GB2471951A

GB2471951A - Safety barrier for use on roads

Info

Publication number: GB2471951A
Application number: GB1011933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Bullock
Original assignee: Highway Care Ltd
Current assignee: Highway Care Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-18
Filing date: 2010-07-16
Publication date: 2011-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-16
Also published as: GB201011933D0; GB2471951B; GB0912494D0

Abstract

The safety barrier comprises one or more lower members 4 and one more upper members 6, the or each upper members arranged to protrude outwardly with respect to the or each lower members, the upper member(s) including a base portion 18 and two upwardly protruding and spaced apart side walls 16 or flange portions, wherein bracing 40 is provided between the side walls/flange portions. The bracing preferably includes one or more arms 42 provided between the two side walls/flanges, each preferably extending at an acute angle to the horizontal and/or the base of the upper member. The bracing may include one or more plates 44,46 provided at one or both ends of the bracing arms and which abut the inside of the side walls/flanges. The upper member may comprise a substantially U-shaped channel or alternatively may comprise two L-shaped elements joined together. Also claimed is a method of assembling a safety barrier.

Description

Safety Barrier This invention relates to an improvement for a safety barrier, and particularly but not necessarily exclusively to a safety barrier for use on roads for reducing the speed and/or movement of a vehicle on impact therewith or as a security barrier.

It is known to provide safety barriers on the edge of roads, such as between dual carriageways on a motorway for example, to reduce or limit movement of a vehicle on impact therewith. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of a vehicle impacting with the barriers and crossing onto an opposite carriageway or travelling off the road. It is also known to provide barriers for security purposes to prevent entry of an unauthorised vehicle, object or person into a particular locality. Conventional safety barriers can come in many different shape and forms.

The applicant's co-pending patent application W02007/ 148110 discloses a safety barrier including at least an upright member which provides a crash surface for the barrier and an attachment for location on top of the barrier. The attachment typically protrudes outwardly from either side of the barrier to create a recess or shoulder portion between the protruding means and the crash surface. This recess or shoulder portion allows a tyre, object or part of a vehicle to be caught under the same on impact of a vehicle or object with the barrier. This prevents the vehide or object rebounding off the crash barrier and back into a line of traffic. However, a potential problem associated with this attachment is that it lacks strength and rigidity and could collapse on impact with an object therewith.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a safety barrier which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an attachment for use on a safety barrier.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety barrier, said safety barrier including one or more lower members and one or more upper members, said one or more upper members arranged to protrude outwardly with respect to said one or more lower members and said one or more upper members including a base portion and two upwardly protruding and spaced apart side walls or flange portions, wherein bracing means are provided between said side walls or flange portions.

The bracing means provides the one or more upper members with strength and rigidity so as to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the upper members collapsing following impact with an object or vehicle therewith.

Preferably the bracing means includes at least one arm member provided between and abutting the two side walls or flange portions.

The two side walls or flange portions are preferably arranged opposite to each other and the bracing means are provided between and abutting with the opposing side walls or flange portions.

Preferably the bracing means or at least one arm member is provided at an acute angle to the horizontal and/or with respect to the base portion of the upper member.

In one embodiment the bracing means includes one or more plate members which are provided at an end or ends of the bracing arm member. Preferably two plate members are provided, one at each end of the bracing arm member. The plate members also act to increase the strength and rigidity of the bracing means or bracing arm member.

Each plate member is typically provided between and abutting an inner surface of the side wall or flange portion of the upper member and an end of the bracing arm member. Thus, in one example the plate member is arranged parallel to and abutting with the side wall or flange portion.

The one or more upper members can be integral with the one or more lower members, attached thereto or detachably attached thereto. The bracing means can be integral with, attached or detachably attached to the one or more upper members.

The bracing means can be attached to or detachably attached to the one or more upper members via attachment means. The attachment means can include any or any combination of welding, one or more screws, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members, friction fit and/or the like.

The bracing means is typically formed of a material sufficiently strong and rigid to provide the upper member with the required strength and rigidity. For example, the bracing means can be formed from metal, plastic, wood and/or the like.

Preferably the bracing means or bracing arm members are provided at spaced apart intervals along the length of the one or more upper members.

Preferably the at least one bracing arm member or bracing means is arranged to protrude substantially perpendicular to the side walls or flange portions of the upper member.

Preferably the side walls or flange portions of the upper member are sub stantially vertically arranged.

Preferably the one or more upper members are in the form of a substantially U-shaped channel member with an opening of the channel facing upwardly of the safety barrier. The bracing means are typically provided transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel member. The at least one upper member is typically sub stantially elongate in form.

The one or more lower members can be substantially solid or hollow members and can include a single elongate member or a plurality of members joined together. The profile of the lower members and/or crash surface can be substantially vertical, concave, convexed, W-shaped and/or the like.

