Portable crowd control barrier

Abstract

A portable crowd control barrier consisting of individual, interconnectable barriers (1), each having a barrier element (2) and a base assembly (3) projecting beyond the barrier element (2) at the rear, wherein the barrier element (2) comprises lateral support posts (4, 5) and a surface element (6) between the support posts (4, 5), and the barriers (1) have an open insertion area (7) below the surface element (6), which is bounded at the rear of the barriers (1) by the base assembly (3), wherein the base assembly (3) can be inserted into the insertion area (7) of another barrier (1) when the barriers (1) are not in use, characterized in that the base assembly (3) is attached at its ends to mutually facing sides of the support posts (4, 5), so that the base assembly (3) can be inserted so deeply into the insertion area (7) of the other barrier (1) that the support posts (4, 5) 5) touch the adjacent barriers (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a portable crowd barrier according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Crowd barriers are formed by individual barriers that are usually connected via plug-in connectors. Crowd barriers are used to control the flow of people in certain areas and / or to block off certain areas to prevent uncontrolled crowding. They are typically used in venues with high footfall, for example, as stage barriers or cycle racing barriers. In the latter case, crowd barriers can be used as a barrier between the cycle racing track and spectators.

[0003] To construct a longer crowd barrier, it is necessary to connect many individual barriers together. Furthermore, crowd barriers are often only needed temporarily and therefore need to be able to be set up and dismantled quickly. In particular, they must be able to be stored and transported in a space-saving manner.

[0004] It is known in the art to stack multiple barriers on top of each other for transport purposes. DE 20 2018 102 946 U1 discloses a transportable crowd barrier consisting of individual barriers that can be coupled together. The barriers each have an upwardly projecting barrier element and a base assembly that protrudes beyond the rear of the barrier element. The barrier element has lateral posts between which a surface element is arranged. Below the surface element, an open insertion area is formed in the barriers, which is delimited at the rear by the base assembly. When the barriers are not in use, the base assembly of one barrier can be inserted into the insertion area of ​​another barrier. In this way, multiple barriers can be stacked vertically on top of each other. However, to ensure the stability of the stacked barriers, an additional stacking frame is required into which the barriers can be accommodated.

[0005] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved transportable crowd barrier consisting of individual barriers that can be coupled together, in which the individual barriers can be pushed or plugged into one another to form the most compact arrangement possible for storage and / or transport purposes, in particular without the use of additional aids.

[0006] This problem is solved by a portable crowd barrier with the features of claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The portable crowd barrier according to the invention is constructed from individual, interconnectable barriers. Each barrier comprises a barrier element and a base assembly extending beyond the barrier element at the rear. The barrier element comprises lateral posts, with a surface element arranged between the posts.

[0009] The surface element can be closed or open. It can be a grating, mesh, or even an arrangement of struts. Corrugated or perforated sheets are possible, as are flat elements made of plastic or composite materials. The surface element is preferably made of mesh, welded to the posts, and, together with the entire barrier, coated with corrosion protection, particularly a zinc coating. The barrier is particularly preferably hot-dip galvanized.

[0010] The barriers have an open insertion area below the surface element. The insertion area is limited to the rear of the barriers by the foot assembly. The opening of the insertion area is limited on the top side by the surface element and on the sides in particular by the support posts. On the bottom side, the opening is preferably not limited by the barrier itself, but by the surface on which the barrier stands. When the barriers are not in use, and in particular for storage and / or transport purposes, the foot assembly of one barrier can be inserted or pushed into the insertion area of ​​another barrier. Pushing in takes place essentially in a horizontal plane. The barriers therefore do not have to be lifted or rotated, as is the case with a vertical stacking arrangement.In addition, the horizontal interlocking of the individual barriers ensures a high level of stability of the resulting arrangement.

[0011] The portable crowd barrier according to the invention is further characterized in that the base assembly is attached at its ends to the mutually facing sides of the posts. The base assembly is, in particular, rigidly connected to the barrier element. The inventive arrangement of the connection between the base assembly and the posts allows the base assembly of a barrier to be inserted or pushed so deeply into the insertion area of ​​an adjacent barrier that the posts of the adjacent barriers touch each other. Since the base assembly is attached at its ends to the mutually facing sides of the posts and has its maximum length measured in the longitudinal direction of the barrier element there, this length of the base assembly is less than a horizontal distance between the longitudinal axes of the posts.This means that the base assembly of a first barrier can be pushed into the insertion area of ​​a second barrier until the posts of the barriers touch, without the base assembly of the first barrier coming into contact with the posts of the second barrier. It is possible for the posts to only touch at specific points, but it is particularly preferred if they lie against one another along their entire length. This has the advantage that the barriers can be pushed or plugged into one another in a very space-saving manner. The resulting barrier arrangements are very compact, which means that both storage and transport costs can be reduced. Furthermore, no additional tools are required to push the individual barriers together. By having the posts of the individual barriers touch, the stability of the arrangement can also be increased, as the risk of the barriers tipping over is reduced.

