Abstract:
A building barrier system wherein a portion of the building barrier system can transition between an erect position and a substantially flat position thereby allowing access to the interior of the structure without having to disassemble the building barrier system and associated method.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/825,780, filed Sep. 15, 2006, entitled “BUILDING BARRIER SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a building barrier system, and associated method, for use with a structure that is under construction. More particularly, this invention relates to a building barrier system that can be transitioned between an erect position and a substantially flat position. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     During the construction of a structure (building) having multiple levels (floors), such as an office building, United States Government OSHA regulations require that some type of railing structure be erected around the perimeter of a floor when the floor is a certain height above the surrounding ground. Specifically. OSHA regulations require that the railing be able to withstand a “down and out” force of 200 pounds (lbs.) and have a height (H) of 42 inches (in.). 
     When such a railing structure is erected per OSHA regulations, however, access from the exterior of the structure to the interior of the structure (or vice versa) is prohibited. Accordingly, a portion of the railing structure is typically disassembled or removed when building materials are required to be imported onto the floor from the exterior of the structure. Once the building materials have been imported, however, construction crews often do not reassemble the railing structure because reassembly of the railing structure is not only inconvenient but is time consuming as well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,720 discloses an enclosure system for partially enclosing a structure that is under construction. Specifically, this patent provides a construction enclosure system that comprises a plurality of frames, which are secured to the structure by brackets that are bolted to the structure&#39;s deck (floor), that are adapted to receive one or more enclosure panels used to partially enclose the structure. The enclosure panel can be moved from one deck of the structure to the next by sliding the panel along the frame members. However, similar to other railing structures, the enclosure system that is disclosed in this patent prevents building materials from being imported or exported from the structure when it is properly being used. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a building barrier system that can allow building materials to be imported onto or exported from a floor without having to disassemble the building barrier system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention meets this as well as other needs by disclosing a building barrier system that can transition between an erect position and a substantially flat position thereby allowing access to the interior of the structure without having to disassemble the building barrier system. Moreover, this invention discloses a method for installing such a building barrier system. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a building barrier system comprising: a deck; a first support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; a second support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; a third support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; each of said first, second, and third support posts secured to said deck and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said deck, said first support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said second support post and said second support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said third support post; a fixed panel having a first edge and a second edge, said first edge of said fixed panel positioned adjacent to said second side of said first support post and said second edge of said fixed panel positioned adjacent to said first side of said second support post, said fixed panel being secured to each of said first and second support post; a movable panel having a first edge and a second edge, said first edge of said movable panel positioned adjacent to said second side of said second support post and said second edge of said movable panel positioned adjacent to said first side of said third support post, said movable panel in a first position being removably secured to said second and third support posts, and in a second position being pivotable toward said deck; and a first shaft extending from said first and second edges of said movable panel, said first shaft being received into said first passageway disposed in each of said second and third support posts. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method for erecting a building barrier system on a deck of a structure comprising: providing a first support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; providing a second support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; providing a third support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; securing each of said first, second, and third support posts to said deck in a direction substantially perpendicular to said deck, said first support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said second support post and said second support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said third support post; providing a fixed panel having a first edge and a second edge; positioning said first edge of said fixed panel adjacent to said second side of said first support post and said second edge of said fixed panel adjacent to said first side of said second support post; securing said fixed panel to each of said first and second support posts; providing a movable panel having a first edge and a second edge; positioning said first edge of said movable panel adjacent to said second side of said second support post and said second edge of said movable panel adjacent to said first side of said third support post; securing in a first position said movable panel to each of said second and third support posts; providing a first shaft, said first shaft extending from said first and second edges of said movable panel thereby allowing said movable panel to transition into a second position, wherein said movable panel in said second position being pivotable towards said deck. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a building structure comprising: a deck; a building barrier system secured to said deck, said building barrier system including: a first support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; a second support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; a third support post having a first side, a second side, a first aperture, and a second aperture; each of said first, second, and third support posts secured to said deck and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said deck, said first support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said second support post and said second support post being substantially parallel and spaced from said third support post; a fixed panel having a first edge and a second edge, said first edge of said fixed panel positioned adjacent to said second side of said first support post and said second edge of said fixed panel positioned adjacent to said first side of said second support post, said fixed panel being secured to each of said first and second support post; a movable panel having a first edge and a second edge, said first edge of said movable panel positioned adjacent to said second side of said second support post and said second edge of said movable panel positioned adjacent to said first side of said third support post, said movable panel in a first position being removably secured to said second and third support posts, and in a second position being pivotable toward said deck; and a first shaft extending from said first and second edges of said movable panel, said first shaft being received into said first passageway disposed in each of said second and third support posts. 
     One object of the invention is to provide a building barrier system that allows access to the interior of a structure from the exterior of the structure (or vice versa) without having to be disassembled or removed. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a reusable building barrier system. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a building barrier system that can provide a degree of safety to individuals working on or visiting a structure that is under construction. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a building barrier system that can provide the interior of a structure, which is being constructed, some degree of protection from weather elements, such as resisting rain and snow. 
     Another object of this invention is to maintain the heat within the interior of the structure when the building barrier system is in an erect condition. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a method for installing such a building barrier system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the disclosed and claimed concept can be gained from the following Description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric schematic view of one embodiment of the building barrier system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front elevational view of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1  along  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the building barrier system of FIG. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of a support post; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the support post of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 10 and 10   a  are top plan view of two embodiments of the support post; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the first positioning plate; 
         FIGS. 12 and 12A  are left and right side elevational views of the first positioning plate of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the second positioning; 
         FIGS. 14 and 14A  are left and right side elevational views of the second positioning plate of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a fixed panel of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1  along  15 - 15 ; 
         FIG. 15   a  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fixed panel of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view of the fixed panel of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1  along  16 - 16 ; 
         FIG. 16   a  is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the fixed panel of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a movable panel of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1  along  17 - 17 ; 
         FIG. 17   a  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the movable panel of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a rear elevational view of the movable panel of the building barrier system of  FIG. 1  along  18 - 18 ; 
         FIG. 18   a  is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the movable panel of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the movable panel of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a rear elevational view of the connecting panel; 
         FIG. 21A  is a left side elevational view of the connecting panel of  FIG. 20 , and  FIG. 21B  is a top plan view of the connecting panel of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of a structure with the building barrier system positioned on adjacent decks and connecting panels connecting the building barrier systems. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As employed herein, the term “mechanical fastener” or variations thereof shall refer to any suitable fastening, connecting or tightening mechanism including, but not limited to, Velcro, tabs, snaps, screws, bolts, nuts, and the combination of bolts and nuts or bolts/nuts and washers. 
     When referring to any numerical range of values, such ranges are understood to include each and every number and/or fraction between the stated range minimum and maximum. 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, upper, lower, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, above, beneath, clockwise, counterclockwise and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
     Unlike other types and styles of enclosure/railing structures that are used during the construction of a multi-level structure, the building barrier system that is disclosed in this invention allows access from the exterior of the structure into the interior of the structure without having to remove or disassemble the building barrier system. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , depict a building barrier system  2  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The building barrier system  2  includes a plurality of support posts (first support post  20 , second support post  22 , third support post  678 , and fourth support post  679 ) that are secured to a deck  6  of a structure  8  that is being constructed as well as a fixed panel  10  and a movable panel  12 . 
