U.S. patent application number 12/077959 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for environmental barrier device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SILTSHIELD, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark D'Andreta, Stephen Mini.
Application Number | 20080181730 12/077959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39668193 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080181730 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
D'Andreta; Mark ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
Environmental barrier device
Abstract
An environmental barrier system that is supported relative to a
base includes an environmental barrier device with at least a
portion that is resiliently flexible. The environmental barrier
device includes a first side and a bottom edge. The environmental
barrier system also includes a bracket that couples the
environmental barrier device to the base. The bracket includes a
coupling member that couples to the base and a support member that
is coupled to the coupling member. The support member includes a
first portion that supports the first side of the environmental
barrier device and a second portion that supports the bottom edge
of the environmental barrier device.
Inventors: |
D'Andreta; Mark;
(Ortonville, MI) ; Mini; Stephen; (Richmond,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
SILTSHIELD, LLC
|
Family ID: |
39668193 |
Appl. No.: |
12/077959 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12006857 |
Jan 7, 2008 |
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12077959 |
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11556401 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
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12006857 |
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60792382 |
Apr 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/302.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/302.6 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/20 20060101
E02D017/20 |
Claims
1. An environmental barrier system that is supported relative to a
base, the environmental barrier system comprising: an environmental
barrier device with at least a portion that is resiliently
flexible, the environmental barrier device including a first side
and a bottom edge; and a bracket that couples the environmental
barrier device to the base, the bracket including a coupling member
that couples to the base and a support member that is coupled to
the coupling member, the support member including a first portion
that supports the first side of the environmental barrier device
and a second portion that supports the bottom edge of the
environmental barrier device.
2. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the
coupling member defines a hanger through which a fastener extends
to couple the coupling member to the base.
3. The environmental barrier system of claim 2, wherein the
fastener includes an enlarged surface that abuts against the
coupling member adjacent the hanger.
4. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the
coupling member is insertable into the base to couple to the
base.
5. The environmental barrier system of claim 4, wherein the
coupling member is disposed at a positive angle relative to the
support member so as to extend into and couple to the base.
6. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the
environmental barrier device includes a second side opposite to the
first side, and wherein the support member further includes a third
portion that supports the second side of the environmental barrier
device.
7. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the first
portion of the support member includes an end that is angled so as
to be disposed at a positive angle away from the first side of the
environmental barrier device.
8. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the bracket
includes a first support member and a second support member,
wherein the bottom edge of the environmental barrier device defines
an axis, and wherein the first portion of the first support member
and the first portion of the second support member extend away from
each other and are each disposed at a positive acute angle with
respect to the axis.
9. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the bracket
includes a first support member and a second support member, and
wherein the coupling member is coupled to and disposed between the
first support member and the second support member.
10. The environmental barrier system of claim 1, wherein the
support member and the coupling member are integrally coupled.
11. A method of coupling an environmental barrier device to a base,
the method comprising: providing an environmental barrier device
with at least a portion that is resiliently flexible; providing a
bracket having a coupling member and a support member, the support
member including a first portion and a second portion; coupling the
coupling member to the base; supporting the environmental barrier
device on the bracket such that the first portion of the support
member supports a first side of the environmental barrier device
and the second portion of the support member supports a bottom edge
of the environmental barrier device.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the coupling member to
the base comprises inserting a fastener with an enlarged surface
into a hanger defined by the coupling member such that the coupling
member is disposed between the enlarged surface and the base.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the coupling member to
the base comprises embedding the coupling member in the base.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the bracket comprises
bending an elongate member so as to define the coupling member and
the support member.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental barrier
device includes an aperture and the base defines a top surface, and
wherein supporting the environmental barrier device on the bracket
comprises supporting the environmental barrier device on the
bracket such that the aperture is disposed above the top surface of
the base.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein supporting the environmental
barrier device on the bracket further comprises supporting the
environmental barrier device on the bracket such that a third
portion of the support member supports a second side of the
environmental barrier device, the second side of the environmental
barrier device being opposite to the first side of the
environmental barrier device.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein supporting the environmental
barrier device on the bracket further comprises supporting the
environmental barrier device between the support member and the
base.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the base includes an upright
surface, wherein coupling the coupling member to the base comprises
coupling the coupling member to the upright surface of the base,
and wherein supporting the environmental barrier device on the
bracket comprises supporting the environmental barrier device
upright adjacent the upright surface of the base.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising positionally
adjusting the environmental barrier device relative to the base
after supporting the environmental barrier device on the
bracket.
