GB2296019A

GB2296019A - Anti-scaling barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2296019A
Application number: GB9425614A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Wilde
Original assignee: DARFEN Ltd
Current assignee: DARFEN Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-17
Filing date: 1994-12-17
Publication date: 1996-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-17
Also published as: GB9425614D0; GB2296019B

Abstract

An anti-scaling barrier (1) comprises first and second substantially identical sections (2, 3) which are coupled together by means of rivets (11) placed through apertures (14) provided in flanges (8a; 8b, 9a; 9b) extending outwardly from central portions (6a; 6b) of the sections. Blades (10) extend from the flanges. The blade assembly (12) is carried by a supporting shaft (4) which is carried on a wall (5), the shaft running through a tubular portion (15) of the blade assembly provided when the two sections are coupled together. Advantageously, this anti-scaling barrier can be assembled quickly and easily, because the supporting shaft is firstly mounted on the wall and then the blade assembly assembled around the shaft. <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-SCALING BARRIER This invention relates to an anti-scaling barrier to prevent persons scaling walls, fences, drainpipes, windows and the like.

Devices designed to prevent or hinder persons from scaling such things as walls and fences are well known.

In its simplest form, these take the form of shards of glass or spikes embedded in concrete. However, there are more sophisticated devices available. A known anti-scaling device comprises a number of curved steel blades which are mounted, freely rotatable, around a shaft, which is then fixed on top of the wall which is to be protected. While this is effective in preventing persons from scaling the wall to which the device is fixed, because it is necessary to firstly fix the curved steel blades to the shaft before mounting the whole assembly on the wall, this makes assembly both time consuming and difficult.

According to the present invention, there is provided an anti-scaling barrier comprising a support member and a blade assembly carried by the support member, the blade assembly comprising first and second sections, each section being provided with means for enabling the first and second sections to be coupled together, enclosing the support member, in a plane running substantially longitudinally with the support member. The support member may be a circular shaft, provided on the top of a wall, around which the two section are fixed after the shaft has been mounted on the wall to provide a freely rotatable blade assembly. This has the advantage of, while providing an effective anti-scaling barrier, reducing the difficulty and the time involved in its assembly because the shaft is mounted on the wall first, then the blade assembly is fitted.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of single length of one section of the anti-scaling barrier, prior to assembly and mounting; Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section along the line ll-ll of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section through an assembled anti-scaling barrier, mounted on a wall.

An anti-scaling barrier 1 comprises one or more lengths of two substantially identical sections 2,3 which, when assembled together, provide a rotating blade assembly 1 2 configured to rotate about a substantially circular shaft 4 mounted on a wall 5 which is to be protected. In cross-section, each section 2,3 comprises a substantially semi-circular centre portion 6a;6b, from the edges of which, perpendicularly extend two flanges 8a;8b,9a;9b.

Extending outwardly from each flange 8a;8b,9a;9b, at a predetermined angle, are a multiplicity of teeth or blades 10. The term blade has been used herein, but it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that any sharp protrusion which makes it difficult for a person to scale the barrier can be used, and the term blade should be construed accordingly.

To assemble the anti-scaling barrier 1, the substantially circular shaft 4 is provided on the wall 5 using a number of posts 13. The posts 13 should be separated by a distance equivalent to the dimensions of the section lengths.

Two of the substantially identical sections 2,3 are placed, one either side of the shaft 4 so that the shaft is enclosed by the two semi-circular portions 6a;6b of the sections 2,3 which provide a tubular portion 15 of the blade assembly 1 2 in which the shaft 4 is carried. The two sections 2,3 are then fixed together using pop rivets 11 placed through apertures 14 provided in the adjacent flanges 8a;8b,9a;9b. The blade assembly 1 2 is now free to rotate around the shaft 4 in either direction, as indicated by the arrows A in Figure 3.

Each section 2,3 is manufactured separately, and the barrier assembled on site. Typically, the sections are preformed and made from pre-galvanised strip steel, which may then be coated by polyester, paint, anti-climb paint or any other suitable finish. Typically, each section may be 3' in length, with the semi-circular portion having a 3/4" diameter, the flanges 8a;8b,9a;9b extending 1/2" and the blades extending around 1".

Although the present invention has been described with reference to its use on a wall, other applications are possible. Typical applications include wall topping, gate topping, anti-climbing protection for drainpipes, window ledges and the like, fence topping, and stay ropes for wooden poles e.g electricity poles.

It will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, any shape blade or tooth can be provided at the same, or at differing angles. The semicircular portion may have other cross-sections, for example, triangular. The dimensions of the sections can be made to any length as required.

The shaft can be of any suitable material and cross section. Alternatively, no shaft can be used, with the two sections being used to sandwich the top of existing chain link or welded mesh or barbed wire fencing which is then used as a support for the blade assembly (which will,of course, in this case, be static rather than rotatable). The sections can be made of other materials, for example, plastics material or stainless steel. The two sections can be coupled together using other securing means rather than rivets. The two sections may have different cross-sections.

Claims

1. An anti-scaling barrier comprising a support member and a blade assembly carried by the support member, the blade assembly comprising first and second sections, each section being provided with means for enabling the first and second sections to be coupled together, enclosing the support member, in a plane running substantially longitudinally with the support member.

2. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each section is substantially identical in cross-section, and comprises a centre portion for receiving the support member, the enabling means being provided by flanges extending outwardly from the ends of the centre portion, and further comprises a multiplicity of blades carried by the flanges.

3. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the flanges are provided with apertures for receiving securing means therein for coupling the first and second sections together.

4. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in Claims 2 or 3, wherein the centre portion is circular in cross-section.

5. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in Claims 2 or 3, wherein the centre portion is triangular in cross-section.

6. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is shaft, the blade assembly being assembled such that the shaft is enclosed by the centre portions of the sections to provide a tubular portion for receiving the support member therein, the blade assembly being freely rotatable around the shaft.

7. An anti-scaling device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support member is part of the structure to be protected, the part of the structure being enclosed between the central portions of the sections.

8. An anti-scaling barrier as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the centre portion is provided by existing chain link, wire mesh or barbed wire fencing.

9. A section for a blade assembly for an anti-scaling barrier as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

10. An anti-scaling barrier as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures.