U.S. patent application number 10/626854 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for nestable barricade and method of deploying barricades.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Perelli, Thomas.
Application Number | 20040146346 10/626854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31188423 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040146346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perelli, Thomas |
July 29, 2004 |
Nestable barricade and method of deploying barricades
Abstract
A nestable barricade is formed of two frames which are
releaseably connected to a cross-beam. When assembled, the
barricade may be placed atop another like barricade to form a
barricade stack. The mobility of the barricade stack may be
enhanced by placing rolling members under one or more of the frames
of the lowest barricade in the barricade stack. The barricade stack
may be readily moved to a predetermined area at which the
barricades may be unstacked and arranged to inhibit access to the
predetermined area.
Inventors: |
Perelli, Thomas;
(Winchester, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
|
Family ID: |
31188423 |
Appl. No.: |
10/626854 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60398581 |
Jul 26, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 13/02 20130101;
E01F 9/70 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/006 |
International
Class: |
E01F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A nestable barricade comprising: a cross-beam having a cavity
configured to receive a portion of a second nestable barricade to
permit nesting of the barricades; a first frame connected to an end
portion of the cross-beam for providing support to the cross-beam;
and a second frame connected to an end portion of the cross-beam
for providing support to the cross-beam.
2. The nestable barricade of claim 1, wherein the cavity extends
along an entire length of the cross-beam.
3. The nestable barricade of claim 1, wherein the cavity is
configured to receive at least a portion of a cross-beam of the
second nestable barricade.
4. The nestable barricade of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam
includes side walls that diverge to form the cavity.
5. The nestable barricade of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam
includes a cautionary image.
6. The nestable barricade of claim 5, wherein the cautionary image
is selected from the group consisting of a reflective surface, a
graphic image, and verbal information.
7. The nestable barricade of claim 1, further comprising rolling
members disposed on a bottom portion of at least one of the first
and second frames.
8. A barricade comprising: a cross-beam having a first end and a
second end; a first frame for providing support to the cross-beam;
a second frame for providing support to the cross-beam; a first
connection mechanism for releasably connecting the first frame to
the first end of the cross-beam in a predetermined, fixed
orientation; and a second connection mechanism for releasably
connecting the second frame to the second end of the cross-beam in
a predetermined, fixed orientation.
9. The barricade of claim 8, wherein the first and second
connection mechanisms each include a snap-fit connector.
10. The barricade of claim 8, wherein the first connection
mechanism includes a dovetail mortise on at least one of the first
end of the cross-beam and the first frame and a dovetail tenon on
the other of the first end of the cross-beam and the first frame,
and the second connection mechanism includes a dovetail mortise on
at least one of the second end of the cross-beam and the second
frame and a dovetail tenon on the other of the second end of the
cross-beam and the second frame.
11. The barricade of claim 8, wherein the first and second
connection mechanisms each include a molded boss connector.
12. The barricade of claim 8, wherein the cross-beam includes a
cautionary image.
13. The barricade of claim 12, wherein the cautionary image is
selected from the group consisting of a reflective surface, a
graphic image, and verbal information.
14. The barricade of claim 8, further comprising rolling members
disposed on a bottom portion of each of the first and second
frames.
15. A method of deploying barricades, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a first barricade having a cross-beam, a first
frame connected to the cross-beam for providing support to the
cross-beam, a second frame connected to the cross-beam for
providing support to the cross-beam, and rolling members disposed
on a bottom portion of each of the first and second frames;
providing a second barricade; stacking the second barricade on the
first barricade; rolling the first and second barricades to a
predetermined area of deployment; removing the second barricade
from the first barricade; and deploying the second barricade in a
desired location in the vicinity of the predetermined area of
deployment.
