Abstract:
A barrier assembly includes an upright frame that supports a barrier including a pair of slidably coupled barrier members that are adjustable in length and are supported by a stirrup as well as the frame. The frame attached to the barrier members to support the barrier members is able to attach to a supporting surface. The frame extends upwardly from the supporting surface to support the barrier members at a position spaced from the supporting surface. The frame has a clamp device that engages the members to prevent sliding movement between the barrier members and thereby removably fixes the barrier members at a desired length and fixes the barrier members to the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 363, and 371, of Australia Provisional Patent Application No. 2007900228 and Australia Patent Application No. 2007201640, both filed Jan. 19, 2007, which designated the U.S. and was published in English; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     n/a 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to barrier assemblies and more particularly but not exclusively to barrier assemblies employed on construction sites and more particularly but not exclusively to barrier assemblies such as temporary fencing and rail systems for floor slab edge installation during the construction of multi storey buildings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During construction, and prior to the floors being permanently closed (for example by a curtain wall) temporary fencing is required adjacent the periphery of floor slabs for safety purposes. 
     Current barrier assemblies have a number of disadvantages including difficulty in providing openings for the purposes of gates, difficulty in respect of accommodating different lengths to which the barrier assemblies are to be applied, difficulty in respect of installation adjacent slab edges, difficulty in accommodating columns and other protrusions, inhibiting work that is to be performed beyond the barrier assembly, such as the installations of brackets and curtain walls, with the workmen remaining on the safe side of the barrier assembly and providing suitable connection points for anchors used for safety lines and harnesses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed herein a barrier assembly including: 
     a barrier having a longitudinal generally horizontal length provided by a pair of slidably coupled barrier members, with relative sliding longitudinal movement between the barrier members providing for adjustment of said length; and 
     at least one upright attached to the members to support the members, the upright being provided to be attached to a supporting surface. 
     Preferably, said upright is a frame to extend upwardly from the surface to support the members at a position spaced from the surface. 
     Preferably, said assembly includes a support attached to the members and extending downwardly therefrom to engage said surface to aid in supporting the members above said surface, said support being spaced from said upright. 
     Preferably, said assembly includes a clamp device engaging the members to prevent sliding movement between the members so that the barrier has a desired length. 
     Preferably, said frame incorporates said clamp device so that the clamp device also fixes the members to the frame. 
     Preferably, said clamp is an arm pivotally mounted for angular movement about a horizontal axis between a release position and a clamp position with respect to said members. 
     Preferably, said first member has at least one longitudinally extending channel within which said second member is slidably located. 
     Preferably, said first member has two longitudinally extending channels, the channels being an upper channel and a lower channel within which said second member is slidably located. 
     Preferably, said upright is provided with a harness anchor point. 
     Preferably, said upright is provided with at least one shaped aperture to provide for the attachment of accessories to the upright. 
     There is further disclosed herein a kickboard assembly for a barrier, said kickboard assembly including an elongated base, said base being relatively rigid, and a resilient member extending longitudinally of the base and projecting therefrom. 
     Preferably, said base has an upper and a lower longitudinally extending edge portion and said flexible member is attached to said base adjacent said lower portion 
     Preferably, said base has a longitudinally extending groove, and said flexible member a longitudinally extending projection located within the groove to secure the flexible member to the base, said groove being located adjacent said lower portion. 
     Preferably, said base has a second longitudinally extending groove, the second groove being located adjacent said upper portion, and said flexible member has a second longitudinally extending portion locatable in said second groove, to selectively locate the flexible member adjacent the base. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a seat with pivoting backrest, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a barrier assembly according to the invention with a fragmentary portion of the environment to which the barrier assembly is attached; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1  viewed from an opposite side; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a kickboard assembly to be used with the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1  with a base portion of the barrier assembly shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevational view of an enlarged portion of the assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a kickboard base employed in the assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame employed in the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the frame of  FIG. 6  with a fragmentary portion of the environment shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an attachment for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of an attachment for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of yet another exemplary embodiment of an attachment for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of still another exemplary embodiment of an attachment for the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bracket to be employed with the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a corner bracket to be employed with the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a barrier assembly  10 . The barrier assembly  10  is to be fixed to the upper surface  12  of a concrete floor slab  11  having an edge  13 . 
