Vehicle and personal barrier for construction site

Abstract

A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier for a construction site and having upright post members spaced apart, the members having retention means, vehicle barrier members of predetermined length and height and defining support means at each end, engagable with said retention means on the posts, an intermediate fence rail extending between the posts adjacent to the upper extremity of the vehicle barrier members, and, personal fence panels located between the posts, and extending above the intermediate fence rails.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a combination barrier for construction sites and in particular to an accident preventative barrier for protecting a site from accidents to both vehicles and pedestrians.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Barriers for protecting construction sites are of a wide variety. In some cases, simple fences are erected. In other cases, elaborate barricades of plywood and overhead protection are provided. In some cases openings are provided at intervals for viewing by pedestrians.

Usually these barriers are erected on a custom basis on site. In many cases they use new lumber, and involve various trades. When the building is finished and they are no longer required, the fences are then scrapped.

These practices are clearly a waste of resources, and also pose problems for disposal. It is desirable to provide a modular barrier which can be erected around a construction site and which can be taken down and reused at another site. In this way, the barriers can be put up by unskilled labour, and the problems of disposing of waste material are eliminated.

Another problem also arises in connection with protecting construction sites, for example, protecting outsiders from unauthorised entry into the construction site and becoming injured.

Clearly pedestrian barriers are intended to protect pedestrians from accidents in the construction site, and to exclude unwanted intrusion.

However many construction sites are located close to road ways and highways, and the possibility of vehicles going out of control and plunging into the construction site are serious. It is therefore desirable to provide a combined barrier which both excludes pedestrians and also provides substantial protection against incursions by vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to providing a combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier in a modular construction, the invention comprises a construction site fence system having a plurality of upright post members spaced apart, the members defining retention means, vehicle barrier members being of predetermined length and height and defining support means at each end engagable with said retention means on said posts, an intermediate fence rail extending between said posts adjacent to the upper extremity of said vehicle barrier members, and, personal fence panels located between said posts, and extending between said intermediate fence rails and said posts.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein the upright posts are of H-shaped cross section, defining retention means on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said vehicle barrier members.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein the vehicle barrier members define a predetermined height and a uniform cross section along their upper edges, and wherein said intermediate fence rail defines a generally U-shaped channel, facing downwards and engaging said upper edges of said vehicle barrier members, and wherein said intermediate fence rail is secured to said upright posts by generally right angular brackets.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein the vehicle barrier members define a predetermined length, and wherein said personal fence panels comprise rectangular frameworks, formed with a length corresponding to the length of said vehicle barrier members and fitting between respective upright posts, and generally L-shaped brackets securing said frame to said posts.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein the personal barriers are further formed of wire mesh material supported in said frames, permitting pedestrians to view the work on the construction site.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein said upright posts are formed with base plates, adapted to be secured to the ground.

The invention further provides such a combined barrier wherein the vehicle barrier members are formed with end support means at each end of each said barrier, and wherein each end support means inter engage with said retention means on said upright posts.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a portion of a typical construction site, illustrating the fence system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a fence post, and a vehicle barrier member, and a personal barrier partly cut away;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line of 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line of 4-4 of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of a typical vehicle barrier, known as a “jersey” barrier.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

As illustrated generally in FIG. 1, the invention is there shown embodied in a construction site barrier indicated generally as (10). The barrier comprises a plurality of upright posts (12), fastened to the ground at spaced intervals. Between the posts (12) there are lower vehicle barrier members (14), typically formed of elongated precast concrete, and defining lower wide angled portions (16), and upper steeply angled portions (18). Such vehicle barrier members are well known and are used in many countries. They provide in the lower portions, a means of deflecting the wheels of a vehicle, so that the vehicle may be redirected into a direction more or less parallel with the barrier, and thereby less likely to cause a major vehicle crash. As is well known, the lower wide angled portions (16) flare outwardly in order to, as far as possible, deflect the wheels in the manner described above. The upper angled portion is more steeply angled. Such barriers are widely used in separations of highways in many countries. As a rule they have a standard length and a standard height. Located generally above the vehicle barrier members (14), there are personal barrier screens (20), typically, although not necessarily formed of a wire mesh material, permitting pedestrians to view the building site, whilst excluding entry. Referring now in more detail to the FIGS. 2-5, it will be seen that the posts (12) are of generally H-shaped section (FIG. 4) and are mounted on base plates (22), and reinforced by gussets (24). The plates will typically be fastened to the ground. The H-shaped section configuration is seen to define a central web, and side flanges (26) on either side of the web.

The typical concrete vehicle barriers (14) incorporate in most cases, steel connecting elements (28) (FIG. 5) at each end. These connecting elements are found to interfit between the side flanges (26) of the vertical posts (12) and provide a secure means of maintaining the vehicle barrier members in alignment.

In order to provide for further security, an intermediate rail namely, channel, (30) (FIG. 3) is secured transversely, normal to the axis of the posts (12) by means of L-shaped attachment brackets (32). The channel (30) is dimensioned to make a fit around the top of the vehicle barriers (14) (FIG. 1). It is open downwardly and embraces the upper edge of barriers (14)

In order to provide a personal barrier, extending above the vehicle barrier members (14), the invention further provides the screens (20). Screens (20) are typically formed of wire mesh, although they could be solid screens if desired. The screens (20) are formed with frames (34), of generally L-shaped sections, which are welded into a rectangular shape.

The frames (34) will have a length corresponding to the length of the vehicle barriers (14), so as to fit snuggly between adjacent upright posts (12). They may be of any suitable height deemed necessary, in this case reaching an upper limit of around six feet from the ground, or about three feet above the edge of the barriers (14). These dimensions are not critical and are given here merely by way of general guidance. The frames (34) are secured in the H-shaped sections of the posts by L-shaped brackets as shown (FIG. 3). Mesh screen material (38) is secured in the frames (34).

It will be seen that by means of the invention, a modular prefabricated construction site barrier is provided, which may be erected around a construction site, and when no longer required, may be dismantled and reused at another site. At the same time, the entire barrier provides protection against intrusion, both by vehicles and by personnel in an effective and yet aesthetically pleasing manner. The vehicle barrier members, and the wire mesh personal personal barriers are both effective for the purpose and are also generally unsuitable for posting of bills, or graffiti, which are an unsightly addition to construction site barriers in many cases.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system comprising:

a plurality of upright post members spaced apart, the members defining retention means;

vehicle barrier members of predetermined length and height and defining support means at each end engagable with said retention means on said posts;

an intermediate fence rail extending between said posts adjacent to the upper extremity of said vehicle barrier members; and,

personal fence panels located between said posts, and extending above said intermediate fence rails.

2. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upright posts are of H-shaped cross section, defining retention means on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said vehicle barrier members.

3. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the vehicle barrier members define a predetermined height and a uniform cross section along their upper edges, and wherein said intermediate fence rail defines a generally U-shaped channel, facing downwards and engaging said upper edges of said vehicle barrier members, and wherein said intermediate fence rail is secured to said upright posts by generally right angular brackets.

4. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the vehicle barrier members define a predetermined length, and wherein said personal fence panels comprise rectangular frameworks, formed with a length corresponding to the length of said vehicle barrier members and fitting between respective upright posts, and generally L-shaped brackets securing said frameworks to said posts.

5. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the personal barriers further comprise wire mesh material supported in said frames, permitting pedestrians to view the work on the construction site.

6. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said upright posts are formed with base plates, adapted to be secured to the ground.

7. A combined pedestrian and vehicle barrier construction site fence system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the vehicle barrier members are formed with end support means at each end of each said barrier, and wherein each end support means inter engages with respective said retention means on said upright posts.