Barrier system, barrier connection apparatus, barrier element and method of use thereof

Abstract

A barrier system is provided including first and at least second barrier elements. At least a portion of the first and second barrier elements have a hollow interior. Barrier connection apparatus is provided for releasably connecting an end of the first barrier element to an end of the at least second barrier element in use. The barrier connection apparatus has connection means provided on or associated with the same which are arranged to allow detachable attachment to each of the first and at least second barrier elements in use. The barrier connection apparatus is arranged and dimensioned so that at least a part of the barrier connection apparatus is insertable into the hollow interior portions of the first and second barrier elements in use in order to releasably connect the first and at least second barrier elements together.

Claims

1. A barrier system, said barrier system comprising: first and at least second barrier elements, at least a portion of the first and second barrier elements having a hollow interior, and barrier connection apparatus for releasably connecting an end of the first barrier element to an end of the at least second barrier element in use, said barrier connection apparatus having connection means provided on or associated with the same which are arranged to allow detachable attachment in use with attachment means provided on each of the first and at least second barrier elements, the hollow interior portion of each barrier element being provided immediately adjacent an end of the barrier element and has an opening at a top and end of each barrier member to allow receipt of the barrier connection apparatus in use, and wherein the barrier connection apparatus comprises a body portion that is T-shaped or substantially T-shaped in form and is arranged and dimensioned so that at least a part of the barrier connection apparatus is insertable into the hollow interior portions of the first and second barrier elements in use in order to releasably connect the first and at least second barrier elements together, and at least part of the barrier connection apparatus is brought into overlapping engagement with the first and second barrier elements in use when connected with the same; the barrier elements and the barrier connection apparatus arranged such that removal and/or insertion of the barrier connection apparatus with the barrier elements is in a direction transverse or perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrier elements.

2. The barrier system of claim 1 wherein the T-shaped or substantially T-shaped form of the barrier connection apparatus comprises a single body portion including a head member and a neck member protruding from the head member at a central portion of the head member.

3. The barrier system of claim 1 wherein the barrier connection apparatus consists of a neck portion and a head portion.

4. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the connection means is in the form of one or more pins, bosses, screws, bolts, protruding members and/or tenons, or one or more recesses, channels, apertures, and/or blind holes which detachably connect with the attachment means in the form of the other of one or more pins, bosses, screws, bolts, protruding members and/or tenons, or one or more recesses, channels, apertures and/or blind holes.

5. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the barrier connection apparatus extends entirely between a top of the barrier elements and a base of the barrier elements when connected to the barrier elements in use.

6. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the first and at least second barrier elements are identical or substantially identical in form.

7. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein anchor means are provided on or associated with a base of the barrier elements to allow the barrier elements to be anchored to a ground surface in use.

8. A barrier connection apparatus for use with the barrier system according to claim 1.

9. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the barrier connection apparatus comprises a first member with a second member protruding transverse or perpendicularly outwardly from the first member at a central location of the first member or at a location between the ends of the first member.

10. The barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the second member includes an upper portion provided immediately adjacent the first member and a lower portion provided a distance apart from the first member, the lower portion being shorter in length than the upper portion so as to create a shoulder portion between the upper and lower portions, said shoulder portion arranged to engage with one or more rib members provided in the interior of each of the barrier elements in use; or the second member is linear or substantially linear in form.

11. The barrier system according to claim 9 wherein one or more slots or apertures are defined in the first member to allow insertion of a tool and/or lifting equipment therein in use.

12. The barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the first member of the barrier connection apparatus is arranged to be flush or substantially flush with a top of the barrier elements when the barrier connection apparatus is joined to the barrier elements in use; and/or the second member of the barrier connection apparatus is arranged to be located entirely within the hollow portions of the barrier elements when connected to the barrier elements in use.

13. The barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the connection means of the barrier connection apparatus includes first connection means for connecting a first part of the end of the first barrier element and a first part of the end of the second barrier element, and second connection means for connecting a second part of the end of the first barrier element and a second part of the end of the second barrier element, the first and second connection means being provided a spaced distance apart in an axis perpendicular or transverse to a longitudinal axis of the barrier elements.

14. The barrier system according to claim 13 wherein the first and second connection means are provided a spaced distance apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier elements.