     The fixed panel  10 , which has a first edge  16  and a second edge  18 , is positioned between a first support post  20  and a second support post  22 . Specifically, the first edge  16  of the fixed panel  10  is positioned adjacent to the second side  24  of the first support post  20  while the second edge  18  of the fixed panel  10  is positioned adjacent to the first side  26  of the second support post  22 . The fixed panel  10  is secured to the first and second support posts  20 , 22  by a second shaft  28 . The second shaft  28  extends from the first and second sides  16 , 18  of the fixed panel  10  substantially adjacent and co-planar to the first end  30  of the fixed panel  10 . One end of the second shaft  28  is received into a first passageway  32  that is disposed in the first support post  20  while the other end of the second shaft  22  is received into a first passageway  34  that is disposed in the second support post  22 . The fixed panel  10  is also secured to the first and second support posts  20 , 22  by a third shaft  36 . The third shaft  36  extends from the first and second sides  16 , 18  of the fixed panel  10  substantially adjacent and co-planar to the second end  38  of the fixed panel  10 . One end of the third shaft  36  is received into a second passageway  40  that is disposed in the first support post  20  while the other end of the third shaft  36  is received into a second passageway  42  that is disposed in the second support post  22 . The fixed panel  10  can be manufactured from material that include, without limitation, plastic and fiberglass. 
     The movable panel  12 , which has a first edge  44  and a second edge  46 , is positioned between the second support post  22  and a third support post  678 . When the movable panel  12  is an erect condition, the first edge  44  of the movable panel  12  is positioned adjacent to the second side  50  of the second support post  22  while the second edge  46  of the movable panel  12  is positioned adjacent to the first side  52  of the third support post  674 . The movable panel  12  has a handle  54  for unlocking the movable panel  12  from the second and third support posts  22 , 48 . A first shaft  56 , which allows the movable panel  12  to pivot towards the deck  8 , extends from the first and second sides  44 , 46  of the movable panel  12  substantially adjacent and co-planar to the first end  58  of the movable panel  12 . One end of the first shaft  56  is received into the first passageway  34  that is disposed in the second support post  18  while the other end of the first shaft  56  is received into the first passageway  60  that is disposed in the third support post  678 . A retractable shaft  62  extends from the first and second sides  44 , 46  of the movable panel  12  substantially adjacent and co-planar to the second end  64  of the movable panel  12 . When the movable panel  12  is in an erect condition, one end of the retractable shaft  62  is received into the second passageway  42  that is disposed in the second support post  22  while the other end of the retractable shaft  62  is received into a second passageway  66  that is disposed in the third support post  678 . In this particular embodiment, rotation of the handle  54  causes the ends of the retractable shaft  44  to retract, thereby unlocking the movable panel  12  from the second and third support posts  22 , 48 . It should be noted, however, that despite  FIG. 1  showing a handle  54  as the mechanism for unlocking the movable panel  12  from the second and third support posts  22 , 48 , other mechanisms for unlocking the movable panel  12  from the second and third support posts  22 , 48  could include, without limitation, a button that can be actuated or a moveable slider. 
     Once the moveable panel  12  has been unlocked from the each of the second and third support posts  22 , 48 , the moveable panel  12  is able to pivot towards the deck  6  in the direction of arrow A which allows access from the exterior of the structure  8  to the interior of the structure  8  (or vice versa) between the second and third support posts  22 , 48 . In other words, the moveable panel  12  can be lowered onto the deck  6  so that building materials and/or other supplies can be imported onto or exported from the deck  6  of the structure. After the materials have been imported or exported, the moveable panel  12  can be raised in the direction opposite to arrow A and the handle  18  rotated, thereby extending the retractable shaft  62  and locking the movable panel  12  to the second and third support posts  22 , 48 . 
