Patent Publication Number: US-2013248791-A1

Title: Barrier system and method of assembling the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Application UK 1205115,7 filed Mar. 23, 2012, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a barrier system, and particularly but not necessarily exclusively to a barrier system designed for substantially absorbing or reducing the energy, speed and/or movement of an object, such as a vehicle, impacting therewith. The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a barrier system. 
     It is known to provide safety barriers on the edges of roads, such as between dual carriageways on a motorway for example, to reduce or limit the movement or speed of a vehicle on impact therewith. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of a vehicle impacting with the barrier and crossing onto an opposite carriageway or travelling off the road. It is also known to provide barrier systems for security purposes to prevent entry of an unauthorised vehicle, object or person into a particular locality. 
     Conventional safety barriers can come in many different shapes and forms. An example of one such safety barrier includes an upright plastic member which provides a crash surface for the barrier. A plurality of upright plastic members are joined together in an end to end manner to provide an elongate barrier structure. An individual cable element is provided along the top of each upright member section to provide a degree of longitudinal strength to the barrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aim of the present invention to provide an alternative and improved barrier system. 
     It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of using or assembling an alternative and improved barrier system. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at least one upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated with said at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member. 
     Preferably the one or more cable means are substantially parallel to, overlapping with and/or adjacent with a crash or impact surface of the barrier system. 
     Preferably the one or more cable means are provided a spaced distance below a top surface and/or above a base surface of the at least one barrier member. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at least one upright barrier member and wherein two or more cable means are associated with said at least one upright barrier member. 
     By providing two or more cable means associated with the upright barrier member, this provides the barrier system with improved strength, whilst providing a low cost barrier system. 
     Preferably the cable means are arranged to provide improved strength in a substantially longitudinal or horizontal axis of the barrier system. 
     In one embodiment the at least one upright barrier member is provided with a base surface and a top surface and at least one of the cable means is provided substantially parallel to the base and/or top surface. Preferably the two or more cable means are provided substantially parallel to the base surface, top surface, to each other and/or to at least one of the cable means. 
     In one embodiment at least one of the cable means is provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier member or barrier system. Preferably the two or more cable means are provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier member or system. 
     Preferably the longitudinal axis of the cable means is substantially transverse and preferably substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis or upright portion of the barrier member. 
     Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from each other on the barrier member. Further preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from each other in the vertical axis of the barrier member. 
     Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from an external surface of the barrier member. Further preferably the two or more cables are provided a spaced distance apart from an external side wall of the barrier member. 
     Preferably the cable means are provided a spaced distance above or below a base edge or a top edge of the barrier member respectively. 
     In a preferred embodiment three cable means are provided. Preferably each cable means is provided a spaced distance apart from each other on the barrier member. Further preferably each cable means is provided substantially parallel to each other, to a base surface and/or a top surface of the barrier member. 
     In one embodiment the barrier system includes two or more barrier members joined in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier structure. 
     The two or more barrier members can be joined together via any suitable joining means or mechanism, such as any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more nuts and bolts, screws, clips, spigot/socket formation, inter-engaging members and/or the like. 
     Preferably the two or more barrier members are joined together in an end to end manner (i.e. one end of a barrier member is joined to an end of a further barrier member). 
     Preferably the cable means are provided across or span the two or more barrier members. Thus, in this embodiment, the barrier system is provided with increased strength and rigidity across a number of barrier components forming the barrier system. The cable means are preferably provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joined barrier members. 
     In a preferred embodiment each cable means spans at least 5 or 6 barrier members. 
     Preferably attachment means or mechanism are provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members and/or cable means to allow attachment of the cable means to the barrier means in use. 
     Preferably the attachment means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the one or more barrier members. 
     Preferably the cable means are attached at intermediate locations or adjacent their ends via attachment means or mechanism to the one or more barrier members at spaced apart intervals. For example, in one embodiment the spaced apart interval of attachment or end cable attachment is 72 m but any suitable distance could be provided, such as at least one point on every barrier member and/or the like. 
     The attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, welding, adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like. 
     Preferably support means or mechanism are provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members to allow support of the cable means relative to the barrier members in use. 
     Preferably the support means is provided on or associated with one or more side walls of one or more of the barrier members. 
     The support means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, apertures, recesses, slots, channels, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, brackets, welding, adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment the support means includes a bracket, flange and/or plate. 
     Preferably the support means, bracket, flange and/or plate is provided on a side wall of one or more of the barrier members. 
     Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has at least one channel or slot defined therein. A cable means is typically located in the channel or slot to allow the cable means to be supported or retained in a particular position with respect to the barrier member in use. 