15. The barrier system according to claim 13 wherein the first connection means includes a left first connection means for connecting the barrier connection apparatus to the first barrier element and a right first connection means for connecting the barrier connection apparatus to the second barrier element, the second connection means includes a left second connection means for connecting the barrier connection apparatus to the first barrier element and a right second connection means for connecting the barrier connection apparatus to the second barrier element.

16. The barrier system according to claim 13 wherein the first and second connection means are provided a spaced distance apart on the barrier connection apparatus in an axis perpendicular or transverse to a longitudinal axis of the barrier elements.

17. A method of using a barrier system, said barrier system including first and at least second barrier elements, at least a portion of the first and second barrier elements having a hollow interior, said method comprising: bringing an end of the first barrier element and an end of the second barrier element together, and releasably connecting the ends of the first and second barrier elements using a barrier connection apparatus having connection means provided on or associated with the same with attachment means provided on each of the first and at least second barrier elements, the hollow interior portion of each barrier element being provided immediately adjacent an end of the barrier element and having an opening at a top and end of each barrier element for receiving the barrier connection apparatus, and wherein the barrier connection apparatus comprises a body portion that is T-shaped or substantially T-shaped in form and is arranged and dimensioned so that at least a part of the barrier connection apparatus inserts into the hollow interior portions of the first and second barrier elements in order to releasably connect the first and at least second barrier elements together, and bringing at least part of the barrier connection apparatus in overlapping engagement with the first and second barrier elements when connected, the barrier elements and the barrier connection apparatus arranged such that removing and/or inserting of the barrier connection apparatus with the barrier elements is in a direction transverse or perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrier elements.

Description

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1a-1e show a perspective view, a top plan view, a side view, a base plan view, and an end view of a barrier element according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(3) FIGS. 2a-2f show a perspective view, a top plan view, a side view, a base plan view, a first end view and a second end view of barrier connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(4) FIGS. 3a-3e show a perspective view, a top plan view, a side view, a base plan view, and an end view of the barrier connection apparatus in FIGS. 2a-2f joined to the barrier element in FIGS. 1a-1e respectively;

(5) FIGS. 4a-4e show a top plan view, a side view, a first end view, a second end view, and a base plan view of barrier connection apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(6) FIGS. 5a-5c show a perspective view, an end view and a side view of an anchor element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6a-6b show a perspective view and a top plan view of part of a barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(8) FIG. 7a-7b show a perspective view and a top plan view of part of a barrier according to a further embodiment of the present invention respectively;

(9) FIGS. 8a and 8b show a perspective view and a top plan view of two barrier members joined together via barrier connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively. It can be seen that the top surface of the barrier connection apparatus is flush with the top surface of the barrier members to which it is joined to, thereby creating the appearance of a single continuous barrier structure.

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1a-3e, there is illustrated a barrier system 2 comprising at least first and second barrier elements 4 (only part of one barrier element is shown for clarity purposes) which are connected together indirectly in an end to end manner by barrier connection apparatus 6.

(11) Each barrier element 4 of the system is typically identical in form and so can be used in any end to end orientation, thereby making the process of fitting the barrier elements together significantly easier compared to conventional barrier systems. However, different barrier elements could be used in the system if required.

(12) Each barrier element 4 has a base section 8, two side impact walls 10, 12 protruding upwardly from the base section, and a top section 14 located at an end of the side impact walls opposite to the base section 8. The barrier element has a first end 16 and a second end (not shown). The second end can be identical in form to the first end or can comprise any conventional type of barrier connection means, such as for example a bolted joint.

(13) In the illustrated example, the base section 8 and top section 14 are integrally formed with the two side impact walls, although it will be appreciated that the base section and/or top section can be joined to the side impact walls, such as for example via welding, bolts and/or using some other suitable joining means.

(14) The base section 8 typically includes base plate members 18, 18′ that protrude laterally outwardly from each side impact wall 10, 12 respectively. Each base plate member 18, 18′ is typically elongate in form and is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrier element 4. Each base plate member 18, 18′ is typically planar in form. A flanged or U-shaped end 20, 20′ can optionally be provided on the outermost longitudinal edges of base plate members 18, 18′ so as to prevent shaped edges being exposed on the barrier element.

