Connecting devices

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.

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 Presently the WO 2008147230 barrier requires the connecting device in the form of a U-Shaped pin to be fully withdrawn before barriers can be adjusted to convert from a fixed in-line relationship between barrier sections to a pivotable relationship, or vice versa.

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'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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG. 1there is shown a connecting device1which has an elongate member (EM)2having 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 legs3. The engaging elements have a portion4which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM.

InFIG. 2there are shown two adjacent barrier sections1000and2000which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections1000and2000each have two connecting regions1001a,1001band2001a,2001brespectively. The connecting regions1001a,1001band2001a,2001bare connected to one another via a connecting device3000which is the same as that shown inFIG. 1. It will be appreciated that the connecting regions2001aand2001bof the barrier section2000are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section1000which is not shown. Similarly the connecting regions1001aand1001bon barrier section1000are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section2000which is not shown.

InFIG. 3the connecting region1001ahas a CDRP in the form of a slot1003which passes there through. The slot1003resembles a keyhole in shape and has a bulbous portion1005. In use the slot1003allows the lower engaging portion3on the connector1to be passed down through without becoming hooked on the connecting region1001a.

The connecting region1001bhas a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures1006, and1007which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM2and portion4—refer toFIG. 4.

The connecting region2001ahas a CDRP in the form of a slot2002through which the lower engaging portion on the EM2can pass—refer toFIG. 5.

The connecting region2001bhas a CDRP in the form of two circular apertures2003and2004which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the EM2and portion4—refer toFIG. 6.

If it is desired to pivot one barrier section1000relative to barrier section2000so that they are connected to one another but in an angled relationship the connecting device3000is lifted until the engaging elements3are no longer engaged with slots1003,2002. The connecting device3000is then twisted to no longer align with slot1003before being allowed to drop and rest on the top of connecting regions1001aand1001b. The barrier section1000can then be pivoted relative to barrier section2000(or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between.

The relative amount that the connecting device3000needs to be lifted is the length of the engaging portions4as shown by double headed arrow Y inFIG. 1.

The connecting-region2002also has a stop-lip2010which abuts the end wall of barrier section1000to assist with aligning the aperture with slot1003.

InFIG. 7there is shown a connecting device7000which has an elongate member (EM)7001having a length along its longitudinal axis which depicted by double headed arrow X. Extending laterally out from the EM are two engaging elements7002. The engaging elements have a portion7003which extends a distance Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the EM.

InFIG. 8there are shown two adjacent barrier sections8000and9000which form part of a barrier (not shown). The barrier sections8000and9000each have two connecting regions8001a,8001band9001a,9001brespectively. The connecting regions8001a,8001band9001a,9001bare connected to one another via a connecting device7000which is the same as that shown inFIG. 7. It will be appreciated that the connecting regions9001aand9001bof the barrier section9000are replicated on the opposite end of barrier section8000which is not shown. Similarly the connecting regions8001aand8001bon barrier section8000are mirrored on the opposite end of barrier section9000which is not shown.

The connecting regions8001aand8001bare identical and are depicted inFIG. 9which shows connecting region8001a. The connecting region8001ahas a CDRP in the form of a slot8003with a bulbous semi-circular end8003awhich receives the EM7001. The slot8003receives the engaging elements7003. The slot8003resembles a keyhole in shape.

The connecting regions9001aand9001bare also identical to one another and are depicted inFIG. 10. The connecting region9001ahas a CDRP in the form of a slot9003extending from a bulbous semi-circular end9003awhich receives the EM7001(not shown). The slot9003receives the engaging elements7003(not shown).

FIG. 11shows an alternate embodiment for the connecting regions8001aand8001bwhich can be used on the barrier section8000ofFIG. 8. The connecting region8001ahas a CDRP in the form of a groove8003extending from a bulbous semi-circular end8003awhich receives the EM7001(not shown). The other end of the groove8003has a mouth portion8003bis open to a distal face8005of the connecting region8001a. The slot8003receives the engaging elements7003(not shown).

FIG. 12shows barrier sections8000and9000connected via their respective connecting regions8001aand9001aand the connecting device7000so as to have an angled relationship to one another. In this arrangement the engaging elements7003of the connecting device7000rest on top of the connecting regions8001aand8001band are not aligned with the slot8003. Thus, it is just the EM7001which passes through and connects connecting regions8001aand8001bon the left barrier section8000with the connecting regions9001aand9001bon the right barrier section9000. To achieve this angled relationship the connecting device7000passes through the respective connecting regions8001a,8001band9001aand9001bon the left and right barrier sections8000,9000when the barrier sections are in an inline relationship. Then the connecting device7000is partially withdrawn so the engaging elements7003are no longer located within the connecting regions, the connecting device is then twisted so as the engaging elements7000no longer align with slot8003a, so the connecting device can rest on top of connecting regions8001aand8001b. The barrier section8000can then be pivoted relative to barrier section9000(or vice versa) to effect an angled relationship there between.