Temporary barrier fence

Abstract

A temporary barrier fence has at least one fence panel having a support post at one end that engages a support footing and includes a bracket supporting adjacent posts and a locking post at an opposite end that keys to the footing depending on the orientation of the panel relative to the footing, thereby essentially ensuring protection against forced entry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a temporary barrier fence, and more particularly to a temporary barrier fence that inherently ensures protection against forced entry. Background Art

[0002] GB 2363402 A (WIGLEY VICTOR JOSEPH) 19 December 2001 (hereinafter referred to as D1) discloses a fence which is keyed into a concrete base to prevent the fence from being lifted from the base during forced entry.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a temporary barrier fence that will overcome or greatly improve at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide an alternative.

[0004] It should be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One issue that D1 does not recognize is that the concrete base of D1 can be rotated to clear the fence, thus requiring a large concrete base or requiring the concrete base to be fixed to the ground.

[0006] This article provides a temporary barrier fence that essentially ensures protection against forced entry.

[0007] The temporary barrier fence includes a fence panel including a support post at one end and a locking post at an opposite end.

[0008] The support column is engaged with a support foot and includes a bracket that supports an adjacent column in use. In addition, the locking column keys the foot according to the orientation of the panel relative to the foot.

[0009] The fence comprises an arrangement of a plurality of the fence panels supported therebetween by a plurality of the support feet, wherein each foot is engaged by the support posts and the locking posts of an adjacent panel, the adjacent panels cooperating together to essentially secure the panel to the foot.

[0010] The locking post prevents the panel from being lifted from the foot, and the bracket secures the post in alignment, which prevents the foot from rotating with the post.

[0011] Therefore, the temporary fence is inherently safe and does not require the use of large supporting feet or the fixing of the supporting feet in place.

[0012] The present fence system may further include an upper fence retainer that prevents the upper end of the post from being pried open.

[0013] In this embodiment, footings of different configurations may be employed, including block-type footings including column openings into which columns are inserted, and frame-type footings including posts inserted into the columns.

[0014] Aspects are also provided herein relating to feet that can be stacked in various configurations, including cantilevered configurations, to apply weight as required.

[0015] Additional aspects are provided herein relating to a foot cover that engages the foot to prevent ballast (eg, sandbags) from being removed when the locking cylinder is locked to the foot.

[0016] According to one aspect, a temporary barrier fence is provided, which includes at least one fence panel, the fence panel including: a support column that is engaged with a support foot and includes a bracket that supports an adjacent column in use; and a locking column that is keyed to the foot depending on the orientation of the panel relative to the foot so that the locking column cannot be pulled out of the foot.

[0017] The fence may include a plurality of fence panels supported by a plurality of support feet, wherein each foot is engaged by the support column and the locking column of an adjacent panel.

[0018] The bracket may include an aperture through which the locking post is inserted and within which the locking post is rotatable.

[0019] The bracket may extend from a horizontal crossbar of the panel.

[0020] The base may include a pair of column openings, and the column is inserted into the pair of column openings.

[0021] The bracket may include an opening through which the locking post is inserted, and wherein the opening of the bracket is juxtaposed with the second post opening of the pair of post openings when the support post is inserted into the first post opening of the pair of post openings.

[0022] The post opening and the locking post may define a key portion that is seated in a corresponding key hole depending on the orientation of the panel relative to the foot.

[0023] The key portion and the key hole can be aligned at 45 degrees relative to the orthogonal axis of the base foot so that when the panel is at 45 degrees relative to the base foot, the key portion is inserted into the key hole and when the locking post is orthogonal to the base foot, the locking post locks the base foot.

[0024] The locking cylinder may include the key portion, and wherein the aperture may include the key hole, and wherein the key portion extends further than the length of the support cylinder.

[0025] The footing may include a bottom frame supporting a pair of uprights that are inserted into the open ends of the column body.

[0026] Each post may include a key portion, and depending on the orientation of the panel relative to the foot, any one of the key portions may be seated in the key hole of the locking post.

[0027] The post of the locking panel may include an upper retainer that prevents the post from being pried open when the locking post is locked to the foot.

[0028] The retainer may include a proximal piece, a transverse piece, and an insert piece, the proximal piece being coupled to the locking cylinder, and wherein the insert piece is inserted into the support cylinder when the locking cylinder is engaged with the foot.