[0012] Preferably, the barrier element is arranged at an angle of 60° to 80°, in particular 70°, to the base assembly. This is particularly relevant when using the portable crush barrier as a cycling grid. The angled orientation of the barrier element relative to the base assembly ensures that a distance is maintained between the cycling track marked out by the barriers and the spectators standing behind the barriers. This reduces the risk of accidental contact between a spectator and a cyclist.

[0013] Especially when the scrum barrier is used as a cycling grid, it is advantageous if the barrier does not have an additional protruding foot element. Such a foot element would protrude into the cycling track defined by the scrum barrier and thus pose a danger to the athletes.

[0014] It has proven advantageous if the posts extend to the underside of the barrier. The underside of the posts can then be level with the underside of the base assembly. The posts can therefore be in direct contact with the ground. If the barrier element is aligned at an angle relative to the base assembly, the posts are bevelled, particularly on the underside, so that the underside of the posts is aligned horizontally and can be in full contact with the ground. If the barrier element is loaded, for example by people standing on it, the forces acting on the barrier element can be transferred directly into the ground via the posts, so that the base assembly is subjected to less load.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly is U-shaped and has a longitudinal strut and two cross struts extending from the longitudinal strut to the support posts. This configuration has proven particularly advantageous for the stability of the barriers and thus of the crowd barrier within the scope of the invention.

[0016] Preferably, the longitudinal strut and the cross struts are hollow profiles with a rectangular cross-section. This allows for the production of a stable base assembly that also has a low dead weight.

[0017] The foot assembly can also be formed by only the two cross struts, without them being connected to each other by an additional longitudinal strut.

[0018] Preferably, the longitudinal strut and the cross struts are joined together, in particular welded. Forming an angle of between 35° and 55° between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal strut and the longitudinal axes of the cross struts has proven particularly advantageous for the stability of the barriers. This angle is particularly preferably 45°.

[0019] It is also advantageous for the stability of the barrier if the longitudinal strut is oriented parallel to the barrier element.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the invention, the free ends of the cross braces of the base assembly are connected to the mutually facing sides of the posts in such a way that the respective longitudinal axis of the cross braces runs in front of the respective longitudinal axis of the posts, viewed from the side of the barrier facing away from the base assembly. This has the advantage that the cross braces are connected to the posts in such a way that they do not block the side of the posts oriented towards the foot assembly, so that contact between the respective posts can occur when two barriers are nested. This enables a secure connection between the cross braces and the posts, as well as the most compact arrangement possible for the nested barriers.

[0021] Preferably, an angle of between 35° and 55°, in particular 45°, is formed between the respective cross strut and the barrier element, viewed from the plane spanned by the longitudinal strut and the cross struts. This angular interval has proven to be a good compromise within the scope of the invention between the stability of the barrier and the smallest possible distance between the individual barriers when assembled. If the angle is smaller than the specified interval, the distance between the longitudinal strut and the underside of the barrier element is also smaller. This significantly reduces the stability of the barrier. If, on the other hand, the angle is larger than the specified interval, the cross struts prevent contact between the posts of adjacent barriers when assembled.The angle interval also allows the barriers to be set up at an angle to each other, as the adjacent base assemblies do not touch each other. This allows, for example, a scrum barrier to be erected that follows a curve. This is particularly advantageous when using the portable scrum barrier to demarcate a cycling track.

[0022] The cross braces preferably have a width that is smaller than the diameter of the posts. This design also ensures that the posts of two barriers inserted or pushed together can touch each other.

[0023] Preferably, the height of the insertion area is greater than or equal to the height of the foot assembly. This ensures that the foot assembly of a first barrier can be inserted or pushed into the insertion area of ​​a second barrier without compromising the stability of the barriers.

[0024] The longitudinal struts of two interconnected barriers can run essentially parallel to each other. The distance between the longitudinal struts is preferably 10 mm to 15 mm, especially 12 mm. The small distances between the longitudinal struts ensure that the barriers, when pushed or inserted into one another, require minimal space.

[0025] The cross braces of two interconnected barriers can also run essentially parallel to each other. A gap of 1 mm to 5 mm, in particular 2 mm, is preferably maintained between the cross braces. Alternatively, the cross braces can also be placed adjacent to each other, which is also advantageous for the space requirements of the interconnected barriers.

[0026] In an advantageous development of the invention, a base plate is connected to the foot assembly and is held in or on the foot assembly. Preferably, the base plate does not protrude above or below the foot assembly. Instead, the base plate can be arranged flush with the foot assembly on the top or bottom. It is particularly preferably flush with the top side of the foot assembly. In this way, the foot assembly can be ensured to stand securely even if the floor is not completely level. The term “base plate” refers to all plate-shaped components on which people can stand. These can also be grates, grilles, or an arrangement of struts. Checkered sheets are just as possible as planking made of plastic or composite materials suitable for the intended purpose.

[0027] Preferably, the foot assemblies are arranged in one plane when the barriers are plugged together. The foot assemblies can also be arranged in the same plane, at least in sections.

[0028] In particular, the surface element of the barrier element is made of the same material as the posts.

[0029] In a further development of the invention, a handrail is arranged between the posts. The handrail forms the upper end of the barrier element. The handrail is preferably made of the same material as the posts and is in particular part of a U-shaped frame. This preferably has a circular tubular profile throughout its cross-section. The transport and handling of the barriers is considerably simplified if the surface element between the posts has an upper side that is spaced apart from the handrail. This allows the handrail to be completely encompassed. Fewer welds are required. In addition, a transport hook or similar device can be attached to the handrail. Advertising boards can also be attached to the U-shaped frame.

[0030] The barriers have means and options for connecting them to other barriers to form a crowd barrier. For this purpose, upper and lower brackets and matching downward-facing upper and lower hooks can be arranged on the side posts of the barrier element for connecting the hooks and brackets of other barriers.

[0031] Typically, the barrier has a height of 1000 mm to 1200 mm and a width of 400 mm to 600 mm. The length is preferably 2100 mm to 2300 mm. The barrier typically weighs between 20 kg and 30 kg.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings are purely schematic representations. They show: Fig. 1 a barrier in a side view; Fig. 2 the barrier of Fig. 1 in a second view; Fig. 3 the barrier of Fig. 1 in a sectional view and a detailed view; Fig. 4 the barriers of Fig. 1 in an assembled arrangement in a sectional view; Fig. 5 the assembled arrangement of the Fig. 4 in a detailed view in section; Fig. 6 the assembled arrangement of the Fig. 4 in a side view and Fig. 7 an alternative embodiment of a barrier.

[0033] The same reference symbols are used for identical or corresponding components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0034] The Fig. 1 to 3 show a barrier 1 which can be coupled with other barriers 1 and thus assembled into a portable crowd barrier.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of the barrier 1. The barrier 1 has two main components: an upwardly projecting barrier element 2 and a U-shaped base assembly 3 projecting beyond the barrier element 2 at the rear.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows the barrier 1 in a Fig. 1. The viewing direction BR is oriented perpendicular to the barrier element 2. The barrier element 2 has two lateral support posts 4 and 5 and a surface element 6 held between the support posts 4, 5. In the embodiment shown here, the surface element 6 is a grid that is welded between the support posts 4, 5.

[0037] The barrier 1 has an open insertion area 7 below the surface element 6. The open insertion area 7 is limited to the rear of the barrier 1 by the foot assembly 3. When not in use and in particular for transport and / or storage purposes of the barrier 1, the foot assembly 3 of the barrier 1 can be inserted or pushed into the insertion area 7 of another barrier 1. In order to be able to push the barriers 1 into each other horizontally, the height H7 of the insertion area 7 is greater than that in the Fig. 1 shown height H3 of the foot assembly 3. This allows the barriers 1 to be pushed into each other when standing.

[0038] The Fig. The side view of the barrier 1 shown in Figure 1 shows that the barrier element 2 is arranged at an angle α of 60° to 80° to the base assembly 3. Due to this orientation, the barrier 1 is particularly suitable as a crush barrier for cycling races. With the coupled barriers 1, a cycling race track can be marked out, wherein the barriers 1 are aligned such that the barrier elements 2 are inclined away from the marked out cycling race track. The oblique orientation of the barrier element 2 creates a distance between the spectators and the cyclists. This can reduce the risk of an accident caused by accidental contact between the spectators and the cyclists. Since the base assembly 3 is oriented towards the spectators and the barrier 1 does not have an additional front base element, no base element protrudes into the marked out cycling race track.Advertising boards (not shown in detail) can be mounted on the barrier elements 2, which, due to the oblique orientation of the barrier elements 2, are particularly effective during TV broadcasts.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 1 further shows that the support posts 4, 5 extend to a bottom side 8 of the barrier 1. The support posts 4, 5 are flush with a bottom side 9 of the base assembly 3, so that both the base assembly 3 and the support posts 4, 5 are in contact with the subsurface (not shown in detail). The support posts 4, 5 are beveled on the underside so that the posts 4, 5 can be in contact with the subsurface with their entire front sides. This has the advantage that when the barrier element 2 is loaded, the forces acting on the barrier element 2 can be transferred directly into the subsurface. The connection between the barrier element 2 and the base assembly 3 is relieved.

