Support apparatus for barrier means and method of use thereof

Abstract

Support apparatus is provided for barrier means. The support apparatus includes support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use. Movement means are provided for allowing movement of the support apparatus relative to a surface in use. Stop means are provided for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Support apparatus for barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use. 
     
     
         2 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the support apparatus includes a body portion comprising at least two spaced apart members or plate like members and the support means is provided between said at least two spaced apart members or plate like members. 
     
     
         3 . Support apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the body portion includes a pair of inner members or plate like members and a pair of outer members or plate like members. 
     
     
         4 . Support apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein an adjustment mechanism is provided to allow adjustment of the distance between the inner members or plate like members and the outer members or plate like members. 
     
     
         5 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein barrier means are integral with the support means, or are attachable or detachably attachable to the support means using attachment means. 
     
     
         6 . Support apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the attachment means include any or any combination of one or more pins, inter-engaging members, nuts and bolts, screws, clips, welding, adhesive or chains. 
     
     
         7 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the support means include at least one channel member, sleeve member, aperture and/or recess defining an opening, and an end of the barrier means is locatable in said opening in use. 
     
     
         8 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the movement means includes any or any combination of one or more rollers, wheels, drums, ball members, or ball bearings. 
     
     
         9 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the stop means is movable between an actuated position, wherein it stops or prevents movement of the movement means or support apparatus, to a non-actuated position, wherein it allows movement of the movement means or support apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the stop means includes any or any combination of one or more teeth, braking members, locking members, cam members or cam wheels. 
     
     
         11 . Support apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the stop means is in the form of a cam wheel; rotation of the cam wheel in a first direction allows relatively free movement of the cam wheel and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus; rotation of the cam wheel in a second direction moves the cam wheel into a position whereby further movement of the cam wheel, and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus, is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         12 . Support apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein an off-centred part and/or weighted part of the cam wheel is/are arranged to engage a floor surface in use to form an actuated position of the cam wheel, such that further rotation of the cam wheel is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         13 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the stop means or a cam wheel is provided at or adjacent a front of the apparatus, movement of the apparatus in a forwardly direction towards said stop means or cam wheel actuates the stop means or cam wheel to substantially prevent further forwardly movement of the same, movement of the apparatus in a rearwardly direction away from said stop means or cam wheel allows rearwardly movement of the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . Support apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the stop means are arranged such that movement of the stop means between the actuated position and the non-actuated position can be as a result of a user at least partially lifting, tilting, pivoting and/or jerking the support apparatus, either alone or in combination with movement of the support apparatus in a first and/or second direction. 
     
     
         15 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein first and at least second movement means are provided on or associated with the support apparatus, the first and at least second movement means arranged a spaced distance apart in a substantially vertical or upright axis. 
     
     
         16 . Support apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein adjustment means are provided to allow adjustment of the vertical spacing between the first and at least second movement means in use. 
     
     
         17 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein guard means are provided to at least partially cover the stop means, movement means and/or support means in use. 
     
     
         18 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the barrier means include any or any combination of one or more frame members, meshing, netting, fencing, telescopic frame members, pivotably or hingedly mounted frame members or a substantially U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using support apparatus, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more barrier means therewith in use, and wherein said method includes moving the support apparatus to a desired position relative to a surface in use using movement means, and wherein stop means are provided on or associated with the apparatus for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus when said stop means are actuated. 
     
     
         20 . A fall prevention system, said system including support apparatus and barrier means, said support apparatus including support means for supporting one or more of said barrier means therewith in use, movement means for allowing movement of at least the support apparatus relative to a surface in use and stop means for stopping or preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.