     Preferably the channel or slot has two or more spaced apart recesses defined therein. The opening of the recesses typically opens into the channel or slot. The two or more recesses can allow different location or movement of the cable means depending on the direction of movement of cable means following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier member. For example, one of the recesses can be used for location of the cable means in normal use of the barrier member. At least one other of the recesses can be used for location of or movement of the cable means therein following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier member and/or cable means. Thus, in one example, the cable means is movable from one of the recesses to another of the recesses following impact of a vehicle or object with the barrier system. 
     Preferably the two or more recesses are provided a spaced distance apart in the vertical and/or horizontal axis. For example, the recesses could be off set from each other, substantially aligned or non-aligned, or could be substantially opposite to each other. 
     Preferably at least two of the two or more recesses are provided on opposite sides of the channel or slot. 
     In one embodiment the support means, bracket or plate has two or more channels or slots for supporting the two or more cable means in use. Preferably the two or more channels or slots are spaced apart in a substantially vertical axis in use. 
     Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has three channels or slots for supporting three cable means in use. Further preferably the three channels or slots are spaced apart in a substantially vertical axis in use. 
     Preferably each channel or slot has at least one opening defined in the support means, bracket or plate to allow the cable means to be inserted therein in use. 
     Preferably the channel or slot has a first portion and at least a second portion. The first portion is typically associated with the opening of the channel or slot. 
     Preferably the second portion is associated with a blind or closed end of the channel or slot. 
     Preferably the first portion of the channel or slot is provided substantially transverse to and further preferably substantially perpendicular to the second portion of the channel or slot. 
     The first and second portions of the channel or slot are typically in communication with or continuous with each other. 
     The barrier member can be formed from any or any combination of material, such as wood, metal, plastic and/or the like. Preferably the barrier member is formed from or includes steel. 
     The cable means can be formed from any or any combination of material, such as metal, plastic and/or the like. Preferably the cable means is formed from or includes steel. 
     The cable means can include any or any combination of elongate material, such one or more ropes, cables, wire, chain, strands and/or the like. The cable means can include a single cable member or a plurality of cable members that are twisted, intertwined, platted, abutting with each other, adjacent to each other and/or the like. 
     The barrier member can be provided in any suitable size, shape and/or design. For example, the barrier member can have any suitable cross sectional profile. In a preferred embodiment the barrier member has a stepped or tapered profile (i.e. at least one step or taper is provided on a side wall of the barrier member between a top and base surface of the barrier member). 
     Preferably the cable means are provided on, adjacent to or overlapping with the tapered or stepped surface of the barrier member. 
     One or more of the barrier members can have one or more upper elements associated with or attached to the same. The one or more upper elements can be provided to further delineate two sides or regions of the barrier members. The upper elements can be in any suitable form, such as one or more panels, mesh or grille members, fence members and/or the like. 
     Preferably the one or more upper elements extend upwardly above a top surface of one or more of the barrier members. 
     Preferably at least one crash or impact surface is defined on an outer surface of the barrier member. The crash or impact surface is typically arranged so as to reduce or limit the affect of impact of a moving object or vehicle therewith, and to dissipate the energy from said impact. Further preferably the at least one crash surface is provided on a side wall of the barrier member. The side wall is typically provided between a base and top wall or edge of the barrier member. 
     The at least one crash surface and/or side wall of the barrier member can be or can include a substantially vertical surface, angled surface, concave surface, convex surface, W-shape and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment at least one of the cable means are provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash or impact surface. Preferably at least two of the cable means are provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash or impact surface. 
     Preferably the cable means are provided at or adjacent an external surface of the barrier member. However, it will be appreciated that the cable means could be provided internally of the barrier member if required. 
     The barrier member can be substantially hollow, substantially solid or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the cable means are provided in an internal cavity of one or more of the barrier members. 
     The barrier member can be free standing or can be secured to a ground surface on which it is located in use via securing means. The securing means can include any or any combination of welding, concrete, adhesive, one or more pins, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members and/or the like. 
     Preferably the base of the barrier member is located on a ground surface in use and further preferably the base of the barrier means is secured to the ground surface via the securing means. 
     Two or more barrier members can be connected together in an end to end manner via connection means. The connection means can include any or any combination of one or more nuts and bolts, screws, welding, adhesive, inter-engaging members, plates, complementary spigot and socket formation and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment locking means are provided on or associated with or towards a free end of the cable means for locking the cable means to one or more of the barrier members in use. For example, the locking means could include any or any combination of a collet, inter-engaging members, clip and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment the barrier system and/or a barrier member can be provided with an end barrier section for use in securing one or more of the cable means thereto in use. 
