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 substantially 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 1  wherein one or more adjustment mechanisms are provided to allow adjustment of the distance between two or more movement means in a horizontal and/or vertical direction and/or for adjusting the distance between two or more spaced apart members forming part of the support means. 
     
     
         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 substantially 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, cam surfaces or cam wheels. 
     
     
         11 . Support apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein rotation or movement of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface in a first direction or in a forwardly allows relatively free movement of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus; rotation or movement of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface in a second direction or in a rearwardly direction moves the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface into a position whereby further movement of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface and thus movement of the movement means and support apparatus, is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         12 . Support apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein an off-centered part and/or weighted part of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface is/are arranged to engage a floor surface in use to form an actuated position of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface such that further rotation or movement of the stop means, cam wheel, cam member or cam surface is substantially prevented. 
     
     
         13 . Support apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein user actuation means are provided to move the stop means between the actuated and non-actuated positions. 
     
     
         14 . Support apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the user actuation means includes a brake cable and a handle mechanism to actuate said brake cable. 
     
     
         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 and/or in a substantially horizontal direction. 
     
     
         16 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein first and at least second movement means are provided in a substantially horizontal plane and at least third movement means are provided in a substantially vertical plane or upright direction, the first and second movement means provided in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the plane in which the at least third movement means are provided. 
     
     
         17 . Support apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein guard or cover 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 substantially 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 substantially preventing movement of the movement means or support apparatus in use.