Barrier connection apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

Connection apparatus is provided for connecting two or more items together in use. The connection apparatus comprises a body portion, engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow connection of the body portion to a first item in use, and attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow attachment of the body portion to at least a second item in use. The attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member for removable location with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.

1 . Connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together in use, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow connection of the body portion to a first item in use, and attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow attachment of the body portion to at least a second item in use, wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member for removable location with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item. 
     
     
         2 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment means further includes at least one attachment member having at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined therein, and said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably locatable with the attachment member aperture, recess and/or channel in use, in addition to the aperture, recess and/or channel on or associated with the at least second item. 
     
     
         3 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the attachment member includes at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels defined therein and located a spaced distance apart from each other, said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably locatable with said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels in use. 
     
     
         4 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels are vertically aligned or substantially vertically aligned to allow a single pin or locking member to be located through said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels at the same time in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation in use. 
     
     
         5 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one pin or locking member is an elongate, linear and rigid member. 
     
     
         6 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one pin or locking member includes a head portion, and a neck portion protruding outwardly from the head portion, wherein the head portion has larger dimensions or diameter compared to the neck portion and/or protrudes outwardly laterally from the neck portion to allow the neck portion to pass through the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined in the attachment member or second item in use but to prevent the head portion from passing through the same. 
     
     
         7 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein securing means are provided on or associated with the attachment means to allow further securing of the pin or locking member in the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel of the attachment member and/or at least second item in use. 
     
     
         8 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the securing means includes any or any combination of one or more clips, inter-engaging members, resilient biasing means, chains, apertures, channels or recesses. 
     
     
         9 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one or more strengthening members or plates are provided between, on or associated with the attachment means and/or the body portion. 
     
     
         10 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion includes any or any combination of one or more apertures, channels, slot, nuts and bolts, screws, welding, adhesive, clips or inter-engaging members. 
     
     
         11 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the attachment member includes a body support portion which is joined directly or indirectly to the body portion in use, and at least one pin or locking member support portion in which the at least one channel, recess and/or aperture is defined for the removable location of the pin or locking member therethrough in use. 
     
     
         12 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein two pin or locking member support portions are provided at spaced apart locations on the body portion or body support portion and protrude outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein one or more rib members are provided between the two or more pin or locking member support portions to provide additional strength and rigidity to the pin or locking member support portions. 
     
     
         14 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first item is a barrier member or concrete barrier member. 
     
     
         15 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein an end of the barrier member or concrete barrier member facing the second item is provided with one or more protruding members and the aperture, recess and/or channel of the second item are defined in the one or more protruding members. 
     
     
         16 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second item is anchor apparatus for anchoring the first item to any surface, a ground or floor surface, weighted anchor apparatus, a barge or an end barrier. 
     
     
         17 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprises an elliptical or substantially elliptical structure. 
     
     
         18 . Connection apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprise an outer shell member containing, is filled with or substantially filled with one or more weight components, stone, concrete, liquid or metal. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, said method including the steps of engaging the body portion to a first item in use using engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion, attaching the body portion to at least a second item in use using attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion, and wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member and said method further includes removably locating the at least one pin or locking member with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item to join the second item to the first item.