16. A method of deploying barricades, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a first barricade; providing a second barricade
having a cross-beam with a cavity configured to receive a portion
of the first barricade to permit nesting of the first barricade in
the second barricade, a first frame connected to the cross-beam for
providing support to the cross-beam, a second frame connected to
the cross-beam for providing support to the cross-beam; stacking
the second barricade on the first barricade so as to nest the first
barricade in the second barricade; moving the first and second
barricades to a predetermined area of deployment; removing the
second barricade from the first barricade; and deploying the second
barricade in a desired location in the vicinity of the
predetermined area of deployment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/398,581 filed on Jul. 26, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Barricades are often used for crowd control and commercial
construction. They are often placed end-to-end to control crowds or
to inhibit access to a hazardous area such as, for example, a
construction zone. The barricades inhibit access by isolating areas
of concern from pedestrian traffic and/or by directing traffic away
from such areas.
[0003] An A-frame barricade often has two identical ends that
support a horizontal cross-beam at a specified height above the
ground. The beam may function as a barrier and may also serve to
display reflective sheeting or graphic material to communicate a
safety message. A-frame barricades are popular because they are
reliable and easily recognized as barricades.
[0004] Barricades typically have to be transported to the location
of use, stored, positioned, repositioned, and ultimately removed
from the site. Some are individually assembled and disassembled.
Conventional barricades are typically large and cumbersome. When
multiple barricades are used, they are often inefficiently stored
and are not easily transported.
[0005] To address this problem, some barricades can be folded.
Similarly, other barricades have been designed to be disassembled.
Although folding and disassembly of a single barricade is
relatively easy, it is time consuming when multiple barricades are
involved.
[0006] Additionally, the folded and disassembled barricades must be
stored in an organized, stable manner. Although the folded and
disassembled barricades could be placed on a cart or platform, the
cart or platform constitutes an additional piece of equipment that
must be purchased, inventoried, managed, and stored. Further, when
setting up a blockade at an outdoor site, the disassembled
barricades (in particular) have to be reassembled and carried (or
trucked) to the set-up location. The movement and assembly of the
barricades can be both difficult and time consuming. Furthermore,
when the barricade is disassembled and stored, the parts may be
lost or broken, and efforts must be made to organize the parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An aspect of the present invention relates to a nestable
barricade including a cross-beam having a cavity configured to
receive a portion of a second nestable barricade to permit nesting
of the barricades, a first frame connected to an end portion of the
cross-beam for providing support to the cross-beam, and a second
frame connected to an end portion of the cross-beam for providing
support to the cross-beam.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
barricade including a cross-beam having a first end and a second
end, a first frame for providing support to the cross-beam, a
second frame for providing support to the cross-beam; a first
connection mechanism for releasably connecting the first frame to
the first end of the cross-beam in a predetermined, fixed
orientation, and a second connection mechanism for releasably
connecting the second frame to the second end of the cross-beam in
a predetermined, fixed orientation.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
method of deploying barricades, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first barricade having a cross-beam, a first frame
connected to the cross-beam for providing support to the
cross-beam, a second frame connected to the cross-beam for
providing support to the cross-beam, and rolling members disposed
on a bottom portion of each of the first and second frames;
providing a second barricade; stacking the second barricade on the
first barricade; rolling the first and second barricades to a
predetermined area of deployment; removing the second barricade
from the first barricade; and deploying the second barricade in a
desired location in the vicinity of the predetermined area of
deployment.
[0010] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
method of deploying barricades, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first barricade; providing a second barricade having a
cross-beam with a cavity configured to receive a portion of the
first barricade to permit nesting of the first barricade in the
second barricade, a first frame connected to the cross-beam for
providing support to the cross-beam, a second frame connected to
the cross-beam for providing support to the cross-beam; stacking
the second barricade on the first barricade so as to nest the first
barricade in the second barricade; moving the first and second
barricades to a predetermined area of deployment; removing the
second barricade from the first barricade; and deploying the second
barricade in a desired location in the vicinity of the
predetermined area of deployment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention and together with the description,
serve to explain principles of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a barricade
according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the barricade of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3A is an unassembled top view of one end of the
barricade of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a
cross-beam of the barricade of FIG. 1 taken along line IIIB-IIIB in
FIG. 3A;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial front view of one end of the barricade
of FIG. 1, the end shown having a rolling member;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the base of the
barricade of FIG. 4 that is adapted to accept a rolling member;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of barricades of
the type shown in FIG. 1 placed upon each other to create a
barricade stack;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the two lower
barricades of the barricade stack shown in FIG. 6, the view showing
a clearance between the barricades;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a partial front view of one side of the barricades
of FIG. 6 with a rolling member on the bottom barricade;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view of one end of a cross-beam and
associated frame, the view showing an alternate connection
mechanism which employs a snap-fit; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view showing another
alternate connection mechanism which employs a molded boss.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same
reference numbers to refer to the same or like parts.
