Service tower base installation and protective barrier assembly therefor
A protective barrier assembly is especially adapted for service tower installations. A pair of pre-cast quasi-U-shaped shells, mate to form a vertically extending enclosure. A pair of caps bridges the shells. A retention rim of the caps extends around the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end. A post for the service tower projects through an opening in the caps. The shells are substantially identical reinforced concrete structures. The caps may also be identical.
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/137,487 filed on Jul. 30, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThis disclosure relates generally to installations which employ numerous service towers for servicing tractor/trailers and large trucks by providing power, communications and other services. More particularly, this disclosure relates generally to installation methods and the support base structures for such service towers.
SUMMARYBriefly stated, a protective barrier assembly comprises a pair of substantially identical, pre-cast, quasi-U-shaped shells. The shells are mated in end-to-end relationship to form a vertically extending enclosure with an upper end. A pair of caps covers the upper end. Each cap bridges the shells and cooperates to define a central opening. A cap retention rim extends about the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end of the shell. The caps are preferably substantially identical. Each of the caps has a plate and fasteners extend through the plate for securing together the caps.
The shells have a rectangular opening with a recess and upon mating the shells form a pair of access openings at opposite sides. An access cover covers the access openings. The shells are preferably formed from reinforced concrete wherein each shell is an integral one-piece structure comprising an extended wall, a rounded wall and a truncated wall. The rounded wall defines a notch and a carrier bar is anchored to the shell and extends across the notch. The extended wall is defined by a rectangular recess.
In one form, a service tower base installation comprises a mounting platform, a tower pole mounted to the platform and a protective barrier. The barrier comprises a pair of substantially identical pre-cast members which form an enclosure and surround the platform and extend above the platform. A cover bridges the pre-cast members and defines an opening through which the pole vertically projects. The opening defines a gap surrounding the pole. A bracket, which includes flanges, connects the bottom end of the pole. The flanges receive fasteners anchored to the mounting platform. The barrier assembly is a modular construction formed from two pairs of substantially identical members. The enclosure contains at least one electrical box for the service tower. The safety barrier has an access opening at opposed sides thereof. The cover is preferably formed from a pair of substantially identical cap members.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, a barrier assembly designated generally by the numeral 10 is employed as a protective barrier and enclosure for mounting a service tower pole (partially illustrated) designated generally by the numeral 12. A service tower base installation 20 includes the barrier assembly 10, a support structure 14 for the utility pole 12 of the service tower and various utility line connections. The service tower base installation 20 is installed in an efficient manner to provide an installation of high structural integrity and efficient functionality. The service towers (not illustrated in detail) function to provide utility connections for tractor/trailer rigs during idle periods. The service towers (not fully illustrated) are typically located throughout large scale parking plazas at pre-established spacings D (
A service tower mounting pier 18 is preferably constructed for each of the service tower poles at the pre-established pole spacing. The pier 18 is preferably constructed from concrete and has a lower cylindrical shape for anchoring below ground and an upper rectilinear box-like shape forming a mounting platform 28 which extends above a rectangular slab-like base 32. Four threaded studs 29 project from the upper end of the support platform 28 and are anchored therein. A trench 22 is formed for the communication and power lines which extend through conduits 24, 26 leading to locations adjacent the various service tower mounting piers. The trench 22 is then filled with concrete. A barrier assembly 10, principally of pre-cast form, is then installed above each mounting pier 18 and around and above support platform 28 and configured and positioned to provide for access to the utility lines.
As best illustrated in
With additional reference to
With reference to
A pair of substantially identical caps 40 cover the shells to form an enclosure 50 for the mounting support 14 and electrical lines and components. Each cap 40 bridges between opposing shells 30. The caps engage in mating relationship and form a substantially rectangular central opening 42 through which the service tower pole 12 may project. There is a clearance gap 48 between the edges of the opening 42 and the pole 12 to accommodate an impact displacement of the shells 30.
Each cap 40 preferably has a rectangular tie plate 44 which may be welded or otherwise attached at the cap underside. The plate 44 includes a pair of openings 45 which align with openings 47 of another identical cap 40. The aligned openings 45, 47 receive fasteners 49 for securing the caps together. The peripheral underside of the cap has an integral retaining rim or skirt 46 which engages the upper side portions of the shells. The caps 40 may be also formed from metal, or similar materials.
Conduits 24 and 26 project upwardly from the trench into the enclosure 50 for conveying the high voltage and low voltage lines which respectively connect with high and low power junction boxes 53 and 55.
The four pole mounting studs 29 which extend vertically from the top of the mounting platform 28 secure the pole 12. The service tower pole 12 is bolted at its bottom to a flange of a mounting bracket 62 which closely receives the lower end of the pole. It will be appreciated that the service tower pole 12 is mounted and supported independently of the service tower barrier assembly. A high voltage transformer 64 may be mounted in the enclosure. The high voltage junction box 53 and low voltage junction box 55 are disposed at an upper location of the enclosure 50 adjacent the underside of the caps 40.
It will be appreciated that the protective barrier assembly, provides an effective means for withstanding side impact due to tractor/trailers or other vehicles hitting against the side of the barriers. With reference to
The impact protection provided by the barrier assembly 10 and mounting support is illustrated in
It will also be appreciated that the electrical boxes 53 and 55 are located at a height above the ground and do not require access for service into a below-ground service hole. With reference to
While preferred embodiments have been set forth for purposes of description, the foregoing should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A protective barrier assembly comprising:
- a pair of substantially identical pre-cast quasi-U-shaped shells matable in end-to-end relationship to form a vertically extending enclosure with an upper end; and
- a pair of caps covering said upper end, each said cap bridging said shells and cooperating to define a central opening and a retention rim extending about the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end of said shells.
2. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein said caps are substantially identical.
3. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein said caps each have a plate and fasteners extend through the plate for securing together said caps.
4. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the shells have a rectangular opening with a recess, and upon mating said shells form a pair of access openings.
5. The barrier assembly of claim 4 further comprising an access cover covering each said access opening and received in a said recess.
6. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the shells are formed from reinforced concrete.
7. The barrier assembly of claim 1 wherein each shell is an integral one piece structure comprising an extended wall, a rounded wall and a truncated wall.
8. The barrier assembly of claim 7 wherein said rounded wall defines a notch and carrier bar is anchored to said shell and extends across said notch.
9. The barrier assembly of claim 7 wherein said extended wall is defined by a rectangular recess.
10. A service tower base installation comprising:
- a mounting platform;
- a tower pole mounted to said platform; and
- a protective barrier comprising a pair of substantially identical pre-cast members forming an enclosure surrounding said platform and extending above said platform and having a cover bridging said pre-cast members and defining an opening through which said pole vertically projects.
11. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said opening defines a gap surrounding said pole.
12. The base installation of claim 10 further comprising a bracket having flanges and a connecting a bottom end of the pole, said flanges receiving fasteners anchored to the mounting platform.
13. The base installation of claim 10 wherein the barrier is a modular construction formed from two pairs of substantially identical members.
14. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said enclosure contains an electrical box.
15. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said protective barrier has an access opening at opposed sides thereof.
16. The base installation of claim 10 wherein each pre-cast member has a rounded end portion integrally connecting with an extended side and a truncated side parallel to said extended side.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2010
Inventor: James S. Bianco (Suffield, CT)
Application Number: 12/462,173
International Classification: E02D 27/42 (20060101); E04C 3/20 (20060101);