient for adjusting the position of the two barrier components relative to each other prior to the locking means being actuated to maintain the coupling part and first barrier component in engagement.

The coupling part when in engagement with the first component may be arranged to pivot on the first component for tilting of the second component relative to the first component - thereby permitting relative adjustment between the two components as may be required for assembling a barrier rail between two vertical barrier posts at different levels.

The second component may have a further coupling part which is spaced from the first mentioned coupling part and is intended to co-operate with an opening in the first component (which opening may be the same as, or different from, the opening with which the first coupling part cooperates) simultaneously with engagement of the first coupling part with the first component so that the cooperation of the two coupling parts with the first component restrains separation of the two components when the locking means is engaged.

Preferably the or each coupling part is in the form of a flanged projection which is initially received in a relatively broad region of the opening with which it cooperates and is displaceable into a relatively narrow region of that opening during engagement of the coupling part with the first component so that a flange of the projection prevents the withdrawal of the coupling part through the narrow opening region and from the first component.With this latter arrangement the locking means (preferably in the form of a screw adjustable part on the second component) may, when the or a coupling part is located in its narrow opening region, be adjusted so that it projects into the relatively broad region of the opening at a position in which it can abut against the first component at the periphery of the opening to maintain the coupling part in the narrow region of the opening and thereby retain the two barrier components coupled together.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a barrier system comprising a barrier post having two vertically spaced side opening parts, each side opening part having an upper broad opening region co-operating with a lower slot region; a barrier rail or board having two coupling parts which are vertically spaced and project from an end thereof to be received one in each of said two upper broad opening regions so that they can be displaced downwardly into engagement with said respective lower slot region; a first of said coupling parts having flange means which locates behind the lower slot region with which it engages to restrain withdrawal of that coupling part from that slot region and the second coupling part having an array of at least two recesses each of which can be selectively engaged with a wall part of the post in the lower slot region in which the second coupling part is received so that by said selected engagement the depth of entry of the second coupling part into the post can be determined and selective tilting of the barrier rail or board relative to the post can be provided. With such an arrangement it is preferred that the two side opening parts and discrete apertures in which the coupling parts are respectively received.It is also preferred that both coupling parts have flange means which are respectively received through the broad opening regions of the side opening parts for the coupling parts to be displaced into the respective lower slot regions and withdrawal of the coupling parts from the slot regions is restrained by the flange means which locates behind the respective lower slot regions. In a preferred embodiment the first coupling part is located above the second coupling part.

DRAWINGS One embodiment of a barrier system constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation, in part section, of a barrier post with a barrier rail being connected thereto during erection of the barrier system; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the post shown in Figure 1 with the rail removed; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a plastics moulded unit for attachment to a rail part to provide the barrier rail shown in Figure 1 and in which a locking pin is positioned for reception in the moulded unit; Figure 4 is an end elevation of the plastics moulded unit shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a side elevation, in part section, similar to that in Figure 1 and shows the barrier system in an alternative position of adjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The barrier system illustrated in Figure 1 has a generally straight horizontal rail 1 which extends between and has its ends attached to generally vertical plastics posts 2 (for convenience only one post has been illustrated, it being appreciated that the connection between the rail and the posts will be the same at each end of the rail). The post 2 is hollow and of rectangular section (although it is to be realised that the post may be of other section such as circular or polygonal). Provided in an upstanding side wall 3 of the post are two vertically aligned and spaced apertures 4 and 5.Both apertures 4 and 5 are of key-hole shape (Figure 2) whereby the upper aperture 4 has a relatively broad upper open region 4A which communicates with a lower relatively narrow vertical slot region 4B and the lower aperture 5 has an upper relatively broad open region 5A which communicates with a lower relatively narrow vertical slot region 5B. The wall 3 of the post presents edges 4C and 5C at the bottoms of the slot regions 4B and 5B respectively.

Extending longitudinally from the end of the rail 1 are two coupling projections 6 and 7 (Figures 3 and 4).

These projections are spaced vertically over the rail end similarly to the spacing between the apertures 4 and 5 and so that they will coincide with the broad regions 4A and 5A respectively of those apertures. The projections 6 and 7 extend from a plate 8 of the barrier rail. The coupling projection 6 is of T-section in plan view to have a stem provided by a web 9 which carries flanges 10 remote from the plate 8. The coupling projection 7 is of similar T-section in plan view, the stem of which section is provided by a web 11 which carries flanges 12 remote from the plate 8. Formed in a bottom edge 13 of the web 9 is an array of, in the present example, two recesses 14 and 15.