[0024] FIGS. 1 to 3B show a preferred embodiment of nestable
barricade 10 according to the present invention. In this
embodiment, the nestable barricade 10 includes a cross-beam 20, a
first or right frame 30, and a second or left frame 30. Preferably
the cross-beam 20 and the frames 30 are designed such that when a
barricade is assembled, it will nest with a similar barricade to
create a barricade stack. Rolling members 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)
also can be provided.
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the cross-beam 20, which can be, for
example, about four, six, or eight feet long,. As shown in FIG. 3B,
the cross-beam 20 preferably has a rounded top and a concave
underside. The cross-beam preferably has side walls that diverge to
form a cavity that preferably extends along the entire length of
the cross-beam 20. This shape accommodates the stacking of one
barricade 10 upon another like barricade 10.
[0026] A side portion 21 of the cross-beam 20 may include an area
or surface for providing or attaching a cautionary image such as,
for example, a reflective surface, a graphic image (e.g., universal
slip-and-fall warning), verbal information (e.g., "CAUTION,"
"CUIDADO," "ACHTUNG," etc.), or other customized material, as shown
in FIG. 4. The top of the cross-beam 20 and/or the top of the frame
30 can also accept accessories, such as a flashing light or other
reflective assembly (not shown).
[0027] The right and left frames 30, which are preferably identical
in shape, are provided to support the cross-beam 20. The frames 30
are preferably each connected to a respective end portion of the
cross-beam 20. More preferably, the frames 30 are each connect to
the very ends of the cross-beam 20.
[0028] FIGS. 2, 3A, and 4 show the frames 30, which are preferably
about forty inches high. In this preferred embodiment, each frame
30 has an substantially A-frame shape with a rounded top and two
lower legs 50. In addition, as shown FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the interior
of each leg 50 is preferably concave. This concave shape
facilitates the stacking of one barricade 10 upon another barricade
10, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0029] Each of the frames 30 can be releasably connected to the
cross-beam 20 by connection mechanisms formed on the cross-beam 20
and frames 30. FIGS. 3A and 5 show ends of the cross-beam 20
configured to releaseably engage the frames 30. Preferably, a
connection mechanism 25 is formed on corresponding portions of the
cross-beam 20 and each respective frame 30. A first connection
mechanism 25 is shown in FIG. 3A. In this embodiment, the
cross-beam 20 has a dovetail tenon 22 sized to be received by a
corresponding dovetail mortise 32 formed on the adjacent frame 30.
Of course, the tenon 22 could be formed on the frame 30 and the
mortise 32 could be formed on the cross-beam 20.
[0030] The connection mechanism can also be, for example, a
snap-fit connector 125 that permits flexible projections 122 in the
frames 30 to snap into slots 132 in the cross-beam 20 or vice
versa, as shown in FIG. 9. As the projections 122 are pressed into
the slots, they become compressed. However, after being completely
passed into the slot, the projections 122 will expand to their
original size within a chamber (not shown) behind the slot.
[0031] The connection mechanism can also be a molded boss connector
255 in which a boss 222 is received in a well 232, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0032] The above-mentioned connection mechanisms preferably provide
a releasable engagement between the cross-beam 20 and the frames
30. As a result of the releasable engagement, the barricade can be
disassembled for shipping and/or storage in a substantially flat
configuration. Further, the barricade may be easily assembled and
placed atop other like barricades to form a barricade stack. The
above-described connection mechanisms can provide ease and speed of
assembly and disassembly. It is also possible to attach the frames
30 to the cross-beam 20 with conventional mechanical hardware (not
shown); although such mechanical hardware may take longer to
assemble and disassemble. By way of further example (not shown),
the cross-beam 20 can have mating ends with reduced thicknesses to
facilitate connection to the frames 30 for a first time assembly,
or if there is a need to disassemble rather than nest.
