Adjustable Barrier Post Sleeve and Components

Abstract

A safety barrier system, for placement along roadways and pedestrian paths, consisting of railing components that can be changed in elevation without the need for adjusting or resetting the posts or other type vertical support components.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to safety barrier for vehicular and pedestrian traffic paths.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of guardrail and other type safety barriers are currently available for protecting motorists and pedestrians from obstacles and other hazards present along roadways. However, when elevation change associated with actions such as repaving, rehabilitation, reconditioning or settlement of the roadway prism takes place, existing guardrail or barrier has to be replaced, reconstructed or rebuilt in order to meet vertical height requirements. There is a need for a guardrail or barriers system that allows for vertical adjustment of the railing or cross-members without having to adjust, re-set or relocate the posts and/or vertical support component.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,515, by Krage, et al., describes a highway barrier with a collapsible assembly and rotatable beam for reacting under impact to redirect a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,548, by Ochoa, describes a highway safety structure with a releasable fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,944, by McMillian et al., describes an adjustable rail barricade for working on a roof that can be pivoted at the base to allow for vertical orientation on a pitched roof.

The above inventions, nor any other known invention or market available device or system, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is a guardrail or safety barrier system that includes a component that allows for adjustment in elevation of attached railing or similar or similar horizontal component.

The principal object of the invention is to allow railing and other attachments of the barrier to be adjusted vertically without the need to adjust, move or reset the posts or vertical support members.

Another significant object of the invention is to provide a barrier system that protects vehicles and pedestrians from impacting obstacles and other hazards that may be present along a roadway.

Another significant object of the invention is to reduce costs associated with having guardrail and other barrier system meet vertical height requirements after originally placed.

Other objects of the invention are to be non-complex and low-maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric, frontal view of all components of the system and relative position in order to make a completed construction.

FIG. 1A is a rear view of the post, sleeve and clamp components.

FIG. 2 is a side view of for purpose of displaying an optional tool for use in making vertical adjustments to the sleeve component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the present invention, consists of, a vertical support 100, a sleeve 200, an optional spacer 300 and railing component 400. The sleeve 200 is of a shape, dimension and interior hollow area that allows the vertical support 100 to fit through. The optional spacer is located between the sleeve 200 and railing component 400. The sleeve 200, optional spacer 300 and railing component 400 can be secured together and to the vertical post component 100 by means of a bolt 500 extending through holes in the railing component 400 and optional spacer 300, bolt stud 210 on the front face of the sleeve 200, slotted area 110 through the vertical support 100 and mated to a threaded nut 220. The nut 220 can be tightened to the bolt 500 so that the sleeve component remains at a chosen elevation. In addition to or in lieu of the elevation hold created by the nut 220 and bolt 500 combination, a band 600 can be moved to be directly beneath the sleeve 200 and secured to the vertical support 100 by tightening the clamp 610. The sleeve 200 can be made with dimensions to retro-fit the vertical supports and attach spacers and railing of existing guardrail (not shown) and other barrier systems. For a vertical support made of wood (not shown), the bolt 500 is of screw-type design and can hold the sleeve 200, spacer 300, and railing components 400 at an elevation by tightening into the wooden vertical support without extending through a slotted area 100 or mating with a nut 220. The railing components 400 can have ends 410 that are flat to allow the railing components to rotate in a plane that is normal to the axis of the fastener 500. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, an independent tool, consisting of a lever 800, fulcrum housing 810 and fulcrum axis 820, can be placed on the vertical support 100 and used to raise and lower the sleeve 200, while in an untightened state, by a connecting arm 830 attached to an end of the lever 800 and a hook loop 700 located on the back the sleeve.

All of the parts and components described above can be made of any type material that will function adequately for its intended application (metal, plastic, wood, composite, etc.) The dimensions of the components and parts are based on intended application, design standard or manufacturer guidelines.

Claims

1. A sleeve for fitting around a vertical support of a barrier system. Said sleeve is of inner, open dimension such that it can slide along the length of said vertical support. A bolt-type fastener is extended through a face of said sleeve and into or through a portion of said vertical support in order to hold said sleeve to said vertical support at a chosen elevation. The elevation of said sleeve can be changed by loosening or removing and then re-tightening or reinstalling said fastener. Said fastener can also be used to secure horizontal railing supports and a spacer block to said sleeve.

2. The barrier system of claim 1 wherein a length of the ends of said horizontal railing support are flat or of a shape that allows said horizontal railing supports to rotate in a plane normal to the axis of said bolt-type fastener.

3. The barrier system in claim 1 wherein said vertical support is manufactured to include a plurality of slotted openings through its body for said bolt-type fastener to extend through and mated with a nut for tightening and holding said sleeve at an elevation. The longest dimension of said slotted openings are oriented parallel to the length of said vertical support. Said bolt-type fastener can move along said longest dimension of said slotted opening when the elevation of said sleeve is changed.

4. The barrier system in claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a hollow ring attached to a surface of a facing. A lever bar, with a hook on one end, is attachable to or can be rested on top of said vertical support. Said hook is inserted through said hollow ring and the top of said vertical support is used as a fulcrum to raise or lower said sleeve.

5. The barrier system of claim 1 wherein said sleeve, vertical support and horizontal railing support are made of plastic, wood, metal, synthetic or composite materials.