The rail 1 carries on its plate 8 vertically above the projection 7 a lock unit 20 comprising a cylindrical boss 21 extending through which, and through the plate 8, is a screw threaded bore 22. Engaging within the bore 22 is a complimentary screw threaded security pin 23 so that rotation of the pin 23 displaces it longitudinally through the boss 21 at a position vertically above the coupling projection 7 and substantially parallel with the longitudinal extent of the straight rail 1 and the projections 6 and 7.

For convenience of manufacture the rail 1 will usually be formed with an extruded plastics rail part 1A to the ends of which are secured plastics moulded units 1B, such a unit 1B is shown in Figures 3 and 4 to include the plate 8, projections 6 and 7 and the screw threaded boss 21.

Spigots 25 are moulded in the unit 1B to extend longitudinally from the side of the plate 8 remote from the projections 6 and 7. The spigots 25 are closely received (and may be adhesively or otherwise secured) in complementary sockets 26 provided at the end of the rail part 1A for assembly of the rail 1.

For assembly of the barrier system, the security pin 23 is rotated for its inner end to be withdrawn into or towards the boss 21 and the rail 1 is manoeuvred so that its projections 6 and 7 are aligned with and presented to the broad opening regions 5A and 4A respectively of the two apertures. The coupling projections 6 and 7 are now inserted through the respective aperture regions 5A and 4A so that the webs 9 and 11 overlie the slotted regions 5B and 4B respectively. In this latter position the end of the rail 1 is lowered so that the web 9 is closely received in the slotted region 5B whilst the web 11 is closely received in the slotted region 4B. As the web 9 of the coupling projection 6 is moved into the slotted region 5B, the upper edge 5C of the wall 3 is arranged to be received in one or other of the recesses 14 and 15 (recess 15 as shown in Figure 1). With the projections so engaged, their flanges 10 and 12 are disposed behind the slotted regions 5B and 4B respectively on the opposite side of the wall 3 from the plate 8; the projections are therefore prevented, by abutment of their flanges against the wall 3, from being withdrawn through the slotted regions of the two apertures. The security pin 23 is now rotated from its out end 23A to be screw threadedly driven from the boss 21 as shown in Figure 1, so that the inner end of the pin projects into the broad region 4A of the aperture 4 near to an upper side edge 3A of that aperture.The pin 23 when extended into the aperture 4 restrains the projections 6 and 7 from being lifted out of the slotted regions 5B and 4B respectively by abutment of the pin against the edge 3A.

As a consequence the projections 6 and 7 cannot be raised into the broad regions 5A and 4A of the respective apertures (which would then permit the two projections to be withdrawn from the post 2 and the barrier system to be disassembled). It will be appreciated that for disassembly of the system the pin 23 is rotated to be withdrawn into the boss 21 to provide sufficient clearance for the rail 1 to be raised relative to the post to move the two projections 6 and 7 into the broad regions of their respective apertures and thereafter withdrawn from the post.

With the projections 6 and 7 engaging with the post 2 as shown in Figure 1, the coupling projection 6 in the root of the recess 15 rests on the wall edge 5C as the lower edge of the web 11 rests on the wall edge 4C so that the rail 1 is firmly supported by the post. Furthermore, a clearance is provided between the pin 23 and wall edge 3A so that the coupling projection 6 (and thereby the rail 1) can pivot on the wall edge 5A and tilt relative to the post 2 through a range determined by the abutment of the flanges 12 with the wall 3 and the abutment of the plate 8 with the wall 3 (as shown in Figure 1). This facility for tilting the rail 1 relative to the post 2 in a vertical plane is particularly convenient for erecting a barrier system where the rail 1 is to extend between two posts 2 on different levels.

To provide security in the locking unit 20 and alleviate vandalism or theft of the barrier system or its components, it is preferred that when the inner end of the pin 23 is extended into the aperture 4 to retain the rail and post components together, the outer end 23A of the pin is located within the bore of the boss 21 to be shrouded by a housing part formed by the boss. With this arrangement access to the end 23A of the pin is inconvenienced by the shroud and a security key or other specially formed tool (not shown) may be provided to facilitate engagement with the end 23A and rotation of the pin.