     The assembly  10  includes an upright  14  which in this embodiment is a frame  15 . The frame  15  has generally vertically oriented posts (uprights)  16  joined at their upper ends by a transverse brace  17  and a bottom plate  18 . Typically the plate  18  would be bolted to the slab  11 . 
     The posts  16  are generally parallel and the brace  17  and plate  18  are generally normal to the posts  16  and therefore also generally parallel. 
     In the present embodiment only one frame  15  is illustrated. However a plurality of frames  15  may also be employed. 
     Supported by the frame  15  and a foot (support)  19  is a barrier  20 . The barrier  20  has a longitudinal generally horizontal length  21  and includes a pair of barrier members  22  and  23 . The members  22  and  23  are slidably coupled so that sliding relative movement therebetween adjusts the length  21 . 
     The member  23  includes a top and a bottom rail  24  and  25 , each rail  24  and  25  includes a tubular member  26  to which there is attached an “angle” member  28  so that there are guide channels  27  provided within which the member  22  is slidably located. 
     In this respect it should be appreciated both members  22  and  23  are slidable through the stirrup  19 , with the foot  19  being spaced from the frame  15  so as to support the barrier  20  in a raised position relative to the surface  12 . 
     The barrier member  23  has end vertical end portions  29 . 
     The member  22  has upper and lower tubular rails  30  and vertical end portions  31 . 
     To retain the members  22  and  23  in a desired configuration providing a desired length  21 , they are clamped together by means of a clamp device  32 . The clamp device  32  includes a clamp bar  33  pivotally attached at its upper end to the portion  17  by means of a pivot pin  34  for angular movement about a generally horizontal axis  35  that is generally parallel to the barrier  20 . The axis  35  is spaced from the barrier  20  so the clamp member  33  provides a space within which the barrier  20  is located. 
     The lower end of the clamp bar  33  is provided with a threaded shaft  36  having a handle  37  that is manipulated by a user. The threaded shaft  36  engages a nut  38  fixed to the post  16 . Upon angular movement of the shaft  36  by manipulation of the handle  37 , the clamp bar  36  is moved into clamping engagement with the barrier  20  to clamp it, and therefore fix it, in a predetermined position relative to the frame  15 . 
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the barrier  20  is horizontally longer than it is vertically deep. 
     The frame  15  is provided with a bracket  39  providing an aperture  40  aligned with the aperture  41  of the stirrup  19 . The apertures  40  and  41  receive portion of the kickboard assembly  42  so as to retain the kickboard assembly  42  generally positioned below the barrier  20 . The kickboard assembly  42  includes a base  43  that would have end portions engaged in the apertures  40  and  41  so as to be supported thereby. The base  43  has longitudinally extending grooves  44 . In this regard the base  43  has an upper longitudinally extending portion  45  and a lower longitudinally extending portion  46 , with the lower groove  44  being located adjacent or at the lower portion  46 . The upper groove  44  is located adjacent the upper portions  45 . 
     Releasably attached to the base  43  is a flexible member  47 . The flexible member  47  has an end lip  48  with a longitudinally extending projection  49  that is received within the lower groove  44  so as to attach the flexible member  47  to the base  43 . As is best seen in  FIG. 3 , the flexible member  47  has a lower sheet portion  50  joined to the lip  48 , with the sheet portion  50  having a further projection  51  that is received within the upper groove  44  to aid in securing the flexible member  47  in a raised position generally abutting the base  43 . 