     In one embodiment the end barrier section includes a base portion and an outer sleeve portion. The base portion can be attached to, detachably attached to or integral with an end wall of a barrier member. The outer sleeve portion can be attached to, detachably attached to or integral with the base portion. 
     Preferably the outer sleeve portion has an outwardly extending flange with one or more apertures defined therein through which one or more of the cable means are located in use. Locking means can be used to lock the cable means to the flange or adjacent the flange in use. Preferably the flange is provided substantially vertically or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrier system. 
     In one embodiment one or more ribs are provided between a side wall and the outwardly extend flange of the outer sleeve portion. Preferably a plurality of ribs are provided at spaced apart intervals on the flange and a cable means is located between two spaced apart ribs. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a barrier system, said method including the steps of attaching one or more cable means to at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an end section or portion for use with a barrier system. 
     The barrier system of the present invention can be used for any application where a barrier is required to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a person, animal, vehicle or object and/or the like from passing from one location to another location. In a preferred embodiment the barrier system is used as a vehicle barrier system to limit or prevent travel of a vehicle from one locality to another locality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a barrier system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the support means shown in the barrier system in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an end section of a barrier member according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  show a left perspective view, a right perspective view and an end view of the barrier member in  FIG. 5  respectively; and 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the end section of the barrier member in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is illustrated a barrier system  2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The barrier system  2  includes a plurality of upright barrier members  4  joined together in an end to end manner to form a substantially elongate barrier, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Each barrier member  4  typically comprises a base surface  6 , a top surface  8 , side walls  10 ,  12  and end walls  14 . In this embodiment, the base and top surfaces  6 ,  8  are substantially planar surfaces, although it will be appreciated that one or more accessories or attachments can be located on or associated with either surface in use. The side walls  10 ,  12  are stepped and each includes a lower side wall section  11  and an upper side wall section  13  with a step  15  defined between the two portions. The lower side wall section  11  has a larger cross sectional width to that of the upper side wall section  13 . The side walls of the upper side wall section  13  have a narrowing taper from base surface  6  end towards top surface  8  end. The base surface  6  is located on a ground surface  16  on which the barrier is to be located in use. The side walls  10 ,  12  of the barrier members typically act as crash or impact surfaces of the barrier system. Thus, the side walls are arranged so as to reduce the affect of an impact of a moving object therewith, such as for example a vehicle, and to dissipate the energy from said impact. 
     Securing means in the form of pins (not shown) are used to secure each barrier member to the ground surface or a plurality of barrier members to a ground surface (i.e. 
     secure every ‘n’ barrier member, where n=integer). In one example, the barrier members are secured at 72 m intervals or when the barrier members undergo a change in direction. Connection means in the form of nuts and bolts  18  are used to engage adjacent barrier members  4  together in an end to end manner, such that end walls  14  of adjacent barrier members are in abutment with each other. 
     In accordance with the present invention, cable means are provided to increase the strength and rigidity of the barrier system along the longitudinal axis thereof (i.e. in a substantially horizontal axis, as shown by arrow X). In this embodiment, the cable means comprises three cables  20 ,  22 ,  24  which are a spaced distance apart in the vertical axis (i.e. between base surface  6  and top surface  8 ). Each cable  20 ,  22 ,  24  is substantially parallel to each other and to the top and base surfaces  8 ,  6  of the barrier members. The cables are a spaced distance above the base edge  6  and a spaced distance below the top edge  8  in this embodiment). 
     More particularly, cables  20 ,  22  are provided adjacent but a small spaced distance apart from the upper side wall portion  13  of the barrier member and cable  24  is provided adjacent but a small spaced distance apart from the lower side wall portion  11 . In the illustrated embodiment the cables  20 - 24  are provided on one side only of the barrier member but they could be provided on both sides of the barrier member if required. 
     The cables  20 - 24  typically span 5 or more barrier members, thereby providing longitudinal strength to the barrier system over a number of barrier components. This is in contrast to the prior art wherein a single cable is provided over a single barrier component. 
     Attachment means in the form of an attachment plate  26  is provided at the ends of a section of a plurality of barrier members (i.e. in this embodiment adjacent the ends walls of the 1 st  and 10 th  barrier, as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to attach the cables  20 - 24  to the barrier system. The attachment plate  26  is bolted to a side wall  10 , top surface  8  and bottom surface  6  of the barrier members in such a manner that it protrudes outwardly of side wall  10 . The longitudinal axis of the plate is substantially parallel to the vertical axis. Three apertures (not shown) are defined in the plate  26  at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof (i.e. between the upper surface  8  and base surface  6 ). The ends of a cable  20 - 24  are located through an aperture on plate  26  and are locked in position using a collet  29 . 
