Barrier apparatus

Abstract

A temporary barrier apparatus (1) is provided, and comprises a base member (2) and at least one spool assembly (3) including a spool (5) upon which a temporary barrier is wound. The spool (5) is remote from the base member (2) and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier. At least one drive shaft (21) is non-rotatably connected to the spool, and a biasing member (17) is located in the base member (2) and adapted to bias the drive shaft (21) and spool (5) to recoil the barrier. A belt feed control device is provided to control the deployment and retraction of the belt from such an apparatus.

1 . A temporary barrier apparatus, comprising:
 a base member;   at least one spool assembly including a spool upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier;   at least one drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the spool; and   a biasing member located in the base member and adapted to bias the drive shaft and spool to recoil the barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 first and second spool assemblies including first and second spools upon which temporary barriers are wound, each spool being remote from the base member and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil its respective barrier;   a first drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the first spool;   a second drive shaft non-rotatably connected to the second spool;   wherein the first drive shaft is at least partially located within the second drive shaft such that the two shafts are co-axial; and   first and second biasing members located in the base member and adapted to bias the respective first and second drive shafts and spools to recoil their respective barriers.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of rotational members housed in the base member and adapted to support and allow movement of the apparatus over a surface; and 
 an actuation mechanism adapted to selectively deploy and retract the rotational members from and into the base member. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a chassis to which the rotational members are rotatably attached, and a frame attached to the base member and extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:
 a first actuation member attached to the chassis, and a second actuation member attached to the frame; and   a lever mechanism located between the first and second actuation members, and adapted to push the actuation members away from one another to deploy the rotational members.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a biasing member located between the base member and the chassis, the biasing member biasing the base member and chassis away from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of either  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the first and second actuation members each include a cam follower, and the lever mechanism includes a cam member adapted to engage the cam followers of the actuation members. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises ballast. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier feed control device, the device comprising:
 a first guide member pivotably attached to the at least one spool assembly about a first pivot axis, and a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis; and   wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members, and rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first guide member includes a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the feed control device further comprises an attachment assembly having an anchor member adapted to be attached to the at least one spool assembly, and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein one or both guide members has an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed. 
     
     
         12 . A barrier feed control device for a barrier apparatus having a spool assembly upon which a temporary barrier is wound, the device comprising:
 a first guide member pivotably attachable to the spool assembly about a first pivot axis;   a second guide member pivotably attached to the spool assembly about a second pivot axis;   wherein a guide channel for the barrier is defined between the guide members; and   wherein rotation of one guide member relative to the other guide member varies the width of a portion of the guide channel.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first guide member includes a lip portion which extends across the guide channel, and wherein the second guide member is pivotably supported upon the lip portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 an attachment assembly having an anchor member attachable to the spool assembly; and a base member connected to the anchor member and adapted to pivotably support the guide members. 
 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein one or both guide members has an inspection aperture through which the guide channel can be accessed.