Barrier Post and System

Abstract

A barrier system includes a plurality of barriers, each barrier having a first end and a second end, and one or more posts. Each post includes a center wall having a first end and a second end. A first wall extends from the center wall first end, and a second wall extends from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a first channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a first barrier. A third wall extends from the center wall second end, and fourth wall extends from the third wall such that the center wall, third wall and fourth wall define a second channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a second barrier.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to barrier systems and more particularly improved barrier systems and barrier posts.

SUMMARY

Fences and privacy barriers constructed of prefabricated panels have been used for many years. Typically, such assemblies utilize a plurality of modular panels, or barriers, fabricated from metals, alloys or thermoplastic materials. The panels are connected to each other and to a support post using screws, nails, bolts, rivets, pins or similar fasteners or by interlocking one panel to another panel.

In a typical modular fence construction, two posts form a span between which vertically disposed panels are assembled. The panels are coupled to corresponding posts to form a free standing fence or barrier. Coupling the panels may consume substantial amounts of time as this frequently requires driving a plurality of fasteners through each panel and post to secure them together. Furthermore, it may also require a second worker to support and stabilize the each panel while it is attached to a post. Therefore, there exists a significant need for a improved fence, or barrier, system, as well as an improved fence, or barrier, posts. This application discloses such improved fence, or barrier, systems and improved fence, or barrier, posts.

In particular, this application discloses a barrier post comprising: a center wall having a first end and a second end; a first wall extending from the center wall first end; a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a first channel capable of receiving a first barrier; a third wall extending from the center wall second end; and a fourth wall extending from the third wall such that the center wall, third wall and fourth wall define a second channel capable of receiving a second barrier.

The application also discloses a barrier system comprising: a plurality of barriers, each barrier having a first end and a second end; and a post comprising: a center wall having a first end and a second end; a first wall extending from the center wall first end; a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a first channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a first barrier; a third wall extending from the center wall second end; and a fourth wall extending from the third wall such that the center wall, third wall and fourth wall define a second channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a second barrier.

This application further discloses a barrier post comprising: a center wall having a first end; a first wall extending from the center wall first end; and a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a channel capable of receiving an end of a barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative post;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illustrative post of FIG. 1 and a cap member;

FIG. 3 is an perspective view of a barrier system; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of a barrier system 100 is shown. The system 100 generally includes one or more posts 102 and a plurality of barriers 104. Each post 102 may be secured to the ground via any suitable method or means, including, but not limited to, the post 102 being driven into the ground, being secured to an anchoring body, being cemented into the ground, etc. Each barrier 104 is a substantially planar member and configured to engage one or more posts 102. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the system 100 may optionally include a cap 122 for disposing over the top 124 of the post 102 in order to prevent the barrier(s) 104 from being vertically removed from engagement with the post 102. The cap 122 may be secured to the post 102 via any suitable means, including, but not limited to, mechanical fastener(s), adhesive, welding, bonding, etc. The various components of the system 100 may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a metal, a polymer, a composite, etc.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the post 102 includes a center wall 106 having a first end 106a and a second end 106b. While termed the “center” wall, it will be appreciated that the term “center” is merely used as a descriptive term to differentiate the center wall 106 from other walls of the post 102 and in no way limits the center wall 106 to being at or near the geometric center, center of gravity or any other objective center of the post 102.

A first wall 108 extends from the center wall first end 106a. In the illustrative embodiment, the first wall 108 is substantially perpendicular to the center wall 106; however, as will be discussed further below, the first wall 108 may be at any suitable angle relative to the center wall. A second wall 110 extends from the first wall 110 such that a first channel 111 is defined by the center wall 106, first wall 108 and second wall 110. The first channel 111 is configured to receive an end 104a of a barrier 104 therein. While the illustrative second wall 110 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 108 and substantially parallel with the center wall 106, it will be appreciated that the second wall 110 may be at any suitable angle relative to one or both of the first wall 108 and center wall 106. For example, and without limitation, the first wall 108 may be at an acute angle relative to the center wall 106 and the second wall 110 may be at an obtuse angle relative to the first wall 108 such that the second wall 110 may bias a barrier 104 towards the center wall 106 such that the barrier 104 may be held within the first channel 111 via a friction fit with at least one of the second wall 110 and center wall 106.

