A security barrier for a vessel

Abstract

A barrier (1) installed on a generally upright structure, the structure being generally elongate and protruding from a surface to rise to a first height above the surface, wherein: the barrier has a front surface (10), which lies on a first side of the upright structure, and a rear surface (13), which lies either on the same side, or on the opposite side, of the upright structure, the front and rear surfaces being connected to each other; the barrier rises to a second height above the surface, the second height being higher than the first height; and neither of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier significantly protrudes in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the upright structure than the other of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A barrier installed on a generally upright structure, the structure being generally elongate and protruding from a surface to rise to a first height above the surface, wherein:
 the barrier has a front surface, which lies on a first side of the upright structure, and a rear surface, which lies either on the same side, or on the opposite side, of the upright structure, the front and rear surfaces being connected to each other;   the barrier rises to a second height above the surface, the second height being higher than the first height; and   neither of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier significantly protrudes in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the upright structure than the other of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier.   
     
     
         29 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the front and/or rear surface of the barrier is attached to the upright structure. 
     
     
         30 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein both the front and rear surfaces of the barrier rest on, or lie close to, the surface from which the generally upright structure protrudes. 
     
     
         31 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the front or rear surface of the barrier terminates at a free end which is positioned at a distance above the surface from which the generally upright structure protrudes. 
     
     
         32 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein, in the region of the barrier above the top of the upright structure, the front and rear surfaces of the barrier are attached to one another. 
     
     
         33 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein at least the front surface of the barrier is substantially smooth, and does not present any protruding features. 
     
     
         34 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the barrier does not comprise a significant overhang on either side of the upright structure. 
     
     
         35 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the upright structure is a rail structure, comprising at least one elongate rail running generally parallel with the surface from which the upright structure protrudes. 
     
     
         36 . A barrier according to  claim 35 , wherein the rail structure is a guard rail on the deck of a vessel. 
     
     
         37 . A barrier installed on a generally upright structure, the structure being generally elongate and protruding from a surface to rise to a first height above the surface, wherein:
 the barrier is formed from a sheet of material which lies on a first side of the upright structure;   the barrier rises to a second height above the surface, the second height being higher than the first height; and   the barrier does not significantly protrudes in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the upright structure more in one direction that the other.   
     
     
         38 . A barrier according to  claim 37 , wherein the sheet of material from which the barrier is formed is arranged to be generally planar, and parallel or substantially parallel with the upright structure. 
     
     
         39 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the second height is at least 125% of the first height, and is more preferably at least 150% of the first height. 
     
     
         40 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , further comprising a support element, which is attached to the upright structure and protrudes above the first height, and provides support to the barrier. 
     
     
         41 . A barrier according to  claim 28 , wherein the barrier is formed from one or more sheets of flexible material. 
     
     
         42 . A barrier according to  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the sheets of material from which the barrier is formed may be arranged to adopt a flat or substantially flat configuration without damaging the sheet, and preferably wherein all of the sheets of material from which the barrier is formed may be arranged to adopt a flat or substantially flat configuration without damaging the sheet. 
     
     
         43 . A barrier according to  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the one or more sheets of material has score lines or other features formed therein to cause the sheet to bend preferentially at one or more predetermined locations. 
     
     
         44 . A series of barriers, each according to  claim 28 , attached side-by-side along the upright structure. 
     
     
         45 . A method of installing a barrier on an upright structure, which is elongate and rises to a first height above a surface from which the upright structure protrudes, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a barrier having a front surface and a rear surface, the front and rear surfaces being connected to each other; and   attaching the barrier to the upright structure, so that the first surface of the barrier lies on a first side of the upright structure and the second surface of the barrier lies either on the same side, or on the opposite side, of the upright structure, so that the barrier rises to a second height above the surface, the second height being higher than the first height, and so that neither of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier significantly protrudes in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the upright structure than the other of the front and rear surfaces of the barrier.   
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the barrier comprises one or more sheets of flexible material, the method further comprising the steps of:
 removing the barrier from the upright structure; and   attaching at least one of the one or more sheets of flexible material to the upright structure to form an alternative barrier, which protrudes in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the upright structure significantly more on one side of the upright structure than on the other.   
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the barrier comprises one or more sheets of flexible material, the method further comprising the steps of:
 removing the barrier from the upright structure; and   arranging the or each sheet of flexible material adopt a flat or substantially flat configuration.