[0040] The Fig. 3a shows the barrier 1 in a sectional view AA of the Fig. 1. It can be seen that the foot assembly 3 is fastened, here welded, at the ends to the mutually facing sides of the support posts 4, 5. The inventive arrangement of the connection between the foot assembly 3 and support posts 4, 5 allows the foot assembly 3 of a barrier 1 to be inserted or pushed so deeply into the insertion area 6 of an adjacent barrier 1 that the support posts 4, 5 of the adjacent barriers 1 touch each other. This is shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shown.

[0041] The base assembly 3 has a longitudinal strut 10 and two cross struts 11, 12 extending from the longitudinal strut 10 to the support posts 4, 5. The longitudinal strut 10 and the cross struts 11, 12 are hollow profiles with a rectangular cross-section. The longitudinal strut 10 and the cross struts 11, 12 are welded together, with an angle β of between 35° and 55° being formed between the longitudinal axis LL of the longitudinal strut 10 and the longitudinal axes LQ of the cross struts 11, 12. The longitudinal strut 10 runs parallel to the barrier element 2.

[0042] From the one in the Fig. 3a and spanned by the longitudinal strut 10 and the cross struts 11, 12, an angle γ of between 35° and 55° is formed between the respective cross strut 11, 12 and a straight line 13 connecting the undersides of the support posts 4, 5.

[0043] The Fig. 3b shown detailed view of the Fig. Figure 3a illustrates that the respective longitudinal axis LQ of the cross braces 11, 12, viewed from the side 14 of the barrier 1 facing away from the base assembly 3, runs in front of a respective longitudinal axis LS of the support posts 4, 5. This allows the base assembly 3 to be inserted so deeply into the insertion area 7 of an adjacent barrier 1 that the support posts 4, 5 of the adjacent barriers 1 touch each other. The width B of the cross braces 11, 12 is also smaller than the outer diameter D of the support posts 4, 5.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 2 shows that a handrail 15 is arranged on the top side of the surface element 7 between the support posts 4, 5. The handrail 15 and the support posts 4, 5 are made of a single piece from a bent tubular profile. The surface element 6 has a top side 16. The handrail 15 is arranged at a distance AH from this top side 16. A sign 17 serves to identify the barrier 1. It is located centrally between the top side 16 and the handrail 15.

[0045] In order to couple the individual barriers 1 together to form a crowd barrier, hooks 18, 19 and matching tabs 20, 21 are arranged on the posts 4, 5.

[0046] Due to the angled U-shaped form of the base assembly 3, it is possible to set up the individual barriers 1 at an angle to one another, so that, for example, a crowd barrier can be erected that follows a curve.

[0047] For transport and / or storage, the barriers 1 are inserted or pushed into each other. Fig. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the barriers 1 in a transport position. The individual barriers 1 are shown in the sectional view AA according to Fig. 1. It can be seen that the inventive arrangement of the base assembly 3 and the support posts 4, 5 allows the base assembly 3 to be inserted so deeply into the insertion area 7 of the adjacent barrier 1 that the support posts 4, 5 of the adjacent barriers 1 touch each other. This allows the barriers 1 to be arranged in a very space-saving manner. Furthermore, the contact between the individual barriers 1 increases the stability of the connected barriers 1.

[0048] The longitudinal struts 10 of the assembled barriers 1 run essentially parallel to each other. A distance AL of 10 mm to 15 mm is formed between each adjacent longitudinal strut 10.

[0049] The cross struts 11, 12 of the assembled barriers 1 also run essentially parallel to one another, with a distance AQ of 1 mm to 5 mm being formed between the adjacent cross struts 11, 12.

[0050] This is also the Fig. 5, which shows a detailed view of two barriers 1 plugged together, each in section BB according to Fig. 1 are shown. Fig. Figure 5 further illustrates that the uprights 4, 5 are oriented obliquely in their longitudinal direction to the ground and the base assembly 3. The cross braces 11 are welded to the ends of the facing sides of the uprights 4, 5. The uprights 4, 5 are elliptical at their ends.

