CA2932974A1 - Surface mount post assembly,post clip, modular barrier system and related method for assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is directed to modular surface mount systems specifically a post assembly, a post clip, as well as a barrier system and related method for assembly.
The post assembly consists of a post attached at one end on one face to an adjustable surface mount foot base. Another embodiment of the post assembly consists of a post attached at one end on one face to an adjustable solid surface lag-plate base.
The post clip fastens, by method of compression, panel elements such as but not limited to welded bar on bar barrier panels, custom adapted barrier screens, barrier hinge kits, signage panels and the like, to post assemblies.
The barrier system includes any number of barrier screens such as but not limited to welded bar on bar railing and fence panels, customized privacy wood panels and custom adapted ornamental fence panels that interconnect with a post assembly in any of its embodiments along with a number of post clips in any of their embodiments. The post clips are selectively positioned along the length of the post between the first and second opposite ends thereof.
Said post clips are attachable by method of compression to the post assembly. The post clips further attach to the barrier screen by way of compression thus defining a barrier system.

Description

Title Surface Mount Post Assembly, Post Clip, Modular Barrier System and Related Method for Assembly.
Field of Invention The present invention is directed to modular surface mount barrier systems specifically a post assembly, a post clip, as well as a barrier system and related method for assembly.
Background of The Invention Currently, solid mild steel (henceforth referred to as "wrought iron") barriers are expensive, labour-intensive, custom solutions that are losing ground in today's modular ornamental barrier system market. Also, the installation process for heavy, cumbersome elements is a painstaking undertaking that takes time, effort, and skill to complete in a professional and satisfactory manner. The present invention was realized due to the need to remain competitive in said market and to produce a high quality solution that is efficient to manufacture and quick to install without specialized skills.
Moreover, there is a need for improvement in post clips to enable quick permanent installation that can also be removable for maintenance, access, repairs and the like.
Furthermore, installation of upright post supported elements such as but not limited to fences, railings, and signage on uneven surfaces and into unknown ground presents challenges typically requiring specialized equipment to complete the task. Often times, these installations lead to issues such as crooked un-level posts that require re-installation and/or adjustments. There is a need to improve upon the mounting and anchoring of post systems onto the ground for which they are installed.

Summary of The Invention The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved post assembly for surface mount solutions, an improved post clip as well as a modular barrier system solution for wrought iron and its related method for assembly.
The post assembly is provided with a post having mounting holes to mount the adjustable surface mount base system at one end of the post.
According to one aspect of the invention as described in the claims, a post assembly is provided that comprises a length of post with mounting points that is securely fastened to an adjustable surface mount foot base system at one end of the post. The adjustable surface mount foot base system comprises a multi-holed elongated washer plate along with a length of stabilizer bar welded orthogonally to a mounting plate with a mounting point and an arced adjustment slot that enables angular tilt adjustment of the post in relation to the base.
In another aspect of the invention as described in the claims, a post assembly is provided that comprises a length of post with mounting points that is securely fastened to an adjustable surface mount lag-plate base system at one end of the post. The adjustable surface mount lag-plate base system comprises a multi-holed elongated washer plate along with a mounting plate bent such that the lower portion of the plate sits at about 90 degrees angle from the upper portion of the plate. The upper portion of said plate has a mounting point and an arced adjustment slot that enables angular tilt adjustments of the post in relation to the base whereas the lower portion of said plate has mounting holes for securing the post assembly to a solid surface.
In yet another aspect of the invention as described in the claims, a post clip is provided consisting of a slightly enlarged form fitting element having one face twisted laterally to 90 degrees from its planar position and having a compression mounting point within said twisted portion. Said post clip also comprises a utility end that sits adjacent to the twisted compression mounting point. In another aspect of the invention as described in the claims the post clip utility end sits on the opposing planar surface to the compression mounting point. In another aspect of the invention as described in the claims the post clip has a plurality of utility ends sitting on both adjacent and opposing planar surfaces to the compression mounting point.

2 In still another aspect of the invention as described in the claims, any number of post clips in any of their embodiments are mounted to a post assembly in any of its embodiments by way of compression via the compression mounting point within the twisted portion of the post clip.
In another aspect of the invention as described in the claims, a modular surface mount barrier system is provided comprising a plurality of post clips in any of their embodiments mounted to a plurality of post assemblies in any of their embodiments, and a plurality of barrier screens with end points compressively fastened to said post clips.
In yet another aspect of the invention as described in the claims, a method of assembly for a modular surface mount barrier system is provided comprising the following steps: (a) assembling post clips to post assemblies loosely fitted together (b) positioning said post assemblies along the installation path interspersed with barrier screens (c) connecting and levelling said post assemblies and barrier screens along the installation path. (d) Adjusting and securing the barrier system for permanence.
The terms "barrier" and "barrier system" as used herein are intended to include all forms of barrier systems having a support member and a spacing member including, without limitation, fence systems, railing systems, noise barrier systems, signage systems, partition wall systems and the like.