(15) Recesses 22, 22′ are defined at opposite locations in the base plate members 18, 18′ a spaced distance from the first end 16 of the barrier element 4. The recesses 22, 22′ are for the location of anchor means for anchoring the barrier element to a ground surface in use. It is to be noted that the recesses for the anchor means could be located at any one or more positions along the length of the base section 8 to provide anchoring of the barrier element to a ground surface in use. For example, the anchor means could be provided immediately at the first end of the barrier element, at a midway or central position along the length of the base section and/or the like.

(16) More particularly, each recess 22, 22′ has a base wall 24 formed by a base plate 26 that is located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element 4 and protrudes outwardly from both side impact walls 10, 12 of the barrier element. The anchor means in this example include slots 28 defined in the base wall 24 of each recess 22, 22′ for the location of anchor pins (not shown) therethrough in use. Each recess 22, 22′ has a first opening defined in a wall of the base plate member 18, 18′ that faces away from the ground surface on which the barrier element is located in use, and a second opening defined in the flanged edges 20, 20′ of the base plate member 18, 18 that faces away from the side impact walls of the barrier element.

(17) Feet members 30 can also be provided on a lower surface of the base section 8 for supporting the barrier element 4 on a ground surface in use. The feet member 30 are typically provided at spaced apart intervals along the length of the barrier element to raise the base section 8 a distance above the ground surface. The feet member are arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element in the illustration but could be provided in any required arrangement.

(18) The side impact walls 10, 12 each have a lower section 32 and an upper section 34. The lower section 32 is adjacent the base section 8 and protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the base section 8. The lower section 32 has a narrowing taper towards top section 14.

(19) The upper section 34 protrudes downwardly and below the top section 14. The upper section 34 is arranged vertically and is perpendicular to the top section 14.

(20) The side impact walls 10, 12 are a spaced distance apart from each other and define a hollow barrier interior therebetween. The upper sections 34 of the side impact walls 10, 12 in the illustration are parallel to each other.

(21) The length of the side impact walls are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element.

(22) A stepped section 36 is defined between the lower section 32 and upper section 34.

(23) The top section 14 of the barrier element has a top surface 40 arranged parallel to the base section of the barrier, and side walls 42 that are arranged parallel to the upper section 34 of the side impact walls. The top section 14 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element.

(24) The top section 14 is not provided along the entire top of the barrier element and stops a distance from the first end 16 to allow access to first attachment means 46 recessed within the barrier element at the top end of the side impact walls.

(25) Outwardly extended flanges 38, 38′ are provided at the top ends of the side impact walls 10, 12 adjacent the first end 16 where the top section 14 is not present. The flanges 38, 38′ are to allow engagement with the lower surface of the barrier connection apparatus in use.

(26) Apertures 44 are arranged at spaced apart intervals along the length of the top surface 40 to allow a crane hook or lifting attachment to be attached to the same in use.

(27) The barrier element includes first and second attachment means 46, 48 to allow detachable attachment to first and second connection means provided on the barrier connection apparatus 6 in use.

(28) More particularly the first attachment means 46 include two upwardly protruding pin members 54 provided a spaced distance apart on attachment plate 56. The attachment plate 56 is joined between the two side impact walls 10, 12 at the top end of the side impact walls adjacent first end 16. The pin members 54 protrude upwardly above the end of the side impact walls but below the height of the top surface of the top section 14.

(29) A longitudinal axis of the pin members 54 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element 4. The spacing of the pin members 54 in this example is arranged along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier element, although any number and/or arrangement of the pin members could be provided so long as they allow attachment with the barrier connection apparatus in use.

(30) In addition, the first attachment means can include a safety locking bolt or lockable engagement means in the form of an upwardly protruding boss 51 with a locking bolt 53 associated with the same, and two apertures 55 defined in attachment plate 56, as will be described in more detail below.

(31) The second attachment means 48 include three upwardly protruding pin members 58 provided a spaced distance apart on an attachment plate 60. The attachment plate 60 is joined between the two side impact walls 10, 12 at the end of the side impact walls adjacent the base section 8. The attachment plate 60 and protruding pin members 58 are located within the interior of the barrier element 4 at the first end 16 thereof.