[0029] If the support column is lifted while the locking column is locking the foot, the upper end of the support column may hit the cross member.

[0030] The insert may be of sufficient length such that the distal end of the insert remains within the support post when the locking post is disengaged from the foot.

[0031] The foot may include a plurality of paired post openings therein for adjacently engaging the post therein at various locations.

[0032] The footing may include an outer shell defining an interior for ballast.

[0033] The plurality of paired column openings may be arranged along the length of the foot so that the foot may engage the column at the center or at one end of the column.

[0034] The pairs of column openings include a pair of openings containing key holes and a pair of openings without key holes.

[0035] The fence may also include an arrangement of studs extending from a surface thereof and a corresponding arrangement of conformal recesses on an opposing surface thereof.

[0036] The stud and the recess are arranged so that the feet can be stacked orthogonally.

[0037] The stud and the recess may be non-circular and include orthogonal symmetry.

[0038] The fence may further include a footing cover covering the footing, the footing cover being shaped to define a ballast void therein and the footing cover being unable to be removed from the footing when the locking post is locked to the footing.

[0039] The cover may be configured to allow the post to extend therethrough to engage the foot.

[0040] The cover portion may be elongate and engage the post passing therethrough at approximately the midpoint of the cover portion.

[0041] The covering portion may include a pair of column openings, so that the column passes through the pair of column openings and engages with the base foot.

[0042] The covering portion can completely hide the foot.

[0043] The cover may include a saddle across it that presses against a crossbar of the panel that engages the foot.

[0044] According to another aspect, a method for erecting a temporary barrier fence according to the present invention is provided, the method comprising engaging the support column with the support foot, and then connecting the locking column to the support foot in a first orientation, and then rotating the locking column to a second orientation so that the bracket supports the locking column and the locking column is keyed to the foot so that the locking column cannot be pulled out of the foot.

[0045] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Although any other forms may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a temporary barrier fence according to one embodiment;

[0048] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a fence panel retainer according to one embodiment;

[0049] Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the bottom of a locking cylinder according to one embodiment;

[0050] Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a top portion of a locking cylinder according to one embodiment;

[0051] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shows the steps for interconnecting fence panels and support footings

[0052] Figure 8 Shown Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the interconnection between the column and the supporting footing;

[0053] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 a perspective view of the underside of the support foot;

[0054] Figure 10 shows a top perspective view of a support foot according to one embodiment;

[0055] Figure 11 Shows Figure 10 A bottom perspective view of the support footing;

[0056] Figure 12 Shows Figure 10 A top plan view of the supporting footing;

[0057] Figure 13 shows a fence arrangement including a footing cover according to one embodiment;

[0058] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 Exploded view of the foot covering;

[0059] Figure 15 Shows Figure 13 A cross-sectional diagram of the foot covering portion;

[0060] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a lower end of a locking cylinder according to another embodiment;

[0061] Figure 17 shows an exploded view of a frame-type support foot according to one embodiment;

[0062] Figure 18 Shows the Figure 17 a cross-sectional elevational view of the panel with the support footing engaged; and

[0063] Figure 19 Shows the Figure 17 Exploded perspective view of the panel with the support feet engaged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] refer to Figure 1 The temporary barrier fence 100 includes a support foot 101, referring to Figure 6 , the support footing supports the support column 103 of the adjacent fence panel 104.

[0065] Each panel 104 may include a lower crossbar 105 , and each post 103 may extend beyond the crossbar 105 to engage with the foot 101 .

[0066] The panel 104 includes a column 103 at one end (referred to herein as a support column 103A), which includes a bracket 106 that supports the column 103 of an adjacent panel 104 in use.

[0067] The panel 104 includes posts 103 (referred to herein as locking posts 103B) at opposite ends that key to the foot 101 depending on the orientation of the panel 103 relative to the foot 101 .

[0068] Panels 104 may be aligned to form fence 101, with each footing 101 joined by support posts 103A and locking posts 103B of adjacent panels 104. In an embodiment, at least one panel 104 includes a support post 103A or locking post 103B at one end and a common post at the opposite end.