     Preferably, the base  43  is an extruded aluminium section and is generally rigid relative to the flexible member  47 . Typically the flexible member  47  would be formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or other flexible plastics material. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , each groove  44  has entrance flanges  52  that engage the head  53  of each projection  49 . Each head  53  has steps  54  that engage the adjacent flange  52  to aid in retaining the projection  47  in the associated slot  44 . Resilient deformation of the head  49  provides for insertion and removal with respect to the associated slot  44 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the frame  15  includes an eyelet  55  providing an anchor point for a harness to be worn by a user. At least one of posts  16  is provided with one or more apertures  56  that are preferably of a “key hole” configuration providing for the attachment of accessories such as stands and screens to the frame  15 . 
     In  FIG. 7  there is schematically depicted a modification of the frame  15 . In this embodiment the frame  15  is configured to be attached to a horizontal metal beam  57 . For example, the beam  57  could be a metal beam of the frame of a multistorey building. The beam  57  would be horizontally oriented. 
     The frame  15  includes a base  58  of “L-shaped” configuration so as to have a generally horizontal plate  59  and a generally vertical flange  60 . Fixed to the plate  59  is the post  16 , clamp bar  33 , handle  37  and shaft  36 , while attached to post  16  is the nut  38 . As with the previous frame  15 , a pivot pin  34  is provided providing the axis  35 . 
     The plate  59  is provided with a plurality of apertures  61  through which fasteners pass to secure the frame  15  to the beam  57 . 
     In  FIG. 8  there is schematically depicted an attachment  80 . The attachment  80  has a vertical stem  81  providing an attachment portion  82  to engage within one of the apertures  56  to support a socket  83  through which a bar would extend. The socket  83  and bar passing therethrough would provide a barrier inhibiting movement pass the attachment  80 . 
     In  FIG. 9  there is schematically depicted a “lead stand”  99  that would have a projection  84  engaging in one of the apertures  56 . The stand  99  would include a vertical post  85  at the upper end of which there is provided hooks  86  over which electric leads would pass so as to be suspended above the adjacent floor surface. 
     In  FIG. 10  there is schematically depicted a “light stand”  87 . The stand  87  includes a projection  84  that would be located in one of the apertures  56 . The stand  87  includes a post  88  at the upper end of which there is attached electrically operated lamps  89 . 
     In  FIG. 11  there is schematically depicted an extension bar  90 . The bar  90  includes a generally upright post  91  provided with a projection  84  that is received within one of the apertures  56 . The bar  91  provides a height extension for items that are to be attached to the barrier  10 . 
     In  FIG. 12  there is schematically depicted a bracket  92 . The bracket  92  includes a first bar  93  having one of the projections  84  that is received within one of the apertures  56 . Attached to the bar  93  is a further bar  94 , the bar  94  being provided to support sheet material or net material that is to provide a “safety net” extending beyond the periphery of the floor surface to which the barrier  10  is to be attached. 
     In  FIG. 13  there is schematically depicted a “corner” bracket  95 . The corner bracket  95  includes a pair of plates  96  pivotally attached by a pivot  97  for angular movement about an axis  98 . The plates  96  are attached to adjacent barrier assemblies  10 , the pivot  97  accommodating angular displacement between the adjacent barriers  10 . 
     In the above described preferred embodiment, the barrier assembly  10  has the advantage of being locatable adjacent the edge  13  while also being adjustable in length  21 . Still further the flexible member  47  covers apertures extending inwardly from the edge  13 , while the projection  51  is selectively locatable in the upper groove  44  to retain the sheet portion in a raised position spaced from the horizontal rest portion laying on the surface  12 . Use of the clamp assembly  32  enables sliding movement of the members  22  and  23  to provide openings when desired. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. More specifically, the encrypted identification systems and methods according to the present invention have been described with respect to an inventory system and process. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art as well as for applications, unrelated to inventory, that require encrypted identification of parts. 
     The above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.