     Hereinafter, the first, second, and third support posts  20 , 22 , 48  shall collectively be referred to as the support post  67 . Referring to  FIGS. 6-14   a , the support post  67 , which can be manufactured from a metal or a metal alloy, includes a housing  68  having a first end  69 , a threaded channel  70 , a first positioning plate  72 , a movable second positioning plate  74 , a second end,  75 , an end plate  76 , and a threaded rod  80 . The threaded rod  80 , which extends through the threaded channel  70  in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the support post  67 , can be rotated by rotation of a nut/bolt  78  that is disposed on the threaded rod  80 . Located on one surface of the housing  68  is a protective plate  82  that is fastened to the housing  68  using techniques that are known in the art such as, without limitation, mechanical fasteners and/or welds. It is noted that the width (W) of the protective plate  82  can either be substantially equal to the width (W 1 ) of the housing  68  or the width (W) of the protective plate  82  can be wider than the width (W 1 ) of the housing  68  ( FIGS. 8-9 ). Preferably, the protective plate  82  is fastened to the surface of the housing  4  that is facing the exterior of the structure  8  and is manufactured from aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the housing  30  of the support post  67  also includes an elongated aperture  84 , which extends substantially parallel to an axis of the support post  67 , disposed on the surface of the housing  4  that faces the interior of the structure  8 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, a portion of the movable second positioning plate  74  is positioned within the elongated aperture  84  which allows the second positioning plate  74  to move in the direction of arrow B when the threaded rod  80  is rotated. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing  30  of the support posts  4  can include one or more gripping handles (not shown), which are disposed on the surface of the housing  30  facing the interior of the structure  8 , in order to aid in the installation of the support posts  4 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the threaded rod  80  also extends through an aperture in the end plate  76 . The end plate  76  is retained on the threaded rod  80  by a washer  102  and a mechanical fastener  104  which are positioned adjacent a side of the end plate  76 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the support post  67  has a total length (TL) of about 96 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-12   a , the first positioning plate  72  has a substantially rectangular shape. Disposed on one end of the first positioning plate  72  is a recess  86  that is adapted to receive the housing  68 . A surface of the first positioning plate  72  is secured to the housing  30  using techniques that are known in the art such as, without limitation, mechanical fasteners and/or welds. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 6-7 , the first positioning plate  72  is fastened to the housing  30  of each of the support posts  4  by one or more welds. The first positioning plate  34  can also include one or more apertures  88  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) that are structured to receive a mechanical fastener (not shown) that is fastened to the deck  6  of the structure  8 , thereby providing additional means for securing each support post  67  to the structure  8 . In other embodiments, however, the first positioning plate  72  can lack the apertures  88  ( FIG. 10A ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-14   a , the movable second positioning plate  74  is positioned adjacent to and below the first positioning plate  72 , thereby forming a cavity  90  that receives the deck  6  of the structure  8  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). Hereinafter, the first positioning plate  34  and the movable second positioning plate  36  shall collectively be referred to as positioning plates. The movable second positioning plate  74  is comprised of a first portion  92  and a second portion  94 . The first portion  92  of the movable second positioning plate  74  is positioned within the elongated aperture  84  of the support post&#39;s  4  housing  68 . The second portion  94  of the movable second positioning plate  74  is positioned outside of the elongated aperture  84  and is the portion of the movable second positioning plate  74  that, in combination with the first positioning plate  72 , defines the cavity  90 . The first portion  92  of the movable second positioning plate  74  also includes an aperture  96  and a threaded bolt/nut  98  through which the threaded rod  80  extends. As can be seen from these figures, the threaded bolt/nut  98  is positioned substantially adjacent to the aperture  96 . Upon rotation of the threaded rod  80  via the bolt/nut  78 , the movable second positioning plate  74  can either travel up or down (arrows B and C in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) the threaded rod  80 . Accordingly, the movable second positioning plate  74  is used to secure the support post  67  to the deck  6 , which is received into the cavity  90  that is defined by the positioning plates  72 , 74 , by clamping or sandwiching the deck  6  between the positioning plates  72 , 74 . 