[0051] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the assembled barriers 1. It can be seen that the foot assemblies 3 are arranged in one plane when the barriers 1 are assembled.

[0052] The Fig. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a barrier 1, viewed in the direction BR. The base assembly 3 of this barrier 1 consists of only two cross struts 11, 12, which are not connected to each other by an additional longitudinal strut 10. This allows for savings in material and weight. Reference symbol: 1 barrier 2 shut-off element 3 Foot assembly 4 support posts 5 support posts 6 Surface element 7 Insertion area 8 bottom of 1 9 bottom of 3 10 Longitudinal strut 11 Cross brace 12 cross brace 13 straight 14 opposite side of 3 15 Handrail 16 Top 17 Shield 18 hooks 19 hooks 20 tabs 21 tab AH distance between 15 and 16 AQ distance between 11, 12 AL distance between 10 B width of 11, 12 BR Viewing direction D outer diameter of 4.5 H3 height of 3 H7 height of 7 LQ longitudinal axis of 11, 12 LL longitudinal axis v. 10 LS longitudinal axis v. 4, 5 α angle β angle γ angle QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2018 102 946 U1

[0004]

Claims

[1] A portable crowd barrier comprising individual barriers (1) which can be coupled together and which have a barrier element (2) and a base assembly (3) projecting at the rear over the barrier element (2), wherein the barrier element (2) comprises lateral support posts (4, 5) and a surface element (6) between the support posts (4, 5), and the barriers (1) have an open insertion area (7) below the surface element (6), which is delimited to the rear of the barriers (1) by the base assembly (3), wherein the base assembly (3) can be inserted into the insertion area (7) of another barrier (1) when the barriers (1) are not in use, characterized by that the foot assembly (3) is fastened at the ends to mutually facing sides of the support posts (4, 5) so that the foot assembly (3) can be inserted so deeply into the insertion area (7) of the other barrier (1) that the support posts (4, 5) of the adjacent barriers (1) touch each other. [2] Crowd barrier according to claim 1, characterized bythat the shut-off element (2) is arranged at an angle (α) of 60° to 80°, in particular 70°, to the foot assembly (3). [3] Crowd barrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the support posts (4, 5) extend to a bottom side (8) of the barrier (1). [4] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the foot assembly (3) is U-shaped and comprises a longitudinal strut (10) and two transverse struts (11, 12) extending from the longitudinal strut (10) to the support posts (4, 5). [5] Crowd barrier according to claim 4, characterized by that the respective longitudinal axis (LQ) of the cross struts (11, 12) runs in front of the respective longitudinal axis (LS) of the support posts (4, 5) when viewed from the side (14) of the barrier (1) facing away from the base assembly (3). [6] Crowd barrier according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the longitudinal strut (10) and the transverse struts (11, 12) are hollow profiles with a rectangular cross-section. [7] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the longitudinal strut (10) and the transverse struts (11, 12) are joined to one another, in particular welded, wherein an angle (β) of between 35° and 55°, in particular 45°, is formed between the longitudinal axis (LL) of the longitudinal strut (10) and the longitudinal axes (LQ) of the transverse struts (11, 12). [8] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the longitudinal strut (10) is oriented parallel to the shut-off element (2). [9] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by that, viewed from the plane spanned by the longitudinal strut (10) and the transverse struts (11, 12), an angle (γ) of between 35° and 55°, in particular 45°, is formed between the respective transverse strut (11, 12) and the shut-off element (2). [10] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the cross braces (11, 12) have a width (B) which is smaller than the outer diameter (D) of the support posts (4, 5). [11] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the height (H7) of the insertion area (7) is greater than / equal to the height (H3) of the foot assembly (3), in particular the height (H7) of the insertion area (7) is up to 10% greater than the height (H3) of the foot assembly (3). [12] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the foot assemblies (3) are arranged in one plane when the barriers (1) are plugged together. [13] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized by that the longitudinal struts (10) of two barriers (1) plugged together run essentially parallel to each other and a distance (AL) of 10 mm to 15 mm, in particular 12 + / - 1 mm, is formed between the longitudinal struts (10). [14] Crowd barrier according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized by that the cross struts (11, 12) of two barriers (1) plugged together run substantially parallel to one another and a distance (AQ) of 1 mm to 5 mm, in particular predominantly less than 2 mm, is formed between the cross struts (11, 12), or the cross struts (11, 12) abut one another.

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