By selectively engaging the edge 5C of the wall 3 with one or other of the recesses 14 and 15, the depth of entry of the coupling projection 6 through the slotted region 5B can be optionally adjusted to permit variations in the aforementioned tilting facility which is available between the rail 1 and post 2 (as shown in Figure 5).

The barrier system as above described and illustrated may be modified within the context of the present invention; for example, one or other of the projections 6 and 7 can be omitted; both projections 6 and 7 can be of substantially the same form so that two projections similar to that shown at 6 are provided or two projections similar to that shown at 7 are provided; the plate 8 can be provided with further coupling projections extending therefrom in addition to the projections 6 and 7 and which further projections are arranged to co-operate in apertures in the post 2 in a similar manner to one or other of the projections 6 and 7 thereby increasing the strength of the coupling between the rail and the post; where an array of recesses 14, 15 is provided in a projection, the number of recesses in the array may be increased for changing the tilting facility provided between the rail and the post.

Claims

1. A barrier system comprising a first barrier component having an opening; a second barrier component having a coupling part receivable in the opening and displaceable in that opening to engage and dis-engage with the first component, said engagement restraining withdrawal of the coupling part from the opening, and locking means carried by one of said components arranged so that when said coupling part engages the first component, the locking means is positionable to maintain said engagement of the coupling part and the first component.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the coupling part is displaceable in the plane of the opening to engage with and dis-engage from the first component and the locking means is positionable to restrain displacement of the coupling part in the plane of the opening when that coupling part engages with the first component.

3. A system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the coupling part comprises a flanged projection which is initially received through a relatively broad region of the opening and is displaceable into a relatively narrow region of the opening as the coupling part engages with the first component so that flange means of the coupling part restrains withdrawal of that part through the narrow region of the opening.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the locking means is carried by the second component.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 when appendant to claim 2 in which the locking means restrains displacement of the coupling part in the plane of the opening by abutment of the locking means with the first component.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the locking means comprises a part which is screw adjustable on the component which carries it to be adjustable from a first position in which it permits the coupling part to be engaged with and dis-engaged from the first component and a second position in which it maintains said engagement of the coupling part with the first component.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 in which the screw adjustable part is shrouded in a housing part of the component which carries it and security key means is provided which permits access to the screw adjustable part in its housing part to facilitate adjustment of the screw adjustable'part.

8. A system as claimed in either claim 6 or claim 7 when appendant to claim 4 in which the screw adjustable part when in its second position is received in an opening in the first component and abuts the periphery of that opening to restrain disengagement of the coupling part from the first component.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the screw adjustable part comprises a pin.

10. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the opening in the first barrier component comprises an aperture in the wall of that component.

11. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the coupling part has a recess and is engageable with the first component by a wall part of the first component being received in said recess.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11 in which the coupling part has an array of at least two said recesses with each of which the said wall part of the first component is selectively engageable to determine the depth at which the said coupling part is received within the opening and engaged with the first component.

13. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which with the coupling part engaging with the first component, the coupling part can pivot on the first component for tilting of the second component relative to the first component.

14. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the second component has two said coupling parts in spaced relationship, said coupling parts simultaneously engaging one with each of two opening parts in the first component.

15. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second components comprise plastics mouldings.

16. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first component comprises a barrier post and the second component comprises a barrier rail or board.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 in which the barrier post is hollow and said opening or opening parts comprise an aperture in a side wall of the post.

18. A system as claimed in either claim 16 or claim 17 in which the coupling part projects from a plate with which it is integrally formed and said plate is secured to an end of a barrier rail or board part.

19. A barrier system comprising a barrier post having two vertically spaced side opening parts therein, each side opening part having an upper broad opening region cooperating with a lower slot region; a barrier rail or board having two coupling parts which are vertically spaced and project from an end thereof to be received one in each of said two upper broad opening regions so that they can be displaced downwardly into engagement with said respective lower slot region; a first of said coupling parts having flange means which locates behind the lower slot region with which it engages to restrain withdrawal of that coupling part from that slot region and the second coupling part having an array of at least two recesses each of which can e selectively engaged with a wall part of the post in the lower slot region in which the second coupling part is received so that by said selected engagement the depth of entry of the second coupling part into the post can be determined and selective tilting of the barrier rail or board relative to the post can be provided.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 in which the first coupling part is above the second coupling part.

21. A barrier system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.