     The support post  67  is secured to the deck of a structure  8  by first inserting the deck  6  into the cavity  90  that is defined by the first positioning plate  72  and the movable second positioning plate  74 . Once the deck  6  is received within the cavity  90 , the bolt/nut  78 , which is located substantially adjacent to the first end  69  of the housing  68 , is rotated in order to move the movable second positioning plate  74  upwards towards the deck  6  in the direction of arrow B. The bolt  78  is rotated until the movable second positioning plate  74  comes into contact with a surface of the deck  6  thereby securing (i.e. clamping or sandwiching) the deck  6  between the positioning plates  72 , 74 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-16   a , the fixed panel  10  is substantially rectangular in shape and, as stated above, has a first edge  16 , a second edge  18 , a first end  30 , and a second end  38 . A second shaft  28 , which is located substantially adjacent to the first end  30  of the fixed panel  10 , secures the fixed panel to the adjacent support posts  4  (i.e., first and second and support posts  20 , 22 ). A third shaft  36 , which is positioned substantially adjacent to the second end  38 , also secures the fixed panel to the adjacent support posts  4 . Disposed on the exterior surface  106  of the fixed panel  10  are one or more apertures  108  positioned substantially adjacent to the first and second ends  30 , 38  of the fixed panel  10 . In other embodiments of the fixed panel  10 , the apertures are also located substantially adjacent to the first and second sides  16 , 18  as well. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the apertures  108  are structured to receive tabular members that extend from a surface of a connecting panel  110 , thereby securing the connecting panel  110  to the fixed panel  10 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the fixed panel  10  can have a ramp  112  that is connected to the second end  38  of the fixed panel  10  ( FIGS. 15   a  and  16   a ). In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the fixed panel  10  has a total height (H) of about 42 inches (in.), a width (W 2 ) of about 2 inches (in.), and a length (L) ranging from about 4 feet (ft.) to about 10 feet (ft.). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-18   a , similar to the fixed panel  10 , the movable panel  12  is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first edge  44 , a second edge  46 , a first end  58 , and a second end  64 . A retractable shaft  62 , which is positioned substantially adjacent to the second end  64  of the movable panel  12 , secures the movable panel  12  to the adjacent support posts  4  (i.e., second and third support posts  22 , 48 ). As stated above, the retractable shaft  62  can be retracted from the adjacent support posts  4  by rotation of the handle  54  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), thereby unlocking the movable panel  12  from the adjacent support posts  4 . A first shaft  56 , which is positioned substantially adjacent to the first end  58  of the movable panel  12 , secures the movable panel  12  to the adjacent support posts  4 . When the movable panel  12  is unlocked from the adjacent support posts rod  20 , the first shaft  56  enables the movable panel  12  to pivot towards the deck  6 . Similar to the fixed panel  10 , the removable panel  12  also has one or more apertures  112  disposed on the exterior surface  114  of the movable panel  12  that are used to secure a connecting panel  110  to the movable panel  12 . The apertures  112  can either be positioned substantially adjacent to the first and second ends  58 , 64  of the movable panel  12  and/or substantially adjacent to the first and second sides  44 , 46  of the movable panel  12 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the movable panel  12  can have a ramp  116  that is connected to the second end  64  of the movable panel  12  ( FIGS. 17   a  and  18   a ). In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the movable panel  12  has a total height (H) of about 42 inches (in.), a width (W 2 ) of about 2 inches (in.), and a length (L) ranging from about 4 feet (ft.) to about 10 feet (ft.). In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the movable panel  12  can also include a railing system  118  that extends from the second end  64  of the movable panel  12  (see  FIG. 19 ). This railing system  118  can be used as an added safety feature with the aim of preventing an individual from accidentally entering the area where the materials are being imported onto the deck  6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20-21   b , disposed on and extending from the interior surface  120  of the connecting panel  110  are one or more tabular members  122  that are used to secure the connecting panel  110  to the fixed and/or movable panels  10 , 12  by mechanically engaging with the apertures  108 , 112  that are disposed on the fixed and movable panels  10 , 12 . Referring to  FIG. 22 , the connecting panels  110  are used to completely enclose the structure  8  during construction. As can be seen from this figure, the connecting panel  110  is attached to the fixed or movable panels  10 , 12  which are located on adjacent decks  124 ,  126  (i.e. different floors). In one embodiment of the invention, adjacent connecting panels  110  are joined together by utilizing removable strips  128 , such as neoprene strips, or by way of mechanical fasteners. In another embodiment of the invention, one end of the connecting panel  110  is secured to either a fixed  10  or movable panel  12  while another end of the connecting panel  110  is secured to an adjacent deck by a mechanical fastener. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.