20. An environmental barrier system that is supported relative to a
base, the environmental barrier system comprising: an environmental
barrier device with at least a portion that is resiliently
flexible, the environmental barrier device including a first side,
a second side opposite to the first side, and a bottom edge; and a
bracket comprising: a first support member having a first portion,
a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion supporting
the first side of the environmental barrier device, the second
portion supporting the bottom edge of the environmental barrier
device, and the third portion supporting the second side of the
environmental barrier device, the first portion including an end
that is disposed away from the environmental barrier device; a
second support member having a first portion, a second portion, and
a third portion, the first portion supporting the first side of the
environmental barrier device, the second portion supporting the
bottom edge of the environmental barrier device, and the third
portion supporting the second side of the environmental barrier
device, the first portion including an end that is disposed away
from the environmental barrier device; and a coupling member that
couples to the base, the coupling member integrally coupled to the
third portion of the first support member and the third portion of
the second support member so as to be disposed between the first
support member and the second support member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/006,857, filed Jan. 7, 2008, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/556,401, filed
Nov. 3, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/792,382, filed Apr. 14, 2006, each of which is
expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present teachings generally relate to environmental
barrier devices. More particularly, the present teachings relate to
such devices for reducing soil erosion at construction sites, for
example, and a method of reducing soil erosion at construction
sites.
[0003] Exposed soil areas are subject to water erosion and sediment
movement during and after storm water events. Materials and methods
have been used to eliminate soil loss or movement across
construction sites from such events. A silt fence is a temporary
barrier used to intercept sediment-laden runoff from small areas.
Silt fences are effective in trapping sediment from all activities
that involve soil disturbance. They can be used on adjacent
properties, adjacent bodies of water, large sloping areas, near
streams and waterways, near surface drainage ways and other areas
to prevent water erosion and sediment movement.
[0004] A conventional silt fence includes a fabric portion and a
plurality of stakes. The fabric portion extends between the stakes.
The stakes serve to anchor and support the fabric portion. The
fabric functions to prevent unwanted erosion and sediment movement
while permitting the passage of rainwater.
[0005] While conventional silt fences have proven to be
satisfactory for their intended use of preventing erosion and
sediment movement, they are all associated with drawbacks and
limitations. In this regard, construction vehicles may easily knock
over a conventional silt fence and render it inoperative for its
intended use. Furthermore, installation of conventional silt fences
can be inconvenient and time consuming. Accordingly, it remains a
need in the pertinent art to provide an environmental barrier which
prevents water erosion and sediment movement while overcoming the
drawbacks and limitations associated with known structures,
including but not limited to those discussed above.
SUMMARY
[0006] An environmental barrier system is disclosed that is
supported relative to a base. The system includes an environmental
barrier device with at least a portion that is resiliently
flexible. The environmental barrier device includes a first side
and a bottom edge. The environmental barrier system also includes a
bracket that couples the environmental barrier device to the base.
The bracket includes a coupling member that couples to the base and
a support member that is coupled to the coupling member. The
support member includes a first portion that supports the first
side of the environmental barrier device and a second portion that
supports the bottom edge of the environmental barrier device.
[0007] A method of coupling an environmental barrier device to a
base is also disclosed. The method includes providing an
environmental barrier device with at least a portion that is
resiliently flexible. The method also includes providing a bracket
having a coupling member and a support member. The support member
includes a first portion and a second portion. The method further
includes coupling the coupling member to the base and supporting
the environmental barrier device on the bracket such that the first
portion of the support member supports a first side of the
environmental barrier device and the second portion of the support
member supports a bottom edge of the environmental barrier
device.
[0008] In still another aspect, an environmental barrier system
that is supported relative to a base is disclosed. The system
includes an environmental barrier device with at least a portion
that is resiliently flexible. The environmental barrier device
includes a first side, a second side opposite to the first side,
and a bottom edge. The system also includes a bracket with a first
support member having a first portion, a second portion, and a
third portion. The first portion supports the first side of the
environmental barrier device, and the second portion supports the
bottom edge of the environmental barrier device. The third portion
supports the second side of the environmental barrier device, and
the first portion includes an end that is disposed away from the
environmental barrier device. The bracket also includes a second
support member having a first portion, a second portion, and a
third portion. The first portion supports the first side of the
environmental barrier device, and the second portion supports the
bottom edge of the environmental barrier device. The third portion
supports the second side of the environmental barrier device, and
the first portion includes an end that is disposed away from the
environmental barrier device. Furthermore, the bracket includes a
coupling member that couples to the base. The coupling member is
integrally coupled to the third portion of the first support member
and the third portion of the second support member so as to be
disposed between the first support member and the second support
member.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will
become apparent from the description and appended claims provided
hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description
and specific examples, while indicating the various examples of the
present teachings, are intended for purposes of illustration only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings.
DRAWINGS
[0010] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental view illustrating an
environmental barrier device in accordance with the present
teachings, the environmental barrier device shown operatively
installed at a construction site, a construction vehicle shown
crossing the environmental barrier device and thereby applying a
load to the environmental device to deflect it from a normally
upright orientation.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of FIG. 1 illustrating the
environmental barrier device after the construction vehicle has
passed, the environmental barrier device resiliently returning to a
generally vertical orientation after the load of the vehicle has
been removed.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the environmental barrier device in
accordance with the present teachings and as shown installed in
FIG. 1, the environmental barrier device shown in cross
section.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of an environmental barrier
device in accordance with the present teachings, the environmental
barrier device shown operatively associated with a mounting bracket
suitable for temporarily securing the environmental barrier device
to a curb, for example.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear view of an environmental barrier
device in accordance with the present teachings, the environmental
barrier device shown operatively associated with a mounting bracket
suitable for temporarily securing the environmental barrier device
to a curb, for example.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting bracket
shown in association with a curb, for example.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the mounting bracket shown in association with a curb, for
example.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an environmental barrier
device shown supported by a mounting bracket for temporarily
securing the environmental barrier device to a curb, for
example.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS
[0020] The following description of the present teachings is merely
exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
disclosure, its application, or uses.
[0021] With general reference to the drawings, an environmental
barrier device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure is illustrated and generally identified at
reference character 10. The environmental barrier device may be
used at a construction site, for example. In this regard, the
environmental barrier device 10 may be used to reduce soil erosion.
In one application, the environmental barrier device 10 may be
positioned proximate a curb 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or other
construction site boundary. Alternatively, the environmental
barrier device 10 may be positioned in a trench 14 formed in
undisturbed soil 16. The trench 14 may be back-filled with
disturbed soil 18.
[0022] The environmental barrier device 10 may be oriented in a
generally vertical plane and define a barrier for reducing soil
erosion. The environmental barrier device 10 may function to
prevent the passage of silt from a construction site side to a
street side, for example. Additionally, the environmental barrier
device 10 may provide for the passage of water (e.g., rain water)
from the construction site side to the street side.
[0023] The environmental barrier device 10 may be anchored in the
ground and otherwise be a self-standing structure. In this regard,
it may not be necessary to support the environmental barrier device
10 with stakes or similar structure conventionally used to support
a silt fence. In certain applications, the environmental barrier
device 10 may be anchored approximately eight inches below ground
level.
[0024] The environmental barrier device 10 may be a resilient
structure that is deflectable under load and which resiliently
returns to a generally vertical orientation after the load is
removed. The environmental view of FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of
the environmental barrier device 10 deflected from the generally
vertical orientation by the passage of a construction vehicle 20.
In FIG. 2, the construction vehicle 20 has passed and the deflected
portion of the environmental barrier device 10 automatically and
resiliently returns to its generally vertical orientation.
[0025] The environmental barrier device 10 includes a flexible
member 22 having a length and a height. As will be addressed below,
the length may be substantially greater than the height. The
environmental barrier device 10 may additionally include means for
permitting the passage of rain water through the flexible member
22. The environmental barrier device 10 may further include means
for preventing the passage of soil through the flexible member
22.
[0026] The flexible member 22 may include an upper portion 22A and
a lower portion 22B. As will be discussed further below, the lower
portion 22B is intended to be buried or otherwise anchored with
respect to the ground. The upper portion 22A is intended to
upwardly extend from the ground. In certain applications, the lower
portion 22B need not have the same flexibility nor resiliency of
the upper portion 22A.
[0027] The flexible member 22 of the environmental barrier device
10 may be a composite structure having a plurality of components or
layers. The flexible member 22 may generally include a first member
or first layer 24 and a second member or second layer 26. The first
member 24 may be constructed of a sheet material. The first member
24 may have a memory retaining shape and may provide the flexible
member 22 with inherent resiliency to return to the generally
vertical orientation or upright position.
[0028] The first member 24 may be constructed from a polyolefin
foam sheet. One suitable material is commercially available under
the registered trademark Volara.RTM. from Sekisui America
Corporation. Other materials having suitable resiliency, strength
and/or durability characteristics may be alternatively
utilized.
[0029] The means for permitting the passage of rain water may
include a plurality of holes or apertures 28 formed in the first
member 24. The holes 28 may be round, oval, any other suitable
shape or combinations of shapes to permit the passage of rain water
through the first member 24. It will be appreciated that the
location of the holes 28, the hole pattern, the size of the holes
28 and the number of holes 28 may be varied from application to
application within the scope of the present teachings. Alternative
to holes 28, the means for permitting the passage of rain water may
comprise a sheet material that allows for the passage of rain water
but prevents the passage of soil.
[0030] The means for preventing the passage of soil through the
flexible member 22 may include a second member or second layer 26.
The second member 26 may be a filter member. The second member 26
may be positioned adjacent one of the sides of the first member 24
so as to cover the holes 28. The second member 26 may be
constructed of a second sheet material. The second member 26 may be
flexible and may define a filter media. The second member 26 may
allow the passage of water and preclude the passage of dirt and
silt. In one application, the second member 26 may be a nylon mesh.
Alternatively, any other material suitable for filtering soil from
rain water may be employed. In certain applications, the means for
filtering may simply be the holes 28 which are sized and provided
in such number to provide the necessary filtering. The second
member 26 may be secured to the first member 24. In this regard,
the second member 26 may be glued or laminated to the first member
24. Alternatively, the second member 26 may be stitched or
otherwise suitably secured to the first member 24.
[0031] The flexible member 22 may additionally include a third
member or third layer 30. As with the first member 24, the third
member 30 may be constructed of a sheet material and may have a
memory retaining shape. Again, while other materials may be
employed, the third member 30 may be constructed of a polyolefin
foam sheet. One suitable material is commercially available under
the registered trademark Volora.RTM.. In a manner similar to the
first member 24, the third member 30 may include a plurality of
holes or apertures. The second member 26 may be disposed between
the first member 24 and the third member 30. The third member 30
may be secured to the first member 24 and/or the second member 26
by adhesive, lamination, stretching or any other suitable
manner.
[0032] The flexible member 22 of the environmental barrier device
10 may be made in various lengths and heights. In one application,
the flexible member 22 may be formed to have a length from
approximately 50 feet to approximately 200 feet. The environmental
barrier device 10 may be formed to have a height from approximately
20 inches to approximately 36 inches. In certain applications, it
may be desirable to cut preformed sections to desired lengths.
[0033] Separate lengths of the flexible member 22 may be joined
with mechanical fasteners 32. The flexible member 22 may be
preformed with holes 34 (see FIG. 5, for example) for receiving the
mechanical fasteners 32. The fasteners 32 may be used for splicing
or repairs. One suitable mechanical fastener 32 is a two-piece
fastener commercially available from Micro Plastics, Inc. of
Flippin, Ark., as Part No. 27QB701000B. Other manners of coupling
distinct lengths of the flexible member 22, including
non-mechanical manners of fastening, may be employed within the
scope of the present teachings.
[0034] In use, the lower portion 22B of the flexible member 22 may
be buried or otherwise anchored relative to the ground. For
example, approximately eight inches of the flexible member 22 may
be set below grade for anchoring. Backfilling may be provided to
support the flexible member 22.
[0035] In certain applications, it may be desirable to use the
flexible member 22 with a bracket 40. The bracket 40 may be
generally W-shaped and may engage the lower portion 22B of the
flexible member 22. The bracket 40 may engage a fastener 42 (see
FIG. 5). In this regard, fasteners 42 may be mounted in a curb 12
and the bracket 40 may be used for temporarily securing the flexile
member 22 relative to the curb 12 prior to the backfilling soil
adjacent the curb 12.
[0036] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 5-7, the bracket 40
generally includes a coupling member 44, a first support member
46a, and a second support member 46b. As will be described in
greater detail below, the coupling member 44 couples to a base,
such as a curb 12, and the first and second support members 46a,
46b support the environmental barrier device 10 such that the
bracket 40 couples the environmental barrier device 10 to the curb
12.
[0037] It will also be appreciated that the bracket 40 could
include any number (including one) of support members 46a, 46b. It
will also be appreciated that the bracket 40 could couple the
environmental barrier device 10 to any suitable base other than a
curb 12, such as an upright surface of a trench that has been dug
into the earth.
[0038] In some embodiments, the coupling member 44 and the support
members 46a, 46b are integrally coupled. For instance, the bracket
40 can be made from an elongate member such as a wire, and the
bracket 40 can be made by bending the elongate member so as to
define the coupling member 44 and the support members 46a, 46b.
[0039] Moreover, in some embodiments, the coupling member 44 is
disposed between and coupled to the first support member 46a and
the second support member 46b. Each support member 46a, 46b can
include a first portion 48, a second portion 50 and a third portion
52. In some embodiments, the first and third portions 48, 52 extend
in a generally upright or vertical direction, and the second
portion 50 extends in a generally horizontal direction to connect
the respective lower ends of the first and third portions 48, 52.
As such, the first and third portions 48, 52 are disposed at a
distance relative to each other in a generally horizontal
direction. In other words, the first, second and third portions 48,
50, 52 generally define a retaining space 56 therebetween. Also,
the first portion 48 includes an end 54 which is upturned and
angled so as to extend in a generally downward direction.
[0040] Moreover, the coupling member 44 can include a first portion
58 and a second portion 60. The first portion 58 is coupled to the
third portion 52 of the first support member 46a, and the second
portion 60 is coupled to the third portion 52 of the second support
member 46b. In some embodiments, the first and second portions 58,
60 are bent downward and disposed at a relatively small distance
relative to each other so as to define a hanger 62
therebetween.
[0041] In some embodiments, the bracket 40 is coupled to the curb
12 using a fastener 42. The fastener 42 can be of any suitable
type, and can extend through the hanger 62 of the coupling member
44 in order to couple the bracket 40 to the curb 12. It will be
appreciated that the fastener 42 can be of any suitable type, such
as a masonry screw. Also, the fastener 42 can include a washer 64
with an enlarged surface 66. The surface area of the enlarged
surface 66 allows the enlarged surface 66 to abut against the
hanger 62 of the coupling member 44. As such, the coupling member
44 is disposed between the enlarged surface 66 of the fastener 42
and the curb 12 so as to be securely coupled thereto.
[0042] In some embodiments, a plurality of brackets 40 are coupled
to the curb 12 in the manner described above. In some embodiments,
the brackets 40 are disposed in spaced relationship to each other
longitudinally along the curb 12. Furthermore, in some embodiments,
the brackets 40 are coupled to the curb 12 at a substantially
consistent vertical position on an upright surface 70 of the curb
12.
[0043] Next, the lower portion 22B of the environmental barrier
device 10 is positioned in the space 56 defined by the support
members 46a, 46b of each bracket 40. As such, the environmental
barrier device 10 is supported by the brackets 40 in a generally
upright position generally parallel to the upright surface 70 of
the curb 12. Also, in some embodiments, the environmental barrier
device 10 is generally suspended by the brackets 40 so as to hang
from the upright surface 70 in a generally upright position.
[0044] More specifically, in some embodiments, the environmental
barrier device 10 is supported by the brackets 40 such that a first
side 72 of the device 10 is supported by and adjacent to the first
portion 48 of the support members 46a, 46b, a second side 74 of the
device 10 (i.e., the side opposite the first side 72) is supported
by and adjacent to the third portion 52 of the support members 46a,
46b, and a bottom edge 76 of the device 10 is supported by and
adjacent to the second portion 50 of the support members 46a, 46b.
Also, the device 10 is supported between the first portion 48 of
each support member 46a, 46b and the upright surface 70 of the curb
12. As such, the first portion 48 of each support member 46a, 46b
holds the device 10 against the upright surface 70 of the curb 12
so as to maintain the device 10 in a generally upright position.
Then, soil can be backfilled to further secure device 10 in the
upright position.
[0045] It will be appreciated that the ends 54 are angled so as to
be disposed in a positive angle .alpha. away from the first side 72
of the device 10 (FIG. 9). As such, the ends 54 are unlikely to
snag against the device 10.
[0046] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the first portion
48 of the first support member 46a and the first portion 48 of the
second support member 46b extend away from each other and are each
disposed at a positive acute angle .alpha.' with respect to the
axis of the bottom edge 76 of the device 10 (FIG. 9). As such, the
support members 46a, 46b span a greater area of the device 10 for
improved support thereof.
[0047] In some embodiments, the brackets 40 are installed on the
upright surface 70 such that the apertures or holes 28 of the
device 10 are disposed above (i.e., exposed above) a top surface 80
of the curb 12. As such, the holes 28 are able to filter any water
or run-off that passes through the device 10. More specifically, in
some embodiments, the brackets 40 are installed such that the
second portion 50 of the support members 46a, 46b are disposed
approximately 6 to 6.5 inches below the top surface 80 of the curb
12 to ensure that the holes 28 are disposed above and exposed above
the top surface 80. Furthermore, in some embodiments, once the
brackets 40 are coupled to the curb 12 and the device 10 is
provided on the brackets 40, the device 10 is positionally adjusted
relative to the curb 12 (e.g., either up or down along the upright
surface 70) such that the holes 28 are disposed above and exposed
from the curb 12. In some embodiments, the brackets 40 are bent
while coupled to the curb 12 so as to move the device 10 up or down
relative to the curb 12.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the bracket
40' will now be discussed. In this embodiment, the bracket 40'
includes a coupling member 44', a first support member 46a', and a
second support member 46b'. The first and second support members
46a', 46b' are substantially similar to the embodiment described
above in relation to FIG. 7. However, a plane defined by the
coupling member 44' is disposed at a positive angle .alpha.''
relative to a plane defined by the third portion 52' of each of the
first and second support members 46a', 46b'. In some embodiments,
the coupling member 44' is disposed at approximately a right-angle
relative to the third portions 52'. As such, the coupling member
44' is insertable into the upright face 70 of the curb 12 to
thereby couple the bracket 40' to the curb 12. In other words, in
order to couple the bracket 40' to the curb 12 the coupling member
44' is inserted into and extends into the upright face 70 of the
curb 12. Once the brackets 40' are coupled to the curb 12, the
environmental barrier device 10 is supported on the brackets 40'
similar to the embodiments described above and represented in FIG.
9.
[0049] In some embodiments, the bracket 40' represented in FIG. 8
is used in association with a curb 12 that has been freshly poured
and is still wet, and the bracket 40 represented in FIG. 7 is used
in association with a curb 12 that has sufficiently dried enough to
support the fastener 42.
[0050] It will now be appreciated that an environmental barrier
device 10 is provided that facilitates the entry and egress of
construction vehicles about a construction site. A device 10 is
shown and described that may be provided in a roll to facilitate
shipping and handling. Furthermore, the bracket 40, 40' provides a
convenient and relatively quick means of installing and supporting
the environmental barrier device 10 in a generally upright
position. Additionally, the bracket 40, 40' securely supports the
environmental barrier device 10 in a generally upright position.
Upon completion of construction at a construction site, the
environmental barrier device 10 and brackets 40, 40' may be removed
for subsequent re-use.
[0051] The above description is merely exemplary in nature and,
thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure
are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *