Support for containment system

Abstract

 A support (10) for containment system barriers (51), including telescoping tubes (12, 14) cylindrical about a first axis (15), a nut (24) secured to one of the tubes, a bracket (34) secured to the other of the tubes, a handle portion (20) cylindrical about a second axis (25) parallel to and spaced from the first axis, and a holder (48) adapted for securing to a vertical side of a barrier (51). The nut (24) has a threaded interior opening substantially cylindrical about the second axis. A threaded bar (26) is rotatably received in the nut (24), and is also secured against axial movement relative to the bracket (34) as well as being rotatable relative to the bracket (34). The handle portion (20) is secured to the one of the tubes (12, 14) with the bar (26) received in the handle portion, and the holder (48) is secured to the tubes adjacent the holder top and bottom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/539,796, filed September 27, 2011.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[0003] Not Applicable.

FIELD

[0004] The structure disclosed herein relates to barriers such as used in construction, and more particularly to supports on which such barriers may be secured.

BACKGROUND

[0005] Various building sites can benefit from containment barriers, including locations in which the barrier is desired over a vertical height between, for example, a floor and a ceiling, where complete, full height (floor to soffit) containment barriers have been used. Components of such barriers (e.g., soft nets, metal barriers, etc.) have heretofore been supported on vertical posts which are secured in place by tensioning them with a certain force between the floor and soffit. Such posts may, however, heretofore have been insufficiently stiff, as well as being difficult to assemble.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to the disclosure, a support is provided for a containment system, with the support adapted for cooperating with others of the supports to vertically support barriers. The support includes a first tube telescopically received in a second tube whereby both of the tubes are substantially cylindrical about a first axis, a nut secured to one of the first and second tubes, a bracket secured to the other of the first and second tubes, a handle portion cylindrical about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis, and a holder adapted for securing to a vertical side of a barrier. The nut has a threaded interior opening substantially cylindrical about the second axis. A bar substantially cylindrical about the second axis and having outer threads is rotatably received in the nut, where the bar is also secured against axial movement relative to the bracket as well as being rotatable relative to the bracket. The handle portion is secured to the one of the first and second tubes with the bar received in the handle portion; and the holder is secured to the tubes adjacent the holder top and bottom.

[0007] In one form, the bracket is adjustably securable to selected points along the length of the other of the first and second tubes.

[0008] In another form, the bracket extends substantially radially from the first axis, and the bracket includes a cylindrical portion through which the other of the first and second tubes extends.

[0009] In still another form, the holder has flexible loops adjacent the holder top and bottom, whereby the loops may be flexed open to allow the loops to wrap around the tubes to secure the holder to the tubes.

[0010] In a further form, hooks are spaced along the holder, with the hooks being adapted to secure to a barrier at selected positions along the holder.

[0011] In a still further form, the bar includes a hexagonal head adjacent the bracket.

[0012] In yet another form, the nut is between the handle and the bracket.

[0013] According to another form, a method is provided of assembling a containment system, comprising the steps of (1) positioning the support in a vertical orientation between a floor and a ceiling, (2) securing the support in the vertical orientation by rotating the bar to engage and secure the support at its top and bottom to the ceiling and the floor, respectively; (3) repeating the positioning and securing steps to secure a plurality of supports at spaced location; and (4) securing opposite sides of barriers to supports secured at spaced positions whereby the barriers block passage between the spaced supports.

[0014] In one form, the positioning step includes the step of holding the support by its handle.

[0015] In another form, the method, prior to the positioning step (0a) a plurality of supports are provided, (0b) the bars of the supports are rotated to position the nut adjacent the bracket, (0c) a plurality of supports are transported to an area requiring containment, and (0d) supports are carried by their handle to the location where they are to be secured.

[0016] In still another form, the positioning step includes positioning the support in a generally vertical orientation, positioning a level against one of the poles wherein the level is secured to the one of the poles so that its axis is parallel to the pole first axis; and, prior to the securing step, adjusting the vertical orientation of the poles so that level indicates that the poles are vertical.