3 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1. Is a plan view of a modular barrier system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2. Is an exploded face view of a portion of the modular barrier system identified at 1-1 in Figure!;
Figure 3. Is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the modular barrier system identified at 1-2 in Figure 1;
Figure 4. Is an exploded face view of a portion of the modular barrier system identified at 1-3 in Figure 1;
Figure 5. Is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a modular barrier system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6. Is a face view of a post assembly showing the surface mount foot base embodiment of the present invention.
a. Is demonstrating the angular movement of Figure 6.
b. Is demonstrating the maximum angular movement of Figure 6.
Figure 7. Is an exploded view of the components within the post assembly in Figure 6.
Figure 8. Is a perspective view of the Surface Mount Foot Base.
Figure 9. Is a face view of a post assembly showing the surface mount lag-plate base embodiment of the present invention.
a. Is demonstrating the angular movement of Figure 9.
b. Is demonstrating the maximum angular movement of Figure 9.
Figure 10. Is an exploded view of the components within the post assembly in Figure 9.
Figure 11. Is an inside perspective view of the Surface Mount Lag-Plate Base.
Figure 12. Is a perspective view of the post clip in application.
Figure 13. Is a plan view of the post clip a. Is a series sketches of possible variations on the post clip utility end Figure 14. Is an underside interior perspective view of the post clip.
Figure 15. Is a side profile view of the post clip and the post clip attachment point to the post assembly.
Figure 16. Is side perspective view of the post clip and the post clip attachment point to the post assembly.

4 Detailed description of the Invention A modular barrier system in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 20 in the Figures. Said system includes a plurality of post assemblies 46 that utilize post clips 39 for laterally supporting a plurality of barrier screens 44. Further details of said modular barrier system 20 and its component parts are described below.
Referring to Figure 7, post assemblies 46 consist of a post 21 having mounting holes 31 and 32, with an equivalent quantity of fasteners 28, an elongated washer plate 27 and a surface mount foot base 22. Said post assemblies 46 having a surface mount foot base 22 are adapted to be standing on the surface of the ground by way of said surface mount foot bases 22. Surface mount foot base 22 consists of adjustable mounting plate 24 centrally and orthogonally welded to the side of stabilizer bar 23. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of said surface mount foot base 22.
As displayed in Figures 6-7, post assembly 46 is assembled with fasteners 28 inserted through mounting points 29 and 30 of elongated washer plate 27 and through arced adjustment slot 25 and mounting hole 26 of surface mount foot base 22. Said fasteners 28 are then threaded sufficiently tightly through mounting points 31 and 32 within post 21 to bring the surface mount foot base assembly towards post 21 and into an engagement with said post providing a tight compression fit.
Post 21 is tilt adjustable via arced adjustment slot 25.
Alternatively, referring to Figure 10, post assemblies 46 consist of a post 21 having mounting holes 31 and 32, with an equivalent quantity of fasteners 28, an elongated washer plate 27 and a surface mount lag-plate base 34. Said post assemblies 46 having a surface mount lag-plate base 34 are adapted to be secured with fasteners (not shown) via mounting holes 37 and 38 as shown in Figure 11 to a solid surface such as but not limited to concrete, pavement, paving stones, landscape walls, and wooden decks by way of said surface mount lag-plate base 34. Surface mount lag-plate base 34 consists of adjustable mounting plate 34 where the upper plate portion 35 is bent about 90 degrees from planar position to lower plate portion 36. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of said surface mount lag-plate base.
As displayed in Figures 9-10, post assembly 46 is assembled with fasteners 28 inserted through mounting points 29 and 30 of elongated washer plate 27 and through arced adjustment slot 25 and mounting hole 26 of surface mount lag-plate base 34. Said fasteners 28 are then threaded sufficiently tightly through mounting points 31 and 32 within post 21 to bring the surface mount lag-plate base assembly towards post 21 and into an engagement with said post providing a tight compression fit. Post 21 is tilt adjustable via arced adjustment slot 25.
Posts 21 are generally square in cross section however, posts 21 may instead be round, polygonal or any other suitable cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, posts 21 generally consist of a hollow interior however, posts 21 may instead be solid through to the core.
Each post assembly 46 in any of its embodiments can be provided individually or as part of the modular barrier system 20. Moreover, the components for post assembly 46, including post 21, surface mount foot base 22 and surface mount lag-plate base 34, can be provided as separate elements, thereby permitting replacement of one or more of the components in the event that a component should break, fail or otherwise need replacement.
Referring to Figures 12-16, post clips 39 consist of a utility end 43 having a mounting point 40 and a side 42 laterally twisted to 90 degrees from planar position having a compressive mounting point 41 containing an adjustable set screw 33. The utility end 43 and twisted side 42 are generally positioned adjacent one another in cross-section on post clip 39 however, post clip 39 may also have a utility end 43 and a twisted side 42 at opposing ends in cross section.
Post clips 39 are generally square in cross section however, post clips 39 may instead be round, polygonal or any other suitable cross-sectional shape that form fits the posts on which they are mounted.
Post clips 39 generally have one utility end however, up to three sides of said post clip may contain a utility end 43 in any of its forms.
Post clip 39 utility ends 43 are generally square in cross section and have a single fastening hole as demonstrated in Figures 12-15, however, post clip 39 utility ends 43 may instead be round, polygonal, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape and may have a plurality of grooves, slots and/or holes or any other suitable fastening point necessary for the utility ends' functional purpose.
Some examples of variation on the post clip 39 utility end 43 are shown in Figure 13a with a perspective view example of utility end 48 shown in Figure 5 connecting a gate kit assembly 49 to said utility end.
Each post clip 39 in any of its embodiments can be provided individually or as part of the modular barrier system 20 thereby permitting inclusion of additional post clips 39 or replacement of one or more post clips 39 in the event of breakage, failure and the like.

