Abstract:
A connecting device is provided, including an elongate member (EM) having two or more engaging elements which are spaced along the length of the EM; and at least one engaging element which orthogonally extends out from the EM and which has a portion which also extends, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM, a distance Y, wherein distance Y extends substantially 15-20% of the length of the EM.

Description:
STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application Number 593063, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to connecting devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a connecting device which can be used for connecting adjacent barrier sections. However this should not be seen as limiting as the device may also have other applications. 
     For ease of reference only the present invention will now be described in relation to a connecting device used to connect adjacent temporary barrier sections. Temporary barrier sections are well known in the art and are typically used in relation to roading applications for separating traffic from pedestrians or for separating lanes of traffic from one another. 
     The present invention has particular application to a temporary barrier such as is disclosed in WO2008147230. 
     One of the key advantages of the barrier detailed in WO 2008147230 is the fact that a user can select in any given case for adjacent barrier sections whether a connection between the adjacent barrier sections is to create a pivotable, or fixed in-line, relationship between the barrier sections. Previous barrier sections could only create, one or other, of a fixed or pivotable connection, and could not switch between both, depending on the requirements of the user and barrier they were creating, from the barrier sections. 
     However, one potential improvement the applicant has realised that could be made to the barrier of WO 2008147230 is to make it easier to switch a connection from a pivotable connection to a fixed in-line type connection. Presently the WO 2008147230 barrier requires the connecting device in the form of a U-Shaped pin to be fully withdrawn before barriers can be adjusted to convert from a fixed in-line relationship between barrier sections to a pivotable relationship, or vice versa. 
     All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. 
     Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 
     It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 
     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connecting device which includes:
         an elongate member (EM) having a longitudinal axis of length X;   at least one engaging element which orthogonally extends out from the EM and which has a portion which also extends, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM, a distance Y, which is a fraction of length X of the EM.       

     The connecting device has particular application to joining adjacent barrier sections in a temporary barrier such as is taught in WO 2008147230. However, this should not be seen as limiting as the features of the connecting device of the present invention may also be useful in other applications. For ease of reference only the present invention will now be described in relation to use with a temporary barrier section such as is taught in WO 2008147230. 
     The EM may have a number of different configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In preferred embodiments the EM may be in the form of a shaft. The shaft may have one or more different shaped cross sections. The shaft may be hollow or solid depending on the desired nature of the connecting device. 
     The engaging element may have a number of different configurations depending on the nature of the barrier sections it is being used to connect. 
     In one preferred embodiment the engaging element may be in the form of a dog leg element. 
     In another preferred embodiment the engaging element may be in the form of a plate. 
     The length Y the engaging element extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM is governed by the fact that the connecting device of the present invention is designed to achieve a switch between a fixed relationship and a pivotable relationship between adjacent barrier sections whilst the barrier sections remain coupled by the connecting device. 
     In some embodiments the distance Y extends a distance which is less than 90% of the length X. 
     In preferred embodiments distance Y extends a distance which is less than substantially 50% of the length X. 
     In further preferred embodiments the distance Y extends less than substantially 30-40% of the length X. 
     In a most preferred embodiment distance Y extends substantially 15-20% of the length of X. 
     The length X of the EM is dependent on the size and/or type of barrier sections which the EM will be used to connect. 
     A connecting device substantially as described above having two or more engaging elements which are evenly spaced along the length of the EM. 
     A connecting device substantially as described above having three or more engaging elements which are evenly spaced along the length of the EM. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier section adapted to used with a connecting device as described above which includes at least one connecting assembly at one or both ends of the barrier section, the connecting assembly comprising:
         connecting-region(s) including connecting device receiving portions (CDRP), wherein the connecting-region(s) are positioned to be capable of engaging, or being engaged, in use, with connecting-region(s) on an adjacent barrier section via the CDRP, via a single connecting device so that adjacent barrier sections can be selected to have either: an inline, or an angled relationship, with respect to one another;   the connecting regions at the respective ends of the barrier having differently-configured CDRP.       

