Barrier assembly

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a barrier assembly10. The barrier assembly10is to be fixed to the upper surface12of a concrete floor slab11having an edge13.

The assembly10includes an upright14which in this embodiment is a frame15. The frame15has generally vertically oriented posts (uprights)16joined at their upper ends by a transverse brace17and a bottom plate18. Typically the plate18would be bolted to the slab11.

The posts16are generally parallel and the brace17and plate18are generally normal to the posts16and therefore also generally parallel.

In the present embodiment only one frame15is illustrated. However a plurality of frames15may also be employed.

Supported by the frame15and a foot (support)19is a barrier20. The barrier20has a longitudinal generally horizontal length21and includes a pair of barrier members22and23. The members22and23are slidably coupled so that sliding relative movement therebetween adjusts the length21.

The member23includes a top and a bottom rail24and25, each rail24and25includes a tubular member26to which there is attached an “angle” member28so that there are guide channels27provided within which the member22is slidably located.

In this respect it should be appreciated both members22and23are slidable through the stirrup19, with the foot19being spaced from the frame15so as to support the barrier20in a raised position relative to the surface12.

The barrier member23has end vertical end portions29.

The member22has upper and lower tubular rails30and vertical end portions31.

To retain the members22and23in a desired configuration providing a desired length21, they are clamped together by means of a clamp device32. The clamp device32includes a clamp bar33pivotally attached at its upper end to the portion17by means of a pivot pin34for angular movement about a generally horizontal axis35that is generally parallel to the barrier20. The axis35is spaced from the barrier20so the clamp member33provides a space within which the barrier20is located.

The lower end of the clamp bar33is provided with a threaded shaft36having a handle37that is manipulated by a user. The threaded shaft36engages a nut38fixed to the post16. Upon angular movement of the shaft36by manipulation of the handle37, the clamp bar36is moved into clamping engagement with the barrier20to clamp it, and therefore fix it, in a predetermined position relative to the frame15.

As is best seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the barrier20is horizontally longer than it is vertically deep.

The frame15is provided with a bracket39providing an aperture40aligned with the aperture41of the stirrup19. The apertures40and41receive portion of the kickboard assembly42so as to retain the kickboard assembly42generally positioned below the barrier20. The kickboard assembly42includes a base43that would have end portions engaged in the apertures40and41so as to be supported thereby. The base43has longitudinally extending grooves44. In this regard the base43has an upper longitudinally extending portion45and a lower longitudinally extending portion46, with the lower groove44being located adjacent or at the lower portion46. The upper groove44is located adjacent the upper portions45.

Releasably attached to the base43is a flexible member47. The flexible member47has an end lip48with a longitudinally extending projection49that is received within the lower groove44so as to attach the flexible member47to the base43. As is best seen inFIG. 3, the flexible member47has a lower sheet portion50joined to the lip48, with the sheet portion50having a further projection51that is received within the upper groove44to aid in securing the flexible member47in a raised position generally abutting the base43.

Preferably, the base43is an extruded aluminium section and is generally rigid relative to the flexible member47. Typically the flexible member47would be formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or other flexible plastics material.

As best seen inFIG. 4, each groove44has entrance flanges52that engage the head53of each projection49. Each head53has steps54that engage the adjacent flange52to aid in retaining the projection47in the associated slot44. Resilient deformation of the head49provides for insertion and removal with respect to the associated slot44.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the frame15includes an eyelet55providing an anchor point for a harness to be worn by a user. At least one of posts16is provided with one or more apertures56that are preferably of a “key hole” configuration providing for the attachment of accessories such as stands and screens to the frame15.

InFIG. 7there is schematically depicted a modification of the frame15. In this embodiment the frame15is configured to be attached to a horizontal metal beam57. For example, the beam57could be a metal beam of the frame of a multistorey building. The beam57would be horizontally oriented.

The frame15includes a base58of “L-shaped” configuration so as to have a generally horizontal plate59and a generally vertical flange60. Fixed to the plate59is the post16, clamp bar33, handle37and shaft36, while attached to post16is the nut38. As with the previous frame15, a pivot pin34is provided providing the axis35.

The plate59is provided with a plurality of apertures61through which fasteners pass to secure the frame15to the beam57.

InFIG. 8there is schematically depicted an attachment80. The attachment80has a vertical stem81providing an attachment portion82to engage within one of the apertures56to support a socket83through which a bar would extend. The socket83and bar passing therethrough would provide a barrier inhibiting movement pass the attachment80.

InFIG. 9there is schematically depicted a “lead stand”99that would have a projection84engaging in one of the apertures56. The stand99would include a vertical post85at the upper end of which there is provided hooks86over which electric leads would pass so as to be suspended above the adjacent floor surface.

InFIG. 10there is schematically depicted a “light stand”87. The stand87includes a projection84that would be located in one of the apertures56. The stand87includes a post88at the upper end of which there is attached electrically operated lamps89.

InFIG. 11there is schematically depicted an extension bar90. The bar90includes a generally upright post91provided with a projection84that is received within one of the apertures56. The bar91provides a height extension for items that are to be attached to the barrier10.

InFIG. 12there is schematically depicted a bracket92. The bracket92includes a first bar93having one of the projections84that is received within one of the apertures56. Attached to the bar93is a further bar94, the bar94being 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 barrier10is to be attached.

InFIG. 13there is schematically depicted a “corner” bracket95. The corner bracket95includes a pair of plates96pivotally attached by a pivot97for angular movement about an axis98. The plates96are attached to adjacent barrier assemblies10, the pivot97accommodating angular displacement between the adjacent barriers10.

In the above described preferred embodiment, the barrier assembly10has the advantage of being locatable adjacent the edge13while also being adjustable in length21. Still further the flexible member47covers apertures extending inwardly from the edge13, while the projection51is selectively locatable in the upper groove44to retain the sheet portion in a raised position spaced from the horizontal rest portion laying on the surface12. Use of the clamp assembly32enables sliding movement of the members22and23to 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.