GB2373518A

GB2373518A - Barrier post for use with a personnel barrier system

Info

Publication number: GB2373518A
Application number: GB0104655A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Ronald Green
Original assignee: QM Group Ltd
Current assignee: QM Group Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-23
Filing date: 2001-02-23
Publication date: 2002-09-25
Also published as: GB0104655D0

Abstract

The barrier post 2, primarily for use with personnel barrier systems of the type which have ropes, tapes, rails etc. stretching between a number of posts, comprises a column 6, a support base 4 that has a passageway into which the lower end of the column can be inserted and locking members for locking the column in the inserted position, wherein the column and/or the base are resiliently deformable to allow insertion of the column into the base and engagement of the locking members. Preferably mutually engageable locking members are located on the column and on the base, and the locking members may comprise a detent and an aperture. The column and base may include alignment members for aligning the locking members for engagement. Preferably both the column and the support base are resiliently deformable and the column may be made of a plastics material.

Description

A BARRIER POST

The present invention relates to a barrier post and in particular, but not exclusively, a barrier post for use in a personnel barrier system.

Personnel barrier systems are used in many situations to control the movement of people, for example for pedestrian guidance, to control queues, and to restrict movement and/or access. Such barrier systems typically include a set of barrier posts interconnected by ropes, tapes or rails. Each barrier post includes an upright column supported by a heavy support base to prevent the column from tipping over.

The column may be connected to the base by various different methods.

GB 1526769 describes a below ground clamping unit for securing playground equipment in the ground. The base, which is embedded in set material, includes a base plate and a tube welded to extend vertically upwards. A clamping means, situated above the ground, is welded to the tube. A leg of the playground equipment is inserted into the tube and clamped by tightening the clamping means thereby anchoring the leg securely to the ground.

GB 2102466A describes a barrier system in which the lower end of the column carries a screw so that it can be screwed into a screw-threaded bore in the base.

US 5,271, 196 describes a stabilizer-retention device for beach umbrellas which includes a base plate attached to the lower end of the supporting pole. In order to attach the base to the pole, the base includes a projection having a number of peripheral ribs having downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surfaces which are dimensioned to be forced into the interior of the hollow pole thus fixing the pole in position. Alternatively, the base may have an externally threaded sleeve rigidly affixed to the centre thereof. The pole fits into the sleeve and an internally threaded retaining cap engages with the externally threaded sleeve, providing a secure but detachable connection between the pole and the base.

Some of the connection devices described above are relatively complex and/or expensive to manufacture, whereas others are not weatherproof and are unsuitable for continuous use outdoors.

An object of the present invention is to provide a barrier post that mitigates some of the aforementioned problems, or at least provides a useful alternative. According to the present invention there is provided a barrier post including a column, a support base having a passageway into which the lower end of the column can be inserted, and locking members for locking the column in the inserted position, wherein the column and/or the base are resiliently deformable to allow insertion of the column into the base and engagement of the locking members.

The barrier post is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and very simple to erect.

Preferably mutually engageable locking members are located on the column and on the base. Advantageously, the locking members include a detent and an aperture.

Preferably the column and the base include alignment members for aligning the locking members for engagement.

Advantageously, both the column and supporting base are resiliently deformable.

Preferably the column is made of a plastics material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the barrier post; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the column; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the base; Figure 4 is an elevation of the base from the front; Figure 5 is an elevation of the base from the side; Figure 6 is a view of the base from underneath; Figure 7 is a plan view of the base; Figure 8 is a cross-section of the base along the line VIII-VIII in figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a cross-section of the base along the line IX-IX.

As shown in figure 1, the barrier post 2 comprises a support base 4, a column 6, and a head member 8, for example a tape cartridge. The barrier post 2 is primarily intended for outdoor use and is made of suitable weatherproof materials. The base 4 is made of a dense weatherproof material. One suitable material comprises a composite containing chopped recycled electrical cables, that is compression moulded and covered with a plastic skin.

The column 6 is made of a plastics material, such as PVC.

As shown in figure 2, the column 6 is a cylindrical hollow tube with a top end 10 and a bottom end 12. The tube is approximately 950mm in length and has a diameter of approximately 65mm. At the top end 10 of the column there are two symmetrical U-shaped slots 14. The slots 14 are approximately 80mm in length and approximately 8mm wide.

The head member 8 fits into the top of the column and is aligned by means of two axial ribs that fit into the slots 14. At the bottom end 12 of the column there are two symmetrical

U-shaped slots 16. The slots 16 are approximately 60mm in length and approximately 1Omm wide. At 900 to the slots 16 there are two symmetrical square windows 18. The windows 18 have approximate dimensions of 24mm by 24mm. Each window is situated approximately 20mm above the bottom end 12 of the column.

The base is shown in figures 3 to 9. The base 4 is essentially dome shaped. The height of the base is approximately 80mm with a maximum diameter of approximately 400mm. Two symmetrical segments 20 have been cut away from the dome-shaped base, thereby giving the base an appearance of a widely flared bell, when viewed along the line VIII-VIII. An elliptical aperture 22 is provided in each of the cut-away segments 20, forming handles 23 that are located towards the edges of the base. The handles 23 are symmetrical relative to the cut-away segments 20 and each other.

In the centre of the base there is provided a vertical passageway 24 that is arranged to receive and support the column 6 in an upright position. The diameter of the passageway is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the column. There are two symmetrical wedge-shaped detents 26 provided on the walls of the passageway which protrude into the passageway. The width of the detents 26 is slightly less than the width of the windows 18 situated in the base of the column. At 900 to the detents 26 there are two symmetrical

vertical ridges 28. The width of the ridges is slightly less than the width of the slots 16 located in the base of the column. Located half-way between each of the detents 26 and the ridges 28 there is a small vertical groove 30.

In order to assemble the base 4 and column 6, the column 6 is inserted into the passageway 24, so that the slots 16 at the base of the column are aligned with the ridges 28 within the passageway. The column 6 is then pushed downward so that the base and column both deform slightly allowing the column to move past the detents 26 until the detents engage with the windows 18. When the detents engage with the windows 18, the column will lock securely into position.

A tool may be provided in order to disconnect the column from the base.

Various modifications of the barrier post are possible. For example the column may include a number of detents near its base which engage with indentations in the wall of the passageway in the support base, thereby locking the column securely in position.

Different types of locking members may be used.

The base 4 and column 6 may be made of other suitable materials. Rubber feet may be provided on the underneath of the base, or holes may be provided in the base for mounting bolts, to allow the base to be bolted to the ground.

Different head members 8 can be fitted to the top of the column to allow the barrier post to carry different types of barriers, including ropes and chains. The base may also be used for supporting signs, hoardings, flag posts, parasols and so on.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A barrier post including a column, a support base having a passageway into which the lower end of the column can be inserted, and locking members for locking the column in the inserted position, wherein the column and/or the base are resiliently deformable to allow insertion of the column into the base and engagement of the locking members.
2. A barrier post according to claim 1, wherein mutually engageable locking members are located on the column and on the base.
3. A barrier post according to claim 2, wherein the locking members include a detent and an aperture.
4. A barrier post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said column and said base include alignment members for aligning the locking members for engagement.
5. A barrier post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both the column and supporting base are resiliently deformable.
6. A barrier post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column is made of a plastics material.
7. A barrier post substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.