In one embodiment, the second wall 110 may include a distal end 112 that is curled into the first channel 111 such that the curled distal end 112 may bias the barrier 104 towards the center wall 106 whereby the barrier 104 may frictionally engage at least one of the center wall 106 and second wall distal end 112. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second wall distal end 112 may include an friction member member 202 capable of frictionally engaging the barrier 104 and/or biasing the barrier 104 towards the center wall 106. The friction member 202 may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, polymer, metal, composite, etc.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the post 102 may also include a third wall 114, a fourth wall 116 and a second channel 120. The third wall 114 may extend from the center wall second end 106b. In the illustrative embodiment, the third wall 114 is substantially perpendicular to the center wall 106; however, as will be discussed further below, the third wall 114 may be at any suitable angle relative to the center wall 106. The fourth wall 116 may extend from the third wall 114 such that the second channel 120 is defined by the center wall 106, third wall 114 and fourth wall 116. The second channel 120 may be configured to receive an end 104a of a barrier 104 therein. While the illustrative fourth wall 116 is substantially perpendicular to the third wall 114 and substantially parallel with the center wall 106, it will be appreciated that the fourth wall 116 may be at any suitable angle relative to one or both of the third wall 114 and center wall 106. For example, and without limitation, the third wall 114 may be at an acute angle relative to the center wall 106 and the fourth wall 116 may be at an obtuse angle relative to the third wall 114 such that the fourth wall 116 may bias a barrier 104 towards the center wall 106 such that the barrier 104 may be held within the second channel 120 via a friction fit with at least one of the fourth wall 116 and center wall 106.

In one embodiment, the fourth wall 116 may include a distal end 118 that is curled into the second channel 120 such that the curled distal end 120 may bias the barrier 104 towards the center wall 106 whereby the barrier 104 may frictionally engage at least one of the center wall 106 and fourth wall distal end 118. Also, as previously discussed relative to the second wall distal end, the fourth wall distal end 118 may also include an friction member capable of frictionally engaging the barrier 104 and/or biasing the barrier 104 towards the center wall 106.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of an end 104b of barrier 104 is shown. In this embodiment, the barrier end 104b includes an arm 204 extending therefrom. The arm 204 is configured to lockingly engage the post 102 between the fourth wall 116 and fourth wall distal end 118 when the barrier end 104 is disposed within the second channel 120. The arm 204 may frictionally engage at least one of the fourth wall 116 and fourth wall distal end 118. While the illustrative alternative barrier end 104b is shown in the context of the second channel 120 and fourth wall 116, it will be appreciated that a barrier 104 having the alternative end 104b may also be employed within the first channel 111 and engage the second wall 110 and/or second wall distal end 112. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the barrier end 104b may have any suitable configuration capable of lockingly engaging the post 102 once disposed within a post channel 111, 120 and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A barrier post comprising:

a center wall having a first end and a second end;

a first wall extending from the center wall first end;

a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a first channel capable of receiving a first barrier;

a third wall extending from the center wall second end; and

a fourth wall extending from the third wall such that the center wall, third wall and fourth wall define a second channel capable of receiving a second barrier.

2. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the second wall includes a distal end, wherein the distal end curls into the first channel.

3. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the fourth wall includes a distal end, wherein the distal end curls into the second channel.

4. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the first wall is substantially perpendicular to the center wall.

5. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the second wall is substantially parallel with the center wall.

6. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the center wall.

7. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the fourth wall is substantially parallel with the center wall.

8. The barrier post of claim 1 further comprising a friction member for gripping the first barrier, the friction member coupled to the second wall.

9. The barrier post of claim 1 further comprising a friction member for gripping the second barrier, the friction member coupled to the fourth wall.

10. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the first channel is configured to lockingly engage the first barrier.

11. The barrier post of claim 1 wherein the second channel is configured to lockingly engage the second barrier.

12. A barrier system comprising:

a plurality of barriers, each barrier having a first end and a second end;

a post comprising: a center wall having a first end and a second end; a first wall extending from the center wall first end; a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a first channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a first barrier; a third wall extending from the center wall second end; and a fourth wall extending from the third wall such that the center wall, third wall and fourth wall define a second channel capable of receiving one of the first end and second end of a second barrier.

13. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the second wall and fourth wall includes a distal end, wherein the distal end curls into at least one of the first channel and second channel.

14. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein the first wall is substantially perpendicular to the center wall.

15. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein the second wall is substantially parallel with the center wall.

16. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the center wall.

17. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein the fourth wall is substantially parallel with the center wall.

18. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first end and second end of the first barrier member includes an arm member for lockingly engaging the post when disposed within the first channel.

19. The barrier system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first end and second end of the second barrier member includes an arm member for lockingly engaging the post when disposed within the second channel.

20. A barrier post comprising:

a center wall having a first end;

a first wall extending from the center wall first end; and

a second wall extending from the first wall such that the center wall, first wall and second wall define a channel capable of receiving an end of a barrier.