[0033] The cross-beam 20 and frames 30 of the barricade 10 are
preferably molded via an injection molding process. Injection
molding permits the thinnest wall section at the lowest
manufacturing cost. The walls of the cross-beam 20 and frames 30
are preferably about 0.200 to about 0.300 inches thick, and more
preferably about 0.250 inches thick. Such a wall thickness,
combined with conventional structural enhancements molded into the
frames 30, can provide the function and structural integrity needed
to nest several barricades in a static load and to mount rolling
members 40 to the base portions 51 of the lower legs 50.
[0034] It should be noted that although injection molding is
preferred, it is possible to form the cross-beam 20 and frames 30
via rotational molding, which permits a thin wall, preferably about
0.200 inches thick. It is also possible to form the cross-beam 20
and frames 30 via a blow molding process, which permits a thin
wall, preferably about 0.125 inches thick, and a double wall
throughout. The overall thickness (two walls and the space between
them) is preferably about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches.
[0035] Rolling members 40 can be provided on the legs 50 to render
the barricade 10 readily mobile. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower end
of the leg 50 has a floor portion 52 having a molded boss 60 formed
therein. The floor portion 52 forms, in conjunction with a base
portion 51, a chamber which is adapted to receive a stem 42 of a
rolling member 40. The rolling members 40 can be, for example,
conventional wheels or stem casters. The rolling members 40 permit
mobility of the barricade or several nested barricades. One or more
of the rolling members 40 may also have a conventional locking
brake mechanism.
[0036] Although FIGS. 4 and 5 show only one frame 30, it should be
readily recognized that both frames 30 may have rolling members 40.
However, in certain applications, it may be preferable to have
rolling members 40 on only one of the frames 30. Such applications
include situations where there is a concern that the barricade 10
may inadvertently move away from a predetermined area by means of
the rolling members 40. For example, if the predetermined area were
located on a hill, gravity may force a barricade 10 having rolling
members 40 away from the predetermined area. By way of further
example, if the predetermined area were subject to steady wind
conditions, the barricade 10 may be apt to be blown away by the
wind. If the rolling members are provided on only one of the
frames, the barricade may be moved in a manner similar to a
wheelbarrow, i.e., by lifting the frame of the barricade that does
not have the rolling members.
[0037] If barricades are stacked, mobility can be obtained by
providing rolling members 40 on only the lowest barricade 10 in the
barricade stack. This can minimize the number of rolling members
40.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a plurality of barricades 10 can
be stacked, or nested, one upon another. FIG. 7 shows the clearance
D, preferably one to two inches, between the cross-beams 20 of two
consecutively stacked barricades 10. The clearance D is largely
dependent on the size of reinforcing ribs that may be provided.
[0039] Nesting the barricades 10 permits space efficient storage of
the barricades 10 in a storage room, truck, or other location.
Nesting also can reduce the amount of time required for handling
and set up because the barricades do not have to be disassembled
and reassembled. Nesting also permits the barricades to be stacked
in an organized, sturdy, and safe manner. In addition, providing
rolling members 40 on the lowest barricade 10 in a barricade stack
enables all of the barricades 10 in a barricade stack to be moved
together between a storage area and a predetermined area, without
the expense of additional equipment, such as a cart.
[0040] Nesting aids in the deployment of the barricades. For
example, barricades can be stacked and then moved to an area of
deployment. The can be moved, for example, by rolling them on the
rolling members. The barricades can then be removed from the stack
and deployed in a desired location.
[0041] The nestable barricade can be used to inhibit access to a
predetermined area. Further, the barricade can be designed to be
easily moved into the vicinity of the predetermined area. The
predetermined area may be a large area such as, for example, a
construction site, a work zone, unauthorized area, etc. Similarly,
the predetermined area may be small area such as, for example, a
hazardous area in a store aisle (e.g., broken glass, wet floor,
spilled food, etc.) or outdoors (e.g., loose gravel, a hole in a
sidewalk, uneven pavement, pothole, etc.).
[0042] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a
true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *