Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2002-02-26
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S220700, C052S238100, C052S071000, C160S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06349517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fixed barriers, and more specifically to a module barrier system having hingeable panels and cable-carrying castings and extrusions that provide a barrier for any contour and that may be installed with minimal disruption to business services.
Modular barrier systems are known in the art for use as permanent or non-permanent dividers. In mass transit stations, fixed barrier systems channel passengers to gated entrances to ensure that payment is made for the transport service. Free-standing barrier systems of the prior art provide a convenient and cost-efficient alternative to erecting a permanent wall. A typical modular system is constructed with panels that fit into connecting spines. Spines are available in differing spine types to connect panels at specific angles. For example, a first spine may have slots 180 degrees apart for providing a straight connection, a second spine may have slots 90 degrees apart to provide a corner connector, and a third spine type may have four slots on all sides of the spine for connection of four panels. Absent the availability of custom made spines, these type of panel systems do not allow “odd” angle panel connections that may be necessary to follow the outline of a desired wall plan.
Transit system barriers typically are used to channel passengers to fare gates that require power cable and signal cable connections. Thus, it is desirable to include an area within or adjacent the barrier for running cables to the fare gates. The panels of some prior art systems are raised to provide an area for running cables along the floor with a baseboard cover providing protection from the panel base to the floor. Other systems provide holes through the spines that allow cables to be thread through the spines from panel to panel. Other portable and/or semi-permanent barrier systems do not provide an area for cables. Thus, the cables must be installed underground or overhead resulting in expensive and disruptive barrier installations.
The prior art systems providing baseboard cable areas present a number of disadvantages. Baseboard cable areas do not provide sufficient protection for data and power cables in a business environment, such as a transit system, that exposes the barrier modules and cables to outside environmental conditions. Cables lying along the ground are exposed to water and dirt and other contaminants that may damage the cables. In addition, any movement of the panels may cause the panel spines or baseboards to pinch, short, or sever the cables. Baseboard cable installation also has a disadvantage of possible data signal interference that may result from bundling power cables and data cables. The prior art panel systems also do not provide sufficient clearance for multiple cables, and replacement of cables is difficult because the cables are bundled or randomly piled, and are not easily accessible.
Both portable and permanent barrier systems of the prior art present disadvantages for the transit system environment. Portable panels of the prior art that cannot be mounted to floors present opportunities for vandalism or unauthorized movement of panel sections. Permanent barrier systems are expensive and require disruption of business operations during installation. In addition, once permanent barrier systems are in place, the location of the panels and the fare gates cannot be moved easily. Thus, a need remains for a hingeable fixed barrier with a protected cable-carrying channel for providing a system that may be erected to match any desirable barrier contour.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a hinged joint to enable a series of fixed barrier modules to change direction utilizing a single support post type.
It is another advantage to provide a fixed barrier that provides a cable carrier channel for accepting and enclosing power and signal cables.
It is still another advantage to provide a support post having cable-carrying hinge castings for carrying the power and signal cables through the support post.
It is a further advantage to provide a fixed barrier system that may be installed with minimal disruption to transit or other business operations.
The fixed barrier of an exemplary embodiment provides a means of preventing passengers from entering a secure side of a pedestrian area, such as a paid area of a transit station, other than by using an automatic gate or by using a manually operated gate which is under the control of a revenue operator. The fixed barrier is a series of barrier modules that are constructed from panels connected to hinging post extrusions and swivel joint castings. The hinging sections allow the fixed barrier to be angled along any area to be bounded utilizing a universal, i.e. a single type, hinging post.
The fixed barrier of the exemplary embodiment further provides a conduit, or channel, for holding and enclosing multiple cables, including power cables and signal cables. The cable conduit includes a cable carrier section below each panel section that connects to swivel joint castings within the hinging posts that are adjacent each panel section. The channel protects the cables from exposure to the environment, thus eliminating the need for installing the cables underground or overhead. Two swivel joint castings having hollow conduit structures are positioned in a base portion of the hinging post to carry the cables from the carrier section below one panel section into the carrier section of an adjacent panel section. The swivel joint castings sit on a hinge pins that allow the joints to rotate 45 degree angle to the front or the back of a center line of the hinging post. The hollow interior of the joint castings allow cable bundles to bend with the fixed barrier without pinching and tangling the individual cables. The hinged joint castings and panel sections are fitted to rotate cooperatively on the hinging post.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the swivel joint castings and carrier sections provide separate trays for cable types. For example, a top cable tray may be utilized for power cables, and a bottom cable tray may be utilized for signal cables. This feature of the fixed barrier reduces possible signal interference between the power and signal cables. In other embodiments of the invention, the swivel joint castings and carrier sections may provide multiple trays to separate a variety of cable types.
The fixed barrier of the exemplary embodiment consists of panels supported by vertical upright aluminum posts. Aluminum posts provide a light-weight, yet sturdy, barrier structure that withstands environmental conditions such as humidity, rain, and dust. Other embodiments of the present invention may utilize posts constructed from other suitable materials such as plastics and stainless steel. Likewise, the panels of the exemplary embodiment are glass or clear plastic, but may be made of other materials. The panels are fitted with panel carrier holders, or extrusions, that are clasped onto the panels along a vertical panel edge. The panel carrier extrusions abut the posts and are held between two hinges attached to an upper portion and a lower portion of the post. Each panel carrier extrusion and attached panel rotates on hinge pins that are inserted through the hinges into hinge pin holes located on the panel carrier extrusion. Thus, each panel section is hingeable to any desired angle, limited only by an allowable range of motion of the hinge and panel carrier extrusion.
The support posts of the exemplary embodiment are generally oval shaped having cut-away sections including tapped extruded holes and “v”-shaped hinge insets. Additionally, the center portion of the support posts of the exemplary embodiment includes an “h”-shaped cavity between the tapped extruded holes and hinge insets. The cavity decreases the weight and the quantity of material needed for each support post. Each support post has a center portion removed at the bottom end of the post to allow insertion of two
Manley Alan
Wheeler Mike
Brown Martin Haller & McClain
Cubic Corporation
Friedman Carl D.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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