[0017] In yet another form, the level has faces angled relative to each other about a third axis and measures whether the third axis is vertical; and the positioning step includes the steps of (1a) securing the level faces against one of the poles so that the third axis is parallel to the first axis, and (1b) positioning the support so that the level indicates that the support is vertical when performing the securing step.

[0018] In a still further form, the poles are steel and the level has magnetic faces angled relative to each other about a third axis and measures whether the third axis is vertical, where the positioning step includes the steps of (1a) magnetically securing the level faces against one of the poles so that the third axis is parallel to the first axis, and (1b) positioning the support so that the level indicates that the support is vertical when performing the securing step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a post and holder according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the middle portion of the post of Fig. 1;

[0021] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view taken through line A-A of Fig. 2;

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holder of Fig. 1;

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one tool, mounted on a post, which may be used to facilitate proper orientation of the post when installed; and

[0024] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second tool which may be used to facilitate proper orientation of the post when installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The post or support 10 are shown in the Figures, with the post 10 including two long tubes 12, 14 telescopically mounted together along an axis 15 as best shown in Figs. 1-2.

[0026] The bottom of the post 10 (i.e., the bottom of tube 12) in use may be suitably secured to the floor of the site when used. For example, the post 10 may be located in place with its bottom frictionally secured in a spot on the floor (e.g., for relatively short heights or low loads), or abutting a toeboard, or it may be mechanically anchored into a floor slab (as by bolting down, where relatively higher loads may be encountered). Alternatively, a socket for receiving the bottom of the post 10 may be formed in the floor, for example, by casting a plastic sleeve in a slab when pouring (or when fabricating precast floor planks), or by casting the floor around the post 10.

[0027] The top of the post 10 (i.e., the top of tube 14) in use may be suitably secured against the ceiling (soffit) by, for example, friction (e.g., when the bottom is secured in place frictionally or by mechanical anchoring), or mechanically anchored (e.g., when the bottom is also mechanically anchored), or by locating in a welded socket in steel frame buildings. Using a friction connection at the top advantageously avoids requiring that the installer work at heights.

[0028] The tubes 12, 14 (and other components) may be made of any suitable material, including metals such as aluminum, and advantageously steel which provides suitable stiffness and further will grip the surfaces longer during loading.

[0029] A tubular grip or handle 20 is mounted parallel to and spaced from the bottom tube 12. Also mounted parallel to and spaced from the bottom tube 12, near its top and above the grip 20, is a bracket with a suitable threaded nut 24 having a central axis 25 which is spaced from but substantially parallel to the tube axis 15.

[0030] A bolt or threaded bar 26 is threaded in the nut 24, and may extend into the tubular grip 20 (all of which are centered on the axis 25) as the threaded bar 26 moves up and down as described further hereafter. It should be appreciated that the grip 20 may not only function to protect the threaded bar 26, but the grip 20 may also be used as a handle when carrying the post 10 as well as when moving the post 10 into the desired vertical orientation when installing in place.

[0031] A connecting piece 30 includes a tubular portion 32 positioned around the top tube 14 with a radial bracket 34 which is suitably secured to the top of the threaded bar 26. The tubular portion 32 includes radial holes 36 on opposite sides, which holes may be aligned with a selected pair of radial holes 38 which are spaced along the length of the top tube 14 with, for example, a quick release pin 40 extending through aligned holes in the top tube 14 and the connecting piece tubular portion 32 to allow for incremental length adjustment of the post 10.