[0069] like Figure 6 As shown, the bracket 106 can taper to a plate that includes an opening through which the locking cylinder 103B is inserted. The locking cylinder 103B can rotate within the opening, such as where the opening is circular and the locking cylinder 103B is similarly cylindrical.

[0070] The bracket 106 may extend from the lower crossbar 105. Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the lower crossbar 105 tapers to form a bracket 106. Figure 19 In the embodiment shown, a plate is welded to the lower surface of the crossbar 105 to form the bracket 106. Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, angled plates may be welded to (or inserted into) the open ends of the crossbars 105 to form the brackets 106 .

[0071] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The base 101 may include a pair of column openings 107 into which the columns 103 are adjacently inserted.

[0072] refer to Figure 6 , the support column 103A can be inserted into the first opening 107A, wherein the opening of the bracket 106 matches the second column opening 107B. Then, the locking column 103B is inserted through the opening of the bracket 106 to engage with the second column opening 107B.

[0073] The locking cylinder 103 may define a key portion 108 that is seated in a corresponding key hole 109 within the opening 107. The key portion 108 and key hole 109 may be configured such that the key portion 108 can only be inserted into the key hole 109 depending on the orientation of the panel 104 relative to the foot 101. Figure 9 and Figure 12 As shown, the keyhole 109 may be oriented at a 45° angle relative to the orthogonal axis of the foot 101 .

[0074] Thus, when the locking cylinder 103B is inserted into the foot 101 via the bracket 106 , the panel 104 may be oriented at a 45° angle relative to the foot 101 .

[0075] Once the key portion 108 is inserted through the key hole 109 , the panel 104 is aligned so that the locking cylinder 103B cannot be pulled out of the second opening 107B.

[0076] Bracket 106 holds post 103 in alignment so that foot 101 cannot rotate relative to aligned panel 104 in an attempt to disengage locking post 103B.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, the key hole 109 can be recessed to a certain depth in the opening 107 , and the key portion 108 extends further from the distal end of the locking cylinder 103B than the support cylinder 103A. Therefore, the support cylinder 103A can be freely inserted into the first cylinder opening 107 .

[0078] It will be appreciated from the configuration of the key 108 and key hole 109 that the locking cylinder 103B can also be locked to the foot 101 when the panels 104 are orthogonal relative to each other. In other words, the 45° orientation of the key 108 and key hole 109 allows for a straight and orthogonal arrangement of the temporary barrier fence 100.

[0079] In an embodiment, the orientation of the keyhole 109 may be configured such that the locking cylinder 104B locks to the foot 101 at 45°.

[0080] Figure 4 A keying member 110 is shown having a key portion 108 therein and comprising a collar 111 that can be added to the open end of the locking cylinder 103B. The collar 110 can be welded to the locking cylinder 103B in the correct orientation.

[0081] Figures 6 to 9 The embodiment shows that the foot 101 includes a column opening 107 into which the column 103 is inserted, and Figure 18 and Figure 19 An embodiment is shown in which the footing 101 includes a bottom frame 112 that supports a pair of posts 113 that are inserted into the open ends of the column 103 .

[0082] Additionally, each of the posts 113 may include a key portion 108, any of which may be seated in a key hole 109 of the locking cylinder 103B. Figure 16 An insertable collar 114 is shown defining a keyhole 109 that can be added to the open end of the locking cylinder 103B. Figure 17 Similarly, it is shown that the key member 110 can be mounted on the pillar 113.

[0083] like Figure 1 As shown, the fence 100 may include an upper fence panel retainer 127 that prevents the post 103 from being pried off. The retainer 127 may include a proximal piece 130, a cross piece 129, and an insert 128.

[0084] refer to Figure 3 When the locking cylinder 103B is engaged with the foot 101 , the proximal end piece 130 can be fixed to the locking cylinder 103B and the insert 128 can be inserted into the support cylinder 103A.

[0085] It can be appreciated that when the locking cylinder 103B is locked to the foot 101 , the retainer 127 further prevents the support cylinder 103A from being lifted from the foot 101 because the upper end of the support cylinder 103A hits the cross member 129 .

[0086] like Figure 3 As further shown, the insert 128 can be of sufficient length so that its distal end remains within the support column 103A when the locking cylinder 103B is disengaged from the foot 101. In other words, the length of the insert 128 is sufficient to prevent the locking cylinder 103 from disengaging from the retainer 127 when the locking cylinder 103 is locked to the foot 101.