(32) It is noted that the second attachment means 48 are located closer to the first end 16 of the barrier element compared to the first attachment means 46. The first attachment means 46 are relatively set back from the first end 16. Thus, the first attachment means 46 are partially or wholly offset from the second attachment means 48, thereby allowing easy placement of the barrier connection apparatus 6 with the same in use simply by dropping the barrier connection apparatus onto the barrier elements in a vertical direction. The same simple vertical action can be undertaken in reverse to allow detachment of the barrier connection apparatus with the barrier elements in use.

(33) The barrier connection apparatus 6 includes a first member or head section 70 and a second member or neck section 72 that protrudes outwardly from a lower surface 74 of the head section 70. In this example, the neck section is arranged centrally of the head section but it could be provided at any position between the ends of the head section.

(34) The head section 70 is in the form of a box like member having a top surface 76, a lower surface 74 opposite to the top surface, opposing side walls 78, 80 and opposing end walls 82, 84. The interior of the head section 70 is hollow.

(35) The neck section 72 has two spaced apart and opposing side walls 86, 88 and a base wall 90 provided at an end of the neck section opposite to the head section end. The neck section 72 is hollow and a plurality of rib members 92 are provided between the opposing side walls 86, 88 to strengthen and provide rigidity to the side walls.

(36) The neck section 72 has an upper portion 94 adjacent the head section 70 that is longer in length than a lower portion 96 of the neck section 72 adjacent base wall 90. This creates a shoulder portion 98 between the upper and lower portions 94, 96 on each side of the neck section that can be used for location with a rib member 100 defined in the interior of the barrier element 4 when connected with the barrier element in use. The rib member 100 is typically provided between the side impact walls 10, 12 midway of the barrier element between the head section 14 and base section 8.

(37) The width ‘w’ of the head section of the barrier connection apparatus is larger than the width ‘Y’ of the neck section, such that the head section 70 protrudes outwardly from the side walls 86, 88 of the neck section 72. The length ‘l’ of the head section of the barrier connection apparatus is also longer than the longest length ‘z’ of the neck section. As such, the head section protrudes outwardly from the neck section around all sides of the neck section.

(38) The width ‘w’ of the head section 70 is typically the same as the width of the top surface 40 of the barrier element 4, thereby allowing the top surfaces of the barrier element and the barrier connection apparatus to be flush or substantially flush with each other when joined together in use.

(39) The width ‘Y’ of the neck section 72 is typically less than the width between the opposing side impact walls 10, 12 of the barrier element 4, thereby allowing the neck section to sit within the side walls of the barrier elements when the barrier connection apparatus is fitted to the barrier elements in use.

(40) The barrier connection apparatus 6 includes first connection means provided on the head section 70 and second connection means provided in the base wall 90 of the neck section 72. The first connection means are for engagement with the first attachment means 46 of first and second barrier elements in use. The second connection means are for engagement with the second attachment means 48 of the first and second barrier elements in use.

(41) The first connection means include left first connection means in the form of two apertures 106 defined in lower surface 74 for engagement with the two pins 54 on a first barrier element in use, and right connection means in the form of two apertures 108 defined in lower surface 74 for engagement with two pins 54 on a second barrier element in use.

(42) The first connection means also includes a left through aperture 110 and a right through aperture 112 which pass between the lower surface 74 and the top surface 76 for engagement with the protruding boss 51 and locking nut 53 of at least the first barrier element. Engagement between the boss 51 and locking nut 53 takes up any tolerances between the barrier element and the barrier connection apparatus to ensure secure engagement between the same in use. It has been found that only one side of the first connection means needs to be engaged with a barrier element via the boss and locking nut and not both sides in order to obtain secure engagement.

(43) However, both sides could be engaged via the boss and locking nut if required.

(44) Two spaced apart pin members 114 are provided on at least one end 116 of the head section 70 for location in the apertures 55 provided on the barrier element. The pin members 114 are typically to help with location on the boss 51 and aperture 110 in use.

(45) Side slots 118 are defined in the side walls 78, 80 of the head section 70 to allow a tool to be inserted therein to tighten up the nut 53 on the boss 51 when engaged with through aperture 110 in use.

