Barrier system

Abstract

A barrier system including two or more panel elements positioned adjacent to each other to at least partially define one or more gaps therebetween, and one or more intermediate elements at least partially positioned between the panel elements respectively, to at least partially occupy the gap(s).

1 . A barrier system comprising:
 at least two panel elements positioned adjacent to each other to at least partially define at least one gap therebetween; and   at least one intermediate element at least partially positioned between said at least two panel elements, to at least partially occupy said at least one gap.   
     
     
         2 . A barrier system according to  claim 1  in which said at least one intermediate element comprises:
 at least one web portion extending between a first side thereof and an opposed second side thereof; 
 a first flange connected to said at least one web portion at the first side thereof; 
 a second flange connected to said at least one web portion at the second side thereof; and 
 the first and second flanges being positioned substantially transverse to said at least one web portion for at least partial engagement of the first and second flanges with said at least two panel elements, to at least partially locate said at least one web portion in said at least one gap. 
 
     
     
         3 . A barrier system according to  claim 2  in which each of said first and second flanges is formed to at least partially engage said at least two panel elements in a friction fit, to maintain said at least one web portion at least partially in said at least one gap. 
     
     
         4 . A barrier system according to  claim 2  in which:
 each of the first and second flanges comprises two flange parts respectively, and each said flange part extends from said at least one web portion to an outer edge of each said flange part respectively, the outer edge being spaced apart from said at least one web portion by a predetermined distance; and 
 each said flange part is positioned to define an acute angle between each said flange part and said at least one web portion respectively. 
 
     
     
         5 . A barrier system according to  claim 3  in which each said flange part comprises an inner surface at least partially facing toward a selected other one of said flange parts. 
     
     
         6 . A barrier system according to  claim 2  in which the first and second flanges are at least partially formed to taper inwardly relative to said at least one web portion, for at least partial engagement of the first and second flanges with said at least two panel elements. 
     
     
         7 . A barrier system according to  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 a structure subassembly for supporting said at least two panel elements; and 
 a plurality of fasteners, for securing said at least two panel elements to the structure subassembly. 
 
     
     
         8 . A barrier system comprising:
 a structure subassembly;   at least two panel elements positioned adjacent to each other to at least partially define at least one gap therebetween, said at least two panel elements being secured to the structure subassembly;   at least one intermediate element at least partially positioned between said at least two panel elements, to at least partially occupy said at least one gap; and   at least one utility element secured to the structure subassembly for at least partially supporting said at least two panel elements.   
     
     
         9 . A barrier system according to  claim 8  in which said at least one utility element comprises:
 a utility web portion; 
 a utility flange positioned substantially transversely to the utility web potion. 
 
     
     
         10 . A barrier system according to  claim 9  in which:
 the utility flange comprises two flange parts, each said flange part extending from the utility web portion to outer edges of each said flange part respectively, the outer edge being spaced apart from the utility web portion by a predetermined distance; and 
 each said flange part is positioned to define an acute angle between each said flange part and the utility web portion respectively. 
 
     
     
         11 . A barrier system according to  claim 8  in which:
 the structure subassembly comprises at least one post; 
 the barrier system additionally comprises:
 an end element positioned adjacent to the post, to define at least one second gap between the end element and a selected one of said at least two panel elements; 
 a gap element comprising:
 a gap web portion extending between a first side thereof and an opposed second side thereof; 
 a flange connected to the gap web portion at the first side thereof, the flange being positioned substantially transverse to the gap web portion, for at least partial engagement of the flange with the end element and the selected one of said at least two panel elements, to at least partially locate the gap web portion in said at least one second gap; 
 
 
 the gap web portion being at least partially positioned in said at least one second gap; and 
 the gap element being secured to the structure subassembly. 
 
     
     
         12 . A barrier system according to  claim 8  additionally comprising an end element secured to a selected one of the posts, the end element defining an end element slot in which a lengthwise side of a selected one of the panel elements is at least partially receivable. 
     
     
         13 . A barrier system comprising:
 at least two panel elements positioned adjacent to each other to at least partially define at least one gap therebetween;   a structure subassembly for supporting said at least two panel elements;   a plurality of fasteners for securing said at least two panel elements to the structure subassembly;   at least one gap element at least partially positioned between said at least two panel elements, said at least one gap element comprising:
 at least one gap web portion extending between a first side thereof and an opposed second side thereof; 
 a first flange connected to said at least one web portion at the first side thereof and positioned substantially transverse to said at least one web portion, the first flange being positioned for at least partial engagement with said at least two panel elements, to at least partially locate said at least one web portion in said at least one gap; and 
   said at least one gap element being secured to the structure subassembly.   
     
     
         14 . An intermediate element for positioning at least partially between at least two panel elements, the intermediate element comprising:
 at least one web portion extending between a first side thereof and an opposed second side thereof;   a first flange connected to said at least one web portion at the first side thereof;   a second flange connected to said at least one web portion at the second side thereof;   said at least one web portion being at least partially locatable between said at least two panel elements;   each of the first and second flanges being formed to at least partially engage said at least two panel elements when said at least one web portion is at least partially located between said at least two panel elements, to maintain said at least one web portion at least partially between said at least two panel elements.   
     
     
         15 . A panel assembly comprising:
 a plurality of rails, the rails being positioned substantially parallel to each other;   a plurality of panel elements secured to the rails, the panel elements being positioned substantially orthogonal to the rails and located substantially edge-to-edge serially, to define gaps therebetween;   a plurality of intermediate elements, each said intermediate element being positioned at least partially between a selected pair of the panel elements, each said intermediate element comprising:
 at least one web portion extending between a first side thereof and an opposed second side thereof; 
 a first flange connected to said at least one web portion at the first side thereof; 
 a second flange connected to said at least one web portion at the second side thereof; 
 said at least one web portion being at least partially locatable between the panel elements in the selected pair; 
 each of the first and second flanges being formed to at least partially engage said at least two panel elements when said at least one web portion is at least partially located between the panel elements, to maintain said at least one web portion at least partially between the panel elements; and 
   at least one panel support, for supporting the rails.   
     
     
         16 . A barrier system comprising:
 at least one post;   the panel assembly according to  claim 15 ; and   said at least one panel support being secured to said at least one post.   
     
     
         17 . A panel assembly according to  claim 16  additionally comprising at least one utility element secured to the structure subassembly for at least partially supporting the panel elements. 
     
     
         18 . A kit of parts for a barrier system, the kit comprising:
 a structure subassembly for assembly into a structure, comprising:
 at least one post; 
 at least one rail securable to the post, to provide the structure; 
   a plurality of panel elements securable to the structure;   a plurality of intermediate elements positionable between the panel elements respectively, the intermediate elements being adapted to cover gaps between the panel elements when the panel elements are secured to the structure; and   a plurality of fasteners, for securing the rails to the posts, and for securing the panel elements to the rails.   
     
     
         19 . A kit of parts according to  claim 18  additionally comprising at least one utility element for at least partially supporting the panel elements, said at least one utility element being securable to the structure subassembly.