[0087] Figure 5 It shows how a retainer 127 can be added to the locking panel 104B, which includes a collar 129 that engages within an opening in the locking post 103B. The collar 129 can be welded to the post 103.

[0088] Figures 10 to 12 An embodiment is shown in which the footing 101 comprises a molded shell 115 that can be filled with ballast such as sand or water. The shell 115 can be formed from an upper shell member 116A connected to a lower shell member 116B.

[0089] The foot 101 may include a plurality of pairs 117 of post openings 107 for adjacent engagement with the post 103 therein at various locations. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot 101 is generally rectangular in shape, with the pairs 117 of post openings arranged along its length. Figure 2 In the manner shown, the column 103 can be joined to the footing 101 at the center so that the footing 101 supports the panel 104 evenly on both sides, or cantilevered by alternately supporting the panel from one end.

[0090] like Figure 12 As shown, the pairs of openings 117 may include a bonded pair 117A and a non-bonded pair 117B.

[0091] refer to Figure 10, the upper surface 118 of the foot 101 may include an arrangement of studs 119 extending from the upper surface 118, with reference to Figure 11 , the lower surface 120 of the foot may include an arrangement of corresponding conformal recesses 121 .

[0092] The studs 119 and recesses 121 allow the plastic molded foot 101 to be molded in accordance with Figure 2 The illustrated manner is stacked in various configurations. As shown, the plastic molded feet 101 can be stacked directly one above the other or alternately stacked crosswise with each other.

[0093] The stud 119 and recess 121 may be non-circular but include orthogonal symmetry, such as being octagonal, thereby allowing for orthogonal interconnection.

[0094] Figure 14 An embodiment is shown that includes a foot cover 122 covering the foot 101 , the foot cover being shaped to define a ballast void 124 therein and being unable to be removed from the foot 101 when the locking cylinder 103B is locked to the foot 101 .

[0095] The cover portion 122 may be made of molded plastic. The cover portion 122 may include a pair of column openings 123 so that the column 103 passes through the column openings and engages with the foot 101.

[0096] refer to Figure 15 The cover portion 122 is shaped to define a ballast void 124 suitable for use with a sandbag 125 .

[0097] When the columns 103 are engaged with the cover 122, the cover cannot be lifted from the footing 101, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the ballast.

[0098] The cover 122 may be elongated and the opening 123 may be centrally located so that the cover 122 extends from either side of the panel 104. In this manner, the cover 122 may conceal ballast (such as a pair of sandbags 125) on both sides of the panel 104.

[0099] The cover portion 122 may completely hide the footing 101. In other words, the cover portion 122 may define a lower edge having a cross-section greater than that of the footing 101, such that the cover portion 122 is Figure 15 The illustrated embodiment completely conceals the foot 101 therein.

[0100] The cover 122 may define a saddle 126 therethrough having an opening 123 therethrough. The saddle 126 abuts the crossbar 105 of the panel 104 to prevent the cover 122 from being lifted from the foot 101 when the column 103 is locked to the foot 101, while allowing ample ballast clearance 124.

[0101] In an embodiment, the bracket 106 may extend approximately 128 mm from the edge of the support column 103A. Furthermore, when the bracket 106 includes an opening therethrough, the opening may include a diameter of approximately 36 mm, allowing for a distal edge of approximately 10 mm. In the case where the bracket 106 includes a plate, the plate may be approximately 8 mm thick.

[0102] For the purpose of explanation, the foregoing description uses specific terms in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required to practice the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention is provided for the purpose of illustration and description. These descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many modifications and variations can be made based on the above teachings. The embodiments selected and described are intended to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the intended specific use. The following claims and their equivalents are used to define the scope of the present invention.

[0103] Unless otherwise indicated, the term "about" or similar terms used herein should be interpreted as within 10% of the stated value.

Claims

1. A temporary barrier fence, comprising a fence panel, wherein the fence panel comprises: a support post engaged with the support footing and including a bracket that, in use, supports a locking post of an adjacent fence panel; and a locking post that keys to the footing depending on the orientation of the fence panel relative to the footing such that the locking post cannot be pulled out of the footing; Wherein, the bracket is aligned and fixed with the fence panel and defines an opening to rotatably receive a portion of the locking column of the adjacent fence panel, and the portion extends below the lower cross bar of the adjacent fence panel to keep the locking column of the adjacent fence panel aligned with the fence panel.

