US3583676A

US3583676A - Barricade

Info

Publication number: US3583676A
Application number: US817466A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamakawa
Original assignee: Sekisui Adohfya Kogyo KK
Current assignee: Sekisui Adohfya Kogyo KK
Priority date: 1968-04-25
Filing date: 1969-04-18
Publication date: 1971-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-08
Also published as: DE1921005A1; GB1231776A

Abstract

A demountable barricade comprising an elongated crosspiece having openings adapted to receive a supporting leg assembly which includes a connecting portion adapted for insertion in said openings and at least two channels straddling said connecting portion and adapted to receive supporting legs for the barricade.

Description

Unlted States Patent 1 1 3,583,676

Kiyoshi Ylmlk [56] References Cited $322" UNITED STATES PATENTS 18 969 302,945 8/1884 Sargent 182/l8l Patented June 8,1971 617,463 1/1899 Dotts........... 182/225 Sens, Adobe" K090 x-busmkixalm 802,834 10/1905 Upthegrove. 182/185 Osakwshi Japan 1,553,045 9/1925 J0nes........... 182/225 Apr. 25 2,793,003 5/1957 Borchers 256/64 Japan 3,035,660 5/1962 Leon 182/181 43/34157 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor AttorneyWard, McElhannon, Brooks & Fitzpatrick BARRICADE [72] Inventor [21 1 Appl. No. [22] Filed [73] Assignee [32] Priority ABSTRACT: A demountable barricade comprising an elongated crosspiece having openings adapted to receive a supporting leg assembly which includes a connecting portion adapted for insertion in said openings and at least two channels straddhng sald connectmg portion and adapted to receive supporting legs for the barricade.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. [50] Field of l82/l8l, 182, 183, 185, 224, 225, 226, 227

BARRICADE This invention relates to a barricade or similar device such as is used to mark boundaries of particular areas, for example to mark off prohibited areas and construction sites. The barricade of the invention is characterized by its ability to be readily assembled and disassembled.

Conventional barricades, as heretofore used, generally comprise a target or crosspiece member and a supporting leg assembly or the like. In general, such barricades are made as an integral unit which cannot be readily disassembled. Conventional barricades therefore are inconvenient to carry and take a considerable amount of space in storage. These characteristics have been the principal defects in such barricades. Also, because of the integral nature of conventional barricades, they are difficult to repair, since broken parts cannot be readily replaced.

The barricades of the present invention are designed to be readily assembled and disassembled and are composed of interchangeable, standardized components which are readily replaced when necessary.

The barricade of this invention is a freestanding, demountable barricade comprising an elongated, preferably flat, target or crosspiece member and support means therefor; said crosspiece member having spaced openings at opposite ends thereof; said support means having a connecting portion adapted for insertion in the openings in said crosspiece member, and having at least two channels defined therein bracketing said connecting portion, and adapted to receive supporting legs for said barricade. Preferably, the channels in said support means are relatively closely spaced and substantially parallel.

Specific embodiments of the device of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the disassembled parts of the barricade of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a section view taken through the plane III-Ill of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of disassembled parts of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, respectively, illustrate other embodiments of support means of the invention, FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 6 being section views through the plane V-V' of FIG. 5(a).

In each of the figures of the drawings, 1 represents a target or crosspiece, 2 represents the support means, 3 represents a supporting leg, d represents a leg connector and 5 represents a leg connecting rod.

Crosspiece 1 is provided with a plurality of openings spaced from each other and located at opposite ends of said crosspiece. In FIGS. 1 and 2, these openings take the form of slits cut into the lower portion of crosspiece )1, whereas in FIG. 4 said openings are in the form of apertures cut into crosspiece 1. In both cases, the opening is made just sufficiently large to allow insertion of support means 2.

Crosspiece l is typically made of sheet metal, wood or plastic. It can conveniently be prepared by calendering a thermoplastic resin into a flat sheet and cutting it to the proper shape and size. Alternately, thermoplastic resin can be extruded in tubular form and then collapsed to form a flat continuous shape with the opposing walls of said tube being collapsed together. Where such a structure is employed, it is preferred that the collapsed walls be made to adhere together partially or completely to provide an integral crosspiece. It is desirable that the crosspiece be provided with a pattern of contrasting colors in the form of stripes or the like, so that it may be easily seen. Similarly, signs or other informative markings can be placed on said crosspiece.