The one or more lower members can be provided in any suitable size, shape and/or design. For example the one or more lower members could include a plurality of spaced apart upright members with one or more substantially hori2ontally arranged rail members provided therebetween. Alternatively, the one or more lower members could include a plurality of continuous lower barriers which are joined together via inter-engaging members at the ends thereof.

A plurality of lower members and/or a plurality of upper members can be joined together in an end to end arrangement via any suitable connection means to form an elongate structure.

The connection means can include any or any combination of welding, one or more inter-engaging members, nuts and bolts, screws and/or the like.

Preferably at least a surface of the one or more lower members provides a crash or impact surface for the safety barrier.

The crash or impact surface is arranged so as to reduce the affect of impact of a moving object therewith, such as for example a vehicle, and to dissipate the energy from said impact.

The crash surface is typically arranged on the lower members but an outer surface of the upper members could also form part of the crash surface.

Preferably the protruding portion or portions of the upper member creates a recess or shoulder portion between the upper member and the lower member. This recess or shoulder portion is designed to be sufficient to catch a tyre or part of an object following impact with the barrier in use. This prevents the vehicle or object from rebounding off the safety barrier, such as for example back into a line of traffic.

Preferably the upper member protrudes from both sides of the lower member.

The distance of protrusion of the upper member relative to the lower member is preferably substantially equal to or greater than an outer surface or outermost surface of a side wall of the lower member, such as the crash surface for example.

The upper member can protrude substantially perpendicularly to an outer surface or side wall of the lower member or can protrude at an acute angle thereto.

The base portion of the upper member is preferably attached to or located on a top surface of the lower member. The base portion is preferably substantially parallel to and further preferably in abutment with the top surface of the lower member.

Preferably the height of the side walls or flange portions of the upper member as a percentage of the total height of the safety barrier is substantially equal to or less than 30%, further preferably is less than 20% and most preferably between 7-10%.

One or more apertures and/or slots can be defined in the base portion of the upper member to allow water and/or debris to pass therethrough. In addition, or as an alternative, the apertures and/or slots can be used to aid attachment of the upper member to the barrier.

The upper member can be a single U-shaped channel member or can include two or more parts. For example, two substantially L-shaped upper member parts can be provided such that when they are joined together, they form a substantially U-shaped channel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for use with a safety barrier, said safety barrier attachment including bracing means.

The upper member attachment and/or bracing means can be retrofitted to any existing safety barrier. The existing safety barrier can comprise the lower member and/or the lower member and upper member in combination.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a safety barrier, said safety barrier including one or more lower members and one or more upper members arranged to protrude outwardly with respect to said lower members, said one or more upper members including a base portion and two upwardly protruding and spaced apart side walls or flange portions, wherein said method includes the step of locating bracing means between said side walls or flange portions.

The safety barrier of the present invention can be used for any application where a barrier is required to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a person, animal, vehicle, object and/or the like passing from one location to another location. In a preferred embodiment the safety barrier is used as a security barrier to prevent unauthorised access of a third party, vehicle or object to a particular locality.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a safety barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b show a partially exploded perspective view and cross sectional view of the safety barrier in figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the safety barrier in figures 1-2b.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a safety barrier 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Safety barrier 2 includes a plurality of lower members 4 and a plurality of upper members 6. The lower members 4 are substantially elongate in form and are joined together in an end to end manner. The upper members are also substantially elongate in form and are joined together in an end to end manner.

Each lower member 4 has a top surface 8, two outwardly sloping side walls 10, 12 and a base 14. The side walls 10, 12 act as a crash or impact surface for a vehicle or object that may impact therewith. The lower member 4 can be free standing on a suitable surface, such as the ground, or can be connected thereto, such as for example via welding, concrete, nuts and bolts and/or the like.

The lower members can be joined together in an end to end arrangement via any suitable connection means, such as welding, nuts and bolts, socket and protrusion and/or the like.

Each upper member 6 typically comprises two substantially elongate L-shaped parts 6a and 6b. Each part 6a, 6b includes an upright portion 16 and a base portion 18. The free ends of the base portion are located adjacent each other in use to form a substantially U-shaped channel.

A plurality of apertures 20 are defined in the base portions 18 to allow a fixing bolt 22 to pass therethrough for connection with a fixing nut 24. The nuts and bolts are used to fix the base portions 18 to the top surface 8 of the lower member 4.