(46) The second connection means include left connection means in the form of a set of three apertures 120 and right connection means in the form of a set of three apertures 122, all defined in base wall 90 of the neck section 72. The apertures 120 are for engagement with the pins 58 provided on base plate 60 of a first barrier element in use. The apertures 122 are for engagement with pins 58 provided on base plate 60 of a second barrier element in use.

(47) Thus, it can be seen that the barrier connection apparatus 6 is T-shaped in form.

(48) In order for the ends of two barrier elements to be joined together in use, the two barrier elements are brought together in an end to end manner such that the opposing ends of the adjoining barrier elements abut each other. The barrier connection apparatus 6 is then simply dropped in place in a vertical direction from above the barrier elements, such that the first connection means engage with the first attachment means and the second connection means engage with the second attachment means. A longitudinal axis of the head section of the barrier connection apparatus is arranged to be parallel with the longitudinal axis of the barrier elements. The barrier elements can be anchored to the ground surface using the anchoring means before or after the barrier connection apparatus is engaged with the barrier elements. Further barrier elements can be joined together in a similar manner to create an elongate barrier structure.

(49) Gripping apertures 44, 124 can be defined in the top surface 40 of the barrier element 4 and the top surface 76 of the barrier connection apparatus 6 respectively, to allow the same to be gripped and/or lifted by a crane in use.

(50) Referring to FIGS. 4a-4e, there is illustrated a further embodiment of barrier connector apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Many of the features of apparatus 200 are the same as the connector apparatus 6 shown in FIGS. 2a-2e and the same reference numerals have been used to refer to the same features.

(51) As with the previous embodiment, barrier connector apparatus 200 includes a head section 70, and a neck section 72 that protrudes outwardly from a lower surface of the head section 70.

(52) Rather than being stepped, the external walls (opposing front and rear walls 202, 204, and opposing end walls 206, 208) of the neck section 72 are linear in form, and the neck section is cuboid in shape. The external walls are not required to engage within any rib members provided in the internal cavity of the barrier member as was required with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2e. The end walls 206, 208 have apertures 210 defined thereinto reduce the amount of material required to form the apparatus 200, and therefore reduce the weight of the same.

(53) Gripping aperture 124 has an arrow 212 provided at one end thereof pointing in the direction of the pin members 114 to allow a user to easily visualise which end the pin members 114 are located.

(54) Referring to FIGS. 5a-5c, there is illustrated an anchor element 214 which is welded into the interior of the barrier member during manufacture. The anchor element 214 includes an anchor base plate 216 which sits in the recess 22 at the base of the barrier member. An upright anchor portion 218 is located in the interior cavity of the barrier member. The upright anchor portion 218 is provided with sleeve portions 220 defined thereon. These sleeve portions 220 can act as support members for any accessories, posts, signage, screens and/or the like that may need to be fitted with the barrier members in use. An engaging portion of the accessory, post, signage, screens and/or the like can be moved into engagement with the support members via the top of the barrier member. The upright anchor portion 18 can be welded to one or more internally facing side impact walls of the barrier element.

(55) Referring to FIGS. 6a-6b, there is illustrated a barrier element 300 having a base section 302, two side impact walls 304, 306, and a top section 308 located at the ends of walls 304, 306 opposite to base section 302. Anchor arrangements 310 are provided in the base section 302 to allow anchoring of the barrier element to a road surface in use. The first anchor arrangement 310 of the barrier element nearest to end 312 is set a spaced distance back from the end 312. This arrangement is in contrast to the barrier arrangement shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b wherein the first anchor arrangement is immediately adjacent the end 312. The location of the anchor arrangement provides different deflection characteristics of the barrier on impact with a vehicle in use.

(56) An aperture 314 is defined in top section 308 to allow for the location of a post for signage, screening, accessories and/or the like.

(57) In this embodiment, the two upwardly protruding pin members 54 are provided a spaced distance apart with the upwardly protruding boss 51 and locking bolt 53 provided between the two protruding pin members. This arrangement provides a different shear load compared to the arrangement of the locking bolt 53 in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

(58) It will be appreciated that any or any combination of features disclosed herein can be provided on the barrier connection apparatus and/or barrier elements of the present invention.