Support means 2 will comprise at least two channels, preferably of tubular cross section. Support means 2 contains portions 22 defining at least two channels 23, preferably of circular cross section and bracketing connecting portion 21 which is adapted to occupy opening 11 in crosspiece 1.

Preferably, portions 22 of support means 2 will be closely spaced and channels 23 will be substantially parallel to each other. Connecting portion 21 will have a thickness t which is substantially equal to the width of opening 11. Connecting portion 21 will also have a width 1 which is substantially equal to the thickness of crosspiece 1. Thus, connecting portion 21, when inserted in opening 11 will substantially occupy said opening and will provide relatively rigid and stable connection between crosspiece l and support means 2. Channels 23 in support means 2 are adapted to receive legs 3, as by insertion thereof in channels 23. Channels 23 will have a diameter which is substantially equal to the outer diameter of legs 3 and a cross section which conforms to the cross section of legs 3. The respective connecting parts of crosspiece 1, support means 2, and legs 3 will be dimensioned so that the entire structure is free from excessive play when fully assembled.

In FIG. 2, the thickness of connecting portion 21 is smaller than the diameter of portions 22. As an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(a), the thickness t of connecting portion 21 can be equal to or greater than that of portions 22 of support means 2. In such embodiments of the invention, support means 2 can be inserted into openings 11 by compression in the direction of thickness t, the subsequent expansion of connecting portion 21 serving to retain support means 2 in opening 11. If desired, ridges such as 24 can be formed in support means 2 to properly locate connecting portions 21 in openings 11.

In such embodiments of the invention it is preferred that the thickness t be relatively small. Alternatively, support means 2 may have a dumbbell cross section as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a hollow construction of support means 2, wherein the sidewalls of connecting portion 21 can be compressed to reduce temporarily the thickness I. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of channels 23 is enclosed by surface 25 to prevent legs 3 from being inserted too deeply in support means 2. As previously stated, it is desirable that the dimensions I and t of connecting portion 21 be sufficiently large with respect to the dimensions of opening 11 and that a relatively tight press fit is obtained, so that a relatively rigid connection is achieved. In this regard, it is desirable to fabricate support means 2 from a relatively flexible plastic, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide resin, synthetic rubber or the like, and to make connecting portion 21 somewhat oversized so that it will be held in place by expansion. Similarly, when crosspiece l is made of flattened thermoplastic tubing, the expansion thereof against portions 22 operates to hold support means 2 in place.

The leg assembly of the barricade of this. invention, as shown in FIGS. l-4, comprises a plurality of legs 3, leg connectors t and leg connecting rod 5. The leg assembly can be an integral unit, but preferably it is made to be easily assembled and disassembled. Leg 3 is adapted for insertion into channel 23 of support means 2 and will preferably be somewhat oversized with respect to channels 23 to provide a secure connection therewith, particularly when portions 22 of support means 2 are made of a relatively elastic material.

Leg 3 will preferably be circular in cross section and can be made of rod or tubing of a standard diameter. Preferably, it will be made of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or similar material. The portion of leg 3 adapted for insertion in channels 23 may have a reduced diameter as shown in FIG. 2. However, it is generally more convenient if leg 3 is so made that either end can be inserted into channel 23, as shown in FIG. 4. This permits more convenient assembly of the barricade and also allows leg 3 to be inserted as desired to equalize wear and strain. Leg 3 will preferably have a curved or angled shape, as shown in the drawings.

Leg connector 4 is provided with

receptacles

41 and 42 adapted to receive legs 3 and leg connecting rod 5, respectively.

Receptacles

41 and 42 are preferably closely spaced in leg connector 4. Leg connector 4 is preferably made of a relatively flexible material, including plastic, such as polyethylene, plasticized polyvinyl chloride, polyamide resin, or synthetic rubber fabricated into an integral piece of the desired shape.

Receptacle 41 will be adapted to receive leg 3 and will have an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of leg 2. Receptacle 42 is adaptable to receive leg connecting rod and will have an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of leg connector 5. Leg connector 4 is slipped over leg 3 and adjusted to the desired position, as shown in FIG. 1. lf desired, a locating device, such as a ridge or the like can be provided on leg 3 in order to locate the proper position for leg connector 4.

Leg connecting rod 5 is a relatively rigid, resilient, elongated member, preferably having a stiffening core of steel or other rigid material and covered by any suitable covering, such as plastic. Altemately, leg connecting rod 5 may be a rod of glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin. it is desired that leg connecting rod 5 will be relatively stiff so that substantial force will be required to bend it. Leg connecting rod 5 is connected to leg 3 by insertion into receptacle 42 of leg connector 4.