     The connecting regions may come in a variety of different forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting region on one adjacent barrier may be in the form of a protrusion which is received by a connecting region on an adjacent barrier in the form of recess. 
     In preferred embodiments, the connecting-regions on both adjacent barriers may be in the form of protrusions. 
     In some preferred embodiments, the connecting-regions at opposite ends of a barrier section may be positioned at different relative heights so as to allow for a pair or pairs of protrusions on adjacent barrier sections to overlap with one another. The overlap allowing the connecting device receiving portions, which may be apertures, recess, slots, or the like, in the respective connecting-regions, to come into alignment with each other for receipt of the connecting device. 
     In other embodiments, the connecting regions at opposite ends on a barrier section may all be positioned at the same relative height which is higher or lower than the height of the connecting regions on an adjacent barrier section to which a connection is to be effected. Again the connecting regions on adjacent barrier sections may overlap with one another. 
     Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention may have a number of advantages over the prior art which can include:
         providing a connecting device which enables easier switching between adjacent barriers having a fixed (in-line) or pivotal (angled) relationship to one another;   partially lifting don&#39;t have to fully remove connector to adjust relationship between adjacent barrier sections. So can move between in-line to angled relationship or vice versa;   providing a barrier section which can be more easily moved between a fixed (in-line) or pivotal (angled) relationship to one another.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a connecting-device in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a partial cross sectional side view of two adjacent barrier sections in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the top connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the top connecting-region on the right barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of the bottom connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the bottom connecting-region on the left barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a connecting-device in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows a partial cross sectional side view of two adjacent barrier sections in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  shows a plan view of the top and bottom connecting-regions on the left barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view of the top and bottom connecting-regions on the right barrier section shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a plan view of an alternative top and bottom connecting-regions on the left barrier section shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  shows a plan view of a two adjacent barrier sections which have an in-line relationship to one another; and 
         FIG. 13  shows a partial plan view of a two adjacent barrier sections which have an angled relationship to one another. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1  there is shown a connecting device  1  which has an elongate member (EM)  2  having a length along its longitudinal axis, the length of which is depicted by double headed arrow X. Extending laterally out from the EM are two engaging elements in the form of dog legs  3 . The engaging elements have a portion  4  which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM. 
     In  FIG. 2  there are shown two adjacent barrier sections  1000  and  2000  which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections  1000  and  2000  each have two connecting regions  1001   a ,  1001   b  and  2001   a ,  2001   b  respectively. The connecting regions  1001   a ,  1001   b  and  2001   a ,  2001   b  are connected to one another via a connecting device  3000  which is the same as that shown in  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated that the connecting regions  2001   a  and  2001   b  of the barrier section  2000  are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section  1000  which is not shown. Similarly the connecting regions  1001   a  and  1001   b  on barrier section  1000  are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section  2000  which is not shown. 
     In  FIG. 3  the connecting region  1001   a  has a CDRP in the form of a slot  1003  which passes there through. The slot  1003  resembles a keyhole in shape and has a bulbous portion  1005 . In use the slot  1003  allows the lower engaging portion  3  on the connector  1  to be passed down through without becoming hooked on the connecting region  1001   a.    
     The connecting region  1001   b  has a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures  1006 , and  1007  which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM  2  and portion  4 —refer to  FIG. 4 . 
     The connecting region  2001   a  has a CDRP in the form of a slot  2002  through which the lower engaging portion on the EM  2  can pass—refer to  FIG. 5 . 
     The connecting region  2001   b  has a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures  2003  and  2004  which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM  2  and portion  4 —refer to  FIG. 6 . 
     If it is desired to pivot one barrier section  1000  relative to barrier section  2000  so that they are connected to one another but in an angled relationship the connecting device  3000  is lifted until the engaging elements  3  are no longer engaged with slots  1003 ,  2002 . The connecting device  3000  is then twisted to no longer align with slot  1003  before being allowed to drop and rest on the top of connecting regions  1001   a  and  1001   b . The barrier section  1000  can then be pivoted relative to barrier section  2000  (or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between. 
     The relative amount that the connecting device  3000  needs to be lifted is the length of the engaging portions  4  as shown by double headed arrow Y in  FIG. 1 . 
     The connecting-region  2002  also has a stop-lip  2010  which abuts the end wall of barrier section  1000  to assist with aligning the aperture with slot  1003 . 
     In  FIG. 7  there is shown a connecting device  7000  which has an elongate member (EM)  7001  having a length along its longitudinal axis which depicted by double headed arrow X. Extending laterally out from the EM are two engaging elements  7002 . The engaging elements have a portion  7003  which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM. 
     In  FIG. 8  there are shown two adjacent barrier sections  8000  and  9000  which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections  8000  and  9000  each have two connecting regions  8001   a ,  8001   b  and  9001   a ,  9001   b  respectively. The connecting regions  8001   a ,  8001   b  and  9001   a ,  9001   b  are connected to one another via a connecting device  7000  which is the same as that shown in  FIG. 7 . It will be appreciated that the connecting regions  9001   a  and  9001   b  of the barrier section  9000  are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section  8000  which is not shown. Similarly the connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b  on barrier section  8000  are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section  9000  which is not shown. 
     The connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b  are identical and are depicted in  FIG. 9  which shows connecting region  8001   a . The connecting region  8001   a  has a CDRP in the form of a slot  8003  with a bulbous semi-circular end  8003   a  which receives the EM  7001 . The slot  8003  receives the engaging elements  7003 . The slot  8003  resembles a keyhole in shape. 
     The connecting regions  9001   a  and  9001   b  are also identical to one another and are depicted in  FIG. 10 . The connecting region  9001   a  has a CDRP in the form of a slot  9003  extending from a bulbous semi-circular end  9003   a  which receives the EM  7001  (not shown). The slot  9003  receives the engaging elements  7003  (not shown). 
       FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment for the connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b  which can be used on the barrier section  8000  of  FIG. 8 . The connecting region  8001   a  has a CDRP in the form of a groove  8003  extending from a bulbous semi-circular end  8003   a  which receives the EM  7001  (not shown). The other end of the groove  8003  has a mouth portion  8003   b  is open to a distal face  8005  of the connecting region  8001   a . The slot  8003  receives the engaging elements  7003  (not shown). 
       FIG. 12  shows barrier sections  8000  and  9000  connected via their respective connecting regions  8001   a  and  9001   a  and the connecting device  7000  so as to have an angled relationship to one another. In this arrangement the engaging elements  7003  of the connecting device  7000  rest on top of the connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b  and are not aligned with the slot  8003 . Thus, it is just the EM  7001  which passes through and connects connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b  on the left barrier section  8000  with the connecting regions  9001   a  and  9001   b  on the right barrier section  9000 . To achieve this angled relationship the connecting device  7000  passes through the respective connecting regions  8001   a , 8001   b  and  9001   a  and  9001   b  on the left and right barrier sections  8000 , 9000  when the barrier sections are in an inline relationship. Then the connecting device  7000  is partially withdrawn so the engaging elements  7003  are no longer located within the connecting regions, the connecting device is then twisted so as the engaging elements  7000  no longer align with slot  8003   a , so the connecting device can rest on top of connecting regions  8001   a  and  8001   b . The barrier section  8000  can then be pivoted relative to barrier section  9000  (or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between. 
     Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.