The upper members 6 are joined together in an end to end arrangement via connection means to form an elongate structure. More particularly, the connection means includes a first elongate fixing plate 26 for location adjacent the outer surface of the upright portions 16 over the free ends of the abutting upper members, so that the fixing plate is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper members. Second and third smaller fixing plates 28, 30 are located adjacent each end of the outer surface of fixing plate 26 and a plurality of fixing bolts are used us to attached second and third fixing plates to fixing plate 26 and to upright portion 16. A similar arrangement of fixing plates is provided on the inner surface of the upright portion. A further fixing plate 32 is provided for location over the free ends of the second members adjacent the base portions 18 thereof so as to overlap the free side edges and end edges of the base portions. The further fixing plate can be joined to the upright portions 16 via end fixing plates 34.

With the L-shaped upper members 6 assembled on top of the lower member 4, a substantially U-shaped channel 36 is formed, as shown in figure 2b. The opening 38 of the channel faces upwardly of the safety barrier.

In accordance with the present invention, bracing means 40 are provided within the channel 36 of the upper members 6 to provide the structure of the upper member with strength and rigidity. This helps to prevent collapse of the upper member in the event of an impact or crash with the safety barrier. The bracing means are provided substantially transversely of the channel and preferably protrude substantially perpendicularly to the upright portions 16. A plurality of bracing means 40 are provided in the upper members and said bracing means are provided a pre-determined spaced distance apart along the longitudinal axis of the upper members.

More particularly, the bracing means includes a bracing arm 42 which is located between two bracing plates 44, 46, one plate located at each end of the bracing arm. The bracing plates are then fixed to the inner surfaces of the upright portions 16 using screws, nuts and bolts and/or the like. The bracing plates are therefore substantially parallel to and in abutment with the inner surface of the upright portions and transverse to the bracing arm.

The bracing arm is located at an acute angle to the horizontal and to base portion 18 of the upper members.

Claims

Claims: 1. A safety barrier, said safety barrier including one or more lower members and one or more upper members, said one or more upper members arranged to protrude outwardly with respect to said one or more lower members and said one or more upper members including a base portion and two upwardly protruding and spaced apart side walls or flange portions, wherein bracing means are provided between said side walls or flange portions.
2. A safety barrier according to claim 1 wherein the bracing means includes at least one arm member provided between the two side walls or flange portions.
3. A safety barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the bracing means or at least one arm member is provided at an acute angle to the horizontal and/or with respect to the base portion of the upper member.
4. A safety barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the bracing means or at least one arm member is arranged to protrude substantially perpendicular to the two side walls or flange portions.
5. A safety barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the bracing means includes one or more plate members which are provided at an end or ends of the bracing arm member.
6. A safety barrier according to claim 5 wherein each plate member is provided between and abutting an inner surface of the upper member side wall or flange portion and an end of the arm member.
7. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the one or more upper members are integral with, attached to or detachably attached to the one or more lower members.
8. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the bracing means are integral with, attached to or detachably attached to the one or more upper members via attachment means.
9. A safety barrier according to claim 8 wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of welding, friction fit, one or more screws, nuts and bolts or inter-engaging members.
10. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the bracing means are provided at spaced apart intervals along a longitudinal axis of the one or more upper members.
11. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the two or more side walls or flange portions of the upper member are substantially vertically arranged.
12. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the one or more upper members are in the form of a substantially U-shaped channel member, with an opening of the channel facing upwardly of the safety barrier.
13. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the one or more upper members and/or one or more lower members can be joined together in an end to end arrangement via connection means.
14. A safety barrier according to claim 13 wherein the connection means includes any or any combination of welding, one or more inter-engaging members, nuts and bolts or screws.
15. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein at least a surface of said one or more lower members provides a crash or impact surface for said barrier.
16. A safety barrier according to claim 1 wherein a portion of the upper member protruding outwardly from the lower member creates a recess or shoulder portion between the upper member and lower member.
17. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the upper member protrudes from both sides of the lower member.
18. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the distance of protrusion of the upper member relative to the lower member is substantially equal to or greater than an outer surface or outermost surface of a side wall of the lower member.
19. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein the height of the side walls or flange portions of the upper member as a percentage of the total height of the safety barrier is substantially equal to or less than 30%.
20. A safety barrier according to daim 19 wherein the height of the side walls or flange portions of the upper member as a percentage of the total height of the safety barrier is less than 20%.
21. A safety barrier according to claim 19 wherein the height of the side walls or flange portions of the upper member as a percentage of the total height of the safety barrier is between 7lO%.
22. A safety barrier according to claim I wherein one or more apertures and/or slots are defined in the base portion of the upper member.
23. A safety barrier according to claim 1 wherein the upper member includes two substantially L-shaped member parts that are joined together to form a substantially U-shaped channel.
24. A method of assembling a safety barrier, said safety barrier including one or more lower members and one or more upper members arranged to protrude outwardly with respect to said lower members, said one or more upper members including a base portion and two upwardly protruding and spaced apart side walls or flange portions, wherein said method includes the step of locating bracing means between said side walls or flange portions.