     Support means in the form of a support plate  28  is provided on each barrier member 4 to support the cables  20 - 24  in position with respect to the barrier member. Although only one support plate  28  is provided per barrier in the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that any number of support plates, or even no support plates, can be provided on one or more of the barrier members as required. The support plate  28  is bolted to a side wall  10 , top surface  8  and base surface  6  of the barrier member in such a manner that is protrudes outwardly of side wall  10 . The longitudinal axis of the plate  28  is substantially parallel to the vertical axis. Three slots  30  are defined in the plate  28  at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof (i.e. between the upper surface  8  and base surface  6 ). The slots are arranged so as to prevent the cable becoming detached from the barrier member or slots in use. 
     Each slot  30  typically has a first substantially horizontal slot portion  32  with an opening  34  defined adjacent the edge  36  of plate  28 , and a second substantially vertical slot portion  38  with a blind end  40 . An end  44  of the first slot portion  32  substantially opposite opening  34  is joined to and end of the second slot portion  38  opposite the blind end  40 . First and second recesses  46 ,  48  are provided in opposite side walls of vertical slot portion  38 . Recesses  46 ,  48  are not aligned and are spaced apart in the vertical axis (i.e. recess  46  is nearer to end  44  and recess  48  is nearer to end  42 ). The first recess  46  typically supports the cable in normal use. The second recess  48  typically supports the cable following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier/cable. Thus, two cable recesses are provided for each cable support slot to allow the cable to be supported depending on the direction of movement of the cable following an impact (i.e. it allows the cable to be supported following impact in at least two different directions of the side walls of the barrier member). The cables are typically fitted to the slots by inserting the cable through the opening of the slot and twisting the cables into one of the recesses in the vertical section of the slot portion. 
     Each cable  20 - 24  is typically formed from a steel cable and provides a cost effective design which adds strength and rigidity to the barrier system. 
     In the illustrated embodiment each barrier member is typically formed from steel but it will be appreciated that other materials could be used if required. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is illustrated an end section  100  of a barrier member  4  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The end section  100  includes a base portion  102  that is joined to or is integral with an end barrier member  4 , and an outer cover portion  104 . The base portion  102  includes a base  106 , side walls  108 ,  110  and an end wall  112 . The side walls  108 ,  110  protrude outwardly from end wall  14  of barrier member  4 . The upper edges  114  of side walls  108 ,  110  and end wall  112  define an opening  116  to base portion  102 . The base portion  102  can optionally be secured to a floor surface on which the barrier member  4  is used via any suitable base attachment means  118 . 
     The outer cover portion  104  has a similar or substantially the same cross sectional profile as the end  14  of barrier member  4 . Cover portion  104  has a top surface  120 , side walls  122 ,  124  and an end wall  126 , and it locates over base portion  102  when assembled. The base of cover portion  104  has an outwardly extending flange  128  that has spaced apart apertures  129  defined therein for the location of attachment means in the form of bolts  130  in this example. The bolts  130  and nuts (not shown) are used to secure the outer cover portion  104  to a floor surface on which the barrier system  2  is used. A plurality of spaced apart apertures  132  are defined in side walls  122 ,  124  and end wall  126  towards the base of cover portion  104  and attachment means in the form of nuts and bolts  134  in this example are used to join the outer cover portion  104  to the base portion  102 . Apertures  136  are defined in the side walls  108 ,  110  and end wall  112  of the base portion  102  at suitable positions which are substantially aligned with apertures  132  of the cover portion  104  when assembled to allow the bolts  134  to pass through both sets of apertures  132 ,  136  when fitted. 
     On one of the side walls  124  there is an outwardly protruding flange  138  arranged substantially vertically (or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis) of the barrier system  2 ). In the illustrated example, the flange  138  extends from side wall  124  adjacent end  140  which locates with end  14  of the barrier member  4 . The flange  138  has spaced apart apertures  142  defined therein for the location of cables  20 ,  22 ,  24  therethrough in use. A collet  29  can be used to lock the cables in place on the flange  138 . 
     Outwardly protruding ribs  144  are provided between side wall  124  and flange  138  at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis of the outer cover portion  104 . Ribs  144  provide strength and rigidity to the flange  138  and also act as separation means for the cables  20 ,  22 ,  24 , particularly during impact of the barrier system  2  with an object or vehicle. 
     The end section is used to provide a secure end fixing for the cables  20 ,  22 ,  24  of the barrier system in one embodiment.