2. The fence of claim 1 , wherein the fence comprises a plurality of the fence panels supported by a plurality of the support feet, wherein each foot is engaged by the support column and the locking column of an adjacent fence panel.

3. The fence of claim 1 , wherein the brackets extend from horizontal crossbars of the fence panels.

4. The fence according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a pair of column openings, and the column is inserted into the pair of column openings.

5. The fence of claim 4, wherein the bracket includes an opening through which the locking post is inserted, and wherein When the support column is inserted into a first column opening of the pair of column openings, the opening of the bracket matches with a second column opening of the pair of column openings.

6. The fence of claim 4, wherein the post opening and the locking post define a key portion that is positioned in a corresponding key hole depending on the orientation of the fence panel relative to the footing.

7. The fence of claim 6 , wherein the key and keyhole are aligned at 45° relative to an orthogonal axis of the foot, such that when the fence panel is at 45° relative to the foot, the key is inserted into the keyhole, and when the locking post is orthogonal relative to the foot, the locking post locks the foot.

8. The fence of claim 6, wherein the locking post includes the key portion, and wherein the opening includes the key hole, and wherein the key portion extends further than the length of the support post.

9. The fence of claim 1, wherein the footing includes a bottom frame supporting a pair of posts that are inserted into the open ends of the column body.

10. The fence of claim 9 wherein each post includes a key, any one of the keys being positionable into a key hole of the locking post depending upon the orientation of the fence panel relative to the footing.

11. The fence of claim 1 , wherein the posts of the locked fence panels include upper retainers that prevent the posts from being pried apart when the locking posts are locked to the footing.

12. The fence of claim 11 , wherein the retainer comprises a proximal piece, a transverse piece, and an insert, the proximal piece being connected to the locking post, and wherein the insert is inserted into the support post when the locking post is engaged with the foot.

13. The fence according to claim 12, wherein if the support column is lifted while the locking column locks the foot, the upper end of the support column hits the cross member.

14. The fence of claim 12, wherein the insert is of sufficient length such that when the locking post is disengaged from the footing, the distal end of the insert remains within the support post.

15. The fence of claim 1, wherein the footing includes a plurality of paired post openings therein for adjacently engaging the posts therein at different locations.

16. The fence of claim 15, wherein the footing includes an outer shell defining an interior for ballast.

17. The fence of claim 15, wherein the plurality of paired post openings are arranged along the length of the footing so that the footing can engage the post at the center or at one end of the post.

18. The fence of claim 15, wherein the pairs of post openings include pairs of openings that include keyholes and pairs of openings that do not have keyholes.

19. The fence of claim 15, further comprising an arrangement of studs extending from a surface thereof and a corresponding arrangement of conformal recesses on an opposing surface thereof.

20. The fence of claim 19, wherein the studs and recesses are arranged so that the footings can be stacked orthogonally.

21. The fence of claim 20, wherein the stud and the recess are non-circular and include orthogonal symmetry.

22. The fence of claim 1 further comprising a footing cover covering the footing, the footing cover being shaped to define a ballast void therein and unable to be removed from the footing when the locking cylinder is locked to the footing.

23. The fence of claim 22, wherein the cover is configured to allow the post to extend therethrough to engage the footing.

24. The fence of claim 23, wherein the cover portion is elongate and engages the post therethrough at approximately the midpoint of the cover portion.

25. The fence of claim 24, wherein the cover portion includes a pair of post openings so that the post passes through the pair of post openings to engage with the footing.

26. The fence of claim 22, wherein the cover completely conceals the footing.

27. The fence of claim 22, wherein the cover portion includes a saddle across it, the saddle pressing against a crossbar of a fence panel engaged with the footing.

28. A method for erecting a temporary barrier fence according to claim 1, the method comprising: The support post is engaged with the support foot and the locking post is then connected to the support foot in a first orientation and the locking post is then rotated to a second orientation such that the bracket supports the locking post and the locking post is keyed to the foot so that the locking post cannot be pulled out of the foot.

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