As displayed at 1-4 within Figure 1 and again within Figures 2, 4, and 12, post clip 39 is mounted to post 21 of post assembly 46 by being slid around said post 21 and compressively secured in place at a point along the length of post 21 by threading set screw 33 through mounting point 41 on post clip 39 towards post 21 and into engagement with said post 21 sufficiently tightly to form a secure compression fit.
As depicted at 1-4 within Figure 1 and again within Figures 2- 5, barrier screens are secured with fastener 28 inserted through washer plate 47 between two parallel horizontal rail end points 45 of said barrier screen and compressively fastened through mounting hole 40 on the utility end 43 of post clips 39. Fastener 28 or any other suitable fastener may be used to ensure a tightly secured and compressive fit of said barrier panel 44 to a post clip 39 compressively mounted to post assembly 46.
In use, a surface mount barrier system 20 is constructed by first identifying the desired barrier configuration and then selecting the barrier components required to construct the desired configuration. Post assemblies 46 would be assembled as depicted in Figure 6-b and Figure 9-b respectively such that all components are loosely fastened to one another and laying parallel to the ground. A suitable quantity of post clips would then be slid onto post 21 of the post assemblies 46 with the utility end 43 of post clip 39 oriented in the linear direction of installation of the barrier system as depicted at 1-4 in Figure 1. Said post clips would be left un-compressed sitting around the base of posts 21. Once the post assemblies 46 are fully adorned with the required quantity of post clips 39, said post assemblies would then be placed along the installation path interspersed sequentially with barrier screens 44. Once all the post assemblies 46 and barrier screens 44 are suitably positioned, the installation sequence would occur. The following installation sequence would be repeated until all post assemblies 46 and barriers panels 44 are secured together forming the surface mount barrier system 20. In the case of a post assembly 46 having a surface mount lag-plate base 34, the post assembly would be positioned at the desired location and securely fastened to the solid surface by way of mounting holes 37 and 38 prior to fastening the adjacent barrier screen.
The post assembly 46, once placed at the desired location, would be fastened to the adjacent barrier screen 44 at barrier screen parallel horizontal rail end points 45 by way of post clip 39 utility end 43 mounting point 40. Said post clips 39 that were previously adorned onto the post 21 of the post assemblies 46 would then be securely fastened to the post 21 by way of compression via set screw 33 at a position along the length of the post that offers the most level solution for the barrier screen 44. Next, the post would be tilt-adjusted and secured via the arced adjustment slot 25 to ensure the post 21 is in the desired vertical position. Once all barrier system components are fastened together, the system in its entirety would be finally tightened and adjusted for permanence.
Additionally, one or more of the post assemblies 46 could be used in combination with existing structure(s) to form a barrier. For instance, one or more post assemblies 46 could be used in combination with a side wall or other vertical structure to form the barrier.
Moreover, the end of the surface mount barrier system, namely a barrier panel 44, could be connected directly to the vertical structure, rather than to an adjacent post assembly 46.
It is to be understood that, while certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, the invention is by no means limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts as shown and described herein. Rather, the invention is defined by the following claims.