The barricade of the invention is conveniently assembled by inserting connecting portion 21 of support means 2 into opening ll of crosspiece l; inserting one end of leg 3 into channel 23 of support means 2 and the opposite end of leg 3 into receptacle 41 of leg connector 4; and thereafter inserting leg connecting rod 5, in a flexed state, into receptacles 42 of leg connectors 4.

The assembled barricade is quite rigid and resists collapsing since the component parts are firmly held together as heretofore explained. Connecting portion 21 of support means 2 substantially occupies opening 11 of crosspiece l and provides a firm connection between these components. Similarly, leg 3 provides a firm connection through channel 23 of support means 2. Legs 3 are confined in close and substantially parallel relationship to each other on opposite sides of crosspiece l by means of channels 23. The lower ends of legs 3 are yieldably urged apart by leg connecting rod 5. Thus, the upper end of legs 3 are urged againstthe inside of channels 23 are firmly fixed therein. By the same means leg connector 4 is outwardly urged against the lower portion of legs 3. Thus the barricade is designed to resist collapsing and to provide a high degreeof stability.

In order to disassemble the barricade the above procedure is reversed. Leg connecting rod 5 is removed from receptacle d2; leg connector 41 is removed from leg 3; leg 3 is withdrawn from channel 23 of support means 2; support means 2 is removed from opening 11 of crosspiece 1. In this manner the barricade is easily and quickly disassembled. ln disassembled form the barricade occupies little space and is convenient to store. If any of the component parts is damaged, the barricade is readily repaired by replacing only the damaged part. if plastics are used in the fabrication of the barricade, it will be light in weight and resistant to corrosion so that it can be used for a prolonged period.

If desired; leg 3 can be made of hollow construction, and can be filled, either totally or partially with a flowable ballast material, such as sand or the like. When the barricade is assembled, the sand falls to the lower portion of leg 3, thus increasing the weight of the lower portion of the leg and improving its stability. Legs 3 can be provided with enclosures to retain said sand, or, if desired, legs 3 can be of open tubular I construction and leg connector 4 can be provided with a base portion closing the bottom of receptacle 41 to retain the sand in leg 3.

What I claim is:

1. A free-standing, demountable barricade comprising an elongated crosspiece member and at least two support means therefor; said crosspiece member having spaced openings at opposite ends thereof; said support means having a connecting portion adapted for insertion in the openings in said crosspiecemember and also having at least two channels bracketing said connecting portion for supporting legs for said barricade; at least two pairs of elongated supporting legs, specularly opposite with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through said crosspiece member, the upperportion of which are removably con med in the channels 0 said support means;

and spreading means for yieldably urging apart the lower portions of said supporting legs and thereby firmly fixing the upper portions of said supporting legs to said support means through a compression generated, in the channels of said support means, by a rotational coupling force caused by said spreading means.

2. The barricade of claim 1 wherein the spreading means comprises an elongated connecting rod which is flexed and resilient and is connected to said leg members by connectors which are removably affixed to said leg members and to said flexed, resilient, connecting rod.

3. The barricade of claim 2 wherein said support means is made from a flexible plastic.

4. The barricade of claim 3 wherein said supporting legs are made of hollow construction in which flowable ballast material is enclosed, so that when the barricade is assembled, the flowable ballast material falls to the lower portion of said legs and improves the stability of the barricade.

5. The barricade of claim 4 wherein the width of said opening of said elongated crosspiece member is substantially equal to the thickness of the connecting portion of said support means; wherein the thickness of said opening of said elongated crosspiece member is substantially equal to the width of said connecting portion; and wherein the outer dimension of the channel of said support means is substantially equal to an outer dimension of the upper end of said supporting legs.

Claims

1. A free-standing, demountable barricade comprising an elongated crosspiece member and at least two support means therefor; said crosspiece member having spaced openings at opposite ends thereof; said support means having a connecting portion adapted for insertion in the openings in said crosspiece member and also having at least two channels bracketing said connecting portion for supporting legs for said barricade; at least two pairs of elongated supporting legs, specularly opposite with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through said crosspiece member, the upper portion of which are removably confined in the channels of said support means; and spreading means for yieldably urging apart the lower portions of said supporting legs and thereby firmly fixing the upper portions of said supporting legs to said support means through a compression generated, in the channels of said support means, by a rotational coupling force caused by said spreading means.