[0032] Final, fine adjustment of the length of the post 10 is accomplished by rotating a hex head 42 suitably secured to the threaded bar 26 for rotation therewith. Further, the threaded bar 26 is secured to the radial bracket 34 such that the connecting piece 30 will be pushed up (e.g., by a radial flange 43 at the top of the bar 26 pushing against the bottom of the radial bracket) when the threaded bar 26 is rotated for mounting in place at a building site. A roll pin 44 may extend through the hex head 42 to secure the head 42 from passing through the opening in the radial bracket 34, so that the connecting piece 30 remains reliably connected to the bar 26 when being carried around. The bracket 34, threaded bar 26 and nut 24 are configured such that if the bar 26 is rotated to fully retract the connecting piece 30 against the nut, the closed position will be reached without the hex head 42 being biased toward pulling through the hole in the radial bracket 34 (so that the roll pin 44 will not be damaged in that position). It should be appreciated that still other configurations for rotating the threaded bar 26 to connect the grip 20 to the connecting piece 30 could be provided.

[0033] Securing of the post 10 is accomplished by expanding the telescoping tubes 12, 14, first by incremental adjustment positioning the quick release pin 40 in suitable aligned radial holes 36, 38, and then rotating the easily accessible hex head 42 (e.g., by use of a battery powered impact wrench) to engage the top and bottom with the ceiling/soffit and the floor/slab as described above, with sufficient force to, for example, create the necessary friction at the top and/or bottom.

[0034] A load indication device may also be advantageously provided to help the installer knowing when the correct tensioning force is reached. For example, a thick colored washer (e.g., red which is recognized to indicate warning) may be supported by cup springs such that, when the correct force is reached the cup springs are compressed to a degree that makes the colored washer disappear behind a casing.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a holder 48 which may be advantageously used in conjunction with the post 10, with the holder 48 having a plurality of attachment hooks 50 to which barrier components 51 (partially shown in Fig. 1) such as soft nets, metal barriers, etc. may be secured. It should be appreciated that the holder 48 may be secured to, for example, two barriers extending in generally opposite directions from the holder 48.

[0036] Elastically flexible loops 52 may be provided, for example, at the top and bottom, and may be flexed to open and allow the loops 52 to be wrapped around the tubes 12, 14. Additionally, a central quick clamp 54 may be provided to secure the holder 48 to the post 10, advantageously at the location of the grip 20 while also allowing easy height adjustment of the holder 48 relative to the post 10. Further, removing the post from an installation is facilitated by the clamp 54 advantageously holding the components from falling apart during dismantling.

[0037] It should be appreciated that a device with two tubes 12, 14 may advantageously be adjustable to work in heights of, for example, 2.6 to 3.5 meters. Further, additional telescopic tubes could be added for more adjustability and greater heights (while still allowing the post 10 to be reasonably sized for handling between uses).

[0038] Still further, it should be appreciated that the easy accessibility of the hex head 42 to allow for adjustment of the length of the post 10 is not only advantageous when first positioning the post 10, but also advantageously allows for the compression of the post 10 to be adjusted if needed (e.g., when the floor slab is struck and starts to relax), without requiring that the barriers be dismantled (during which time safety could be compromised).

[0039] Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate two tools which may be advantageously used with the support 10 to facilitate orienting the post vertically when installed.

[0040] In Fig. 4, the tool 60 includes a portion 62 with two faces angled relative to each other about an axis whereby when the two faces are positioned against a cylindrical post, the axis is parallel to the axis of the post. Such a configuration allows use with posts of different diameters. A suitable clamping member 64 is securable at opposite ends to the angled portion 62 in a suitable manner to allow the portion to be removably secured against a post as described. For example, as illustrated, the clamping member 64 may be wrapped around the opposite side of a post and secured on opposite ends to opposite sides of the angled portion 62, whether by elasticity or by a threaded connection. One or more bubble levels 66 are secured to the angled portion 62 in an orientation whereby its bubble is centered when the axis of the post to which the tool 60 is attached is vertical.

[0041] In Fig. 5, the tool 70 includes two wings 72, 74 angled relative to an axis 75. The wings 72, 74 may be pivoted about the axis so to accommodate mounting on different diameter posts, whereby when the wings 72, 74 are supported against a cylindrical post, the axis will be parallel to the post axis. Rather than clamping as with tool 60, the tool 70 may include suitable magnets 76 for connection to posts made of magnetic material (e.g., steel). The tool 70 includes a plurality of levels 78 which are oriented so that when the tool axis is vertical (e.g., when attached to a post which is perfectly vertical as desired), the bubbles of the levels 78 will be centered.

[0042] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the sequence of the steps of assembling a containment system using the support (10) herein could be modified and still achieve desirable results, and other steps may be performed, or steps may be eliminated, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A support (10) for a containment system, said support adapted for cooperating with others of said supports to support barriers (51) vertically, said support comprising:

a first tube (14) telescopically received in a second tube (12) whereby both of said tubes are substantially cylindrical about a first axis (15);

a nut (24) secured to one of said first and second tubes, said nut including a threaded interior opening substantially cylindrical about a second axis (15), wherein said second axis is parallel to said first axis and spaced a selected distance from said first axis;

a bracket (34) secured to the other of said first and second tubes;

a bar (26) substantially cylindrical about the second axis and having outer threads rotatably received in said nut, said bar being secured against axial movement relative to said bracket and rotatable relative to said bracket;

a handle portion (20) cylindrical about said second axis and secured to said one of said first and second tubes, said bar being received in said handle portion; and

a holder (48) secured to the tubes adjacent the holder top and bottom, said holder being adapted for securing to a vertical side of a barrier.

2. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (34) is adjustably securable to selected points along the length of the other of said first and second tubes.

3. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (34) extends substantially radially from said first axis, and said bracket includes a cylindrical portion (32) through which the other of said first and second tubes extends.

4. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, wherein said holder (48) has flexible loops (52) adjacent the holder top and bottom, whereby said loops may be flexed open to allow the loops to wrap around the tubes to secure the holder to said tubes.

5. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, further comprising hooks (50) spaced along the holder, said hooks being adapted to secure to a barrier at selected positions along said holder (48).

6. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, wherein said bar includes a hexagonal head (42) adjacent said bracket (34).

7. The containment system support of any of the preceding claims, wherein said nut (24) is between said handle portion (20) and said bracket (24).

8. A method of assembling a containment system, comprising the steps of:

positioning the support (10) of any of the preceding claims in a vertical orientation between a floor and a ceiling;

securing said support in said vertical orientation by rotating said bar to engage and secure said support at its top and bottom to said ceiling and said floor, respectively;

repeating the positioning and securing steps to secure a plurality of supports (10) at spaced locations; and

securing opposite sides of barriers (51) to supports secured at spaced positions whereby said barriers block passage between said spaced supports.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said positioning step includes the step of holding said support by its handle (20).

10. The method of any of claims 8 and 9, further comprising the steps of, prior to the positioning step:

providing a plurality of supports (10);

rotating said bars (24) of said supports to position said nut (24) adjacent said bracket (34);

transporting said plurality of supports to an area requiring containment; and

carrying each support by its handle to the location where they are to be secured.

11. The method of any of claims 8, 9 and 10, wherein the positioning step comprises the steps of
positioning the support in a generally vertical orientation;
positioning a level (60, 70) against one of said poles, wherein said level is secured to said one of said poles whereby its axis is parallel to said pole first axis (15); and
prior to the securing step, adjusting the vertical orientation of the poles so that level indicates that said poles are vertical.

12. The method of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein
said level (60, 70) has faces (e.g., 72, 74) angled relative to each other about a third axis (e.g., 75) and measures whether said third axis is vertical; and
said positioning step includes the steps of
securing said level faces against one of said poles so that said third axis is parallel to said first axis (15), and
positioning said support so that said level indicates that the support is vertical when performing said securing step.

13. The method of any of claims 8 to 12, wherein
said poles (12, 14) are steel;
said level (70) has magnetic faces (76) angled relative to each other about a
third axis (75) and measures whether said third axis is vertical; and said positioning step includes the steps of
magnetically securing said level faces against one of said poles so that said third axis is parallel to said first axis, and
positioning said support so that said level indicates that the support is vertical when performing said securing step.

Drawing